Thanks for your support

August 27, 2007

Dear Sir,

I would firstly like to thank so many, many people for their kind comments concerning keeping horses in the City of Hamilton. Not only from the older generation but from the younger generation. So many of you have shouted out to us on the streets, and have called us at home to express their dismay at the actual thought of taking horses away from Hamilton City Centre. This has truly meant a lot to my husband and me. Especially my husband who as most of you will know has been driving a horse since he was five years old, delivering vegetables to the Farmers Market at what is now Number 6 Shed.

For those people that feel my comments in The Royal Gazette were hasty when I said we would have to put our horses down, I would like to clarify some points. Firstly we spend $8,500 every 5-6 weeks on a container of feed and hay. This does not include sawdust for the horses to sleep on, shoeing and vet fees. It also does not include electricity for the stables and water every month.

Then there are the winter months from October to May, when there are no cruise ships in Bermuda and we only have maybe a handful of private jobs.

In the winter season we have to spend money on our stables getting them ready for licensing and insuring our carriages, completely re-doing our carriages, e.g. painting, stripping and some upholstering so that they all look fresh again ready for May.

Numerous carriage parts, too many to mention, including wheels which all have to be shipped in from the Amish Country in Pennsylvania. While at the same time our horses are still eating! This business is not like a taxi whereby when you do not work it you are not spending money on gas. Horses still have to be cared for and fed in the same manner that they are in the summer months. Which is why a lot of horse and carriage operators have opted out of this business in the past.

In the past my husband and I have given horses and ponies away to people, only to find that after several months they are being neglected in some shape of form. It has been heartbreaking for us and we are no longer prepared to go through this. However, I would say to anyone that feels our decision would be hasty to put our horses down, "put your money where your mouth is!" They can always buy a horse from us at any time. We would however like to see where the horse will be stabled! Bearing in mind that stabling a horse in a licensed stable on average costs around $800 to $1,200 which includes feed, hay, bedding and mucking out stables twice a day!

I do not want anyone to think for one minute that putting our horses down would be easy for us. HORSES ARE MY HUSBAND'S LIFE!

We have served the tourist industry on Front Street for years, and hopefully will continue to do so for many more, talking to our tourists, giving them more information about Bermuda in that half-hour or hour than (as they say) they get from anyone else, while they reflect how poorly their horse and carriages are kept anywhere in the US compared to ours. How, Bermudians are so friendly compared to the other islands and how lovely the homes and gardens are kept up not only in Fairylands but through Rosemont Avenue and other areas. They also reflect on the fact that they can actually hear the horses hooves and see the starts, which in a lot of the US they cannot because of the pollution.

They love the courtesy of our Trash Truck gentlemen (and women) who stop the trucks when we drive past, and the Container Operators that stop until we safely drive by. We sincerely thank everyone for not only helping our tourists to have a great experience of a traditional Bermuda Carriage Ride but to experience the courtesy and friendliness that Bermudians have always shown.

On a more serious and sour note, my husband and I are deeply hurt by the pain and suffering that people suffered from the accident on Harbour Night. However we are more hurt that "Marqis Carriages", albeit Mr. Raymond Bean, could not find it in his heart to apologise to the people of Bermuda for this accident. It was a tragic accident that no carriage company would ever have wanted but a public apology to say the least should have been given. This would not have implied guilt but compassion!

DEE CHARLES

Shilo Carriages

Give Commissiong a call

September 2, 2007

Dear Sir,

With reference to Non-racist Woman, whose letter appeared on August 23 entitled "Commissiong is a racist", while I applaud her for publicly declaring her true feelings, I am amazed at how some people can totally distort the true facts either through ignorance or outright hypocrisy. While she accuses Rolfe Commissiong, of generalisation by saying he thinks all white people are white supremacist, (which incidentally I have never heard him say or imply that and I know him very well), careful examination of Rolfe's presentations by either print, audio, or video transmission shows a preference of sticking to the facts and letting the opinions fall where they may.

Her comments about the PLP not caring about white people and not needing them is not only a generalisation but a gross distortion of the truth. At this point I am wondering how many other white people have bought into this mindset. As a member of the PLP I can say whether as Opposition or the Government, the party has always seen its role as representing all Bermudians. Let me say to the white community, pro-black does not mean anti-white at any level.

