House re-approves gun suspect detention bill

A bill giving Police the power to detain gun suspects for a month without charge will become law after MPs yesterday agreed to a minor alteration.

Senators sent the Firearms Amendment Act 2010 back up the hill after Attorney General Kim Wilson noticed that a small alteration was needed to the wording.

The legislation had already been approved in the House of Assembly on June 4 when it was debated just a week after being tabled, to the annoyance of opposition MPs, who wanted longer to look at it.

Sen. Wilson said the bill had to be pushed through quickly due to rising gun crime. "We are going through extraordinary times and therefore we have to make haste," she said.

But the following week the Senate didn't sit, delaying the bill's progress into law. Yesterday, Junior Justice Minister Michael Scott proposed that the minor change to the Act be agreed and it was, without debate.

Horton tables gang violence committee motion

Former Home Affairs Minister Randy Horton yesterday tabled his motion for a joint select committee to tackle gang violence.

Mr. Horton's plan is for a group of MPs from all sides to meet to discuss crime, reporting back to the House with recommendations so that "concrete actions can be taken in a reasonable time".

The motion has already received support from the United Bermuda Party and Bermuda Democratic Alliance, as well as a number of Mr. Horton's Progressive Labour Party colleagues.

Govt. eyes east end properties for offices – Premier

Government is to assess the suitability of vacant buildings in St. George's as part of a possible decentralisation of its operations.

Premier Ewart Brown said most properties in the east are privately-owned and their structural integrity needs to be evaluated, while some already have lease arrangements in place.

Government needs to work out whether it would be more efficient and cost-effective to continue operating in Hamilton, or to switch some operations to St. George's and Southside, the Premier told the House of Assembly.

He revealed the idea last month as a means to ease traffic congestion and help the east end economy; St. George Mayor Kenneth Bascome has said the move would be a boost in the arm to the Olde Towne.

Yesterday, Dr. Brown said in a Ministerial statement: "Members of this Honourable House should know that the project team is considering all of the key stakeholders in this equation, including the clients of Government services, the staff, their respective unions and the Town of St. George."

He said Government will have a definitive plan in place before the end of the year.

Amendment ensures Director of is responsible for Labour Dept.

An amendment to the Labour Relations Act got the green light from MPs in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Junior Labour Minister Walter Roban explained that the legislation reflected changes in the organisational structure of the Department of Labour and Training.

The amended Act ensures that the Director of Labour and Training replaces the Labour Relations Officer as the civil servant legislated to be responsible for the Department.

Website for seniors launched

Bermuda's seniors now have a website dedicated to providing them with information at a "one-stop shop".

Bermuda Senior Islander's Centre launched their website, www.seniorislanders.bm featuring local news feeds, a newsletter and information about upcoming events.

Telecommunications Minister Michael Scott spoke in the House of Assembly yesterday (FRIDAY) about how the Island's seniors have become more "tech savvy". by using the Internet and cell phones.

He said: "The Bermuda Senior Islander's Centre understands that BErmuda's seniors are becoming increasingly more technology savvy and is not only providing access to information online. They also find it very important to provide members with access to technology training."

During TechWeek in April, seniors attended seniors tech teas where they learnt about software, online services like on online banking, social media and social management.