It was a year of political scandal, a year when hardened criminals finally met with justice in highly publicised trials, a year when many old faces in public office went and a year that left many questions still unanswered and many issues still unresolved.

But although 1997 was unique for a host of different reasons it began so much like any other -- with optimism for the future and the feeling that better things were around the corner.

One man with a spring in his step at the beginning of the year was newly appointed Deputy Commissioner of Police Jean Jacques Lemay, who arrived on the Island in the middle of January.

But while the Police Service might have been bolstered by the new arrival, there was a quick reminder that crime, while on the decline, was still present.

The year kicked off with the trial of Paul Darrell in January, charged with the murder of his two-year-old son D'shun.

Giving evidence, Miami pathologist Dr. Valerie Rao told the court: "This is one of the worst cases of child abuse I have ever seen. There are so many injuries to the abdomen that the child would have been in extreme pain''.

Darrell was eventually convicted and sentenced to 14 years imprisonment but the New Year's bubble of optimism had burst.

Crime remained on the front pages in January when Commissioner Colin Coxall admitted that the service's narcotics department was undermanned.

The confession came after Hamilton Lions member Austin Thomas claimed that drug pushers were flagrantly selling on the streets.

But figures released shortly after showed that crime in general was falling.

In February, Police Commissioner Coxall urged politicians to get the Proceeds of Crime Bill swiftly through Parliament. "I was disappointed it didn't get through in the last Parliamentary session and I still hope to get it through this session,'' he said.

And there was good news for hoteliers when Tourism Director Mr. Gary Phillips claimed that the fall in visitors had bottomed out, a claim that prompted an angry response from local businessman John Casling.

"There is nothing on the horizon to indicate that we should expect changes in the numbers and this spells disaster for everyone,'' the Daina Ltd. president said.

"Our illustrious Board of Tourism is doing another snowball.'' Finance Minister Dr. Grant Gibbons presented the Government's Budget which cut back on protectionism and increased the role of the private sector in providing services. There were also no new taxes.

Dr. Gibbons told The Royal Gazette : "There are limits to what the Government can do and limits to what the public can expect the Government to do.'' And he warned that the days when "Government does everything for everyone'' were drawing to a close.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the Budget was slammed by Opposition members and union bosses.

Shadow Finance Minister Eugene Cox argued the Budget was a failed attempt to capitalise on the feel-good factor in the run up to a General Election. And BIU president Derrick Burgess said: "There was definitely no break here for the working classes.'' As if to prove his point Mr. Burgess was in the spotlight again shortly afterwards when 1,000 protesters went on a wildcat strike, marching to the House of Assembly to demand the recognition of union rights.

The strike was sparked off when businessman Stephen Thomson took over two dry cleaning companies, sacking all 22 workers and then offering them their jobs back under non-union terms.

The dispute led to disruption which crippled bus, ferry and garbage collection services and badly effected Hamilton Dock operations.

Peace was eventually restored when businessman Raymond Davis agreed to buy back into the two companies and Government agreed to review laws for union membership.

The biggest political controversy in the early part of the year was the passing of the Bermudiana bill, allowing foreign ownership of the prime hotel site. International insurance companies ACE Ltd. and EXEL Ltd. put in a bid to buy the site and convert it into an office block in a deal worth $18 million.

The bill was rushed through the house in less than a minute without any debate, much to the anger of some politicians.

"I am ashamed and embarrassed at what occurred in Parliament'', then Telecommunications Minister John Barritt said afterward.

But the Bermudiana incident was nothing compared to what would shortly follow on the political stage.

On March 14, former Premier and UBP Paget East MP Sir John Swan announced to a stunned house that he planned to step out of the political arena after 25 years of service.

He said: "It's appropriate for me to leave this House over the Easter holiday. I have no doubt that the Country can continue to move on.'' The announcement took MPs on both sides of the House by surprise. But a bigger surprise was to follow just five days later.

