Roads are a hazard

June 30, 2010

Dear Sir,

Have you noticed how tacky most roads in Bermuda are? Brighton Hill, Montpelier Road by the junction to Frog Lane, North Shore Road, Spanish Point Road and a few others? This is part of that road safety information you guys seem to not notice. Is there a reason for this? Yes, driving erratically will lead to an injury or worse, death, but what about the accidents because of poor road pavement? What about them? Shouldn't they be prevented as well?

CONCERNED ABOUT BAD ROADS

Devonshire

Ban tinted visors

June 30, 2010

This was sent to Premier Dr. Ewart Brown and copied to The Royal Gazette.

Good morning, Dr. Ewart Brown,

I once again appeal to you as Premier of our Islands, and, also as The Minister of Transportation.

On countless occasions I have asked the "Powers that be", to consider banning dark tinted visors. It's a fact that in the course of a crime no positive ID can be given when the individual/s are wearing a helmet with a tinted visor attached.

One doesn't need to be a rocket scientist to see if we were to outlaw the attachment on helmets then at least the crook/s can be somewhat described…(As opposed to having no idea who it had been behind the tinted visor.)

So sir, please, once again, I ask you to reconsider banning the use of dark tinted helmet visors and possibly save a life.

RAYMOND RAY

St. George's

Visor ban will solve crime

July 1, 2010

Dear Sir,

This is in response to David Williams' letter regarding my call for Government to ban the visors. I do not think that by banning the visors the shooting will stop, my point is that we might actually be able to identify the shooter because we can see them. This is a matter of life and death. The reason these shootings are continuing is because the Police haven't caught them.

You said in your closing that, "we all have to stand up and stop hoping that someone will do it for us". That's my point also; we need to be able to tell the Police a little more than the suspect was dressed in all black with a black visor.

BAN THE VISORS!

Sandys

Bank fees are too high

July 1, 2010

Dear Sir,

While in Hamilton this week I entered my bank to purchase a US Dollar Bank Draft for US$28 – I didn't mind queuing for 10/15 minutes or so. Three times I was asked by a floor walker (sorry, I don't know the official job title) what business I needed to conduct and if I knew I could pre-order drafts (yes I did).

However I discovered that HSBC would charge a $28 fee to issue a Bank Draft for $28, although I was advised that I could save myself $10 by pre-ordering. I have to wonder at the motive of the substantial fee for purchasing a bank draft when requesting same from a Cashier. From two facts – high fees and constant questioning before reaching a cashier – I can only assume HSBC does not want customers to enter the bank if the intent is to request some action by a cashier. What is the cost saving to HSBC of having someone call in a request for a bank draft as opposed to a cashier issuing one?

Perhaps I should thank HSBC for saving me money as the increased cost of a draft for a small subscription fee to a seniors' organization means that I shall allow my subscription to lapse as the benefits are outweighed by costs – thus saving $56 ($28 subscription fee and $28 Bank fee).

MERIANNA

Pembroke

Seniors pay the price

June 26, 2010

Dear Sir,

Your report that "Seniors will see no rise in their Government Pension benefits this year after eight consecutive years of increases", will no doubt cause some hardship to Seniors who rely on this pension.

Granted, the rate of inflation over the past year or so has been below the five percent range but prior to that it was above five percent.

I think this is well below what Ministers and Members of Parliament have voted the increases for themselves in the past twelve years under the current administration.

For every million dollars that has been wasted, each senior would have an extra $7.50 per month had it been channeled into the fund!

ANTONY SIESE

Southampton

Ducks are preserved

June 25, 2010

Dear Sir,

I expect that we all share Rosemary Jones' concern at the increasing levels of plastic in the world's oceans, as expressed in her 10th June Letter to the Editor. Happily the annual Rubber Duck Derby does not add any plastic to our waters (at least not permanently!). This year's event was the 14th annual derby and the ducks used this year are the very same ones that have been used in previous years.

