September 25, 2003

Dear Sir,

Thank God for democracy! We have all heard the uninformed and shallow views of the people who have voiced their opinions with regard to the recent work stoppage by sectors of the BIU.

The loose canons fail to realise that they are, have been and will continue to be direct beneficiaries of the union's actions. Unions have fought for and secured many of the benefits that employees receive today - equal employment rights, maternity leave, paid holidays and vacations, overtime pay, medical coverage, safe and secure work environments and the right to withdraw their labour without retribution.

Because of the unions we have kinder, gentler capitalist employers. Has anyone given any thought to the timing of CableVision's dismissal of its employees?

Just when everyone was pulling together to help the Island their management thought it a good time to dismiss employees and rock the boat. If employers felt that they could continue to violate employees, ultimately bad things could happen to them, as they have and do in other places.

Capitalism combined with democracy is an awesome counterbalancing system that should not be scoffed at. The Chinese businessmen are enjoying the best kind of phantom-capitalism combined with a totalitarian government - a true capitalist dream. CableVision needs a good dose of competition and more government rate control in order to focus their management - they just don't have enough to do. I suggest that the loose cannons pick up a few books and do some reading before they start sounding off again.

CRAIG WALLS

St. David's

September 24, 2003

Dear Sir,

After what Fabian has done, many people are still without electricity and others without cable (like myself) and it stresses people to the point where things get written and it turns out that that information wasn't correct. Stress does that where I thought that I was getting charged by CableVision this month and it turns out that I'm credited (it would've been nice if they had mentioned that as well as when it would be likely when people will have cable).

Personally, right now I'm not missing much except next month, it would be nice to at least be able to see at least one basketball game (that's the irritating part if you're into the NBA, NFL or any other type of sport or you just want to chill and watch something else).

I was wrong to think CableVision charged me when they shouldn't be doing such a thing. But then again something is definitely wrong with that 292-5544 number busy signal. That stupid number is supposed to ring and what's up with their service repair number? I got a message saying it's not listed.

STRESSED OUT

Pembroke

September 2, 2003

Dear Sir,

I'm concerned as a taxpayer of the increased traffic on our roads. We must start at the top to take unnecessary traffic off starting with our government MPs driving taxpayers' cars in Bermuda for their personal use and I see it all the time - Dale Butler MP, Ewart Brown MP, Neletha Butterfield MP etc. They are using these GP cars to go shopping, parties, beach etc. I want to make Mr. or Mrs. Public aware that these cars are supposed to be licensed and are supposed to be for Government business only if any GP car has an accident and hit us? The insurance company can legally refuse to pay for the damages even if it's not the MPs fault. So Premier, let's start to ease the traffic problem and keep your Cabinet Ministers off the road unless on official business.

TAXPAYER

August 11, 2003

Dear Sir,

When it come to dirty politics, the PLP's "rebel" 11 played the dirtiest politics in the way they ousted Jennifer Smith and no matter how they try to dress their way of kicking her out, it was still dirty.

At first Dr. Brown said, "Yes, we deceived you, we had to deceive you in order to win the election!" Then, in the next breath, he said, "No, we did no deceive you!" Why can't people be truthful? I guess some PLP voters believed him because they did not want to believe that they had been used to win the election for the 11's self-serving objectives.

One must remember that there are quite a few in the group who are dying to be "Top Gun", and will stop at nothing to further their own agenda. The dust hasn't settled yet, and it won't for a while. There's more fun and games in store for us down the road. You know, if I had been a PLP voter (and I freely admit, like many others, I voted for the PLP in the last election), I would be extremely upset as there is nothing more degrading than the feeling of being used.

Deceit is deceit no matter how you look at it. How can you trust a group of men who used the voting public to serve themselves? If they were so honourable, why did they wait until the election to pull off their deceitful act? If they were so against the leadership, why did they not as a group, take action before the election (I know for a fact that this had to be planned way ahead of time, even months before the election, and Dr. Brown had the nerve to state, "We did not meet until the night of the election!" I say, "Liar, liar, pants on fire!")

I am sure that if the PLP "rebel" 11 sitting members of the House walked out in protest over the leadership, they could have accomplished the dethroning of Jennifer Smith. This could have been done with integrity, and with honour, and not in the cowardly way in which it was perpetrated.

The PLP "rebel" 11 group lied to the voting public. They used the voting public, and again I want to know is how can you trust these people? When will you know if they are telling the truth or not? A liar is nothing but a liar, and believe me, a liar is a very dangerous person. My grandmother used to tell me, "You can lock up from a thief, but you can't lock up from a liar!" I personally have no time for liars. They frighten me!

