Will clear heads prevail?

January 4, 2006

Dear Sir,

As a constant repeat visitor since 1974 (34 trips) I have probably seen as much or more of Bermuda than most tourists, posibly even many Bermudians. Last summer I had the pleasure of a private tour of Southlands. Your story last week did not exaggerate. The property is like something out of an old movie. It is truly ?Another World? inside ?Another World.? It took over an hour to carefully walk on rough paths through the dense foliage to see incredible sights: the abandoned quarries, the ponds, the banyan trees, the tomb, a yellow poinciana tree and other plants I have never seen in Bermuda. And the incredible quiet, very rare in Bermuda.

As an outsider, I understand the need for newer hotels. The ones in Cancun, Mexico and Hawaii, etc. have more amenities and their pools are stunning; something rare in Bermuda. I can see the attraction of a five star hotel to compete with the rest of the world, but I hope that the developers can retain much of the natural beauty of the property. On a personal note, I will probably not be able to afford stay there. Room rates are sky high to begin with. I can only imagine what a five star hotel stay will cost in Bermuda.

And on a selfish note, I have stayed at Marley Beach in the last two summers. Their beach is one mile long and totally uninhabited. My daily walks and runs on that stretch were beyond description.

Over a mile of total privacy and extreme beauty. That will end with the new hotel, but progress is needed. I hope clear heads will prevail. Please, Bermuda, don?t shoot yourself in the foot with this one!

Whiner of the Year

January 2, 2007

Dear Sir,

I do wish to nominate Philip Butterfield, chief executive officer of the Bank of Bermuda, for ?Whiner of the Year 2006? award. In your December 20, 2006 newspaper, he is complaining about the ?colonial? planning system in place. It is actually a very democratic planning process which allows the general public to object to structures that are not in the best interest of Bermuda. It only becomes ?colonial? when the Government implements a Special Development Order, thus bypassing the democratic public process for objection!

Mr. Butterfield states that ?in any other jurisdiction on this planet, if a business enterprise were to step up and say we are going to spend $100 million to build a brand new facility, anyone on the planning approval process would have been falling over themselves to make this happy?. I wonder what planet Mr. Butterfield lives on if he thinks that money can allow him to circumvent the planning rules and requirements, which have been put in place for the good of all on this small island!

If Mr. Butterfield spent as much time on his own business, maybe customers of his Bank would not have had to deal with such appalling service as they have had to put up with these past few months!

To Lori Mello, with love

December 17, 2007

Dear Sir,

To Lori Mello, stricken with bone cancer.

Be that butterfly, let the whole world see your wings, show the world you can make a difference with everything love can bring. Give to the universe your beautiful gift of flight, let the colours of your wings turn darkness into light. Put your wings around the world, your colours around the earth, soften every broken heart, let love be a new birth. And when days are long and people are cruel just take to the sky you butterfly jewel. Escape for a while, remain in that cloud, God bless your courage and be very proud. and when you need sleep just reach out your hand, rest in Gods palm as you gracefully land. So close your eyes and curl up each wing, surround yourself in God?s beauty and hear the angels sing. Have courage ...

Pension fairness

December 22, 2006

Dear Sir,

While the PLP are continuing a policy that denies people who are senior citizens from receiving their pension retroactively they found it very easy to pay themselves retroactive pensions and increased MP?s pay, etc., ?The United Bermuda Party government, when next given the opportunity to govern our people, will ensure that any senior citizen who, has attained the age of 65 and has not yet registered will receive the pension retroactive according to birth date, when they complete the necessary documents?.

I?ll deliver my own mail

December 28, 2006

Dear Sir,

It was ten working days before Christmas that I dropped off mail in the Red Mail Box in Warwick. Several cards were for local mail and one for the USA. What amazes me is that the US mail was delivered on December 23, and today, December 28, the majority of the local mail has not been delivered.

There was only one family member that received their mail the day before Christmas Eve. Whatever system you have in handling the mail needs to be changed. It is frustrating to get bills a few days before the due discount. Maybe I will start delivering my own mail and others will follow suit, which will have a domino effect. Think about it, less stamps sold, less workers and more traffic.