Good faith is being tested

October 2, 2008

Dear Sir,

I have tried for the past decade, to be a good parent, to be a good husband and for the most part have tried, in my own way, to be involved in different aspects of the community. I have tried ever so hard to keep the belief that for the most part people are good, and that while there are aspects of our society that require work, as all societies do, we are truly lucky to live in such a wonderful country. I honestly believe, that the hope of the future lies in our children and that we must all do our part in their development. That faith in the general good has been tested several times, most recently yesterday, when someone, who obviously had enough time to watch my home, found the small opportunity made available and used it to their own advantage to gain entry and help themselves to some of my family's belongings. It is unnerving. Unsettling. A violation. An invasion. That someone would carefully plot against my family, against my home and disrupt our haven, is truly horrifying.

We live in a close neighbourhood. Surrounded by homes on all sides, We don't even have a yard for our kids to play in. We have done the best we can in such small surroundings, and for the most part, our family, have always accepted that there will be some uncomfortable moments, people cutting through our yard to get to houses nearby, squatters and drug users on the shore not too far away. Even our quiet lane has been a refuge for those who seek to do some pretty inexcusable things. That someone was able to break into our home without being seen, in broad daylight is quite daring, gaining access via the most exposed part of our home. It is our hope that someone may have seen you and will let us know in due course.

Through it all, we have endured. The losses of the items taken from my home yesterday are less important than the violation of the intrusion. I won't go into what was taken, and the things that still may be gone that we have yet to figure out. These things that were taken can always be replaced. What cannot be replaced is the loss of confidence, and the fear that has been instilled in my wife and family. The fact that our home is no longer the safe haven we hoped it was, and even now after the fact, after we have taken measures to ensure that it won't ever happen again, how can I get my kids, my wife to ever believe in the general good of man, when all they feel is fear and loathing? How do I teach my kids that this is not the norm, when they see it happening all the time?

To be honest, I still believe in the greater good. I still believe in the future, our kids, and that these incidents are meant to strengthen us, are meant to inspire us on to be bigger and better, that we cannot give up, that we cannot run and hide, that we will be better because of it. What was taken from my family yesterday will only bring us closer, will only help in uniting our home and hopefully our neighbourhood and more.

Last, but not least. To whoever did this. That small tube you took off of my dresser. It's deodorant. I hope you use it well.

VIOLATED

Pembroke

Stand up for what is right

October 1, 2008

Dear Sir,

I am writing as an extremely concerned and worried parent of two primary-aged children, currently being schooled in the Government education system. Having learned (at about 4.30 p.m. this afternoon) of the teachers' walkout over pay issues, I find out that my two children were kept in a school assembly hall today for over three hours, while their supposedly trained, caring, diligent and responsible teachers chose to attend a meeting, a meeting called by the BUT over pay concerns, supposedly a "missing pay award". Could this not have waited? Meet at 5 p.m. for crying out loud!

What in the world is this place coming to? These teachers have a duty to educate and care for our students. Their total lack of professionalism led to hundreds of children being herded like animals, their parents none-the-wiser and now furious at this disgraceful affair. This cannot happen again. Teachers must exercise their right to disregard the militant, disruptive and unnecessary calls to meetings or strikes whenever their irresponsible Union feels like it.

The following is a quote from the Ministry of Education:

"While the scheduling of this BUT meeting fell in the middle of the morning and presented challenges to our school administrations, the Ministry administration, in conjunction with the schools' administration, worked together to provide supervision for all our students while the teachers attended their meeting. All students, who were released from some schools, are asked to return. The Ministry of Education apologises for any inconvenience caused to parents and now awaits word from the Bermuda Union of Teachers on the full result of their meeting today."

"Supervision"? "Inconvenience"? Incomprehensible! Who is in charge here? Who runs the country? This nonsense must end! I call on parents, politicians, the media – and those honourable teachers who truly believe that their duty is to the students and that their place is in the classroom – to stand up to this ridiculous state of affairs.

A DISGUSTED PARENT

Sandys

Who is responsible?

This was sent to the Trustees of the Government golf courses and copied to The Royal Gazette.

September 27, 2008

To whom it may concern,

On April 8, 2008, I paid for four (4) locker rental renewals for one year from April 1, 2008 through April 1, 2009. Shortly thereafter I was advised that both the course and clubhouse would be closing.

It is now almost six months later, the lockers have been removed, the contents are gone, the course is closed, the building is vacant, and yet no one has written me about a refund for the four lockers I rented. My locker numbers were #1, #3, #4 & #12. Although I was able to retrieve most of our belongings including clubs, tennis racquets, helmets, several items were missing.

Kindly advise about payment reimbursement ASAP. Since I am on Island this week, I will appreciate a response in order to retrieve a cheque.

BRACKETT DAVID CLARK

St. George's Club

No level playing field

October 1, 2008

Dear Sir,

I would like to make a further public plea to the Minister of Transport. Just today I saw two trailer dump truck carrying screenings which could have been transported in smaller dump trucks as per the Motor Vehicle Act.

I would like to inform the public on what the small independent trucker represents. They are a group of working class people who strive to support their family through hard honest labour. Many of them have sacrificed to scrimp and save enough funds to purchase their permits. Their households depend on them to earn a living in an ever more challenging economy. They are not looking for a handout but are endeavouring to "level the playing field". Currently many of the truckers support the Government, but increasingly I am hearing of their disillusionment. May I point out that the Government was born out of the "grass roots struggle", trade unionism and the civil rights movement. The late champions of these movements surely would side with the working class independent truckers over large business interests.

I find it ironic that this is the same government that is doing a fine job in the revitalisation of North East Hamilton. The plight of the small independent trucker is in stark contrast. Please, for the future well-being of these truckers and their families, reconsider your position on this dire issue.

LIVELIHOOD AT RISK

Sandys

Increasing disillusionment

October 5, 2008

Dear Sir,

I read the letter from LIVELIHOOD AT RISK last week and I went to speak with my neighbor who owns a truck. He is a friend of mine and I did not realize how difficult it has become for him to make a decent living. He told me that in the many years that he had been driving trucks, the last six months or more have been particularly difficult. A lot of the previous work that he had, and that he could rely upon for steady income, has now been taken over by the tractor trailer haulers.

I would like to inform the public on what my friend the small independent trucker represents. He is one person in a group of working class people who all strive to support their family through hard honest labour. Many of them have sacrificed to scrimp and save enough funds to purchase their permits. My friend started off by driving a dump truck for someone else and drove water trucks on the weekends. He is the major "bread winner" in his family and it is getting more difficult to earn a living in an ever increasing challenging economy. He is not looking for a handout but wants the "playing field" leveled.

Currently, he like many of the truckers supports the government, but increasingly I am hearing of their disillusionment. May I remind my elected officials that they were born out of the struggle, trade unionism and the civil rights movement. The late champions of these causes surely would side with the working class independent truckers over large business interests.

I find it ironic that my government is doing a fine job in the revitalization of North East Hamilton. The plight of the small independent trucker is in stark contrast. Please, for the future wellbeing of these truckers and their families, can government reconsider their position on this dire issue and show support for the common small businessman. I, like my neighbor friend, support this government but I am concerned that the leadership may be losing sight of the everyday people that they were elected to represent.

CONCERNED PLP SUPPORTER

Sandys