A passionate leader

July 30, 2008

Dear Sir,

You recently asked where would the PLP be if they had a leader who was eager to bring the people together. Do you have a recommendation? One thing is evident: the PLP cannibalism to which Julian Hall refers in his Mid-Ocean News profile of the Premier did not just emerge under Dr. Brown's Premiership. The Willie Lynch story, whether true or not, would not have such currency within the black community if we had not, and did not, demonstrate(d) such divisiveness since Emancipation.

There is one other thing that should be evident. The flaws of our leaders (perhaps any leader) only become apparent after they are in a position of leadership. To those who are disgruntled my question is this: what is the obvious passion of anyone who you may consider an alternative? Do they have a passion? Have they expressed real concern about an issue which you think is important?

Most people will know that one of my greatest concerns throughout my life has been racism and the injustices which it inflicts on black people. I know no politician, in either party, who has shown a consistent concern about that issue other than Dr. Ewart Brown.

From the outset, when I gave him my public support, I knew that I was supporting someone who was flawed, even if I did not know what those flaws were. Even if I now know what they are I still do not know any politician, in either party, who has the courage to address that issue with the same consistency and vigour. Having been damned as a racist myself because of my outspoken concern about that one issue, I understand only too well why so many Bermudians could hate him, black and white, quite apart from his flaws because I have been there.

Which politician has shown a consistent concern or passion about the issue about which you feel strongly?

EVA N. HODGSON

Hamilton Parish

Example of managers

August 4, 2008

Dear Sir,

Of late we've heard talk of possible redundancies which many Bermudians may soon experience. Folks may remember, or could be reminded by visiting The Royal Gazette archives, what transpired in early 2002 when restructuring occurred at the Civil Air Terminal.

The restructuring process at that time didn't concern many Bermudians because their jobs weren't affected, so those who resisted the change did so at their own peril and expense minus Union support.

With that experience in mind, I can say that the Bermuda Tourism workers in New York are somewhat fortunate as it appears as though they have Union support, hence the Supreme Court injunction.

Just today in The Royal Gazette the former Tourism Minister Renee Webb stated that Premier Ewart Brown was right to shake up the overseas Tourism office, but warns the way he went about it could return to haunt him. Miss Webb also recognizes that "…sometimes it is not what you do, but how you do it…" and I agree with her wholeheartedly.

Recently, the Government of Bermuda introduced a document for Civil Servants entitled 'Dignity at Work' to encourage employees and employers to be responsive to the need for everyone to be treated with respect in the workplace. They claim that it is an essential part of the conduct of all who work for the Government of Bermuda. I would assume that this document was also shared with the Government Ministers.

Despite the 'Dignity at Work' Policy and Complaints Procedure document being introduced, there are still some managers who insist on displaying behaviour which does more harm to an organisation than good. There are managers who disregard process and procedure quite often, and that's why it is very important for managers to be educated about the contents of newly introduced documents before they are distributed to the ordinary staff. If they don't understand the process and what's required of them as managers, then what example are they setting for their subordinates?

It doesn't bode well with employees when there are obnoxious managers who are set in their ways and see nothing wrong with their unwelcome behaviour. Managers such as this should be asked to resign, especially if their obnoxious behaviour undermines the self-respect and self-worth of those they manage. Remember, behaviour breeds behaviour. If it is not displayed correctly at the top then you should not expect to see things any different at the bottom. So until we see the proper example being set for staff to follow, then implementing documents such as 'Dignity at Work' will be useless.

In closing, it all looks good on paper; however, as the saying goes, "actions speak louder than words". Good managers would concentrate more on rewarding those for their good performance rather than occupying their precious time nit-picking. So to all the good managers, keep up the good work.

J. CAINES

Devonshire

Former resident returns

July 22, 2008

Dear Sir,

Dear All Bermudians who are still around and might remember me! (I certainly remember you!)

