I hope you will allow a bit of space in the paper for me to voice concerns I have about pedal cycles being ridden on the sidewalks of Hamilton.

Today I encountered a man who was doing this. He had come from behind me while I was walking on the sidewalk carrying a ten-pound bag of potting soil and said, "Beep, beep,'' expecting me to get out of his way.

Does he expect everyone to sprightly leap out of his way when he comes barrelling down the sidewalk beeping like the Roadrunner? My 68-year-old arthritic father is deaf. He would never have heard Mr. `Beep'.

When I told him sidewalks are for pedestrians and he should be on the road he took offence to that and asked eruditely, "Since when?'' Since at least 1988, according to The Hamilton Traffic and Sidewalks Ordinance.

The Ordinance states "No vehicle shall be ridden along any sidewalk.'' It defines `vehicle' as `any motor car, motor cycle, auxillary cycle, cycle, or other conveyance (except a baby carriage or perambulator) which is used for the transportation of passengers,...'' Cycle is defined as `pedal bicycle, a tricycle, or a similar vehicle which is not motor propelled...' It concludes that people who violate its provisions are `liable to prosecution in accordance with the provisions of the Municipalities Act, 1923, and the Road Traffic Act, 1947, and shall be subject to the penalties specified in the Traffic Offences (Penalties) Act, 1976.'' Or should we walk around with mirrors in front of us, so that we can see Mr.

`Beep' hurtling towards us from behind? Then he won't have to strain his voice to say, `Beep', or, God forbid, have to go out of his way to buy an uncool bell for his bike.

MY VIEW Pembroke West Pay attention please! May 18, 2000 Dear Sir, Please allow me some space in your column to send this: This is for everyone who uses the Bull's Head Car Park. Watch out for these drivers! Being that my car was getting serviced last week, I decided to get a lift with a friend of mine, who might I add,is pregnant.

She drove into Bull's Head from Laffan Street, knowing that she has the right of way upon entering from that side.

Well, there was a female driver of another car which entered from the HWP side that paid absolutely no mind to the GIVE WAY sign. She almost hit us. Luckily my friend swerved so that this lady wouldn't hit us.

I could only imagine what would have happened if she didn't swerve. Well this morning it happened again. This time I had my car. I used the same entrance, got to the same point and a female driver came through the GIVE WAY sign and struck the rear of my car. I had to swerve a little to try and avoid her, but was unsuccessful.

There was no damage to my car, only scuff marks. I stopped my car and got out.

She was looking at me as if it was my fault. I said to her, "There is a give way sign right there.'' She says to me, "What the **** do you think I did!'' The thing is there was a car a little way in front of me and cars in back of me. I don't know what happened, but she struck me.

First of all Lady, you DID NOT give way. Second of all, it was not at all my fault. So you had no respect for me, carrying on the way you did.

Finally, next time PLEASE PAY ATTENTION! DISGUSTED Hamilton Parish Bad parking habits May 26, 2000 Dear Sir, As a single mother, working full-time, cleaning my car is usually one of the last on my list of things to be done. But May 24th gave me one of those rare opportunities and afforded me some extra time in the morning while my son played happily in the garden. Unfortunately it wasn't long before I realised one of the other reasons I don't often clean my car and sadly I spent several hours fuming over the damage that despicable people have rendered to my bumpers.

My car is a `jeep' style vehicle, which I purchased to protect my little family, specifically because it is a little sturdier than the average car.

This is perhaps the reason that seems to give other road users the idea that they can use it as a parking measure and bump their way in and out.

In 14 years of driving bikes and cars I can count on one hand the accidents I have been involved in, all have been due to circumstances beyond my control (two as a direct result of someone else's negligence). I have had numerous bikes and cars and only ONCE scraped one of them. All of them eventually had scratches, scrapes and dents from other road users. I know that a few scratches are `par for the course'...but is a cracked bumper really just part of the wear and tear of driving and parking on our roads? How on earth do these people pass their driving tests? Obviously because parking between rubber cones is easier! Parking skills are a dying art...can we revive it...PLEASE?...I don't think I can afford to take it much longer! LIBBY COOK Paget Disgusted by service May 30, 2000 Dear Sir, I am a bit disgusted with the fact of Bermuda Mobility Telephone Company has voice mail on during working hours and refuse to call back their clients. I have called there, left several messages, even called Bermuda Telephone Company to ask if there is any way they can give me the balance on my account.

They informed me that they are now a separate company and she can put me through. However I explained to her that they are not answering their phone and its the third time today for trying. The assistance at BTC was very welcomed.

I am writing this because I am an external customer and I expect service Remember: Your company's reputation improves or declines slowly...encounter by encounter' FED-UP CUSTOMER Warwick Garbage etiquette May 30, 2000 Dear Sir, Garbage men should complain! Not one of us would want to touch an open bag filled with waste that has been sitting in the hot sun for days or even worse... bags which have been left untied allowing pets and rodents alike to browse and pick at their leisure.

If each person took the few extra minutes to ensure their garbage is in proper (plastic) trash bags that are tied firmly, the job of our garbage men would be that much easier and far less unpleasant! KELLY FRANCIS One-way traffic May 22, 2000 Dear Sir, In reply to Pat Ferguson's letter in the May 23rd edition of The Royal Gazette . She notes that `More than half the black population of Bermuda, as well as some whites, have come from the West Indies. Why have they come to Bermuda? Could it be that Bermuda is better? I don't see much traffic going the other way! PISCES Praise for nurses May 22, 2000 Dear Sir, I am sometimes made aware of some of the unpleasant situations and frustrations suffered by nurses.

One very important fact the public seems to have forgotten is that nurses are the essence of our health care system. If they were to remove themselves from that system, all services to patients within the hospitals, especially the care of patients, would cease.

No one would argue the point that a nurse is essential to the overall well-being of anyone requiring assistance in a health-care facility. However, not many people realise that.

The entire profession is frequently criticised by people having little or no knowledge of what nurses go through in the course of a tour of duty. Nurses work long hours, and are often required to make split-second decisions which are essential to the lives of the people in their care. Many times, they cannot leave when their shift ends, because there is inadequate relief to take over right away; and then, after working up to seven days in a row, they are often called back to work on days off. Through it all, they smile bravely and "cope'', when, what they would really like to do is have the time to soak their tired feet and sometimes have a good cry.

The public must lend its support to the nursing profession, or before long, there will be very few nurses to staff our hospitals and other healthcare institutions. That situation would be disastrous.

P. DE LA CHEVOTIERE, M.D.

Giving thanks May 16, 2000 Dear Sir, Following the Woman 2000 campaign, I hope that you will permit me space in your newspaper in order that I may publicly thank the diligent organisers of this event. First and foremost, I would like to express very sincere thanks to the BGA Group and the BBC as generous sponsors of this event, in particular the committee members responsible for its inception and development. To this extent, I specifically wish to recognise the key organisers -- Ward and Kim Young and John Tomlinson for all of their devoted interest and industrious work. I would also like to acknowledge Rebecca Bart who successfully ensured that the event was expertly organised.

Additionally, I cannot adequately express my most sincere thanks to all of the well wishers -- friends, family and strangers alike for their innumerable telephone calls, faxes, cards, e-mail messages and personal wishes of congratulations. I have been absolutely inundated with their kind words.

Finally, Mr. Editor, I must reiterate what a true honour it is to be bestowed with this award following an honourable nomination amongst so many other outstanding women. Being involved with so many charities and organisations has already enriched my life and I most sincerely treasure an award as an unexpected blessing. However, please know that I shall not now reside on my laurels but rather continue as a devoted and productive member of our community.

TONI DANIELS Paget