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May 16, 2007

Dear Sir,

Thank you for taking up the environmental cause so critical for Bermuda’s future — if there is to be one at all — and for your incisive recent editorials. I hear today, My Premier is cancelling his planned trip to Uganda, in favour of the impending election campaign. Perhaps a suitable substitute for My Leader’s trip is an evening watching the film “The Last King of Scotland”, set in Uganda, based on recent historical events surrounding the rise and fall of Amin. Apologies for being so direct, however has anyone from the press actually dared to ask ‘Hubris Hewart’ to give an exact account of his political activities between 1965 and 1980? This is one voter who would like to know before going to the polls at Cup Match.

FROM THE FARM IN ST. DAVID’S

Rid us of the poison

May 27, 2007

Dear Sir,

I would like a few lines to express what I see as a downturn for Bermuda. It does not have to be. Recently at the Heritage Parade I witnessed yet again what I consider to be a blatant example of racism. The young Ambassadors were giving out, I believe, pink fitness water when I observed one of the young Ambassadors who was white serving a young black girl. The young black girl said: “We are all right today because it is Heritage Day, but watch out for tomorrow”. Come on now and I see and hear more of this everyday.

Born and raised here, I always saw Bermuda as the majority of blacks and whites doing fine. The exceptions being the elite whites who don’t have to come into contact with anyone they don’t want to and a small portion of the black community who never have to come into contact with whites. On both sides if you don’t have much contact with another race and you are taught they are no good hence lies the problem. You should see the expressions on faces I get from middle age to young blacks and whites, (obviously not all, but a growing number) when I give friends of mine who I grew up with who are also black, hand shakes or hugs and kisses. It seems like blacks and whites are not suppose to be friends and acquaintances any more, let alone show affection. It is just a shame. Those of us who are not concerned about colour of skin should rid the Island of this poison because as we know, idiots come in all colours.

WHITE (WITH A BIT OF PORTUGUESE)

Southampton

Take the high road

Dear Sir,

Mr. Editor, your Saturday paper had a headline titled “Premier turns tables on Dunkley” (May 19, 2007), this stimulated me to write for a number of reasons. In the first instance, the headline really has no bearing on the content of the article. How you arrive at this headline I have no idea since the article was about the Bda Emissions Control and the cronyism displayed when Premier Brown awarded the management of Government’s vehicle control testing programme to a company run by his cousin. I find it absolutely astonishing that the Premier, who constantly talks about empowerment, would go about it in the wrong way, that is by taking care of his family and friends. This is a trend that he has displayed on numerous occasions. In this case the Premier admitted that no bids were invited for the management of this programme.

Secondly, I am appalled at the attack on the Opposition Leader, Michael Dunkley. The Premier criticised the dairy business, in which Mr. Dunkley is a part owner, for having a competitive advantage which protected by legislation passed under the former United Bermuda Party Government. What a load of nonsense! Last I checked anyone can invest what I would assume to be a sizable amount of money and open a processing plant. In addition it is my belief that it is not Dunkley’s that is protected by the embargo on importation of fresh milk but the local dairy farmer. This legislation was passed in the House of Assembly and there was unanimous support by the PLP as opposition in which Dr. Brown was a sitting member. Dr. Brown likes to talk about the past but he seems to have forgotten the facts in doing so! While I am aware that an election could be imminent I would urge Dr. Brown to take the high road (I know that will not be easy for him!) especially if he wants to focus on honourable people like Mr. Dunkley, Mr.Richards and Dr.Gibbons. These are three people that have the interest of all Bermudians at heart. In fact I look forward to the day when the United Bermuda Party wins the next election and Mr. Dunkley is then the Premier. At that time we will have a Premier we can trust and rely on to take care of the people’s business! It is time for a change and people we can trust.

SHARON DE SILVA

Devonshire Voter

From Russia with questions

May 12, 2007

Dear Sir,

Let me express my profound respect for you, your employees and the readers of your remarkable newspaper

I am the head executive of the Russian “National Awarding Fund” that is a civil organisation independent of the government. Our principal purpose is awarding firemen and medical workers. We give the medal “For Merits” to distinguished firemen and the order “For Medical Merits” to the medical workers. The awarding takes place only after discussion of proposals coming directly from city residents who substantiate in depth the reason why a particular person is worthy of reward. It would be a great honour for me to present such rewards to the best fireman and medic of your city. The readers of your newspaper, the Fire-Fighting Administration and Medical Board, the City Hall, jointly with me, could annually award the best medic and the best fireman of the city, with celebrations in their honour. These two persons must be honoured for their professional and human qualities and high morals.

