Not just education

October 13, 2009

Dear Sir,

I refer to Mr. Crichlow's opinion in today's paper. It is not my intention to denigrate all Civil Servants here as I know many who are appropriately educated and experienced and more importantly, dedicated to the service of our people.

Unfortunately it is not just the Ministry of Education that is challenged with staff mediocrity. Other departments within Government that have openly pursued Bermudianisation at any cost over the last 15 or so years are now partially staffed by civil servants who do not have quality qualifications appropriate to their positions and sometimes do not have even the minimum number of years of appropriate experience for the positions they hold.

Some of those hold senior positions which results in ineffectual leadership and as Permanent Secretaries, the leading civil servant in each Ministry, are now management generalists instead of specialists, they have absolutely no idea if the recommendations that rise through the ranks of more junior civil servants are actually good for Bermuda. There is compelling evidence that some very high cost decisions have questionable value.

There has also been a tendency for staff numbers to increase disproportionately to an increase in the quality of service or the addition of new services. Four civil servants doing what used to be done by three? I don't know if this is as a result of many Civil Servants now having Internet enabled computers on their desks or cell phones attached to their ears, but productivity certainly appears to be down based upon the staff numbers and the costs of our Government. We must have the most expensive government per capita in the entire world and every Civil Servant, good or bad, basically has a job for life. No recession for them, heath care till they die and a good pension. Sour grapes, possibly.

The good Civil Servants cannot blow the whistle on the waste that goes on in Government without putting their jobs in jeopardy so we can only hope that with the down turn in the economy that Government will freeze all but the most essential of appointments, freeze pay raises and make those that are coasting along actually do some work of value for the community. More civil manners in some cases would also be nice for a change.

Costs are out of control and a prudent Government should take this opportunity to try and improve standards or, as its October and the season, to try and prune out the dead and diseased wood to ensure that we have a Government that befits our new economic reality.

SHARE THE PAIN

Pembroke

Not a minute too soon

October 15, 2009

Dear Sir,

I am pleased to hear that Moonray Manor, formerly the Lane School, is not just another old building. Black Bermudians received first class education from first class educators there and had a meeting place to help forge a future after emancipation. Now, it seems the current owners have neglected the building sitting on waterfront real estate and allowed it to fall into a near derelict state. Given its current condition, one may argue that the building should be condemned and replaced with a modern structure. What was their knowledge and intent at the time of purchase? What happened between then and now is a mystery but the building needs to be restored and not demolished. Personally, I believe the building should be renovated as a historic place of interest such as a museum or cultural centre.

That aside, the information that this dwelling was a school highlights a cornerstone of important Bermuda history and comes not a minute too soon. I am sure there is more to be unearthed and cannot wait to hear more. I applaud the researcher, Ms Leoni Yunos, who drew attention to this and collaborated with the National Trust. The Lane School should stand as a post of achievement and pride that unjustly enslaved people were able to educate themselves when they were finally emancipated.

HALL MONITOR

Pembroke

Reduce gas consumption

October 15, 2009

Dear Sir,

Think a minute about this next sentence: Every time you step on the brakes you're wasting the gas it took to get to your present speed. Follow at least three to four car lengths behind the car in front, coast when you can and gear down if you have to. I rarely step on the brakes except to stop the car. Also, check your tire pressure regularly. Proper inflation will reduce gas consumption.

HAPPY MOTORING

Warwick

Let the people know

October 14, 2009

Dear Sir,

So it is reported that the US is giving $200 million to the tiny island nation of Palau to house some Uighurs. That equates to nearly $12 million per Uighur, which is about $10,000 for each citizen of Palau (the population is 20,000).

Well, Mr. Editor, what exactly has Bermuda received in return for taking these unfortunate refugees out of US hands? I believe the only person who has benefited is, not surprisingly, Dr. Brown himself. He has got the phone call from President Barack Obama he always wanted, and at the same time created a difficult diplomatic situation for the UK. So in the same move he gets to satisfy his celebrity obsession, and also be a thorn in the side to the British (if the people won't be pro-Independence, we will just annoy the British so much that they will reconsider their relationship with Bermuda). Let's face it, the British people don't gain anything through our dependent territory status, only Bermudians do, so we have a lot more to lose by dissolving this relationship than the UK does!

So I believe Bermuda should have something in return from the US. $10,000 for each Bermudian? No, I am willing to forfeit my share for the benefit of the country. Wait, I know! Why doesn't the US come and clean up the toxic mess they have made at Morgan's Point, and in the other areas the US military occupied while here? Why don't you ask them to do this, Dr. Brown? Please let the people know what we are getting in return from the US. Or do you not want to upset your new friend President Obama? Quid pro quo, Dr. Brown.

BERMUDA FIRST

Southampton

Postal code proposition

October 15, 2009

Dear Sir,

Here we are with less than 40,000 homes and we need postal codes? Give me a break. Hong Kong has 8 million residents, two languages, two different sets of characters and no postal codes! Address a letter to Joe Doaks 15 Conduit Road, Hong Kong and it will be delivered next day. What's missing here?

