A solution that is working

September 24, 2008

Dear Sir,

I would like to reply to the letter of August 29 from "Give us a Break" regarding my comments on the heavy vehicles travelling through the Town of St. Georges.

May I initially say that as the longest serving elected official of the Municipality, and Chairman of the Streets Committee, I have an obligation to see that the Town is not abused, and that the ageing infrastructure is protected as much as possible. Vehicular traffic, in general, has increased over the years, both in size and numbers, and the Town has remained the same, therefore it is necessary to make adjustments in order to accommodate progress. That is precisely what has taken place recently, working with the company personnel responsible for trucking the rubble from the hotel site to the airport; we have arrived at a solution that is working.

As a World Heritage Site, it is vital to preserve our heritage, culture and historic amenities, while simultaneously progressing into the future. The town is delighted that at long last there will be a new hotel on the hill, and I, not only as an elected official, but as a resident of St. George's, will work with all involved to ensure that the project is successful.

In conclusion, I would like to thank "Give us all a Break" for highlighting what was viewed as complaints, but I would like to clarify that point. There is a difference between complaints and concerns, and it is always my policy not to complain but to express concern. Thank you Mr. Editor, for allowing me the space to voice my "concerns", and if "Give us all a Break" would like to discuss this matter further, I will make myself available.

KENNETH L. BASCOME J.P.

Alderman & Deputy Mayor

Corporation of St. George

Bermuda is in fact burning

September 29, 2008

Dear Sir,

So now we look forward to a 15 foot statue of Sarah (Sally) Bassett on the Cabinet Office grounds. Of all the politicians, teachers, seafarers, clergy, that contributed to our history in a positive way, this administration decided to depict a character and an incident that is painful. Should we also have a statue of Sir Richard Sharples — this also was a dark and painful chapter in our history.

This is surely just more of your, "scores to settle". When will they be settled? Four months, four years, four hundred years from now? How is the score? Tourists are gone, some hotels are now lying in ruin and your cruise ship policy to kill Front Street is a success. Bermuda is in fact burning. While single parents struggle, elderly people go hungry, your concern is shown well, on the Mets pitcher's mound, or being the "champion" of extra tickets for your next music festival. I hope, when the flame dies and the smoke clears, those who voted you in will have the courage to vote you out!

HARMONY

P.s. Why not display the new statue in the arrivals hall, to show our visitors the true extent of our welcome?

A common sense solution

September 24, 2008

Dear Sir,

I wish to support ex-Premier Mr. Alex Scott's opposition to the car/bike parking area on the Clifton property in Devonshire. The American Consul's dire predictions about what could happen if the car park was not built are unfounded. On last Saturday I went with my oldest grandson to the Arboretum car park. We walked on the sidewalk to the junction of Montpellier Road and Middle Road.

A pedestrian crossing could be installed here, after crossing Montpelier road there is a house on the corner which has a small 34 ½ inch sidewalk. It could easily be extended to 48 inches. This sidewalk is approximately 40 feet in length a pedestrian crossing could be installed here on exiting the crossing a client of the Consul would only have to walk 39 feet on the south side of Middle Road.

At that time they would be off road firstly at the entrance to a private driveway and then on to the sidewalk leading to the American Consul entrance. From the Arboretum car park to the Consul it took us just over two minutes. Every day hundreds of Bermudians and residents walk or jog on the roads to my knowledge nobody has ever been killed or injured.

Hundreds of Bermudians and residents walk from Bull's Head car park five or six days a week. I would believe that for the majority of them it takes a lot longer than two minutes. I hope this letter will help to reach a common sense solution. I think a lot of people will agree it looks like they are selling the farm, but the Premier and his Cabinet must understand the farm does not belong to them. It belongs to the people of Bermuda and a lot of people think its unnecessary.

IBROX

Devonshire

School bus blues

October 7, 2008

Dear Editor,

The people of this Island deserve so much better. I leave my car at home because catching the bus is convenient and cheaper than parking in town. Not only do I save on parking I also save on fuel and my own road rage. I can buy a three-month bus pass for what it costs me to park for one month at Bulls Head.

Please bear in mind that because of my location I can use both routes Seven and Two. So can someone please tell me how is it that I am unable to get on a bus from South Shore Road in Paget before 7.45 a. m.? If by chance I am so lucky to get on one, I end up standing the whole way into town, to then arrive at the Hamilton Bus Depot to get off the bus and be blocked by students waiting to get on. I have never had a problem until recently. If the first bus was full I would wait for the next one.

