July 2011 Timeline
July 1: United Bermuda Party headquarters in Bermudiana Arcade on Queen Street closed, marking the official end of the political party.July 1: The Island’s top pharmacist called on Government to halt legislation that would allow prescription drugs to be imported from Brazil, India and Israel for the first time.July 4: A 40-year-old father from St David’s was critically injured, and subsequently died, after diving off the rocks at Admiralty House Park in Pembroke.July 5: Police seized a large number of cannabis plants growing in a 30-by-30 plot of woodland in St David’s.July 6: A 26-year-old woman was injured in a drive-by shooting outside the Swinging Doors bar on Court Street, Hamilton.July 7: Half-brothers Ronniko Burchall and Leroy Symons were cleared, by unanimous verdicts, of murdering 30-year-old Shane Minors.July 8: Two men broke into a family’s home demanding cash and gold while holding a gun to a father’s head in the presence of his young child.July 9: Health Minister Zane DeSilva told the House of Assembly that former Premier Ewart Brown would not use his new healthcare company to import drugs to Bermuda from Brazil, India and Israel.July 11: A survey by Mindmaps revealed Premier Paula Cox’s approval rating dropped 27 percent from three months prior, showing that 51 percent of voters disapproved of the way she was running the Country.July 12: A Mindmaps survey found the ruling Progressive Labour Party was just two percentage points ahead of political rival One Bermuda Alliance.July 13: Further statistics from the Mindmaps’ poll showed that 74 percent of voters were dissatisfied with Government’s fiscal management of Bermuda.July 13: Health Minister DeSilva said Bermuda’s prison would save thousands of taxpayer dollars by using generic discounted drugs imported from Brazil, India and Israel.July 14: It was revealed that part of the $60 million Heritage Wharf cruise ship pier at Dockyard was visibly moving and warping and its accompanying thruster wall showed signs of damage.July 15: Government launches an investigation of the design and construction of the Heritage Wharf pier at Dockyard.July 16: Government formed the Price Controls Commission to probe the rising cost food with the aim of protecting consumers from “unwarranted price increases”.July 18: A report showed that taxpayers spent nearly $400,000 on consultants in the first eight months of Premier Paula Cox’s term.July 19: An 18-year-old boy who was part of an anti-violence performance was assaulted and had his jaw shattered by a group of teens on Washington Street.July 19: Aircraft Services Bermuda and Key Management Services made 35 and 6 people redundant, respectively.July 20: Convicted killer David Jahwell Cox was sentenced to at least 38 years in prison for the murder of Raymond Troy (Yankee) Rawlins.July 21: Governor Sir Richard Gozney praised Premier Paula Cox for “good governance” legislation and financial reform focusing on the Tourism and Transport Ministry, which didn’t previously follow the same financial controls as other ministries.July 21: Overall tourist numbers dropped 3.5 percent from April to June, compared with the same period the year prior.July 22: According to the Police Service, crime rose 15 percent from April to June compared to the same period the year prior.July 23: The Public Accounts Committee released a document stating it was clear that there was specific intent at the highest level of former Premier Ewart Brown’s Tourism and Transport Ministry to give the vehicle testing depot contract to Bermuda Emissions Control, a company partly owned by construction boss Dennis Correia.July 25: Attorney General Michael Scott reviewed a system for tracking sex offenders, amid called for a publicly available register like those in the US and UK.July 26: Government announced the creation of Bermuda Technical Institute through its Job Corps programme.July 27: After months of waiting, patients’ blood and urine samples were sent overseas after the Central Government Laboratory on Point Finger Road, Paget, closed in October.July 30: St George’s won the 2011 Cup Match tournament.