Support for casinos

March 6, 2008

Dear Sir,

This letter is in full support of Llewellyn Peniston's views on casinos in Bermuda. It is time we came into the twenty first century and realised the enormous popularity of casinos in tourism today. Surveys have proved that almost half the people who visit Las Vegas do not go there to gamble, they go to enjoy the excitement and fabulous shows that casinos make possible.

We no longer have the Talbot Brothers, Hubert Smith, Sidney Bean or any of the local groups that once entertained our tourists, and tourism has been on the verge of collapse for years. Well-supervised casinos would make all the difference, and would not draw the wrong kind of people, as so many fear.

Unfortunately International Business is being made to feel very uncomfortable, what with the problems of time limits on work permits, and the pressure being put on them to employ often unqualified Bermudians. It is becoming more and more important to polish up our tourism image, as it may well become our prime bread winner sooner or later, as once it was.

With Government spending at an all-time high it makes sense to allow casinos to function, and pay Government taxes for the privilege. We were told in Costa Rica that taxes from their casinos finance their entire education system, and what a boon such a benefit would be to us.

I sincerely hope that Government will consider this important boost to tourism, especially with all the new hotels in the pipeline. Carefully planned, top of the line casinos would be a great boost to the future of tourism here in Bermuda, and we certainly need it.

E. RABEN

Paget

Be careful on the roads

March 4, 2008

Dear Sir,

I have to add my voice of support to those families who have lost loved ones in road accidents. Their losses cannot be recovered. Ever. My most heartfelt condolences and prayers are for them.

I feel compelled to include in my prayers those and their families who have lost their livelihoods from road accidents. I have seen far too many of them. I am a speech pathologist, and I know what happens to many of those who get "injured," because I've seen them. Let me clarify.

Imagine never having to go to work again. Imagine never having to cook, clean, pay bills, do housework again. Sounds pretty good, doesn't it?

Now, imagine not remembering what you ate for lunch an hour ago, or if you even ate. Imagine not recognising your immediate family members or your best friend. Imagine knowing that you need to dial 911 in an emergency, but not knowing how to do it. Imagine not being able to read, write, speak or understand what is said to you. Imagine not being able to dress yourself or feed yourself because you can't figure out how to do it.

Imagine having to wait until someone decides they are ready to change you because you couldn't' get to the bathroom (what are you sitting or laying in?). Imagine your friends no longer coming to see you because you can't party with them or because your personality has changed radically for the worse. Imagine being hungry or thirsty, but not being able to eat or drink because you can't swallow.

Imagine being in pain and can't tell anyone so that they might help you. Imagine losing your home because of no income and living in a nursing home because family can't take the 24/7 of total care for you (and Lord bless all those who do).

And, to really hit it home, imagine never having sex again because you can't. Sounds not so good now, doesn't it? Please ... be careful on the roads. This means letting a car go first, not going around others, slowing down (nothing will disappear if you don't get there in the next 0.5 seconds, which is all you will have gained by overtaking two cars), etc. Your job was there before you came, and will be there if you are a minute late. The boss might yell, but at least you will still have your life, your job, and your mind.

Parents, show by example, and teach your kids to be calm and patient on the roads.

Young people, please remember that God gave us one life. Use it wisely and don't disrespect Him by taking silly chances with it.

No one is invincible. And no one is impressed if you go 5 kph faster than the car ahead of you.

And to all drivers of cars, bikes, trucks, whatever, we all know you know how to drive here.

But the people coming from other countries are new on our roads, and don't know all the little things we do. Let's all click our egos into our seat belts and helmet straps and start driving defensively. It's the offensively part that gets us in trouble, and gains us nothing.

Accidents happen, but let's do everything we can to minimise the chances of it happening to you or someone you know.

MELISSA MONIZ MA/CCC-SLP

Paget

The real Henry Tucker

March 4, 2008

Dear Sir,

I have just returned from a trip and was astounded to read the contents in Julian Hall's recent articles – mainly about Sir Henry Tucker. Frankly, I wonder if he is talking about the same Sir Henry Tucker that I knew well.

Sir Henry was – without question – the man who made the Island what it is today. He worked tirelessly to ensure that all Bermudians – black and white – shared in the economic pie; an economic pie that he built.

I have never known anyone quite like him – neither have I read about anyone who fits into his mould; indeed all Bermudians should be so grateful that this man was born here and loved Bermuda so much that he dedicated his life to its success.

Every year, Sir Henry wanted to know the exact number of children who would be leaving school, as he wanted to make sure that all of them would have a job. It was his vision to entice outside money to buy some of our large hotels; he persuaded Sir John Moores to buy Elbow Beach, as well as Juan Trippe to buy Castle Harbour, Erling Naess to buy South Side and D.K. Ludwig to buy the two Princess Hotels, etc. Is this the Sir Henry Tucker that Julian Hall is talking about?

