What goes around...

April 16, 2009

Dear Sir,

In an effort to avoid the repercussions of vigilante justice and reduce the increasing scourge of unnecessary violence in my beautiful island home, I immediately contacted the Police when my property was stolen (March 4, 2009). I gave the responding detective the names and contact numbers of the persons who I was sure were the culprits in this cowardly act. I received a call a few weeks later from the detective to inform me that contact with the alleged suspects was made and that they admitted taking the items in question, but they had an explanation for taking said items.

As a result of their explanation, the detective said that her Sergeant would have to determine if the matter was criminal or civil. I told the detective that it can't be a civil matter since I could provide proof that the items that were stolen were indeed my property.

I don't profess to understand all the nuances of law, which is the reason I sought advice from a lawyer. My lawyer, as well as numerous other law enforcement officials, told me that it is a clear case of theft. I called the Police a month later for an update, only to be told that the case had not been assigned to anyone. When I received a call a week later, from the detective who took the initial complaint and now assigned to the case, her tone was such that I was wasting her precious time. It's a good thing for me and the Police that I know first hand that this level of unprofessionalism is not indicative of all Police officers.

Today, (April 15, 2009) I was told by the Inspector of the CID Department that he had been in contact with the DPP chambers and was advised that it was a civil matter. Hold on! I thought CID stood for Criminal Investigation Department, with the key word being "investigation!" I guess a phone call to suspects and their response constitutes an investigation by those who can't be bothered to do what my taxpayer dollars pay them to do. Now, I don't subscribe to or condone taking the law into your own hands, but I can now understand how and why some people resort to "criminal" acts!

To serve and protect? Well, I have definitely been served with the infamous runaround and long windedness, and the criminals are the ones that seem to be protected in many cases. I wish to echo the recent sentiments expressed by Minister Col. David Burch for the entities who are entrusted with policing and prosecuting to "just do your job!" I believe in the old adage what goes around comes around and in Karma. So I will wait for my criminals to get what is coming to them, but for some people waiting for that day is not enough!

NYON STEEDE

Paget

Respect the seniors

April 15, 2009

Dear Sir,

Yesterday I heard that the initiation fee has been dropped for senior members with more than ten years of membership. Some would say this is fine and jump on it, but there is moral principal here in my mind. Every member was in good standing prior to the closing of the golf course, so why can't the trustees find favour with all and not just the few? After all as I have said we were members in good standings with the same privileges and if we were then we should be the same now.

Look at this situation of a restaurant where all the patrons were eating and an incident took place. All patrons had to leave their food and the building for whatever reason. Do you think that the owner would invite them all back for a free meal or just the ones he chooses? In my mind, to show integrity and appreciation for the customer, they would be all invited for a free meal. In the case of the senior that is respect for time served and so of course make an adjustment for those. We as seniors really appreciate this and are thankful but we would appreciate it more if you show appreciation for those that are in full standing as a member. Remember those roads we travelled are yours yet to travel, so have a heart. Take the initiative and toss it in the sea of forgetfulness and move on. Your day will come and you will give thanks for the day someone remembered we are one in the people.

Remember this that the Jesus told the good servant in the book of Matthew 25:21 "His Lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: Thou has been faithful over a few things: I will make you ruler over many things: Enter thou into the joy of the Lord". So be a good servant and your joy will always be full in service to the people. Particularly those of the household of faith. It would be good if the scriptures were searched before some decisions are made and see how Christ would have handled the situation. Have a great round of golf in November when the golf course returns.

ARTHUR E.W. (SCOPSIE) HASSELL

Sandys

P.s. God Bless and remember this is a prayed up Island by the household of faith. Be of good courage, we shall overcome. My God does answer prayers.

A note of thanks

Dear Sir,

A thank you to the Nursery School on Happy Valley Road. A thank you to the little children who come and bring us all here Christmas and Easter gifts of food all dressed up. Thank You and God Bless.

SENIOR

Pembroke

Clean up their minds

April 9, 2009

Dear Sir,

Through your paper, I'm appealing to parents to change their lifestyle or modify their behaviour because they are "messing up" their children. The TV in their room, the music in the car (radio or CD) and the cellphone you've given them are not helping either. Teach your sons and daughters to respect themselves and others. If they do, they would be courteous not unruly, not tease, bully, fight, use inappropriate language or actions such as kicking. They would not "mark up" everything in sight: books, furniture, walls. Parents, rein in your little darlings. Clean up their little minds and attitudes. Don't leave it to the teachers, mentors, big brother/sister and similar organisations as valuable as they are.

KEEN OBSERVER

City of Hamilton

A job well done

April 16, 2009

Dear Sir,

Please afford me the opportunity to send a big "thank you!" to the Bermuda Electric Light Company and the Bermuda Fire Services for providing first-class service. Over the night of Saturday April 11, and Sunday April 12, 2009 (Easter) a transformer blew in my neighbourhood; Slipping Hill, St. George's to be exact. An electric pole and tree were on fire the result was a power outage.

Belco workers in conjunction with the Bermuda Fire Services arrived within minutes and were on site to do their respective jobs. After extinguishing the burning pole and tree the Bermuda Fire Service dashed off to another fire that was in the area and within two hours Belco had restored the electricity. I just want to personally say thank you for a job well done. Members of the public when you se a Belco worker or a fireman, smile, and say 'thank you'.

CHERRI SIMONS RUSSELL

St. George's

Remote but not impossible

April 13, 2009

Dear Sir,

I have reason to travel to Spanish Point by bus two to three times a week. The journey is usually pleasant and uneventful. However, there is one area that gives me some concern. Every time we pass along St. John's Road, near Tulo Valley, I get nervous. There is a sheer drop down into Tulo Valley only shrubbery to guard against any mode of transport from falling down into that abyss. The chance of that type of accident is very remote but not impossible. I continue to hope that one day a crash protective rail will be put there.

FOREVER HOPEFUL

Pembroke

Poorly designed terminal

April 9, 2009

Dear Sir,

Every since the construction of the new Hamilton Bus Terminal, we have had nothing but trouble, confusion, disruptions and work stoppages by bus operators. When will it all end? We, the bus commuting public are sick and tired of the, without notice inconvenience thrust upon us. For the lack of a more proper grammatical terminology, the word "stupid" comes to mind. The layout of the Hamilton Bus Terminal was "stupid" to begin with and I am disappointed that the architectural drawings presented to the Corporation of Hamilton weren't more thoroughly scrutinised before given the go ahead.

Again "Stupid". We never experienced this much confusion and disruption at the old Hamilton Bus Terminal. They could have left things as they were and just constructed a high enough overhead shelter to protect the bus commuters from the inclement weather that we experience from time to time and could have saved a few hundred thousand dollars. Sparky Lightbourne, God bless him, in whose honour the new Hamilton Bus Terminal was dedicated, must be turning over in his grave because he, whom I grew up next door to, in our younger days over North Shore Pembroke, would never have consented to the building of this "stupid" bus terminal.

DISGUSTED BUS COMMUTER–City of Hamilton