not if, Bermuda will have to be very careful to make the right choices for usage of the land. Return of the bases is an historic last chance for expansion and preservation, for growth and for future development of any magnitude and Bermuda has to get it right.

We think there will be some great temptations. One temptation will be to sell out for some short term dollars to help today's economy. Another temptation will be to take controversial activities which people do not want in their back yards, like reggae concerts, and dump them on base land forgetting that they might well degrade use of that area and be just as disruptive there as anywhere else. There will be demands to use the land for all sorts of private profit schemes and these will have to be resisted in favour of projects which benefit the general public.

The sensitive use of bases land would seem to us to be a mix of three things.

We think the mix should be between projects which will provide income and jobs for Bermuda and Bermudians, and facilities which will allow Bermudians a variety of recreation which they cannot enjoy now in the tiny confines of Bermuda. And, thirdly, it should be done while setting aside development space for future generations who will not forgive us if we do not take this chance to plan for them. The return of base land is the ideal time to set aside space for development as housing so that future Bermudians have the hope of land to build a home 30, 40 or 50 years from now.

Two areas, Daniel's Head, which the Canadian forces have occupied, and the US Naval Annex, would seem to be suitable for almost any sort of development but Kindley Field would have to have restricted development simply because the airfield is and will have to be there. As an example, there is quite a lot of open space and there are some houses which should be preserved at the Naval Annex. That area might lend itself to development as a lavish condo and town house complex to attract "permanent'' visitors to Bermuda but that idea would be unsuitable near the airfield. However, since an airstrip is a high noise and relatively isolated area it might be the right place for concerts. Indeed the unfinished multi-million dollar hanger at Kindley might be ideal as a future arena for large indoor events since there will be few flights at night.

Kindley already has a small marina area which might serve admirably as the quarantine point for arriving yachts. The small harbourside industrial area at Kindley could house a Bermuda Electric Light Company plant, yacht quarantine and a commercial dock in relative isolation.

The Bermuda Electric Light Company is asking for base land space for power generating and it would be a shame to generate power on valuable open or residential space, but Belco does need space and there is already a disused power plant occupying space at Kindley Field. It is a time to plan Bermuda and to spread facilities away from an already crowded Hamilton. Today's communications make it unnecessary for businesses to be side by side for any purpose except eating lunch. This is a magnificent chance to take a hard look at Bermuda's needs for the future for both Bermudians and visitors. It is a time to plan and to correct mistakes.