Visitors' bus blues

April 13, 2009

This was sent to the Bermuda Public Transportation Board and copied to The Royal Gazette.

Dear Sir,

During the period April 4 through April 11, 2009 my wife and I made our annual visit to your wonderful island. We stayed at our timeshare at St. George's Club. As we have done in the past we purchased 2 four-day transportation passes for a total of $70.00. Unfortunately, this year we were very disappointed with the bus service.

On Monday afternoon we found the bus schedule to be rather sporadic and as a result had to stand the entire trip from the Hamilton bus depot to St. George's Club. The buses did not run all day Tuesday. Wednesday early evening we were not able to take a bus to the Swizzle Inn for dinner, but after dinner the buses were not running again and had to take a taxi back to St. George's. Thursday morning we were forced to use a taxi from St. George's to Dockyard because there was no bus service.

We were inconvenienced, forced to alter our plans and incurred additional taxi fares. It seems to me that 75 percent of our four-day transport pass was wasted. Therefore, I am asking to be reimbursed $52.50. I have enclosed the 2 transport passes we purchased.

May I also suggest that the high speed ferry from St. George's start its all-day runs a bit earlier, say April 1? This year the start date was April 13, 2009. Last year it was April 7, 2008. It is such a wonderful way to travel around the island. We were disappointed to find it was not available during our visit.

Thank you in advance for your attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

WILLIAM J. SLIVKA

Toms river, New Jersey

Together against violence

April 22, 2009

Dear Sir,

More and more frequently the news and local conversations have evolved around the increased violence in our community.

As practitioners and individuals who deal first hand with individuals who have been deeply scarred by violence, it would be remiss not to reach out and urge people to get help for themselves and their loved ones before their needs become too complex. Many people have been emotionally involved with the re-occurring violence that has impacted Bermuda's youth and families. Everyone … from all walks of life … has been affected in some manner.

In 1992, Marian Wright Edelman, President of the Children's Defense Fund in Washington DC, stated that: "Too many young people – of all colours, of all walks of life – are growing up today unable to handle life in hard places, without hope, without adequate attention, and without steady internal compasses to navigate the morally polluted seas they must face on the journey to adulthood. Millions of children are drowning in the meaninglessness of a culture that rewards greed ... and tells them that life is about getting rather than giving."

In 2009, over a decade later, there are many indicators in Bermuda that clearly support Edelman's view. The increasing violent nature of our young people and society in general illustrates that we are a nation at risk. Growing up in a violent environment puts young people at an even higher risk. Research suggests that exposure to violence is associated with increased antisocial activities such as drug use, premature and inappropriate sexual behaviors and lower achievement levels. This also can have an impact on early drop out from school.

Agencies (such as schools, social clubs and community organisations) that work with children, families and communities can play a major role in changing the disturbing trends that presently characterise Bermuda's society.

A web of relationships between school, community and family can create a safety net that protects this generation from the hostile forces around us. It is essential that collectively we seek avenues that involve looking towards and working with the youth for solutions.

As representatives of a group of professionals who work with many of Bermuda's most troubled youth, we feel their pain and become equally affected by the experiences and frustrations that have led them to us for "treatment". Many are already spoiled and calloused by the injustices inflicted upon them. Policies, Acts, Laws and processes alone cannot heal the pain that many of our young people are expressing through their words, actions and associations. It is commendable that there are numerous agencies that have banded together to assist Bermuda's youth.

In conclusion, we applaud those in Bermuda who are using our resources to bind together to create a safety net for our youth and a safe home for all of us. Together ... we can ... we will ... we must.

MELLISA GIBBONS TANKARD PhD

President

Bermuda Psychological Association