ARCY DUBYA

Warwick

Save our history

October 15, 2009

Dear Sir,

The Lane School should be saved! How much more Bermudian history will continue to be erased for the sake of commerce? More than 600 children were educated by 1848? That is phenomenal and it is the first time I am hearing of this treasured and sacred history. This house should be restored immediately as a wonderful museum and addition to the African Diaspora. How can one help to make this happen?

KAREN

City of Hamilton

Follow the rules...

October 14, 2009

Dear Sir,

I have had enough! I would like to take this time to bring attention to all those parents who have total disregard for those traffic signs posted along St. John's Road which clearly show that no traffic cannot turn into Saltus Grammar School if you are travelling south into Hamilton. Many mornings it is total gridlock, because parents like you, the driver of the black CRV, who this morning choose to sit and wait for some other parent to let you in while causing the traffic to back up along Langton Hill and along St. John's Road. Then, when people sit on their horns and try to tell you that you can't turn, you wave your hand trying to dismiss what you are doing.

Why can't the school have a senior member of staff or a senior student stand out by the entrance to give warnings to each parent that is violating the traffic signs? Obviously these parents are clearly showing their children that it is OK to break this simple rule, so what other things do they overlook daily? I have called the school many times and I am told that all parents of new and old students have been told this is unacceptable, but every morning the same thing happens. Why can't these parents just drive along Marsh Folly, go through the traffic light and flow into the drive through the Saltus grounds which takes them out to Woodlands Road, no problem.

NO ROAD RAGE YET

Pembroke

Justice ran its course

October 13, 2009

Dear Sir,

Reference to the letter "Woman deserves apology" written by Frank Seitz which was printed in the October 13 edition of The Royal Gazette. Oh how the tone of the letter reminds me of the attitudes of some people as I was growing up. Being from the so called "wrong side of the tracks" my friends and I were many times accused of wrongs committed by those kids who lived on the "right side of the tracks" by people with Mr. Seitz point of view. Yes it had to be us doing these wrong things there was no way those boys from the affluent families could be involved in any mischief. Mr. Seitz seems to be saying that the Bermudian authorities should have just let her go on her way without any thing being said or done because of one thing and one thing only, she is affluent.

The fact is that Mrs. Stackler was in possession of bullets which are illegal in Bermuda. She went to trial, the justice system ran its course and she was let go. It seems as if Mr. Seitz is advocating affluence as a defence or a shield against breaking the law. I wonder if he would have the same attitude if this had been a 67-year-old Hispanic house keeper? Let's not forget the collapse of the US banking and finance system was perpetrated by "affluent" people.

JIM JACKSON

Devonshire

ID blues

October 15, 2009

Dear Sir,

Bermuda Library grumbles that Bermuda students do not utilise the Library but go to the Internet to get all their information for projects, etc. Well, no wonder! My child attends Bermuda College, is almost 18 years old and is currently working on an assignment for a class and needs to find information. The College Library didn't have what was needed for so they went to the Bermuda Library to sign out some books to bring home to do the assignment. They told her a Library card was needed. No problem, just had to register and needed to produce ID, not a problem, had a driver's licence and college ID. They then told her she needed a mailed bill like telephone, electricity etc that was mailed to the current address no more than 30 days old. Can you tell me how a student, over the age of 14 is able to provide that? If they are a student, why would they have utility bills (isn't that against the law under the age of 18?)

BERMUDA MOM

Warwick

Thanks for clearing the air

October 15, 2009

Dear Sir,

Please allow me to express a mighty thank you to Mr. Wayne Furbert, who sits as an Independent MP, for "hitting the nail on the head in bringing forward many "factual points" during his speech at Temperance Hall last evening. But first, I would like to make others aware of just a few (of what I think are) pertinent and quite relevant points you'd made.

I am quoting from the RG: "If we ever encounter injustices and social wrongs, we must fight them tooth and nail, but we must never lose sight of the direction we are headed." (Secondly) "I will need you to walk with me together in this new direction for the future … a direction and commitment; to love what is good, to do what is right, to act with character, to work for racial reconciliation and to build a sustainable economic and social future."

Mr. Furbert, I not only pray for your success in bringing to fruition these few points that I'd drawn from your fantastic speech last evening; but I thank you also for "clearing the air" in reference to why you'd chose to step out on a limb and stand as an independent.

RAYMOND RAY

St. George's

Abide by our laws

October 19, 2009

Dear Sir,

It is laughable to read the comments of Mr Frank Seitz in today's "Letters to the Editor". First of all, it highlights the inadequacies of Homeland Security in the USA, when anyone can pass through an airport with eleven bullets in their luggage, and yet here we are in little old Bermuda with the expertise to find such contraband.

Unfortunately, our friends across the water expect everyone to abide by their laws and non American citizens do not have any rights in the USA, so why cannot they abide by our laws? The fact that the good lady lives in an affluent community and was attending a golf tournament at Mid Ocean Club is beside the point. Just because she has money should not prevent her being prosecuted for breaking our laws. If one has money and position in the USA, then one can buy out of trouble, a classic case of that was Ted Kennedy.

ANTONY SIESE

City of Hamilton