That was the moment when Premier David Saul announced that he too would be stepping down within a matter of days.

Dr. Saul said that with a general Election just 18 months away, his successor would need to be given time to lead the UBP to victory.

Dr. Saul said: "The Country has now settled down after the Independence Referendum and the franchise issues, the economy has improved dramatically, the Government is functioning very well, the Budget has been a good one and the United Bermuda Party is well organised. I am therefore satisfied that now is the right time to step down.'' Opposition Leader Jennifer Smith managed to pay the Premier a tribute of sorts.

"He is not really a politician and prior to becoming leader he was not seen as a people person. He made a great effort,'' she said.

Politics dominated the front pages of The Royal Gazette for the next few weeks. The shock resignation sparked a race for the vacant Premier spot with Environment Minister Pamela Gordon and Deputy Premier Jerome Dill leading from the front.

But, luckily for the Government, the leadership contest proved not to be a long, drawn-out and messy affair. Within days it was realised that, in order to present a united front, there would only be one candidate's name in the hat.

Veteran MPs Quinton Edness and Irving Pearman were mentioned as possible contenders but quickly withdrew from the fight. Within a week of Dr. Saul announcing his resignation Bermuda had its first woman and youngest ever Premier.

In her first interview as the Country's leader, Premier Gordon, 41, said she felt "humbled, pleased and honoured'' at the appointment.

"It's an awesome responsibility and I know, with the support of all my colleagues who made it possible, we will go forward,'' she said.

"I will be able to be as good as the people around me and only as good as the people around me.

"I believe that the party is at a turning point and what we wanted to project is that it's not business as usual.'' Other winners on the political battlefield included book store manager Kim Young and dairy owner Michael Dunkley who both won seats in the House of Assembly after winning by-elections in Paget East and Devonshire South respectively.

April began with a blast of unusually icy weather. Strong winds meant that Harbour Radio was kept busy, making a string of dramatic sea rescues.

And hundreds of Bermudians were stranded in the States after snow blizards grounded airline flights.

But the late chill did not stop furious Bermuda College students staging a massive protest over the sacking of a popular staff member.

About 100 students held a sit-in outside the office of College president Dr.

George Cook over the sacking of sports manager Norbert Simons. The demonstration eventually broke up without incident and negotiations eventually earned Mr. Simons a reprieve.

Education was under the spotlight again when frustrated parents -- angry at the lack of discipline, competence and accountability in public schools -- launched a petition to privatise the Education Department.

One desperate mother revealed to The Royal Gazette a catalogue of disobedience and disrespect at her son's school.

But Education Minister Jerome Dill strongly rejected criticisms.

"Every school in the world, whether public or private, has difficulty with some students,'' he said.

"But no-one can deny that our public education system is serving people well.'' The Minister was forced to put on a brave face a month later when a frank report on the state of our schools highlighted a catalogue of shortfalls in the public system.

Fears that armed crime was on the increase grew following a daring heist at the Somerset branch of the Bank of Bermuda.

Although nobody was injured in the incident, two shots were fired by the robbers, who got away with $50,000. The robbery forced Public Safety Minister Quinton Edness to meet with Police chiefs to discuss a strategy for ridding the Island of guns.

Also in April, Sheldon Franks and Wayne Furbert were given life sentences for the shooting of James Cyrus Caines the previous July.

Although both men were convicted, only one shot had been fired and Police had to calm relatives in the public gallery who began protesting at the sentence.

On the following day, Pembroke man Anthony Richardson received a 24 year jail term for robbery and sexual assault.

OLD AND NEW -- Newly-appointed Premier Pamela Gordon with her predecessor, David Saul (right), and Education Minister Jerome Dill, who has served as Deputy Premier to both leaders.

Graphic file name: NEWPREM FAREWELL -- Lord Waddington says goodbye to a young onlooker at his departure ceremony.

Graphic file name: WADGO