Major Rowe responds

December 19, 2005

Dear Sir,

The Salvation Army is deeply concerned about comments made by the Minister of Health at the closing session of the House.

In response to severe cutbacks which now threaten the very survival of the Harbour Light Programme we have raised our Red Shield goal to $844,000 but this appeal is currently $75,000 below last year's income at this time when it reality it needs to come up with an additional $300,000 to meet all projections. I am concerned that these public comments in the House create a damaging misperception of the Army in the eyes of the public.

I want to make it very clear that we have no political axe to grind, we are fighting for our very survival here. Currently Government funding for Harbour Light & Life Skills Programmes amounts to $297,170 while The Salvation Army contributes $472,752.

1. The Salvation Army does not send any of its income abroad. We are audited both internally and externally by KPMG and these audits will substantiate this fact.

2. Those who can pay for their beds do so and those on the Dreaming in Colour programme are also budgeting and saving for their own apartments.

3. Any concerns that the Minister may have about how the shelter is managed have not been communicated to us.

4. We are doing the best we can to effectively manage a 50-bed shelter on $450,000 a year. However, we are open to suggestions and input from the community.

5. The public needs to know that while Government provides for 100 percent of the operational costs of the shelter ($450,000), The Salvation Army provides 100 percent of the programme costs ($64,340). The Dreaming in Colour programme which is becoming the toast of the community because of the way it is finding employment and returning hope to residents is funded entirely by the Red Shield Appeal. Government funds allow us to manage the facility only and even this could be done only with significant cuts to services such as meals and security.

My concern is that The Salvation Army's real agenda not be obscured by political debates. We speak up for the homeless and the addict, it is unfortunate if there is a high price to pay for speaking on their behalf but what should The Salvation Army do if we cannot continue vital services or improve our serve because of funding cuts?

It is simply not about Government it is about the homeless and the addict who need more not less to support their fight for dignity and their journey back into the community.

In response to recent publicity several companies have offered to work with us to improve facilities and we have brought these offers to the attention of the Ministries in hopes that we can work together for the good of the residents. Together we can make a difference.

MAJOR LINDSAY ROWE

Salvation Army

Breath of fresh air

December 4, 2005

Dear Sir,

I would like to commend you and The Royal Gazette for your excellent supplement, “Symbols of the Holidays”. This balanced and inclusive edition, aimed for classroom use, is just what we need more of here in Bermuda.

For those of us who do not celebrate Christmas, this time of year can be difficult. It is a breath of fresh air to see a publication recognising that even our remote Island is very ethnically diverse, comprised of people who follow a variety of religious paths.

My thanks to you. Please keep up the great work. We must all be mindful of the multicultural nature of Bermuda.

LENA OSTROFF

Southampton

Pathetic, arrogant

December 15, 2005

Dear Sir,

You have to give Senator Col. David Burch his due, (today's Royal Gazette); he is showing himself to be a great man if you need one to justify any word, misconduct or wrong-doing towards another person, isn't he? He is showing enough talent that he could justify the crucifixion of Christ if he set his mind to it.

His justification for the offensive and unacceptable phrase ‘house nigger' as a ‘relevant observation' and that it was “viewed as normal confidence in a white person but regarded as arrogance when they come from a black person” and that he is entitled to express such opinions under his own human rights, is pathetic and doesn't hold up to normal standards of conduct towards others.

It is not arrogant to use such a phrase, but it IS the height of arrogance to think there is no need to apologise for such a display of disgusting irresponsibility and insulting prejudices.

It has nothing to do with white or black really, but everything to do with insulting another person with nasty and demeaning words.

If we accept this kind of behaviour - and it does not matter how much it is justified - from supposed leaders and people of influence in our country, then why are we not willing to accept all our other ills?

If we can't expect better from people like Col. Burch, then we have no right to expect better from anyone else. And, oh, by the way, such a phrase is NOT “viewed as normal confidence in a white person”. And because some white people have used such a phrase, (probably invented it too), then shame on Col. Burch for stooping to such garbage himself. How childish it is to use the example of others who live in the gutter, to justify your own decent into those realms.

It is unacceptable, but then where are the righteous upholders of our laws and the champions of our moral standards as a community? Our Government, our church leaders? The Human Rights Commission? (What a joke they are turning out to be.) They are most conspicuous by their silence.