If Sir Henry had a meeting with D.K. Ludwig (then the richest man in America, if not the world) or a homeless Bermudian whom he regularly helped out, he would be in his office at the appointed time – as both of these men were of equal importance to him. Many times the Bermuda Yacht Club would phone to ask if Sir Henry would be returning to finish his lunch as he got up and left mid-way through – just to be on time for one of his numerous appointments (be it D.K. Ludwig or one of the street people who regularly saw him). Is this the Sir Henry Tucker that Julian Hall is talking about?

He refused a salary from the Bermuda Government with the comment: "I didn't go into politics for money – I just want to improve the lives of all Bermudians". He paid his own fare to the UK (on Government business) many times. Is this the Sir Henry Tucker that Julian Hall is talking about?

He cared nothing for the trappings of office; indeed, I know that many people wanted him to become the Governor when he retired as Government Leader, but this position had no interest to him whatsoever. Even after he retired he continued to come up with ideas to bring in money to the Government coffers – he was solely responsible for the implementation of the Shipping Registry, which now brings in millions to our Government. Is this the Sir Henry that Julian Hall is talking about?

I never once heard him say a single derogatory word against any other human being. I never once heard him put another human being down – no matter what the situation. He answered every single telephone call made to him. He answered the (literally) thousands of letters and cards sent to him over the years. Even when it was absolutely unnecessary to write back to someone (who had written to him) and even when that person said "no need to reply", he would write back thanking him/her for their comments and/or thoughts. Is this the man that Julian Hall is talking about?

I am – frankly – appalled that none of the PLP hierarchy have come out in defence of Sir Henry's ability and vision, when many of them knew him personally and I know they trusted and respected him.

He wanted desperately to help all black people in Bermuda, due to past injustices. He fought his own friends over this issue but he said and I quote "I know I am right and I will continue on this path". Is this the man that Julian Hall is talking about?

I could go on and on about Sir Henry Tucker – he was the most unusual person I have ever encountered in my life. He seemed to want to elevate everyone above him – even though he was the most powerful man in Bermuda at the time.

Julian Hall seems to want to paint all white people as monsters and all black people as saints. He should, however, be honest about Sir Henry Tucker as Bermuda would not be the wonderful place it is today – with such economic success – had this man not been born a Bermudian.

Shame on you Mr. Hall and shame on all of the PLP members who personally knew Sir Henry (and there were many) who have not come to his defence.

WELL INFORMED

Smith's

I pay my taxes...

March 6, 2008

Dear Sir,

There is a letter in today's Royal Gazette complaining that mail takes up to ten days to get from the GPO to Pitt's Bay Road. I live in St George's and receive mail once every two or three months. This is not a joke.

My Land Tax bill mailed at the end of August last year arrived at the end of October along with three other letters all mailed August. Since they all arrived on the same day, this is pretty well proof positive that the post office sits on the mail to ease up its work load. No, please don't laugh, there's more.

Even though I paid the tax immediately, a final notice was mailed three weeks later on November 20th, and arrived in just 39 days – on December 29th. I only just avoided court proceedings since my "late payment fee" of $8 was still overdue. My Land Tax bill for the first half of 08 has yet to arrive – but it is already overdue.

The secret is out: The St George's post office has quiet scam going. Obviously they've figured out that delivering mail once every couple of months is so much easier than once a day. Heck, I'm all for taking it light, but cedar beams shouldn't take that long for them to deliver! I would like, although I do not expect, my Government to do something about this disgusting situation. Please, please, please do not print my name or address as I may never get mail again.

DRAGON OF ST. GEORGE

How to cut accident rate

March 4, 2008

Dear Sir,

Re: "ALARM" over the lack of Police Presence. Please excuse me if I laugh at the article written by Amanda Dale in the March 4th issue of The Royal Gazette regarding the police seeing an "alarming" rise in road accidents.

What should be of real concern is the "ALARMING" lack of police presence to deter the speeding on the roads. If you stop the cycles with loud mufflers and the occasional car, you stop about 95 percent of the speeding.

But, I see no speedtraps, roadblocks or police vehicle presence to curb the speeding and even when programs are implemented, everyone on the island knows when and where they are and for how long, then it's business as usual.

You can appeal to the public to obey the traffic laws all you want but until you put some teeth into the penalty for infractions, no one is listening.

Third laning, passing on corners, driving recklessly and making cool moves on the roads is a way of life and you should expect more collisions and deaths as a consequence. I invite the police to come visit me at the Flatts Village Speedway and you can readily see the potential for many more tragic accidents.

GIB

Flatts