September 6

Dear Sir,

I was shocked to read the story in Saturday's Royal Gazette in which Mr. Harold Darrell attributed various statements to me supposedly supporting him in his complaint against the Bank of Bermuda. It was said that Mr. Darrell had written a letter to the Human Rights Commission which, it was reported, sets out my support for him in his complaint against the bank following a conversation Mr. Darrell is supposed to have had with me.

Nothing could be further from the truth ? I cannot remember specifically the date on which I last had a substantial conversation with Mr. Darrell but it is more than a year ago and it certainly was not on the issue of his unfounded complaint against the bank. I have never made the statements attributed to me by Mr. Darrell and, frankly, they are a work of fiction. I am proud to be a director of the Bank of Bermuda and I would not remain as a director if his complaint were true. This recent fabrication concerning my supposed support for him is further proof to me that he is on a vendetta against the bank in circumstances where he is wrong. I am not aware of what forum I am supposed to be testifying in as there is presently no Board of Inquiry sitting and whether there ever will be is a matter for the courts still to decide. However, one thing is clear; if ever I was required to testify, I would do so truthfully and I can and would only say things that any even-handed person would regard as favourable to the bank and would not lend support or credence to Mr. Darrell's falsehoods.

Director, the Bank of Bermuda

August 12, 2004

Dear Sir,

What is happening to the moral fibre of our country?

Are we going to allow the thoughts of suggestions of individuals to destroy what has been built by those persons to whom we call senior citizens?

How can one even suggest that it may be better for those who have worked hard and are now entitled to a pension, and in some cases for some this pension is their only means of income, to take this money and move to a foreign country?

I find this thought/suggestion very distressing.

There are people that have been given a voice in the community and they are supposed to try to help make OUR LITTLE Bermuda a better place, and if I am correct in my hearing that some of these individuals see the situation as some what hopeless themselves. If these people that are supposed to be in the know feel that things are getting out of hand for our seniors, what is going to happen?

It was quoted on the radio recently, and I quote "A country is graded on how the children and seniors are treated". You can do the math on that one.

I hope to one day be a Senior Citizen, and receive a pension. I have two question.

1. Will there be any money left?

2. Where will I live?

Maybe we need to try and find an e-mail buddy or pen pal so that if circumstances are such that seniors have to consider leaving their beloved home (Bermuda), they will have some tie or connection to those folk in the countries in which they may have to spend out their last days.

August 13, 2004

Dear Sir,

I am writing your newspaper because I am concerned with the behaviour of some of the motorists on Bermuda's roads. They are inconsiderate to horses and their riders.

On August 7 at 1.35 p.m. my friend and I were riding our horses west along South Road in Smith's Parish. The weather was extremely cloudy and it had started to rain. We got to the intersection at St. Mark's Road and indicated to motorists that we were turning right onto St. Mark's Road. The majority of the motorists could care less and would not allow us to turn safely. In fact, one of the cars passed us so closely that my foot actually touched the car.

Thankfully, both of the horses we rode were familiar with being on the road and they did not get frightened when the car approached us in such close proximity. As riders, we know how stable our horses are when riding, that's why we are on the road. This situation, however, was too close for comfort.

I guess that the first thing that comes to the mind of a motorist is that people on horses are 'in their way', and with that is mind, they want to pass as fast as they can. Motorists need to understand that horses ? no matter how comfortable they are on the roads ? can become startled or spooked very quickly by things that a rider, or other motorists, may not even consider as 'dangerous'.

Remember that horses were here on earth long before cars. These animals have worked so that you can eat. They are living, breathing animals, and they have feelings just like you and I, and we should respect them and their riders.

On the following day, I was on my motorcycle on South Road just passing Tee Street travelling east at about 7.45 a.m. It had rained overnight and there was a puddle of water in the road. runners were on the road heading west into oncoming traffic. As I approached the puddle, I slowed down and passed through the water slowly, so as not to splash the runners. However, a car passed me at a speed of about 50K splashing not only me, but also the runners. I guess the driver was late for work and could care less about who or what was on the street. Their actions could have resulted in the loss of life due to the slippery wet state of the roads. We all know that it only takes a second for an accident to happen, but it takes a lifetime to recover from one.

To all motorists that are considerate to horses (and runners) on the roads, I say THANK YOU. In the first incident, later in the ride there was a truck driver of a big-rig truck who not only slowed down, but he also cut his engine to allow us to enter the Ocean View gate, then passed us with great caution, so as not to scare the horses. A special THANK YOU to you, sir. May you live and be well and keep safe on these streets. It is because of people like you that a life may be saved.

To other motorists: prevention is better than cure. Slow down. Pass horses and others on the street with care and caution and respect for others. It doesn't cost you anything ? and is worth a lot more than you can imagine.

August 18, 2004

Dear Sir,

I was saddened to read it today's of the passing of one of the finest teachers I've ever known. I'm referring to Mr. Sidney Rumbelow. The mention of his position at the Churchill fact that he was also (and I think more importantly) deputy principal at the (sadly now defunct) Bermuda Technical Institute, or 'Tech' as it was called, would have been a good thing.

Sidney Rumbelow was the quintessential teacher. A teachers' teacher, and where it really counts, a students' teacher. He taught physics and technical drawing with a style that should be the envy of many a teacher in today's schools; you either have it or you don't. Students soon found out that virtually every physical phenomenon, no matter how advanced it could become, has its roots in an utterly simple explanation. He'd personify everything! Who ever heard to an electron named Fred?

He was well suited to Tech., his brand of discipline encouraged students, rather than have them feeling like failures when things went (sometimes horribly) wrong. We were really no more that academic canon fodder had Tech. not come along. He put real meaning to learning. We'd never heard of studying HOW to take an exam.

When Tech. opened in September, 1956, we got real up close and personal with his favourite expression... 'Blimey'. However humorous it might have seemed at the time, he soon whipped us into a class that was ready and willing to learn. He had no trouble with us strolling into class late. That just didn't happen; simply put, he wouldn't have it. He'd put you firmly in your place and the next minute, have us rolling in the aisles with laughter with a joke about something one of us had done. Then that was over with his famous ... All right ... that's enough!

He also catered to a hard core group of 'mad scientist' types in after school 'sessions'. They weren't classes, but rather fun times that reinforced his perception that 'if you can't learn a subject, teach it'. The all time favourite was RADIO! We used vacuum tubes in those days, the transistor only having been invented less than a decade prior. He would readily admit that his own learning curve was only slightly ahead of ours ... how down to earth can you get?

Mr. Sidney Rumbelow, rest in peace. You've done very well as evidenced by the success of your former students. That success has taken various forms whereas we've become the foundation of many successful businesses, virtually world wide.