Whip into shape

July 6, 2002

Dear Sir,

Perhaps due to the ethical malaise that currently bedevils this society, I am not surprised that there has been no public discussion over MP Ottiwell Simmons decision to abstain from voting on a recent piece of Government legislation. That legislation being the recently passed amendments to the Motor Car Act tabled by the Minister of Transport.

Mr. Simmons, the Government Whip - I might add - was not the only backbench MP to abstain. For example, so did his close friend and colleague MP Reginald Burrows. But what makes Mr. Simmon's action so problematic is the fact that unlike Mr. Burrows, Mr. Simmons' chief job on behalf of the Government is to insure that the necessary members, needed to pass Government legislation, are present and committed to supporting the Government on any particular issue (legislation).

While Mr. Burrows action may have been regrettable, Mr. Simmons action as Government whip raised serious questions that revolve around the issues of responsibility on the one hand and accountability on the other; not to mention integrity.

One could put forth the view that the more honourable course of action for him to have taken would have been to resign his Whip position before the vote or failing that, to have resigned shortly after the vote was taken. Of course this would have been astonishing in a Bermuda where everyone expects to have their cake and eat it to.

In closing, I pose the following question: If there is no responsibility or accountability expected of those at the highest levels of our society, then can it be expected anywhere else?

ROLFE PATTON COMMISSIONG

City of Hamilton

Physician fees

July 8, 2002

Dear Sir,

The medical community normally maintains a dignified silence but feels obliged to respond to the unseemly and misleading advertisement taken out by the HIAB (Health Insurance Association of Bermuda) in The Royal Gazette of June 21.

We are sorry that this debacle has entered the public domain. We feel it is time that you, our patients were informed of the state of your health care.

The present remuneration for physicians is based on the BRVS code, an antiquated system, which is unfair to doctors. The suggested new coding system is called the CPT Coding system which describes surgical and medical procedures much more accurately. The HIAB seek to impose the CPT coding on the physicians, but in a very restrictive fashion. They also want to pay doctors differentially, some earning more than others for doing an equivalent amount of work. We think this merely continues the inequalities and unfairness of the old system. We wish to convert in a controlled manner to use the whole coding system which will remove the inequalities of the old system and avoid continuing problems which are inevitable if the HIAB plan is thrust upon us. We have been working very diligently with the Government Task Force to make the transition as smooth as possible.

It has never been the intention of doctors to increase the remuneration at this time, merely to avoid a loss in salary. Indeed with this new system imposed by the HIAB, the doctors remuneration, it is stated by the HIAB, will increase while from our calculations some doctors will suffer a drop in their hospital incomes. We would point out that the suggested increase in remuneration fuels the fire that drives up health care costs and that as responsible citizens, employers and employees, we would like to contain costs as much as possible.

Health insurance premiums have undergone a massive increase this year. We appeal to all concerned to cooperate in the planning of the new Government sponsored Health Advisory Board which should be operational next year. This will ensure that this argument will never be repeated and allow the community to decide health care policy.

From the practical point of view, Colonial Medical is not a member of the HIAB and is cooperating with the physicians in their billing. They are constructive in discussing the future of health care in Bermuda. There will be no problems with processing their claims, but we are told that claims for the HIAB companies are going to be held up or not processed. This may force some doctors to directly bill or balance bill their patients. We profoundly regret having to take this action but otherwise we will not be able to pay our staff of office expenses.

We write this letter to be informative, not inflammatory, and hope that the HIAB will not continue this debate in public but, instead, work towards agreement.

THE EXECUTIVE OF THE BERMUDA MEDICAL SOCIETY AND THE BERMUDA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION

Education questions

July 8, 2002

Dear Sir,

On June 26, Page 3 of The Royal Gazette I saw a picture of the temporary classrooms intended for CedarBridge Academy. Perhaps Mr. Christopher could respond to some of my questions below:

When are the temporary classrooms going to be inspected by a Health and Safety Officer;

Have they come equipped with fire alarms;

When is the Fire Marshall going to inspect the alarms;

Do these classrooms come equipped with both male and female bathrooms;

How much square footage does each child have; and

How many children are going to be assigned to these portable classrooms?

I ask these questions because these are the same restrictions you are trying to impose upon Home Schoolers.

I look forward to your response in The Royal Gazette.

CONCERNED PARENT

Somerset

In need of research

July 2, 2002

Dear Sir,

I read with interest Dr. Harris's 'Research needed' letter of June 2. May I suggest three additional areas that would benefit from professional research:

1. The Queen's Bermuda Regiment formed by Governor Reid after the passing of the Emancipation Act of 1834. It is possible that Sgt Simmons received military training in this unit before joining the Union Army.

2. Lt. John Chard R.E., served in Bermuda before being posted to South Africa. During the Zulu war Lt Chard commanded the mixed force that successfully defended Rorke's Drift against 4000 Zulu.

3. The West India Regiment, "The Bully Roosters", during their period of service in Bermuda. The first battalion arrived in November, 1899, on the troopship Avoca. Two years later they were relieved by the Third Battalion which was disbanded on completion of its garrison duties in Bermuda.

ARTHUR SHERWOOD

Pembroke

Thanks to Corporation

The following letter was sent to the Corporation of Hamilton, and copied to The Royal Gazette

July 4, 2002

Dear Sir,

I would like to acknowledge and thank the City of Hamilton Corporation and all who were involved in the placement of a small boat floating dock at Barns Bay.

It is and will continue to be a great help to Bermudians as well as in transit yachting chaps.

I do hope that it will stipulate for small dingy type crafts around 12 feet.

Once more I do thank you.

CAPT HAL WHITE

Southampton

Praise for Tourism Dept.

July 3, 2002

Dear Sir,

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate those hard working, dedicated individuals in the Department of Tourism who have been instrumental in securing the new air travel route between Bermuda and Washington's Reagan International Airport.

Through the diligent and persistent efforts of The Department of Tourism, Bermuda now has direct access to a new and as yet untapped market pool of upscale, sophisticated, seasoned travellers.

I am confident that the business generated by the introduction of this new route will play a major role in reversing what has been a steady decline in our tourism industry.

Hats off to the Department of Tourism.

MS E. FRANKE

Sandys

In the wrong business

Dear Sir,

Today, by chance my wife and I walked off Horseshoe Bay Beach at the same time as two gentleman visiting from New York.

They volunteered that they were thinking of getting a taxi to get some beer and commented that it was the first time they had been to a resort and not been able to purchase a beer at the beach.

In the parking lot there was only one taxi available, and he refused to take them to Henry VIII. I suspect because it was too short a ride.

Consequently I called out to them and offered to take them to Henry VIII. They accepted and decided if they could not find a taxi for the return to the beach (good luck!) they would be happy to walk via the short cut that I pointed out to them.

To all concerned I ask: Do we really want to be in the tourism business?

CPW

SOUTHAMPTON

Go home foreigner

July 3, 2002

Dear Sir,

With reference to the letter addressed to you (July 3 - 'Gazette's a Joke - In fact a shame - Pembroke).

We would greatly appreciate that person showing us just how well he/she can spell their full name and job description. We would like to check with immigration to see if his/her contract has expired.

That last thing that we 'Dumb Bermujons' want to do is to stop an educated foreigner from leaving this Country that is full of dummies. A person with such a high degree of intelligence should offer their services (reading, maths) to children that are less fortunate than others. When you are not part of the solution - then you must be part of the problem.

Go back home foreigner!

OBSERVER

SOUTHAMPTON