Bermuda deserves better

January 5, 2010

Dear Sir,

Writing this letter to you, I know I not only speak for myself, but many people whom I have spoken with who have travelled to Bermuda, and who were born and raised in Bermuda. In August 1986 my husband and I cruised to Bermuda for our honeymoon. At that time we travelled on the Bermuda Star, and were docked in St. George's for one night and two additional nights on Front Street in Hamilton. This island was everything I prayed for and more. I really did believe God left a bit of Heaven on earth and called it Bermuda. As soon as I returned home to NY, I made plans to return to this warm, wonderful island.

When my husband and I were in St. George's, people were so warm and friendly. I remember passing a small cottage and a kind woman offered us a "cold glass of iced tea" on this hot and blistery day. The people in the stores, were beyond the words friendly and hospitable. They were proud people who worked very hard, were kind and made you feel welcome, as if they knew you for years. For the next three years, we returned to Bermuda, and the townspeople remembered you. Their welcoming made you feel as though Bermuda was a sort of "second home". We became friends with people, and stayed in touch between trips. We looked forward to our Bermuda trips.

With personal issues happening, we were unable to continue our yearly trip, and we would not return until 1994. Changes were beginning. The quaint Hamilton, was now becoming surrounded by large condos, still the lovely parishes continued on despite the changes. The ships were getting larger, yet, they were still able to access St. George's. During the years that followed, my job took me to other places around the world, yet I kept in touch with those I loved in Bermuda. We had attempted several times to travel to Bermuda, but with a growing family, it wasn't possible.

Then this past October, we travelled on the NCL Dawn, and were docked at the old naval yard, known as the Dockyard. Thanks to friends we did get to St. George's, and Hamilton, and I couldn't believe what I witnessed. First, I am a prime believer in advancement and moving forward but this was a joke. I remember the Dockyard beginning to develop in 1994 so larger ships could dock there. After 6 p.m. when the boats stop running, the taxis go home for the night, and the buses have stopped running, there is nothing to do out there. It's just you and the prisoners. People on the ship complained constantly, especially those who travelled to Bermuda before, and there were plenty of them. They missed going to St. George's and the quaintness it offered. They missed Hamilton, and the fine shops. Now it's nothing but a fast paced city. It's not even part of Bermuda any more. It's over run by Insurance companies and their employees. They must own most of Hamilton. The days of mopeds are gone. The streets are over crowded, and people will run you down in a heartbeat. It's not the Bermudians, it's people who work there from other countries.

Hamilton, that was built on pride, is getting dirty like any other metropolitan city. The biggest crime is what is happening to the Bermuda native. St. George's shops are closing left and right from lack of business. When a ship is docked on the other side of the island, who wants to travel to St. George's to sightsee? Not only that, they don't have a way back after 4 p.m.

Politics must be playing a big role in letting in these outsiders. They are ruining what was a beautiful island. Yes the average home is worth more, but what does the average Bermudian earn in a year to maintain their home? It seems to me as though someone would love nothing more than the average Bermudian to sell their home and move elsewhere. Perhaps someone, or some team is looking at a 'different Bermuda'. An island that is Bermuda in name, but on the basis of a Monte Carlo closer to the states. It's not the size of the ships. There are smaller exclusive ships that could access St. George's. Crystal Cruise lines, and others have ships that are aimed towards an upscale clientele who would love this quaint island. Allowing smaller, upscale ships to dock in St. George's would save the local businesses and the tourist trade.

I have heard from so many people who do not like what has become of this island. They miss St. George's, and it's beauty. Hamilton lost it's quaint city appeal, and has become a city like any other place. The new buildings they are erecting don't look like a 'modern Bermuda', they are anytown, anywhere in the world. Also crime is on an upswing. I remember being able to walk the streets to stop for a cold drink on a hot summer night in St. George's. Now you have to worry about being shot or mugged. The Bermuda Government let so many undesirables in, that now they have their hands full. Someone is getting rich off of what is happening and it's not the every day person who lives in Bermuda. What is happening on this island that the government is turning it's back on the average everyday person? Is this is all about the money?

I love St. George's and always will. It saddens me to see what is happening. Someone needs to care about the small store owner, and what is happening. I agree with the Mayor. They need 24 hour police protection now, so people can feel safe. I'd like to see tourism come back into St. George's so people can keep their stores open. If everything closes there, it will become a ghost town, and crime will set in, big time. After spending three weeks in Bermuda recently, my eyes opened up to see sadness. This place that has been so deep rooted in my heart, is trying desperately to hold on. Yet despite the sad changes, the people are still warm, wonderful, God believing, loving people. For every little store that is forced to close due to lack of tourism, shame on you, the law makers. A warm beautiful island deserves better than what you are doing to destroy it.

BERMUDA LOVER