Standing by no longer

March 18, 2010

Dear Sir,

The PLP Government is destroying the economy while the Opposition(s) seems unable to help in any way. The PLP is hijacking private business and are stealing our children's future. In my opinion, their focus is on building their own tiny political empires where "their guy wins" while Bermuda burns. This is not leadership, this is National Homicide. Under the Brown leadership, the PLP seeks to incite political support or raise (spend) money by pitting us against each other on issues like race, salary disparities between Bermudians and expatriates, and political attacks on the opposing political parties. If you have been loyal to a particular party, it is time for a reassessment. We must change our mindsets and join together to combat the eventual ruin of Bermuda.

The infighting and the purposeful division promoted by the PLP is a simple ploy to keep us from uniting. After all, a citizenry that fights among itself over petty differences is too busy to notice the real cause of its problems. You may find yourself asking what can be done to change our course. I can only suggest a peaceful Bermuda revolution that is not fought on a battlefield but rather in the hearts and minds of the 65,000 people lucky enough to call Bermuda home. Pat Ferguson mentioned in her recent letter to the Editor that we should be marching by the thousands to protest our current leadership and I agree with her. I do not know how to begin such a task but I will end this letter with a few quotes from Martin Luther King. "The question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be … The nation and the world are in dire need of creative extremists." "The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict."

Come on Bermuda, do not remain silent or let others speak for you. Silence has gotten us nowhere so its time for our collective voice to make a simple yet powerful demand.

MELINDA MAYNE

Hamilton Parish

Tax dodging common

March 16, 2010

Dear Sir,

In reference to the letter in the paper on March 15 entitled "Nothing less than theft" written by "Dizzy" in St. George's, the practice of companies not paying Social Insurance for their employees has been going on for a long time. I know of a company that pays social insurance and pension, but all the monies come from the employee, when half should be paid by the employer.

Raises haven't been given in at least four years when the cost of living keeps rising. Yet the owners of these companies are doing quite well. What can be done about it?

Employees cannot report these companies, because some are small companies, even if it was reported anonymously, the boss will think it is a particular person and either let that person go, or make it so miserable for that employee to work for their company that the employee will be forced to leave. How bad would you feel if the boss had the wrong person?

Also it is very common among foreign employees, as they would be sent back home and replaced by another foreigner and so the circle continues. It would be nice if Government did random checks on employees payslips and check if social security and pensions are actually being paid.

NOT STUPID

Pembroke

Reaching grid parity

March 26, 2010

Dear Sir,

I was pleased to read of the attraction Bermuda offers to several top alternative energy firms such as First Solar Inc, GT Solar, Trina Solar Ltd. and Evolution Solar Corp. This is a great start for Bermuda's move away from its absurd dependence on oil. This dependence has been instrumental in us having some of the highest electricity costs in the world – especially when Belco bought it at the peak in August 2006! I hope that not only the Government, but also the people of Bermuda understand the potential benefits, both environmentally and economically, of transitioning to renewable energy.

Clearly in the current energy environment of Bermuda, having a mass transition to renewable energy is unrealistic for economic reasons. Currently, a move to renewable energy requires a substantial initial cost of, let's say installing a solar panel; hence much of the public has no incentive to support the environment. But, what if we could move the financial burden off the shoulders of the public? Such a concept is plausible through the policy of a feed-in tariff.

Under a feed-in tariff, Belco would be forced to buy energy from renewable energy companies. The goal of the policy is to reach grid parity, which is where renewable energy is equal or cheaper than standard grid power. This has proven successful in not only Germany, but also Spain and Denmark. I hope Bermuda can follow suit to the success story of Germany – not so farfetched!

JESSE KIRKLAND

Warwick

Vote for Dale Butler

March 27, 2010

Dear Sir,

After reading your article in yesterday's edition of The Royal Gazette about potential replacements for Brown I have been left with some hope.

Thank heaven the ultimate vote is not down to just the 23 MPs but rather there are an additional 80 delegates who have a vote/say in the matter.

I really address this to the PLP delegates (and backbenchers) … please do not vote for any member of the Cabinet for Premier … by their very association with and support of Dr. Brown they have all been complicit with the total mismanagement of our island's economy to the detriment of you, me and all the peoples of this island.

To vote for any sitting member of the PLP Cabinet you would simply be sanctioning the continuance of this un-Godly mismanagement of our funds and jeopardising the general welfare of our island … something we simply can no longer afford.

