Outstanding serviceMay 8, 2006Dear Sir, Please allow me some space in your paper to celebrate the outstanding service provided by Mrs. Betty Richardson at the Harrington Sound Post Office. In an age when customer service is declining, Mrs. Richardson is a paragon of excellence. She is always kind, friendly and efficient. She always remembers your name and is ready to help before you have even reached the counter.

Going to collect a package is no longer a chore but something that we now look forward to — if only to get the chance to talk to Mrs. Richardson. May she serve as an example to those who believe that good service is outside of their job description.

JONATHAN YOUNG

Devil’s Hole, Smiths

Barber not appreciatedMay 10, 2006Dear Sir,On April 28, 2006 Bermuda’s most generous philanthropist, David Barber, was laid to rest.This paper on April 25 and 27 detailed his largest gifts to the community. In addition to large on-off donations, he supported the SPCA, the Salvation Army, St. John’s Ambulance, Beacon House, the LCCA, Christ Church, Devonshire, the Anglican Cathedral, the Physical Abuse Centre, the Stroke Foundation, PALS the Women’s Resource Centre, the physically challenged, the Senior’s Island Club, the Packwood Home, the Adult Education Centre, the Bermuda TB & Health Association, the Bermuda Arts Centre, Meals on Wheels, the National Dance Foundation, the Alzheimer’s Support Group, Open Airways, the State House, St. George’s, Care for Learning Centre, the Association, Age Concern, Saltus and Warwick Academy and the Bermuda Track & Field Association on a regular basis.

The latter sent the only floral tribute amongst the above. Presumably, in recognition of his provision for race week when Government decreed it be cancelled as they could not afford to fund it.

Internment was to be at Christ Church, Devonshire which was felt too small for the number expected to attend the service. So it was held at the Anglican Cathedral.

Sadly, it wasn’t even half full which was a huge disappointment to his nurses, and heaven knows how much more to his family. We can pack the Cathedral for a Minister who has been well paid, often for work not necessarily well done, but not for such a man who had worked so hard for what he had and gave so generously to so many.

Bermuda, where were you!

JANET M. JACKSON<$>

Hamilton Parish

In support of SPCAMay 10, 2006Dear Sir,Wild animals who have suffered abuse and then found safety and refuge in a sanctuary which purports to have only the best interest of its charges at least should not be caged, freighted on the high seas and put on exhibit in Bermuda or anywhere else in the world.Mr. Hollis of DNA Entertainment states that he has refused to meet with Bermuda’s SPCA because he seems to think they have turned into “animal activists” and that they would trick him into saying something that would be misconstrued. Quite frankly, I believe the SPCA has proven itself to have the interests of all animals at heart. Mr. Hollis, by virtue of not wishing to meet with the SPCA, suggests to me that he has no interest in the welfare of these animals, let alone educating conservation and protection, but rather filling his pockets full of Bermudians’ hard earned money.

If there is such a curiosity about these animals, why not ask the curators of BAMZ to create a special event by bringing in experts in the field with films that really show these wild animals in their natural habitat, as well as those in sanctuaries around the world, thereby allowing the animals to remain safe and Bermuda’s children to truly learn the importance of conservation and protection.

MARIA M. WHITTLE

St. George’sPraise for letterMay 14, 2006Dear Sir,What a joy to open up one’s newspaper on Thursday May 11 and read Mrs. Elspeth Brewin’s letter. Wit, human, and truthful common sense.

The trouble is that the people who should read this great letter will not be reading it, because unfortunately they are too busy rabble rousing and emoting about “Our flag”, “Our National Anthem” and “Our island’s Independence.”

I almost wish, dare I say it, hope, that their wish for Independence would come through, so they would discover what idiots they are. They should fall on their knees and be grateful.

There are many covetous eyes out there, some jealous and some evil. In troubled times we would need all the help we could get, plus of course, our wonderful Regiment, for which I have the highest regard.

DIANA WILLIAMS

PembrokeWeak-kneed bureaucratsMay 11, 2006Dear Sir,Recent statements by Mr. Mike Charles, General Secretary of the Bermuda Union of Teachers & Government Auditor, Mr. Larry Dennis, were salutary and necessary. Every thinking Bermudian should applaud their common sense and courage. Both men have the answers. Mr. Dennis is looking for accountability and is trying to save the taxpayers hard earned money. Mr. Charles realises that the parents and teachers are afraid of the children and the children are afraid of no one. These men need wholesale support from the public. Because they must suffer incredible frustration in having to deal with pathetic, misty-eyed, weak-kneed bureaucrats and politicians, who answer them with psychobabble and pusillanimous political pabulum.

These bureaucrats and politicians should be forced to attend meetings standing up. Because apparently when they sit down there are buttons on their backsides that disconnect their brains.

Sir, it has always baffled me why Bermudians who benefit the most, especially lawyers, accountants and those from the upper socio-economic group (with few notable exceptions) don’t speak up! I can only think of two words why they abdicate their responsibilities — guilt and cowardice.

