What is the Governor's role?

March 4, 2003

Dear Sir,

I thought the Governor ws only supposed to make appointments; not get involved in the running of the country! Why is he initiating a review of the legal system? I thought he was responsible for external affairs. Does he have some special legal experience? Isn't that the job of the Government and people of Bermuda? The Governor wants to advertise the position of Director of Public Prosecutions because he says it keeps people on their toes and allows for the opportunity to recruit the "best" candidates.

(How many times have Bermudians heard that sone throughout this island? I hope that does not mean we are going to have a non-Bermudian when we already have a Bermudian in place.) Is he going to do this for other positions for which he makes appointments, like the Commissioner of Police?

It seems unfair to impose this solely and suddenly on the position of the DPP, if this is going to be done for the position of DPP, then maybe it should be done throughout the civil service, for positions like the Commissioner of Police, Collector of Customs, Prison Commissioner, and Auditor General, etc.? Here's a thought, how about it happening for the position of Governor and Deputy Governor?

And just who do Bermudians want to have in place making these decisions in Bermuda, anyway? Do we always want the Governor (Britain) to be making them? Do we want someone from overseas always telling us what to do? Maybe it's time to have that independence debate again.

JUST WONDERING

Sandys

Help the Lions save vision

March 1, 2003

Dear Sir,

The Lions Clubs International worldwide support and participate in a programme of "Sight Conservation", and over the years millions of dollars have been raised to fund programmes of assisting in the prevention, restitution and improving the sight of persons with limited or restricted sight problems. In Bermuda the four Lions Clubs, three Lioness Clubs and four Leo Clubs (teens) have for many years participated in a "Sight Conservation Programme".

This consists of financial support to persons with sight related problems who are unable to pay for treatment, operations and spectacles. The programme is run with the full cooperation of all the eye care professionals, who refer needy cases to our attention.

In addition a team of dedicated volunteers screen all preschoolers annually for possible sight problems. This programme is supported by our "Annual White Cane Tag Day" which this year takes place in Hamilton and St. George's on Friday March 14 and in the parishes on Saturday, March 15. All funds collected remain in Bermuda. In 2002, a total of $16,400 was collected, which while gratifying and useful has not anywhere near covered the demands made upon the programme for the current year.

The beneficiaries of the programme are kept in strictest confidence to avoid any embarrassment to them, and the eye care professionals frequently give their services on a 'pro bono basis', this also includes several eye hospitals in the New York area for cases necessitating overseas treatment, with which Bermuda Lions are in constant communication through their fellow New York State Lions Clubs.

Persons requiring financial assistance with eye problems are encouraged to contact their eye care professional, who will inform the Lions Sight Conservation Committee, or they may approach any of the many members of our organisation locally, who will put them in touch with the committee. The Lions motto is "We Serve", and we aim to do so to the fullest extent of our financial ability, but without the support of public donations we of the Bermuda Lions cannot perform that act of service to those in need.

DEREK FLETCHER

Co-Chairperson

Bermuda Lions White Cane Tag Day

Kudos to a versatile band

February 23, 2003

Dear Sir,

The popular song, "I Feel Good" will live on and on after hearing a magnificent concert by the Somerset Brigade Band on Saturday night February 8 at St. James Church, Somerset. My cousin Dianne King Steede invited me and my spouse to hear the Somerset Brigade Band in concert. Dianne told me her daughter Pennie will be playing the Timpani drums. We decided to obtain Patron Tickets. We arrived at the church 7.15 p.m. the church was almost full to capacity. The concert began at 7.30 p.m.

The supporters of this Band apparently knew they were in for a Festive Treat. I thought the concert would be good. What a pleasant surprise! Under the Patronage of Mr. & Mrs. Maxwell Maybury the large audience were delighted with a magical performance. From the baton of Major Leslie Lowe, JP, the opening selection "Imperial Echoes" set the tone for the two-hour concert. Pennie Steede playing two Timpani drums was magnificent, supported with the excellent band.

