Mail needs sorting out

December 3, 2009

Dear Sir,

I had two pieces of OHMS mail in my box this morning. I know that the Governor is responsible for all of the Bermuda Police Force's woes, but I had quite forgotten that the Queen is similarly responsible for all of the Bermuda Post Office's problems. Maybe if she spent less time travelling the World and more time helping out at the Main Post Office ...

Yours sorting things out,

ANDREW R. DOBLE

Hamilton Parish

Unknown at this address

November 30, 2009

Dear Sir,

As a follow up to the letter submitted by "Dead Letter Office" of Paget, (Saturday, November 28) I received word yesterday from my son in the UK that a birthday card mailed to me back in September by him and his wife has just made its way back to them in Devon marked "Unknown at this Address".

We have lived at our present address for 21 years and the only error in the address on the envelope was my daughter-in-law had inadvertently put the postcode as DV05 instead of DV04. My card had made it 3,000 plus miles from Devon, UK, to an Island of only 60,000 persons where it reached a postal worker, who is now being paid to find the slightest mistake in an address which gives them an excuse not to deliver the mail, it then safely made it back 3,000 miles to it's starting point.

The expression Postal Service is an oxymoron if ever I saw one.

DOROTHY WOOLGAR

Paget

Don't be a Manhattan

November 27, 2009

Dear Sir,

After reading Megan Lopes' letter to the Editor, I felt highly compelled to respond.

I take issue with Ms Lopes' belief that the façade of Front Street is insignificant. In Bermuda we have witnessed a construction boom over the past decade and Front Street has changed a lot, but I would dare say that the integrity of Front Street hasn't changed except for Sir John Swan's building. For example, HSBC has done a wonderful job at maintaining the image of Front Street as well as the Cooper Building, and if you travel a little further, the ACE Building has upheld the integrity of Bermudian architecture during the last decade. Therefore, commercial space does not have to come at the expense of abandoning Bermudian architecture.

This global economic meltdown will not last forever, and it certainly won't outlive Sir John Swan's building's useful life. However, we don't want to be stuck with an eyesore for the next century. Moreover, Bermuda's recession has nothing to do with a lack of commercial space available, and by creating more office space, the recession will only deepen in the short run.

Right now, there is an ample amount of empty commercial property. Thus, to say that this building will create more jobs and offer more Bermudian jobs is naïve "environmentally friendly and energy efficient" buildings do not equal new capital, and hence, new start-up companies.

Furthermore, Bermuda's carbon footprint on the world is miniscule when compared to other countries, namely China and the United States. Realistically, Bermuda could be the most energy efficient country in the world, but Bermuda alone could not reverse global warming and its effects. Consequently, to say that this building is going to cut energy consumption is valid, but in the big picture it's going to do nothing for the planet and very little for Bermuda. Bermuda would benefit more if people would pick up litter to protect and enhance our land, beaches, and waters. This will strengthen Bermuda's fauna and also protect its wildlife and sea life.

Lastly, tourists around the world admire Bermuda "untouched" and enjoy our unique architecture just as much as they enjoy our beaches and our people; making Bermuda's architecture a vital component of Bermuda's tourism product. If Bermuda looks like everywhere else, then why come to Bermuda? We need a one-two punch in Bermuda international business and tourism. Bermuda can do that, but I believe it's not done by transforming Bermuda into a mini Manhattan.

With my sunglasses on,

JUSTIN MORLEY

Pembroke

Dancing is iceberg tip

December 8, 2009

Dear Sir,

None of us are perfect, and like many, I too live in a glass house. Nevertheless, I'd like to thank Senator Kim Wilson for her comments in the Senate about some of the lascivious dancing at this year's Santa Claus parade. Many of us have seen this behaviour, but will only discuss it amongst our peers. Some of our politicians will only mention it in private or behind close doors, but never say what really needs to be said in public. I even wonder where our religious leadership is on the issue, because I can't recall them making a real fuss about anything other than gambling and homosexuality. Hopefully, Senator Wilson's action will lead to more of our leaders stepping forward to speak on this challenging subject, because it is long overdue.