After 46 long years, I have been fortunate enough to receive an invitation to come back to Bermuda, a place that has very dear memories for me and is still close to my heart. This is where I spent my formative years (late teens & early 20s). My hosts will be Sanders Frith-Brown and his wife Dr Valerie James at 'Old Walls' in Warwick. Sandy I have known for more than 50 years now and his late mother was once my landlady in Bermuda!

Sandy and Valerie have suggested that I nominate here all the Bermudian organisations with whom I was associated whilst there, between 1958 and 1962.

First of all, there was the Bank of Bermuda Ltd. for whom I worked, in my first job ever, for five very happy years under such luminaries as Sir Henry Tucker, C.Vail Zuill, Jack Lightbourn, Derisley Trimingham, Gary Pantry and many others whose names are too numerous to mention here, but all of whom I still have fond memories! And it was through the Bank I got to know most of the traders in Hamilton (particularly on Front Street) when I used to visit them as a representative of the Collections Dept., and later within the Bank itself, as a front desk teller.

In no particular order, these are the other groups I was part of at that time:

Bermuda Philharmonic Society, founding member, under Dr Stanley Drummond Wolf and later, Professor Geoffrey Tankard. Towards the end of my time there I became an Assistant Secretary to the Society, under the Chairmanship of Commander Geoffrey Kitson;

I worked with the Bermuda Musical & Dramatic Society on a number of occasions and was surprised recently to find that my name is still recorded on their Internet site as having been a member! Thank you BMDS;

(The glorious!) That Somerset Lot, Sandys Little Theatre, Somerset (ecstatic memories here!);

A period in the Bermuda Rifles, when Colonel Bob Sankey was the Commanding Officer;

Member of the Pomander Gate Club

The Turtle Company (Don & Elspeth Gibson) Pantomime 'Aladdin';

Founding member of the Bermuda Non-Mariners Association

Ariel Sands Beach Club and the Dill Family; and

Many many other groups and great people!;

If any of these people remember and would care to renew their acquaintance with me before I arrive in Bermuda on 4 September 2008, I should be simply delighted to hear from them! My contact details are at the head of this letter. I shall be staying in Bermuda until September 15 when I will be going on to Florida. I do hope I shall be able to meet some of you.

CHRISTOPHER R.M. EDEN

email:crmeden@netspace.net.au

Phone: +61 3 62234827 (Australia)

236-2502 (Bermuda)

Pardon what progress?

August 3, 2008

Dear Sir,

Once again, my telephone line has died over the weekend.

Knowing that a technology company like BTC would have a cutting-edge website, I decided to report the problem on-line. Sure enough, there is a Repair Request At Home form. The only thing that is missing from it is any way to actually send the request once you have filled it in.

Logging in to Manage Your Account is just as useless as all one gets is a large Pardon Our Progress sign. If only that were the case.

Yours incommunicado,

ANDREW R. DOBLE

Hamilton Parish

Shocked by trick

August 5, 2008

Dear Sir,

Please allow me to share a very disturbing experience that I had on Friday, August 1.

After a full day of watching Somerset and St George's slug it out, I decided to brave the heat and drive to Somerset Cricket Club. By the time I got there the game was over (that's a whole other matter but I digress) and hundreds of people congregated on the field.

An adorable little girl with pigtails in her hair and a blue sundress came up to me and held something up for my inspection. It appeared to be a toy camera and she motioned for me to turn it on. Now, I have three children myself and figured that she was a ways off from her mother and needed some immediate assistance.

Imagine my surprise when on pushing the "on" button, I received a horrible electric shock. I was practically in tears as she scampered away to find her next victim. The shock left me rendered speechless and my heart skipped a couple of beats trying to right itself again.

Firstly, I can't believe that manufacturers would even make such a "toy", but I am further astonished that there are actually parents that would buy this despicable item for their children.

To the little girl's parents: Shame on you. You are supposed to set the example. What type of example are you setting for her by providing her with a toy that causes other people harm? Suppose I'd had a prior heart condition or a pacemaker? What then?

My son was so distraught; he just kept asking if I was OK. I learned my lesson from this shocking experience. Next time I won't be so willing to help, child or otherwise.

EYES WIDE OPEN

Southampton