Beneficial for whom?

December 6, 2008

Dear Sir,

There were over 100 official objections were submitted against the application for a restaurant and bar development at Warwick Long Bay.

After their review of the proposal, the Development Applications Board (DAB) refused the application on numerous justified grounds.

Following an appeal by the Applicant, an independent inspector was brought in to review said application and concurred with the DAB – that the proposal should indeed be refused.

Within three weeks as the new Minister of Environment, the Honourable Glenn Blakeney has decided to uphold the appeal and grant planning permission to the development. His decision makes redundant the work of the bodies that have taken several months in process to make decisions (maybe he is fearful of ending up like the apparently tardy Mr. Horton!)

I note that there is a letter on the public file for this application, where the Minister of Tourism, the Most Honourable Premier, has offered his endorsement of the application. However, while this may be a "beneficial" venture for the private individual who will make commercial gain from a development on public land, it offers little to the tourist who seeks Bermuda's natural and unspoiled beauty.

Quo Fata Ferunt…….

ONE OF THE OBJECTORS

Warwick

Land reclamation

December 6, 2008

Dear Sir,

I read with interest the announcement by the Works and Engineering Minister that the reclamation of eight acres of land is about to take place at the cruise ship terminal.

I began to ponder how such work is to be carried out and by whom. It is estimated that thousands of truck loads of material will be required to reclaim this land. Recently there has been much debate on the use of, or illegal use of, the trailer dump trucks. (The TDT's as stated in the Motor Car Act are not supposed to be used to carry materials that can be carried in a regular truck).

Will the small independent truckers participate in this large taxpayers' funded project? It could be suggested that the reluctance of the Minister of Transport to restrict the TDT's to demolition work only, could be because of this project. Some of the larger construction companies stand to benefit enormously if the small independent truckers are not included.

I think as small businesses are under pressure because of the present economic times that the government should do the correct thing, i.e. to allow the independent truckers to work hand in hand with the larger construction companies involved in this project.

This project will be a test and an example to whether or not the government is serious in providing employment for all.

WATCHING AND WAITING

Smith's Parish

The meaning of teaching

November 19, 2008

Dear Sir,

Well, it appears that HSBC's country manager, Philip Butterfield speaks out again on all that is wrong with our island. This time he has directed his vitriol towards the genral secretary of the Teachers Union by stating that is a "travesty" that Mr. Charles has become the face of education in Bermuda .

I certainly agree with Mr. Butterfield that there is indeed a "travesty" in our education system. However, it is clear that Mr. Butterfield is confused as to where that travesty actually lies.

Mr. Butterfield's comments in today's Royal Gazette, particularly with respect to Mike Charles, were utterly disgraceful and smacked of ignorance. Is Mr. Butterfield suggesting that because Mr. Mr Charles is merely a "gym teacher" he is not entitled to be an opinion maker?

Perhaps Mr. Butterfield can enlighten us on what is the appropriate hierarchy amongst educators. Should administrators be at the top and gym teachers be at the bottom? Must one have a suit and tie and attend boardroom meetings all day to have an opinion? Is Mr. Butterfield aware that he is speaking about someone who has been in education for over 35 years who has educated, mentored and positively affected the lives of countless young men and women in this island?

What exactly is Mr. Butterfield's expertise in education? What has he done for Bermuda 's education over the last 35 years? What positive reforms has he implemented as chairman, besides giving the thumbs up to another consultant hired by his brother getting paid almost half a million dollars a year to once again, tell us what we already know?

Mr. Butterfield then has the nerve to ask for an apology from Dr. Gibbons for stating that it would be "hard (for the Premier) to fire (his) brother". He demands that teachers be accountable but he himself deflects any criticism about delays in education reform by hiding behind the fact that he was appointed by his brother.

On the one hand he lashes out in the most offensive tone towards Mr. Charles, but then on the other hand he claims Dr. Gibbons is "offensive" towards him. Sorry Mr. Butterfield. If it is accountability you want, then it goes both ways.

