All politics is local

December 1, 2008

Dear Sir,

As the United Bermuda Party candidate in the December 4 by-election, I have enjoyed the opportunity to visit and speak with the people of Southampton West Central. One of the first issues that came to my attention had been on my own mind as a local resident. It was the 200-yard stretch of road just west of Franks Bay where loose gravel and potholes were a daily hazard.

The need for resurfacing was obvious and I wrote to the residents of Granaway Heights that I would work to get it fixed. Then, out of the blue, the Department of Works & Engineering showed up to re-pave the road. We say 'Thank you!'

I was impressed how quickly things can get done during an election. I hope the response time is just as quick after the election because there are other projects that need to get done for the people of Southampton West Central. At the top of my list is a crosswalk at Granaway Heights just east of the estate entrance. This is a highly dangerous bend which cars take at speed, where children use bus stops on either side of the road.

In addition to the crosswalk, there are needs for road and safety improvements along Middle Road at Evans Bay Road and the long stretch at the Port Royal gas station. These and other issues emerged in hundreds of doorstep conversations as I walked across the constituency. I have tried to get to everyone because I think it is important to demonstrate that a representative of the people must stay in touch with the people, know their concerns and help whenever and wherever he or she can.

I will run my affairs as a Member of Parliament in the same way as I run my business, meaning I will be available to the people of Southampton West Central '24/7-365'. I believe that effective representation at the local level can take care of a lot of problems at the national level, and that will be my starting point as the Member of Parliament for Southampton West Central.

CHARLES F. SWAN JP

Candidate for Constituency #31,

Southampton West Central

Support Mark Bean

November 30, 2008

Dear Sir,

This letter is intended for the people of constituency 31, written in support of PLP candidate Sen. Mark Bean. Having known Mark personally and as I've had the opportunity to work with him before, during and after the election of 2007, as well as within the Mirrors programme, I am excited to back him in his candidacy and wish to share some of my views of him with his constituents.

First off, if ever there is a young man with enough drive, motivation and influence to make a positive change among other young males in the community, Mark Bean shines bright. He is often seen at sporting events, parties and other celebrations sitting among young people countering any negative influence with his positive influence and words of wisdom. His works in life are a great example of an alternative route to take.

Sen. Mark Bean is a symbol of the future! He brings to the table a fresh mind able to learn from the past without letting the past determine the now. He brings new ideas and a new hope of change. He can relate to and Is trusted by young people because he is young and makes himself regularly available to them. He has been through many of the same struggles and has faced many of the same challenges. It would have been easy for him to use that as an excuse to travel down a negative road.

Instead he has used what he has faced as tools of wisdom in travelling down the less used more positive road of self development and has encouraged and helped many others to do the same. Sen. Mark Bean is committed to making a difference in constituency 31. I trust that he would work endlessly for the people of 31 insuring that their needs are met in a timely manner as he is a man of integrity. I speak these words not because I am a supporting member of the PLP but because I believe them to be true. I support Sen. Mark Bean 100 percent and encourage everyone in 31 to vote for him on December 4th. A vote for Mark Bean is a vote for the future. It's a vote for YOU!

MAKAI DICKERSON

Sandys

Find out how we feel

November 18, 2008

Dear Sir,

For the second time in my adult life I feel compelled to write to your newspaper. Today I read the comment made by Premier Ewart Brown Re: White Bermudians wouldn't have voted for Barack Obama. I take great exception to that remark as I am a white, female mother, grandmother and a Bermudian who would have voted for Barack Obama. All of the white Bermudians I know would have done the same. He is an intelligent, educated forward thinking human being, who loves his family and his country. I believe he will bring the American people together as never before. Americans voted not for the colour of his skin but for the person he is and the leader he will be because they are ready for a change and to move forward as a truly united nation. Premier Brown as far as I am concerned you are out of touch with us, your fellow Bermudians. It is time for you to put these type of remarks to bed and find out how we, the normal, working class, everyday Bermudians truly feel. I think even you will b e surprised. I believe the time for these type of remarks has passed. Everyone I know, black and white, just want to move forward and get along as Bermudians and members of the human race.

