Hustle truckers do well

April 2, 2009

Dear Sir,

I just wanted to convey my most heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Hustle Truck service.

They have worked tirelessly and expeditiously on my family's property and have done so while exercising tons of care. Words cannot express how they have changed my opinion of the Hustle Truck, its service and workers – they have captured a customer and fan for life!

Many thanks and recommendations.

SMILES IN DEVONSHIRE

Premier's false advertising

March 29, 2009

Dear Sir,

I have a copy of "Preview Bermuda" for February/March. I note that the welcome from the Premier and Minister of Tourism and Transport writes in the intro: "This year the Grand Slam moves to the Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton. Our $14million makeover is complete and Port Royal is transformed into one of the best public golf courses in the world."

I have called Port Royal to arrange a tee time but no-one answers the telephones.

On page 40 under "The St. George's Club" I quote: "Golfers will love the surrounding Robert Trent Jones designed course at St. George's Golf Club." Yes they can enjoy the view, but, will not be able to play the course.

This is false advertising and in many countries one could be sued for making such statements.

ANTONY SIESE

City of Hamilton

Convoy's bad behaviour

March 31, 2009

Dear Sir,

On Sunday, March 29, at about 6.15 p.m., I had the misfortune to be travelling west on Middle Road near Fourways Inn when the winning team from a West End soccer game was travelling east.

They were travelling in convoy, at least a dozen cars with horns blaring, lights flashing and overexcited men hanging out of windows and roofs with beer bottles in hand.

To my horror, approximately four of these decided it would be fun to drive on the wrong side of the road, forcing me and the two vehicles behind me to stop. Then they would swerve to the other side once they had frightened me silly.

I arrived home five minutes later very upset and immediately called Police operations suggesting they get someone to Middle Road as soon as possible. On Monday, I called and spoke to the Chief Inspector in Somerset, responsible for the West End, who said he would look into it and respond and I also left a message at the BFA. As of today, neither have followed up on my call.

I would suggest to the powers that be that if they are going to allow these morons to break the law, then the very least they can do is have a Police escort to protect people like myself.

To those who ask why football gets so little public support I say: "Why would anyone choose to spend a Sunday afternoon with these people?"

If they can't obey the simple rules of the road then I cannot imagine what they get up too at a game.

SUE GARLAND

Warwick

Pay tourists to come

March 26, 2009

Dear Sir,

In today's paper, I see that, quote "Last summer, Dr. Brown said Mr. Curtis' company was paid $345,250 to run faith-based tourism in 2007/08. Under the terms of his contract, he was expected to attract 2,200 visitors to the Island." Simple maths shows that equals $1,569 for each expected tourist! Do we know how many faith-based tourists actually came to Bermuda during that period?

It has been suggested over and over again, that Bermuda could offer a free plane ticket to any prospective tourist who shows proof of travel and hotel reservations. Bermuda could probably get a special price for multiple travel from the various airlines – especially these days. This may possibly be extended toward the hotel cost as well. A plan along these lines would be a lot more secure than the wheeling and dealing to special interests that goes on at present which has no guarantee of value for dollar.

Maybe this is just too simple – and transparent – remember that word?

UN-COMMON SENSE

St. George's

Editor's note: As the story explained, it is difficult to get a straight answer on the number of visitors events organised by Mr. Curtis attracted. But it seems clear that fewer than 300 visitors attended events organised by Mr. Curtis.

Firing the auditor

March 12, 2009

Dear Sir,

Auditing is a simple process, carried out by experts; but there are two types.

An external audit is a test, conducted by an external firm of accountants, that the entity being tested is conforming with the accounting rules and legislated requirements.

An internal audit is a test, conducted by one of one's own, that the entity being tested has the procedures in place such that fraud, embezzlement, theft or waste will be difficult or impossible, and that those procedures are being implemented.

Normally, a chief executive welcomes the investigations of an internal auditor because the latter will endeavour to find any instances in which the procedures are inadequate or are being circumvented This will enable the chief executive to correct the inadequacy before fraud, embezzlement, theft or waste can occur.

Of course, if the chief executive or his friends are the perpetrators of the fraud, embezzlement, theft or waste then he will resent the intervention of the internal auditor and possibly even wish to fire him. This is why the internal auditor does not report to the chief executive, but to the main shareholder.

