Not what it should be

November 18, 2009

Dear Sir,

As we approach the Christmas season, what is your gift to your Postman going to be and for what reason? For delivering the mail?

Surely that would be insulting. He already gets paid for that. In fact, an entry level postman with no experience whatsoever earns (or should I say, is paid) about $1,000 per week; that's about $27 per hour or about $52,000 per year. Not bad when you don't have to worry about cost of transportation to get to and from work. And why? You might ask?

He gets free use of a motorbike and a full tank of gas for use even when he is not delivering mail. He has a full uniform – including trousers, shirts, socks, shoes and rainsuit – completely paid for and replaced, as and when requested (not necessarily needed). He returns all mail that has the slightest error in the address: He will not accept that Cedar Hill, Warwick WB could actually be in Warwick — and therefore the letter gets returned to sender or worse still, sent to the Dead Letter Office for destruction. That will teach us a lesson.

Instead of delivering mail, he now spends most of the time on the job, looking for mistakes and reasons not to deliver the mail. He doesn't want to get off his bike (that you have paid for) to deliver mail to the door where your mailbox is sheltered from the elements. It is legislated that all persons — especially seniors have to walk to the end of the driveway to collect mail. He delivers mail, rain, blow or shine – every day. Well perhaps not in the rain. After all, we wouldn't want to get that rainsuit wet. Heaven forbid.

He does you a huge favour by bringing your mail in batches – rather than delivering it in drips and drabs. Who wants to receive a letter every day anyway, when they can get once a week. Somehow, he is convinced that there is more mail today than there was a decade ago and that there are more deliveries to be made despite the recession and the downsizing of businesses. And now he has even more free time, the Union can make a strong case for a reduced work week.

So why would you give your Postman a gift this Christmas? Because maybe it is not the postman's fault but that of some expert from New Zealand? In any event, with all these changes, we are now guaranteed to reduce the delivery times for local mail down to 10 days. I guess that's why the Closing date for delivering local Christmas cards has to be two whole weeks before Christmas. But wait, thanks to Minister Scott, the Post office "will provide a one-off and final grace period that will allow all mail to be delivered where the address can be best determined by the postal staff".

Now is that not what the service should be. The Minister has the language absolutely right. With any luck, this grace period will lead to common sense and a repeal of the regulations altogether. If you are still inclined to give a Christmas gift, put it in the mail but make sure there are no mistakes in your return address.

DEAD LETTER OFFICE

Paget

A card of thanks

November 12, 2009

Dear Sir,

On October 24, the Altrusa Club of Bermuda, along with its worldwide sister clubs and USA Weekend, celebrated "Make a Difference Day". The focus for the last ten years for Altrusa has been literacy and this year the local club teamed with Heron Bay School and students to raise awareness in the community.

On behalf of Altrusa Bermuda, I would like to take the opportunity through this letter to thank the public for their generosity in making this year's day very successful. Students from Heron Bay Primary were "rocking and reading" on the rocking chair in Heron Bay MarketPlace to raise awareness of reading and the vital part a school library plays in increasing literacy. Through their efforts and the information provided by Altrusa Club members forty one hardback books were donated by individual sponsors to Heron Bay Primary library. Also, through the generous donations of change from members of the community we will be able to add a further 50 to 60 books.

Altrusa Bermuda would also like to express our gratitude to The Marketplace for allowing us to use Heron Bay for this literacy project and for the donation of "Onion" chairs that the children can use in their library area. Thank you also to Ms Sharon Wilson who will be decorating the chairs with the students.

Once again our thanks to the community for their generosity in supporting literacy, the students who volunteered to read and their parents who transported them to and from Heron Bay MarketPlace, Mr. Ivan Swan who provided much needed transportation of tables, books and other items and also thanks to Mrs. Alice Carr who assists in choosing the appropriate hardback books for placement in the libraries. Without none of the above "Make a Difference Day" would not have been possible.

MARGEURITE I. LOVELL

President

Altrusa International Inc. of Bermuda

Too much wastage

November 23, 2009

Dear Sir,

As we have learnt of the Cruise Ship Terminal overruns, it is obvious that this Government has spent so much so irresponsibly, that we should no longer trust it with the people's money.

FLABBERGASTED

Smith's

BDA is the way forward

November 18, 2009

Dear Sir,

Looking back, praise and punches characterised the Third Party's reply to the Throne Speech. It was ably delivered by Shawn Crockwell. This perception of the Bermuda Democratic Alliance's reply by many, including UBP and PLP MPs, will not go amiss. There are supporters in both parties who are wavering in their allegiance and may turn to the Third Party as the way forward to a Better Bermuda. Long live the BDA.

OWEN H. DARRELL

Pembroke

Do not give up on Bermuda

November 17, 2009

Dear Sir,

Please allow me to respond to the letter of November 14 from "Torn University Senior". Reading your letter expressing how you feel about what has happened and is happening to your Island, your home and the indecision it has created in your heart about your future and your return home got to me. You sound like a very intelligent young lady who loves her home of Bermuda.

Having said the above please accept my advice to you in the spirit of one born Bermudian to another born Bermudian. Please do not give up on your home, Bermuda. To many of us gave up on Bermuda years ago and left the Island. It would be safe to assume that many that left to seek a new way of life were successful in their chosen fields of endeavour family, friends, home etc. I can also assure you that with all their successes and happiness "Bermuda" was never far from their thoughts and hearts! Part of their thought process was also: "Could I have made a difference if I had remained on the Island!" There is still much hope for Bermuda. Bermuda can no longer lay claim to being "Another World". The hope for Bermuda, are young, educated, caring people such as yourself. Do not give up on that "Coral gem on a gold plated sea" named Bermuda. Do not be like so many of us who in hindsight thought what if I had remained, what could have I have contributed?

MICHAEL E. PITTS

Florida

A note of thanks

November 23, 2009

Dear Sir,

Last Friday as I was returning from St. George in the early evening a loud explosive noise made me bring my car to a stop on the hill going up to Clay Town. North Shore Road is narrow at that point and at that time very busy. For coming to my rescue and changing my tire (which was the problem) I must thank Llewellyn Rewan. Judging from the activity on his cell phone he is a very busy young gentleman and I really don't think his callers believed he was helping an elderly lady get home safely in her car. Thank you Mr. Rewan. Chivalry is not dead. With heartfelt appreciation.

ANGELA MOCKLOW

Warwick

There are consequences

November 16, 2009

Dear Sir,

I am reading November 16's paper in horror that the parents of Luke Armstrong feel their son's name should be cleared. Whilst I believe in forgiveness and hold no personal feelings concerning this gentlemen, he must realise and so must his parents that there are consequences to the bad choices we make in life. This man was convicted of driving without a licence and insurance for that particular van, fleeing the scene of a crash, injured two persons and killed another. Winston was a caring person and yes he had some struggles that gave him challenges throughout his life, but he was someone and someone's child, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend.

COUSIN OF WINSTON

Warwick

Pessimistic outlook

November 16, 2009

Dear Sir,

We are in a new Bermuda. One that is no longer accountable to the people. Will we get change? It does not look likely.

HOPEFUL

Warwick

Time to speak up!

November 16, 2009

Dear Sir,

It seems that almost every week there is another shooting in Bermuda and most times those responsible are not caught. Surely those Bermudians who know something but will not talk to Police must realise these shootings can only hurt tourism. It is time the Police brought in undercover officers from other jurisdictions to try and catch these people who are helping tourism go down the drain. It is time for Bermudians who know something to speak up!

JOHN FERGUSON

Former ZBM News Director

Belleville, Ontario