Ruining our reputation

February 18, 2009

Dear Sir,

I have just read about the recent insurance group which has chosen to redomicile, but not to Bermuda; the company has chosen Dublin.

The CEO was quoted as saying that Dublin was preferable to Bermuda because of its "stable political environment". I wonder if this has sent shivers up the spine of every right thinking Bermudian. Bermuda has always been looked upon as being politically stable; now it seems we are no longer considered stable. What a tragedy!

When will the PLP Government admit they made a terrible mistake in implementing the "six-year term limit".

At what point will the PLP recognise that they are ruining Bermuda's good reputation? Does this Government really want to scare away potential investment here?

CAMELOT

Smith's

Figures don't look right

February 19, 2009

Dear Sir,

I have been awaiting the updated crime statistics on police.bm for quite some time; up until February 18, 2009, only the first quarter of 2008 numbers had been posted.

Of particular interest, I wanted to note the increase in residential burglaries in 2008 having been a victim myself. Much to my surprise, Residential burglaries were down from 655 in 2007 to 638 in 2008. Could this be the case?

Well, I just happened to save an archived version of statistics that were displayed on the site (which were by quarter) prior to February 18, 2009.

According to the previously published stats on the police.bm site, the total 2007 residential burglaries was 867 not 655; by quarter it was listed as 189, 213, 256 and 209.

I also noted that comparing 1Q07 to 1Q08, the stats were 189 versus 206 ... clearly we were on our way to a record year. But the newly released stats with their new 'categories' including "other burglaries" would lead you to believe that we seem to be seeing a reduction in home break-ins despite hearing about a break-in every day on the news. I think the public deserves a bit more clarity.

BRIDGE FOR SALE

Warwick

Editor's note: Some crimes were reclassified in the Police crime statistics to better represent crime incidence.

About time

February 18, 2009

Dear Sir,

We note there will be "special sessions of Cabinet to address growing levels of crime" on the island. With almost nine crimes committed per day, we have to say, about time! And so, to what extent will these sessions explore the out of control crime levels? Is it a problem caused by broken homes, poor education, drugs (to mention only a few) or a Government that has failed to implement strategies to improve good standards of living and social responsibilities to deter crime?

The recidivism rate at our correctional facility in Bermuda is 78 percent and I'm not sure what it is here in British Columbia. But, what we do know, is the house for incarceration on the island is not really a house of incarceration.

Sometime ago a member of the Bermuda Parliament talked about crime and the government's inability to address those problems.

He said: "The causes are often rooted in dysfunctional family, poor education and drug abuse. Yet, the prisons have been operating without a single full time psychologist for some time."

Isn't that hard to believe — 78 percent return for another visit when 'they' said the 'alternative to incarceration' is working.

We ask if any of the three mentioned problems have been addressed? Is anything being done or can anything be done, for dysfunctional families? Do you think the Government has clamped down on drug dealings? And finally, do the prisons have a psychologist yet?

TOPPY AND SAUNDRA COWEN

British Columbia

No faith in Government

February 19, 2009

Dear Sir,

Friday is as we all know Budget Day. I have no idea what it will contain but economist Mr. Craig Simmons believes that we may hear of a proposal for a Government bond issue. He surmises that this could be funded by locals and that it would help get the government through this ever deepening financial crisis.

He tells us that there may be $16 billion overseas that is owned by locals and that by offering rates of return of two percent that this would be a good deal.

Why is that money overseas? For many the answer is that it is an effort to diversify their holdings out of Bermuda which any financial planner would say is a sound idea. Others may have business or other interests. Bringing money back to Bermuda would be a vote of confidence in Bermuda and the way it is being governed. I love my country but I would not support the bond issue because I do not have faith in our Government.

