Consider cultural tourism

May 5, 2009

Dear Sir,

Re: "Putting Bermuda First". In response to Don Kramer's call to action: "Bermuda needs to find its tourist identity right now" (May 4), I propose consideration of the following: Cultural Tourism.

This is not a new idea, but cultural tourism is a hot product. Recent research shows that global travellers are looking for more than sun and sand, they also want stories – the narratives of settlement, economy and landscape development, often located in art and artefacts. And they want cultural experiences that include more than simply looking in museums and galleries – they also want to do something. With some collaboration, Bermuda can offer a travel package that includes a cultural experience— a tour of the Bermuda National Gallery, for example, followed by a watercolour workshop in Barr's Park. Participants will get a chance to develop their art knowledge and skills, meet local artists, and travel home with a sketch book of experiences.

I encourage Bermuda First to consider the relevance and viability of Cultural Tourism, and to read the February, 2009 Ontario Cultural and Heritage Tourism Product Research Paper found at: http://www.tourismstudy.ca/en/Ontario_Cultural_and_Heritage_Tourism.pdf

As we celebrate the identity of Bermuda in this its 400th year, we make it obvious to ourselves that Bermuda is a place rich in art and culture. Why not encourage the rest of world to participate?

LISA HOWIE

Director

Bermuda National Gallery

Wisdom from Colin Powell

May 5, 2009

Dear Sir,

I would like to impart some words of wisdom spoken by Colin Powell to the reading public. I found the following very powerful, and as the heading says, "Truer Words Were Never Spoken"!

"The less you associate with some people, the more your life will improve.

Any time you tolerate mediocrity in others, it increases your mediocrity.

An important attribute in successful people is their impatience with negative thinking and negative acting people.

As you grow, your associates will change.

Some of your friends will not want you to go on – they will want you to stay where they are and friends that don't help you climb will want you to crawl. Your friends will stretch your vision or choke your dream. Those that don't increase you, will eventually decrease you.

Consider this:

Never receive counsel from unproductive people. Never discuss your problems with someone incapable of contributing to the solution, because those who never succeed themselves are always the first to tell you how because not everyone has a right to speak into your life and you are certain to get the worst of the bargain when you exchange ideas with the wrong person. So don't follow anyone who's not going anywhere.

With some people you spend an evening: with others you invest it.

Be careful where you stop to inquire for directions along the road of life.

Wise is the person who fortifies his life with the right friendships.

If you run with wolves, you will learn how to howl. But, if you associate with eagles, you will learn how to soar to great heights.

"A mirror reflects a man's face, but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses."

The simple but true fact of life is that you become like those with whom you closely associate – for the good and the bad.

Note: Be not mistaken.

This is applicable to family as well as friends. Yes ... do love, appreciate and be thankful for your family, for they will always be your family no matter what.

Just know that they are human first and though they are family to you, they may be a friend to someone else and will fit somewhere in the criteria above.

Remember, "In Prosperity Our Friends Know Us.

"In Adversity We Know Our Friends."

And, "Never make someone a priority when you are only an option for them."

"If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude."

PATRICIA FERGUSON

Warwick

Good reason to be upset

May 5, 2009

Dear Sir,

I think humidity levels or perhaps not drinking enough tank water sometimes affects our good judgment in Bermuda.

I thought Number 1 shed on Front Street was being torn down to make way for a beautiful, ocean front park. Where I got that crazy idea from I don't know. Maybe it's because the Corporation of Hamilton have been going on for years about the need to give the waterfront back to the people as a place to relax, have fun and enjoy the incredible beauty of Bermuda. I know of no other Island resort that gives prime time waterfront over to containers and parking lots.

With the removal of Number 1 shed, I mistakenly thought the Corporation was boldly moving ahead with their plans in recognition of the fact that a waterfront park provides a whole host of wonderful benefits to the community which a parking meter can never hope to match. And what a perfect location for a park … right next to the Ferry Terminal where hundreds of tourists and residents pass through every month. What a great way to experience the City for the first time … via a green zone, fronting the ocean.

Well it was with great sadness and I must say anger that I learned over the weekend that this spectacular location will not be hosting tourists or residents waiting for their ferry nor will it be a quiet place to have lunch or a place where kids can run around but instead it will be used once again as a parking lot. It seems that the Corporation's need for revenue dollars has got in the way of their stated goals of revitalising the City and returning the waterfront to the people. I understand from my inquiries that not everyone on the Corporation agreed to a parking lot. There were a few elected members of the Corporation who fought for a park but regrettably the majority chose to maintain the status quo.

The Mayor, to his credit, did call me to explain why the decision was made. He explained that the demand for parking spots in the City is great, shoppers want to park in front of the stores and merchants (those that still exist) want them to have convenient parking. He assured me that the Corporation is committed to making the waterfront a special place some day but right now the immediate need is for parking. I was told that no one should be upset that a parking lot (Number 1 shed) is being replaced with a parking lot. I listened and tried to be understanding. I'm still angry.

From my perspective, whenever old, worn out ideas are replaced with another old, worn out idea, then I think there is good reason to be upset. Perhaps if each day we worked on building a more vibrant city, a pedestrian-friendly city, with interesting shopping experiences and promenades along the waterfront, more people would come, spend money and enjoy the area. I appreciate there are many competing interests but taking prime, ocean front property and rededicating it to a parking lot is simply wrong on every imaginable level.

Singer, Joni Mitchell, famously lamented: they "paved paradise to put up a parking lot". She might as well have been singing about the Corporation.

TIM MARSHALL

City of Hamilton

You get the point

May 3, 2009

Dear Sir,

Wow ... are we really going towards the American way. The idea of "I'm responsible" does not exist any more. Everyone else caused me to do wrong. Can't wait to see our efficient court system handle all the lawsuits! I have been a bartender now for some 17 years and have cut people off, got them cabs, found their friends to take them home and even a couple of times driven them home myself because yes, I want repeat customers and do care even when those whom have gone over their limit can cause one to pull his hair out at times. However I draw the line at now I'm being held responsible whether our not they drive home or hurt someone.

Let's make it simple. The person before taking that first drink knows whether or not he/she has their car/bike keys in their pocket and is taking it home that night. They are sober and conscious of their decision to start drinking. Therefore the consequences and actions that occur after this is their responsibility not mine!

When working at a busy bar or nightclub I cannot tell whether a person is over the limit or that his next drink would put him over the limit or the beer he/she is purchasing is for himself or some drunk friend 20 feet away in the crowd. Or better yet he/she has just walked in from having ten beers at another bar. I do not have this super power nor does anyone else I know, so unless I am provided with alco-analyzers to test every customer I would suggest coming up with a different method of curbing drunk driving.

Such as ... mandatory five- year loss of licence and forfeiture of vehicle (regardless of whether they own it or not) which is to be sold and the money put back towards having more police on duty ... The loss of a $40,000 to $50,0000 car would wake people up and would guarantee to decrease drunk driving instantly. If you continue down the path you are headed you might as well arrest the server at KFC for serving fat people (sorry, weight impaired) which in turn increases my health insurance or arrest the person at Masters who sells someone a knife who goes out the door to rob (sorry, liberate) someone on the street. Extreme, but you get the point.

MAKE MINE A DOUBLE

City of Hamilton