Subsidise visitors

June 4, 2009

Dear Sir,

There is much chatter about the decision on whether gambling should be allowed on docked cruise ships after hours. Most of this chatter revolves around gambling being a cure-all to our tourism problems.

It is clear to me, and hopefully any other open-minded citizen or resident, that gambling is not the answer.

Recently, there have been two initiatives made by the hotels which have found success. First was the $99 Fairmont sale, then the most recent joint venture between the hotels and the Tourism Ministry. Both of these promotions were successful without gambling being introduced into the equation.

What does this tell us? I believe that it speaks to the fact that gambling is unnecessary. Whether some consider it right or wrong is not the issue. If our prices are competitive, our promotions reach the correct target market, and our service measures up to our promises, we will have a good tourist industry. We may never again see the industry of the past because things have changed worldwide. The current economic situation will also preclude some from travelling as smart people are holding onto their disposable cash.

However, reviving the industry is possible without gambling, whether on board cruise ships, or on our shores.

To counter/balance the purported income generated through gambling, one suggestion is that instead of wasting millions of dollars on advertising, use the same money to subsidise travel and directly offset the cost to potential visitors. If each visitor receives a voucher to apply to some Bermuda-based tourism attraction, restaurant, shop, reduced airfare or accommodation, that money would be much better spent rather than blasting ads into unproven markets. That could create a win-win situation for all in the industry and be a much better use of tax-payer money.

JEAN-ANNE TUCKER

Southampton

Price for marina

June 8, 2009

Dear Sir,

Please allow me to respond to the building of a marina at Spanish Point Boat Club.

Although I live here in Boston, I still hold a resident address, in Spanish Point, Bermuda. So I am able to vote in Bermuda elections.

I do not disagree with building of a marina at SPBC. I think the members of the boat club should have somewhere to put their boats and be able to get to them easily. Now if the boat owners want something, they have to give something, everything comes with a price.

In return for a marina at Spanish point, here's what I would like the boat club to give up,and only if they give these things or give back to the non-members/people of Spanish Point.

{1} They, the members, give up all moorings in Stovell Bay/Peter Tucker Bay.

{2} Encourge and see to it that government dredge Stovell Bay to allow the people of Spanish Point somewhere to moor their boats, the black people of Spanish Point that used to moor their boats in Boss's Cove/Stovell Bay cannot moor their boats in either of these places any more, it's a terriblething to give up so white people can distance themselves from us. We own boats also. We would like somewhere to put our boats too.

{3} The boat ramp that is in the carpark of the SPBC ,should not be in the controlof SPBC. When I wanted to launch my boat, I was told that I would have to go to the Boat club to get permission to used the ramp. If Iam not mistaken, that ramp was built by Public Works Department,with Government funds when Governement stopped people from using Stovell Bay Beach from storing and launching their boats because it was an eye sore to white people of Spanish Point,we the people/boat owners agreed to move, and not to put our boats back there in exchange for a boat ramp to be built for us to launch our boats.

That ramp should be put back to the people of SpanishPoint, we are not saying that the members of the boat club cannot use the ramp, as they are Spanish Point people also.

{4} The Boat Club should dismantle that horrible looking boat dock,and dredge Peter Tucker Bay.

I am not trying to play the race card here, all I'm saying is that there are black and white people living in Spanish Point, why shouldn't we all be able to enjoy the same things in the same area, why should some of our Spanish Point resisdents, have to go to Dockyard to moor our boats, what we fail to realise most is that we are all Bermudians.

ROBERT SEAMAN

Boston, Massachusetts

Premier must go

June 1, 2009

Dear Sir,

Ewart Brown must go (maybe into show business). The money will still be flowing in from the tax payers. Does Paula Cox sign blank cheques?

The sidekicks will rally, after all, they are getting theirs.

Every nationality in the world must be here, even "the Taliban"" who knows? These people are even working as cashiers, sales people, etc.

New GP's every where, being used as private cars. So called foreign experts coming in, who can't even solve their own countries problems. Why not bring Dennis Watson home to work?

All the building going on, who knows what's under this volcano. There will be an explosion in more ways than one. Stop the greed.

H.J.W.

Pembroke

Where are Police patrols?

June 9, 2009

Dear Sir,

Police presence? What a laugh! Tourists and locals are being robbed. Road rage and speeding is increasing not decreasing. Road deaths are increasing not decreasing.

Buses and large trucks (water trucks, Works and Engineerng, cement trucks, etc.) are driving at crazy speeds and crossing the lines into oncoming traffic. These huge vehicles are weapons and they need to slow down.

When are we going to actually see a Police presence every day? Not just once a month, here and there.

The Police need to be out there "nailing" these people daily!

The courts need to heavily increase the fines and licences need to be taken away.

It is a privilege to be able to drive, let's take away their privileges. There have to be consequences for these offences and the public needs to know that they are there if they don't abide by the rules of the roads.

Let's get the Police walking in pairs once again on the streets of Hamilton (not just on Front Street for show); all streets.

Get the police bikes out every day in all parishes.

We are only going to see more deaths, more robberies and fewer tourists if this is allowed to continue.

We have had three road deaths in one week and one person in critical condition? How many more do we need before something serious is done? Why can't the Governor step in and work with the Government Ministers to change some of our laws and implement them asap?

SERIOUSLY CONCERNED CITIZEN

Sandys