VERONICA RENAUD

Bermudian

Protect the client

November 25, 2008

Dear Sir,

One has to wonder why so many major Government funded construction projects fail technically and financially. If the Prison's $2 million claim, CedarBridge's mould problems, the Housing Corporation's bribery and corruption allegations and the fiasco at Berkeley Institute are anything to go by, the Magistrates' Court job doesn't stand a chance and the National Stadium swimming pool is "dead in the water" before it starts. The recent allegation that Pro-Active acknowledged they were out of their depth and wanted to throw in the towel speaks volumes about Governments inability to understand basic principles of the construction process – in particular, the concept of performance bonds which are supposed to protect the client i.e. taxpayer, from contractors like Pro-Active who can't or don't perform. Taxpayers must be protected and insist that Government does not allow Pro-Active to get away Scott free!

WHO'S KIDDING WHO

Warwick

Apples to oranges

November 19, 2008

Dear Sir,

It was deeply insulting to read Dr. Brown's remarks in The Royal Gazette of November 18, 2008. Presumptuous and divisive in its rhetoric, they made me feel, as an older white Bermudian, hot under the collar! I've been around the block, and can safely report that a wide cross-section of people who look like me, would have voted for Barack Obama. Comparing US and Bermuda elections, is apples and oranges, but we were exposed to the US primaries, debates, speeches, conventions, and so were drawn into the drama. Most of us would have chosen Obama because he was inspiring, modest, super-intelligent, articulate and never resorted to racial innuendo. We should be so lucky!

JOYCE WATLINGTON

Southampton

Voila, problem solved

November 19, 2008

Dear Sir,

Rumours of corruption have increased steadily over the past few years. Forget about chicken feed stuff like missing cedar beams or diverted work crews and materials! When some of Bermuda's largest capital projects have been awarded on a non-tendered basis, in contravention of law and good common practice, to close friends of the country's and PLP's leadership, it is not surprising that rumours surface. It's got to be disheartening for hardworking, honest politicians to be exposed to such evil talk behind their backs. Here is a simple way to dispel rumours once and for all: Go back ten years (or longer!) and have every recipient of a Government contract sign an affidavit (now that is a declaration sworn under oath and with perjury punishable by law) to the fact that no extra-contractual dealings occurred before, during or after the completion of a contract.

That should include all foreign providers, like for the fast ferries and all the numerous consultants, as well as local contractors. The affidavits should be available under the Freedom of Information Act, just as the original contracts are supposed to be. This should also be standard procedure for future contracts, as we embark on the costly new hospital project and as we award prime real estate for foreign developers. Voila, problem solved and no more rumours about corruption. Will anyone run with this? Should make for an interesting debate in the House, just like the long-forgotten random drug testing did.

KILLER OF CORRUPTION RUMOURS

City of Hamilton

We have freedom

November 21, 2008

Dear Sir,

I am reminded of the beginning and end of the Nazi era, heavily scored by the use of the tattoo. Numbers embedded in the flesh of the Holocaust victims. Numbers that couldn't be lost, misplaced erased or stolen. Quicker and easier and less costly to process as the victims lined up. Sadly the numbers would outlast the victim and never get a chance to fade away with time, that was left for the victims to do if they lived past the concentration camp's gates. (As we know, millions did not). But the memory of those left behind, is as sharp today as it was then ... how do you but behind you the first steps to a world of undiluted atrocities that we should never forget. A small and inoffensive ID offers two-way protection ... Accept it and leave it be. You can trash them, shred them, or keep them as a souvenir when their dates expire, but at least you still live to face another day in any way you choose.

MACM

Warwick

Reflects poorly on Saltus

November 20, 2008

Dear Sir,

The behaviour of motorists taking their children to Saltus is extraordinary and there seems to be zero supervision of the situation and no Police presence. Parents routinely ignore the signs prohibiting right turns into and out of the main east gate of Saltus. Parents stop on the southbound lane of St. John's Road to let children off in the middle of traffic. Parents ignore the traffic lights by the tennis stadium and block the intersection. If you point out their errors, these motorists will often rudely tell you to mind your own business and continue to break the law. This reflects very poorly on the Saltus community. This situation is very dangerous and at the very least is going to result in some serious road rage! What do children learn when they see their parents ignoring the law for their personal convenience? Can these children not walk or take a bus to soften the impact on the environment? What happened to the free bus programme – is Saltus not engaged in this?

