December 16, 2002

Dear Sir,

At times we are not always aware and grateful for the good work that certain individuals within our community perform. I would like to provide a very large accolade to your reporter Lawrence Trott for the wonderful and very informative articles he has written over the last 11 months. I have especially looked out for his articles after having the pleasure of being interviewed by Mr. Trott in February for an article which he was compiling on the Altrusa International Inc.'s district Governor's visit to Bermuda.'

I am sure that everyone will agree that being a journalist and trying to find topics of interest can be a challenge. Your staff member seems to go over and beyond the norm to give your readers interesting reading. Our hats go off to Mr. Trott and we say, well done and keep up the marvellous job you are doing.

MARY FARIES

City of Hamilton

December 16, 2002

Dear Sir,

While I was reading the article ref. to feral chickens - “epidemic” for a choice of words used, I just had to smile.

Why can't the expense of having someone “shoot” be generated towards having cages, similar to the wire rodent traps. In this case be designed to hold chickens. The principle of the trap entrance will prevent any from escaping, this would be more humane. These cages are also reusable and only cost scratch feed.

Once captured they can be taken to the Prison Farm and serve several purposes. First eggs can be supplied as well as manure for gardens and lastly meals. “Know how we lot like chicken”.

If the cages were built several feet off the ground this will make gathering manure easy and maintain odour from becoming unbearable.

Aside from the above purposes I've mentioned, the fellows that are serving numerous years sentences can be occupied by caring for the chickens. This is a constructive project to entertain, providing a semblance of responsibility to the inmates too.

FOOD 4 THOUGHT

St. George's

December 16, 2002

Dear Sir,

A few observations about this beautiful island of ours - or is it so beautiful? For the past few weeks we have had various events in town - however, the mess that has been left is disgraceful. Walking along Front Street for the last three Monday mornings has been horrific. Perhaps we should stop these events until the spectators learn not to litter.

Still on the subject of litter. Has anyone seen the disgusting mess opposite Haywards Supermarket on Middle Road and opposite Raynor's Service Station on Middle Road, Southampton? This would be a nice clean up job for the inmates of the Westgate Hotel.

And for my final observation. Last week I purchased a copy of “Islands”, a very nice glossy monthly magazine, which deals solely with island holidays. I don't buy this regularly but I did last week as on the cover it was featuring “Bermuda for Sophisticates” and I was curious to see what they had to say. I and a friend have scrutinised this magazine several times, but neither of us can see any advertisements in there either from the Department of Tourism, or from any of our hotels. With everyone trying to raise our visitor figures wouldn't this have been the ideal publication to advertise in?

AN OBSERVER

Southampton

Dear Sir,

Next month will mark the first day in Bermuda's history that it will be the law to wear seatbelts and constrain children in car seats.

This is a law that reflects the fact that some Members of Parliament are so insecure about their status that they pass nonsensical laws like this just so they can say they have accomplished something while in power.

The Minister of Transport has no statistical data to support such a move in Bermuda.

I don't know about you Mr. Editor, but you mean to tell me that if I see my family member on the street, who has a little child, that I cannot pick them up and give them a ride? How pettifogging can Dr. Brown get? I mean, let's think about it, how many adults or children have been killed in a car accident in the last 20 years? If anything we need seatbelts on bikes not cars. I cannot remember one incident, even though I am sure there is one out there(somewhere) were a person has died in a car accident. The majority of accidents have happened on bikes and boats, not cars.

Dr. Brown needs to realise that he is there to prevent problems and deal with problems, not create problems. What is he thinking about? He is tempering with our culture for no apparent reason. Can you imagine getting a ticket in Bermuda for not wearing a seatbelt? There ought to be a outcry among the natives. Bermudians enjoy the fact that they do not have to be restrained in seat belts, nor do they have to restrain their kids. They can hold a crying baby in their laps on the front seat. No babies are dead yet, and Bermuda has no intention of ever raising the speed limit.

So where did Dr. Brown get the idea that he needed to inflict this American ideology on Bermuda when it is quite evident that it is not necessary? This law needs to be revoked. I understand that the PLP will never revoke this law, because they would have to admit that they made a mistake, so maybe when the UBP gets in next November they can change it.

Is that even possible Mr. Editor, or is their a statute of limitations on laws before they can be changed. In any case Dr. Brown has shown that he is not fit for office. He showed this again with the taxi drivers and it is high time that Bermudians begin to stand up for what they believe to be right and stop being so passive. 

We don't need no seat belts, and we sure don't need Dr. Ewart Brown telling us we need them.

BORN AND RAISED BLACK BERMUDIAN

Michigan