I am writing to complain about the bright pink Catamaran titled Restless Native . A question first. Do these tourist excursion boats have to earn a Captain's license? Last year I observed this boat ram its way through swimmers at Admiralty House (I being one of them) and park by the dock where children were diving, when no marine traffic is allowed in the cave for the simple fact that there are children's camps there and swimmers! Everyone seems to know this except Restless Native ! Now this year they've moved over to Deep Bay, every day the cruise ships are in (including Sundays.) They ram their large vessel, through swimmers (I was one of them) and small boats moored there, which of course had to move, right up to the beach. And of course the tourists swam the entire area. We had another catamaran moored a little off-shore and that is appropriate. It is not only common sense but common courtesy on Bermuda waters, not to berth a large vessel close to a beach where there will be swimmers present. Someone could be swimming underwater and not see you approaching. You expect everyone to move out of your way! It is also very unfair that the tourists have many beaches that locals cannot frequent, some places should be sacred from tourists encroaching the area. Marine Police I implore you to give Restless Native a talk about common courtesy on the waters. Better yet a print-out in the newspaper would be of assistance to many mariners.

SWIMMING FROM AN INTRUDER Pembroke Actions speak louder September 26, 2000 Dear Sir, I read with interest your front page feature in The Royal Gazette of today September 25, entitled Mothers in the front line. My only comment can be please spare us from any more such articles or at least feature some mothers who are caught in circumstances entirely beyond their control.

1. Is married but whose husband is not making any contribution to either the every day cost of living or even to making some improvements to what `Tina' calls a `ratty two bedroom apartment'.

2. Chooses not to make the effort to enlist the help of the courts to force her ex husband to make child support payments.

3. Chooses apparently not to work full-time but still expects to find a job that would provide dental and medical coverage. Indeed she even goes on to say she would like a job that would provide a place to live, groceries and transportation as well! Wouldn't we all be clamouring at the door of this mythical public relations firm paying us several thousand dollars a month.

4. Is 12 months overdue on the very minimal rent of $850 a month.

5. Is now complaining because the Government lacks what she calls `honest and assertive development to provide reasonably priced housing.

I would like to remind `Tina' that actions by the Government have to be paid for by the tax payer. Yes me and everyone else like me who works full time, who have jobs that provide HIP, maybe even full medical coverage but only dental insurance if we are very lucky and who pay our rents, land tax, house insurance etc. etc. on time. There are very many single or divorced Mums out there who do make the often very difficult effort to force the fathers of their children to live up their responsibilities and don't imply that all the rest of us should pay for the maintenance of their children as well as our own.

So please `Tina', take a long hard look at your attitude to life, make an effort, go to the Bermuda College to upgrade your skills, take your ex husband back to court, get your current husband to contribute to the needs of the family, pay your outstanding rent and speak to your landlord to see if making some improvements to your apartment yourselves could be considered in lieu of some of the outstanding rent.

I am sure most other taxpayers in this island would be delighted to hear in a few months time that you have taken a few of the above suggestions and improved your situation by our own actions.

FELLOW BERMDIAN MOTHER Pembroke Feeling deflated September 27, 2000 Dear Sir, I have now cycled my new racing bike three times and on each occasion I have punctured a tyre. Methinks our little Island has a seriously big problem with broken glass.

ROOKIE CYCLIST Pembroke Democracy must prevail October 1, 2000 Dear Sir, I write to express my total disappointment in the governing of this country by the PLP leadership. Their recent announcement informing the public of their desire to amend the constitution without adequate consultation or a constitutional conference demonstrates arrogance never before seen in this country by a government. The Premier's more recent attempt to clarify to the people that fewer MP's does not necessarily mean fewer constituencies only created more questions than explaining to the public exactly what it is the government has in mind. They talk of modernising the constitution yet refer to their platform of over 30 years ago of one person one vote of equal value.

This government under Premier Jennifer Smith thinks that by having a debate in the House of Assembly that this is adequate to hear all the wishes of the Bermudian public. She must take us for fools because everyone knows that when it comes down to the vote, her position will carry regardless of what the opposition says.

The United Bermuda Party, when dealing with constitutional matters, always sought the widest possible input through holding constitutional conferences unless they had full bi-partisan support as in the case of lowering the voting age. This government does not even stage one public meeting to seek feedback.

Their position is that since it was in their platform and they won the election, we can implement every item. They fail to respect that winning 54 percent of the vote is hardly a convincing mandate to implement constitutional changes. Most other democracies require either a two thirds Parliament majority vote in favour or a specific referendum where every voter can cast his vote. Today they push for boundary adjustments. Before too long, it could be a full-time army, nationalised hotels and utilities, or legalising marijuana. You name it -- anything's possible.

This whole exercise is nothing more than a camouflage of their goal to dilute the white vote across new boundaries so that their virtually all-black support almost guarantees them successive election wins. And as long as they make race their number one divisive force leading up to each election, they will probably succeed in creating a one-party state before too long. And there you have it -- the control of power will rest with Ms Smith and her Cabinet. More trips, more champagne, more limousines, and certainly less accountability and transparency.

It is up to each Bermudian to ensure that democracy prevails and to express disapproval in the way this government is interpreting the silence of so many as an endorsement of their short-sighted and flawed policies.

CS Smoke gets in your eyes September 27, 2000 Dear Sir, There are many political fires smouldering simultaneously in our Country, and amidst the smoke we here in Bermuda must be careful to recognize what is going on before our eyes. Not only is constitutional reform being pursued, in what can be viewed as a hasty manner, the issue of Long Term Residents is also polarising segments of our community.

Ironically, at the same time a High Level Government House contingent has quietly jetted off to the British Virgin Islands to discuss the UK's offer of British Citizenship to the remaining British Overseas Dependent Territories.

Unfortunately, the Opposition is not involved in the Government House contingent. It is important to note that the issue of British Citizenship is a matter which impacts every Bermudian and the Opposition represents the interest of a significant percentage of Bermuda's people.

Notwithstanding, the Progressive Labour Party continues to use taxpayers' money to fund its party's political agenda at the UK Labour Party Conference.

Moreover, it is not in the best interest of Parliamentary Democracy for the Civil Service to be lured behind the "Political Curtain''. It is imperative that the Civil Service should function without political influence save and except for the direction they receive through the Cabinet.

I urge Bermudians; of all political persuasions to put on their "night vision goggles'' to gain a clearer view of what is taking place under the cover of political smoke.

SENATOR H. KIM E. SWAN