Appalled with Zoom

July 11, 2007

Dear Sir,

I am writing to comment on the continued shambolic operation that Zoom Airlines appear to be running on its London Gatwick Service. When it was announced we all welcomed it as a refreshing competitive alternative to high prices of BA — it was a gateway to Europe and a chance for everyone to get visitors over from the UK.

One month on however it appears that Zoom is unable to run a single flight without lengthy delays. I have just had an email from a friend who is currently at Manchester Airport awaiting a new crew to fly them the 300 miles to London as the crew has been timed out. Her words were “Never again!”. I am also awaiting some visitors today — their flight should have departed three hours ago, and still no gate has been announced.

We all understand that flights are late from time-to-time, and that problems occur but what is more worrying is that all flights appear to be taking an extra two hours due to civil aviation authority rulings. I called Zoom in Canada to ask how long this would occur — and they denied it was happening. My father was only told this when he was already on the plane, yet they are advertising the shorter flight times.

Yes, they are cheaper than BA (but not that much cheaper), and that is important, but what Zoom appear to have failed to have grasped is that the success of that route is wholly dependent on its reputation on the Island. Judging from the comments I hear, and my own personal heresay, they need to come clean on flight times and sort themselves out. Budget airlines does not necessarily mean terrible standards, and open skies is only worth it if people are flying.

IDT

Pembroke

A quagmire of deceit

June 26, 2007

Dear Sir,

If ever there was an issue to galvanise this country against corruption, cover-up and spin doctoring, the aftermath of the leaked BHC documents is it. Premier Brown and his cabal have been found out! In his insatiable quest for power he has led his Government into the quagmire of deceit, spin doctoring and failure to deal with the issues and tell the truth. He has taken each one of his Cabinet colleagues and MP’s with him into this quagmire. His own Press Secretary, paid for by the taxpayer, is now part of the spin show and even he has been found out.

We were all warned. We were warned in 1993 when Dr. Brown told the country that he got involved in politics because he had “scores to settle and accounts to get even”. We were warned again in 2003 when he told us he had to deceive the country and hide the Jennifer Smith coup. The warning signs were also there on innumerable occasions in the past 14 years: the bullying behaviour, the narcissistic tendencies and the arrogance.

Now, we have a Premier whose reign is in shambles and he is taking Bermuda into the swamp with him. Bermuda should be thankful though. Dr. Brown and the PLP have made it patently clear about what conduct is acceptable and not acceptable in governance. The country now has a clear choice to make at the next election. It is a choice for integrity and transparency in Government; it is a choice about leading by example.

7 TIME VOTER

Paget

A note of thanks

July 2, 2007

Dear Sir,

The Bermuda T.B. Cancer & Health Association organised the 2007 Tag Days Fund Raising Campaign on June 15/16 and we would like to ask

Thanks to everyone from Somerset to St. George’s — and everywhere in between — our 2007 Campaign raised a grand total of $21,928.95. These dollars are being used to deliver on our promise of “caring for the community” and will go directly into the fund we are running for purchasing digital mammography equipment.

Along with our deep appreciate for every donation so generously given by our community, we would also like to thank the many people who contributed to this significant total - our fabulous team of volunteers and canvassers - our corporate and retail businesses, church groups and service clubs, seniors clubs, our event organisers and, most important of all, the thousands of donors who responded so generously by putting donations into our buckets. Step by step we are getting closer to our goal of over $1 million. required to purchase digital mammography equipment. So to everyone who helped, contributed and supported our 2007 Tag Day Campaign — thank you!

PAULINE GIRLING

PR/Fund Raising

The Bermuda TB Cancer & Health Association<$>

Check the numbers

June 30, 2007

Dear Sir,

Further to your report on today’s front page concerning figures collected from 587 companies in the year ending August 2006 and that Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Wayne Perinchief states that laws were on the way to make things fairer, it would also be of interest if Government released figures on the percentage of black and white persons who are employed by Government. What was the percentage in 1998 and what is the percentage today? This may make interesting reading!

ANTONY SIESE

Southampton

Thank you for the cake

June 26, 2007

Dear Sir,

Thank you to the Ladies of the AME Church who came around to “Elizabeth Hills Park,” on June 21, 2007 and gave us fruit and plain cake and sandwiches. Thank you from us all.

RESIDENT