Dale Butler is an excellent candidate for the next Premier. Mr. Butler looks past "self" and has proven that he has our (the people of Bermuda) best interests at heart. Mr. Butler looks past colour, religion, and race (and party lines) and focuses in on the good qualities inherent in all of us and wishes for only the best for all of Bermuda.

Please, delegates, don't vote for any sitting member of the Cabinet…. vote for Mr. Butler and give back some hope to our island community.

WHO

Sandys

Gambling poses risks

March 27, 2010

Dear Sir,

I was surprised that the Government recently invited the Bahamian Minister of Tourism, a former casino operator himself, to share his thoughts on casinos. Of course he had a biased opinion; it is like asking a chicken farmer if eggs are good for you.

If we need a second opinion perhaps we should invite officials from the Turks and Caicos to share their opinions. If anyone followed the recent Commission of Inquiry into allegations of corruption, they will know that the casino, its landlord(s) and its operator(s) came up many times in the investigation.

Casinos present many "operational" (and other) risks; can Bermuda address those risks adequately? Can we afford not to?

KENT SMITH

St. George's

Stop crime, save tourism

March 29, 2010

Dear Sir,

Three cheers for Pembroke MP Ashfield DeVent and his very sensible comments in The Royal Gazette.

I have had the pleasure of visiting Bermuda many times since the mid 70s and have sent thousands of British visitors to spend very happy vacations in Bermuda too. I know that tourism is important to the economy of the island and I also know how hard hoteliers, BDOT and we UK tour operators are working to build up numbers of visitors after the recession is over.

It is therefore extremely distressing to read of a number of shootings in your pages. This kind of crime is associated with New York or London but not Bermuda. May I appeal to the authorities in Government and the Police to bring this dreadful spate of crimes to an abrupt end and put the perpetrators behind bars before Bermuda's reputation for safe tip top vacations is spoiled in the eyes of the travelling British public.

JOHN DIXON M Inst D

Chairman & Managing Director

Prestige Holidays

Hampshire, UK

Shrink roundabout

March 28, 2010

Dear Sir,

I would like to see our Northern "roundabout" made smaller (say some eight feet smaller) as at present large vehicles like buses, tractor trailers, cement trucks, and well drilling vehicles, when exiting Hamilton come down East Broadway to the roundabout, they cannot stay in Lane 1, they have to encroach in Lane 2, this makes it unsafe for vehicles using Lane 2 to go around the roundabout into Harbour Road at the same time.

If the roundabout was made smaller by some eight feet this would alleviate the dangers that could occur at these two lanes.

Example #1. A bus stopped at Crow Lane bus stop moves off, and goes East into Point Finger Road, this bus has to encroach into Lane 2, as it moves around the corner into Point Finger Road.

Example #2. A bus stopped at Crow Lane bus stop moves off and goes straight over Trimingham Hill has to encroach into Lane 2 to make it, this goes for all large vehicles.

Example #3. Buses coming down Point Finger Road and into Hamilton around the roundabout have to cross over into Lane 1 from Lane 2, to arrive at the bus stop by Rance's Boat Yard. There should be a sign on a pole or road to say "give way to buses". If the roundabout was made smaller a bus driver would have better vision as he/she looks to their right from Point Finger Road.

Example #4. Another awkward situation is, vehicles from Harbour Road in Lane 1, and vehicles from Lane 2 wishing to merge in opposite lanes are in an awkward situation, especially in the rush hour period. I would suggest that a – "Merge" sign be made up by the BUEI as the road is wider and a line of sight is clearer, merge signs on poles or painted on the road would have to be placed there.

PETER BROMBY SR.

Paget

P.s. I used to drive large trucks, tractor trailers and buses, etc. for the US Navy in Bermuda in the 1950s and 1960s. There was no Trimingham Hill Road, or two lanes in and out of Hamilton. The only road for these large vehicles back then was Stowe Hill from the Middle Road in Paget. Using this only road into Hamilton was very difficult. I do admit the ordinary traffic was much lighter and was much more eco- friendly.

Gambling 'debate'

March 29, 2010

Dear Sir,

The benevolent posturing around whether we should have gambling in Bermuda reminds me of when I worked for a large company and the question of whether spouses should be included at the Christmas party was raised by the staff. The "powers that be" in their commitment to the democratic process, put the question out for a vote.

