Dear Sir, Whilst I appreciate Belco's help with the local charities, I would think that before Belco splashed out several thousand dollars on a 12-foot rubber duck, maybe Belco's management could get our electricity rates down out of the stratosphere, where us low income folks live. Remember, charity begins at home.

SPANISH POINT VOTER Pembroke Surprised by service April 22, 1999 Dear Sir, I am a young Bermudian, born and raised here for close to 16 years. Recently my friends and I decided to go out to dinner to somewhere we had never been...the Pickled Onion.

In the past, at most restaurants here, we have been treated by the waiters as nothing more than children and therefore have gained very little respect from them. On this occasion, however, we were very shocked to have a waiter who treated us kindly and with respect, she must have run back to the dessert table three times for us to describe the desserts and she seemed very pleased to do this for us.

We left the restaurant at 9.30 and were to catch the 10.45 bus home. Around 10.30 we were waiting on the bus and who should knock on the window but the very waitress who had served us earlier. She had come all the way from the Pickled Onion after hearing us mention taking the bus home, and brought my friend's house key which she must have left behind.

I have never seen this kind of service or kindness from anyone else and if others in any business where human interaction takes place could be more like Patrice, Bermuda truly would be a wonderful Island.

MIA FINSNESS Warwick Ag Show needs more April 21, 1999 Dear Sir, The Agricultural Exhibition attracts thousands of people each year to their three-day event. I, like many others, look forward to attending every year, but those of us who are not Equestrian enthusiasts but like to attend the Exhibition, are getting a bit bored with the same events every year and no additional attractions or entertainment. I remember years back when there was always something exciting to see at the exhibition. i.e. overseas acts -- acrobats, Majorettes, floats etc.

Before people get upset with my letter, I just want to state that I'm not complaining and I'm not trying to insult. I would just like to offer a few suggestions which the Agricultural Exhibition Committee can review and maybe implement to ensure everyone attending the Show can leave satisfied that the money they spent was well worth it and they enjoyed their day.

I hear people comment all the time how they are not going to the Exhibition because it is too boring. They do not want to watch horse jumping all day.

After they walk around and look at all the exhibits there's nothing else interesting for them to see that they enjoy.

Bermuda has some excellent talent that can be showcased at the exhibition. We need to get the young people involved again. Get schools and other groups involved. This provides exposure for the kids who love to perform in front of friends, family and onlookers. It encourages them to look forward to the next year's event. It also provides something for everyone to enjoy.

A few suggestions: 1. United Productions-Suzette Harvey -- everyone always enjoys their upbeat, energetic excellent performers.

2. Church Choirs, School Choirs 3. Bands & Singers 4. Ballet Schools -- Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern Dance etc.

5. Majorettes & Other Dance Groups 6. Gymnastics 7 Other Schools Groups -- CedarBridge Academy Steppers (excellent performers).

8. Other Community Groups -- Portuguese Dancers, Country Music/Line Dancers There are just a few suggestions. I think if you include any one of Bermuda's talented groups or individuals as part of the Agricultural Exhibition, their performance will be exciting for all to watch. I believe if you sent an invitation for groups or individuals to perform at the Exhibition for next year it will be well received by the groups/individual performers and the spectators alike. This way everyone attending will have something to look forward to and enjoy their day to the fullest and those who no longer attend will be glad to come back.

NO LONGER LOOKING FORWARD TO SHOW Southampton A coalition might help April 21, 1999 Dear Sir, I thank your contributor Joyce Hall for pointing out that Mrs. Lois Browne Evans is not the first "political'' Attorney-General. When Brownlow Grey was appointed Attorney-General and was sitting in the House of Parliament, he had 35 members to keep him in line. With a party political system there is no such check or balance, not with a 12-seat majority for certain and there, if anywhere, is the rub. Will Mrs. Browne Evans act with probity and integrity if it comes to controlling the PLP on a legal matter -- or maybe can she? Which hat will she wear? But I agree with Clark Godwin -- where were the shouts when Mr. Mottley was paid his salary plus a bonus and a house? Oh what a dirty game is this obstructive party political system when quite frankly neither side can field a full team -- or less cynically, the pick of both sides would certainly do better. Imagine a coalition Government in the Tourism Ministry! David Allen and David Dodwell could make a difference pulling together.

