Disgrace for all to see

May 2, 2010

Dear Sir,

If only Government and Corporation of St. George's had the will and foresight, they would without delay formulate a plan to beef up, clean up and renovate the Olde Town. As has been stated by numerous others, the Towne is dying. The Towne of St. George, a World Heritage Site is dying. Does anybody hear or does anybody care?

The Mayor should invite all Government Cabinet members and all Members of Parliament for a walk-about, escorted by members of the Corporation of St. George's, the shopkeepers and residents. A walkabout it must be – not only taking in the Square and the glamour spots (not many of those), but also taking in the byways, back streets and derelict buildings, all of which should be counted, say around 100, the places where the down-and-outs hang out, take in the dumped and abandoned vehicles, bikes and other trash, experience the dreadful lane and road surfaces, visit Tobacco Bay and Drew's Bay, each a disgrace for all to see, broken fencing fairly recently erected, building materials thrown over the wall by Fort St. Catherine – the filthy surrounds to the beaches and coast line.

Professional photographers and journalists should be invited to accompany this posse and record and publish the findings. A really interesting day out it would be and one has to wonder, in view of the obvious apathy within Government and the community at large, how many people would turn out. All should be invited to bring their golf clubs and experience the two-year-old closed golf course, in which the fairways are mowed regularly at the taxpayers' expense and the greens remain quite playable. Quite a day out indeed.

The result of such an exercise may be the re-awakening of the powers that be to creating a valued site of Tourism, the removal or renovation of all derelict buildings, the clearing of trash and the homeless, the targetting of the drug and prostitute fraternity, repairs to and painting of all walls and numerous buildings that require attention, removal of weeds from prominent church buildings, encouragement with incentives to Bermudians to open businesses and renovate old houses, resulting in an Olde Towne which Bermudians would be proud to show off to everybody. The City of St. Augustine comes to mind – what a glory it would be. If only people cared. There would be no need for a new Hotel, rest assured. But it seems apathy and lack of will cloud out the obvious.

OHHOWITUSEDTOBE

St. George's

Now that's service!

May 2, 2010

Dear Sir,

Re: Black Horse Tavern in the a.m.

I showed up two hours before they opened.

They sat me down with a large cup of coffee.

The owner(?) was having grilled cheese with onions and asked if I'd like one.

After more hours and more coffee, I asked to pay.

"It's on me. Come back again for some fish", was the reply.

Did they not get the memo about the death of service in Bermuda?

TIM LYNCH

Paget

Sludge heading our way?

May 2, 2010

Dear Sir,

That oil spill in the Gulf is expected to enter the Gulf Stream. They are not even able to estimate the amount of oil that is spewing forth from the broken pipe. Needless to say, when it enters the Gulf Stream ... it's a matter of time before it reaches our shores ... that will devastate our wildlife, pink beaches ... and tourism.

We need to ensure proper measures are being placed contacting the USA and all to try and thwart this oil spill from reaching us. All parties need to work together on this one. Pulling any resources anyone has and ties to anyone they have to stop this and be prepared in case this comes. Our gorgeous pink beaches for which we are famous will be black sludge. Our very endangered Cahows, who are one of the rarest birds on earth with only 250 members alive, depend on the sea for food. This could kill them. Our longtails as well, are sea-dependent birds. Our endangered grouper and grunt, could be killed as well as other rare species of fish. Our marine ecosystem could be destroyed; one of Bermuda's gems. Bermuda must be ready for the worst case scenario if this oil spill reaches us. Don't sit and wait for it to happen. Be ready.

ROBERT DAVIES

Smith's

Be a hero, not a zero

May 2, 2010

Dear Sir,

While I was listening to a report on TV about the Times Square incident, a comment was made about how one can prevent a crime, or interrupt a crime from becoming a catastrophe. A member of the public made this statement: "If you see something … say something."

Well, I believe it's that simple, for any of us here on the Island of Bermuda; we need to get a better grip upon the ignorance that's infested our "paradise". I know many are afraid and fearing they'll become stigmatised by peers or others, but in reality, "it's far better being a hero, than a zero". If you know of the whereabouts of any violent offender/s on the lam, then please contact the authorities … and do your part (as a citizen) in assisting the "hands of justice".