On Monday morning, September 29, three buses overflowing with people just about standing on top of the driver went past my stop. Not only is it an inconvenience for those who depend on the bus service to make time in the morning it is also very dangerous. Let me also mention that bus drivers take far too many risks whilst driving. What happened to the good old days when people had respect and obeyed the signs on buses that say no food nor drinks? When young adults had respect and stood up for a senior to sit down, when children sat in their mothers' laps so someone else could have a seat.

I have a news flash for kids who don't pay for their seats anymore. Anyone who pays taxes on this Island like that little lady that you refuse to give your seat too does. I have never had the luxury of free buses but I still had to give up my seat and I still do out of respect. When the Government gave out free bus passes they should have made some arrangements for the rest of the Island's bus users. If you wanted to follow the United States and offer school buses than that is what you should have done, not given out bus passes so that children can come and go as they please. Children have more than enough opportunity to do as they please. I thought students are supposed to be registered in the school district that is closest to their residences and if that is correct then you can organise buses to pick up these children. The island is not too big to organise something so simple.

In the United States the schoolchildren are picked up everyday at the same spot and they have to be ready when the bus comes by or find other transportation to school, which would mean that parents would be more responsible for getting there kids ready for the school bus on time in the morning and relieve some of the congestion on the public buses. What is so wrong with parents taking responsibility to make sure their kids get to bed at a sensible hour so that they get plenty of sleep and then get up the next morning and get dressed and have their breakfast before the school bus comes?

COMMUTER

Paget

Twisted ignorance

October 5, 2008

Dear Sir,

How ludicrous for someone to take your newspaper on for the use of black as in blacklisted and similar terms with the black preface. This is another twisted example of local ignorance being turned into a racial issue. It has nothing to do with race or equality. Give it a rest – does the writer really think anyone is paying attention to such nonsense? Complain to the dictionary publishers. To the leading newspapers of the world too, and see if your ridiculous letter even gets published.

IN THE BLACK

Smith's

P.s. I am left-handed. Hey, think I should take umbrage with terms like "left-handed compliment"?

The true test of a man

October 7, 2008

Dear Sir,

While listening this morning to HOTT 107.5, Thaao Dill was on a tirade over the piece that the US Fox News Network did on Barack Obama where they linked Mr. Obama to radicals (a term Fox News gave to various people who were in the civil rights movement). Mr. Dill is absolutely correct when he points out that this so-called "News Network" is biased in nature in terms of news reporting, or in many cases what they do not report.

While I have no argument with what Thaao said this morning and agree with him, I can't help but wonder where Mr. Dill's convictions were during the 2007 election where he pushed the PLP's agenda on the air going so far as to create a rap, which was contrary to the laws of the Island.

Convictions are a good thing, but the true test of a man (or woman's) mettle is how they stick to their convictions under situations that test them. I like Thaao's show, still do, but I lost a lot of respect for him by the antics played during the 2007 election on the air. I don't care which party he supports, just that he does it with honesty and integrity (something we all should so). As a radio listener of many of Bermuda's stations, it is the one place I prefer not to hear politricks, another reason why I don't tune in to the talk shows.

SEAN SOARES

Hamilton Parish

Almost as bad as Bush

October 8, 2008

Dear Sir,

I refer to a recent news headline in the Royal Gazette: Premier's approval rating drops to just 18 percent! That's almost as bad as G.W. Bush! And he is being branded as the worst President in history to ever reside at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue! At least the Bush / Cheney regime won't be around much longer to inflict any further "mayhem" on the beleaguered US economy!

How much longer will Bermuda tolerate Ewart Brown's complete incompetence, as both the Premier and Tourism Minister? He would have been discharged a long time ago in the private sector, for such a poor job performance! Even the late David Allen, had a better understanding of Bermuda's tourism, than Brown ever will!

Wake-up Bermuda ... you are in for some tough times ahead! It is blatantly obvious, that your current 'Management Team', is woefully inadequate to deal with them! Would someone please ask Sir David Gibbons, Sir John Swan and Dr. David Saul to act as business consultants, to this failing PLP. "Excuse- of-a-Government". As former Premiers of high standing, with exceptional "management skills", I am sure they can inject some positive ideas & 'Mindset' into a failing Bermuda economy!

By the way ... whatever happened to Harry Viera? I'd love to hear his opinions and input on this debacle!

BRUCE MCCLARRON

Tucson, Arizona