The results indicated that the majority favoured spouses being included at the Christmas party. Curiously, the question was put out to a repeat vote and, again, the results indicated that the majority favoured spouses being included. Curiously still, the question was put out to a third vote and, again, the results indicated that the majority favoured spouses being included. So guess what happened?

The decision came down from on high that spouses would not be included for the Christmas party. Such will be the result of this charade being played out now in respect of the question of gambling in Bermuda. I guarantee that no matter what, gambling will be "voted" in… after all, there are a number of people and properties now just waiting to open the doors … haven't you heard the rumours?

KIM SMITH

Pembroke

Disappearing benches

March 17, 2010

Dear Sir,

Just when you were thinking about wondering down to Barr's Bay Park, sitting off and enjoying the view and your lunch – some of the benches are gone. Don't get me wrong, I like the new statue but I am not too sure if it was the Corporation of Hamilton's intention was to have people perched off of it devouring their lunch. Perhaps we can hope this is only temporary and the Corporation is planning new benches for the park. Until then I guess we will be ...

SITTING ON DE GRASS

Devonshire

Floor is now repaired

March 25, 2010

Dear Sir,

This is in reference to the "Floor Is Dangerous" letter that appeared in the March 25 issue of your publication.

On behalf of the Phoenix Stores, I would like to express our gratitude to our Dockyard customers for their patience during the temporary closure of Dockyard Pharmacy. The store was closed during the week of March 7, 2010 for repairs to the floor in question.

I am pleased to advise our customers that all repairs have been fulfilled and we have since reopened for business. Our regular store hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the off-season and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the cruise ship season, offering our customers the continued, remarkable service they have come to appreciate from the Phoenix Stores.

In closing, customer satisfaction is important to us and as a result, we encourage our customers, including "Observer" to contact us directly with concerns or issues regarding any of our stores. I may be reached at 279-5454, or at ggrund@psl.bm. You may also contact our Dockyard Pharmacy manager, Cathy Pantry, with any concerns regarding the Dockyard store; Ms Pantry may be reached at 279-5410.

GEORGE GRUNDMULLER

President & CEO

The Phoenix Stores Limited

Outsource inmates

March 29, 2010

Dear Sir,

I have read in your columns many versions of the ineffectiveness of our present criminal treatment and the ever increasing return rate, with the ever increasing costs per prisoner. Recently I saw printed the cost estimate for the coming period as, $80,000 per prisoner per year. Should this money have been allocated to worthy students, hoping to advance themselves overseas, in the form of a scholarship, think how many could go for $80,000.

Think of the benefits to the deserving as well as the example to those who presently choose the wrong avenue.

It is a well accepted fact that a great deal of Bermuda's business costs and records are being farmed out to lower cost overseas locations.

Why don't we inquire into farming out the cost of housing some of our local inmates to areas that can house them at a lower cost? Not only would we save on expenditure but the wonderful experience for those who went might, one, lower the number of repeat offenders and two, cut down on the number wanting to get into the system in the first place. An economical means of transportation can be very easily be established.

WILLIAM OUTERBRIDGE

Intriguing advertisment

March 25, 2010

Dear Sir,

I was intrigued by an advertisement in yesterday's Bermuda Sun placed by the Bermuda Health Council, under the heading "BHeC Supports Cost- Containment in Healthcare". The advertisement advised of the imminent increase in premium for the minimum health care package, as prescribed by law. It explains that this is the basis for all health insurance plans and should not be confused with HIP. The premium will be increasing from $104.22 (presumably per month) to $118.07, an increase of about 13.3%. Twice in the ad the increase is referred to as "minimal" and once as "nominal".

If the salaries of the Health Council staff were reduced by 13.3 percent would they consider it minimal or nominal? This increase is roughly ten times the current rate of increase in the Consumer Price Index (inflation). I believe one of the primary purposes in setting up the Health Council was to rein in the ever-increasing cost of health care. To what extent has the Council been successful in that endeavour and could they show us some figures? In the advertisement, it states that the "Council works to ensure the health care system is sustainable". Is an increase in premiums of ten times the rate of inflation considered to be "sustainable", as well as minimal and nominal? If health care costs increased at ten times the rate of inflation into the future, at what point would health care account for 100 percent of our cost of living – and thus, presumably, no longer be "sustainable"?

ONLY ASKING

Hamilton Parish