By no stretch of the imagination am I a prude or a religious conservative, but the reality is that what was seen at this year's Christmas parade has slowly but surely become progressively worse at the 24th of May Parade. Over the last five years, time and time again I have cringed at some of the dance moves I see seven- and eight-year-olds doing. So what's happening now is by no means a surprise. Quite the opposite. It is exactly what we should be expecting. To put it bluntly, what else can you expect when you incessantly promote promiscuity, misogyny, racism and violence in the community?

Let's not play dumb any more and call it like it is. When was the last time you looked at BET/MTV or listened to some of the nonsense that is sometimes played over our own radio stations? Have you listened past the beat and paid attention to the actual words of the music? When was the last time you scanned the ignorance that can be found on every magazine rack these days? What we find is not exactly the kind of material that's going to help a kid get ahead, now is it?

If we were honest with ourselves, we would acknowledge that something is really wrong when many of our most successful celebrities are ex-drug dealers who glamourise gangster lifestyles and waste no opportunity to grossly disrespect women. And yes, there are some female "artists" out there who are no better than the men, and set no example for any young person to follow.

In my opinion no one should be scratching their heads or shrugging their shoulders over what we see today. Any way you cut it, it should be blatantly obvious that the kids in these parades are learning from our instruction and our example. The promiscuity, violence and bigotry, we see in the community are reflections of what we adults do, allow and promote, to our children. Consequently, if we adults fail to set better examples, if we refuse to change the cable/radio channel or allow them to be exposed to whatever they want over the internet, we will need to accept that the dancing in the parade and continuing violence are merely the tip of the iceberg.

BRYANT TREW

Sandys

Ferries are the best

December 1, 2009

Dear Sir,

As a relative newcomer in Bermuda (arrived in March of this year) I take special pleasure in riding the ferries.

We live near Cavello Bay and one of the huge advantages of our location is the availability of the commuter ferry.

In summer, we participated in a survey about the winter schedule. It gave us hope that maybe we would get extra ferry rides during the week and maybe even some in the weekend, only to find out that a lot of the ferries have been cancelled and we still do not have any at the weekend. We are so disappointed!

In Bermuda, everybody worries about the traffic situation on the roads. So many people, so little space ... many accidents, noise and exhaust pollution. Traffic jams ...

Why not use the ferries more extensively instead? Not only is it probably one of the most comfortable ways of travel (both commuting and just daily travel for somebody without a car, like myself), it could help keep the road safer as well!

Plus, it is one of the charming features of living in an archipelago of islands! Nice views, no traffic jams, either ...

I have heard from different public servants that the reason there is so little ferry traffic to and from Cavello Bay, lies in the fact that there are not enough people travelling. Of course not! How can we travel if there are no ferries?

I am sure that a lot more people would use the ferry if there were some at midday or even mid afternoon. Or even just going to Watford Bridge would be a huge step forward.

All of us now are forced to get on the bus, which is nice too, provided you get on board with the right kind of driver. Most of them are friendly and helpful, but yesterday one left me standing by the side of the road at the beginning of Front Street in complete bewilderment.

A local nurse from the hospital and myself had rung the bell to get off. We got a bark from madame the driver that she was not going to stop at the bus stop. We did not understand what she meant, so I went up to her and very politely asked for clarification. Looking straight forward, not even making eye contact with me, she merely stopped and opened the door. The nurse and I took it as our sign to get off. Way, way before our stop. We learned not to ask for reasons, we know the bus is the bus driver's universe and we do best to abide by her rules, but still ... it was very rude and unnecessary.

No, I prefer the ferry at any time. Friendly service, fast going, mostly on time ...

Any chance of more extended service? Even during holidays and special occasions, that would really be good!

And what about the late ferry of 9 p.m. to Cavello? At least when that one is running, we can see a movie and get home comfortably...

FAMILY DECORTE

Sandys

Recipe to end violence

December 7, 2009

Dear Sir,

I read the headline article about yet more shooting and killing this morning with horror. Eventually I made my way to the comic strips for some lighthearted relief.

In "Curtis" I found a simple recipe for bringing up children. Teach them the "Three Stay Rules" stay away from Drugs, stay away from Gangs and stay in School.

Combine this with love and positive discipline using appropriate incentives to reinforce positive behaviour and the outcome will more than likely be successful parenting and reduced violence.

I believe it would be worthwhile reprinting today's Curtis on the front page of the Newspaper!

