Hospitality was wonderful

This was sent to Mayor of Hamilton Charles Gosling and forwarded to The Royal Gazette

June 4, 2010

Dear Sir,

We have just returned from a visit to your lovely island paradise, Bermuda. The Norwegian Spirit landed at the Dockyard on May 23. We went to Hamilton on Monday "Bermuda Day", and wandered around on Front Street for an hour or so before the parade began. A young lady approached my daughter and me, inquired if we would like some food and if we were visitors. We accepted the invitation and when we went to pay they wouldn't accept any money. They offered us chairs along the parade route.

I couldn't believe their generosity with complete strangers. We enjoyed their company and the parade. I have never enjoyed a parade as much as this one. The floats were artistically done and the participants were spectacular. In this world it's nice to know there is still a place on this earth that Christian values are paraded in public and people are really hospitable. Hamilton is a nice, clean city. We enjoyed the different tours we took; some by bus and others by boat and of course the delicious food. What a heavenly paradise. It was a vacation I will always remember and hold dear.

M. STEPHEN

P.s. I don't know the family's name that was so kind but the young lady who invited us was Belinda and her mother's name was Shirley.

A happy ending

June 24, 2010

Dear Sir,

I would like to commend Mr. Dale Fox, general contractor, and his crew for the way they handled a difficult situation that we witnessed last night on Front Street. It seems that his crew were painting at a job and left a tray of paint on the walkway. Unfortunately, a businessman walking past the job site did not see the tray and ended up with paint on his suit. Of course, he was justifiably upset but he then proceeded to rant and rave and in a loud voice, demanded to see the boss while making quite a scene. I thought that this would never have a happy ending but I was wrong.

We proceeded along to our dinner and when we came back we asked Mr. Fox and his men, who were still working, about the incident. Here is what happened: Mr. Fox immediately offered to replace his suit with cash on the spot and then brought him to The English Sports Shop (they were open late for Harbour Nights) where they outfitted him with a new suit. Mr. Fox then brought the dirty suit to the dry cleaners to be cleaned. Because of the completely professional manner in which Mr. Fox handled this situation, one guest to Bermuda left with a very positive view of our island and fellow Bermudians. He did thank Mr. Fox and said that nowhere else in the world would someone have gone to such lengths to fix a problem. Well done to Dale Fox and his crew we all benefit because of his professionalism.

NANCY KEMPE

Pembroke

Mugabe-like

June 22, 2010

Dear Sir,

Once again I am disgusted by a PLP member's filthy racial rhetoric. I would say I am shocked but that shock left me about two years ago. Mr. Burgess, where on earth do you think you are? Zimbabwe? You sound like Robert Mugabe. In regards to your horrid statement that whites should get used to answering to the "children of slaves". Perhaps you should get used to co-existing with tother races, period! This is not your island. It is our island, and by our, I mean everyone black, white, tall, small, Christian or Muslim. It does not matter who or what you are.

We are all Bermudian and are in this together regardless of race, sex or creed. One love Bermuda!

ROBERT DAVIES

Devonshire

Education is the answer

June 15, 2010

Dear Sir,

Crime and education are two issues that feature almost daily in the Letters to the Editor. This letter is a plea to look at the obvious connection between these two issues and to take action. There are dozens of theories to explain the rising rate of violent crime and dozens of theories on how to combat crime in Bermuda. There is no "magic solution" but there is one approach that has had a proven effect in many countries. The data from around the world is clear – improving education will reduce crime. Education can make a positive impact on crime in two ways:

1) If we improve education for Bermuda's youth, they will be less likely to enter a life of crime. Many studies in the US, UK, and Caribbean show that quality education for youth helps to socialise students, teach patience, help them to relate to others better, and be a positive part of the community. In particular, violent and property crime is reduced the most when education is improved. The studies also point out that the better educated one is, the higher one's salary will be, thus making crime less profitable compared to a legitimate job. In one US study, keeping kids in school for one extra year led to an 11 percent drop in arrests. Even Bermuda's own Hopkins report the report that analysed the public school system in Bermuda concluded that "the future economic health of the Island is very closely bound up with the workforce development".

2) If we educate Bermuda's incarcerated, they are less likely to commit future offences. A significant number of people in Bermuda have been incarcerated more than once. The studies on the effects of educating the prison population are also clear: the higher the level of education attained while in prison, the less likely a person will be to commit a future offence. Amazingly, one study in Texas showed that where inmates completed a Master's degree while in prison the likelihood that they would commit another crime was zero.

The majority of Bermudians are educated in the public school system but sadly as the Hopkins Report indicates it is on the "brink of meltdown". The public school system has failed many of the kids who depend on it most, and failed everyone because of the connection between crime and education. So regardless of whether we have school-aged children or not, and whether we can afford private education or not, fixing the public system must be a priority. My hope is that we can turn it around and improve all of our lives.

Here is my laundry list of next steps:

¦ Bermuda must implement the Hopkins report suggestions immediately

¦ We need rigorous programmes to prepare students for the next step, including after school programmes

¦ A code of conduct for students, teachers, and parents will go a long way to spell out expectations

¦ We must demand investment and training for the teachers in our schools, and expect the best to be retained and those not making the grade to be let go. Publishing the test results for the schools will make it clear how well the system is working.

The current level of violent crime is deplorable and frightening to all of us; Bermudians are united in our concern. The evidence is clear that a proactive focus on education can help, so let's unite around education too; it's one way we can all make a difference.

PAUL COLEMAN

Bermuda Democratic Alliance

Better sidewalk sense

June 18, 2010

Dear Sir,

In Wednesday's meeting of the Senate there were a few members of the Senate calling for more sidewalks throughout Bermuda. There are probably more sidewalks needed. But there is also a need to use the ones we already have. And use them for their intended purposes. And also look before you step down off them. Look before you leap or that truck or bus will hurt or kill you.

I know you all see it through your travels around Bermuda. Where there is a sidewalk provided and yet the pedestrians still decide to walk in the road. Sometimes talking to a friend who is doing the right thing and using the sidewalk. Maybe the pedestrians need to be reminded that they also have to abide the rules of the road too. Where there is a sidewalk or verge provided, they need to get on them and out of the road. Especially down by the Airport and up on the South Shore. Where there is over 20 feet of grass space to walk on in some spots. And stop running in the road on a blind corner against the traffic and looking at the oncoming traffic like they are the ones that are crazy.

Then there are a few churches whilst their service is going on some of their parishioners park on the sidewalk, forcing other people to walk in the road. The Pembroke Seventh-Day Adventist on Pond Hill and the St Phillips AME in Devil's Hole just to name a couple. Is that what you are learning in your church services, to have a total disregard for the safety and well being of the people that live in those neighbourhoods? I do believe if you were from those areas you wouldn't need to take your car in the first place. So yes, Bermuda, let's make our roads a lot safer and more pleasant. One pedestrian, motorcyclist, bus etc. at a time.

LESLIE JAMES SMITH

Sandys