If the standards of our Government are so pathetically low, and can be so easily justified with such nonsensical words of garbage, and if even one person in Bermuda, (apart from Col. Burch himself of course), black or white, is satisfied to live with such phrases being used, never mind on our airwaves, then excuse me for thinking they deserve the very worst we are getting.

MARK EMMERSON

City of Hamilton

Look in the mirror, Larry

December 15, 2005

Dear Sir,

I was saddened and disappointed to read the comments from Narcotics Chief, Larry Smith, published in The Royal Gazette on December 6, and later followed up by his outburst in today's letter to the editor again attacking Commissioner Jonathan Smith.

As a retired Bermudian police officer with over 30 years service, I have known Larry Smith since he first joined the Police as a Cadet. Before accusing others of “disturbing and juvenile” behaviour, he should perhaps look at his own record when considering why he was passed over for promotion to the highest ranks during the latter days of his career.

Having worked closely with all of the officers he mentions in his letter, along with former Asssistant Commissioner Wayne Perinchief, I strongly believe that when Jonathan Smith was selected for the post of Commissioner, yes, he was relatively young and inexperienced, but he was still head and shoulders above the other candidates for the job. When younger men are promoted over officers who consider themselves to be more experienced it will invariably breed some resentment, and Commissioner Smith no doubt felt and continues to feel that resentment when trying to implement changes in the Police Service.

This letter is not a condemnation of Larry Smith because, despite any earlier errors in judgment, I also believe that he has devoted his life to the Police Service and has done a great job as head of Narcotics. He is scrupulously honest, fearless, and hard working and deserves tremendous credit for his service to the Police and the community. Having said that, it is essential that every single officer in the Police Service now stands firmly behind the new administration headed by Commissioner George Jackson and Deputy Commissioner Roseanda Young. If Larry cannot do that, then he must go, and go quickly, and let them get on with the job at hand.

On the subject of bringing in an Assistant Commissioner to head the Narcotics and Intelligence Branch, it is a sad fact that Bermuda is being plagued by crime relating to illegal drug use, and there is a perception amongst the public in general that not enough is being done to curtail drug trafficking despite the $324 million worth of drugs seized during Mr. Smith's tenure. Cocaine, crack and heroin and other hard drugs are being openly sold on our streets from Dockyard to St. George's to such a degree that what is now needed is another Coxall style approach to the problem.

There is no way that the Governor made the decision to bring in an overseas Assistant Commissioner to oversee this vitally important branch of the Police without fully consulting with both the Government and the Public Service Commission who will have carefully examined the track record of every senior officer locally before deciding to recruit someone from abroad.

Police Forces around the world routinely look further afield than their own personnel in order to hire the best possible people for the highest ranks. This move clearly has the blessing of Minister Wayne Perinchief and Government, so let's get on with it and give him and the new Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner our full support. Larry can now retire and put his feet up, while new blood tackles the greatest scourge ever to hit Bermuda.

RETIRED FORMER POLICE OFFICER

Smith's Parish

Invalid opinions

December 6, 2005

Dear Sir,

I am ‘disturbed' by today's front page article titled, “Disturbing and Juvenile” in which Narcotics' chief Larry Smith complains about the age of, and what they consider to be, lesser experience of Commissioner Jonathan Smith.

As far as I am concerned, he has actually legitimised the Commissioner's assertions that certain senior officers resisted his authority, were unaccountable and living in a time warp. I was under the impression (and was told often whilst employed as a Police constable in Bermuda) that you are to respect the rank, not the person. In which, chief Larry Smith's opinions are actually invalid due to his not occupying the higher ranking position. He is being insubordinate to even make these public statements according to the Police code of conduct.

But let's look beyond that small breach of conduct and examine the rebuttals made by the chief narcotics officer in defence of himself and his cronies. Sure, these senior officers may have more experience - in the Bermuda of the past, where violent crime and drugs were not nearly the social menace that they are today.

Look at the drug seizure statistics shown on that very same front page. Three million dollars worth of heroin and cannabis each respectively have been seized last year. Yet cocaine they have netted only $430,000? Not even a half a million dollars worth? Does chief Larry Smith believe that cannabis is MORE of a serious drug than cocaine? Perhaps he still holds on to the old colonist racist philosophies? Cocaine is after all primarily perceived to be a white man's drug used by affluent individuals. In the good old days, these people were above the law.

