I saw an ariticle in the Royal Gazette today and felt the need to comment. As a life long resident of St. George's I must ask how long will it take to get a 24 hour police presence in the town? The police station was closed down for an extended period a few years ago. It's renovation and subsequent opening where interestingly timed to coincide with the last General Election. The station is said by police to be staffed between the hours of 8am to 10pm, but as I drove past today at 2pm it was already closed and locked up tight.
Much effort is being expended to revive and revitalize the beleaguered old town but these efforts will prove fruitless if an issue as basic as security cannot be adequately addressed. I know this sounds absurd but does the town have to hire it's own security? I thought that was one of the reasons we pay taxes! I personally have been in meetings where the public have begged and pleaded with senior members of the Police Service to open the station on an around the clock basis. Their response? Statistics were quoted that the overall rate of crime in St. George's is down, precious police resources are needed elsewhere and the St. David's Station is close enough. This is not good enough! Properties have been ransacked and vandalized less than 100 feet from the station. Statistics do not help you to sleep at night, nor have they any meaning if you are the one unlucky enough to be the victim.
The local police have said that they are interested in garnering the support and friendship of the St, George's people but how can this be accomplished if their pleas are ignored? I can remember the days when there were regular foot patrols at night, officers would check doors of businesses to ensure that the properties were secure. Does this still occur on the regular ie. a few times a night? I have not seen it. Is this just another sign of the times? It seems our tax burden increases while overall levels of service decline.
I join with the Mayor Kenneth Bascome in calling for a 24 hour police presence and a fully functioning police station for the Town of St. George.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Bermuda Tourism Board
Hope everyone had as good a Christmas Holiday as I did... although I must say that I have had enough of Christmas food till next year lol. Now, back to business...
The Minister of Business Development and Tourism Patrice Minors announced the members of the Bermuda Tourism Board this morning. This is most definitely a step in the right direction in my opinion... a far cry from the previous Minister of T & T's one man show. Hopefully we will see more of this in other areas of Government rather than the usual suspects. It's well past time to start putting Bermuda first.
One thing that struck me while looking at the picture of the group though... where are the young people? While I'm sure these Geritol sippers have some good well aged ideas where are the youth with the fresh ones?
The Minister of Business Development and Tourism Patrice Minors announced the members of the Bermuda Tourism Board this morning. This is most definitely a step in the right direction in my opinion... a far cry from the previous Minister of T & T's one man show. Hopefully we will see more of this in other areas of Government rather than the usual suspects. It's well past time to start putting Bermuda first.
One thing that struck me while looking at the picture of the group though... where are the young people? While I'm sure these Geritol sippers have some good well aged ideas where are the youth with the fresh ones?
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas!
Hope you and yours have a wonderful and Merry Christmas... and remember... HE is the reason for the season.
Friday, December 24, 2010
9 Beaches "Lease"
The 9 Beaches lease was held up in the senate this week and rightfully so in my opinion... seems to be yet another deal that the PLP tried to ram through without attracting too much attention. A sure sign that further investigation is warranted. There appears to be many inconsistencies in the lease agreement that should have long been revised, very sloppy to say the least. This lease strikes me as being another "tenant-centric" lease... similar to CoCo Reef. Most definitely of tremendous benefit to the developer/owners but of very little to the people and economy of Bermuda.
IRC Sandys pay $15 million over 8 years for 17 acres and a 240 year "lease"? Sounds like one sweetheart deal to me! 240 years is hardly a lease at all, more like we have sold them the land for a mere $15 million.
It's one thing to make concessions in order to spur tourism development that is desperately needed but this lease stinks and the senate should send it back until it is of benefit to Bermuda and all her peoples... not just a select few.
IRC Sandys pay $15 million over 8 years for 17 acres and a 240 year "lease"? Sounds like one sweetheart deal to me! 240 years is hardly a lease at all, more like we have sold them the land for a mere $15 million.
It's one thing to make concessions in order to spur tourism development that is desperately needed but this lease stinks and the senate should send it back until it is of benefit to Bermuda and all her peoples... not just a select few.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Kim Wilson and the Unemployables
I was listening to a bit of the Senate this morning and heard Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Kim Wilson addressing unemployment. She said that a recruiter recently advised the Ministry that there was a requirement to recruit 13 kitchen porters however only 3 Bermudian applications were submitted.
She went on to say "During a recent stakeholder meeting an industry partner opined that kitchen porters, often referred to as pot washers could earn as much as $35K a year in some instances."
Key words here are as much as and in some instances. This means that most in this job category make significantly less than the figure she quoted. Just imagine how low the pay is after deductions! It's easy to see that most Bermudians could not afford to work for this, unless it was a part time job and not the primary source of income.
Perhaps you will say that Kitchen Porter is an entry level job for young people, but with the recently published graduation rates are they even capable of applying for these jobs? I personally know of many young people that have a hard time writing and reading unless it's in "text speak".
I have learnt through my dealings with many youth that their education problems are massively worse than many in the general public suspect, as well as far worse than those in Government are willing to admit.
She went on to say "During a recent stakeholder meeting an industry partner opined that kitchen porters, often referred to as pot washers could earn as much as $35K a year in some instances."
Key words here are as much as and in some instances. This means that most in this job category make significantly less than the figure she quoted. Just imagine how low the pay is after deductions! It's easy to see that most Bermudians could not afford to work for this, unless it was a part time job and not the primary source of income.
