Dear Sir,

How ironic it is to hear that Clarence Hill, who for years has been in the habit of committing crime and robbing people, has robbed himself of the unique opportunity to be installed as one of the first ten inductees into Bermuda's Sports Hall of Fame.

There is no question that Clarence is one of our greatest ever sportsmen as both a bronze medallist in the Olympics and as a professional boxer, but tragically he also chose to use his strength and power out of the ring to bully and intimidate innocent victims. He started a life of crime before he started boxing and continued committing violent crimes during his career despite the efforts of people who tried to keep him on the straight and narrow, and long after he hung up his gloves. Instead of honouring his sport he disgraced it.

An argument has been put forward that he was somehow robbed by the “system” but that same “system” produced the likes of Alma Champ Hunt, Clyde Best, Randy Horton, Clarence Nicky Sanders, Calvin Bummy Simons, Debbie Jones-Hunter, and all those heroes in the Big Blue Machine, who not only reached the top in their respective sports but have also been outstanding role models.

There have even been insinuations of racism in the selection process even though the vast majority of inductees were black, and a clear majority of the selection committee were also black. They were asked to select their top ten choices out of a total of 25 and did so in a secret ballot. Their choices were first class and highly deserving of the honour bestowed on those chosen.

The selection committee had every right to take into consideration the character and integrity of each of the 25 candidates because that was a part of their mandate. Clarence would more than likely have been automatically chosen in the top ten if not for his extensive criminal history. Like it or not he robbed himself of a place in history on this first induction, but we Bermudians are very forgiving and he should be given a chance to make amends for the serious mistakes he has made in the past.

We hear Clarence has now turned his life around and given himself to the Lord. That is a good start. Most people have to be crime free for seven years before they can have their criminal record cleared. If Clarence can stay out of trouble for the next 12 months, and find some way to give something positive back to the community, he should be re-nominated in the next group of athletes and be given a place in the Sports Hall of Fame.

This would give him an opportunity to show that he has really changed his life around, and would also send a strong message to our young people. To succeed in sport and in life you need to play by the rules, and if you break those rules there are consequences, but it's never too late to turn your life around.

Give Clarence a chance - next year.

SPORTS LOVER

Smith's Parish

Paradise (Lane) lost

May 31, 2004

Dear Sir,

The name Paradise Lane conjures up the thought of a leisurely stroll down a shady country lane. Unfortunately, the Paradise Lane just up above Flatt's Village, Smith's Parish is anything but a pleasant stroll.

The owner of a cycle repair shop has taken over the entrance to the lane. His yard space is jammed with old, rusting cycles and he is now conducting business out on the lane, causing cars and pedestrians alike to wait until he casually moves his cycles under repair to the side of the narrow lane. Other cycles are stashed in the Oleander hedge on the opposite side of the lane.

Additionally, they are old chairs on the lane where his friends sit and chat. Because the feet of his friends extend to almost the centre of the lane, anyone attempting to pass must wait until these male friends twist sideways to allow passing access.

Mr. Editor, either the Police, area politicians or the owner of the property need to do something about this mis-use of a public lane. Many walking ladies would like to access this lane but feel intimidated to do so because of this assembly of men. Additionally, many area school boys and young girls use this shortcut into Flatt's Village despite this too close inspection procedure.

Mr. Editor, this cycle repair business needs to clear out its junk-pile yard and conduct business on its premises and not on the public lane. Please give back Paradise Lane for public use.

LANE WALKER

City of Hamilton

O'Connell outpaced his job

June 1, 2004

Dear Sir,

Why was O'Connell fired?

Let me tell you why Sean O'Connell was fired.

He set a pace at the College which out-distanced most of the others. A pace which could not be matched for effort expended, integrity and dedication to the highest standards of education.

His performance caused embarrassment - caused a level of reality to be faced which could not be faced - had to be erased as the chalk-writing and sums are erased from the green boards in the classrooms.

The solution? Get rid of him! People the place with comparative mediocrity with, of course, exceptions!

Never mind standards.

Never mind the students.

Never mind the futures of so many innocent, deserving young people and staff.

On with the game!

Only thing is, no one is fooled. People of goodwill - they know.

Bad luck to the negative ones, I say.

Good luck to the goodwill oriented. Continue your vigilance.

WILLIAM LUSHER

Pembroke

Dr. Murray's sour grapes

June 7, 2004

Dear Sir,

I was just curious about the article in today's paper about Dr. Jonathan Murray. I believe it was over a year ago that Dr. Murray left Bermuda and headed to Canada. Over a year! If Dr. Murray is so highly qualified and so highly regarded then why is he still trying to get a work permit? Why, indeed, hasn't he been snatched up and if work permits are difficult to come by in Canada, then why hasn't he gone back to his native Scotland where surely his great reputation would offer him free choice as to where, what and when to practice?

I'm also wondering exactly why Dr. Vallis and Dr. Miller and the insurance companies didn't want Dr. Murray here in Bermuda? Surely there must be some legitimate reason. Anyone from the insurance companies care to elaborate? And I think I'm correct in saying that Dr. Lattyak does in fact see ENT patients.

I have it on good authority that Dr. Vallis is not only highly qualified academically but also put in a great number of years practising in the UK prior to coming home and is very well regarded both in the UK and the USA but I'm sure Dr. Vallis could and would provide any of that information in much greater detail.

Could it possibly be that Dr. Murray's moaning is just plain old sour grapes that perhaps he isn't raking in the money he was when he was here?

JUST CURIOUS

Southampton