Dear Editor, When we read the front-page article from Monday's paper on teen pregnancy, "Children having children'', we were pleased to see that it incited much concern for discussion. This commentary is not to denounce or discount the importance or focus of the issue; however, being students ourselves, our concerns are what research these statistics were based on. In addition, articles with headlines like this can have a negative effect on teens questioning intercourse and that they are not the "average 13-year-old''.

Furthermore, who is the article directed towards, adult parents or 13-year-olds? Referring to Michelle Johnson, head of the government-funded agency, what research is she basing her publication on? She stated that she was "working with troubled teens -- especially pregnant girls'', so we find the headline to be misleading and ambiguous. Is her research biased or has the paper inaccurately misrepresented her words? We do find this material worthy of the front-page, however, this serious issue should have been dealt with with more reality.

Did anyone realise that teens in our community who just skim the front-page or cannot cognitively absorb the information might perceive this article and the picture included as an invitation to have sex, if they are above the "average age of 13''? Has anyone thought of the ramifications of the article on teens with low-self esteem? The cute picture of the teen mother on the front-page makes teen motherhood look easy and that being sexually active at thirteen is "average'', normal behaviour. Why isn't there a picture of her, up at 2 a.m., trying to soothe her screaming baby? What was the motivation behind this article -- was it to help the community or sell the paper? Finally, the only source of out-reach was published on the seventh page, at the bottom, in a small font. We find it more pertinent to publish this important phone number than the misinforming headline and photo, on the front page.

Sam, Diana, Heather, Sarah Pembroke Editor's Note: The suggestion that the story indicates it is acceptable to have sexual intercourse at 13 is not borne out by the headline or the story, which report the facts. Nor was the picture intended to make teenage motherhood look easy; what it does show is that any "normal'' teenager can find themselves in this predicament. Taken as a whole, the feature package showed that teen pregnancy is a serious issue for the community and also demonstrated that there is help for those who find themselves in this situation. The point about the phone number for Teen Services not being on the front page is well taken, however.

Response time acceptable April 26, 2000 Dear Sir, The Emergency staff of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital would like to express their concern over the recent article which appeared on the front page of The Royal Gazette on Thursday, April 20, 2000.

This article implied that an ambulance crew took 40 minutes to respond to the scene of a serious stabbing on the night of October 3, 1999 and quoted family members as calling for an investigation into the delay which occurred in the response.

Since February 1999 all calls for fire or medical assistance which are made through the Emergency 911 number have been routed through a central dispatcher at the Bermuda Fire Service Control Centre. This dispatcher collects information and then directs calls for medical assistance to the hospital and first responder units Islandwide (Fire Service emergency medical technicians at the East and West ends and King Edward VII Memorial Hospital emergency medical technicians in the central parishes). Meticulous records are maintained of the times of all calls received by both Fire Services and the hospital and the times that vehicles are dispatched. Furthermore, the verbal content of the calls is recorded. Therefore there is little room for doubt about the times when calls occur or vehicles are dispatched.

On the morning of October 3, 1999 the hospital received only one 911 call for emergency medical assistance at Parsons Road, Pembroke. This call was received at 3.09 a.m. and an ambulance was dispatched at 3.10 a.m. one minute later.

The patient had been in the field, resuscitative efforts had been initiated and the victim had been transported back to the hospital by 3.25 a.m. (within fifteen minutes).

As Bermudians resort to increasingly violent solutions to their disputes, there appears to be a trend towards assigning blame for the loss of life to those of us who work in emergency services rather than the perpetrators of these horrific crimes who wield the knives or machetes or baseball bats. The ambulance service and emergency staff receive much criticism and little praise for the fine work they do in saving many lives and providing treatment for nearly 32,000 patients each year. The death toll on Bermuda's roads might be much higher than it already is if not for our constant efforts in improving trauma care. Furthermore, there is little recognition of the fact that our staff are frequently exposed to hazardous situations involving violent or intoxicated individuals involved in assaults and motor vehicle accidents.

The family of the victim in this case has called for an inquiry into the delay in ambulance response. We extend our condolences to family members and would welcome such an inquiry. We believe that a one-minute response time would be found to be acceptable for emergency services anywhere in the world.

