Disappointed with show

November 2, 2009

Dear Sir,

It is with regret I write to you regarding the concert at Dockyard on Friday, October 30. This evening was a complete "rip off" with tickets costing at least $118 and the whole event finishing at 10.10 p.m. It was unfortunate that once again the Premier used this show as a "platform' for other things and he should realise that the public are not happy when he "pops" up out of the blue when all they want to hear are the performers.

As for the performers, Kenny Rogers was an insult to the people on this island when he only sang three songs which were hardly audible and looked as though he had basically fallen out of bed and walked on stage. It was appalling. Quincy Jones, whose fame and talent go before him, also spent 20 minutes sitting on a stool being serenaded and then eight minutes more conducting his band. And that was that.

Members of the public who went on Friday evening should demand their money back from the promoters or the promoters out of good faith should offer refunds. Do you think this will happen? Not likely. Bring back Gilbert and Sullivan with their brilliant "Oliver" – now that was worth every penny. The "Tattoo" was also worth every penny and left the audience wanting more. Kenny Rogers "go home and retire" you have had your day.

NOT GOING AGAIN

City of Hamilton

Good luck to Kim Swan

November 1, 2009

Dear Sir,

In the early 1980s, Kim Swan, then a local golf professional, began offering golfing trips to promote and increase tourism in Bermuda. In those days (as today), Kim was the biggest cheerleader for Bermuda. He felt that there was a "romance" between Bermuda and her visitors. He noticed that visitors, upon returning to their homes, sold Bermuda to their family and friends. He worked with top PGA and LPGA pros to bring golfers from the US to sample your beautiful golf courses.

It was on one such trip that I met Kim. I liked him from the first time we met as he exuded honesty and sincerity. In Kim, I also saw integrity and respect for his fellow man (and woman). After marrying my husband, my love for Bermuda continued as we purchased a timeshare at the St. George's Club so we could spend wonderful, quality time in Bermuda playing golf, exploring the island, enjoying your wonderful sites, sampling your delicious food and most of all, meeting your wonderful people. We continued to follow Kim's progress and eventual election to Parliament. The people of Bermuda are extremely fortunate to have a leader who has their best interest at heart. Kim was been brought up in an environment where "self esteem" and pride in oneself was key. Kim Swan has not forgotten those roots as he has built his life around those qualities.

As visitors, we love and appreciate Bermuda and want to continue to make Bermuda our "second home" for years to come. It is important to have qualified, capable, sincere leaders such as MP Kim Swan at the helm to insure Bermuda's growth and prosperity.

BARBARA LIPPMANN

Bluffton, South Carolina and St. George's

Move marina to Morgan's Point

October 29, 2009

Dear Sir,

I can definitely see the logic of having an exclusive mega-yacht marina in Bermuda, and I support the idea – let's put it in the most logical place near the most top-notch accommodations. I respectfully urge Government to consider a potential problem with their proposed Dockyards' mega-yacht marina, and how the problem would be solved by locating the facility in Morgan's Point instead. Mega-yacht owners don't go to places like Dockyard, because places like Dockyard are set up for the lowest-end of all tourists – discount cruise ship passengers. Dockyard is a real asset to Bermuda, but I just don't see that location appealing to the ultra-rich any time in the near future.

"Yachties" simply don't shop at McDonald's, Sam's Club and Wal-Mart, but instead favour more exclusive venues where they don't have to mix with the type of rabble who take discount cruises.

Dockyard simply has little to offer the super-rich. Dolphin Quest, a drugstore, and a couple of bathing suit vendors might meet the needs of budget travellers such as are found on cruise ships, but the ultra-rich want to be closer to luxury beaches, golf, and other of Bermuda's world-class accommodations. Since we're planning to have a seven-star hotel in an excellent deep water port (Morgan's Point), why not put the luxury yacht marina there? There is one easy way to settle this: Ask the ultra-rich mega-yacht owners what they want. Only by meeting their needs can we can help ourselves to their tourist dollars.

ALAN GORDON

St. David's

What about St. George's

October 29, 2009

Dear Sir,

The concept noted in today's Royal Gazette regarding the proposed mega-yacht marina has caught my attention. I must say I am disappointed that St. George's has been considered a yacht marina but not to this extent, or maybe they have. It's a shame as St. George's is the first contact our visiting yachts have with Bermuda and is such a quaint town. If this is approved it will take away additional revenue once again from the old town. Interesting that a government quango has entered into a partnership with a private enterprise. Makes one wonder who's behind it all and what is this going to cost the tax payers this time? Also why do Minister Burgess and Mr. Lister need to wait until the Fort Lauderdale boat show to release more details? Doesn't the Bermudian public have a right to know what's being done with our publicly (quango) owned land before the foreigners? It's such a select market who may or may not give a hoot anyway!