We should all applaud Erica Fulton and her team of dedicated volunteers for organising a fun event with the serious purpose of raising funds for Friends of Hospice, a registered charity providing support for Bermuda's only in-patient hospice. Not only is the rubber duck derby a great way to raise much needed funds, it is also a wonderful event that encourages community togetherness, while also raising awareness of Agape House.

Let's hope the ducks have a nice long rest, and we can look forward to seeing them again next year!

DAISY DUCK

Warwick

East End victims

June 29, 2010

Dear Sir,

The water shortage crisis has been in the news a lot lately. Last year it was the same story. The Government holds a lot of the blame by not adequately providing solutions year after year. Perhaps some of the $800,000 that was spent on an unnecessary review of the Corporation of Hamilton might have gone towards fixing some of the tanks that lay empty in need of repair. Maybe this year they can be proactive and fix the problem so that next summer, when we inevitably suffer through bouts of drought again, the water situation won't be so dire. However, we shouldn't forget that while everyone is quick to blame the entire crisis on the Government, some of the blame lies with the water truckers themselves.

I live in St. George's, I dutifully listen to the advice on water conservation, we take showers, not baths, we only wash full loads of laundry, my garden is only watered from the rain and I check my tank levels regularly. However conservation can only take you so far, we all need water and it will eventually run out if there is no rain to replenish it. In the spirit of being pro-active I tried to order water in advance. The first person I called was my regular trucker who laughed. I was told there will be no more deliveries to the East End for the rest of the summer. I listened to the explanation that the water is shut off at noon so by the time he drives there, fills up, drives down to the East End, empties and goes back he can only do one or two loads max. Then I am told that in that same time period six loads can be delivered to Pembroke, and since it is more profitable that's as far as the deliveries will go. That is where he lost my sympathy since the almighty dollar was put above basic human needs. The next company gave me the same tale, and the next. I was told only regular customers could be served by the fourth trucker but I couldn't become a regular until winter, and then only maybe. The fifth trucker said maybe in a month or so and I finally lucked out with the sixth who said he will try his best to come in a week. Fortunately I can wait, but others are not so fortunate. It's not that the water truckers can't deliver to the East End, it's because they won't as long as it adversely affects their wallets.

While the Government does shoulder much of the blame, the Water companies need to remember that they may make more money now by bypassing the East End, but when this drought is over, people will remember who came to their assistance and who chose more money instead. In the long run the central parishes may not be so profitable after all.

PRAYING FOR RAIN

St. George's

Thanks for support

June 9, 2010

Dear Sir,

We the officers and members of the Orchid Charity Club take this opportunity to express our appreciation to the many merchants who made donations to our Annual Christmas Project. This project enables us to make a contribution to the residents in the Senior Homes and other organisations throughout the island, for which they are very thankful and overjoyed.

At this time we would also like to thank our faithful taggers, who donated their personal time, to tag for us on our Annual Tag Days of January 15 & 16, 2010. Thanks to the merchants throughout Bermuda, who gave us permission to place our taggers in front of their establishments. We are happy to report that this year's tag day was a resounding success; this could not have been realised without any of you.

To the many merchants who supplied us with food provisions for our St. Patrick's Day Tea, held on Sunday, March 21, 2010, we would like to say thank you, as our Tea was once again a huge success. During the tea we were informed, enlightened and challenged by our guest speakers Ms. Laurie Shiell and Mr. Darious Richardson (Centre Against Abuse). The North Village Band serenaded us and Courtney Coddington performed a liturgical dance. To our speakers and guest artists we are eternally grateful and wish God's continued blessing on you and success in the work that you do throughout Bermuda. To our brothers, the Leopards Club, our own sisters the Orchids, our faithful helpers, and let us not forget our loyal patrons, for without your dedication, our Tea would not be a reality, "Thank You".

May God continue to bless each and every one of you, as you go about carrying out His charitable deeds.

