I am adding my voice to the many others who are outraged by the behaviour of Minister Renee Webb who was allegedly caught speeding at 70 kph on Harbour Road. The second time, I might add.

I don't understand why she was given a caution if she was driving recklessly and should have been taken off the road. I am sure your everyday citizen would not have received a caution but would have been punished severely.

BOB MASTERS Paget Bank was ruthless November 11, 2000 The following was sent to The Manager, Credit Card Department, The Bank of Bermuda and copied to The Royal Gazette .

Dear Sir, On October 16, 2000 my Visa credit card was due for a payment (one month late) and, as I have been forced to do on the odd occasion, I intended to simply make a double payment on that date; I also intended to pay the account together with the late charge which I had done on past occasions and had never had a problem. It was unfortunate that I had a doctor's appointment on October 8, 2000 and he immediately put me in the hospital where I have been to date.

On November 2, 2000, one of the orderlies at the Hospital escorted me to your Bank machine and I paid my October 16 Visa statement amount together with the $30.00 -- odd late charge which went through with no problem. On November 4, 2000, I again accessed the ATM at the Hospital and it kept my ATM card while flashing a momentary message. Now I have real trouble as I have no access to my account to make payments, deposits, etc. and due to my health problem (cancer of the throat, tracheostomy and removal of my larynx) I am unable to telephone because I cannot speak.

My point is as a Bank of Bermuda customer, partially responsible for your vast profits for the last 35 years, I do not see what gives you the right to freeze my current account over my problem with my Visa account. I may have had a problem, from time to time, with my Visa account but I have always rectified it. I believe your Bank is outright ruthless.

NELSON CABRALL Paget Strollers need a showcase November 16, 2000 Dear Sir, This letter is in reference to one of Bermuda's Premier Bands. Who? The Bermuda Strollers.

I had the great pleasure over the summer to witness myself the superb performance that these guys have. I was most impressed by the enjoyment and crowd participation and the great humour that was included. My hat goes off to them and I wish them every success in whatever they do.

What I would like the public to know is that I think that Bermudians young and old should get a chance to see them perform. The Bermuda Strollers need to be invited to local social functions. I am sure they would take great pride in performing for locals. We witnessed that at a Harbour Night on Front Street.

Come on Bermuda let us take pride and acknowledge a world-renowned band. The Bermuda Strollers.

WAITING FOR THE CONGA LINE Paget Keep Island a democracy November 10, 2000 Dear Sir, My deepest thanks go to Tim Hodgson for his opinion columns in the Mid-Ocean Newspaper for waking me up from complacency in not keeping informed about the affairs of the running of this Island, namely, the changes which were made to the Bermuda Constitution on our behalf and taken to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in England for ratification without our knowledge.

My thanks also go to Baroness Scotland for not accepting the changes made in secret until "all parties make full discussions''.

I don't make the time to read the daily papers often and seldom listen to the sessions of the House on the radio. Therefore, I like most other voters, was not aware that I had homework to do during the summer recess of the House (as we were reminded by the Premier at the town hall meeting on November 9). I feel it was the duty of those elected members of the House to make available to the voting public (perhaps by letter) the knowledge that there were changes made to our Constitution, several in simple name changes, but several with permanent consequences. I feel that each of the major changes should have been explained in detail, and what the far-reaching effects will be.

One change made to the Constitution that is of particular concern to me is section 52 (3) regarding boundaries which refers back to section 54 (3) to (6) which states that the Premier can make changes to the draft presented by the Boundaries Commission. The subsection also says the `Premier has to lay before the House of Assembly for its approval the draft...' but it has already been demonstrated by the Premier what can be done to Members of the House who do not concede to the present design of the inner political circle. This is one of the reasons why there should not be too few representatives in the House. This presents another thought. Who will be members of this inner circle? Will the members be busy doing the people's business or busy jockeying for super, high paying positions? We must keep this a democracy, a government by the people. The Constitution of Bermuda is a people's document, not a UBP or PLP document. The representatives voted in by the people are not given the mandate to decide and do what they think best, as we have heard several PLP members of the House allude to, which is dictatorship. Some may prefer to have decisions made for them, some may not be interested and don't mind leaving the decision making to a few. But many are bulldozed into thinking that the government knows best and will do what is best for the majority. This is why we need checks and balances. I want to be given the facts so that I can make decisions and am aware of the consequences.

A change that should be made is the wording in the second paragraph of section 54 (c) which says in effect that residents on the base lands do not come under the Constitution and, I imagine, cannot vote. The appointment of Ombudsman does not have to be added to the Constitution. I'm sure there are other changes which should be made, and this is why there should be much discussion and not secret, hastily made changes to this most important people's document.

IRENE PARRIS Fourth Generation Bermudian Devonshire Robbed of my rights The following was sent to Premier Jennifer Smith and Baroness Scotland of Asthal at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and was copied to The Royal Gazette .

9 November, 2000 Dear Madame Premier and Baroness Scotland, I am writing you today to voice my concerns regarding the proposed amendments by the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) to the Bermuda Constitution. In particular, I would like to address the proposed amendments to Section 52 - "Division of parishes of Bermuda into two-member constituencies'', which shall be replaced with "Division of Bermuda into single-member constituencies''.

