Dear Sir, As I have written many times before, genetically Bermuda is more than 50% white. So what does it achieve for some to say we are 70% black, 30% white? Some years ago, I revealed that I was one thirty second black. Countless thousands of "black'' Bermudians range from my colour to 50% white.

Many black activists have complained that I am being frivolous -- the truth is, I am a visionary! For some four months, I called Mr. Terry Lister asking to meet with him to express my concerns about his CURE initiatives. I also wanted to know how many whites are employed in his ministry or for that matter at TCD and many other Civil Service departments. In that he won't meet with me, perhaps he can inform one of your reporters.

Furthermore, I am waiting for four black members of Parliament to resign because 30% of 40 members is 12 and there are only eight white members (according to the PLP, that is)! of Parliament.

I wish I could claim to be expat CEO, but then again I would have signed my name -- I agree with everything he said. And, I admire Mr. Billy Williams for his candid commentary but I wish he had said all that some five years ago.

But on his proposal to pay the maximum fine of $5,000 for any Bermudian company that refuses to supply information on racial make up, I have a far better and simpler idea -- why don't we all claim to be black -- then what would Mr. Terry Lister do? Would he say that so and so is not really black? Would he apply some sort of test -- like the police do with the tinted window meter? You see, this would flush out the stupidity of those who try to put everything as black and white -- nothing is black or white -- literally nor figuratively.

We are a continuum of colour from yes, literally black to white. There are thousands of mixed race children now, produced under the sanctity of marriage.

There are countless thousands of other mixed race Bermudians who are not the product of slave rape. Slavery in Bermuda was less harsh than slavery on plantations (but maybe the PLP's anger was brought with them from St. Kitt's and Nevis.) and we must not lose sight of that, no matter how hard it is for the black activists to swallow.

So, who will join me to be called a black Bermudian? What do you think about this Mr. Lister? SANDERS FRITH BROWN Warwick Island is too expensive April 18, 2000 Dear Sir, It's no good David Allen flying all over the place to promote Bermuda. He is wasting our money. The reason we do not get tourists is `simple'. We are too expensive. Plane travel, hotels, buses, ferries, food -- everything is too expensive, how much clearer can you get. I've heard tourists say to me "How do your people manage to live here''. Well we just survive. But with families they just go elsewhere, where they can stay a few days with their family which costs half the price.

The very well off can do anything they wish, but not middle class people.

Another subject is to be polite when they get here, say "Welcome to Bermuda'', "Have a wonderful time'', with a "smile''. Why not get together with hotels and airlines here and fix a nice package deal for so many days -- that's what the travel agents do.

Does Mr. Allen tell people what it costs to come here when he is promoting this Island? BERMUDIAN Devonshire A half-baked idea April 19, 2000 Dear Mr. Editor What do you think of this? Your permit entitles you to park in Bull's Head Car Park, Laffan Street (Bull's Head North) Car Park and Elliott Street Car Park, from Monday through Friday for the period which it was issued. Right? But this permit does NOT guarantee you a parking bay in any of these car parks therefore, should you have an appointment or other business before coming into the city to work, chances are that you may be out of luck for a monthly paid parking spot.

While $60 monthly may be reasonable, I think the Corporation of Hamilton has to do better than that or they should just leave it as a first-come parking facility. It is unfair to collect on a monthly basis if it's not going to be guaranteed.

And what about City Hall & Par-la-Ville Car Parks y $125.00 per month and Cavendish, King Street No. 7 Car Parks y $85.00 per month, would the same rule apply? I think some more thought should be considered before people start feeling ripped off by this half-baked idea or should I say "Scheme''.

What do you think Mr. Editor? CONCERNED P.S. Maybe I should have sent a copy to Corporation of Hamilton first, but being this has already been implemented it is only a matter of time before those who have already monthly paid, find themselves without a parking space because of a late arrival into the city for whatever reason.

Waste of resources April 23, 2000 Dear Sir, I gather that only a small proportion of islanders use blue bags and place tins and bottles for recycling.

It certainly is a fact with tenants in the property in which I live.

Would it not be wise of the Government to make it an offence to place these items in the ordinary trash and since it may be the cost of blue bags which is causing this waste of resources, perhaps the issue of stickers which could be placed on the brown waste bags to indicate that the contents are recyclable.

The cost of such labels would be repaid by the recovery of the valuable objects saved from the trash and the trash itself would more easily be disposed of since bottles and tins are not so easily burnt.

WASTE NOT WANT NOT An enlightened leader April 20, 2000 Dear Sir, I would like to comment on the recent furore concerning the Bermuda College, and in particular Ms Laverne Furbert's supportive letter to the Editor concerning Dr. Donald Peters.

Shortly after Dr. Peters came to Bermuda I was a student in his university credit Race Relations course at the Bermuda College. He taught this course with brilliance and integrity and it was without doubt the most interesting, and enlightening course I have taken. Dr. Peters' reputation as an international leader in the field of race relations is without question, and I believe that the positive changes that have occurred at the Bermuda college over the last three years have been a direct result of his enlightened and knowledgeable leadership.

Prior to Dr. Peters' arrival the College had gone through a period of stagnation, and his arrival was a breath of fresh air. The College has to be likened to a business, and as with any business a period stagnation can be quickly followed by decline. Dr. Peters' arrival staved off this decline and brought rejuvenation and enthusiasm back into the College. The changes he instituted have undoubtedly displeased some, but this is a normal consequence of any sort of change.

I cannot and do not wish to comment on the issues that have since arisen about the hiring of this or that person. I would urge both the Bermuda College and the Bermuda Government to put these personal issues aside and instead look to the greater picture. Dr. Peters' focus has been on turning the Bermuda College into an internationally recognised college, and he has already made great strides forward in this regard.

The most important issue is the future direction of the Bermuda College, as it holds the key to the future of our children, and I would urge the Bermuda Government to remember that education is the engine that drives Bermudianization.

LYNNE WINFIELD Sandys Parish