During the months and days leading up to the year two thousand, Bermuda, along with the rest of the world, braced for the worst in the face of computer complications and hype drummed up by the media.

As we approach the year which marks the actual new millennium -- 2001, however,there is a surprisingly calm tide on the Island.

People seem eager to forget the madness that was predicted last year in exchange for a peaceful end to the year and a quiet start to a new one.

Still, each new year is met with many people laying down their hopes, goals, and expectations.

A new year is a time to right wrongs and reflect on the positive and negative events of the previous year while considering ways to improve the next year.

Only several days before the new year, The Royal Gazette hit the streets yesterday and asked people, "At the close of a new year what are your expectations for the year 2001?'' Though people briefly stated what they hoped for their loved ones, personal desires ranked second on the lists of expectations given by those interviewed in the informal poll.

That the government continues to be successful, that the tourism market recovers and that social ills are addressed were instead the chief concerns for those interviewed.

"Like everybody else I hope everything settles down. I hope we get more tourists,''said Doris Rankin , a Dockyard salesperson.

Married earlier this year, Michael Duarte , 25, who lives in Devonshire also seemed more interested in Bermuda's well being.

When questioned he said he hoped Bermuda would continue to prosper and that tourism "kicked back in''.

He added,"I hope the Government has their heads on straight and keeps doing a good job.'' After also buying a house this year, the 25-year-old said there was little more he could ask for, but he said he hoped things continued as they have been.

Crystal Ford , a student at C.A.R.E. Computer Services, said she was also simply wishing for the best in the upcoming year.

But, there were a number of issues that the 18-year-old hoped would be addressed in 2001.

Calling the problems, "simple things that should have been done a long time ago not just in 2001'', Ms Ford explained the changes she wanted to see on the Island in the future.

"It's going seriously downhill...I see it and everybody else does,'' she said.

"I hope people get their kids off the street and that violence is cut down.'' "Parents need to pay more attention to their children and what they are doing...they think they are perfect but they are not.'' "People should think about their lives when out on the streets drinking and driving...as many times as people get in accidents they still go out and do it.'' The social ills of the Island were also important to 60-year-old Denny Richardson , who said he has experienced much pain and suffering during his lifetime.

Speaking about the other men in his generation he said: "I hope that their lives will be a little better as they head toward the twilight years and retirement.'' He called on schools and churches to play an important role in shaping the future of the Island.

"I think school and reading will be the key to improving their (young men and women's) training and development along with better methods for the selection of who will be teachers in the future and not just selecting people who will be teachers for their sakes as jobs,''he said.

"I believe the church has to improve its role.'' He said the job of improving Bermuda needed to come from all residents and "not just a selected few.''