"If there is no struggle, there is no progress.'' -- Frederick Douglass In response to the article entitled, "Bermudian could miss out on top College job'', appearing in The Royal Gazette on Friday, May 28, 1999, let me state very emphatically that the title of the article should have read: "Bermudians have missed out on top College job''.

Over the past 20 years, three black Bermudian women, Dr. Eva Hodgson, Dr.

Larita Alford and myself have been overlooked in our combined nine attempts to secure a job position at the Bermuda College.

From 1980 and for almost a decade, Dr. Hodgson applied to the Bermuda College for a variety of positions. White expatriates frequently displaced her.

In March, 1982 I applied for the job of Director of Extension at the Bermuda College. Mr. Peter Doyle was the successful applicant. Mr. Doyle had a teacher-training certificate from England and a Bachelor's degree from Queen's University.

Fourteen years later, in June, 1996, Dr. Larita Alford and I applied for the position of Vice President, Academic and Student Affairs. The successful applicant was Dominican-born Dr. Donald Peters.

In October 1996, I applied to the Bermuda College for the position of Curriculum Consultant. The successful applicant was the wife of the Dean of one of the departments at the college. It is my understanding that she did not have a Ph.D in educational administration with a major emphasis in curriculum like I had. I was also made to understand that she was a Canadian citizen.

This latest attempt by Dr. Larita Alford, January 1999, was to my knowledge her third attempt to secure employment at the Bermuda College. She had previously applied for the position of a Dean.

Shadow Education Minister Tim Smith stated: "I can't help but feel some sense of betrayal as far as what the PLP said they were committed to -- and that is Bermudianisation.'' Such unmitigated gall! The worst and most wicked betrayal has been committed during the regime of the UBP with their devious and divisive tactics of "divide and conquer to maintain power'', as they perpetuated institutionalised racism and colonialism. These two evils proposed the thinking that "White is always right! White is superior! White is better! Foreign is always right! Foreign is superior! Foreign is better!'' From my experience with the Bermuda College, a very clear message of discrimination has been relayed to me. The message is that white males, such as Dr. Archie Hallett and Dr. George Cook, have an inherent right with their Ph.D's to become the president of the country's only higher-learning institution, while equally qualified, black Bermudian women aren't even allowed to get their feet in the door.

Fellow Bermudians, hasn't the time come when a full inquiry to expose the racist policies, practices and procedures that have existed at the Bermuda College during its entire history should take place? Why have lesser-qualified foreigners continually displaced Dr. Eva Hodgson, Dr. Larita Alford and myself in our pursuit to secure employment in our homeland? DR. MURIEL M. WADE-SMITH Smith's Parish PLP on the `right track' May 25, 1999 Dear Sir, At last, after so many years of misdirection, we finally have a Government strong enough to do what is necessary for Bermuda's future. The PLP understand that to make Bermuda competitive again we need strong leadership and a clear plan. The bold path upon which we are now taking is long term and will have far reaching benefits for our tourism industry. Unfortunately the UBP only made a half hearted attempt at this course of action, but I have every confidence that the New Bermuda under the PLP will complete the job in style.

The PLP has observed and seem to have learned the valuable lessons taught to other island nations in the Caribbean. The main lesson is that to be truly competitive in the tourist industry in this day and age, you must have a work force that is hungry for work and eager to please. The PLP know that the quickest and most efficient way to achieve this is to follow the same path of the other islands. This path, is that first you get rid of all of the hotel investors in order to educate the work force on what it is like to be unemployed and really poor.

The UBP's attempts at this strategy were weak, and hence they only managed to close the Club Med, Bermudiana, and the Belmont. The PLP realise that if you are going to do something you need to go all the way. They have now started the ball rolling and appear to be well on the way to closing the Castle Harbour, the Elbow Beach and I'm sure many others we don't even know about.

This will of course give us high occupancy percent's in the remaining hotels, which will look impressive in the next 100 day report.

