January 9, 2003

Dear Sir,

Until Monday, the dispute over the Berkeley construction project was a wonderful spectator sport. Erwin Adderley and the UBP argued that any idiot could see it was way behind schedule, while Works Minister Alex Scott and the PLP argued that only any idiot would make such claims. All we spectators had to do was sit back and wait, because someone would be proved right, and someone would be proved wrong.

So imagine my dismay to see Mr. Scott throwing the whole competition into disarray with this stunning capitulation in Monday's Royal Gazette: “No one knows when this job will be completed. No one can say one year behind or two. None of those predictions have come even close to where we will end up.”

In the same interview, Mr. Scott said he had not ruled out the possibility of bringing in a new project manager. He added: “I'm not ruling out falling on my knees and praying to the heavens. I might need to do that again. I did that in July, 2001 (when the project started).”

If this is how public building projects are managed and controlled these days, the whole lot of us should be down on our knees praying to the heavens. Perhaps Premier Jennifer Smith should transfer Mr. Scott to the Ministry of Tourism, where “falling on my knees and praying to the heavens” could be used to reduce the inflated price of air fares and eliminate excessive rain during the ‘shoulder' and winter seasons.

TOM VESEY

Paget

This was sent to the Chief of Staff of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and copied to The Royal Gazette.

January 7, 2003

Dear Sir,

We would like to express our grateful thanks for the excellent and sensitive care given to my wife at KEMH . This from the emergency room staff, the ICU personnel and finally the Curtis Ward personnel.

From the moment that she was picked up by the ambulance, taken in to the emergency department and thence to ICU she could not have been better treated, from both a professional and personal point of view.

We often hear complaints about our hospital and some may be justified. However our experience, not just confined to this latest episode, but over a number of incidents occurring over the years, make us realise what a wonderful and capable hospital we are blessed with. It is due to their excellent care that my wife is still with me and was able to return home in time for Christmas.

COLIN WILLIAMS AND

ANN ZUILL WILLIAMS

Devonshire

January 14, 2003

Dear Sir,

In approximately one year (give or take a few months) the people of Bermuda will be going to the polls to vote in a General Election. Keeping in mind that the incumbent Government promised in 1998 to bring about a “New Bermuda” which included an open and accountable government that was in touch with the electorate, please allow me this space to relay to your readers a short “anecdote” on the behaviour of the Progressive Labour Party hierarchy when abroad (and away from the less than prying eyes of local news reporters). On September 26, 2002 I was in London and attended the Bermuda Society and Secretariat's Annual Dinner.

The Bermuda Society is an organisation based in England, which, among other functions, organises various luncheons in and around the City of London. The Minister for Telecommunications (as she was then), Renee Webb had spoken eloquently and forcefully at one of the lunches, as had ex-governor, Thorold Masefield.

In any event, the 2002 Dinner of the Society was held at the Merchant Taylor's Hall, London, and was actually held earlier in the year than usual so that the guests would be given a chance to hear Premier Jennifer Smith speak, who happened to be in London for the Overseas Territories Conference. If I recall correctly the festivities began at 7.30 p.m. with the black-tie dinner to commence at 8.15 p.m.

Several high profile businessmen were in attendance as were representatives of various insurance companies. However this did not stop the Smith Government representatives from arriving exceptionally late. The Smith entourage consisted of the Premier, the Finance Minister, the Attorney General and the Premier's personal consort, Chief of Staff, Senator Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch (who incidentally felt that he was the only one who did not need a tuxedo) as well as other hangers on, presumably civil servants.

It was also noted that our all-powerful Colonel (and now Minister for Housing) felt it necessary to adorn his blazer with a PLP badge rather than a Bermuda pin.

After dinner the speeches began, starting with toasts to our then Tourism Minister, David Allen and a toast to the Queen. It was noted that Dame Lois Browne-Evans decided that she was the only person who should not stand up for this latter toast. Premier Smith began her speech at approximately 10 p.m. London time. This speech also commenced with a long “toast” to David Allen's health.

During Premier Smith's excruciatingly lengthy speech, Minister Cox appeared to fall asleep, much to the amazement of many guests. I can sympathise with Mr. Cox however as the speech was actually mere propaganda, rather than a speech to business persons (I invite you Mr. Editor, to contact Government Information Services for a copy of the speech).

A BERMUDIAN OVERSEAS

London, UK

January 10, 2003

Dear Sir,

The Immigration Department has slipped its moorings! Dr. Jonathan Murray is very much needed in Bermuda. Sitting in his waiting room for a long time is bad enough but now the insurance companies will have to pay for his patients to go overseas to get his specialised treatments. Dr. Murray has been “pushed out” despite his good works for his patients and for his profession.

Maybe Immigration want to protect professional Bermudians, so that when they return they will have a job, but the majority are remaining overseas to work. What happens now? Supply and Demand: prices go up and service goes down. The same applies to dentists.

Immigration gave me Permission in Principle to hire another dentist within a six-month period. I found a suitable overseas candidate four months later and applied to Immigration for his work permit. The dentist was single and a professor at Toronto University Dental School.

