According to Dr. Gibbons, Government's record of managing multi-million-dollar projects does not inspire confidence ? so far the building of the second senior school is 14 months late and $13 million over budget.

Also at issue is Tourism Minister Ewart Brown's plan to develop a "Monaco-style marina", which Dr. Gibbons feels is ill-suited to Bermuda's needs.

"There is no doubt that we really need to look at revamping the whole Hamilton waterfront," Dr. Gibbons said. "The United Bermuda Party has identified that in some of our platforms, we've mentioned it in Budget replies.

"I think everybody in Bermuda has said that it is not the best use of one of the prettiest parts of Bermuda. It's not attractive to have cargo and container ships there. But I'm very concerned about the possibility of the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) Government trying to manage yet another large, expensive project given their abysmal record with the Berkeley Institute."

Following a tour of Mediterranean ports ? Genoa, Villefranche, Nice and Monte Carlo ? Government determined that it would need at least $600 million to revamp the docks into a waterfront area more appealing to locals and tourists.

"We would like to find a way to attract high-end yachts to Bermuda with a Monaco-style marina in conjunction with a cruise ship berth that does not destroy the view," Dr. Brown told the .

"Monaco represents an ideal for Bermuda, but also competition. We are interested in a similar, discerning traveller. If we can attract these people, it will because we are offering world-class options. It would put us head and shoulders above our regional competitors."

According to Dr. Gibbons, however, the Monte Carlo model has not always been a success.

"I think it's pretty clear when you look at Monte Carlo, when you look at Monaco, the economic model that makes it work includes a casino," he said. "That model has been around for some time and for a while ? I'm going back a few years here ? it was under pressure.

"The traditional lure of Monte Carlo had faded somewhat because there were so many other places in which you could gamble. I know they were under some pressure; that they weren't getting the same amount of tourist business they once had."

Although still in the initial stages, the waterfront project has also sought input from the Corporation of Hamilton and the findings of a waterfront competition organised by former Premier, Sir John Swan ? who accompanied Dr. Brown on the trip ? and the . Hoped-for amenities would include live entertainment, caf?s and yachting support, Dr. Brown said.

"We supported the and John Swan's quest for ideas," Dr. Gibbons said of the waterfront competition.

Held earlier this year, it yielded more than 60 proposals of how Hamilton's docks might be made more appealing to the public.

"However, in scanning the article this week," Dr. Gibbons continued, "my sense is that what (Dr. Brown) is looking for is a Monte Carlo-type model. Relatively speaking, we don't get a lot of European visitors and quite frankly, we should be looking at some other models as well.

"The area they visited represents a fairly narrow spectrum of (travellers). The Monaco model relies ? to a large degree ? on what I'll call extreme discrepancies between the 'haves' and the 'have nots' and I do question the need to go and look at top end resorts in Europe and not have a balanced look."

Dr. Gibbons listed waterfront models across the eastern coast of the United States which could provide the balance he suggested ? the Waterfront in Boston, the Harbourfront in Baltimore and New York's South Street Seaport.

"These are models which have been very successful," he said. "They're what I would call a slightly more wholesome model. They are more family-oriented and they probably, in some respects are more appealing to our traditional US visitors.

"One of the things (Dr. Brown) said is it would change the face of Bermuda's culture and I think it would be such a significant change to Bermuda's culture that people really need to think about what they want ? sort of, I guess, a 'Be careful what you wish for'.

"I would ask the question: Do we need a plan that will change Bermuda's culture to one that is quite foreign? To one that is European?

"Monaco is topless women instead of bathing suits. It's the very wealthy who are attracted there. Is that the model that we want in Bermuda or do we want to find a way to enhance what we've got?"