When the chief executive nevertheless tries to get the main shareholder to fire the internal auditor, then it can be expected that that chief executive has a more amenable internal auditor in mind to succeed the current one. If the main shareholder is sensible then he will refuse the chief executive's nominee.

We can then expect that the chief executive will seek to make himself independent from the main shareholder so that he can have his way. The only means for a chief executive to do this is to somehow sell his views to the other shareholders and convince them to dislodge the main shareholder.

This might be called a referendum, but this only works for him if he has the shareholders' trust and support.

I. BACON

Warwick

Why apology is needed

March 31, 2009

Dear Sir,

I am writing in response to CURB's idea that the PLP government should apologise to blacks of this country for the enslavement and civil persecution; segregation, oppression and public racism in the past. They said that PLP should apologise first, then the UBP and then whites on this island will follow suit.

I am a young black Bermudian who tries every day to be aware if I am being racist, if so stepping back and then readdressing the situation with a more open mind. I have very good white friends.

I would like to first address the example that CURB gave about judges being racist in sentencing blacks and whites for the same crime. The blacks were given a longer sentence. This is an individual who has a negative assumption about someone because they are black. This is something that can be addressed by informing and educating the judges about this kind of action being a mistake. That acting in this fashion is not fair or just. And it does not bring a favourable public attitude about race relations when the public sees these kinds of injustices.

I would like to know what PLP government power structures today still hold and exploit and oppress black men and women.

For the PLP to apologise for this racial misjudgment by a judge and then in the same breath apologise for slavery, oppression and civil exploitation of blacks that happened in the past. A past this Government had no dealing with. A past that some members of this Government, had felt first hand. A past that also helped bring about a party that has a social agenda that is like none this island has seen before, that helps them find better paying jobs, educate, bring pride to and assists the general Bermudian public who is demographically black. This is similar in my eyes to the past when guilty parties would have someone who followed their commands, someone who they controlled do their dirty work. It will be like a spit in the face to the black community. If there is to be an apology from whites, it has to come from whites.

There are some people who say why should there be an apology. They say people are living and stuck in the past, that this kind of talk is not moving forward. I would like to address that. There was a time when blacks couldn't even talk like this publicly, let alone ask for an apology. The fact that we can think that we have a right to an apology, which is true, is progress.

Keep in mind that CURB is made up of an 85 percent plus, so it is their idea to stay in line with what is going on around the world. America apologised to the Native American for what was done to them, Britain apologised to blacks for its role in slavery and the Australians apologised to the Aborigines for there hardships. Why is it OK for those non-whites to get apologies around the world but the idea of an apology to blacks of this country, Bermuda, is dismissed? It should not matter that blacks are the majority on this country or that we have a Government that is mistakenly and falsely perceived to be of only black interest. For those people who say they don't need to hear an apology, that's fine, that doesn't mean an apology is not needed or should be said because it is after all in my eyes the right thing to and the decent thing to do.

OK, now, the said apology, I feel, can be done in a way that does not degrade whites. It can be done respectfully and tastefully and non-legally binding. I don't think that all Bermudian whites should apologise. I don't want to hear an apology from a white family who all have to work together to pay off their mortgage or who are still paying rent. Not all Bermudian whites have "old money". As far as I am concerned they are in the same boat as me. If there is an apology, the people I feel should apologise are the people of families of "old money". Who still today reap the benefits of profits made from the days of slavery and the families of those who profited during the days after, were blacks were still being oppressed and exploited, who actively fought to keep blacks down financially, educationally and socially. I do not think that all Bermudian white families were "gung ho" in keeping blacks down in those days. There were whites that were not so in the mind set of "White Power".

Even today if there are members of certain families who gain wealth on the backs of blacks through exploitation, who are more to the mindset of equality, I believe that they should still come out publicly and say (because people know who they are) "yes, my family profited from slavery or my family worked to keep blacks down, that I acknowledge it was wrong I that I apologise for what was done and hope to begin to mend the broken fences". Those are the people who should lead the way as far as an apology.

There are two very rich white Bermudian men of this "old money" who are in the public light who Bermudian blacks would respect a lot more if they acknowledge this topic in a positive light, and maybe they can encourage other families of the same distinction to do the same. I do not know of any families of "old money" that have given back to the Black Community.

I am a young Bermudian who loves his country and wishes only the best result in efforts to make this country's society whole. Spread the love Bermuda.

KHOMEINI TAALIB-DIN

Warwick