We at the Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS) wish to thank the volunteers, members and sponsors involved with our telephone "Thank-a-thon'' for demonstrating the generosity of people in Bermuda.

I must preface this letter by noting that BZS supports the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo (BAMZ). We are privileged to work closely with BAMZ staff, whose commitment to the animals in their care, and to education, conservation and research, is nothing short of inspirational.

Our organisations benefit from having dedicated volunteers who work year round. Those participating in the Thank-a-thon undertook a huge task, working a combined total 180 hours over six nights, placing 4,000 calls to thank members and get feedback. The volunteers approached the assignment with enthusiasm that most certainly transcended phone lines.

Each evening the volunteers received appreciation gifts contributed by local companies. The donors are Aberfeldy Nurseries, Burrows Lightbourn, Leisure Time, Liberty and Neptune Theatres, The MuVi Service, The Phoenix Stores and Rock On. We also thank Sonesta Beach Resort for donating an attractive raffle prize as incentive to new and renewing members. We appreciate the generosity of these companies, as we do all that contribute to our programmes.

Finally, we're grateful to our loyal members who gave encouragement and useful criticism during the Thank-a-thon. We enjoyed speaking with members, and offer apologies to anyone we did not reach. With so many calls to make, we didn't have the capacity to double back, if someone was not at home, the line was engaged, service was interrupted or we had inaccurate information.

To the members we were unable to contact, and again to those we did, thank you for your support. Members, volunteers and corporate contributors enable BZS and BAMZ to fulfil our mission to inspire appreciation and care of island environments. We couldn't do it without you.

Eric J. Clee President Bermuda Zoological Society Drivel and invective February 14, 2000 Dear Sir, The statements made this past weekend by Mr. Tim Smith leaves one question begging to be asked: has he lost his mind? Alternatively, has the toil of the cut and thrust of debates on The Hill depleted his sense of logic? I refer of course to his ludicrous comments concerning sports clubs, particularly implying that they are benefiting from the despicable drug trade in Bermuda. No one of sane mind would deny that people use and sell drugs at sports facilities up and down this country, but to make a blanket statement that the clubs are beneficiaries of this trade is supercilious and heinous. He also reportedly suggested that club grounds be confiscated as a solution to the drug problem. Anyone who is a member, officer, executive or committee member of any of these clubs to which he refers (which, incidentally, he has not had the courage to name) should be highly offended by his reckless and irrational remarks.

Surely Mr. Smith, having been the Minister for Youth, Sports and Recreation in the recent past, is aware of the countless hours of service given this Country by committee members of these clubs. Obviously, his remarks suggest otherwise, so let me disabuse him or anyone else who would cast a pall over the tireless efforts people make in these clubs. As a direct result of volunteer work, hundreds of children in Bermuda are engaged in sports programmes that develop their character and provide countless social benefits. Incidentally, most of these programmes are self-financed by the clubs, who must devise their own fundraising events, again with volunteer help. We all know that Bermuda has a drug problem, one that has plagued us for decades. Imagine how much worse it would be without the dedication and munificence of scores of club members who run these programmes and work for the clubs, without recompense.

As a life-long member, past President, Vice-President and Secretary of one of Bermuda's largest clubs, I take great personal umbrage at Mr. Smith's remarks, as I am sure many others do. I have no problem with someone voicing concerns about the drug problems that plague us, but those whom we elect to represent us must be more responsible in their comments on such thorny issues. To suggest that clubs benefit from the drug trade, whatever that assertion means, is an affront to all who sacrifice their time and energy to make a positive difference in the lives of our youngsters.

I suggest that Mr. Smith join one of the clubs to which he refers and actively assists it in their efforts to combat the drug scourge, instead of omitting such drivel and invective, which serves no purpose for anyone.

