Writer was correct

March 16, 2009

Dear Sir,

I am writing in response to a letter to the editor dated March 6, 2009 and written by Eve Merman. Ms Merman stated that it was the second time she had written to the newspaper in 2009. On both occasions she wrote to voice her concern about the Bermuda Tourism website, www.bermudatourism.com and, more specifically, the issues about its functionality. Ms Merman also pointed out several things that were out of date on the website. I am writing to acknowledge that Ms Merman is correct that the Bermuda tourism website has functionality issues. The Bermuda Department of Tourism has recently engaged a new company, iCrossing, to completely overhaul the functionality, look, and feel of the website.

We appreciate the input from your readers as to how we can improve the Bermuda Tourism web site. The site is often our first opportunity to engage potential visitors and is critical to the public's perception of Bermuda. Accordingly, we have implemented a plan to ensure that all of the information on the site is up-to-date and accurate. Since the beginning of the year, we have made over 70 updates and additions. We are also putting in place procedures to ensure that any technical challenges that may arise (which is not uncommon to web sites as rich as BermudaTourism.com) are overcome quickly and efficiently. The ultimate fix will take a while longer, in the meantime we will alert users that there is ongoing maintenance on the site. I thank Ms Merman again for her observations.

WILLIAM GRIFFITH

Director of Tourism

Traffic court woes

March 10, 2009

Dear Sir,

I recently had the privilege, and the honour, to attend the weekly overcrowded, over dramatic (Traffic Court gathering). During my almost two-hour stay, I had the opportunity to witness how the government helps meet its annual budget. I also made a few other observations. Most of the people awaiting their fate were not considered dangerous or careless drivers, but people who had just stepped over the limit and were spotted by that bird in the tree or behind the wall or even down the bottom of the hill.

The majority of these people after waiting for sometimes hours in this often overcrowded room to contribute in many cases more than a day's pay, will have pleaded guilty, paid the fine before they even got to court and by doing so would have saved themselves and the courts much wasted time. Well! after sitting, no I mean standing, for hours awaiting my outcome I decided to write and put forward a couple of suggestions which should somehow be considered.

1) All persons that are booked for speeding 60 kph and under should be allowed to pay a fixed fine. If the fine is not paid within a set recommended time (30 days, 60 days) whatever, then that person should be arrested and taken to court. The fine now becomes double and the points system can be added to the traffic record accordingly.

2) When the speeding ticket is issued that person, should they wish to plead guilty, should sign the ticket and ensure the fine is paid. Should they decide to plead not guilty, they should not sign the ticket, at which time the officer should assign a court date.

I truly understand the traffic problem in Bermuda is of great concern, and we need to find ways to reduce the number of serious speeding offences on our roads. I will not claim to have the real answers for the careless or dangerous driving, but filling the courts with these low speeding offences will only continue to overcrowd the courts and burden the system more, causing delays dealing with the more serious traffic cases (drunk driving, no licence, no insurance)! I know you are now saying, he agrees with speeding as long as it's under 60 kph. No that's not what I am saying.

What I am saying is, no matter what the fine is, people are somehow, someway, going to find themselves in this situation and in many cases are not considered dangerous or careless drivers, but trapped by the bird behind the wall and in the trees. So to avoid this situation of spending hours in the courtroom to pay speeding fines, slow down, drive with caution or sign the ticket and pay the fine!

RICHARD KNIGHT

Sandys

Cashing in, cashing out

March 19, 2009

Dear Sir,

Unlike many, I am delighted with Bermuda's new bank notes. Finally, I get a chance to use the vertical-format wallet which a maiden aunt gave me for Christmas some 20 years ago. Yours cashing in.

ANDREW R. DOBLE

Hamilton Parish

PTB numbers

March 13, 2009

Dear Sir,

These are exciting times at PTB. One group is trying to decide how to number the first new bus of 2010. Do they expand to six digits – 2K1001 – or revert to the more compact pre-Millennium four digits – 1001? Another team is hard at work designing a new arm rest to replace the cash hopper once free bus travel for all becomes a reality rather than just an election promise. Yours in transports of delight,

ANDREW R. DOBLE

Hamilton Parish

A lost opportunity

March 17, 2009

Dear Sir,

Does Dr. Brown really think that the reason for the appeal to the Foreign Affairs Committee in London for a commission of inquiry into the allegations of corruption in this Government by hundreds of people is "that we are bitter because we could not win at the polls"? I for one and many of my friends were delighted in 1998 when the PLP at last obtained the right to govern, and to show us that it could, with integrity and honest intent, for the betterment of The People, make Bermuda a happy, healthy environment for all to prosper and to at last be recognised and counted as the envy of world. The UBP had become lazy and arrogant and seemed to think that it could never happen.

For the sake of greed, corruption and self indulgence, the PLP, and I must say only some, have lost that golden opportunity to show us that Bermuda could really have been "that other world". How sad for all the loyal PLP people, who would have been so proud and have wished that for years. That, Dr. Brown, is why we are appealing to London for an inquiry into this Government, and hopefully a Vote of No Confidence which could be obtained as a result of this appeal – before it is too late. For I do believe that if this Government is allowed to persist, this lovely little island will never be able to recover.

DIANA WILLIAMS

Pembroke