Police these posters

July 9, 2008

Dear Sir,

One of the great things about Bermuda is no neon signs and until recently no posting of flyers on utility poles. These flyers stay up way past the event and when they are eventually torn down they leave torn paper, tape, staples or glue. Some of our roads are beginning to look really messy like towns and cities in Canada and the USA where posting flyers on utility poles has gone on for decades.

Do Government, BELCO or BTC own these poles? Have the owners given permission for them to be used? Do the owners charge the promoters for the advertising space? Will the owners charge the promoters for cleaning the poles back to their original finish. There are many legitimate ways to advertise in Bermuda without defacing our roadsides and potentially causing accidents as people try to read flyers while driving past.

I have no problem with the residential 'lost pet' posters, as these are usually taken down as soon as the family pet has been found. It's those on our main roads that promote a private, normally for profit, function. If promoters choose to advertise this way, and if the owners agree, make the promoters remove every trace of the flyers within 24 hours of the event, or charge them an appropriate fee for every one removed for them. I'd rather see them banned for both safety and aesthetic reasons, but I'm of the older generation who knew Bermuda in quieter and cleaner times.

FOR A CLEANER ENVIRONMENT

Pembroke

It could happen to you

July 6, 2008

Dear Sir,

My very dear friend, Norman Palmer, passed away on April 12th due to a restriction to his throat. I was horrified and disgusted to also learn that major organs were removed from his body. Norman was not a donor, and I would like to know, as I am certain most people of the Island would like to know, why would his other organs be removed when not pertaining to the cause of his death. Who is ordering this barbaric act to take place? Had it not been for the Coroner in England that did not accept Respiratory Failure as the cause of death as was on his Death Certificate, and further investigating by doing an autopsy themselves, his family would never have known.

I doubt very much that Norman was the first victim. This brings into question then, for all the people who passed away on or before the April 12, were their body parts removed too? For the sake of Norman's family, and the devastating effect it has had on them, this matter needs to be investigated thoroughly and should not be allowed, under any circumstances, to 'slip through the cracks'. On a final note, as this is such a serious matter, I am shocked that there have not been more letters to the Editor. Who knows, it could be your loved one next.

JANE GREGORY

Bailey's Bay

Not so different after all

July 10, 2008

Dear Sir,

I was intrigued to read in today's newspaper (July 10) that the PLP's free child care will only be available to Bermudian parents with a gross income not exceeding a 'maximum prescribed amount'. While restricting free child care to needy families may be an entirely sensible thing to do, it is nevertheless not what the PLP promised before last year's General Election.

On 13 December 2007, the PLP published a statement on its website which said, "The PLP will provide free DayCare for all Bermudians. That's a big difference between us and the UBP. The UBP will only provide day care for so-called 'needy' families." It seems that the PLP is not so different from the UBP, after all.

PHILLIP WELLS

St. George's

Save Waterloo House

June 22, 2008

Dear Sir,

During the past month my daughter and I had the extreme pleasure of visiting your beautiful island. It had been for many years that we tried to travel to Bermuda but time and circumstance did not make it possible until now. We are both seasoned travellers and at each of our destinations we endeavour to capture the true spirit of the country that we visit. So, it was with this in mind that we decided to stay at a truly charming hotel, The Waterloo House, conveniently located in Hamilton. Unlike so many of the newly built hotels, which exude glitz, the Waterloo House over the years has maintained all of its old world charm.

Upon entering you are greeted by a friendly atmosphere with a staff that is there to personally assist you with every need. The rooms are warmly furnished and just charming. Enjoying breakfast on the outside terrace overlooking the harbour was a wonderful way to begin each day. And, as for their dining room one could not ask for more. Beautifully appointed and manned by a staff that knew all the correct moves and presentation for a dining experience. It would rival any supreme restaurant around the world. Living in New York and working for one of the world's largest investment banks I speak from a vantage point of experience. The chef must be complemented for the varied menu and the presentation of the plating with each course.

From the moment that we arrived until our departure we were treated like old friends visiting a home we knew. While making our arrangements for departure we mentioned that we would definitely be returning to the Waterloo House again in the not too distant future. We had enjoyed our stay so much. It was at this juncture in our conversation that we were informed of the pending fate of this beautiful establishment. Please tell me, why is this charming establishment slated to be torn down and replaced with a modern structure? Do not the "powers that be" on your beautiful island recognise the travesty that will be committed by doing this? For heavens sake go in if you must and update the amenities that are already there but please do not remove this "Grand Old Lady" from your charming island.

RITA LOUISE PASSALACQUA

Jo-Anne Passalacqua, MD

Connecticut

Remembering a friend

May 12, 2008

Dear Sir,

I feel compelled to write about a dear friend of mine who passed away May 6, 2008, Mr. Earlston Smith of Spring Hill Warwick. He was not only known throughout Bermuda as a master carpenter but as a very capable musician. Among other big dance bands he played important parts in, he spent many years in Al Davis' Big Band during the forties and fifties at the Belmont Hotel beginning at the age of 18.

I had the privilege of playing with him for a short time in the saxophone section of Sydney Ottley's big band for dances which were mostly held in halls throughout the country, before we moved on to other bands. A big dance band consisted mainly of 11 musicians or more. For his service to music and entertainment, Mr. Smith was awarded the Queen's Certificate and Badge of Honour, along with other members of the Aldano Sextet in which he played in later years.

In May'07 he was honoured for music by the government through the Hon. Mr. Dale Butler who chose five of us musicians from the fifties to be highlighted. They were Earl Darrell (piano) Kenneth Smith (drums) Mr. Smith, John (Sonny) Phipps and myself (tenor saxophone).

The venerable Alexandrina Lodge Hall threatened by the wreaking ball must have had every musician play there throughout many years. Like the big bands of Mark Williams, Ernie Leader, Pot Gilbert, Freddie Chapman, Kenny Iris, Triscot Scott, Ghandi Burgess, Freddy Matthews, Al Davis, Tubby Chiappa and Sydney Ottley.

ROSS TUZO

Warwick