Let’s face it not all our politicians are as stupid as they strive to appear. They talk to us as if we’re idiots because we’ve shown them we want to be talked to like idiots. When we change, they will change.

HARRY VIERA

Bermuda/North Carolina

A half brain Govt.May 6, 2006Dear Sir, Anybody with half a brain knows the three most important issues for Senior Citizens are teeth, glasses and eye care, also feet.

The eye doctor charges $75 up per visit. Glasses are $300 plus. Feet podiatrists, $75 per visit.

I have just returned from the dentist and can expect a bill for $900 dollars!

Does HIP cover any of the above? Of course not. Even if HIP paid a percentage, it would help, but when you are dealing with a half brain Government what can you expect.NO BRAINER

Smith’s Parish<$>

Forts are overlookedMay 8th 2004Dear Sir,I think that Bermuda’s most overlooked tourist attractions are its forts! This weekend’s Mid-Ocean News contains an article on guns by Dr. Edward Harris which is fascinating. This kind of information should be incorporated into a tourist activity. These old guns should not be left to rust away and eventually be lost. A budget to keep them in good condition would be a profit marker if a proper fort museum were to be established.

In the 1930’s I used to play at Alexander Battery in St. George’s while some of the old equipment was still there. There used to be an unusual disappearing gun at Fort Scaur. Most if it has disappeared. One of my fort fantasies is a live exhibit of such a gun reconditioned and placed in an appropriate setting on one of our out islands, where once a week it fires a projectile at a radio-controlled target while spectators watch from various vantage points some close, some a mile away. In my fantasy I imagine a little play detailing an imaginary encounter, acted out once or twice a year at special times and played from a record, or DVD, to audiences during a regular weekly firing. Static fort displays are standard everywhere. We could be the only place in the world with a live fort display.

We had a fantastic ready-made static display of guns used in World War II at St. David’s Battery which was not valued and destroyed by conversion to other uses. How shortsighted! How unbelievably stupid! Some of the guns are still there! The Dockyard remains a prime site for refurbishing and development as a fort to be visited, if it is not completely converted, a la St. David’s Battery, to other uses.

Wake up Bermuda. We talk about finding things for tourists to do. Our response is to set up play activities. We need to set up learning activities as well. More and more tourists want to know the history of places they visit. Much of America and World history is about battles! We are thus programmed by our schools to be curious about forts. Bermuda can still develop two or three of its remaining forts into a first class non-static as well as static displays.

Please allow me a side comment. The headline for the article on guns mentioned above was, “Under the spreading rubber tree”. Is any comment necessary! I am willing to offer newly appointed sub-editors a course on: “How to choose appropriate headlines!”, at an appropriate fee.

BERTRAM GUISHARD

Hamilton

Reprint Hollis’ speechMay 10, 2006Dear Sir,As a follow up on the letter in today’s paper on Independence and Visas signed KBJ, I implore you to reprint the speech by Wendell Hollis which you printed in a Saturday in mid-April. It should be required reading for ALL Bermudians particularly those with children and grandchildren who would one day like the freedom to live and work without restrictions in the UK and Europe and those who like to travel around the world without the hassle of having to obtain visas.

It also should be required reading for those who are convinced that Independence is the answer to Bermuda’s problems - they too have children and grandchildren and as we all know our Government leaders love to travel.

Mr. Hollis has hit the nail on the head in a very informative speech which not only gives the history of the various immigration laws of the past but paints a frightening picture of what would happen if Bermudians found themselves unable to emigrate in times of crisis.

Please reprint this and make sure it is in during the week rather than a Saturday.

LB

Pembroke

Don’t glorify the strikeMay 10, 2006Dear Sir,I cannot believe that the Union (and others) are actually glorifying the strike in May, 1981.

I remember it well. Tourists were forced to carry their own luggage across the Causeway, promising never to return to Bermuda. Every hotel was packed to capacity with tourists and the agreement between the BIU and the hotels was that a 28-day notice had to be given for any strike action against the hotels. The BIU ignored their agreement with the hotels and called out the hotel workers with no notice whatsoever.

The BIU states that the strike was a success! It was indeed a success IF their intention was to close hotels down permanently. It was indeed a success IF their intention was to turn away prospective future tourists. It was indeed a success IF their intention was to give Bermuda the reputation of “strike happy and a militant union”.

Do I regard it as a success? Absolutely not. The hotels have never ever recovered since May 1981 and we all know how many have had to close their doors permanently. If the BIU considers this a success, what on earth do they have in store for Bermuda?

CAMELOT

City of Hamilton<$>

Regiment is valuableMay 1, 2006Dear Sir,There was a letter to the Editor the other day from, I believe, Mr. Marshall and he said that conscription is not practised anywhere in the world at this time.

There are 33 countries around the world that have mandatory military service: Austria, Belarus, Bermuda, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, Eritrea, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ian, Israel, South Korea, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia and Montenegro, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine, and Venezuela.

The Bermuda Regiment is a very valuable part of our community here. It mixes all races, all backgrounds, instils discipline and makes men out of boys.

It would be a great shame if it were not to continue.

LL

Pembroke