Praise for Dame Lois

May 31, 2007

Dear Sir,

On behalf of all Americans residing on the island, I offer my sincere condolences to the government and the people of Bermuda on the death of a remarkable woman, Dame Lois Browne Evans. Dame Lois has been an important part of the Bermuda community for decades, and will be recognised in history as leader of stature.

Although I did not know her personally, I recognise her important contributions to civil rights in Bermuda. She will be sorely missed. In her honour, the American Consulate will fly its flag at half mast and will be closed on June 5.

Sincerely,

GREGORY W. SLAYTON

US Consul General to Bermuda

Signs will not work

May 26, 2007

Dear Sir,

I noted a picture in The Royal Gazette on Friday May 25 of Minister Dennis Lister and Patrice Minors unveiling new signage on the Railway Trail in Devonshire. It was suggested that the signage will help curb the speed of some road users.

It is my opinion that based on the current trend of abuse of the rules of the road these signs will have little impact if speed in the area is a problem. There is very little police presence of enforcement of road safety on the island. What will two signs do to aid in this area?

In addition, while it was reported traffic had increased in the area one of the reasons could be the closure of Loyal Hill Pass by the PLP government a few years ago due to safety concerns. T

his perhaps has forced road users to access the Loyal Hill area from the North Shore side rather than the Middle Road Side. If the PLP government closed the road why are they not working to open it again?

In closing, as a resident in the area, a traditional PLP constituency, I will not be supporting the incumbent Ms. Minors. She has been invisible as a representative and my vote will go to Michael Dunkley. A man who works hard for all people! It is time for someone who will deliver.

#10 VOTER

Devonshire

Misplaced criticism

May 29, 2007

Dear Sir,

It would appear that once again the United Bermuda Party has placed Dr. Grant Gibbons, whose greatest talent appears to be his ability to heap criticism on others for the sake of attempted political gain, in the vanguard of their offence.

However, enough is enough and I cannot sit idly by while Dr. Gibbons openly criticises the Honourable Randolph Horton, Minister of Education, M.P., J.P., for the problems at CedarBridge both with regard to its mould problems and its educational performance.

The entire island now knows that there are significant problems with CedarBridge in both of these areas. However the country knows about this because of the openness that Mr. Horton has brought to the issues.

For Dr. Gibbons to criticise Mr. Horton in the way in which he did in your edition of the Royal Gazette on Monday, May 28 is a classic case of shooting the messenger.

If anything Mr. Horton should be praised for the courage he has displayed in agreeing to take on what was clearly a troubled ministry at a time when it was in crisis.

Now is not the time to criticise the man at the helm, now is the time for all Bermudians to come together and assist in any way in which they individually can to resolve the problems at CedarBridge for the benefit of its current students and generations to come.

Perhaps Dr. Gibbons could do with a little studying of his own, and in this regard I would recommend to him a reading from the New Testament, John Chapter 8 verse 7, “he that is without blame among you, let him cast the first stone”.

In fact as we move forward into this fevered election period this may be a good text for all politicians to bear in mind before firing from the hip.

WENDELL MALCOLM HOLLIS

Devonshire

Bring it on, Dr. Brown

June 2, 2007

Dear Sir,

“Methinks he doth protest too much”. Bring it on Dr. Brown — so that finally all will be revealed and transparency will be evidenced.

If there have been misdeeds, corruption and theft, let it be rooted out and revealed in the full light of day. “The People” want to know.

In threatening the Governor, Dr. Brown, you have in essence threatened The Queen and inadvertently revealed to the electorate the kind of Premier you will be for Bermuda — dictatorial. Bermudians don’t like to be dictated to, they like as usual, to be consulted and given free access to consultation and debates.

Your stated decision not to do business with the Governor if he doesn’t comply with your demands, are not yours to make. This island belongs to “The People” not to you Dr. Brown.

In any event I am sure the powers that be are not going to allow one individual to dismantle and disrupt Bermuda’s Constitutional Rights.

The architect of your own demise — for sure!

DIANA WILLIAMS

Pembroke

P.s. It is obviously time for a Referendum on the issue of Independence so that this can be settled and finalised in order to move on to stabilise this lovely island.

This Referendum must not be coupled with an election as it will muddy the issue and cause great confusion and turmoil.

A referendum must stand on its own and let “The People” of Bermuda decide if they want Independence.

I think a clear list of the pros and cons on Independence should be published as soon as possible by The Royal Gazette. It this was done it would not be an emotional decision, but, what would be good for each individual.

Try a different approach

June 3, 2007

Dear Sir,

Please allow me to comment on what has just taken place with our Premier Dr. Ewart Brown.

I believe that Dr. Brown should have taken a different approach to the leaked BHC files. It really doesn’t matter if he or members of the Cabinet were not guilty of doing anything against the law, what does matter is that he and they put themselves in that position.

Instead of going on such a vicious attack against the Mid Ocean News and Governor, he should have apologised to the people of Bermuda for bringing disrespect to himself and the Island and promise that he/ they would never get in a predicament like that again.