EDDIE LAMB Smith's Parish A beautiful exhibition February 22, 2000 Dear Sir, Recently my wife and had the distinct pleasure of attending both the preview reception and later the slide presentation for "Bermuda: Two Centuries of Inspiration,'' a beautiful exhibition of selected works from The Masterworks Foundation at the Woodmere Art Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In attendance were both the Director, Tom Butterfield and the Curator, Elise Outerbridge.

Despite the inclement weather for Friday night's reception, the turnout was both enormous and enthusiastic. The slide presentation on Sunday afternoon was delivered by Mr. Butterfield to a "standing room only'' crowd.

My wife Eileen and I were delighted to see how Philadelphia has embraced these splendid ambassadors from Bermuda.

JAMES TOOGOOD Cherry Hill, New Jersey We need to stand tall February 24, 2000 Dear Sir, I am writing to thank Damita Leshore for her letter in February 5 paper entitled, "Going Back to Our Roots''.

Ms Leshore is right, most of our black brothers don't know our roots, so it is hard for most of them to stand as strong men. Have you ever seen a tree stand strong without its roots? I just hope that people take heed to what she wrote because the nail was hit right on the head.

"Education of the youth is the surest guarantee of a better life.'' (H.I.M.

1948) "Belief in the Creator is the surest foundation of any civilization. This belief preserves civilization from decay and evil.'' (His Imperial Majesty 1947) T. SELASSIE St. David's Hester's being unfair February 6, 2000 Dear Sir, Your columnist "Hester'' has still not called me. I was interested in her glowing commentary about Heather Nova's performance on New Year's Eve then her accolade on mistakes, Heather's brother and then on Christmas' new album, Heather's first cousin - all are my first cousin's children. So "Hester'' maybe talent naturally runs in my family - I just don't pretend to be modest.

Or as I said in my first request for you to phone me, I am willing to speak and show my inadequacies.

But as clever as you or you and your co-writers are, I think it is unseemly for you to pick on Jennifer Smith, and not sign your name. I thought these were no personal attacks under pen-name allowed on page four of the Royal Gazette.

Premier Smith is the elected head of our community (even though the PLP chose her and not we, the public - we have no vote in who is Premier) If she has one or three glasses of champagne it is not yours to pick on. Remember, I have no faults, I don't drink alcohol - do you? I am sure the average black Bermudian does not take your jibes lightly -- just as they did not see the picture of Delaey Robinson as humorous.

Can we blame the Premier for not talking to a press that slips into the gutter - and calls the Sun a tabloid.

Call me Hester - 236-2502.

SANDERS FRITH-BROWN Warwick Land tax needs re-think February 20, 2000 Dear Sir, As we are all aware, over the last year or so there have been two dramatic and controversial increases in land tax. The recent budget adjusted the existing bands but reduced the "discount'' by 20%. Respectfully I would ask the Government to take a further critical look at the band structure since the new rates are so high and thus the bands become extremely important in terms of fairness.

We appear to have overlooked the medium size to larger Bermudian family by charging 20% (less the discount) for the band exceeding an ARV of about $36,000. It comes down to simple logic. The more children you have the larger house they need. Parents often work extremely hard to provide adequate accommodations for their families. The more children, the more work; fine.

However, because of the new band structure and rates they may now end up paying TRIPLE LAND TAX RATE PER CHILD than single child families. Certainly this is not fair and one hopes the new tax is not an intended disincentive for Bermudians to have children.

The new budget proudly refers to having sorted out the "tax cliff'' for small business but has created an inequitable land tax cliff for larger families who may not have luxury properties but merely larger houses for more children! Again, I ask the Government to rethink the band structure to reflect that larger families need larger houses and should not be taxed as though they are living in luxury. Either add another band or two or provide some sort of credit for large houses with children inside so that the families are NOT PAYING MORE PER CHILD than the one or two child families.

