Who'll win census race?

November 2, 2010

Dear Sir,

China began its census of 1.3 billion people spread across 3.7 million square miles this week.

Bermuda began its Census of 65,000 people spread across 21 square miles six months ago.

I wonder who will finish first.

Yours counting my chickens,

ANDREW DOBLE

Hamilton Parish

Improvements for Govt.

November 3, 2010

Dear Sir,

Now that Ewart Brown has finally left the building, can we collectively exhale with a sigh of relief, or do we still hold our breath now that Paula Cox is the new Premier and still Finance Minister?

I really don't want to carp on the old regime, but what amazes me is during this downturn in the economy, this out of control PLP Government continued on their merry way, spending more than they were taking in when the private sector was cutting back. Expenditures far exceeded revenues and the public debt just kept climbing higher and higher. Starting from 2006 under the Brown leadership, it went completely off the charts, and the "concerned" Bermudian public would like to know where all of the money went.

It is no secret that the public debt grew from $160 million in 2004 to $1,041 million in just seven years, which is a 92 percent increase and capital expenditures rose almost 30 percent per year, which is frightening. And guess what? This does not include unfunded liabilities which I understand are approaching the $6 billion mark. Yes, you read right … the $6 billion mark which is a far cry from $1.2 billion ... Let's face it, folks, figures don't lie and lies don't figure!

Mr. Editor, we all know that the unemployment rate is going up for the first time in Bermuda's history – and it is public knowledge that the retail business is failing miserably, they are recording double-digit decreases and a 28-month run of continuously negative numbers. We also know international business is shrinking as they are leaving our shores for greener and more welcoming pastures elsewhere.

So what do we do, Mr. Editor, to right this situation? I have wracked my little brain, talked to people and have come up with the following points for our Premier to consider as positive steps to help get Bermuda back on track.

1. Initiate a moratorium or freeze on any new hiring.

2. No new posts may be created.

3. There will be no new capital projects for three years.

4. Require Ministers to bring their operating budgets in for year beginning April 1, 2011 with a five percent decrease over the previous year, full budgets to be prepared by December 15, 2010.

5. There will be no more supplementary expenditures allowed except under special circumstances, which the Premier will authorise.

6. Prohibit the use of Government credit cards for personal expenses.

7. Prohibit the use of Government phones for personal long distance calls.

8. Prohibit the use of Government vehicles for personal use.

9. Bring criminal charges against any Minister or Civil servant for violating the use of credit cards or phones and vehicles.

Create new goals and challenge Ministers and Civil Servants to:

1. Reduce expenses

2. Reduce waste

3. Reduce unnecessary expenditure

4. Reduce Government debt

5. Let the public know that they are concerned and will do their level best to perform all of the above.

6. Let the public know they are sorry and regret the reckless spending of the past and their mission is to reverse all the bad trends.

In closing Mr. Editor, I hope the suggestions above will be of some help to the Premier in her way forward for Bermuda. I also hope the medication Premier Cox administers for the recovery of Bermuda's ill health is better than the medication the Dr. prescribed. One last thing – the Premier must be aware that the public will be watching very closely on how she handles this gravely ill Bermuda.

PAT FERGUSON

Warwick

A hero's hero

February 4, 2010

Dear Sir,

The time of year has come again when we remember all of those who gave their service and their lives for all of us. Remembrance Day, November 11.

For some time now, Miss Carol Everson has been working very hard to right the wrongs that were done to many of our Bermuda soldiers and to ensure that "No soldier is left behind".

During this year's remembrance of our heroes, we will soon see even more of the hard and tireless work she has been doing.

I would like to thank Miss Everson for all that she has done for many families to restore pride and dignity to all Bermuda's soldiers who served during war times.

She is a hero's hero and needs to be recognised as such.

Thank you Miss Carol Everson for all of your work and I know that you wear the pride and satisfaction in your heart, knowing that "No soldier was left behind".

GERALD L. BEAN

Paget

God help us!

October 31, 2010

Dear Sir,

You have given Dr. Brown a lot of coverage this past week listing his achievements.

His biggest legacy is that he and his administration have put Bermuda into a billion-dollar debt.

I cannot forgive such gross mismanagement.

To cap all of this, I noticed that your correspondent W.S. Zuill had the nerve to suggest Dr Brown be given a knighthood.

