Stand up, Berkeley

November 2, 2009

Dear Sir,

I refer to DJLT's Top 20 column in last Saturday's paper.

I call on all Berkeley graduates which number in the hundreds, if not thousands, to stand up and let the current students know they are not pleased with what they are doing to their school; giving it a bad name.

In some way, or somehow each graduate should mentor one student to help to turn things around and return Berkeley to its former glory.

KEEN OBSERVER

Devonshire

Mail was too slow

November 17, 2009

Dear Sir,

An important piece of mail was sent to me on September 16, 2009 coming from Springfield, Mass. This mail normally would take anywhere from 7-14 days. The mail had the correct name, address, postal code on the envelope and yes it did have the correct spelling on the envelope.

I became very concerned about this envelope as it was a cheque for my September loan. It may have been a few days too late for my September loan which was still okay. I called the Hamilton Post Office, spoke to a lady, told her my story, who then transferred me to a Mr. Allen a supervisor, again I told him my story.

I was able to tell him the colour of the envelope the cheque comes in and where it comes from. Now this was in October. He told me the mail would be delivered to me on Friday October 23, which I did not get until Monday, October 26. Again the cheque was too late for September's loan and far too late for October's loan as the US cheque has to sit in my bank account for seven days before it can be cleared by the bank.

As of today, when the postman delivered my mail, his excuse was he has been in a lot of meetings. He must have been in meetings all day, everyday as it was well over five weeks, sitting maybe at the Hamilton Post Office.

Since then I have had two more envelopes mailed to me. Both different address, one left Springfield, Mass. October 6th, received it October 21, the other mailed October 23, received it, November 10. Of course I've told my son to please use my home address or job post office box as I know for sure I will get my mail in two weeks.

I truly hope this never happens again to me or anyone else that is waiting for an important piece of mail.

ANDREA LAMBERT

Sandys

Don't blame Governor

November 19, 2009

Dear Sir,

I have just read the "Report from the House" in yesterday's newspaper and could not believe what I was reading. I have always held Mr. Dale Butler in high regard, but my estimation of that gentleman has taken a nosedive after reading what he had to say about recalling our Governor if the increase in crime continues. Has he lost his mind? Put the blame on Sir Richard? Ludicrous. Even the feebleminded know that the Governor has no part in the day to day administration of the police service. Control and responsibility for this is, as it should be, in the hands of the Commissioner of Police – and therein ladies and gentlemen – lies a large part of our problem.

The prior Commissioner was "Mr. Invisible" – how often did we see him making statements on television? Almost never – it was always the Deputy Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner. In my opinion the blame for much of our wretched crime statistics lies squarely at the feet of our very weak and ineffective ex-Commissioner of Police. WIthout a strong leader any organisation will flounder and despite the best efforts of our hardworking Police Service, crime has escalated to unacceptable levels; poor morale produces poor results.

Our judicial system also must take much of the blame – magistrates hand down "slaps on the wrist" for serious offences and time and time again the perpetrators of heinous crimes walk free because the jury either acquits or cannot reach a decision.

Our jury system is pathetic – I have been a registered voter and tax payer for over 40 years. In that time I was called for jury duty once – in the early 1970s. I have a large circle of friends and acquaintances and most of them have never been called for jury duty. So just how does this system work? What comprises the database for jury selection? Why is the jury pool so limited?

Responsibility for the ugly crime situation also falls on the parents and families of those individuals involved criminal behaviour. There are plenty of mothers out there who know their sons are involved in the drug business, but close their eyes to it and reap the benefits of perhaps a new car or that Plasma TV. Well brought up, loved and nurtured children seldom turn into criminals. The breakdown of the family unit, lack of family values and good role models plus the stresses of being a single parent in these tough times all have a negative impact.

So Mr. Butler, lay off the Governor and put the blame where it should be – on certain Bermudians and they know who they are. In closing, a fervent prayer, please God do not let control of the Police Service fall into the hands of our Premier.

A. SUMMERS

Warwick