Dear Sir, I am a long-time visitor to the Island (this is number 32 since 1981, and I stay at a time twice a year). It is much closer for me to go to Hawaii but I choose Bermuda. I live in Southern California and yet Bermuda has been my preference all these years. But you may soon lose me, much as I love Bermuda.

I am becoming more and more disillusioned with what I foresee for your "Happy Place'', and I could very soon choose another spot to spend my vacation dollars. Not by choice, but out of necessity, because the Island will be totally dedicated to the insurance and offshore industries, not tourism! You are now proposing big money be spent to promote tourism. Why? What can you offer us any more? High air fares, fewer hotel accommodations, less in entertainment options etc. etc. The Bermuda Government seems to be allowing travel dollars to go elsewhere because of poor judgment on many levels. Your Island and residents can be the only ones to suffer bad decisions regarding tourism planning! Do you really care? Do you want us here or not? Do not commit advertising dollars before you have solutions to the problem at hand.

One big solution I hear about: Caribbean countries draw visitors with reduced air fares. How? I understand these countries subsidise the servicing airlines to keep airfares low, which creates incentive for visitors.

Government-subsidised money spent can only mean more visitors and higher return to the Island coffers. It makes sense. Wake up! In my opinion Government has outdated policies regarding Immigration laws i.e.

work permits for management personnel in the large hotels and cottage colonies are too restrictive. You should bend over backwards to encourage their interest here instead of petty restrictions that cause threats of closure etc.

Many properties are already closed and hesitate to move forward with projected plans because of the basically unsound laws Government chooses to enforce.

Where has all the common sense gone? You're losing it! Not everyone can work for Government or drive taxis. It's time to wake up. Handshaking and promotions are not all there is to running a Government. You asked for the job, now do something with it. Are your hearing me, Jennifer et al? ONION FROM CALIFORNIA