Elbow Xmas parking

December 23, 2008

Dear Sir,

Every year a lot of people go and spend Christmas morning on Elbow Beach.

Every year the police put tickets on all the illegally parked cars on South Road.

While I understand that they are parked illegally perhaps it would be a proactive move by the Police to put out 'No Parking' cones to remind people that they cannot park there. Maybe even put an officer there on foot to advise the public that there is no parking allowed there. Putting tickets on the cars does not make the problem go away, it merely puts a bad taste in people's mouths about the Police on Christmas Day.

It is interesting that every time there is a netball game on Dutton Avenue and cars are parked illegally all over the place, no tickets are issued.

I have observed this phenomenon on numerous occasions.

IN THE SPIRIT OF GOODWILL

Devonshire

Leader's lack of class

December 18, 2008

Dear Sir,

I love these stories in the RG where the UBP and private citizens rant and rail about Ewart Brown's actions. It must be venting, both of anger and frustration, at least among most civilised people, because it's got to be clear to everyone in Bermuda, whatever Party you support, that this man cares not one little bit what you think.

Ewart Brown's motivations are not because he wants to do good deeds for Bermuda or for Bermudians; nor does he give a flying you-know-what for the PLP and its supporters (except to pander to them so they will be afraid of him); and he certainly could care less about Bermudas reputation in the rest of the world – international business and the tourism industry in particular.

Ewart Brown sends Christmas cards at taxpayers' expense (an act so lacking in class that it's hard to believe and let him do it!) and gives out contracts without any regard to the rules of bidding and takes every bit of credit for everything that even remotely goes right (ever notice that nobody else gets any credit) and does exactly what he pleases because it allows him to maintain power. It's power that Ewart Brown is all about. There cannot be a human being in Bermuda who does not see exactly what he's up to but nobody either can prove anything or wants to ... even Laverne Furbert cannot possibly be walking around blind.

The governance of Bermuda, the politics of Bermuda these days, is all about race and maintaining power for Ewart Brown. And as long as younger generations; white people; black people; and everyone else, sit on their hands and continue to accept that the politics or Race, Power and Revenge is the way it should be ...then, as they say, bad things will happen to good people....and by the way, that's most of the rest of us !

AUNT POLLY SAWYER

Southampton

No cards for cats

December 18, 2008

Dear Sir,

My wife and I and each of our sons were all happy to get our individual Christmas cards from our Premier, but a suggestion for next year is that he might kindly consider Fireball, Peachy and Fluffy, as out cats were all a little disappointed not to receive their individual cards as well.

MICHAEL ROBINSON

Paget

Use as toilet paper

December 18, 2008

Dear Sir,

I have a suggestion for the homes who received numerous cards from our Premier – they make excellent toilet paper! Can I get a refund as I'm not impressed with the card at all! And to know that I helped pay for my own Christmas card from the Premier makes my blood boil!

ANA MEDEIROS

Pembroke

Cards boosted economy

December 18, 2008

Dear Sir,

Although, some may believe that Dr. Brown's Christmas cards were a waste of money, it can be viewed in a positive way.

The money which has been spent locally will help to keep the press companies' employees employed and to continue to pay their rent to their landlords who use that same money to buy goods from the local store, which in turn pays its employees and the cycle continues.

Economists, have said the best way to get out of a recession is to spend money, yet we expect governments to be prudent and cautious in these uncertain times.

I applaud the Government for injecting funds directly into my Country and my economy.

TURINI

St. David's

Cards no issue

December 22, 2008

Dear Sir,

I have read, with interest, your articles about the Premier sending out Christmas cards and the implication that it is a waste of taxpayers' money.

Here in Canada not only do the Prime Minister and his MPs send out Seasons Greetings cards but the Provincial Premiers and their MPPs send out cards as well all paid by the taxpayer and so far there have been no complaints. In addition, some of the politicians give away flags paid for by the taxpayer.