He and his Cabinet should be of the utmost character and be beyond reproach. He and they shouldn’t be part of the disgusting rumour mill of Bermuda, he/they must hear it all and should be ashamed of it.

He and they should be upstanding Bermuda citizens and do the very best that you can do for your Island home and if they were, everyone would be 100 percent behind them.

IAN HUNTER

Paget

Sue the newspaper

June 4, 2007

Dear Sir,

The Premier, Dr. Ewart Brown, together with Nelson Bascome and Wayne DaSilva should start a lawsuit immediately for defamation against the Mid-Ocean News for the Bermuda Housing Corporation story in the Friday, June 1, issue. That is the only way to respond to this kind of story and achieve justice for these three gentlemen.

JUSTICE

Hamilton Parish

Why not Johns Hopkins?

May 29, 2007

Dear Sir,

Please permit me this space to ask our Premier for an explanation on why he chose Kurron Shares over John Hopkins Medicine International to serve as management consultants to Bermuda Hospitals Board. I ask: “Why would you award a $13.5 million five-year contract to a lesser known firm than to Johns Hopkins, one of the leading medical institutes in the US?”

SAM

Paget

Wales in the big leagues

May 29, 2007

Dear Sir,

I would like to set the record straight with regard to the misperception that medical facilities in Wales are “minor League” . For instance, the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff is managed by the largest NHS Trust in Wales and is one of the largest University Hospitals in the UK.

It caters to a population of 500,000 and accepts patients from all over the UK and Europe for Specialist services( for which the Trust is regarded as a centre of excellence).

Specific specialist areas include paediatric, renal, cardiac, neurology and bone marrow transplants. The Hospital works hand in hand with Cardiff University and leads the way in medical research.

The hospital has an annual income of $576 million and employs a staff of 13,500.

Hardly a small “tin pot” hospital. There are many Welsh expats living and working in Bermuda and I’m sure they felt insulted that someone would have the audacity to make negative statements about medical facilities they know nothing about.

PROUD TO BE WELSH AND AMAZINGLY EDUCATED!

Smith’s Parish

Where are the budgets?

May 28, 2007

Dear Sir,

I can’t understand the reason behind the PLP.

When they go away they should be put on a budget and anything over that should be paid out of their wages they get from the Government. They have spent so much of taxpayers money and they don’t want to give the people who does our trash a raise in pay. They keep Bermuda clean. Don’t you think they deserve the rise more than the premier and its high raises they got about a year ago?

I was a buyer for a firm in Hamilton for a long time and was given a budget. We were not given a free hand to spend what we wanted.

Next in today’s paper, May 26, 2007, the doctors say they will want up front payment for patients. Dr. Brown will be treating the patients free. I will be waiting to hear.

I will finish this letter saying, I am blessed I have my family.

DEVONSHIRE SENIOR

Our ‘wonderful’ taxis

May 28, 2007

Dear Sir,

I called BTA for a taxi, no response, not surprised as they have never ever responded to my numerous calls!!!

Than I called Bermuda Radio Cabs, 15 minutes later I called again, and another 15 minutes alter another call. Finally one arrived, I asked why it had taken so long. I was told I was in a “remote Area” and he wasn’t kidding.

were you in St. David’s or at Dockyard? No, I was, get this, at “Gorham’s”!

Than to add insult to injury he informed me that I was “lucky” to get a cab at all as there were cruise ships in!

I think Bermuda is “lucky” to have such a wonderful cab service.

I think we had better omit the last sentence, the sarcasm might be lost on our taxi drivers!

REMOTE

Pembroke

Fix our playground

May 31, 2007

Dear Sir,

In today’s Royal Gazette, there is a lovely front page picture of children playing at the newly refurbished Shelly Bay playground. Too bad that I’ll have to travel to Hamilton Parish for my three children to experience the wonder when we live in Southampton.

Of course there’s Death Valley playground, with its two pieces of equipment and broken down swings. They can surely use more of the field to build a better playground for those children who are unfortunate enough not to live in Hamilton Parish.

Why should we have to drive to Warwick playground, Parsons Road, and now even Shelly Bay to experience a half-way decent playground? Does Government think that Southampton children are not worthy of a better playground? Newsflash: we are worthy. Give us a better playground!

SPEAKING FOR THE CHILDREN

Southampton

Rein in dogs

May 29, 2007

Dear Sir,

Ref.: The Dog Act 1978

The purpose of this letter is to draw attention to the irresponsible dog owners that let their dogs run loose at the Botanical Gardens on a daily basis. Under the above act it clearly states section (10) that any dog off leash in a public place is guilty of an offence.

The worst offender of this is a former Police officer who allows his dog to run loose every day. I have had the misfortune of this encounter twice in the past, even to the point that my dog was knocked to the ground.

Such a shame certain people think that they are above the law.

DEBORAH A. MASTERS

Devonshire