After a couple of years of hardship and strife the 1,000 or so unemployed will be thankful to get a job, even if it is within the hotel industry. This will allow people that still have a job to experience the only true motivator, competition. Having to prove that you are worth the money that you are earning is good for the soul and personnel pride. If the PLP are allowed to do a thorough job, we will be able to be competitive with the Jamaicas and Bahamas' of this world. After many years, these countries are now thriving on affordable labour and a willingness to cater to the overseas financial investor.

A less satiated group of people in Bermuda will give the PLP the freedom to make concessions to investors interested in Bermuda. When the education process is complete there will be very little criticism about selling out our birthright. This will be replaced by a sense of gratitude and appreciation that investors are willing to give us a chance.

It takes a Government that is incredibly sure of itself, willing to believe that it knows best for the Country despite what traditional Bermudian and business advisors think. It is a truly bold plan, I hope people can see it for its benefits and not get side tracked by the minor discomforts that will have to occur to allow the plan to be fully realised.

PRACTISING LOUSY POLITICS Pembroke Comparison is overblown May 28, 1999 Dear Sir, Please allow me space to respond to the comment of Mr. Derrick Burgess in the Peter Woolcock cartoon of today's newspaper. I have known Mr. Burgess a number of years and consider him to be a fine gentleman. He is a committed individual who is passionate about issues, but his comparison of former Commissioner Colin Coxall to the Lord Jesus Christ did not do anything to improve their image.

In the future, I would invite Mr. Burgess and other politicians to stick with mortal comparisons.

REV. DR. LEONARD SANTUCCI Pastor, Heard Chapel AME Church Award is exclusionary May 19, 1999 Dear Sir, This week an advertisement appeared in The Royal Gazette inviting applications for an "Environmental Education Grant''. This advertisement is worth reading carefully, as it gives a good insight into how this Government...if you will pardon the expression...ticks.

Apart from the extraordinarily nebulous description of the desired academic direction ending with the words "or related subjects'', most significant is the stipulation that the grant is only intended for study in the United States of America. Please take note that this Government is wholly dedicated to social engineering. Why, if I am a bright student with a place of study, for the sake of the argument, at Cambridge in England, or Guelph in Canada, am I to be excluded from these funds, money which ultimately originates from the taxpayer? Secondly, there is no reference to amount of the emoluments, or an accurate description of either the academic standard expected of the candidate or the qualification to be achieved beyond "a degree or diploma''. Could this be the attempt at legitimising an unspecified bursary (another $120,000 perhaps?) for the pre-selected offspring of a loyal club member? Since there is no reference to age limit either, I suppose it could be a way of looking after an un-employed or un-employable club member for that matter! I smell a rat. Time to pull in the services of my environmentally-friendly, neutered cat! QUALIFIED ENVIRONMENTALIST St. George's Editor's Note: According to the Department of Agriculture, the Environmental Education Grant was established by the family of a late long-time Bermuda visitor who particularly enjoyed the Island's environment. It is privately funded but assisted by various members of the community, including the Department of Agriculture, whose mission is to promote the enhancement and conservation of the environment. Because of US tax requirements, the money is held in trust in the US and the proceeds of the trust can only be paid to US educational institutions.

Sorry about rose garden May 31, 1999 Dear Sir, In every land in the world now, rich and poor, it is usual for governments and city municipalities to have as a point of pride a Rose Garden. For this reason I was very sorry to hear that the Botanical Gardens have decided to dig up all the centre beds of the old historical rose garden beside Camden so they can use it for entertaining and renting out (I also thought that it was the unspoken rule of Government that they would not go into competition with local businesses!).

This is a great shame since only last year they sent two members of the staff to the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens to learn how to work in a Rose Garden, and for the first time in many years, this Rose Garden looks really nice. Roses have a long history in Bermuda, and while not endemic like the cedar, many have been in Bermuda gardens for nearly as long as roses have been cultivated in the Western World. Our "Bermuda Mystery Roses'' like `Smith's Parish' are of great interest in international rose and horticultural circles. Local Rosarians are working to send more cuttings overseas and this group of roses bring interested Rose-lovers to Bermuda to view these roses. Camden is a historical, interesting house and the rose garden is as important an attribute of style as is the veranda and the cedar-work.