God help us! No one else seems able to!

ANTONY SIESE

City of Hamilton

Not a good impression

November 1, 2010

Dear Sir,

Truth Teller in Southampton wrote to express his or her frustrations at not securing employment despite possessing a degree. I hope the author's covering letters to prospective employers exclude the grammar mistakes found in the letter submitted to your forum.

Excluding stylistic errors such as extensive use of passive voice and awkward construction, the author included errors of punctuation, errors of verb subject agreement, errors of pronoun agreement, and capitalisation errors.

Perhaps the author should consider the ability of human resources professionals to gain insight into a candidate by the cover letter put forth.

THE TRUTH DISPELLER

Pembroke

Too much power

November 1, 2010

Dear Sir,

I no longer live in Bermuda, having retired to the UK, but I have considerable interest in what was my home for many years.

I congratulate the new Premier Paula Cox as leader of the PLP Government, but am amazed and somewhat horrified that she would choose to keep the Finance Ministry.

Surely this is a conflict of interest and gives considerable power to one individual. Presidents and Prime Ministers of other countries have a separate Treasury Department.

Two very large portfolios which obviously require a great deal of time.

Why would she attempt this, when there was little fiscal control over the excessive spending of the past few years?

I sincerely hope the mistakes made will be rectified

MONICA BERRY

Hampshire, UK

Sentences are too light

November 2, 2010

Dear Sir,

I remain perplexed by the Commissioner of Police and the Governor who have declared their approval of the sentences issued by our court system for the latest batch of persons charged with discharging a firearm in a public space. This is surely insanity. What ever happened to deterrence?

When I was a kid the rumour was that "even possession of a firearm or one bullet entitled you to 20 years in jail without parole". I see now that it was only a rumour. The justice system has no teeth whatsoever. How on earth can a person found guilty of shooting at officers of the law receive a ten-year sentence with time on remand taken into account! Doesn't the court have any respect for the lives of their loyal subjects, let alone their officers of the peace?

People say they want the violence to stop but our court has not demonstrated that mindset and the violence won't stop until it does!

THE SCARLET (EMBARRASSED) ONION

Devonshire

Respect in death

November 2, 2010

Dear Sir,

If I die a sudden death, I hope my friends pay their respects by sending flowers to my mother and not by taping them to a pole on the side of the road.

If I die a sudden death, I hope my death is announced with an obituary in the local newspaper and not by a bed sheet hanging from a bus stop.

If I die a sudden death, I hope my teammates honour me by retiring my number and not by stapling my jersey to the trunk of a tree.

If I die a sudden death, I hope my family records my name on a headstone marking my resting place … not by spray painting my name on the pavement where I met my demise.

If I die a sudden death, for the love of God, please let me rest in peace.

MORE RESPECT

Paget

Hold them accountable

October 20, 2010

Dear Sir,

It's clear from my conversations from the people in the street that Bermudians are becoming despondent about the political process and the lack of accountability of their elected officials.

It's clear we Bermudians are at a political crossroads.

I want to offer in part my solution to improve the political process. As part of increased accountability I propose that Permanent Secretaries and Senators are elected as independents.

I also believe all public offices should be subject to recall if a petition of more than 50 percent of the eligible voters of that district sign a recall petition.

That's my answer, elect senior civil servants as independents and put recall provisions in the law.

CHARLES SPANSWICK

City of Hamilton

A wonderful lsland

October 19, 2010

Dear Sir,

This is an open letter to all of Bermuda.

My wife and I visited your island for the first time for our oldest son's wedding at Elbow Beach on October 12, 2010.

During our week stay, we were so surprised to be treated with kindness and friendliness by everyone! Everywhere we travelled by scooter, we were greeted by "Bermudians" with courteous and helpful conversation. It is obvious that you take great pride in your treatment of visitors, and how clean you keep your island. We would also like to thank those of you that stopped and offered help, when our scooter broke down on the night of October 12.

On a more personal note. We would like to say "Thank you" to Terry at "Café Du Quai" for all the great food and coffee. Bellman George at "Elbow Beach Resort", and last but certainly not least, to Rosalyn and Marshall Minors for all of your kindness and help in making our stay at your cottage, a memory which we will cherish for a lifetime!

GAYLA AND JEFF COYKENDALL

Kansas City, Kansas