LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Time to harness sunshineJuly 28, 2006Dear Sir, I assume that, in line with its stated interest in sustainability, Government will insist that the 50 new affordable homes to be built at Southside will have solar water heating incorporated in their roofs. With 50 percent of domestic electricity being used to heat water, this will provide a useful cost saving to the homeowners as well as reduce the additional demand on Belco.
Your loving Sun,
ANDREW R. DOBLE
Hamilton ParishWhere are the parents?July 28, 2006Dear Sir,As a parent and a grandmother, I have a few things I’d like to say to other parents.
When are we going to “STOP THE MADNESS”?
1. Bermudian youths are killing themselves and/or others on our roads almost on a daily basis these days. They don’t seem to be learning to take it easy even after losing some of their friends to road fatalities! Where are the parents?
It is not only our youths that are engaged in careless driving, but we are certainly losing too many young people to our roads. What happened to the good old days, when we disciplined our children? Whether they paid for the vehicle themselves or not, if they are being reckless and inconsiderate, they need to know that there are consequences, starting from home.
2. Violence! Besides the fact that the youth are as disrespectful and rude as can be, they also put the fear of God in some people and rule our space. Where are the parents?
Our young people are not the only ones serving up a good portion of violence, but the percentage of them involved is far too high. We, as parents, can do something about it, instead of turning a blind eye with the attitude that someone else can deal with them, as long as they are out of our hair!
Shouldn’t we want to know where our children of 15/16/17 are at 1 or 2 a.m.? Hopefully safely tucked away and not out on the streets committing violence against others or hurting themselves.
3. Schoolchildren creating havoc at schools, disrupting a learning institution that others may want to benefit from. Making the job of the Teachers and Principals so much harder than they already are. Where are the parents?
While the school staff has a great responsibility for the welfare of our children during school hours, they are not baby sitters! We as parents should be part of the process, ensuring our children don’t fall through the cracks. Spending quality time with them to go over their school work and the day’s events, would go a long way in helping them develop into good strong citizens.
Surely they should be learning their people and social skills from the most influential adults in their lives — their Parents!
4. Drugs amongst our youths. Widespread and largely responsible for a lot of the crime, violence and road deaths experienced today. Where are the parents?
We may not always be aware of our children taking drugs at the beginning of their partaking, but if we are paying attention to their behaviour patterns, their interests and the company they keep, we WILL notice the changes and tell tale signs shouting out to us that they are heading for trouble. Why are we ignoring the signs, hoping it will all go away? It doesn’t go away — it then becomes everyone else’s problem. When we neglect to take charge as parents and do the right thing by our children, we are asking for more trouble.
Are we not responsible for teaching them morals, kindness and respect for others as well as their own self-worth from birth?
My heart truly bleeds for the future generation. I worry about what we are teaching our children who, in turn, will teach their own— I hear too many parents accusing Government, the Police and society on the whole, for the problems involving our young people.
When will we take back our place as PARENTS and teach our children to stop the madness?
DEBBIE CAUCHI
Devonshire<$>Headlights needed in day
There is, however, one thing about your country that surprised me. Your residents, and tourists, are being needlessly injured and killed on your road ways and I believe one simple change to your habits would make a big difference.
It is widely known in international road safety circles that a vehicle that can be easily seen stands a better chance of avoiding a collision than one that is difficult to see.
Why then are you so reluctant to use your headlights during the day time?
Being conspicuous on the road is one of the most important things you can do. Turn on your vehicle and scooter lights during the day and live longer in your exceptionally beautiful country.
Two people were killed in scooter crashes while I visited, one a young cricket star and the other a tourist. I can’t help but believe they would be alive today if they were more easily seen by other drivers. The science on this topic is indisputable.
ALLAN LAMB
Executive Director
BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation
Burnaby, British Columbia<$>Why is the mail so slow?July 29, 2006Dear Sir, Great Britain is 630 miles from one end to the other. Bermuda is 21 miles from one end to the other.
Most mail deliveries in Great Britain are on foot or on a pedal bike. Most mail deliveries in Bermuda are on a motorbike.
In Great Britain, 94 percent of First Class mail is delivered the day after posting and 99 percent of Second Class mail arrives within three days. The Bermuda Post Office is very pleased that most mail here gets delivered within four days.
However, as the World’s fastest snail moves at just 20 metres per hour, if your letter has to go more than a mile then it may still be quicker to use the Bermuda Post Office than a snail.
Yours outside the envelope,
ANDREW R. DOBLE
Hamilton ParishLoyal Raynor’s customerJuly 30, 2006Dear Sir, I buy Bermuda and have done my part to support local merchants. I have been a well serviced Raynor’s Gas Station customer for 25-plus years who has patiently waited for the gas station to reopen. I would like to Shell to know that this consumer would like to see Raynor’s Gas Station operating soon and that in the meantime I will not purchase Shell gas while I am waiting in protest of further delays!
WARWICK CONSUMER
