I am 13 years old and I think that people (the board members) involved in this Bermuda College dispute need to confer on this issue in a private (most of it) mature manner. Also I think that people's resume ms are confidential, and if you wish to use it you should ask the person for permission to print it in the media.

To the PLP, if you want to be elected again you should review your platform.

This is a piece of your PLP 1998 Platform: "We will ensure that qualified Bermudians come first in the job market.'' I am not trying to pull down the PLP but advise them how to stay in Government.

STUDENT Southampton P.s. I am praying for everyone in this matter of dispute.

The best solution June 10, 1999 Dear Sir, A recent report ( Royal Gazette June 8) suggested that the Bermuda College Board might create a second vice president's post. Talk show callers complained about the resulting increased cost.

Let me share my views: We still have two communities with a great disparity between them economically, socially and psychologically. This disparity, established during slavery, has been deliberately maintained through segregation, exploitation and economic exclusion until today, despite the fact that even during slavery there were free blacks and there have always been a few blacks who found a measure of economic success. Even in South Africa a few blacks were financially successful.

This policy of segregation and exploitation has been extremely costly for the black communities both here and in South Africa. This is a fact which many choose to ignore. In South Africa the economy provided a luxurious living for whites and exploited blacks to do so. That same economy must now find a way to provide electricity and running water for millions for blacks who were denied even that. It will be very costly! The disparity in Bermuda is not so great. Nevertheless we too have developed an economy intended to provide a luxurious living for most in the white community, including expatriates, while deliberately denying and excluding most in the black community. It will indeed be costly to eliminate this disparity through education, opportunity, experience, exposure and a score of other approaches. But it will not be nearly as costly as it has been for black community. If there had been several understudies for Dr. Peters and many other imported foreign expatriate "experts'', the current discussion would not be necessary. It will be costly but not nearly as costly as it will be if the current Government does not begin to find creative and imaginative ways to begin to eliminate this disparity in our rapidly changing economy.

This task will not be easy and there will be a great deal of resistance and criticism, just as in South Africa. PLP supporters need to recognise their responsibility to actively participate in the discussion and in attempting to find solutions to this challenge. This Government will accomplish little without the constructive and productive involvement of those who put them there.

EVA N. HODGSON Hamilton Parish PLP's double standard June 15, 1999 Dear Sir, I suggest to the Government that it withdraw its protest against the appointment of Saul Froomkin as Canada's Honorary Consul. There are two points that the Government seems to have overlooked.

First, just because a lawyer represents a party in a court proceeding, that does not mean that he or she is personally supporting the cause. A lawyer is a "hired gun'', and Mr. Froomkin is no different. Most likely, he was hired by the UBP because he is exceptional at his job. Nevertheless, even if we humour the Government and agree that Mr. Froomkin is a UBP supporter, we have a second point to address.

The Government seems to be imposing some interesting double standards. The Hon. Dame Lois Browne Evans was Jamaica's Honorary Consul for about 20 years -- while she was a PLP backbencher and the Leader of the Opposition. The UBP Government did not object to her appointment, despite her obvious involvement with the PLP, because foreign governments should have the right to appoint whom they choose.

The Government should withdraw its objection to Mr. Froomkin immediately, and learn that it's often better to think before acting. Whatever game the Government is trying to play with party politics, it has no place in the international arena.

DOUBTING THOMAS City of Hamilton Fathers have feelings too June 11, 1999 Dear Sir, As Father's Day is soon approaching, I thought it was important to write concerning a grave injustice here in Bermuda...the treatment of fathers.

Unfortunately there has been a great deal of negative press surrounding "Deadbeat Dads'', when in fact an extremely small percentage of the father's here are delinquent in the care of their children.

I question why a clearer picture is so hard to get with regard to this issue.

My belief is because, as with most causes, someone needs to spend a great deal of time, energy and often money to right a wrong. I highly commend Sheelagh Cooper for her response to the needs of abused woman and for the rights of children. She is one of those fortunate individuals that has the time and money to invest in the cause of her choice.

The public has a right to know what goes on and how it affects all (men, women and children). I strongly agree with Alvin Goulbourne, president of the Father's Resource Centre, when he blasted the Island mentality as biased against men and the fact that many men feel that the courts are a waste of time. The courts are not helping children when they allow legal action to reach thousand upon thousand of dollars. Nor is it in the best interest of the children to automatically award "care and control'' or "custody'' to the mother versus the father. Why does the legal system assume that the woman is the best caregiver? And why is it that the woman seems to end up with everything...the house, the children, child support and/or alimony? All of this is for the best interest of whom? Surely it is not the children.

Often these children run around with old worn clothing when the mother has a wardrobe unmatched by most Hollywood celebrities. The children's minds are often poisoned with thoughts of how terrible their father is. How often are the children used as pawns where the man is given an ultimatum, "...either you do such and such or you can't see the children''? And then of course the law gives the woman the right to go back to court almost at will to get more money from this man who eats peanut butter sandwiches every night.

What happens if this man is fortunate enough to remarry in spite of all these issues? That's right, the ex-wife (or ex-partner) is not entitled to anything this second wife has or earns, but the court "takes all of this into consideration''. So now you have the new wife paying for children that are not her's. Now imagine how this adds to an already complex step-family.

Laws need to be passed to protect all. The laws need to be such that it fosters good relationships between the divorced couple (or unmarried couples not cohabiting) for the betterment of the children and the adults. A sealing needs to be placed on the amount that can be spent for lawyer's fees. Let's face it, the more that is spent on legal fees the less is available for the children. And the only real winners are the lawyers. Reasonable expectations need to be controlled for instance, the amount spent on private education, extra curricular activities, clothing and child care. All too often people are living above their means expecting someone else, namely the father, to pick up the tab. We have plenty of excellent teachers in the public school system, so why do these single mothers insist on private education? Obviously to "put it to the guy'' once again. And where does it guarantee that parents (or fathers) need to foot the bill for "higher education''. In most middle income families that I know, the child is responsible for his or her education past primary school. If the child wants to go to college or university he or she should work towards scholarships or have part-time and summer jobs to save up funds.

