Good-hearted people

July 29, 2010

Dear Sir,

Tuesday (July 27) my son was involved in a terrible bike accident. This is the time when Bermudians show their true colours and come together to help. I want to thank the Police and the emergency crew, especially David Burrows, for comforting us at the scene of the accident.

There is one lady, Tanya Gibbons, who deserves a special thank you. She not only was the one who called us to alert us about the accident, but held Ryan still on the ground and prayed over him. We are very thankful for the comfort you gave to Ryan and for your prayers, for he is doing well now. You are a good person and a good Christian woman and I believe you were sent to be Ryan's guardian angel that day. Ryan would like to thank you for being his angel. May you be blessed.

With all that has been going on in Bermuda nowadays, it is comforting to know that there are still many good-hearted Bermudians here on the Island.

Thank you to all the friends that have called or e-mailed their concern.

I believe in angels.

PAT BRANCO

Spanish Point

Parking action needed

August 3, 2010

Dear Sir,

Please allow me the space in your newspaper to write regarding the lack of consideration on behalf of folk who park their vehicles at their own convenience, having no regard for others.

"These regulations are being broken more and more these days. Bermuda needs to enforce the law as far as illegal parking of automobiles by issuing more parking tickets, throughout our island on a whole. There should be a continuing effort to provide the highest level of service ensuring the safest and most efficient use of sidewalks and parking of all motor vehicles that are not parked in accordance with parking restrictions, which should be ticketed at all times."

A lack of space where one would like to park is not a valid excuse for violating any parking regulation, period. There is a common misconception that vehicles are allowed to park on a yellow line for a few hours or a short time. We see more and more folk parking halfway on sidewalks, yellow lines and slightly on the roadside.

"In many built up areas, it is often impossible to park anywhere, and in particular on Roberts Avenue in Devonshire. This is a residential neighbourhood, there are also churches and the National Stadium, this roadway recently has been widened and a sidewalk put in place for the use of pedestrians. Every weekend the sidewalk is used for parking, nearly the whole length of the roadway. We all know that the National Stadium is there and it is what it is, this should not have an effect on neighbouring residents, which consists of several senior homeowners living in this area, who should not have to contend with this annoying situation, of folk parking on the yellow line on this stretch of roadway period.

Since parking is always needed in this area, my suggestion is, why not open the gate of the National Stadium, at the lower level of Roberts Avenue? This would greatly eliminate the conjection of parking in this area, therefore, pedestrians would be able to use the sidewalk completely, since these days, it is often occupied by folk parking their cars and commercial trucks particularly on the weekends.

Also, a sign should be placed adjacent to the yellow line where restrictions apply, parking on this roadway should be prohibited at all times. However, in the event that this common violation continues, each time a violator should be prepared to pay for a ticket.

A SENIOR WATCHING!

Devonshire

Wasting money

July 24, 2010

Dear Sir,

Can somebody please explain why this Government always seems to find the most expensive solution to everything they start, including municipal reform?

The low cost approach, financially and emotionally, would have been to establish an all-party committee to look into the long outstanding concerns. Government, the Opposition and the current Corporations support reform so why did the Government have to make it into an expensive fight by forcing overseas consultants down the Corporation's throats? A local committee could have established what everybody agreed upon and what they disagreed about. Grown-ups, but not politicians it seems, could then have discussed their differences and arrived at a compromise solution. That is what people in successful relationships do; they disagree at times, they then discuss the issues, compromise, and move forward with a workable solution. It is called win-win, but this Government seems to want only a win for itself.

Instead we the taxpayers to the Government and Corporation have forked out over half a million dollars and probably close to a million for unnecessary and destructive public squabbling. Government won their vote, no surprise there, but after all the fighting and unbelievable cost when money is so tight, the Minister says the Corporation can probably keep their wharfage fees and further consideration will be given to retaining the business vote as they contribute the most to funding the Corporation. Now they will sit down and talk!

What was the point, is it just about scores to settle and self aggrandisement? What has been gained by months and months of mud slinging and growing animosity within the community? Nothing of value that could justify the cost to Bermuda, and I don't mean financially. Everything could have been achieved by mature discussion and our elected parliamentarians could then have spent more time on the issues that really concern Bermuda: crime, education, affordable housing and the unbelievable debt burden.

To our politicians and community leaders; please grow up and work for Bermuda, not yourselves or your party, because if this unnecessary fighting continues, Bermuda will fail.

Hoping for a more inclusive Government in October.

I'M A TAXPAYER TOO

Pembroke