has an up-to-date plan in place to guide its management and development into the 21st Century.'' That statement was made by Environment Minister Pamela Gordon in relation to a new development plan for Hamilton. It is only one of a multitude of statements which urge reform before 2000. It seems that the new millenium is being set as a benchmark for change.

We have nothing against change but we do think that all this talk about preparation for 2000 is likely to produce something of a disappointment. Many of the promises and expectations will not be fulfilled and no one has a magic wand to make 2000 any different from any other new year.

It is good to have goals and it is healthy to have a date to work towards, but, in this instance, so much is being planned and offered and so much will be expected of the year 2000 that Bermuda may be headed for a major let-down.

By all means work toward improvements and by all means work toward constructive change but let's not create a precipice to fall over in the process.

Bermuda needs to go forward and in very many ways it is moving forward.

Progress needs to be steady and constant. There is an awareness of Bermuda's problems in race relations, crime, drugs, education, tourism and transportation which is entirely healthy. The awareness and knowledge of the problems is constructive progress.

However, a good deal more is going on. There is a very active surge of groups, meetings and talk about race relations. Talk and awareness are both very healthy. Can more be done? Certainly, but things are happening. Recent letters to the Editor, largely provoked by Dr. Clark Godwin's strong views, have allowed people to "put their cards on the table'' with increased openness.

Crime, basic everyday crime, is down under the Coxall Police administration.

There is no doubt about that. A spate of high profile violent crimes has obscured the success -- but no Police Service in the world could have prevented several recent murders. If Colin Coxall is not harassed and is allowed to get on with his job, we think his success will grow.

The National Drugs Commission gives every appearance of making progress against drug abuse and there is new awareness of the dangers of alcohol and tobacco. The Progressive Labour Party seems, finally, to have stopped disrupting the work of the Commission which itself is progress.

We are, rightly or wrongly, revising the entire education system in an attempt to meet the needs of every young Bermudian. The motive is laudable. Whether or not the new system will meet the demands remains to be seen but the intent cannot be faulted.

It will take time to turn tourism around but the efforts to do so are extraordinary and the Minister of Tourism is very, very dedicated to the job.

It will not be easy but it can be done if every Bermudian will help. Where transportation is concerned at least the Minister of Tourism knows that solutions are necessary. Now he needs some help from taxi drivers and the Minister of Transport.

Solid and steady progress is what it will take to prepare Bermuda for the year 2000 which will, in the end, be just another year. In fact, Bermuda is ready for any year because its successes are great by anyone's standards. Despite some political craziness, Bermuda remains the best of the islands.