I believe, both the firemen and medical workers cold tell the people which of their colleagues are the worthiest, in their opinion. The city residents could voice their opinion, supporting them. The opinion of the City Hall would be of interest as well. I hope to have this discussed in detail with the readers of your newspapers.

Possible some of your readers could inform me if the firemen and themedics of your country had specific orders and medals in the past, if they are awarded with orders and medals with characteristic fire-fighting and medical symbolics.

I myself explore the subject of rewards given to medical workers and firemen in different countries of the world, therefore I collect orders, medals, metal breastplates, cockades, emblems of different countries instituted for medical workers and firemen, used earlier and at present time.

Possibly, some of your esteemed readers are in possession of firemen’s and medics’ orders, medals, metal badges and metal fire helmets — or know who could possess such items. I shall be happy to buy them or accept as a gift. I shall appreciate the help of all those who will respond and render assistance. Please write me in English.

VLADIMIR NEDELSKY

President of “National Awarding Fund”

P.O. Box 257

St. Petersburg, 191025

RUSSIA

Celebrate the past

May 23, 2007

Dear Sir,

I was quite distributed to learn that the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs allowed Mr. Mark Anderson, a.k.a. “Sybil Barrington” to participate in the Bermuda Day Parade as “Queen of Bermuda”. It is very appalling to say the least because the Heritage Day Parade is exactly that..... “Our Heritage”. If we are supposed to be celebrating our past and are currently allowing Mr. Wales to participate in this fashion, what will this say for our future?

JT

Warwick

Don’t perpetuate the divide

May 28, 2007

Dear Sir,

How interesting that white people have been commanded not to be polite and to express their honest opinion regarding racial matters in Bermuda by the self appointed expert in just about everything, Rolfe Commissiong. Peter Parker of The Tuckers Point Club honestly puts forward the details of an independent study concerning the graves which sit in the midst of the golf course, and the efforts of the club to keep them in pristine condition, and also the fact that the decisions relating to the sale of the land benefited in some considerable manner the previous owners, who were not all black. What is Rolfe Commissiong’s reaction? A diatribe of anti-white propaganda. So much for white people expressing their honest opinion to help the cause of racial harmony. It is Mr. Commissiong who perpetuates the racial divide with his vitriolic attitude to the issue. When he is willing to come out of his virtually black only comfort zone we might get somewhere.

PHIL CRACKNELL

St. George’s

A note of thanks

May 24, 2007

Dear Sir,

Dear friends and generous supporters of the Eye Patch Day held on Friday, March 2. I would like to extend to you my warmest thanks for your more than generous donations and your kind participation in the fundraising event in support of the Bermuda Society for the Blind (registered charity). The outpouring of kindness, the shared concerns, and the many private chats I shared with so many about their eyesight challenges has touched me in a most special way and has left me feeling we need to do more to improve conditions for the sight impaired.

I can happily say the fundraiser was an overwhelming success, and a total of $25,509.07 was raised by 50 caring friends who wore an eye patch for the day and solicited pledges. The money raised has already been presented to Mr. Billings (Treasurer & Chairman for the Bermuda Society for the Blind).

It is my understanding that the funds raised will go towards improving conditions at the Beacon House and for basket making supplies. Additionally, I would like to thank the following companies for their matching donations: Jupiter / XL Capital /ACE Insurance / Endurance / Scottish Re / Renaissance Re/ ZIB & ZIS. Thanks too to the teachers and students at West Pembroke School for their combined fundraising efforts. I will never forget the morning I spent with you in assembly, nor will I forget the time you put into making your very own eye patches to wear in full support of our fundraiser.

It took 50 dedicated and totally committed friends to “make a difference” ... and they did (with your help). The Bermuda Society for the Blind would like to make the Eye Patch Day their annual fundraiser — and look forward to your participation and kind support again next year. In deepest appreciation and warm friendship.

BRENDA RICHARDSON