I am still concerned that back in 2002, a convicted murderer, Robert Blair Tucker, named during his questioning, two narcotics officers that he specifically paid to bring one and a half kilos of cocaine into our Island from New York. A detailed list of four allegedly dirty cops and their dealings were in fact presented to court at his murder trial. The police apparently dealt with this “internally”. I'd like to know what exactly that entailed? Is this perhaps the “unaccountability” that Commissioner Jonathan Smith was referring to? In which case, I find that to be extremely serious. I for one, welcome a more modern policing philosophy. Honestly, I think that the feature should have been titled, “Corrupt and incompetent” and perhaps add “jealous and back stabbing” to that caption as well.

SOJOURNER TRUTH

City of Hamilton

This kind of service...

December 15, 2005

Dear Sir,

I was always a strong supporter of the “Buy Bermuda” campaign but a recent experience with a local business has given me cause to reconsider.

A few months ago, in good faith, I bought a cordless phone system for $195 from “Phones Plus” the model selection being at their recommendation. Two weeks ago I had reason to return it for inspection due to poor performance. After two weeks and no contact I returned to be told that they confirmed the validity of the complaint and that they were no longer buying from that particular company (VTech) because they were not satisfied with the quality of their product. The three-month warranty had expired and as compensation I was invited to choose a similar model at a discount.

Sounds good so far right? Well the forthcoming discount was so small that obviously a second profit was expected on the replacement unit. I would have thought that in the interests of customer satisfaction, especially as they had admitted the unit was faulty from manufacture, the replacement would have been “gratis” or sold at cost.

I have now found suppliers online that will allow me to get a better unit here for substantially less than the discounted replacement price, even after duty and shipping costs, with a full one-year international warranty. With this kind of service you might ask, why on earth would anyone want to buy locally? I will still try to be loyal to local merchants, just more careful where I shop next time!

ANDREW PINK

Devonshire

Truly, a magical evening

December 6, 2005

Dear Sir,

Magic still exists in Paradise!

On the evening of December 1, the stars were all aligned and the result was an evening of heavenly weather, ethereal music and a harmonious audience of 1,000 people. We would like to thank all of the following people who gave freely of their time and talents to make the event “A Magical Evening of Carolling” a success.

Firstly, thank you to the Premier, The Hon. W. Alex Scott and Mrs. Scott who opened their home, Camden, for the evening. Many thanks also to Sally Fonner, who did a brilliant job of the overall organisation of the event, right down to the smallest detail. Thanks to Mr. Alfred Scott in whose competent care Camden rests, and to the Parks Department for all their hard work. Thank you to Nell Bassett who added her star qualities as Master of Ceremonies, and to Burrows Lightbourn for the refreshments.

Thanks to all the groups who participated:

The St. John's Youth Choir under the direction of Marjorie Pettit, with Andrea Hodson.

The St. George's Prep Choir under the direction of Kim Emery.

The Warrenaires under the direction of Sherman Swan.

The Salvation Army Band under the direction of Calvin Ming.

The Southampton Inspirational Choir under the direction of Owen Simon and of course, the perennial troubadour, Dennis Fox.

As Calvin Ming said that evening: “Where else in the world could we have an evening like this?”

With best holiday wishes,

TOM BUTTERFIELD

Masterworks Museum of Bermuda Art

Unexpected and welcome!

December 12, 2005

Dear Sir,

Psalm 37 says, “Fret not. Commit all to the Lord and trust in Him.”

On Friday, November 18 and Saturday, November 19, the Matilda Smith Williams Seniors' Residence held its annual Tag Days. Because of several events that took place, some planned and some unexpected, some persons who wanted to tag were unable to tag so that we were not able to place taggers at some of our areas. This was very disconcerting. I prayed that through it all, God would bless the Home with at least the same amount we made last year.

Our God is amazing. He blessed us in excess of last year's amount. We were able to raise approximately $16,300. “Fret not. Trust the Lord.” I thank Him for His goodness.

To all who supported the Residence by selling tags, we greatly appreciate your assistance and look forward to your help next year. Thank you also to the public for your generosity.

M. IANTHIA EVE

For the Fund Raising Committee

Devonshire