How would you like it?

August 7, 2008

Dear Sir,

Please allow an unusual Bermudian to have a few moments to defend his species. This will not take up a lot of space as I only have a few questions to ask the people of Bermuda.

How would you like it if I came into your backyard and hooked the longest and fattest human I could? How much would you appreciate it if I then dragged him out to Challenger Banks just to tire him out and then hoisted him up on a crane naked for the world to see and just hung him up above all of my fellow Tiger Sharks just to show them what a great catch we would have if we only moved closer inland and targeted the humans?

You wouldn't like that at all, would you? In fact you would probably then call for a war on my species wouldn't you? Well, Mr. Human, I can't call for a war on your species and even if I could I probably wouldn't so please stop killing my species for no apparent reason other than to get your name in the news!

MR. TIGER SHARK

Southampton

Contact BHB, 'Sickened'

August 9, 20008

Dear Sir,

As chairman of the Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB), I was very concerned to read the letter from "Sickened" concerning a series of bad experiences in King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

We often talk about being on a constant path of improvement at BHB. This is why we undertake Accreditation, have instituted an ongoing patient satisfaction survey and take all complaints extremely seriously. We do not just celebrate what we do well and our successes. We are constantly looking to improve by listening to patients and taking action when appropriate to resolve issues.

The Chief executive officer (CEO) of the BHB has initiated an investigation into the complaints outlined in the letter; however it would assist our investigation greatly if "Sickened" could contact us directly. The BHB does have an official complaints process and "Sickened" can either contact the Director of Quality & Risk Management, Mrs. Judy Richardson, or the CEO, Mr. David Hill, directly at BHB.

Having exact details on when these events occurred would greatly facilitate our investigation. "Sickened" should also feel free to contact me directly, if there are any concerns about the process. I have left my contact details with the Editor of this paper should "Sickened" choose to exercise this option.

We do have many dedicated staff at the BHB who strive to deliver professional, quality care to our patients and they are to be commended for their passion and commitment. However we also want to hear when the quality of our services does not meet a patient's expectations. By providing feedback directly, you can assist us to promptly address your concerns and improve in those areas which need attention.

HERMAN TUCKER

Chairman,

Bermuda Hospitals Board

Honesty is not the issue

August 10, 2008

Dear Sir,

Once again, Ms Furbert tries to cover over the cracks of this Government with her latest response to Pat Ferguson's earlier letter. Do you read the Auditor General's Annual Report Ms Furbert?

In reply to Pat Ferguson, Ms Furbert says: "However, it is quite apparent that Ms Ferguson has no understanding of governance or politics, if she did, she would know that no Minister could spend more than is allocated to him/her in the budget".

The Auditor General's report says ... 14 Government departments (13 in 2006) overspend collectively by almost $13 million – up from $10.7 million in 2006.

In reply to Pat Ferguson, Ms Furbert says:

"She should also know that Minister Cox is an astute politician and an honest broker and to accuse her of allowing "obscene spending" is an insult to Minister Cox's intelligence and commitment to good governance".

I am quietly confident that Ms Cox is an honest broker; I have never seen or heard anything to the contrary. Honesty, however, is not the issue here. Control of the finances, however, is. Thankfully, Ms Cox assures us that 'we are getting there".

I note with concern from the Annual Report, that there some $5.5 million of unexplained withdrawals on bank statements has not been recorded in the Government General Ledger.

At an income of $70,000 per annum and a payroll tax rate of 4.75 percent, around 1,650 hard working Bermudians might as well stop paying taxes as the Government cannot account for where their taxes are spent. My mind boggles at all of this – truly boggles – as I am sure Pat Ferguson's does too. The worry is Ms Furbert, I don't think yours does.

SMITH'S

Time for ZBM to give up?

August 11, 2008

Dear Sir,

I am using the Summer Olympics as my grandstand for change. Dear ZBM Channel 9 – The community is surely appalled by the quality of your video and audio signal. You can no longer hide behind excuses of loose rabbit-ears, interference from the Cable & Wireless dish or the Aurora Borealis between 6-8 p.m.

Rather than enjoy the Olympic Games, we sit squinting at the television during the 12 minutes of coverage per hour, and then covering our ears during the loud, feedback-laden 48 minutes of commercials. Last night my wife cried well before the Chinese gymnast didn't stick her landing. From eye strain.

Either upgrade your Second World War-era broadcasting equipment, or let Cablevision and WOW! customers (who pay significant monthly fees to local companies) watch The Games in the same quality our islands' illegal Dish Network subscribers are privy to.

JIM LEGERE

City of Hamilton

We deserve better, ZBM

August 11, 2008

Dear Sir,

W.O.W.! What unbelievably poor coverage of the Olympic Games on ZBM. Thank goodness for WOW. While those who have cable or just local TV I feel sorry for you having to watch two guys from Barbados commenting on reruns with a picture quality that looks like it has been recorded by a handy-cam from the TV. All this while CBC and the USA channels are covering multiple sports with top experts commentating. We wait four years to watch the greatest sporting event and we deserve better. Thanks, WOW.

A FAN OF SPORTS BUT NOT ZBM

City of Hamilton