Let us consider things a little more deeply. Perhaps Mr. Butterfield can tell us what exactly is his banking experience? What exactly did he do before he came to Bermuda ? How much of his experience is relevant to what he does now? Why is it that we hear so much from him in the public domain about hospital reform and education reform but rarely do we hear his opinions on the economy – even in the midst of a world-wide financial crisis? To me that seems quite odd, given that he calls himself the CEO of Bank of Bermuda HSBC.

The truth is, Mr. Butterfield has been afforded the opportunity to be in some very lofty positions in his homeland, both at the bank and in the community generally. In this regard I wish him well. However, it is unfortunate that he has used these positions to criticise the institutions of this island without in any way bringing about solutions. If Mr. Butterfield wants to make a positive impact as chairman, before he bangs his fist on the table and belittles someone for being just a "gym teacher" I suggest he educate himself on exactly what being a teacher means.

FED UP

City of Hamilton

Port Royal questions

November 13, 2008

Dear Sir,

I would like for the Bermuda public to focus on the Port Royal Golf Course project. You know the one I am talking about — that $14 million-plus revamp. That price will not cover the cost – in my estimation it is more like $50 million-plus.

I do not know how many have bothered to take a look at what is going on at Port Royal. But being interested and looking at it every day I cannot help, but look at #5 Fairway that looks fairly good. The rest of it is a complete mess and as you view the back side it is worse with nothing but piles of rubble every where.

The way I see it there was not enough planning and no real input from us the owners of this property (the people). First there is not enough heavy equipment on site to manage the project. This project needs at least eight to ten bulldozers so that at least eight holes can be worked on and the others can be shaping other areas. I truly believe that very shortly the projected cost money will run out, but we will never know unless we remove Dr. Brown and replace him with someone of integrity, honesty and love for the people and the growth of Bermuda.

Bermuda, this golf course will not be playable in the time frame that was first spoken of. If it is playable by June, 2009 you will be very fortunate. If this course opens too soon and played it will cause more damage to prematurity of the course. So with this there will be more cost and more than likely a closure for repairs, which could set it back to maybe the end of 2009. Of course these are my opinions and that is my God given right.

In reality this project was poorly planned, but then how much of Brown's plans are really fully thought out? On the back of Port Royal closing, we hear that St. Georges will be closing and that property will probably be given to the new owners of the proposed hotel. With that in mind Dr. Brown is taking us back to the 1960s when all we had was Ocean View Golf Course many of us will not remember that era of time when so little was limited to so many.

Dr. Brown and group of eager beavers is fast producing regress at a time when the people are looking for progress. It appears to me that the physical growth of Bermuda is outgrowing mentality of the leaders. What a pity. But Bermuda remember, the power is still in our hands with the X. It not only marks the spot, but it dictates who will govern us.

My question is, why are we allowing Dr. Brown to live out his boyhood dreams at such a great cost to us. Looking at this man and his aggressive attitude reminds me of King Soloman and if you read the Book of Ecclesiastes you will see what he had become and remembered who really was in command (God). right the last verse it reads "For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil".

People of Bermuda it's OK to put your ear to the ground, but do not bury your head in the ground. It is time for the people of Bermuda to look forward to a unified Bermuda. For more clarity on division read in the book of Matthew 12:25 to 29. And then read in the Book of Colossians 2:8. You know the beautiful thing about the Bible it not only tells the truth of yesterday, but it reveals who we really are and more so we at Allen Temple are encouraged to read and study the Bible.

As a footnote it would be a grave mistake if we allow the people's money to pay for this course and then we will only be able to stand looking in the window at the food we paid for, but not allowed to enter and partake of the plate.

A.E. WENDELL HASSELL

Sandys

Free not to pay

December 4, 2008

Dear Sir,

I feel that it is OK for the BdaBC (as they are not "the BBC") to charge Cablevision and WOW.

I also believe it is OK for CableVision and WOW to charge their customers for this service.

CableVision and WOW could create a new package called "Free stuff you now have to pay for" and it would be up to us, the customer, to choose. I personally would choose not to sign up.

FREEDOM OF CHOICE

Pembroke

Charge a licence fee

December 5, 2008

Dear Sir,

Maybe my letter will not be very popular, but other countries charge a television licence.

Even if this Government only charged $5 per year it would add considerable revenue for the broadcast commission and would avoid this squabble with CableVision.

MONICA BERRY

Pembroke