September 11, 2003

Dear Sir,

My thoughts and prayers were for the people of Bermuda and Bermuda during Mother Nature's visit in the form of Fabian. I would tell the writer from Ohio, September 7th, that Mother Nature does not insult. Man insults and assaults Mother Nature. That said, I must admit I was not too worried about the reaction of Bermudians prior to and after the visit of Fabian. Bermudians responded as they have always done in times of tribulation. They responded with unity, courage, compassion and a sense of independence of "We can handle it".

The government and the Departments of Government appeared to respond in a positive and professional manner. I remember as a six-year-old in 1948, two hurricanes in September days apart. Bermuda did not have the infrastructure it does now. The common thread of then and now was the Bermuda people, their strengths, their tenacity, their willingness to come together in times of need. My prayers and thoughts are for those lost during the hurricane and for their families. God bless Bermuda, God Bless the Bermuda people.

THE BERMUDA ONION

Inverness, Florida

September 13, 2003

Dear Sir,

I agree with the letter that says that Belco should put the lines underground. I mean it's bad enough that they're taking forever to supply power to all of North Shore and yet, their trucks have to use that road, Palmetto Road, Middle Road or South Shore Road just to reach another destination at the East End. When are we going to stop living in the Stone Age when it comes to how Bermuda is? Other countries have a sports station, where's ours?! Many other countries have malls that close late, ours closes 5 p.m. in the afternoon. Heck, we no longer have an arcade for young children to go to. No more interschool sports since the introduction of all these middle schools and two senior secondary schools and all this just because, it's like that in the U.S. of A. (Oh, we changed alright, can you say it's not better?)

BERMUDA IS FLAVORLESS

September 7, 2003

Dear Sir,

Some heartfelt thanks: to the owners of our house who sent Crown Landscaping to chainsaw the trees blocking our driveway late Saturday afternoon; to BTC who kept our telephone in operation throughout Fabian, so our family in Australia was able to give us information from the Internet after the emergency radio station failed; to Belco, whose crews working through the night restored power to our home late Monday evening. A big thank you to the Bermuda Regiment who have been very much in evidence clearing roads, cutting trees, directing traffic diversions etc. A particular thanks to the dozen or so men who on Thursday cleared a fallen tree which had blocked half our driveway access to Middle Road, Warwick.

They ate their lunch in our front yard while sheltering from the blistering sun under the few remaining shrubs & trees, cheerfully devoured the sandwiches & water provided by the Regiment and politely refused offers of iced water or a short respite in the air conditioning in the house, although I was pleased to have four of them take advantage of this offer. These young men were clearly exhausted and while I did not ask for any of their names, their families and all Bermudians should be truly proud of those who answered the embodiment call and have worked so diligently for the past week and will continue to do so.

Meals On Wheels in Paget resumed preparing meals on Monday, September 8th for distribution throughout Bermuda, including St. Georges and St. Davids. Electricity was restored to the facility in time for Friday's preparations but throughout the week the administrators and volunteers rose to the challenge of ensuring that good quality meals were delivered to all who were anticipating them. There is a wonderful camaraderie among MoW volunteers, which is its reward, and I urge newcomers to the island or anyone with a spare two hours per week to contact Gladys Madeiros on 236-1815 to volunteer.

TRISH WAN

Warwick

September 11, 2003

Dear Sir,

After spending two stressful days (21 hours out of 48) working at The Emergency Broadcast Radio Station (100.1FM), in cramped, very hot conditions, I would like to take this opportunity to thank and commend the EMO Radio team for a job well done. Mr. Dwayne Caines and Lt. Wayne Caines, Pvt. Robin Simmons, Mr. John Burchall, Pvt. Thaoo Dill, Ms Nea Talbot all carried out their duties with the utmost professionalism and dedication to their tasks.

Being a civilian, I had to quickly adjust to the "military, government, and police method" of radio operations. With the stress of their jobs, and the urgency in which tasks were to be performed, this team of dedicated workers came together and worked as if they did this everyday of their lives. I have never heard phones ring so many times in my life, with thousands of callers with important questions, answers, and messages for the community.

Bermuda should be proud of these individuals; they are examples of young Bermudians who with a moments notice, left homes, wives, and families to serve their country, and serve their country well. Especial debt of gratitude from the island should be extended to Dwayne and Wayne Caines who probably had less than eight hours sleep between them over the 48 hours that I worked with them. The Caines brothers ensured that everyone remained motivated and informed and their invaluable contribution to the EMO Radio station should be highlighted.

There were other people working at the EMO Radio station over this period, but please forgive me ladies your names escape me as I write this. You made Bermuda proud, and I felt this letter was necessary to express the island gratitude for a job well done, making the island feel safer, information, updates, and music.

PAUL SOFIANOS

City of Hamilton

P.s Wayne.. I would recommend you for a DJ position anywhere, for someone who'd never done it before you did a first class job.

September 12, 2003

Dear Sir

I read with disbelief of the new Premier's rejection of British help with the post-hurricane crisis here in Bermuda. Surely the supplies aboard these Royal Navy ships may be of use to someone on these islands certainly, the sheer manpower could be handy. I sincerely hope that declining the assistance of the Royal Navy is not symptomatic of a broader determination to `go it alone.' I can only hope that this colony is not so `proud' that it refuses proffered help when that help extends beyond blankets, tents, and food.

When I first heard of the destruction of the Castle Harbour Causeway I thought that the immediate solution was obvious: request that a unit of American or British (or Swiss, or whoever) military engineers fly in with components for rapid construction of a sturdy Bailey bridge. Had this course of action been followed, we would not be looking at the sad state of affairs that is now the reality for traffic between these two portions of Bermuda. Works and Engineering personnel may be doing all that they can possibly do, but patching the devastated structure for limited access is a losing compromise in comparison with the Bailey bridge option, whether the causeway is ultimately repaired or abandoned in favour of a new route.

As one who is basically trapped on the east side of the causeway activities that I participate in on the other side would have me over there well past the current causeway closure times I have a particular interest in seeing these islands once again physically united on a 24-hour basis. I am certain that I am not alone in that desire and I count myself fortunate that my livelihood is not particularly affected by such transport woes.

TRAPPED AND ASTOUNDED

St. George

September 12, 2003

Dear Sir,

I have to write some one to express my frustration with the hotels and businesses on the island that are gouging the people's pockets in a time of frustration and need! It's amazing that when an island has gone through what we have, there are those people who are willing to lend a helping hand and help those around them out. Then there are those who wish to make money on other people's misfortune.

When you call a hotel and they want to charge you $200 dollars and more for a room just to have power and some sanity. There are companies that are charging outrageous amounts for renting a generator for an hour or two. Then there are the others that charge twice the price to purchase a generator. The construction companies that are charging outrageous prices for slate and supplies to help build back some one's house.

And the government can't even make a slight adjustment in duty rates. Are they not the ones to make the "rules" of the island? And I do have to say, these companies do know who they are! It just makes me sick that those who are lining their own pockets because the devastation that has hits us and they sleep in their houses that have electricity and running water and don't care about the public or those who really need a little help!

DISGUSTED

Sandys Parish