At the very least Saltus staff need to show some proactive support for the local community that must cope with madness everyday and get out there to supervise the situation properly. The Police did supervise for about one week in September, but as soon as they leave, the madness starts again! The negligible Police presence everywhere in Bermuda encourages a complete disregard for the law and disrespect for fellow members of the public. I hope that Saltus and the Police engage to address this problem before someone is seriously hurt.

SALTUS NEIGHBOUR

Pembroke

A debt of gratitude

November 12, 2008

Dear Sir,

The recent National Election in the United States has shown the world that all races can unite to win an election. With 80 per cent of the US being white and the other 20 percent being b lack, Hispanic or other, it is a great achievement that the President Elect, Barack Obama, is half black and half white. It would be to Bermuda's great advantage to follow the lead provided by the US and therefore in future not to vote blindly by race, but to vote for the political party that is most capable of governing our Island. Only then will our country be assured of a successful future. The world owes the President Elect a great debt of gratitude for showing it what can be achieved without race taking centre stage.

JOHN GILBERT

Paget

Worth a visit

November 21, 2008

Dear Sir,

Congratulations to the Rubber Tree Market. they have some great merchandise and it is well worth a visit on a Saturday morning.

LUCETTE DYSON

Warwick

Zimbabwe parallels?

November 23, 2008

Dear Sir,

The US Ambassador to Zimbabwe James McGee, said that "Mugabe has bolstered his power through a political patronage system." Sound familiar?

POLITICAL PUNDIT

Sandys

Kudos to Rugby Classic

Dear Sir,

Please allow a little space in your editorial to congratulate and commend the organisers and sorting committee of the World Rugby Classic which was recently held at the National Sports Centre the classic was well organised from the parking to the transportation area, food concession, etc. Bermuda in whole benefited from the fans, team members etc. which put a very large needed boost in the struggling Tourism area. The restaurants, taxis, buses, bike rentals, store staff, clubs, hotel staff, ferries, places of interest were kept busy. I was more than pleased with the flow of public access traffic for the general community and area residents also with the exact cut off time with the music and entertainment. Again to Mr. John Kane and your organising committee congratulations.

T. FLOOD

Devonshire

An hour a week is not enough

Dear Sir,

I saw the debacle on BBC between Greek and Armenian "Christians" outside the holiest church in Jerusalem. Apart from and including religion has been the main reason for pain, suffering, and agony known to mankind. Catholics, Presbyterian, Seventh-day Adventists, Jehovah's Witnesses, Muslims, Jews, etc. etc. etc. Just think if everybody was an "Atheist" like me, simple, no more religious wars!

Quoting from Mr. Johnson's Pembroke letter to you, "Where is God's love"? Tsunamis, earthquakes, floods, landslides, killing thousands and thousands, of innocent men, women, and especially children. As in my era, quote "Suffer little children to come unto me", and millions and millions "gassed." "Innocent children!" "The Holocaust." And Prime Ministers and heads of state quoted "Never Again." "Vietnam", "The killing fields" Rwanda and now Darfur and the Congo and of course Bosnia. Instead of sitting in church — do something. Go to the old folks home and cheer them up, same at the hospital, help someone homeless. You so called Christians think one hour a week is enough! Hypocrites. At least I am honest when I say I am an "Atheist". I really don't want anything to do with your kind, gentle and loving God — Too scary for me.

NO RELIGION FOR ME

Pembroke

Appalling research

December 1, 2008

Dear Sir,

In addition to the bizarre "any long tail will do" mistake, other things spring to mind. If the new money is, as stated, partly to celebrate our 400th anniversary, shouldn't the fauna depicted be those that have been with us through time – that truly represent our natural heritage? (Both the red cardinal and tree frog were, in fact, relatively recent introductions.) Biggest omission, though – the cahow! It is our national bird, after all, and Royal Gazette photographer Chris Burville has taken spectacular and widely published photographs in recent years.

