Island without conscience

August 1, 2009

Dear Sir,

There are so many unpleasant and unbelievable issues facing Bermuda at the moment that are just downright scary.

A young man lies dead in his grave, leaving a family robbed of a son with no one convicted of his murder. This is when you have to ask, what in the world is going on in Bermuda? This is truly the Rebecca Middleton case revisited!

Is it the fault of our judicial system? Or is it the prosecution? Or is it because of fear? Will we ever know the answers? Mr. Editor, there is something mighty wrong here and seemingly, everything has fallen to an all-time new low level.

We have countless PLP supporters who will yell their heads off over something as stupid as an MP not being called, "The Honourable" or "Minister" – but, these same people will not say a word against the terrible injustice that has just been carried out against the Hill family. My heart goes out to the family of Kellon Hill – and these silent people better wake up because a day of reckoning is coming.

Mr. Editor, here is where I have to play that infamous "race card" – the one that the PLP so conveniently use as an excuse for just about everything. Picture this scenario ... A black youth is leaving a beach party at Elbow Beach. He is beaten, stabbed, and killed by five white youths wielding a knife, a screwdriver, a crash helmet, and a walking cane … all for a gold chain. At the trial, one by one these poor little white boys are acquitted, and the last one up for the murder is set free because of a hung jury, now what do you think the outcry would be? You would have his Momma, his brothers, his sisters and cousins, his ace boys (the posse) and some who were just there for the excitement, rioting inside and outside the courts and then they would burn the place down – and don't tell me they wouldn't.

What some blacks have to face up to is that "right is right and wrong is wrong". There is no "black wrong that is right" – and no "right wrong that is black"! For my white brothers and sisters who do not understand this method of thinking, just think again.

There are too many blacks who are under the impression that it is their right to do wrong and get away with it. The same thing goes for some members in the PLP who feel that because the Government is 99 and three quarters black, they can do whatever they want and get away with it and unfortunately, that includes the Premier.

Just look how some things are justified around here. A man gets fined $10,000 for having "past the deadline" lobsters in his freezer, and five people who were seen attacking Kellon Hill with all of the above mentioned deadly weapons, get off with murder (yet another black on black crime). Does this make sense to you? It certainly does not to me.

It seems that we have become an island without conscience (social or otherwise), without honour, and without integrity ... and responsibility for all of this goes back to the parents, the leader and leaders of this country.

We have become an Island of murderers, thieves, liars, and an ineffective judicial system. Not a pretty picture!

PAT FERGUSON

Warwick

Service needs improving

August 18, 2009

Dear Sir,

Having heard on the news today about the problems being experienced by all stores in Bermuda, and the "Use it or Lose it" notice to the public, I would like to add the following suggestions to helping them continue.

1. Businesses should be told in no uncertain manner that they no longer have a captive market. The Internet won't go away.

2. One thing that a lot of people find upsetting is the attitude of staff in most stores throughout Bermuda. Cashiers are particularly bad in this aspect. If they know the person they are serving, they will carry on a conversation even though there is a line of people standing waiting to pay for their goods.

3. The so called 'Express Line' in some supermarkets is even more annoying. Even with a sign saying no more than 10 items, one can often see a person unloading an almost full cart, and compounding this by paying by credit card. Surely something can be done about this?

4. Another gripe that needs sorting out is prices differing on the shelf and on the checkout computer. (Never in the customers favour!!!)

5. The Chamber of Commerce (or, it may be necessary to start up a separate organisation just for this purpose) should consider some sort of 'Charm" school for sales persons. Perhaps a small reward for getting a pass certificate, or good results? But at the very least, hammer it into them that they are NOT doing the customer a favour, the customer is the reason they are getting the pay for their jobs. And keep this programme up. Once is not enough!

How about as a starter for school leavers?

6. And please, staff should be encouraged to SMILE! A smile costs nothing, but the goodwill is worth thousands. I understand the Market Place started the 'charm' school idea a few years ago, this was great while it lasted, but seems to have lapsed. Very few of the new/young checkout persons are courteous or smile, but most 'old-timers still do. And what a difference it makes.

7. Where possible, 'Technical Stores' (for want of a better name for electronic, computer, automotive stores, etc.) should be encouraged to make sure their staff know what they are talking about, or at least have it drummed into their heads 'if you don't know, call your supervisor.'

8. Establish an "Inspector of Stores." Someone who can visit stores anywhere on the Island, unannounced, and report back to the responsible organisation (to the Chamber of Commerce for example) on the attitudes and efficiency of sales persons. This need not be a permanent job, a part-time job for a senior at so much an hour (or report) would probably be sufficient to start with. This can be sorted out.

9. Compliments/suggestions/complaints boxes placed around all stores, CLEARLY marked, with pads and pencils ready to use. To be checked daily, and acted upon immediately, by phone if possible. With an advertising campaign explaining why this is being done. And encouraging people to use them. Have a reward system in place for staff getting lost of compliments. And make sure the customer knows that if they are happy with the pleasant service, then the sales persons will be rewarded. Which comes to the next point.

10. ALL staff in all stores, (not just the sales persons) should have mame-tags. Or some sort of visible ID so that the compliment or complaint can be sorted fairly. But most particularly the title of Manager, Supervisor, etc. should be on the relevant tags.

11. Be more aggressive in asking for suggestions for improvements from customers and staff, and have a system of bringing these points up at Chamber of Commerce meetings and pass the word around to all members so that all may benefit.

VERY CONCERNED,

Southampton