As our Minister of Agriculture, seems to have an appreciation for all things Bermudian and recognises the historical importance of old houses (and the gardens that go with them), I hope that he can work to have this decision re-considered and have this Rose Garden made a point of pride and something uniquely Bermudian instead of another concrete pad in the Botanical Gardens.

BERMUDIAN ROSARIAN Paget Bermuda in good hands May 19, 1999 Dear Sir, Some years ago, around the time when Dr. Clarence James was Minister of Finance, he said in response to criticisms then, "you are damned if you do, and you are damned if you don't''. May I then remind the UBP and their supporters that the same thing applies today in reference to the new Government. They are damned if they do, and they are damned if they don't.

If my memory serves me correctly, soon after the last Election, Dr. Grant Gibbons led the way in suggesting that the new Government should follow through with the matters that the former Government had on its agenda for a smooth transition. Yet when they do, they are accused of plagiarism.

Bermuda is in good hands with Ms Jennifer Smith at the helm under God. She is a woman with a plan, a programme and persistency, and time will prove that she is a very good Premier. We all know that -- don't we? Madam Premier, we love you. You know what you are doing -- continue.

RENDOL JAMES Sandys Parish Disgusted by rider May 23, 1999 The following letter was written to the Director of Agriculture & Fisheries and was copied to The Royal Gazette .

Dear Sir, I am writing to inform you about an incident that happened at the Botanical Gardens last week Tuesday afternoon at approximately 4 p.m.

Three other nannies and myself took the children to the park to ride their bikes and to play. We were near to the blind garden when the rider of bike A0 709 came down the road (which is supposed to be off limits to all vehicles) at very high speed. I shouted to him to slow down as there were children playing on the road. My son was stood next to a bush, if he had stepped out into the road he would have been hit by the bike and could have been seriously injured or killed. The man on the bike was shouting obscenities at me before he came to a standstill after passing three children. He carried on shouting foul language at me and my friend asked him to watch his language as there were children present, who were of ages 16 months to 4 years, he then turned round to her and verbally attacked her with foul language and also told us he didn't really care, at this point I decided to get my pen out and write his bike number down, as I didn't say anything else to him because I thought he would physically attack me.

The man sped off on his bike past some of the children shouting to us that he'd had a bad enough day, as it was, he then skidded to a halt on his bike and shouted more foul language while giving me his bike number.

We were all extremely shocked by his actions and the children were quite upset. I got into my car and drove to the offices to complain.

The area we take the children is supposed to be off limits to all vehicles.

There have been other men come down the same road and have been very courteous to us and the children, but we should not have to keep worrying about the children's safety.

I hope you will take action against this individual as this could have been a serious matter and someone could have been injured or worse.

LOUISE PITCHER SHERYLL HALL CAROLINE MITCHELL ALLISON SHELDON Devonshire Local musicians are good May 31, 1999 Dear Sir, Please allow me to convey a very positive message, that local Bermudian musicians are thriving and putting on a great show! Yesterday, my friends and I took the ride over to Hawkins Island abroad the Sea Pudding . The $15 round trip ticket also allows access to the new Sunday Sunfest, featuring the very talented Bermudian Band Tropical heat. Their lively and upbeat tempo had people dancing in the glorious sunshine. The band entertained for approximately three hours. The Sunday Sunfest also has the option of water skiing or tubing, or you can rent an ocean kayak, or just relax on one of the many sun loungers on the beach. The food was excellent and inexpensive, all the staff are very polite and attentive, and the bar offers reasonably priced drinks.

To join in the fun. Each Sunday, go along to Albouy's Point. The Sea Puddin' leaves at 12 noon and then every hour thereafter.

The great new event is organised very well by Mark Finigan and Tony Brannon and highlights the Bermudian musicians very well.

MARK EVANS City of Hamilton Ban contingency fees May 13, 1999 Dear Sir, May I use your column space to congratulate Mr. Richard Hector on his appointment as the new chief of the Bermuda Bar Cartel and to wish him well in his efforts to overhaul the Bar cartel. Maybe a place to start would be the ban on lawyers agreeing to accept fees on a contingency basis. As to the wigs and gowns, dignified...? SPANISH POINT VOTER Pembroke