Epsilon is no threat to Bermuda

Sea swell of 30 feet is likely in the open seas around Bermuda as Tropical Storm Epsilon approaches near-hurricane strength before it weakens and spins away from the Island to the north east.

The 26th named Atlantic storm in a record-breaking season has developed over warm water some 700 miles to the East. Epsilon is expected to reach its closest point to the Island in the early hours of Thursday when it will be 587 miles distant, at which point the prevailing conditions should turn it away in a north easterly direction.

Its wind speed will peak at 60 knots before diminishing as it moves out over colder water in the North Atlantic and makes its way towards Europe.

Although the storm is currently classified as not posing a threat to Bermuda, warnings are in force for mariners to expect significant sea swell ? up to 30 feet ? in open water during the next few days.

?The sea surface temperature where the storm is at the moment is still quite warm and that has helped to strengthen the storm,? said Bermuda Weather Service meteorologist James Morrison. ?We had been expecting the seas to pick up and have had an advisory warning out to mariners. Inside the reef we might see up to six-foot waves, it depends how close the storm gets, but it won?t be too much of an event for us.?

Short session likely in the Senate

A compact order of business has been tabled for discussion today in the Upper House.

Law changes up for debate by Senators include second readings of the Auxiliary Bicycles Amendment Act and the Motor Car Amendment Act, while the Public Health (Automatic External Defibrillators) Regulations 2005 is also on the agenda.

The two traffic acts have already been passed in the House of Assembly. The retrospective changes are aimed at ensuring that drivers with outstanding traffic fines on their licence are not able to re-licence vehicles. Bermudians owe an estimated $1.4 million in unpaid traffic fines.

Defibrillator regulations ? also passed by the House ? mean the life-saving machines will in future be located in key public places, such as the airport, Government buildings and busy shopping centres.

Defibrillators, which cost $1,500 each, have already been purchased by many private companies on the island and the Fire Service already uses the machines, which deliver an electric shock to heart attack victims.

There are no private bills listed and only one first reading of a public bill is on the agenda ? The Traffic Offences (Penalties) Amendment Act. No financial statements or annual reports are on the agenda.

Youth urged to watch Dejon?s story

The Minister of Transport is encouraging all youngsters to watch the ?Dejon Simmons Story? on television tomorrow night.

This17-year-old Berkeley Institute student was involved in a serious road traffic accident in June 2004 which left more than 90 percent of his body badly burnt. His remarkable recovery and the strength of his family and friends is portrayed in this one-hour documentary commissioned by the Road Safety Council.

When Dejon returned to Bermuda earlier this year, he approached The Road Safety Council with an intense desire to tell his story ? and perhaps prevent a similar fate befalling anyone in Bermuda. The documentary gives tremendous insight into not only the ordeal the family endured, but the strength they have shown in overcoming many obstacles.

Transport Minister, Dr. Ewart Brown yesterday encouraged everyone in Bermuda to sit down at 8 p.m. on Thursday night and watch the documentary which will be broadcast on ZBM/ZFB and VSB.

Dr. Brown was joined by Dejon?s father, Raphael Simons yesterday as well as the outgoing chairman of the Road Safety Council, Dr. Joseph Froncioni and Police spokesman Dwayne Caines.

All played an integral part in the making of the documentary.

?The Dejon Simmons Story is a powerful and moving piece?, Dr. Brown said, adding that the Ministry was proud to support it.

However, parental guidance is suggested as the programme is graphic at times, yet straight-to-the-point.

World AIDS Day tomorrow

The public are invited to mark World AIDS Day tomorrow which this year has the slogan ?Stop AIDs, Keep the Promise?.

Ceremonies begin with the Tree of Life Ceremony at Camden House Rose Garden at noon, then there is a Rose Bush Ceremony at the Bermuda College at 1 p.m. and the Ecumenical Candlelight Service at the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity at 7 p.m., where the AIDS quilt will be on display.

For more information please call the Department of Health on 278 6487. In Bermuda the first case of AIDS was reported in 1982. Since then, 391 people have died of AIDS and there are now more than 150 persons living with HIV/AIDS.

While the number of new HIV and new AIDS cases has been declining steadily in Bermuda, health officials warn against complacency. Sexual transmission is the most common risk factor, implicated in 62 percent of all HIV cases and 56 percent of all AIDS cases.

No movement on Club Med property

Almost three years since negotiations started, there has still been no decision concerning the former Club Med property in St. George?s.

The St. George?s Renaissance Consortium, led by Canadian-based group Quorum, proposed to create a European style cultural village that will integrate the new hotel of 126 rooms and 110 low-rise residential units, set in a public square that will initially embrace existing theatre features and ultimately additional larger stand-alone theatre facilities.

Prestigious hotel chain, Four Seasons, which owns some of the most upscale hotels in the world, are set to manage the property once some kind of agreement with the current landlord, the Ministry of Works and Engineering, is reached. he CEO and managing partner of Quorum, Wanda Dorosz, said yesterday she remains optimistic and said Four Seasons were still on board and all the financing was in place.

All they need is the go-ahead from Works and Engineering. She said the new minister, Sen. David Burch had said he needed time to ?get up to speed?.