If the PLP is pro-black on an issue, it is simple democratic politics. This should be seen as normal in this country of constituency representation. If white people want more focus and concentration on their political interest as a distinct constituency, join and vote PLP.

My suggestion to the non-racist woman is before she does any more public relations for Rolfe Commissiong and his agenda, is that she give him a call and do lunch it might be a transforming experience. She might want to share that with us in another edition. Also if she wants a heart and soul account of the true black experience, which resonates throughout the African diaspora, I can be reached at the below address:

malick@myoffice.bm

Hamilton Parish

Costs need researching

September 2, 2007

Dear Sir,

This subject, I know, has been examined in the past by the press but I feel I must report my astonishment arising from the recent purchase of Lamisil 1% cream ¿ 15 grammes to be precise.

The cost at the pharmacy was $39.05 before insurance of $31.24, so I paid $7.81.

Thank goodness for insurance. However, the same product online is $15.99 (www.dermstore.com) and one would expect that any wholesaler/importer in Bermuda can buy it cheaper than I can buy it online.

I leave you to do the maths and figure out where at least $23.06 per tube is going. I am sure there are hundreds of other examples like this for pharmaceutical products.

This kind of pricing is indicative of an uncompetitive and unregulated market in the key area of healthcare costs. It deserves your attention as an investigative newspaper.

I look forward to reading, not my letter please, based in ignorance, but, an informed well researched article that digs into this issue and exposes the profiteering and inefficiencies in this key expense category in Bermuda.

There is probably no need to add, that this is a further example of the need for Bermudians to research costs and choice when purchasing products and services.

Stephen Smith

Warwick

Moral leadership

September 4, 2007

Dear Sir,

This letter is prompted by the recent articles on educational matters.

I am led to the despairing conclusion that all that will follow will be as ill advised and unfair as making Rosemary Tyrell the scapegoat.

In the first place she was not in her role long enough to be responsible for all that was wrong in Education. That had been developing for years (probably since our superficial "integration" when so many "integratdBlacks became more concerned about their "integration" and white folks than for the continued need to development of the black Community).

Moreover, she was the best thing that had happened in Education for a long time and in so many ways. There are many who believe that it was her integrity and excellence which made some decisions so uncomfortable ¿ so, like the Tech, she had to go.

The appointment of Ms Ellen Kate Horton by the Public Service Commission suggests that they do not live in Bermuda or have any contact with Bermudians.

Even if Ms Horton was, by far the very best candidate available, the mere potential for "conflict of interest" should have precluded her appointment. Her attack on a Principal for not sending his child to a public school when her own child did not attend our public schools reflects a lack of rational thought.

Her appointment under the "conflict of interest" circumstances is an insult to the black community.

I clearly understand racial voting under our circumstances but when blacks vote for blacks because they are black we have a responsibility to demand a higher level of integrity and principle that does not involve the potential for "conflict of interest".

Black decision makers should be morally superior to whites (note that I did not say inherently, genetically superior. moral behaviour is a choice). Blacks should be morally superior because they know the cost of injustice and the lack of principled conduct. There are too many appointments that do not reflect moral judgment ¿ or some believe any judgment at all.

The many complaints from the working class and the evident flaws in the immigration policies suggest that blacks voting for blacks have not given the Black community either the political or moral returns that they have a right to expect.

Ms Horton is not alone in her view of black lack of respect for blacks and our ongoing dependence on "foreign experts".We have turned to the English, the Canadians, the Caribbean but seldom to black Bermudians when we are the only ones that can solve our own problems.

We may be incompetent and as immoral and unprincipled as we often are, but as long as we, as black voters, have to put up with Bermudian politicians who are likely to be as incompetent and as immoral and unprincipled as we are, we should insist that they put up with us.

Certainly we who deliberately vote black must demand greater fairness and a more just society from our black leaders ¿ and never mind that Whites will hear our demands, our concerns and our dissatisfaction with our black politicians.

We must demand greater respect from our decision makers, including the Public Service Commission.

EVA N. HODGSON

Crawl

P.s. As for Independence, When we really want Independence we will not need an Independence Commission to whip up our Interest—-any more than anywhere else.

August 30, 2007

Dear Sir,

When it comes to racism, Mr. Commissiong got it right!