CONSTANCE RICHARDSON

Recording Secretary

LOIS L. WEEKS

Correspondence Secretary

Right this wrong

June 15, 2010

Dear Sir,

Any legal action for the recovery of debts owed to Government must be through the Supreme Court which means that the Attorney General's Chambers must prosecute them. Our Attorney General Mrs. Kim Wilson appears to have gone to sleep as there are many employers who should be charged with stealing from their employee pension contributions.

I have decided that our new UK Minister Mr. Jeremy Brown should be brought into this to investigate the problem.

I will be contacting him in the very near future, to correct the injustice against my Bermudian people.

RAYMOND RUSSELL

Pembroke

We need conscription

June 17, 2010

Dear Sir,

With Mr. Marshall, if he chooses to starve himself, then let him.

When I think of a regiment, battalion, warriors, armed forces, my mind is at once drawn away to the conflict which occurred many decades ago between Ethiopia and the Italians. At that time, Italy, having imperialistic designs upon Africa, and in violation of international treaties, waged a barbarous and unprovoked war upon Ethiopia and Her people. To counter this naked aggression, and "after having himself fought at the head of his armies", decisive action was then taken by His Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia, who dutifully set out for Geneva, Switzerland in 1936, to appeal to the League of Nations, to the end that military assistance and justice be guaranteed to the Ethiopian people.

Who is unmindful of the British and Ethiopian campaign that resulted in the Liberation of Ethiopia? Or even the countless members of the African Diaspora, at the behest of Marcus Garvey and the United Negro Improvement Association, who rallied to the cause of the defence of Ethiopia? Or even the Bob Marley tune "War" which is acutely reminiscent of that sad chapter in World history and the later 1963 speech by Emperor Selassie to the United Nations?

Of course, like our predecessors, we pursue a path of peace, and our continual prayers to Almighty God are for a peaceful and harmonious state of affairs for Bermuda and the World. But, when peaceful means and discussions are exhausted — then force must be responded to with force.

Bermuda is not unique in the fact that our population is small, and that our isolation is real. Therefore, a force of able-bodied men, trained for defence, must be available to repeal any threat, and at any given time, to defend a just cause, our land, our women and our children. Conscription, while not perfect historically has assured this imperative. May God bless you all.

RASTAFARI

Warwick

No more 'Swan' buildings

June 20, 2010

Dear Sir,

I see in the paper the new plans for improving the waterfront in Hamilton. I think it might be a great asset to have a nice area by our lovely harbour.

It is of course a shame to start digging up Front Street again when we finally have got it back together after all the construction through the last few years.'

What struck me as a negative on the drawing were the big modern buildings by the new cruise ship dock. Please, no more "Swan" looking buildings. Keep it Bermudian. That is what the tourists are looking for. They can see "Swan" looking buildings all over the world. They do not belong here on our waterfront where many people will get the first impression of Bermuda. Maybe at the same time the Bank of Bermuda could get rid of their building on Albouy's Point. That would really be a great improvement.

LL

Pembroke

Airport staff to rescue

June 28, 2010

This was sent to Ms Tina Minors, Terminal Officer, Department of Airport Operations and copied to The Royal Gazette.

Dear Ms Minors,

Here I am again complimenting your staff, I believe this is the third letter I have written in this regard, which obviously means you have some very good, helpful staff working at the Airport.

I was travelling with American Airlines (my favourite airline) to Miami on Friday, June 4, and I wanted to take the Bell staff at the hotel where I always stay some Gosling's Black Rum. This is the first time I have taken duty free from Bermuda in years so when the lady at the store told me to put the bottle in my case I thought she was pointing to my hand luggage and so I put it in there. I never thought anything about this as when I fly across the Atlantic they always hand duty free to you when you enter the plane or you can buy it on board. However, when I got to Security I was told this could not travel in my hand luggage. However, the ladies there were so helpful, namely April Minors, a security supervisor and Karricka Tear. Between the two of them they ensured that I did not lose my duty free and they made sure it went with my checked luggage. Both of them went above and beyond for me and I sincerely hope you will pass on my thanks.

I am sending a copy of this to the Royal Gazette, which I hope they will print like they did with my other letters.

CAROL CARVALHO

Southampton