Section 52 of our current Constitution states: 52(1) For the purpose of elections, the parish of Pembroke shall be divided into four constituencies and each of the other eight parishes of Bermuda shall be divided into two constituencies.

(2) Each constituency shall return two members to the House of Assembly.

The proposed amendments are as follows: 52(1) For purpose of elections, Bermuda shall be divided into such number of constituencies as shall be established under subsection (3) of this section, and in establishing the boundaries of the constituencies, the boundaries of parishes may be ignored to ensure that the constituencies shall contain, so far as is reasonably practicable, equal numbers of persons qualified to be registered as electors under section 55 of this Constitution.

(2) Each constituency shall return one member of the House of Assembly.

(3) The number and boundaries of the constituencies shall for the first time be established in accordance with subsections (3) to (6) of section 54 of this Constitution on the basis of recommendations contained in a report submitted by the Constituency Boundaries Commission under subsection (1)(b) of that section; and the number and boundaries of the constituencies shall thereafter be reviewed in accordance with that section.

Please understand that I am in favour of bringing equality to the power of each individual's vote. My concern is the methodology that is being proposed to bring about this result.

At present, we as voters, have the protection of the Constitution in that it clearly sets out the number of constituencies, the broad boundaries and the total number of members of the House of Assembly. The proposed amendment silences the constitution on these matters and hands these decisions over to the Constituency Boundaries Commission. Therefore, what is presently my right under the Constitution is handed over to a committee that is under the power of appointment of two political parties. The Parliamentary fate of Bermuda is then in the hands of a few people who are not elected and not representative of the people. I feel that I have been robbed of my present constitutional right and this is unacceptable.

It seems only fair and just that the people of Bermuda should be given the right to review the recommendations made by the Constituency Boundaries Commission via referendum from which proposed amendments to the Constitution would be binding. The Constitution would therefore not be silent on this important subject and the entire country would have participated in a democratic process and individuals would retain their constitutional rights.

There would be no room for accusations from either political party or independents.

It is interesting to note that our mother country, the United Kingdom, has promised its citizens this very same referendum procedure in considering changes to their parliamentary voting system. I cannot believe that we should be considered deserving anything less than equal treatment.

The Government makes the following statement: "We see the essential mission of the Progressive Labour Party to be the empowerment of the broad majority of the Bermuda people.'' I therefore implore the Progressive Labour Party and the United Kingdom Government to ensure that this pillar of the PLP manifesto be required to be followed. Let the Bermuda voters be "empowered'' by having a democratic voice in this matter. I am convinced that if the proposals are fair and just, that the boundaries are natural and not forced, if we truly can see the goal of "one man, one vote'', then the people of Bermuda will vote by a large majority in favour of this precept. But, at least let us vote -- don't rob us of our right to choose.

Please be advised that a copy of this letter has been sent to the local press and the Leader of the Opposition.

JULIE GUNTHER Pembroke Where was Bermuda? November 13, 2000 Dear Sir, I am a Bermudian working in England and was motivated to write this letter after watching on television the Remembrance Day service in London. I hoped to see a Bermudian government representative place a memorial wreath at the London Cenotaph. Amongst others, countries represented were Jamaica, St.

Vincent, South Africa, Canada and Germany. However there appeared to be no Bermudian representative.

I give the Government the benefit of my doubt where I believe they are aware of the historical importance of Remembrance Day. I am therefore unable to understand the reasons for our lack of representation and wanted to convey my feelings of disappointment, embarrassment and concern. These feelings have only heightened after the inexcusable belated birthday wishes to the Queen Mother.

My concerns are detailed below. Firstly for Bermuda's reputation. Inexcusable actions, or lack of, are observed. Perhaps this is on a small level, but nevertheless it could negatively impact decision making in industries such as tourism and business. It also occurred to me that government is grateful for the advantages of having British links, such as when involving Royals in local award giving ceremonies and when making business trips which are likely to involve personal gains.

I feel we need to utilise opportunities such as London's Remembrance Day service to show our gratitude for our freedom and to show on an international scale that Bermudians are not selfish or lazy. Unfortunately, this is how we could be perceived this side of the pond! Secondly I am concerned about how Bermuda is developing its future. I am in my mid-20's and was able to attend university, thankfully enabled by a government scholarship. I am now gainfully employed, receiving job satisfaction, financial and social rewards. I fear that other Bermudians may have had similar observations of Government's actions and may choose not to return after studying. The implications, I feel, are obvious (goodbye hopes for Bermudianisation!) Currently I am continuing my professional development and rethinking my long-term goal of returning home to work and settle. I am in the financial position to repay my government scholarship and have found as a medical professional, working visas easy to obtain, thus do not feel forced to return home.

There is still something magical calling me back to the Island but I am afraid that this magic will disappear if government actions do not improve. If it does disappear I have no doubts that those, like myself, who are in a position to leave...will.

CONCERNED BERMUDIAN ABROAD Northamptonshire, England Editor's Note: Bermuda marks Remembrance Day every November 11. According to a Government House spokesman, High Commissioners and Ambassadors of Commonwealth and foreign governments are invited to lay wreaths; Bermuda does not have a government representative in the United Kingdom and would therefore not be invited.

Baroness Scotland