Was the delightful chick-of- the-village considered? Or the skink? But the biggest question of all, why was there no consultation with local naturalists to get accurate information? Once again, we seem to have shot ourselves in the foot with the obsessive (and usually mistaken) belief that outside experts know best! As a librarian for many years at both the Natural History Museum and Botanical Gardens, I am appalled by this sloppy research.

PENNY HILL

Hamilton Parish

Give youth the best chance

November 29, 2008

Dear Sir,

I voted for Independence in 1995 because Britain treated us like second class citizens (separate lines at the airport, visas to work, international student rates) and the relationship did not offer any clear benefit besides external defence and recourse to the Privy Council (which reassured international businesses) and these could likely be secured by separate agreement. Now that we have essentially full EU status, it would be foolish to break with England as Bermudians benefit so extensively from the relationship. Dr. Brown laments the $2 million a year and pretends that we get nothing in return. That was a plausible argument in 1995, but not now.

Access to home rates for university students saves each student who studies in the UK approximately $10,000 per year or to put it another way, we would only need 200 students to study in England for the savings in tuition to equal the $2 million we spend on the Governor and his Deputy. This lower rate gives many more students the opportunity to attend university who previously could not afford to attend at international rates.

Moreover, Bermudians have the right to work throughout the UK and EU and gain invaluable international experience they will need to compete in our cosmopolitan labour market here at home. Ending this relationship is not like "moving out of your mother's house" but more like taxing Bermudian students an extra $10,000 for educating themselves and then restricting their ability to work to our 21 square miles and reducing their competitiveness. As a teacher, I hope we will give our students the best chance to reach their potential.

J. YOUNG

Hamilton Parish

Hott water

November 30, 2008

Dear Sir,

I have just read the letter from B.D.D. ref Hott 107.5 and The Royal Gazette.

Now they are apparently the voice of the PLP (I believe Premier Brown stated he couldn't have won the last election without their help). It seems to me that the PLP constantly state that The Royal Gazette is the mouthpiece of the UBP. Thus, if Hott reads The Royal Gazette news as if it was their own, does this mean the RG is also the mouthpiece of the PLP or that Hott are the mouthpiece of the UBP?

On a slightly different note, but still slightly relevant, I don't really listen to Hott 107.5. I have listened, to see what they are on about, but find the music they play in the middle of the afternoon is not to my taste. I really don't think schoolkids should be able to hear some of it as it seems more suited to mature adults after midnight (along the lines of "you're my special girlfriend, show me you love me by having my baby" – no mention of marriage there ...)

Maybe I'll give them a try at news time so I can get the RG news. I just thought of something – if Government isn't allowed to advertise in the RG since it is the UBP mouthpiece, should they not also pull their ads from Hott 107.5 as they are the PLP mouthpiece? After all the Civil service and Government aren't the same as the governing party, they are supposed to be neutral, so sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. Right?

ST GEORGE'S

Sympathy for the Palmers

November 28, 2008

Dear Sir,

I have been closely following the case of Mr. Norman Palmer since his unfortunate passing on April 12 this year. How long must this family suffer? Why are the Police and the Bermuda Coroner's office allegedly withholding evidence and not forwarding their report as requested to the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in London? Rightly or wrongly, it inevitably raises suspicions that they are hiding the harvesting of stolen body parts, and Mr. Palmer was not a donor. There's a huge industry out there, with Foundations paying fortunes to hospitals to receive body parts for research, so why would Bermuda be any different? If this had happened to one of the Premier's family member's, you can bet this case would have been resolved by now.

My heart goes out to Norman's family. You can hear his sister's pain coming through in the two recent articles written by Mid-Ocean News. I urge the Police and Bermuda Coroner's Office to do the right thing and to produce the documents required so this case may continue. The family has been tortured enough, and this is just plain cruel withholding the evidence.

In the meanwhile, if you have a loved one requiring an autopsy, I would suggest that you have your physician in attendance, this will halt the removal of body parts unless, of course, the deceased is a donor.

DISGUSTED

Hamilton Parish