The Hamilton waterfront is a crucial piece of real estate. Its development is not just for the good of Hamilton, it is for the good of the Island.So, to take what appears to be a unilateral decision over its future without any consultation from key groups — not to mention the public — is an affront.To then go further, and apparently refuse to answer questions about what is happening to perhaps the most valuable piece of land on the Island, shows a shocking lack of respect for the public at large.Is this another 250-year lease? Is there a deadline for the development? Is it being done in such a way as to benefit the whole of Bermuda? These are very reasonable questions to ask about such a key development and there is a reasonable expectation of an answer.As former Hamilton Mayor, Charles Gosling said: “That (the lease) gives them the right to take possession of the waterfront and to develop it in a manner the public is not aware. We have no idea what the obligations are on either party, what the time lines are, or the extent of the project.”For some time The Royal Gazette has been running its Right to Know campaign — this is a perfect example of why.The PLP is to make the abolition of the Corporation of Hamilton part of its policy. With decisions like this it is easy to agree. Indeed, it is hard not to wish it had been abolished when there was an opportunity.Granted, something similar may still have happened, but at least the Government is answerable to significantly more people than the Corporation, which increasingly looks antiquated and, in this instance, out of touch.Save our SpiritToday, the Bermuda Sloop Foundation will launch a campaign to raise money to safeguard its future.Run by the Foundation, the Spirit of Bermuda has brought joy to thousands — whether it was just the breathtaking sight of her in full sail, or because they have been lucky enough to sail in her.Programmes run by the Foundation have brought people of all races, genders and ages together. They have helped those deemed to be ‘at risk’ and have provided once in a lifetime experiences to others.The Foundation’s chief executive officer, Denise Riviere told The Royal Gazette that the Foundation needed to “motivate the community to save one of our national icons and most effective youth character development programmes”.Presumably the Foundation has run afoul of Government cutbacks and tightening of the business community’s purse strings as they now say, they are planning to reach out to the community to help.This is an iconic vessel, a symbol of Bermuda, which flies the flag for the Island around the Atlantic and which is not riven by issues of politics or race. It is a cause that demands our support.SOS — Save our Spirit.* Want to Tweet with me? Follow me: https://twitter.com/jeremydeacon1