Get more proactive

December 20, 2006

Dear Sir,

I could not resist adding some context to the Accountant General headlines of late. Management accountants were required to have three years post qualifying experience for the Accountant General?s dept. With the PLP government that requirement was waived, the only requirement was to be Bermudian. Unfortunately, however, a number of Bermudians were put in senior positions too soon without the necessary experience ? and paid well over the market rate.

One apparently even without the necessary qualification! We are now seeing the results of that policy. And why would the Internal Audit section have to be re-established? Why on earth was it ever done away with in the first place in an organisation with 60-odd departments, 3,000 employees, and a number of significant cases of fraud and abuse through the 90?s. The Accountant General at that time fully realised the need for an expanded internal audit but unfortunately her successor(s) did not.

And why would internal audit just investigate ? any fraudulent activity and thefts of Government property?. Why not get a little proactive and carry out audits, based on a risk assessment, to detect and prevent fraud and ensure compliance with Financial Instructions ? those things the Bermuda College does not follow. Surely the need has now been demonstrated.

They are throwing accountants into all government departments... but what guarantee is that of good financial control as we have recently seen in a number of Departments? The Accountant General?s department used to set the standard within government and was very well respected. Unfortunately I don?t think that is the case any more.

Respect the office

December 20, 2006

Dear Sir,

I am writing in reference to the comments made by the chef of The Elbow Beach Hotel where he suggested that there was arsenic placed in the Premier?s Christmas dinner. Even though he resigned his position at the Elbow Beach Hotel, his actions should have been seen as a criminal act and he should have been prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

I view his comments as a threat to the leader of this country. Had this been done at a state dinner for (US) president Bush, the FBI would have arrested him, placed him in front of a federal court and he would be facing up to 20 years for this crime. Yes, I say crime because that is what it was. Instead the police were called and due to the fact that the hotel said that it would launch an internal inquiry, the Police left the matter up to the hotel?s discretion, which resulted in the chef handing in his resignation. (He was probably offered a position at one of their other hotels around the world).

The chef was than escorted to the airport by immigration officers and sent him on his merry way. Mr. Editor, when our we going to stop treating the Office of the Premier as a casual affair and give it all of the respect and honour that comes with the office, regardless of which party is in power.

A note of thanks

December 5, 2006

Dear Sir,

On behalf of the Trustees of the BNG , I extend my appreciation to all of our friends and supporters for making our fundraising dinner at Tucker?s Point a great success. I think that all who attended would agree with me that it was an outstanding evening in every way ? a magnificent setting provided by Eric Brooks and his team at Tucker?s Point Club, an excellent dinner thanks to Serge, good entertainment thanks to the James Richardson Trio and the songs of the Gallery?s own Gita Blakeney-Saltus, the beautiful table arrangements provided by Michell Geary of Designer Flowers, the fun of the auction by James Reylands , and the general good cheer aided by Gosling?s array of champagne. As one member of my table wrote to me: ?Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!? I am pleased to report that we raised a total of $25,000. The money will be put to good use in the Gallery?s ArtReach programme, which is designed to take the arts to all in Bermuda, especially the children.

Devote more time to families

December 10, 2006

Dear Sir,

Just to outline a few basic points about living in Bermuda. We now live in a time where the ?almighty dollar? has more value then a man?s life. We continue to ask how come our black young men are getting themselves in all this trouble. Remember, ?almighty dollar? first. I remember a time when I was younger, coming home from school, my grandmother or any neighbour (whom you would address as ?aunt? or ?uncle?), if they were at home, they would look after you. Today, most grandparents, or ?aunts? and ?uncles? in the neighbourhood are if able, working.

Now, the system that we live in doesn?t care about you who do not have a lot of ?almighty dollar?. You still have got to find a way, any way, to get that dollar, just to make ends meet. I think this system could find a way so that the average person lives comfortable. I think people realise not everyone is going to have a lot of money. In my opinion, the average person is just pay cheques away from being homeless.

I think the average black Bermudian is a very stressed out person because of their financial state. Because most mothers and fathers are out working daytime, then maybe one of them goes out to work at night, then most times, there is no time for real honest family living. Unfortunately, there are no grandparents to help teach family values. There is no sitting down and eating as a family, because these are the times when you connect and you get to know what?s happening with our children.

There is no support for our children when they play their sports, ex. (soccer, netball, etc.) or whatever our children are involved in. No support for most of our PTA school meetings, and we all know that if we support our school PTA, it?s beneficial for our children. By this, we gain knowledge of how to deal with life skills ourselves. In conclusion, find a way to take the financial worries of the average person?s mind, and you would have people ready and willing to help make Bermuda the paradise that we all hear it is. Bermuda... strength is in all you people. Get people on your side, and watch the change into a new Bermuda. By this, we would devote more time to our families.

Taxi troubles

December 8, 2006

Dear Sir,

On Friday evening, December 1, after dinner in Hamilton, my friend and I needed a taxi to return to Paget. We found a taxi outside Butterfield?s Bank, and as I got in I asked the driver if he intended to keep his radio on. It was very loud. ?Yes?, he said and ?I don?t know why you don?t want to listen?. I commented that I did not wish a radio on in my taxi, and we moved on to taxi number two.

All went well until we got to the Cabinet Office, when he started haranguing an unknown person on a handless cell. A tirade in very poor English, about the failings of someone named Junior, which lasted until we got to our destination. Upon arriving he was told we did not appreciate his talking for ten minutes because of his inability to concentrate on the road and traffic. He replied, ?I can do as I like and besides you were talking?. For anyone who lives in Bermuda, what I have just recounted has a familiar ring. Both these men were young and I am in no doubt contemptuous of all who get in their taxis including, most importantly TOURISTS.

Had there been a third taxi, I would have got in that and hoped it would be third time lucky.

Let it begin with you

December 15, 2006

Dear Sir,

They say you have lived too long when you see the same thing twice. I refer specifically to the new indignation recently voiced by Sen. (Wayne) Caines. Whilst it was difficult to ascertain in what capacity he was voicing his indignation it was refreshing to see that someone on the government administration was appalled with the way in which our fellow Bermudians are characterised. In his comments he posed the question as to how he would explain to his daughter how these most recent characterisations were allowed to occur.

He seemed to express concern, on her behalf, of some visionary damage to her about the leadership. I would, humbly, suggest as a parent and grandparent that he employ the same techniques used to explain the degrading remarks made recently by other Government Ministers when referring to members of our Bermudian community. That is that they are wrong and unacceptable. These equally appalling characterisations have not been addressed by any recent Government Leader past or present, therefore giving tacit approval to them by their silence. Furthermore, by not condemning, it has aided in the lowering of the bar of common decency. Ergo, you are where you set out to be.

As a new face to modern day Bermuda politics it is hoped by many that Sen. Caines? ideals and indignation will have some largesse with the current administration as well as Bermuda as a whole. If so we will have a brighter, more tolerant future for his child and all our children. In the words of a well known hymn ?...let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me?. Merry Christmas.

CURIOUS

Pembroke

Evil must be stopped

December 7, 2006

Dear Sir,

Racist Dog? No way! Now a mad dog is another matter altogether, easily recognisable, they only have to open their mouths! History after all has given us Idi Amin and Mugabe maybe to name a few, spewing evil hatred and madness wherever they go; so wrapped up in their personal vendettas that they cannot help revealing their true evil intent with their outbursts. It must be stopped, let the Speaker of the House, take note.