My wish for the new year 2000 is please no more taxes levelled at the poor people like Land Tax and ARV. That was a blow to locals and seniors, especially if they cannot afford it. But we are seeing a backlash on that as it affects everyone, especially people who have small business. Have you not noticed they are closing down as their landlords are passing their increase on to their tenants. F.C. Footwear now is going out, the poor man's shoe shop.

Will it go to the larger shops? Of course. They might not close down but they are suffering and they will let their staff go. God help them! Landlords feel bound to protect themselves and will pass on this tax to the poor tenant and those who can little afford it or any more bad news.

Now on the subject of housing, that is the worst predicament. Thousands are in this. No homes, high rents or just nowhere to live.

That can be put right, use what we have. There are lots of houses empty, get after those people, fix them up; Kindley Field has dorms which can be made into apartments or single rooms for the single. Morgan's Point has a few cottages. A little cement and paint can be rented to a family who are desperate.

The PLP got the majority votes on the promise they would get some where to live. Please do not waste any more time. Housing is the key to happier families with reasonable rents, of course, people still only get $500 or $600 a week and also not everyone can afford to buy who has enough money to even put down when everything goes on food and essentials and clothing for the kids.

We have nothing to afford anyone in the lower income, only high rents for the insurance Companies of which we have many.

Do something now, before people feel let down by their Government, but no more taxes.

DEVONSHIRE A night to remember January 4, 2000 Dear Sir, I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone in Bermuda a happy and prosperous New Year. I also wish everyone and their loved ones good health and that they may be richly blessed.

I myself had the pleasure of bringing in the New Year at the Harmony Club Hotel on the South Shore Road in Paget. I had a wonderful time there, the hotel was beautifully decorated, and the staff were very friendly and accommodating.

The highlight of the evening's celebration was the entertainment, which was provided by "Prestige''. "Prestige'' consisted of three very talented young Bermudian entertainers -- they were Preston Swan, lead vocalist and keyboard player, Connie Smith vocalist, and Ed Christopher vocalist. They were fantastic -- I was blown away by the versatility of these entertainers! They took us back to the 1950s through to the 1990s, performing songs by such greats as the late Otis Redding, Rod Stewart, Bette Midler, the O'Jays, Temptations, and also reggae, soca and calypso numbers. You name it, they performed it as they fulfilled requests all night long! They held the audience captivated, jumping and on the dance floor all night long! I was impressed by their commitment and stamina as they realised that they had the crowd in the palm of their hands -- they never once stopped for a break. They performed from 8.30 p.m.-1.15 a.m. At 1 a.m. (which was their cut off time) the crowd begged for just one more dance song, and of course "Prestige'' obliged.

Mr. Billy Griffith, as manager and one of the owners of The Harmony Club, I would like to commend you on giving our own home grown the opportunity to prove themselves. Too many times the hotels are so ready to bring in foreign acts when we have such talented entertainers here of our own and all is needed is for someone to give them a chance to prove themselves. The guests at your hotel appeared to be more than satisfied with the performance of this group. I as a Bermudian was never more proud! Preston, Connie, and Ed, all the best for Year 2000, much continued success, and I hope to see you the same time the same place for the celebration of Year 2001! A FAN OF "PRESTIGE'' Warwick Give us the whole picture January 7, 2000 Dear Sir, Your January 4 edition prominently displayed on the front page a large photo of a departing sailing ship indicating an unnamed captain had attended the dedication ceremony of a brick from Sir George Somers' original home being cemented into rocks at Gates Fort. Your readers looked in vain for any further story! Three questions: (1) Who in St. George's Town (or in England) organised the request and acquisition of the brick from Berne Manor in far away Dorset, England, and which interested citizens attended the dedication? (2) If St. George's Town is hoping to become a World Heritage Site is it wise for such an event, symbolic of Bermuda's beginnings as an inhabited land, to remain partially hidden behind a veil of secrecy? (3) Most important, reports reaching Bermuda in 1999 indicate that the present owner of Berne Manor has graciously acceded to requests for flagstones (on which Sir George would have trodden) to be re-positioned in Bermuda, but when will there be a plaque given to the generous owner for erection to express the appreciation of the people of Bermuda for these continuing gestures of goodwill? OWEN H. DARRELL Pembroke Editor's note: Our caption did leave some unanswered questions. The ship's captain's name was Capt. Peter Gaaling and the brick was brought to Bermuda by St. George's Town Crier E. Michael Jones. The full story was reported on in last Friday's Mid-Ocean News.

Skink's risky future December 26, 1999 Dear Sir, The people of Bermuda have done little to stop the almost complete extinction of the indigenous skink.

HOW BIZARRE City of Hamilton