RON LUCAS

(Parent and grandparent)

Smith's

Taxis are squeezed

November 27, 2009

Dear Sir,

Please grant me the opportunity to air my opinion on the article and comments by the Minister of Works and Engineering Derrick Burgess printed in The Royal Gazette Monday, November 23, 2009.

Under the heading 'Unacceptable' for a below par taxi service on holidays, says Burgess, I would like to provide food for thought to your readers and the public using our taxi services provided 24/7.

I believe myself to be somewhat knowledgeable and familiar not only with the taxi industry but also the Bermuda tourism industry, as is Minister Burgess. I can say that Minister Burgess and I have a common history in parallels in the tourism trade, both of us go back to the beginnings of the Holiday Inn Hotel in St. George's.

Over the years I learnt that our objectives are sometimes very much the same and in this case it is 'service' to the public. The best service possible obviously we are talking about!

I also must state that historically there have not ever been more than two Ministers of Tourism who understood, comprehended and have been able to produce and develop a real "Bermuda Tourism Product" which the BDOT could work, market and sale overseas by our very own BERMUDIANS.

We have reached an "ALL TIME LOW" in the tourism industry due to courtesy of unprofessional leadership, no tangible directives and very little management skills by the people in power.

It is easy to talk the taxi service down, but hard to take for us in the industry. Last year we experienced an all-time high fuel cost (but the Government profiteered on high tax percentage). We pay high customs duty on imported parts service and maintenance. The numbers of Minibus Services and Limousines have risen and done a deep cut into the taxi drivers income. The implementation of the Digital Dispatching and GPS locater added more to the operating cost. the last rate increase was a poor excuse. The economics of operating/driving a taxi hit rock bottom in 2008/09 and without some sort of financial adjustment, there is no betterment for the industry in the near future.

Yes, it is a fact that we have 600 taxis, but so what Minister Burgess, it means absolutely nothing. You may as well say that there are 300 or only 200 taxis on the road. The reality is that a large number of drivers have now taken a second job in order to provide for their families. Believe that, a few of us had to get other permanent employment and driving taxi is secondary to enable them to survive and maintaining financial security.

When a taxi driver has now a second employment he/she cannot because of a holiday, just jump into the cab and drive. I assure you most of us love to work holidays because of the higher rate. Many of us are working now between 12 and 24 hours per day to be able to pay bills and arrears inflicted last year.

We feel the downturn of the economy and can provide testimonials regarding the economic downturn.

Think about this, lets talk and walk the real issue!!!

In 1997 (12 years ago) Bermuda had 12,000 beds available for visitors per night and 600 taxis extending service Island wide.

The DOT reported for November 1997 26,712 AIR ARRIVALS, which were up by 7.21 percent over the 24,915 air arrivals in November 1996.

It is also reported that:

The US and Europe AIR ARRIVALS are down by three percent respectively but arrivals from Canada, the UK and the rest of the world were up by 0.8, 5.1 and 6.5 percent respectively over the same period.

What's happening today???

Do I have to mention the CURRENT AIR ARRIVALS!!! TOURISM? TOURISM? TOURISM?

Do you or anybody else think that in the taxi industry, its drivers, owner, operators had been forced THEN to seek a second job or alternative employment in comparison with today? NO, the cabs were rolling in and out of the airport and serviced hotels, cruise ships and the general public throughout the island — BETTER!

We cannot blame everything on the 'economic downturn', in all honesty we must have a good and hard look at who are the professionals of the trade and Government and responsible for the decision making process.

I realise that we are all passionate in what direction our leaders are taking us and our country is heading. We must learn from the past and act responsibly at the current time for the best result and outcome for our future and generation to come. As tourism is at this time a near dead horse I believe it will take tremendous efforts and changes in finding a Minister who is a dedicated professional, sensitive to its people's needs, knowledgeable of the characteristics of the Bermuda product regarding developing, marketing and sales.

We have to overcome the obstacles of the past, when a Master placed a crown on his head and anointed himself as the leader.

We are Homo Sapiens/Modern Human derived from Homo Erectrus (a forward thinking and walking being) for the sake of all, forget about what colour the skin.

We must rise to the level and accept ONLY the best, with best interest for all (by intellect and compassion) shall be elected by means of a 'DEMOCRATIC' process.

We must seek progressive, productive and dedicated politicians whose number one objective is to represent and serve the constituency's welfare.

FOR A DEMOCRATIC BERMUDA

Warwick