My fellow Bermudians, we are losing our identity as a safe haven and we all (individually) must intercede the radical behaviour/s of our youth (and yes, adults as well.) The oldtimers used to say stuff like this: "Show me your company, and I'll tell you who you are …"

RAYMOND RAY

St. George's

Moratorium on churches

May 3, 2010

Dear Sir,

Over the last year or so there have been several gun related crimes including seven or so murders. And has the church lobby come out and spoke in one voice against it? No. There have been a few speaking out on their own. But not as a body. Yet they can come out and take a stand against the introduction of casinos in Bermuda. Where has their concern and outrage been in the gun related crime issue? Nowhere to be seen.

They claim to have so many solutions to Bermuda's ongoing problems. Let's have them. Where have most of these murders and gun related crimes been committed? In a one square mile area bordered by Blackwatch Pass. North Shore Road. Roberts Avenue, Curving Avenue and Court Street. There are about 20 churches in this one square mile area. That is about one fifth of all the churches in the entire Island. Using their suggestion of having the solutions, this should be the most peaceful place in Bermuda.

The St. Monica's Mission and the Government Gate area didn't need a parking lot, Pastor Lambe. They need some affordable homes. That would have been a solution. Notice I didn't call it the 42. My family comes from that area and that is not a title that I ever use for it.

The Salvation Army say it is waiting for the government to replace the Emergency Housing down by the TCD. I have to commend them for feeding the hungry nightly out of their new church across from TCD. Why don't they use their church for emergency housing at night in the interim? That is how their sister churches do it in the US. They say it is the Lord's house. Well let them use that mansion until they see the others in heaven.

As for Pastor Simons quoting Warren Buffett in saying that gambling is a tax on the ignorant, the same could be said about tithing. How many homeless people in Bermuda go into the church of their choices and place their offering in the collection plate. Then leave the church and return to their tent, car, cave or other place of abode. Is there not a passage in the Bible that says if you cannot do it for the least of your brethren then you will not be accepted into the Lord's house. I guess as long as you have on a real expensive suit and work in a church or financial institution you can sell the people some pie in the sky story about big returns and not be seen as taking advantage of them.

I do believe there should be a moratorium all right. But it should be on churches. We don't need any more churches. We need some affordable houses for Bermudians. The Lord has enough in Bermuda.

There was a story about a 90 plus year old man who gave Mr. Madoff $10 million and lost it all. He then had to go to work in a Wal-Mart. Now you want to talk about ignorant. That's ignorant. How old did he think he was going to get? And if he couldn't live off that amount of money then he couldn't survive on any amount at his age.

The name alone should have sent off some alarm bells. Mr. Bernard Madoff. He certainly made off with peoples' billions of dollars. But he was a white gentleman in a fancy suit and worked in a fancy office. Not to mention the junk bonds of the 1980s. More fellas in fancy suits selling people junk for millions. Than we come to the hedge funds. What do you find hiding behind hedges. Crooks and criminals. It is all in the name.

LESLIE SMITH

Sandys

Let's hear all solutions

May 1, 2010

Dear Sir,

Those who support gaming have said that it is not the only solution to our current tourism challenge and that other solutions are necessary. May we hear what those other solutions are? They may prove to be less controversial and more productive because they are more completely supported.

EVA N. HODGSON

Hamilton Parish

Trespassers beware

May 1, 2010

Dear Sir,

This (if I may) is addressed to the foul-mouthed, athletically-attired and vicious-minded white female trespasser who was walking her dog in a northerly direction on the privately-owned road known as Grape Bay Drive in Paget earlier today, Saturday May 1, at around 8.45 a.m., who threatened repeatedly to set her fierce animal on me. Please know that if I ever see you again, whether on Grape Bay Drive or anywhere else, or if your identity should ever come to my attention, I will take vigorous steps with a view to your being arrested and charged with assault, trespass and use of grossly offensive language.

As a reminder to the public, may I please take this opportunity to point out that Grape Bay Drive in Paget is a private road, to which the public has no general right of access, whether on foot or by vehicle. Whilst writing, I would also point out that the only portion of Grape Bay Beach which the public may use is that portion of the beach that lies below the average high-water line; that portion (underwater for much of the day) being technically an extension of the sea-bottom and thus (unlike the rest of the beach) not privately owned. Members of the public wishing to avail themselves of that modest 'public' portion of Grape Bay Beach should plan to come by water, presumably at a lowish tide, and make their exit in a similar manner.

Thank you for the courtesy of allowing me space in your newspaper.

JONATHAN LAND EVANS

Barrister-and-attorney

Paget