None of the newspapers here seem to worry about who pays for the cards or flags and give it little or no coverage. Over the past 40 years I have probably received 20 Christmas cards from politicians including some in Bermuda and always enjoyed receiving their cards. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

JOHN FERGUSON

Belleville, Ontario

Retired News Director Quinte Broadcasting Belleville,

Former ZBM News Director, VSB News Consultant

Change damaging attitude

December 22, 2008

Dear Sir,

I can no longer sit in silence whilst the leaders of this country continue to destroy this beautiful Island.

I think the Christmas card of Dr. Brown and his wife was lovely (a truly beautiful picture of both of them), but why on earth should the tax payers be expected to pay for this total extravagance? I myself did not send any Christmas cards this year and, instead, donated the money to Charity. There are numerous well-deserving Charities out there and I would have preferred that my money be given to a worthy cause and a picture of Dr. Brown and his wife does not fall into that category. Dr. Brown – I think you should write out a cheque to the Accountant General to cover the cost of these Christmas cards – that would indicate that you have the best interest of Bermudians at heart.

In The Royal Gazette on December 20, Sen. Burch was quoted as making the most amazing comments when he questioned Sir John Swan's motives about warning Bermudians of the impending downturn in our economy. He went on to defend his Government's behaviour towards the offshore companies. I had to read his comments over and over again as I thought I had misread something, but no, he was clearly stating that his PLP Government does make international business feel welcome. Who is he kidding? Numerous offshore people have asked me why they are being treated so badly by this PLP Government – to which I always reply that no-one can understand their behaviour. Sen. Burch – if you don't fully understand how badly your Government has treated (and continues to treat) the offshore companies, then you need serious help.

In 1998, the very first thing the PLP did was set up a hotline number so that any "spies" could phone in to report any expatriate who wasn't doing what he/she should. The PLP then made a statement (reported in the Press) that they would give preferential treatment and work permits to black expatriates, rather than white expatriates, to tie in with the make-up of Bermuda. It was then suggested that expatriates should not be allowed to have cars. The PLP rhetoric actually encourages Bermudians to treat expatriates with disdain. Remember when PLP MP (George) Scott, threatened to have a black Canadian expatriate thrown off the Island as Mr. Scott didn't think he was treated with enough respect by the expatriate worker? He then managed to get the poor man's Work Permit stopped. Is this what you call treating expatriates well and with respect?

A few years ago the offshore companies were asked by The Royal Gazette how they felt about Independence and they evidently made it clear they wanted Bermuda to remain a British Colony and not go independent. Sen. Burch famously said "they can butt out – it is none of their business". What a shocking thing to say to people who represent 80 percent of our economy.

Every company, offshore and local, who needs to have non-Bermudian workers can attest to this. To approach the Department of Immigration here in Bermuda is nothing short of a nightmare. It wasn't easy under the UBP, but after the PLP formed the Government, it is absolutely dreadful. They treat everyone like dirt. I have had the phone slammed down on me by one of the Immigration staff. Anyone applying to the Dept of Immigration to employ a non-Bermudian is made to feel like a criminal for having the temerity to approach them. With few exceptions, the staff at Immigration are rude, belligerent and spiteful and this is aided and abetted by the Minister in charge. I know many people who actually dread having to go to Immigration for anything at all. Is this right? Is this the type of behaviour that makes our offshore companies feel welcome and comfortable? I think not.

The nail in the coffin though was the six-year term limit. The Chamber of Commerce, as well as BIBA and numerous other people have begged the PLP Government to rethink this ruling and they have refused. I would plead with Dr. Brown to rescind this ruling immediately. Please do not wait for the New Year – announce it right away. It may be too late now anyway, but at least try to salvage the companies that are still operating here. For the sake of all Bermudians and the future of this Island, please rescind this rule. These companies will have enough problems from President Elect Obama, but at least we can try to make life as comfortable as possible for them. I just hope it isn't too late.

So Sen. Burch, you are an intelligent man – surely you can now understand how badly you and your Government have treated the offshore companies.

CAMELOT

Smith's