For the normally quiet arts community, the year began with controversy.

In early January the Bermuda Society of Arts (BSoA) was given six months' notice to quit the City Hall where it had had gallery space for almost 50 years. The BSoA was told to leave by June. This came in spite of statements made five months before by Hamilton Mayor Sutherland Madeiros, that it would not happen. Apparently, the Corporation of Hamilton needed the space for offices.

Many prominent people in the community came out in support of the BSoA including artist Glen Wilks, Minister of Culture and Social Rehabilitation Dale Butler, and former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith.

It was said that eviction could spell the end for the BSoA.

But on January 17 the BSoA was granted a temporary reprieve from the eviction. The lease was extended to January 1, 2009.

Bermuda Cement Company Sold

The owner of Correia Construction, Dennis Correia, was one of three men who bought out shareholders of the Bermuda Cement Company (BCC) and hoped to end the cement crisis on the Island.

The crisis came about when BCC was sold on January 4 after lease negotiations with Wedco broke down. Wedco had demanded that the shareholders demolish their existing plant and build another nearby, as well as sell 20 percent of their shares in return for a new 21-year lease. The former shareholders said the proposal didn't make financial sense as a new plant would cost up to $15 million.

"Hopefully, for the Country, Wedco will throw that lease in the trash," former general manager Jim Butterfield said. "It is not what Bermuda needs. Hopefully they will come to their senses."

Besides Mr. Correia, the other two men to buy out BCC were Chris Shanks and Paul Simons. The men hoped to re-ignite negotiations with Wedco over remaining at the current site in Dockyard – one of the reasons the previous owners of BCC had their lease terminated.

The three men bought out not only Jim Butterfield's stake in the company but also six other shareholders who decided to get out of the business after years of protracted discussions with Wedco.