Mr. Glenn Bascome researched each selection including Richard Wagner, A composition from the movie Titanic, and "No Woman No Cry" by Bob Marley. Director Max Maybury was well received for selections of some modern composers. The entire audience gave the performers a prolong standing ovation for the memorable concert. Major Leslie Lowe, Bermudians and particularly the audience - we are proud of your musical gifts while you directed the Somerset Brigade Band.

My reflection of this concert is a classical to remember. Congratulating Major Lowe after the concert, I told him, this was the Best Band I have heard. This band can play throughout the world. Perhaps the Somerset Brigade Band could perform at the Cathedral in Hamilton for the Governor and the American Counsel with many Bermudians of all walks of life to hear. We salute the entire Somerset Brigade Band for excelling with beautiful classical band music.

We look forward to many more memories. To my classmate, Canon Dr. Arnold Hollis, who made this concert possible at his church, you have achieved the blessing of your family, friends and God our Creator.

EDWARD MCDONALD WELCH

Smith's Parish

Ironic anti-Americanism

February 19, 2003

Dear Sir,

This morning I was about to purchase The Bermuda Sun when my eyes were attracted to an article on the front page concerning the Gulf War crisis. It stated that Government was about to make a statement, and listed the Government ministers present at the protest march last weekend, including the Tourism and Transport Ministers. The article went on to describe how Dr. Brown later took the opportunity to insult the intellect of the President of the United States.

I dropped the copy of the Sun (never to pick it up again) and thought to myself here we are, Bermudians represented by incompetent arrogants, who don't even have the common sense to behave themselves in public. The fact that the livelihood of this Island is wholly dependent on the US, escapes these "leaders". The fact that the Congress is Republican controlled and sensitive to name calling - particularly by people who have no personal platform of morality to throw stones from - is also obviously of no consequence.

Anti-American rhetoric won't solve any problems. Not one of those protestors last weekend has a thought for those who have died at the hand of Saddam Hussein - or the survivors who struggle under his yoke today. It is pretty ironic that this anti-Americanism has been struck up by the Germans, who are the natural heirs of Bismarck, the Kaiser and Hitler, under whose boots the French have grovelled. The French would not even be represented in the Security Council if it had not been for the Americans who twice saved their bacon.

TOTALLY DISGUSTED

City of Hamilton

Give the young a break

March 5, 2003

Dear Sir,

We have many groups of young people who do have hobbies/past times - remote control cars; remote control boats; motocross and go-karts. These are the youths that are off the streets, and trying to spend their time doing something constructive, only to be told by the public or police they are making too much noise or destroying property, please give these young people a break and a chance to do something with their spare time.

They are having fun in the day time not later at night. No wonder we have a problem with the youth today, who become agitated because they are told to move away from the area they are having fun. Please where is the logic here? Keep the youth busy or are you telling them to go and sit on the wall and be a nuisance. Please leave those young people alone! They are having fun and staying out of trouble. It makes me feel satisfied that these people are fulfilling their time.

PAYING ATTENTION

Sandys Parish

Taking aim at Dr. Fay

February 19, 2003

Dear Sir,

What kind of dental practice is Dr. James W. Fay running? I received a message on my answering machine this morning reminding me of my appointment tomorrow morning for the beginning of a crown procedure. I panicked because I had thought this appointment was next week, and I had not made arrangements for anyone to watch my seven-month old baby. I called the receptionist in the early afternoon and explained my dilemma. She informed me that there was a cancellation policy in place and that I would be liable for a cancellation fee of $270. Dr. Fay charges $30 per ten minutes of his professional time. (Apparently my appointment was for 90 minutes).

Astounded, I said I would call back. I checked with a few friends who use other dentists here on the island and they said their dentists all kept waiting lists in order to fill cancellations. I also called one of our friends in the USA who is a very respected dentist with a much larger practice than Dr. Fay and he was horrified at the charges. Our USA dentist friend said that they charge $50 for habitual no show patients only. I called Dr. Fay's practice back and spoke with the receptionist and told her of all my information gathering. I asked if there was a waiting list and if she could please try and fill it or I would make arrangements to try to come in.