But back to Mrs. Lois Browne Evans as a choice for Attorney-General. For 36 years she has served the community and served it well. To a large portion of our majority black population she is a national hero, and by serving the majority in a democracy she has served us all.

SANDERS FRITH BROWN Warwick Review was destructive April 20, 1999 Dear Sir, We are constantly worried about the direction our young people, especially our young men, choose to take. So why such an insulting "review'' from Gareth Finighan regarding Ras Mykkal's presentation at the Masterworks Gallery! I got the feeling that something personal was going on here, rather than a candid description of what was being displayed. Art does not always have to be abstract and outrageous to be enjoyed nor does it always have to be black and white to be appreciated. The basic, simple things of life are interesting because as time passes you see their growth.

Constructive criticism that helps one to improve is good, but derogatory remarks that discourage a person who is clearly trying to be constructive, serves no purpose anywhere, especially in such a small community as this.

We should encourage and support anyone who is making positive strides, as most people are followers, it is not only helpful but healthful to our community.

Go on Ras, teach our young people that success comes from starting at the beginning. Go home Gareth, if all you can teach is the basics of discouragement. We call this a "New Bermuda'', let's have some new and uplifting thoughts.

MARGARET DESHIELDS Pembroke Kids can collect too April 20, 1999 Dear Sir, On behalf of the Bermuda National Gallery, I wish to thank Mr. Steve Thomson and Mailboxes Unlimited for sponsoring our "Kids Collect'' day. The children presented many varied and imaginative collections as a complement to our "Art of Collecting Art'' exhibition, which features works from ten collections which reside in Bermuda. Our judges were struck by the enthusiasm and knowledge displayed by our young collectors. All the children did an excellent job of communicating their reasons for collecting and the following were our category winners: Antique Objects: Shakira Warner, Stephen Bates, Sophie Thapa and Nicolas Thomson Nature: Natalie Stopff, William Greet-Hillier, Ellie LoBello and Taylor Gorham. Honourable mention (youngest in show): Zakaya Adams Toys & Games: James Lee, Matteo Frazzoni, Lorin Tannock, Matthew Trott.

Honourable mention: Kenny Thomson and Thomas Alexander.

Dolls and Stuffed Animals: Sarah Perry, Alexander Easton, Kati Davidge and Davina Hargun.

Miscellaneous: John Kline, Adrian Warner, Wills Fallon, Elise Rodrigues.

Honourable mention: Nik Aggarwal, Brian Fubler, Adam Tucker and Bradley Mitchell.

We appreciate the efforts of all the parents who helped bring in the collections and encouraged their children to display their collections.

Finally, we thank our many judges who faced a very challenging task in choosing winners from all the wonderful entries! PEGGY KETT Bermuda National Gallery Sailors spend money here April 26, 1999 Dear Sir, While the Government's prime objective is to revitalise our dismal tourism industry, it seems strange that no representative could be found/could be bothered to turn up for the opening of International Race Week this weekend.

Has anyone in Government done any research into the per capita spending of the average sailing visitor? I think they would find that it dwarfs the cruise ship visitor. Bermuda is one of the most delightful places in the world to come and sail; whilst we search for "something different'' to offer our visitors, shouldn't we be capitalizing on what we already have and are perhaps neglecting? Or is it that well-heeled sailors aren't sufficiently politically correct to attract the attention of our new leaders? Maybe we won't have to worry about it for much longer -- with our abysmal standards of what is called service, high prices, and ever more frequent hotel closures, we probably won't attract the sailors for much longer either.

We won't have to worry about "Bermuda for Bermudians'' -- we'll be the only ones left! ELSPETH A. BREWIN Hamilton Parish