What’s not for dinnerJune 1, 2006Dear Sir,The folks in my office and I would like to thank Dr. Saul for informing us about his delectable plans for his final resting place. The consensus among us is that when the day comes for him to be placed down there, we’ll all be keeping local fish off the menu for awhile!

EX-MEMBER OF THE FOOD CHAIN

City of Hamilton<$>Bad timing for beachJune 7, 2006Dear Sir, Reading the paper today I see lots of articles about tourism and how all kinds of people are getting on board the train. I hear about the Pop and Sizzle, we all wonder where it is. We look for it in earnest, actually. It appears that even though the Government is right there patting backs, that the only actual movement comes when “individuals” do something for the tourism product.

So, here we are in the middle of the season and what do the powers do? They are trying to “FIX” the parking lot at Warwick Long Bay, just in time for August! Estimate is for six weeks. It has been damaged since the hurricane 2.8 years ago. Is there any point in trying to even look after the tourism product we do have?

I run the totally small concession at Warwick Long and it is basically only there due to the needs of the visitors. Locals do not need us there very much as they bring what they need to this beach. The visitor on other hand does not have access to the chairs, umbrellas, cold beverages, and all sorts of small things they could use at the beach. We also create a safe environment for the visitor there. Whatever. Anyway, we are trying hard to stay in this service industry regardless of the massive flow to Horseshoe Bay.

So, the question begs ... why now? What’s up with that? Seem like the Ministry of the Environment forgot to do anything for the last two and a half years and now, right in the highly-paid-for tourist season they are pushing this project to the forefront of their blotter. Seems like they need to get their heads examined.

But who really cares up there at the top anyway? As long as they get the visitors here with all the overpaid foreign agencies and the amazing increase in the number of cheap airline seats that we are paying for if unfilled the product looks after itself ... Right? Doesn’t it? It should ... or do we have to actually make something happen here?

Simple answer, fix the darn beach in November when we stop going to the beach! No consultants required to see that!! Good Luck.

BOYD VALLIS

Warwick Long Bay Beach Concession, Maybe<$>Working to change lawJune 6, 2006Dear Sir, The purpose of our recent campaign was to make individuals aware of the miserable lives that countless captive animals are forced to live — even when living in “so-called” sanctuaries and habitats. It was our hope that by being informed, that people would then be able to decide whether their consciences would allow them to support the use of such animals in for-profit shows, or not.

Public sentiment against using exotic animals in captivity is growing worldwide, and consequently the term “circus” is becoming taboo. A number of countries now ban shows outright from using non-domesticated animals in their presentations. Surely there must be valid reasons for these decisions!

Sanctuaries/habitats often take in some of the poor animals no longer wanted and discarded by circuses and travelling road shows, but many of these ‘so called’ sanctuaries are not the safe havens that the public expects them to be.

Oftentimes we see exotic animals supposedly “rescued” from circus environments, only to be traipsed all over the world, confined and forced to perform, all in the name of entertainment. We asked: “Is this what a responsible sanctuary does with its animals? In reality is this not another form of ‘circus’”?

In the recent show presented locally, the bears were expected to ride a motorcycle and the tigers jump through hoops and do other stereotypic circus behaviours. Where is the message of conservation, natural habitat and appropriate behaviour when these animals have to perform these unnatural and degrading acts?

We know that we did reach a portion of the community and for this we are grateful. However, the SPCA recognises, more than ever, the need to continue to educate our people on the topic of exotic animals used for entertainment and profit. We want to encourage people to be “informed consumers” so they may bring about positive change through their actions.

“When circuses with animal acts are banned in a country, circus groups ‘migrate’ to other countries where ethical consciousness of people is not as high.” We asked, “Do we want Bermuda to fall under the latter category in the eyes of the rest of the world, or do we want to be seen as a country that is taking a stance in the interest of animal rights”?

As per a recent Royal Gazette <$>article, local attendees generally considered it acceptable for the animals to suffer in the interest of providing entertainment for them. Was this because they are not informed, or because they simply don’t care?

While the decision to allow the importation of the exotic animals to our shores was disappointing to the SPCA, it was not a huge surprise. The Minister granted approval to the promoter on the basis of meeting the minimum standards set by a foreign country (USA). This decision was certainly not one of Bermuda’s prouder moments in the eyes of the rest of the world. As the Premier so rightly stated on Bermuda Day: “We are judged on what we do”.

The SPCA has made a commitment to begin work on legislation to prevent future occurrences of importing exotic animals for entertainment and to bring Bermuda in line with other informed countries in the modern world in terms of animal welfare.

We continue to speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.

HEATHER KROMER

President, SPCAConfused by boycottMay 29, 2006Dear Sir,Confusion enters my head regarding the threatened Gombey boycott of the Bermuda Day parade had Sybil Barrington/Mark Anderson participated.

Men dress in sequins and feathers object to another man dressed in sequins and feathers ... As the song says — Bermuda really is another world.

ALEX ALLARDYCE

London