In closing, there is no doubt in my mind that for the good of the country, Jennifer Smith had to go (so does Cuba and Caricom)! She was her own worst enemy and her leadership was pathetic! When she was first elected I was quite happy for her, but unfortunately, the "political hat" she was wearing was too small for her head! But, to be stabbed in the back the way the 11 did it, was a cowardly and dishonourable act. It was obvious they had no respect for the person who held the title of Premier, but it showed also that they had no respect for the title of Premier.

If only these men had the guts to have stood up face to face with Ms Smith, it would have shown that they were men of integrity and honour. We must remember that every cabinet minister carries the word 'Honourable' in from of his or her name, but honour is sorely lacking here.

I recently spoke with one of the 11 "rebels" and he told me that they only gave her what she practised... Deceitfulness and secrecy! When did two wrongs ever make a right?

PAT FERGUSON

Warwick

September 17, 2003

Dear Sir,

I have to ask this question, "Bermuda, what are we doing?" Why is the Island even entertaining this illegal strike during a time when we are all trying to restore some level of normalcy to our lives. We have just endured a category three hurricane which brought an insane amount of damage to our homes, schools and even loss of loved ones for some families and a week and a half later all Derrick Burgess can focus on is getting Jeremy Elmas out of the Island. BIU, what ever happened to the "grievance process"? If you felt this gentleman was unjustly fired why not follow the procedures set out in the collective bargaining agreement. Oh, wait a minute, you're the union with 4,000 members, you can do whatever you want, right. Why not lead by example? If you want the unionised companies to negotiate with you in good faith and abide by the collective bargaining agreement then, you do the same. Derrick Burgess is right when he said, "the public have a right to be incensed about what's going on."

Yes, the public has a right to be incensed, but against the BIU for their totally irresponsible behaviour. It is hoped the Minister Horton will not hesitate to use the laws of this land to the fullest extent against the illegal action taken by the BIU.

People of Bermuda, this is the time that we need to stand up and ask our Government to get on with the business of the Island, Derrick Burgess included. I am not trying to trivialise the issues at CableVision, but only trying to prioritise the needs of our people. Our children need buses, our east-enders need ferry service and the Causeway repaired, a whole lot of people would like their electricity, telephone service, supplies to fix their houses and believe it or not, their cable. We do not need a strike! We need assistance, unity and strong leadership.

Minister Horton and Premier Scott, please put an end to this and let's get back to the business at hand - restoring our Island and uplifting the morale of the country.

LOOKING FOR NORMALCY

Southampton

September 18, 2003

Dear Sir,

Thank you for allowing me the space to express my opinion over the present labour dispute. I happen to work in tourism and the company I lead has nine full-time employees and another dozen part-time. With the closing of the Island's two largest hotels until next spring this now means that we are faced with possible layoffs. At this point we are working to try and survive the impact of the storm and keep ourselves employed. Our tourism product has been hit hard. Bermuda has been affected physically, emotionally and economically. There are still people without power, still dipping water from their tanks and bathing in buckets. Belco and Telco have been working around the clock to get homes and business back on line.

The Island looks battered, trash on our main highways, whose smell now replaces the fragrance of Oleander and Hibiscus. The Premier said he wants to get the Island back to some sense of normalcy and has been working with his Ministers to do so. Tourism wanted the ships back as quickly as possible so that we could save what is left of a tourist season. I am sure management of the cruise ship lines were reluctant to resume service in such a short time because of fears the infrastructure would not be to a standard that they are accustomed and to a standard their passengers expect. Our tourism officials did assure them that we are ready, after all, our buses would be running and so will the ferries, therefore our visitors can get around, 'you have nothing to worry about' they were told, 'as a matter of fact, unlike other countries, they will be astounded at how quickly we have recovered'.

So Monday the ships are back and our taxi drivers are down on Front Street greeting the anxious visitor as he walks down the gangway. The shops are ready to welcome them in - it appears to be business as usual. What a grand effort the Premier must have thought, the country was uniting to welcome back our tourists. However, all is not quite right? There appears to be trouble in paradise! Bermuda CableVision has fired someone who made the statement 'Slow down so that we can get more overtime' and the courageous BIU comes to his rescue. Derrick Burgess, our knight in shining armour, is waving the dignity flag. Before you know it we don't have trash collected and our buses and ferries are not running. Instead we have a parade that runs right down Front Street with banners asking for the resignation of Jeremy Elmas. "Who is Jeremy Elmas," the visitor asks?" "Did he cause the hurricane?" "No," the taxi driver says. "He runs CableVision and they don't like him so they are on strike." Are they all going to cancel their cable subscriptions?" the inquisitive visitor queries. "I don't think so", the humble driver replies. "Bermudians can't live without their cable." "So why are they on strike then?" the confused visitor questions. "They are striking for dignity" the driver replies. "Oh," groans the tourist. "I see".