Mr. Commissiong was absolutely correct in his observation that white supremacy and racism are alive and well. Not only in Bermuda, but across the globe. Denying the continuing significance of racism in contemporary society does not erase the fact that black people still face systematic forms of oppression as evidenced in wealth, health, and education disparities in almost every country in which white supremacy existed ¿ whether in the form of slavery, apartheid, legal or customary segregation, or current institutional practices that (un)intentionally perpetuate inequality.

At the same time, talking about white supremacy as Mr. Commissiong and others have done does not instigate racism. It merely puts it on the table for discussion and hopefully transformation.

People's responses to the public naming of racism or white supremacy differ based on someone's life experiences. I have noticed that in the US and in South Africa, some whites feel guilty, become angry, and deny allegations of racism. Many times people who have some type of racial privilege personalise the reports of contemporary racism ¿ as if somehow they are personally to blame.

The fact that most people reduce racism to intolerant acts of racial prejudice as opposed to institutional practices that create and perpetuate inequality based on racial group membership is one source of the problem. Not wanting to let go of one's privilege and inviting others to the table is another. The status quo is always much more comfortable for those who have benefited from the unfair system. Change is a scary proposition.

Nelson's Mandela's comment on racism during his 1961 treason trial seems particularly relevant to the case at hand: "We are not anti-white, we are against white supremacy."

Thus, to name and challenge racism have nothing to do with personal feelings toward white individuals. They have much more to deal with creating a society in which everyone has an equal chance to succeed and enjoy the liberties and benefits a society has to offer.

It is not enough to be non-racist to eradicate the shackles of racial oppression. People committed to an anti-racism project are needed as well.

AN ANTI-RACIST OBSERVER

Champaign, Illinois

Trashing Bermuda

September 2, 2007

Dear Sir,

I must add my comments to the other letter writers regarding the state of Bermuda's once manicured, pristine and beautiful roadways.

Since the arrival of the "New Bermuda" almost ten years ago there has been a very noticeable decline in the maintenance of our roads, with overgrown hedges that one almost needs a machete to clear the way. With weeds and bushes growing out of the walls along the roads we're looking more like a third world country every day.

In fact there is so much trash along the roadside with bins at bus shelters overflowing and not emptied, sometimes for well over a week, (have you noticed the Paget bus shelter), the bus shelters are looking more like toxic waste dumpsites. They are covered in filth and graffiti and a sorry sight for locals and tourists alike.

Along Warwick Lane, the fence was knocked down in hurricane Fabian and it has still not been repaired, the road is filthy and overgrown. If one attempts to call either The Works Ministry or The Parks Dept.it's an extremely frustrating exercise to finally reach a person on the automated system to be told that you have the wrong department! It appears that no one is responsible! Whatever happened to the budget for the crews of men that kept our roadsides clean and tidy?

Bermuda had a reputation for being a clean and beautiful country, a reputation we are fast losing. We are not going back to the plantation we are going back to the jungle!

Surely the $600,000 being spent on so called Faith Based Tourism would be better spent on keeping Bermuda clean and litter free for our tourists and residents.

Bermuda deserves a lot better.

VICKI EDNESS

Warwick

Message to a rotten thief

August 22, 2007

Dear Sir,

This letter is addressed to the rotten thief that ransacked our van, parked in our driveway at home, and the car next to us on Monday morning on Fairylands Road. You tossed about all the items in the glove compartment, leaving the small change etc., and doors open and ended up stealing my well used pink "Bermuda, World Risk Capital" shoulder bag with all my watercolour art supplies!

(A plastic box of well squeezed tubes of various colours, a parcel of well worn brushes, that have travelled with me for years, pencils, some masking tape, etc. . . .)

Not only are they well used, they have no value to anyone but me!!!

They represent 20 years wroth of brushes, pencils and odd colours to make up my watercolour working tools, and my choice of how I select the colours for my work, my working notes and colour guides are valuable to me. What really cheeses me off is that you will not be able to sell them as they are clearly well used and of no value to anyone but me! And therefore you will toss it all into someone's hedge . . . even more irritating!

To anyone who finds these supplies in their hedge . . . please call me at 295-2626, I would be most grateful and will be happy to paint you a painting for their return!

If you have bought these supplies . . . call me . . . if art is that important to you, that you are prepared to purchase stolen goods, I will teach you how to use them, and share what I have.

RHONDA J. EMMERSON

President

AAC Saatchi & Saatchi

City of Hamilton