Two months later his work permit was turned down. At least they gave me an explanation: “The Dental Board said that we did not need more dentists on the island”! Is Minister Bascome related to the Dental Board Chairman, Dr. Richard Cann? The Dental Board needs to be changed. It should have been changed when the Court ruled against it in the Dr. Dyer affair.

Its responsibility is to the Bermuda public, ensuring adequate dental care: not making Immigration policy. The more good dentists Bermuda has, the more for the public to choose from.

ROBERT E. GIBBONS, B.S., D.D.S.

Paget

January 14, 2003

Dear Sir,

I feel a responsibility to refute the misinformation given to the listening public recently on Shirley Dill's Sunday talk show by Mr. Michael Dunkley re: the Dr. Jonathan Murray work permit debacle. Mr. Dunkley said that Dr. Murray “took over” the ENT practice of Dr. Robert Vallis when he went away for further study. Wrong!

Let me refresh everyone's memory. In 1994 Dr. Vallis decided he no longer wished to practice medicine. He was the only ENT specialist on the Island at that time and it was usually a couple of weeks or more before a patient could see him. Dr. Vallis “retired” to pursue his involvement with BEAM who was proposing to build a world class golf course at the deserted base in Southampton.

When that fell through he had already sold his practice to Dr. Murray (for a sizeable sum) and relinquished his right to practice ENT for the five years of Dr. Murray's work permit. So now what could he do? Answer - Go away to train to become a GP and that is why and when Dr. Vallis sought further training!

At any rate, we now have four qualified ENT specialists on the island which, on the surface, I would agree is more than necessary. We have: 1) Dr. Wesley Miller who married a Bermudian. 2) Dr. Robert Vallis who still splits his time between medicine and golf. 3) Dr. Bruce Lattyak who, although qualified, devotes his practice to Facial Plastic Surgery. 4) Dr. Jonathan Murray who has worked hard to build a successful practice and has world-class qualifications and expertise.

So the way I see it we will have one and a half ENT specialists in the end - Dr. Miller being one, Dr. Vallis being a half. But most importantly on this mouldy island of ours, no qualified Allergist other than Dr. Murray who saw a need and specifically trained and qualified to be able to treat Bermudians. And many Bermudians will suffer the loss as much as the six, now unemployed, Bermudians (four black, I hope you're taking note, Minister “CURE” Lister).

I know nothing is going to change Minister Lister's mind but mark my words, I will not be surprised when the day comes, probably sooner than later, that Drs. Vallis and/or Miller will be looking for another ENT specialist to help them because they can't cope. I would venture to say that Bermudians who don't want to wait weeks for an appointment will be going overseas for treatment and up go our insurance premiums.

And Dr. Vallis, as a “son of the soil” may very well sell his “birthright” once again. I agree with you, Mr. Editor that when Dr. Murray leaves it will be Bermuda's loss.

IN AGREEMENT

Warwick

January 2, 2003

Dear Sir,

I wonder if I may be allowed to comment on an article which appeared in a recent edition of The Royal Gazette concerning Muslims in the UK. I have written historical articles in the past and do take a keen interest in current affairs. Not only that, but I have lived in predominantly Muslim countries and at present live in an area of the UK which has a very high density of Muslim immigrants.

The influx of these people to the UK began at the beginning of the 1970's when Idi Amin began to expel them from his country. When the advantages to be gained in the UK became known to their fellow countrymen on the Indian subcontinent - mainly in Pakistan and Bangladesh - the trickle became a flood. Due to continuing immigration and a high birth rate there are now over 3 million Asian muslims in the UK. Contrary to claims, the vast majority had no specific skills to contribute and flocked to areas which did have a history of concentrated manufacturing.

So ghettos were formed, mainly in the Midlands and Northern England. To this day the immigrants exhibit little intention of even trying to integrate with or into the indigenous population and communities; in which the situation is further exacerbated by the difference in religion which amongst other things rules out intermarriage.

At the same time, for mis-guided political reasons, local councils have been seen to favour immigrants in many ways, to the disadvantage of other sections of the community. Matters are not helped by the activities of the Council for Racial Equality which has not only introduced Affirmative Action, but threatens the freedom of speech and expression and is almost completely biased.

Last year's riots in the UK were basically between members of the indigenous population and Asians and were caused because of the resentment felt by local people towards the government's immigration policies and the apparent preferential treatment of immigrants. Most of those retain dual nationality and it is a very moot point where their loyalties lie. (Certainly some of them went to join the Taliban in Afghanistan.)

On a wider spectrum, in informed circles the opinion is that there is a deliberate, subsidised spreading of Muslims world-wide. Otherwise, for example, how do boat loads of so-called refugees from Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan arrive in the Antipodes? At the same time there are Islamic problems in what was Russia and in the Philippines, and the vast majority of “asylum seekers” in Western Europe are Muslims. In France alone there are now over 6 million.

Further to your article, Muslims in the West are criticising westerners in general for putting the blame for terrorist attacks on Islamic fundamentalists! As for Shahid Malik, to whom the article referred: he is a virtual nonentity; young, inexperienced, without qualifications and a self-appointed spokesman for the local Asian community, who has entered the political arena on his father's coattails. He was personally involved in last year's riot and despite his protestations to the contrary is quite biased. There can be little doubt that there will be more disturbances in the years ahead.

M.A.