The picture now gets better. The CEOs of the cruise lines are now asking the question, "we thought they were ready and that everything was up and running. Why are we sending our customers there when the country looks awful, it's smells of garbage and there are no buses and ferries working?"

"A parade for dignity on Front Street," the Minister of Tourism will tell them. "Where else can you see that after a disaster? After all my good sirs, you are in paradise." Freedom of speech and expression is a wonderful thing, but are we ready to live with the consequences if done irresponsibly?

DEREK MORRIS

Bermuda Island Cruises

September 10, 2003

Dear Sir,

I was saddened to learn of the loss of four fine people on the Causeway, but hopefully, we can now learn a hard lesson and do it right this time. No disrespect, but I'd not be far wrong in thinking that if the British had built it, we'd not have the problem (or did they?). In any case, what a place to put a swing bridge! Virtually right in the ocean. To add insult to injury, it has to open for any boat larger than a Boston Whaler. All that unnecessary opening and the constant bombardment of salt water, only served to reduce its useful life span. Also I have no doubt that things can only get worse considering the (sometimes refuted) global warming and associated rising sea levels. Trust me when I say it's real! On a recent cruise to Tierra Del Fuego, I saw a glacier that had retreated three miles from the ocean. That's a chunk of ice half a mile wide, 200 feet high and three miles long... gone... melted! (a lot of frozen daiquiris).

I've said to many a tourist that we've been doing this since hurricane thing since 1609, and we'll keep doing it. Solving problems as we go, hopefully so as to not repeat any mistakes. So onto doing it 'right'! It's undoubtedly a given that the Causeway has to be raised and widened. Yes, Virginia, we DO need a wider Causeway. I'd suggest no lower than the existing height at the service station exit at Blue Hole Hill, a sidewalk on at least one side, four lanes and NO, it does not have to be ugly. Some of the most beautiful structures in the world are bridges. Raising it will allow the storm surge access to the other side since that not being able to happen is what caused the damage. Kindley Field Road could remain as is but add two more lanes and access and exit ramps to the airport will have to be installed. Thankfully the runway was not damaged so we can leave that as is. But given the damage to the air terminal building itself, the same holds true regarding the water (storm surge) - the water has to have some place to go! Therefore, the ground level should be relegated to arrivals drop-off and (very) short term (free) parking, minor and non-essential entities such as storage, concessions and possibly a pre-check-in lounge and again it does not have to be ugly! Of course all this would require additional second floor space.

That additional second storey space could (read that, should) include raised covers for the noses of aircraft. It should be typically Bermudian in architectural form, provide perfectly adequate shelter for passengers and crew and add substantially to the overall aesthetic appeal of the airport. Again, who says it has to be ugly? Security and other specific concerns will need to be addressed, but all in all, I think this format will serve us very well. Granted there might be damage in the future, but not to the point where we'd be virtually inaccessible to the world for days at a time.

So what about the cost? In my opinion, we need to do it NOW! Another category three (hurricane) could hit us sooner than we'd like. Also waiting until the next time, maybe 40 years or more, might mean that maybe by then, our greed-based economy (thankfully) will have been replaced with a more equitable one and won't be able to afford it again. The huge cost of such a project should be spread among those who will benefit the most from not having the same problem ever again - hint, count the Lear jets at the airport. Actually, it'll be a feather in our national cap. One thing we must not do. That is to make this scheme a political football like the National Stadium. The same stadium I've been hearing about since 1956 when 'Tech' opened. The very first students (myself included) chopped, dug, hauled and darn near got killed doing what we thought would be our little bit to have a National Stadium - sooner than later. Yeah, right. All that was a waste of time. Time better spent in the class room or work shop.

Forgive me for being a cynical, but I've learned that when talking to (some) highly placed, self serving people, wear your boots! Talking about something is fine so long as it moves quickly from that stage on to those who make things happen. Let us not get all bogged down on who gets the contracts, etc. The government of the day would be wise to spread them around so as to avoid any hint of impropriety. There's something to be said for telling it like it is, and thankfully that's the way I'm wired!

C.K. SIMONS

Sandys Parish