How to spell school

August 29, 2009

Dear Sir,

How can the winning design of the back to school supplement be spelled incorrectly? Please tell Sean Fernandes that his picture is lovely, but school is spelled s-c-h-o-o-l, not s-h-c-o-o-l. How can teachers teach correct spelling when children even win first place with such blatant mistakes? Also, please tell the advertising manager from Cooper's that flatware and dinnerware is spelled w-a-r-e NOT w-e-a-r.

CONCERNED TEACHER

Sandys

Scottish decision, not UK

August 29, 2009

Dear Sir,

In response to the letter from Mr. David Williams from Sandys, regarding the release of Abdelbaset Ali al-Megrahi, the decision was made by the Scottish Justice Secretary, Kenny McKaskill. This had absolutely nothing to do with the UK Government as Scotland is devolved from the UK in various sections of Government.

STEVE MOFFAT

City of Hamilton

Voter registration reply

28 August 2009

Dear Sir

In recent days in the lead up to the by-election in Pembroke East Central, there have been several public allegations regarding the accuracy of the Parliamentary Register. While I choose not to speculate on the reasons for such attempts to diminish the confidence of the electorate in the electoral role (Parliamentary Register), I do wish to provide some facts and further clarity on the process of ensuring registrations are accurate and to restore the confidence regarding the work carried out daily by the staff of the Parliamentary Registry.

In 1999 amendments were passed to the Parliamentary Election Act 1978 which changed the voter registration process. Prior to that time, all persons eligible to register as voters were required to do so each year. As a result of the yearly registrations, a Parliamentary Register was published in May of each year. Any person who had a change to their registration particulars outside of the registration period (January - February each year) or who missed the registration period, were unable to register again until the following year.

In 1999 the registration process was changed to enable persons to register throughout the year. Once registered, eligible voters were not required to register again until such time as they changed their name or address. This change was in keeping with the practice in most developed countries where the continuous registration process has been in place for several decades. As a result of these fundamental changes, persons eligible to register can do so on any given day and/or make changes to their registrations at anytime. So whereas prior to 1999 a registration could remain out of date for up to 365 days, the current process enables a person to change his/her registration particulars at any time by simply notifying the Parliamentary Registry.

What I find disturbing about these allegations is the fact that the Scrutineer system of canvassing is well known within both political parties and many members of the general public. The Act clearly states that scrutineers are appointed each year for the purposes of assisting the Registrar. In recent years my office has had to supplement the work which should be done by the scrutineers. Such as:

• mailing detail registration forms

• letters to occupants of new housing developments,

• TV and Radio commercials,

• publishing official notices reminding voters of their registration requirement.

• conducting registration drives at schools, public events, grocery stores which were conducted during the month of April. These are the facts.

On June 15 we published our annual register. From the date of publication through to July 16 2009 an objection period ensues. This office has not received one objection or registration forms from the political parties. Additionally, when the seat of the late Hon. Minister Nelson Bascome became vacant again there was an opportunity for the parties to make submissions to my office. There were none. My office cannot be expected to canvass the entire island with the resources available. Hence the work of the Scrutineers' is critical to the accuracy of the Parliamentary Register. To suggest that this office has done nothing to enhance the accuracy of the voter register or that the registration system is not working is being disingenuous. The role of the parliamentary registry is to ensure that the register is as accurate as possible. My office and staff are available at all times to work with the political parties in order to achieve our common goal.

KENNETH SCOTT, JP

Parliamentary Registrar