Edward A. Schultz, MD, FACEP Director of Emergency Services King Edward VII Memorial Hospital Missing Bermuda of old April 16, 2000 Dear Sir, I am a born Bermudian residing in the United States. Recently, I returned to Bermuda (April 27, 2000) for a vacation as I do every chance I get. I couldn't help noticing the many changes from just two years ago when I brought my family down for vacation.

These changes were definitely not for the better. The friend that was with me on this trip also expressed his opinion on the changes he noticed from his previous trip. Some of the changes were very noticeable. Bermuda was once unique in the way it looked. Not so today; garbage on the streets, roundabouts not manicured and the roadside trees not trimmed back. It's amazing what actually makes a difference in people's eyes and my friend was taken aback by the Bermuda now, versus four years ago, when he first visited.

The biggest difference was the three to four beggars that were on Front Street bothering the tourists. What is that all about? I was embarrassed and ashamed when approached by one of these individuals. The Bermuda of old would not tolerate this at all.

What has happened to the common courtesy that Bermudians always extended to the visitor? This seems to have vanished as well. Bermuda's standing in the tourist business has suffered greatly over the years and there are many reasons. Competition for the tourist dollar is difficult as it is, Bermuda doesn't need to hurt its economy any further by not cherishing and protecting what once made our Island unique and desirable.

I have had a number of friends travel to Bermuda with my recommendation. What I saw on this trip leads me to have second thoughts. Go back to the basics and Bermuda will see the rewards as it once did. We know you can't stop progress and things will change; but Bermuda to a great many people isn't Bermuda any longer. The repeat family tourist is becoming extinct because of these changes. Not even to say how expensive it is for a family to come to the Island. In a few words "I was very disappointed with what I saw'' and wish that the Bermuda of old and was still there.

Emery Madeiros Jr.

Warwick, Rhode Island Keep Hamilton ferries April 12, 2000 Dear Sir, During our many visits to Bermuda, my wife and I have always stayed at Salt Kettle House in Paget. The excellent ferry service has provided fast, regular and easy access to Hamilton and the bus terminal. We are heavy users of both forms of transportation.

During a recent visit we became concerned about stories suggesting that the efficient small Hamilton Harbour ferries might be replaced with water taxis.

Should this happen, it could prove very detrimental to guest houses such as Salt Kettle, Greenbank, and others in the neighbourhood. Many of their guests are older people who would then be faced with a twenty minute uphill walk to Middle road for a bus, or constantly fishing in their pocket for money for water taxis. As well of course many Bermudians would face the same alternatives, particularly commuters for whom the taxis would be an additional expense.

As visitors, we are very aware of the heavy traffic on your roads, surely the loss of the reasonably priced ferries could mean even more vehicles on the streets. We feel the local authorities should consider both this, and increased parking problems before changing the present system. Saving money in one area often creates problems in another.

Especially for Canadians, Bermuda is a very expensive country in which to vacation and while we love your country very much, we have to consider costs; having to pay twice a day for a water taxi might well make us think of other possible destinations.

Yours sincerely, Eric Lawson Bowen Island British Columbia The value of prayer March 20, 2000 The following is an open letter to Bermuda's faith community The National Association for Reconciliation is concerned about the negative impact drugs have on our society. As a result of our concern, we appeal to the entire faith community to pray earnestly during the month of May to eliminate the drug problem from our society.

As drugs affect our entire community, we know that you share our concern about this grave issue. Because of that concern, NAR believes that those who know the value of prayer must exercise their faith by coming together and making a conscious effort to join in committed prayer. We believe that prayer can do great things, especially if we unite as one. For this reason NAR asks that you encourage your congregation to make Heritage Month a time that we collectively plead for relief from both drugs and their resulting crimes.

We would appreciate communication from you acknowledging your commitment to this project. If you find that you are unable to inform us, however, we ask that you still commit yourselves to pray for this specific purpose. We thank you in advance for your attention to this urgent matter.

National Association For Reconciliation Shocked by behaviour April 16, 2000 Dear Sir, Recently I had a vacation in your physically attractive island.

But the Immigration officer at the airport was officious and two taxi drivers were frankly insulting. It was not like this six years ago.

Bermuda needs the world's tourists, the world's tourists don't need Bermuda.

The Bahamas made this elementary mistake 30 years ago. I think they are still recovering.

No vuelvo mas.

J. Hernandez Perez Mayaguez Puerto Rico