This is the first recorded document of LETTERS TO THE EDITOR, prior to this time LETTERS TO THE EDITOR were NOT stored in the LIBRARY DATABASE. If you are looking for a letter which appeared in the newspaper before this time you will NOT be able to find it. Previous letters can be located in the microfilm or the actual copy of the newspaper.

Ms Deborah Charles News Librarian Colour of inclusion December 28, 1998 Dear Sir, I notice in The Royal Gazette today an advertisement regarding the January 4 celebration holiday for a new `inclusive' Bermuda.

Over the years there have been deafening complaints when our bank, retail and tourism ads did not feature Portuguese or black locals (recall the bank ad that protesters said the black models were not dark enough).

I am waiting to hear the same volume of objections regarding the new government's advertisement which visually depicts an invitation of inclusion to the January 4 festivities for only the black race.

A PICTURE TELLS A THOUSAND WORDS Furbert's barbaric, sexist January 2, 1999 Dear Sir, Please allow me to comment on Ms Laverne Furbert's letters concerning the Rebecca Middleton murder.

As a young woman, I resent Ms Furbert's suggestion that Rebecca Middleton was somehow responsible for her murder. Ms Furbert's position is archaic, barbaric and sexist.

The epidemic proportions of violence against women is a major human right concern worldwide. Too often societies condone male acts of violence against women by suggesting that the woman somehow brought this violence on herself.

I believe that this community is enlightened enough that it does not justify or condone acts of rape, torture or murder for any reason.

As a supporter of Premier Smith and her government, I do not appreciate Ms Furbert, as an advisor to the Immigration Board, attempting to influence the Immigration Minister in her "Banana Republic'' attempts to muzzle the free press.

While I do not support the reporting surrounding the Middleton murder, I believe that it does more damage to Premier Smith and her new Government to imply that a PLP Government can or will handle controversy by revoking work permits or by placing gag orders on the media.

Furthermore, Ms Furbert's position in this matter is hypocritical. When she was the Editor and lead reporter for the Bermuda Times, Ms Furbert acted in the same manner that she now considers to be unethical -- including her use of anonymous sources, attacks on public figures and criticisms of the Government's policies.

Ms Furbert is insensitive to the safety concerns of Bermudian and Caribbean students in parts of Canada because of the controversy surrounding the Middleton murder. It is reckless for her to be singling out any student in her personal dispute with The Royal Gazette -- especially since she does not speak on behalf of the students or their families.

In conclusion, Ms Furbert's comments about the Middleton affair are inflammatory, irresponsible and degrading. She also discredits the Immigration Advisory Committee and the Immigration Ministry with her comments.

I hope that other public officials will be more responsible in the way that they handle this matter. I believe that no public figure should be expressing any personal opinions or taking any personal actions that could mislead local or overseas readers about the Government's official position in this matter.

IMANI J. MYERS Student Sandys Parish Promoters show a no go January 1, 1999 Dear Sir, As a local entertainer, I have always worked on New Year's Eve, but this year chose not to.

While looking for an avenue to bring in the new year, I talked with friends about their plans and decided to join a few to celebrate at the Southampton Princess show presented by Master Rhythm Productions and Zintech International.

We knew that our choice of hearing Blue Magic would be the best because the Blue Notes show, at Hamilton Princess, would lack the vocal talent of the late Harold Melvin. So we paid our $85 and off we went at 7.30 p.m. in order to arrive early for the opening of the doors at 8 p.m.

New Year's Eve is a special night when establishments and organisations know they can charge premium prices and therefore, should deliver premium service and entertainment. However, and I am sure I do not speak alone, Master Rhythm Productions and Zintech International did not deliver what was expected.

When we arrived at the Southampton Princess, there was a disorganised line outside the Atlantic Room, which did not open until 8.30 p.m., stalling the beginning of the show to way after 9.30 p.m.

Upon entering the room we found the tables were not set up completely. Only plain white tablecloths -- that were too long, tripping people as they sat down or stood up -- adorned tables.

The quality of the party hats and tiaras was left wanting and there was no centrepiece or garnish on the tables. We had to ask for champagne glasses, as we at least expected a glass of the bubbly around midnight.