Dr. Fay then called me himself and told me that if I was unhappy with his policies that I should find another dentist and that there would be a no attempt to fill the appointment I was cancelling. Now let me try to understand - here is a dentist who is frustrated with immigration because he cannot get another assistant dentist here to help. Yet he appears to have no waiting list and time to call me in the middle of his professional day and tell me to find another dentist. Does this sound like this man needs another assistant dentist from off island? Not to this Bermudian.

ELIZABETH OUTERBRIDGE RICHARDSON

Hamilton Parish

Warwick

Marijuana is not harmless

March 7, 2003

Dear Sir,

I am writing in response to the letter of Mr. John Q. Public printed in The Royal Gazette on Friday March 7, 2003. While Mr. Public makes some valid and important points I would like to point out that marijuana is not essentially harmless as he asserts and the statement that "not one recorded death can be attributed to smoking cannabis" is blatantly incorrect. From an individual and a public health perspective, there is no such thing as a harmless drug and the use of marijuana does carry risks.

Currently evidence from the international medical literature indicates that chronic use of marijuana carries a substantially increased risk of mental illness, and the risks of a heavy chronic cannabis smoker developing schizophrenia is elevated roughly three times from that of the background population. Marijuana usage also constitutes an increased risk of an individual developing cancer of the mouth, throat, upper airways and lungs. From a public health perspective, marijuana is significantly associated with accidents including motor vehicle accidents and industrial accidents.

There is also evidence from the literature that usage of marijuana precedes misuse of harder substances such as cocaine and heroin and it is therefore possible that marijuana may indeed be a gateway drug. After an analysis of the evidence detailed above, in my opinion it is therefore erroneous to conclude that marijuana is harmless. However, I do agree with Mr. Public that other drugs including alcohol and tobacco may currently cause the individual and society more problems than cannabis and that prohibition may not be the most effective method of tackling the drugs problem.

DR. GRANT FARQUHAR

Locum Consultant Psychiatrist

St. Brendan's Hospital

Give bus stop a chance

January 31, 2003

Dear Sir,

May I state my total agreement in putting a bus stop at the Ferry Terminal. My hat is off to you Dr. (Ewart) Brown, as I overheard a bus driver saying you put it there. It is an obvious link-up between the bus and the ferry service, and will benefit both the tourists and the locals alike. No longer will the locals have to wait sitting on the bus at the flagpole on Front Street as the bus driver is explaining to each and every tourist how to get to the Ferry Terminal. He can now drop them off at the front-door and I can get to my favourite pub two minutes earlier.

To the bus drivers who think they are in the Indianapolis 500 and can drive from Hamilton to St. George's or Somerset in 25 minutes, why can't you put your indicator on and pull out into the traffic just as fast? I sincerely believe that the bus driver is his own worst enemy, because he is encouraging the traffic behind not to give way. I travel on the bus every day and time after time the bus driver refuses to pull out of a bus stop until he allows the traffic to go by. There is a large sign on the back of the bus that states "GIVE WAY"! What these bus drivers need to do is put the indicator on and pull out of the bus stop.

So your action may cause a few fender benders in the beginning, but guess what, word will get around that you guys are a force to be reckoned with. Only this afternoon I was on a bus trying to pull out of the Hamilton Terminal onto Church Street and the diver patiently waited for the traffic to pass. These are signs on the posts and now a large sign on the road itself that says "GIVE WAY TO BUSES!" The general driving public is paying no mind to any of these signs. The bus drivers need to get more aggressive. I'll bet there has never been anyone prosecuted for failing to give way to a bus!

Nobody likes to change, but if you don't give this new bus stop a chance, you will never know if it is a change for the better or worse. Surely, if it is just a matter of getting the bus back into the flow of traffic then show the traffic behind you that you mean businesses and you will be legally in the right. I find the majority of bus drivers very friendly and courteous and very helpful to the visitors, and hope that the new young drivers being recruited will follow suit.

ETHEL-RIDE-A-LOT

St. George's

P.S. To the lady bus driver who drivers from Dockyard to Hamilton at night with her inside lights on the entire way, please try driving without them.