Major job cuts coming

February 21, 2004

Dear Sir,

Bank of Bermuda: Now that the sell-out is a "done deal" I believe that job cuts will begin in Bermuda.

The Bank of Bermuda is now owned by a large multinational bank with a number of operations in low salary areas. Thus they will outsource as many Bank of Bermuda functions as they can to those areas. They will not want to pay high Bermudian salaries and benefits.

I believe the Bank of Bermuda will suffer from some 500 to 600 job cuts.

Well done, Dr. Brown

March 4, 2004

Dear Sir,

Please allow me a little space in your newspaper to commend the excellent work that Dr. Ewart Brown, Deputy Premier and Minister of Transport, is doing in his Ministry.

There has been a massive improvement at the Transport Control Department in terms of shorter waiting periods for licensing vehicles, the fast ferries, which I have to admit I was initially sceptical about have proved a blessing to many looking for an alternative mode of transport to Hamilton from the west end and certainly came in handy during the aftermath of Hurricane Fabian and finally the coup de grace, securing low cost fares to the United States during peak travel months.

Although there remain challenges, the taxi situation presents a problem I fear even King Solomon in his wisdom would have difficulty resolving, Dr. Brown has essentially taken a minor ministry and through bold successful initiatives placed it at the very forefront of positive change.

When one considers the long years that Dr. Brown spent in "exile" in the United States it is to his credit and perseverance that he is now one step away from the top political office in the Island.

While the Premier was contemplating his last Cabinet reshuffle, many thought that considering the critical condition that our Tourist industry is in, the obvious difficulties the current Minister was facing and the natural fit of Transport and Tourism, that the good doctor's healing hand might be employed here. But this was not to be.

In any event, well done Dr. Brown, keep up the good work! Many Bermudians are taking note!

Deciding on dishonesty

Dear Sir,

On the evening of Friday, February 20 I was at the People's Pharmacy and I purchased three items in leaving the store I unfortunately dropped my envelope which contained money just outside the door, it wasn't until I was at my car that I noticed it was gone. After looking in the car and my pockets I quickly ran back to the store and with no luck it wasn't there.

I had the security help me look for it but after a long search in the store and outside and in my car again. It was obvious the money was stolen. After reporting it to the Police they suggested that I ask the manager of the store to look at the videotape that showed me in the store and leaving the store. Well, there I was and the tape it showed the envelope on the ground outside the door. It shocked me just to see it lying there, then to know some dishonest person kept it. Instead the dishonest person could have turned it in. Just by chance I came back looking for it or they could have turned it in to the Police it had my income in it. No, the person decided they would rather deprive me of paying my bills and putting me through turmoil. I just don't understand how the person can sleep knowing they did something so dishonest.

I will try my best to put this past me and pray that God knows all and this is one of money trials I will be put through to see if I can and I will keep my trust in knowing that even if I don't know how I will manage to pay my bills I need not worry for there is someone who is working out a way for me to ? and may the person who stole my money know ? you to will be judged for what you have done.

Plain, old bad service

February 26, 2004

Dear Sir,

I would like to share with other people my dissatisfaction with Big Savings Zones' customer service. I have been waiting for my ordered merchandise for three months. This is not the way to operate a business.