PHILOSOPHER Paget We must not discriminate February 9, 2000 Dear Sir, We refer to the recent article in your paper dated January 31, 2000 concerning the number of Roman Catholic Priests in the United States who are living with HIV, or have died from AIDS. The Kansas City Star reports that Auxiliary Bishop Thomas Gumbleton of the Archdiocese of Detroit says, "I think this speaks for a failure on the part of the church.'' Perhaps he is right.

Basically, the Roman Catholic Church, like any other business, is an employer and its priests are employees. If businesses were to respond to the AIDS epidemic in a positive way, then employees would be forewarned and prepared to deal with the issues surrounding sexuality and dealing with people living with HIV and AIDS.

The Allan Vincent Smith Foundation's AIDS in the Workplace programme has been presented to a number of local businesses who have taken such a stand against discrimination in the workplace for people living with HIV. These employers no recognise that people living with HIV/AIDS (PWHA) have the same rights and opportunities as those with any other life-threatening illness. We promote the principle that employment policies should be based on the scientific and epidemiological evidence that PWHAs do not pose a risk of transmission of the virus to coworkers through ordinary workplace contact.

To date nine local business or organisations have adopted AIDS in the Workplace policies with the assistance of the Foundation. We are sincerely hoping that more local businesses will do the same, as a concerted effort is being made to increase the awareness of the need for businesses to develop such policies. These policies are equally beneficial for both small and large business and can be tailor-made for each workplace environment.

I invite business leaders to endorse and adopt these policies by calling our office and arranging an appointment with us to discuss the ways in which we can all be a part of the solution to the problem of the growing AIDS epidemic.

Lastly, I want to make mention of the caption to the picture that ran with the story. We no longer refer to people living with HIV/AIDS as an "AIDS sufferer''. The correct term is PWHA (Person living With HIV/AIDS.) MICHAEL FOX Administrator Allan Vincent Smith Foundation Education is the key February 5, 2000 Dear Sir, As a professional businessman, I like most other businessmen, both local and international, would prefer to hire Bermudians, but only if they are fully qualified for the position.

Unfortunately, Government has, once again, showing its complete lack of understanding of the business world. Under their latest Immigration regulations the annul fee for hiring a guest worker will go up on a sliding scale and the length of the permit will be restricted. This is a completely unrealistic policy and should be sent back to the drawing boards.

What is urgently needed is for Government to address the fact that over 65% of our public school students are below, and some far below, the average in their basic skills of reading and writing. How can any employer be expected to replace an educated, experience guest worker with a Bermudian who does not even have the basic communication skills, much less a higher education and years of experience? It should be noted that successful employers must have employees who are also Loyal -- will come to work even if it is raining, Dedicated -- will stay after 5:00 pm in order to get the job done and Honest -- will not use the employers telephone for personal calls, nor their envelopes and stamps, nor take an extra half hour for lunch etc. These are the qualities we must teach our future employees before we can change our Immigration policies.

If Government forces employers to hire unqualified staff, the local business will fail, the international business will relocate in more friendly jurisdictions, and Bermuda will lose out both ways. Good education is the key.

AN EMPLOYER Hospital disorderly February 15, 2000 Dear Sir, I am writing this letter hoping the hospital authorities will read it and amend it.

I had a friend just came out of the hospital as a patient, she was glad to get home and have a rest. When a person is ill you need peace. Some of the wards could look back on the rules. People seem to bring their own little radios and also TVs and play them without any consideration for the person in the next bed, nobody wants to listen to music or soaps when they are ill.

There was a rule that they have ear plugs for TVs too, but nobody stops anyone doing that these days. Nurses do not say anything and they are going in and out all the time.

Nobody enforces the rules these days even in the hospital.

The TVs the hospital have now should have a softer ear plug that can be put over their head and then maybe it would be better on their ears. Another thing, she said, so many visitors all chatting and laughing, staying too long even at night they stay over the 8 p.m. out. Hoping they do read this, and correct the slackness and protection of other patients.

OBEY THE RULES Devonshire