Why should I lend my cash to support a Government that refuses to be open and transparent with its financial dealings? A Government that refuses to tell us how much has already been lost in its overseas accounts. A Government that won't even tell us where our money is being held. A Government whose idea of financial restraint is to piss away $3 million on a concert, $400,000 on apparently bogus faith based tourism activities, $75,000 at least on a party for government ministers and friends. A Government that takes years to rent the "People's House". A Government that hands out SDO's like candy and wants to develop the pristine Warwick Long Bay.

I could go on for a long time but I think you get the point. The Government has the tax money that we all have to pay. That is their right, but the people who object to the way this Government ignores the concerns of its citizens would have an opportunity to register their disapproval by not supporting the bond issue.

Think before you buy.

ALBERT SODERGREN

Smith's

Used stamps anyone?

February 12, 2009

Dear Sir,

Some years ago a lady brought round to my office a large box and asked me to save used postage stamps for charity. What with franking machines and everyone e-mailing, it's taken a long time to fill. However it's full now but the telephone number on the side is no longer in use and therefore through your column I am hoping that someone out there could make use of a lot of used stamps. If so please e-mail me at executempsbda@ibl.bm

CAROL CARVALHO

Southampton

Still in the past

February 16, 2009

Dear Sir,

In response to the recent RG headline, "Island's chequered history must be learnt, says Premier", I offer the following comments.

On the topic of "history", I have been researching the history of the Bermuda Public Services Union (BPSU). Prior to 1949 when segregation was prominent, black Bermudians were not allowed to compete for positions in the Civil Service. Some headway has been made since then in reversing the make up of the Civil Service to what it is today.

The Customs Department, for instance, has seen only one black Collector of Customs in its history. If the present Collector of Customs feels that the one black male who has equal educational qualifications to her is unsuitable to gain senior management experience, then what has changed today? After all, if there was cause for concern back then because several black persons had taken and passed examinations but were never appointed, why has this black government and union allowed the same practice to continue under their reign?

As for the present Assistant Collectors of Customs, although the majority of them do not possess all of the required criteria for the job, they were all given an opportunity. I assume these same individuals are not viewed as a threat to the Collector of Customs. Have the white officers who have been successful in climbing the ranks within HM Customs endured what certain black officers have had to endure?

It is usually the responsibility of the BPSU to defend members of their Union when they have been overlooked for promotion, however, on this occasion when the BPSU has remained silent and I have spoken out, the General Secretary has gone to the extent of having his attorney request that I cease and desist from sharing my opinion. I will continue to ask why the same point the individual's attorney told him he couldn't use during his case, is now being used by the former Attorney General. Civil Servants should be extremely concerned when I ask the question, why is a BPSU member of 25 years service being asked by the General Secretary, "Why are you still fighting?" Is that what they consider Union support?

Upon review of the history of this so-called chequered past, has that much changed even with a majority black Union, a majority black Civil Service and a majority black government? As happened in the past, there is still too much power given to the few people who make the appointments.

What I see occurring today is emphasis being placed on a Sally Bassett statue as a reminder of the past, while a blind eye is turned to the wrong which continues to occur. The BPSU and the Government Ministers, including the Premier, remained silent when the former Governor issued a "fiat" during a recent hearing, yet Premier Brown describes himself as a product of a racially divided Bermuda. This point alone will go down in the history that I teach my children to pass on to their future generations.

We must remember that when we have children and they do wrong, we correct them. The same principle should apply to adults; instead we see policies and procedures being ignored by some high ranking Civil Servants, thus allowing remnants of what occurred in the past to continue to plague us. So Honourable Premier, let's begin with the Customs Department as one particular individual continues to fight against injustices and has received absolutely no support from within.

I'll end with a lesson from Dhammapada,18, translated by Thanissaro Bhikkhu:

"Life's easy to live for someone unscrupulous, cunning as a crow, corrupt, back-biting, forward, & brash;

"But for someone who's constantly scrupulous, cautious, observant, sincere, pure in his livelihood, clean in his pursuits, IT'S HARD."

JENNIFER CAINES

Devonshire