Men are not the enemies. They are just as much the victims as the children.

The fact is there is no relationship that ends in divorce or permanent separation due to thoughts and actions of one individual. It takes two to keep the relationship together and two to destroy it. Women need to take equal responsibility for the dissolution of the relationship and quit pointing the finger at the man. Men have feelings just like woman. For many men it is emotionally devastating to be separated from his children. But no-one ever seems to take this in to consideration. Why? Because men often suffer in silence. Women on the other hand are vocal about their pain and suffering.

The legal system as it currently stands with all the cards stacked in favour of the woman encourages future generations of noncommittal men and arrogant women. Why would a man ever want to commit to a woman when he has grown up knowing the hatred between his two parents? And why should a woman that grew up in a single family or step family situation be bothered with a man that is not perfect? She doesn't need him. She'll end up with everything anyway.

When Bermuda wakes up and starts treating Fathers with the respect and dignity they deserve the country will be a much better place in which to live and everyone can enjoy a Happy Father's Day.

I'd like an answer from any of the political leaders and lawmakers as to what they plan to do to rectify this injustice of fathers? Act now, because tomorrow will be too late.

A FEMALE ADVOCATE FOR FATHER'S RIGHTS Warwick Dismayed by tourism ad June 13, 1999 Dear Sir, I read with disgust and dismay the front-page report in Friday's Royal Gazette (June 11) entitled "What the Hamptons ad says''.

The third claim listed, "Everyone in Bermuda is courteous and friendly'' is manifestly untrue. Is it "courteous and friendly'' to put down another tourist destination? Is it "courteous and friendly'' to insult and denigrate the competition? Don't make me laugh.

This tactless, ham-handed type of publicity makes one ashamed to be a Bermudian. There must be someone in Bermuda who can produce better advertising copy than this. Which brings me to my final and most important question: Who writes this garbage? JEAN S. HANNANT Pembroke Cut Registrar's office May 26, 1999 Dear Sir, My information is that there were something like 17 employees in the Parliamentary Registration Office. Now we should be able to basically do away with 16 of these positions in our bloated Civil Service. The Civil Service is a drain on the whole economy, even on the Civil Servants themselves.

I seem to remember Dr. David Saul and Dr. Grant Gibbons made a pledge to cut the Civil Service. Did it happen? I don't think so. I think a PLP member also talked about the size of the Civil Service but was silenced as this was before they were elected! I am always knocking party politics but you can imagine that out of 36,000 voters, many are themselves or have a parent, sibling, spouse or child who is a civil servant. At least half of the voting public are probably linked to the Civil Service by their pocket book.

Anyway, it is outrageous that we have continued with the annual voter registration for so long. It was blatantly a ploy of the UBP to stay in power and a terrible waste of time and money. They should be ashamed.

SANDERS FRITH-BROWN Warwick Driving visitors away June 7, 1999 Dear Sir, While out taking photographs today to promote the "new'' Bermuda I visited Admiralty House Park. I arrived and was looking for the best angle to take the photograph when I was shouted at from below by a young couple who were sitting on the dock. I did not hear everything but I did hear enough to make me feel uncomfortable being there, so I left the park.

If Bermuda is going to promote eco-tourism, visitors are more and more likely to visit places like Admiralty House Park and the Government needs to police these areas on a more permanent basis or they will find that when the first-time visitor encounters these sort of racial insults they will be making it their last-time visit.

As for me, I will be back...I don't have a choice. ANOTHER DISHEARTENED BERMUDIAN Paget Too much graffiti June 4, 1999 Dear Sir, I've just got off the phone calling both talk show stations, because I'm so annoyed at what's happening around our Island at this present time. So I'm asking, Mr. Editor, for this medium to do something to "get the word out'', in hope something will be done and done soon.

For quite sometime now, someone has been going around vandalising everything in sight with what appears to be their "signatures''. The new litter bins around the city are the usual target, but I've noticed here lately places like the wall surrounding BAA field, the bus shelter on North Shore Road below Government House, the lane next to the Green Lantern Restaurant, and the south exit of Washington Lane. I'm sure there are other places around that I haven't seen as well.

Mr. Editor, this graffiti is very distinct as is easily recognisable. Someone knows who is doing this and should report the perpetrator. If this person is found out he/she should be punished by being made to clean it up in broad daylight as this might prove to be a deterrent in the future. Also if this person feels the need to, "display'' their artistic ability than he/she be given a space on the wooden panels on Reid Street extensions that was pictured in this morning's Royal Gazette .

CONCERNED Smith's Parish Build more speed bumps June 11, 1999 Dear Sir, I would like to congratulate the Corporation on the new speed control (bump) on Dundonald Street which I feel will be very effective in slowing down traffic and allowing pedestrians to cross without fear of being hit.

I have another location I would like to see one of these speed controls placed and that is the pedestrian crossing on Church Street between Chevron House and Toys n'Stuff. We have had one of our employees struck on this crossing and I have personally had to jump out of the way of oncoming traffic to avoid being hit on this pedestrian crossing.

My office overlooks the crossing and every day I witness pedestrians almost being hit by cars, bikes, trucks and buses. Please consider putting a speed control at this location as soon as possible. Also, I would strongly suggest that Government puts these speed controls at every pedestrian crossing outside every school in Bermuda as the days of slowing down when approaching a pedestrian crossing are unfortunately part of Bermuda's history.

JOHN E. THORNE City of Hamilton