A note of thanks

February 23, 2007

Dear Sir,

On Sunday, February 18, it was often rainy, sometimes sunny and wickedly windy — however the changeable weather did not deter 90 “Leashes and Lovers of Dogs” from gathering in the Botanical Gardens for the SPCA’s PAWS to the Park sponsored dog walk. We were overwhelmed by the turnout and the enthusiasm shown by both the dogs and their walkers. It was a very successful fundraiser for the Society and I would like to thank all the participants for the amazing effort they made in seeking sponsorship and to thank the sponsors themselves, for donating so generously to the SPCA.

Many thanks also go to our (sometimes soggy) volunteers who bravely manned the water-stops, the crossings and the dog events in the arena, and thanks to those volunteers working in the relative ‘luxury’ of the registration tent and canteen. As always, we appreciate the support from the Shelter staff in arranging and staging this event. Last, but by no means least, thank you to our sponsors — North Rock, Continental Motors, Brighton Nurseries, Sign-Pro and Noah’s Ark.

DIANA DOWNS

President

Bermuda SPCA<$>

Don’t close Medical Clinic

February 20, 2007

Dear Sir,

The only person generating stigma about a facility with a proven record of providing excellent service to under-resourced patients is Ewart Brown. The centre of care he is so determined to close was renamed the Medical Clinic in 1998. His repeated and erroneous reference to this valuable community asset as the “indigent clinic” is what is harming its reputation.

Dr. Brown insists patients would choose to be treated by private physicians, if given an option, despite a survey conducted a few years ago confirming over 90 percent preferred services at the Medical Clinic. The community must continue objecting to the closure of a healthcare facility serving thousands of elderly and uninsured patients. Lodge your objections where they belong — with the person responsible for the decision: Ewart Brown.

CONCERNED FOR THE WELFARE OF PATIENTS

Pembroke <$>

An undercurrent of fear

February 11, 2007

Dear Sir,

There seems to be an undercurrent of fear being created on this island, that if you have a contrary view from the Government and exercise your right of freedom of speech, you very quickly lose your job and get shipped off the island. The two examples that come to mind are: Anthony Reynolds the Australian chef at Elbow Beach, made a flip and frivolous remark about directing an assistant to a plate saying “The one with the arsenic for Dr. Brown.” Really! How many times has one said, as an example “She annoys me to death, I could wring her neck”. A threatening terrorist act of a most heinous nature ( and I quote) surely not, I rather think an over reaction of the most threatening kind.

The other example is in The Royal Gazette of today’s date whereby, Dr. Wakely has resigned under what can only be imagined ... Pressure of the most threatening kind. That she tells the truth about a service that is to be imminently abolished because, so it is said, and I quote, “Find that their dignity is threatened”. What rubbish, I defy the ministry to find one patient who attends that Medical Clinic for help, who wants that service to be discontinued, rather this appears to be an excuse and a means to an end!

If the building is run down, build it up and renovate and allocate funds to do it alongside football and cricket. Mr. Butler, a decent man of some considerable repute, can you honestly and with all conscience abide with this ? Where will these people go to be cared for as they have been at this medical centre? Transportation, drugs, X-rays medical attention, all free, nothing humiliating about that, just plain marvellous. Finally, the last paragraph in my Royal Gazette today and I have to quote so that you can understand the absurdity of it all. “The current residents can move to the newly opened Sylvia Richardson facility or opt to move to another private or public rest home (and here comes the kicker) if there is available space in these facilities.” Now can you imagine that came out of the mouth of a rehabilitation officer? Especially under the disgraceful circumstances in which Bermuda looks after their seniors and poor, that that could be a viable option, alternative, or solution?

If you, Mr. Butler or Dr. Brown, were placed in this situation, you would need all the compassion, nurturing and understanding possible, for There for the Grace of God go I. Can’t we inundate the government with letters and calls to change their minds, to build up rather than pull down this facility or to build to a standard that this island can be proud of, not only facility-wise but through the compassion and caring shown.

DIANA WILLIAMS

Pembroke