WATCHING

St. David's

P.s. I don't have a problem with some redevelopment at Dockyard, this just seems to be extreme, like the proposed Spanish Point Marina.

More support for Swan

October 29, 2009

Dear Sir,

I am not a Bermudian, but I have been visiting your beautiful Island for 40 years. I have been fortunate enough to develop a friendship with Kim Swan. As an American, I have become so very weary of the scandals attached to our politicians here. Mr. Swan has been a most refreshing different kind of politician. He is hard working, dedicated to serving the people and free from scandal. I have often felt how fortunate the people of Bermuda are to have such a fine gentleman serving them so faithfully.

I have recently learned that members of his party are attempting to usurp his position and I pray this does not happen. They should look to this man of such high calibre for inspiration not attempt to destroy him. I have often wished that we had men of his high ethical standards serving in the United States Government. I pray he maintains his position so that perhaps others in Government service will emulate him, whoever or wherever they may serve.

CAROL M. BOTSOLAS

Clearwater, Florida

Accident waiting to happen

October 29, 2009

Dear Sir,

I have heard several discussions regarding the major junction near the Southside Police Station, St. David's Road and the industrial area. This junction is a prime location for a roundabout! It is all Government land or land belonging to a Government quango, so no financial buyout is required. With all the incoming housing to Southside and St. David's, traffic is increasing and will continue to increase alarmingly. This junction has six roads verging into a single location and a major accident is waiting to happen. I may not be the most logical individual, but this seems ideal for the roundabout. I know these letters seem to fall on deaf ears with our elected officials, who seem to forget they work for the public, but I hope someone with authority within the quango and W&E will take time to give this some consideration and soon. It won't be long before the traffic really increases, something should be done now!

ST. DAVID'S RESIDENT

Apologise to Simon Farmer

October 30, 2009

Dear Sir,

As a friend of Simon Farmer, I should like to ask the Commissioner of Police the following question:

Bearing in mind that:

¦ Mr. Farmer was wrongly-arrested, kept in a Police cell over the weekend, had none of his extensive alibis followed up, then spent six months with the stigma of being labelled a sex offender hanging over him;

¦ Mr. Farmer was speedily acquitted at his trial with "no case to answer", and another man was found guilty of the offence; and

¦ The Police Complaints Authority has strongly recommended an immediate formal apology be made to Mr. Farmer ...

... is an apology really too hard to make, so that Simon can put this behind him and get on with his life?

ANNDREW R. DOBLE

Hamilton Parish

A new approach

November 2, 2009

Dear Sir,

With the reconvening of Parliament this week, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that some UBP members will explain to their constituents their wisdom in becoming Independent members, to join forces with the Independent members who were formerly with the UBP. The objective will be to form a new party of combined operations to become at the next election the majority party to govern Bermuda and bring about many changes for its betterment. This majority party could be led by one of its very able members e. g. Bob Richards, Mark Pettingill, Trevor Moniz, Shawn Crockwell, Donte Hunt or John Barritt ... the list of possible leaders is not, of course limited to these members. If the new party is called the Bermuda Democratic Alliance, it will enjoy the acronym BDA and all its supporters will cheer. Long Live the BDA.

OWEN H. DARRELL

Pembroke

We must prevent chaos

November 2, 2009

Dear Sir,

Your front page photograph of the Premier last week gave every impression he is thoroughly enjoying his role as Master of Ceremonies whether it be on the golf course or at a music festival. Why would he want to walk away from all this limelight for an early retirement next October when he is feeling so much love? He's still got so many projects to finish before he can finally declare there are no more scores to settle.

Independence has to be his ultimate goal. Your June 5, 2008 editorial speculated that the Regiment leadership selection process had been compromised. It was obvious back then Government was trying to manipulate the Regiment. This is still unfinished business along with taking control of the Police Force, silencing the media (your venerable publication in particular) and threatening the extinction of both the Hamilton & St. George Corporations. When all this has been accomplished, as well as bankrupting the country, Bermuda will be totally exposed to the threat of a military coup and Independence.

It is unlikely the Premier will get control of the Regiment and Police Force before next October. He seemingly has total control of the Government and the PLP. When there is dissent, he finds incentives to restore the status quo. Government seems oblivious to the fact their leader's carefully engineered actions are gradually eroding the entire social and economic fabric of our island society. Unless the general public stand up and take action, chaos will prevail. The civil service is mushrooming out of control, improvements to the education system appear to be suppressed, tourism has self destructed, Government spending is out of control, drugs and guns and gangs prevail, lawlessness is rampant, cronyism is the norm, international business is no longer welcome, publicly funded building developments are a disaster and gambling is being promoted as the island's third industry.

IDI AMIN

Warwick