September 20, 2003

Dear Sir,

After reading today's article on the front page regarding the "Dockworkers 'running as fast as we can' to clear ports backlog", I thought about some of the observations people have made recently as I drive about and talk. And I now wonder.

Just before Labour Day, some of the Island-wide union workers' feelings were, 'it's holiday time, what don't get done will get done later'. Some brought new clothes to wear, food and the like for the holiday in their work time (extended lunch and coffee breaks) and got paid for it without the permission to do so. Some were broke by Monday and could not wait to the next pay day. Then we were thrust into preparation for Fabian after the holiday. With no emergency monies, some looked to those who had what they needed to help them get ready but they found ways to purchase the things that would make them ease their fears of the storm. More than some were flat broke for essentials and did their union help them? But, then there were those who worked overtime!

Then came the week after the storm. Some stayed home to deal with the after effects - house or other damage, too tired from the hard work of dealing with Fabian's wrath, being in the presence of family too long, hangovers, etc. Even some took advantage (exaggerated their situation and got paid for 'being sick' or having a compassionate boss). Some of the same unionists, still got paid and even more overtime.

The next week, they strike proudly. The Island was left operating in a limb, trashing stinking and piling up. Very little could be done. The strike ends on a Thursday and guess who will get paid to work overtime for clearing the backlog of work? At the average salary of $700 per week upwards for many, who really has benefited here?

I wonder, will they go slow again or call in sick when the work load resumes to the regular routine? I wonder, too, if it is time to introduce mandatory action for any union president who desired to run for a political position and is successful, that he or she resigns as president while they serve as an elected parliamentary official.

L. TROTT

Hamilton Parish

A post-Fabian thank you

September 18, 2003

Dear Sir,

I would like to thank all those who put in long hours to help Bermuda try to get back to normal after Fabian ravaged our lovely Island.

I would like to thank the police, the firemen, the nurses who put in extra hours at the hospital. I would also like to thank the young soldiers who helped clear up all the debris left by the hurricane.

And finally but far from least the men and women of Belco and Telco who have worked diligently to restore our electricity and telephone.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families that lost their loved ones.

May our Lord bless them all.

Would it not be fitting to have a parade after this is all over to honour these brave and hard-working men and women, each department could send a representative and all of Bermuda could come out to thank them?

HERBIE KNIGHT

Somerset

P.s. Thanks to all staff at the Bermuda Press.

'A disgrace to Bermuda'

September 17, 2003

Dear Sir,

The BIU is a disgrace to Bermuda and anyone who should go is Mr. Burgess. He certainly let Bermuda down and Bermudians who have all come together and helped each other through Fabian. Electric light, Army, etc. all showed their courage and hard work, and we have it all destroyed by one man.

And their members expect to get help from this Union! What a laugh and they know it, and will still give them part of their pay every week and what does the Union say. The Government should pay. Give us an intelligent man to run the BIU. Burgess should go!

DEVONSHIRE

P.s. Government step in and show you care.

Where is my cable?

September 17, 2003

Dear Sir,

May I air my grievances about CableVision. Before "Fabian" Cablevision stated that they were protecting some antennas (they took them down) so we'd be able to turn our sets on and have cable provided we had electricity. Well, my electricity has been on since the day after Fabian (I know... lucky me) but I turned on my cable box and "nothing". I got to give it to Belco - they've let us know where they are working, who has been restored, how many, everything in detail, every other day in the paper. Their public relations is wonderful. Thank you, Belco, for caring.

CableVision has had the same recording on for almost two weeks. We have no idea where they are working or if we'll ever have cable again. Nothing in the paper since before Fabian. No public relations. But they feel no way about sending out bills. I pay two months at a time. I owe for August and they had the nerve to include September on my bill. What I need to know is "Where is my cable? When is it coming back on? And, do I get refunded for September when I pay it? Just for the record I've never been disconnected for not paying. But am thinking of getting a satellite. What do you all think?

