Imagine Bermuda on the front page of some of the major newspapers around the world, being heralded as a model country with respect to family unity and community togetherness! Impossible? No. Incredible? Yes! And we as Bermudians can make it happen.

There are many future changes I would like to see in Bermuda; and they are not so much physical changes as they are mental changes. Family togetherness is number one. If families, with positive parent role models, would spend more time communicating, working, and playing together there would not be so many youth hanging on the streets. Children are products of the environment they are in and the influences they are under. Self-esteem and self-respect are the two deciding factors in a youth's life that will determine whether or not they will be responsible, law-abiding citizens. Programmes and organisations cannot implant the desire to be a good citizen if there is no positive foundation to build on. Parents and other older, experienced adults in the community need to take time to properly train our Island's children despite the fact that they may be busy or tired. Also, Bermuda should develop a craft/trade that can be solely produced by young people. Not only would it be an outlet for them, but bring a sense of pride that can only come from a job well done. "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure'', refers to more than physical health.

However, there is one medical concern I have. Bermuda has many fire and police stations but only one hospital. If there is a fire in Somerset or a fire in St. David's there are fire and police stations close to the area of the emergency; but in a medical emergency there is only one hospital and by the time an ambulance arrives on the scene and returns to the hospital it is often too late. Bermuda needs at least two medical outposts centrally located between Hamilton-Dockyard and Hamilton-St. David's. The purpose of these outposts would be to stabilise a victim's condition and/or provide emergency treatment to prevent a life-or-death situation, and be equipped with the most essential emergency tools necessary.

Hopefully, these changes will occur in Bermuda in the near future. I strongly believe they will serve to strengthen our community.