While Blue Magic delivered an exceptional show, the pre-show local entertainment, though good, was not remarkable. Personally, I think most would have loved to have heard more of Xstacy, who drove the crowd wild with arousing renditions of Tina Turner's "Simply The Best'', Whitney Houston's "One Moment In Time'' and Gladys Knight's "Neither One of Us''.

Sheila Smith and Tony were dynamic, and despite the audio problems they encountered at the beginning of their set, received a standing ovation.

Moments before the featured artists appeared, in a half-empty room, we realised there would be no table service. Drinks were not included in the cover charge, so we had to leave the room, buy tickets at $6.00 each, collect a cocktail and return. No type of finger food was provided, not even a potato chip or peanut. We had to search for the vending machine in the lower lobby to find munchies.

It seemed as if the promoters were only interested in making money and not delivering a quality product. This seems to becoming the norm in Bermuda; groups of people coming together to promote an event with little or no experience at planning.

We found the new year Celebration in the Neptune Lounge, organised by the Southampton Princess, had far better quality party-favours, balloons and decorations, for a mere $59.00.

On New Year's Eve people expect the unexpected, special moments with friends, stunning entertainment and delivery of a product beyond their imagination.

It's time that promoters realise that they cannot rip off consumers in this manner.

Next year, God willing, I'll be on a stage somewhere and I promise my audience a noteworthy performance.

MUSICIAN AND ENTERTAINER Culture overlooked December 31, 1998 Dear Sir, You could be forgiven for thinking Bermuda was a cultural and artistic desert if you were watching ZBM's "Year in Review'' aired on Channel Nine on December 30.

Not one mention of the arts at all! Lots of sport, loads of crime and lashings of politics -- understandable following a general election.

Was I dreaming or did the Gilbert & Sullivan Society score a major coup for Bermuda by securing the amateur rights to the blockbuster musical "Les Miserables'' before such countries as the US or Britain? Did the West Indian Association really produce the Nobel Prize winning play "Remembrance'' and bring its author here to watch it? Did Jabulani `close' its doors and J.B. Productions `Open' theirs? Did Bermuda's doyen of the theatre, Elsbeth Gibson, really celebrate her 80th birthday whilst starring in a production of "Driving Miss Daisy''? Apparently Not! No matter, I thought, for surely all these and many other theatrical and artistic triumphs would certainly be recorded in The Royal Gazette's "Year in Review'' in today's newspaper. Wrong again! Not a mention of all the hard working, talented, dedicated, professional and amateur actors, singers, dancers, artists and photographers who make up Bermuda's cultural community.

What a shame.

RICHARD A. FELL Smith's Parish It's in the mail January 3, 1999 Dear Sir, I write to express my amazement that with a backlog of mail, which I understand will take two weeks to clear, that no attempt has apparently been made to engage extra staff over the two four-day holidays to clear this backlog, especially with so many students seeking holiday work (my granddaughter for one).

Bermuda must be the only country I know where the holidays are more important than mail deliveries.

In England there is a post even on Christmas Day and invariably many extra staff are engaged to cope with extra loads.

When taking on the job, the people running the mail should surely understand that there are certain disadvantages in this job. Staff and waiters at restaurants and hotels do not down tools on Christmas Day or New Year's Eve.

It seems to me that duty to the public is unimportant in the mail service.

I look forward to receiving my Christmas card greetings and perhaps important messages some time in the middle of January! I hope! AMAZED Paget A fish tale to remember January 3, 1999 Dear Sir, The new Minister said on TV last week that the fishpot ban is to be reviewed.

Hopefully the review will not be political just to reward a certain outspoken supporter.

This brings to mind a passage from a novel by Vanessa Fox published in 1994 entitled "Bermuda''. Two of her local characters are talking as they sail up the North Shore to Somerset. I quote from the book: "Carl smiled at her. Watch out for barracuda. Talia hesitated. They're all gone, aren't they?'' Bermuda's fishing waters had been so depleted that most had gone.

Twenty years before, pretty angel and parrot fish, tuna and blackfin and marlin, as well as the predatory shark and barracuda, milled around these waters. Now all but a handful are left, having been overfished remorselessly by a selfish, unthinking few.

He leaned his arm on the rails, looked out over the ocean.

"Last few years, fishing regulations brought 'em back. Wouldn't take the chance, if I were you.'' Anthony Buckley Smith's