Don't mess with dog ban

July 17, 2008

Dear Sir,

I find it hard to believe that those knuckleheads on de hill are about to change the dog ban law that was introduced in 1993. When every country that hasn't already banned certain breeds of dog are thinking about doing so, our lot up there are going the opposite way.

I have had several different breeds of dog in my lifetime and I have also had experience with some of the breeds that are on our stop list.

Most of these dogs on that list are breeds that were once bred as fighting dogs or guard dogs famous for their ferocity. Unfortunately when this is inherent in the breed's history it is carried in the animal's genes. It is latent until another animal or human being arouses that ferocity, then you have a whole lot of trouble on your hands.

Believe me I have had experience of 100 pounds worth of pure fury on the end of a lead, just managing to hold on to it when it was attacked by another dog unexpectedly. I was around 200 pounds myself at that time, so you can see why it makes me wonder when I see a young lady walking one of these animals struggling to keep it from mauling my CAR when I pass her!

So for goodness sake you byes on de hill let's not have any fullishness and don't mess with that ban.

OLD SHEP

Paget

Defending Tourism team

July 18, 2008

Dear Sir,

I can no longer sit idly by while the reputation and integrity of some of my former colleagues and friends at Bermuda Department of Tourism (BDOT) are being called into question.

I had the privilege of working within the BDOT's Marketing Department from 2003 – 2005. During that time I worked closely with the North American Sales Team. It is not only laughable that an unnamed source would accuse them of living lavishly and misappropriating public funds but laughable also that the Premier's reason for outsourcing their jobs is based on an outdated sales model; a model that he and his consultant implemented during my tenure with Tourism.

In fact in the 22 months that I was part of the BDOT team THREE different sales models were used. The first was in place when I arrived. I'm not sure when it was instituted, but I did agree at the time that it needed to be updated.

The new (and second) sales model was implemented under the leadership of then Minister Renee Webb. Less than one year later the third sales model was introduced under the new leadership of Premier Brown (then Minister of Tourism & Transport).

Any astute business person would agree, that if you implemented three completely different business models within a 22-month period, the chance of business success would be slim to none. Add to that the complete lack of involvement of the management team in the strategic planning process and an abhorrent record of human resources and employee communications by the Executive Management Team, and you are bound for failure.

This is what the BDOT Team has had to deal with and I can assure you, since 2005, they have continued to consistently endure an unstable, unhealthy and morally degrading working atmosphere. The sheer amount of employee turnover in the BDOT in the past three years (both overseas and locally) is a testament to this.

And yet through it all, the North American and Bermuda Team has remained dedicated and passionate in their efforts to promote Bermuda.

I loved my time at Tourism. I was passionate about promoting my Island and enjoyed a strong working relationship with all BDOT team members and hospitality industry partners. But I also learned a very tough lesson during that time. When I entered Tourism, I was 100% opposed to the privatisation of Tourism. Under the leadership that existed (Minister Webb and Director Judith Hall-Bean) and with the team that was in place, I knew that we had the strategic vision, creative talent, experience, drive and dedication to make positive strides.

And so we did, with measurable results (without having to play with the numbers). Everything was certainly not perfect, but we did what we needed to do.

Unfortunately, I learned pretty quickly, that it didn't matter how much talent, strategic vision and capabilities existed. As long as the responsibility for promoting Bermuda comes under the direction of the Government (regardless of which political party is in place) and is under political influence our Tourism industry will never recover. With every change in Ministerial leadership, comes a change in consultant, a change in ministerial vision for Bermuda and a change in strategy (tourism had three Ministers, three consultants and two directors within a three-year period). No business model could ever sustain this.

To my BDOT friends, keep your chins up! If you know that you've done nothing wrong don't let anyone call your integrity into question. And know that those of us who have had the privilege of working with you (former BDOT staffers and hospitality industry partners) know you are dedicated and do the best you can based on the environment and tools you are given to work with. Stay strong!

To the BPSU, thank-you for supporting the entire BDOT Team. Time is far overdue for a public stand to be taken in support and protection of this group of individuals.

to Billy Griffiths, newly appointed Director of Tourism, I wish you all the best. You have an awesome responsibility ahead of you. But I guarantee that IF you put your team first, respect them and focus on rebuilding trust and stability within all BDOT offices, they will rally behind you and as a team, you, and Bermuda, will enjoy many successes.

This island is worth fighting for. The success, prosperity and protection of ALL Bermudians is worth fighting for. So I encourage everyone in Tourism and on this Island to stand up for what is worth fighting for. And don't let fear or threat of intimidation hold you back.

KERRY A. JUDD

City of Hamilton

Tears on return

July 18, 2008

Dear Sir,

A friend and I, a former Bermudian, recently visited my home. The main reason for the visit was to give a hug to the family of Kirk Bartram, my nephew. So it was a somewhat sad time, yet a good occasion to let them know I too cared.

I found the same friendliness that I knew before leaving my Island for college. There I was fortunate enough to find true love, which is why I became a US citizen.

Cousins were kind enough to show me around Bermuda which I had not visited for ten years because my husband had been ill a long time and recently died after 57 years of marriage.

It was good to be shown my former school, The Berkeley, and to tour the new Berkeley. It brought tears to my eyes seeing the old and the new. I pray the teaching is as good now as it was in the '40s.

The numerous vehicles, especially in Hamilton, to me, took away the persona of the island as a resort that I knew. Advancement is good, but does the presence of so many vehicles indicate such?

My first visit to Dockyard was a delightful experience. The shops showed exciting items especially the Gombey dolls. Oh, how I wanted one!

This time I stayed at the Princess in Hamilton, my first time in a hotel there. It was a delightful experience.

The sad part was that two of my best friends had died. Gloria McPhee and I had been best friends since the Berkeley days. Naomi Flood, whose family and ours called each other relatives, died just a few weeks before my arrival. However, I was happy to see several relatives, though time did not permit me to see more.

As the plane flew over my former home, I looked out the window with tears in my eyes, not knowing whether I would see such a beautiful sight again.

YVONNE KIRKPATRICK WILLIE

Birmingham, Alabama