QUESTIONS ON LOOKOUT LANE

Devonshire

P.s. A friend in Paget has no electricity but she has cable. Unbelievable!!!

Thoughts are with you

September 9, 2003

Dear Sir,

To the townspeople of St. George's, Bermuda.

Here in Lyme Regis we were all very concerned to learn of the news of the hurricane which hit the Island last week.

We were very sad to hear that four people are missing and you must all be devastated at such bad news.

Our thoughts are with you and our very best wishes go to everyone at this time and we hope the damage that's been caused can soon be put right.

Thinking of you,

With very best wishes from the townspeople of your twin town.

LYME REGIS,

Dorset, England

We deserve an apology

September 21, 2003

Dear Sir,

The latest fiasco involving the BIU has prompted me to put pen to paper. During the unrest I heard one of their members say that they DEMANDED respect. I've got news for him. You cannot DEMAND respect - you must EARN respect. If the members of the BIU think they have gained respect by their recent 'below the belt' actions then there must be something far wrong with their thinking. Do they ever stop for a moment to think about the repercussions of their actions? Their own wives and children are probably the first victims with children being unable to attend school. Most of the people who travel by bus and ferry are their own kind and are immediately inconvenienced considerably. Then there's the irreparable damage to the tourist industry which employs many of their members. The BIU play a vital role on this Island keeping buses and ferries running on schedule, guiding ships and aircraft in and out of our ports and a myriad of other services they perform to keep the Island running smoothly. We certainly respect and admire them for that but to do what they did after Fabian was - well just unconscionable. They should really do the honourable thing and apologise to the people of Bermuda!

AMJANO

Pembroke

It could have been worse

Dear Sir,

I was very concerned with the hurricane, but more so about not receiving electricity until Thursday at 6.45 p.m. I require oxygen and air and I must add that I did have help with portable oxygen and on the fourth day we managed to get a generator. I must say the owners did their best and worried their share and more. I prayed much about us all, and I'm sure God was wonderful since it could have been a lot worse. The real reason for this letter is to let all the public know that families around us had lights on Sunday at 9 a.m. at the home here we have eight residents. I really think the rest homes here in Bermuda should have been some of the first. Thanking you again for the space.

ROBERT FARIES

Paget

A fitting punishment

Dear Sir,

If it should become necessary for the courts to impose penalties on the leadership and members of the BIU in connection with the recent illegal work stoppage, I hope they will include that most appropriate traditional punishment - a spell in the stocks in King's Square. I am sure that long-suffering East End residents would be only too happy to supply garbage for throwing!

WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?

Smith's Parish

Profitability vs. safety

September 15, 2003

Dear Sir,

I have just witnessed yet ANOTHER road accident that could have been prevented. This time, a well-known bike rental company should be partially to blame. A female visitor was riding her rented moped, swerving uncontrollably down Front Street. Obviously scared to death amid the lunch hour traffic, she was stopping in the middle of the road every 20 feet to regain her balance. Her driving was so bad that I was seriously considering pulling up next to her and telling her to get off the bike so that I could give her a ride instead. However, within seconds, she proceeded to accelerate wildly into a taxi and was thrown from the bike. Although her injuries were not serious, she was taken to the hospital for examination. It could have been much worse.

As I later told the rental company, that woman should NOT have been allowed to rent a bike. Although they explained that she must have panicked because had driven 'just fine' during her road test up and down a short road (with hardly any traffic, I might add), I feel that the requirements for renting a moped should be more regulated and less subjective. While it was her decision to go out onto the roads at her own risk, the rental company should be required to issue a more stringent test of her ability to operate the cycle. We see these accidents time and time again. And we readily admit that Bermuda's roads can be dangerous to both locals and visitors alike. Therefore, shouldn't we do as much as we possibly can to prevent people from getting hurt? Moped rental companies should learn to strike a balance between profitability and public safety.

MELISSA HENRY

Paget