Perhaps you will say that Kitchen Porter is an entry level job for young people, but with the recently published graduation rates are they even capable of applying for these jobs? I personally know of many young people that have a hard time writing and reading unless it's in "text speak".
I have learnt through my dealings with many youth that their education problems are massively worse than many in the general public suspect, as well as far worse than those in Government are willing to admit.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
They Jumped the Gun
The below article was published in the Royal Gazette approx. July 2010.
Dear Sir,
As a life long resident of St. George’s it saddens me to see it's current state. I can’t help but feel that a big part of the problem here is a direct result of deals brokered by our current Minister of Tourism.
I, like everyone else in the town was overjoyed to hear of the new development that was slated for the old Club Med site, but what was the purpose of:
1. Shutting down the Golf Course so far ahead of any development.
2. Tearing the Golf Clubhouse down when the building was in perfectly good shape and once again, so far ahead of development.
3. Demolishing the St. Cathrine's Beach House which housed bathroom facilities, bar & food concession.
All these facilities were completely separate from the Club Med Hotel structure. It also appears that thus far the only money invested in the site has come from the taxpayers of Bermuda as we all paid for it’s spectacular destruction.
Wouldn’t the prudent course of action have been to wait at least until construction of the new Hotel had already begun? Scores of tourists this past season have been severely disappointed by the loss of their beloved Golf Course and Beach Facilities. These loses couldn’t have come at a worse time for the poor town.
It is also my suspicion that the PLP Government did not put enough effort into securing a dedicated cruise ship for the beleaguered old town. Was this all some fiendish plan to make the “reform” (takeover) of the Corporation of St. George’s just that much easier?
Just a little food for thought.
Clinton J. A. Paynter
St. George's
Dear Sir,
As a life long resident of St. George’s it saddens me to see it's current state. I can’t help but feel that a big part of the problem here is a direct result of deals brokered by our current Minister of Tourism.
I, like everyone else in the town was overjoyed to hear of the new development that was slated for the old Club Med site, but what was the purpose of:
1. Shutting down the Golf Course so far ahead of any development.
2. Tearing the Golf Clubhouse down when the building was in perfectly good shape and once again, so far ahead of development.
3. Demolishing the St. Cathrine's Beach House which housed bathroom facilities, bar & food concession.
All these facilities were completely separate from the Club Med Hotel structure. It also appears that thus far the only money invested in the site has come from the taxpayers of Bermuda as we all paid for it’s spectacular destruction.
Wouldn’t the prudent course of action have been to wait at least until construction of the new Hotel had already begun? Scores of tourists this past season have been severely disappointed by the loss of their beloved Golf Course and Beach Facilities. These loses couldn’t have come at a worse time for the poor town.
It is also my suspicion that the PLP Government did not put enough effort into securing a dedicated cruise ship for the beleaguered old town. Was this all some fiendish plan to make the “reform” (takeover) of the Corporation of St. George’s just that much easier?
Just a little food for thought.
Clinton J. A. Paynter
St. George's
Return to Sender
The below article was sent to the Royal Gazette on July 15th and published shortly after.
Dear sir,
I read with great interest your article "Minister Burch tore up Mayor's letter because he felt 'disrespected' in today's Royal Gazette July 15, 2010. Apparently he did this and returned it to the Mayor of Hamilton because he felt "disrespected" and "offended" by it. He is also quoted as saying "I sent it back because I want that man to know and the rest of them to know that if you disrespect people that is what you will get back in return." Here we have yet another manacle outburst from Senator Burch, no wonder he was unable to get elected and had to be appointed to his Ministerial position.
Personally I feel "disrespected" and "offended" by the majority of this PLP Government, with all their Uncle Tom, Sons of Slaves etc. rhetoric. I feel "disrespected" and "offended" by the outrageous debt that has been racked up and saddled to my back and the backs of my children. It would seem they all read from the same very limited playbook. Let's all take the good senators approach and rip up our Land Tax, Payroll tax and Customs Duty fees, stuff them in an envelope and RETURN THEM TO SENDER!
Clinton J. A. Paynter
St. George's
Dear sir,
I read with great interest your article "Minister Burch tore up Mayor's letter because he felt 'disrespected' in today's Royal Gazette July 15, 2010. Apparently he did this and returned it to the Mayor of Hamilton because he felt "disrespected" and "offended" by it. He is also quoted as saying "I sent it back because I want that man to know and the rest of them to know that if you disrespect people that is what you will get back in return." Here we have yet another manacle outburst from Senator Burch, no wonder he was unable to get elected and had to be appointed to his Ministerial position.
Personally I feel "disrespected" and "offended" by the majority of this PLP Government, with all their Uncle Tom, Sons of Slaves etc. rhetoric. I feel "disrespected" and "offended" by the outrageous debt that has been racked up and saddled to my back and the backs of my children. It would seem they all read from the same very limited playbook. Let's all take the good senators approach and rip up our Land Tax, Payroll tax and Customs Duty fees, stuff them in an envelope and RETURN THEM TO SENDER!
Clinton J. A. Paynter
St. George's
GlobalHue and the Racecard
The below was sent to the Royal Gazette Letters to the Editor section on July 4th 2010 and published a few days later.
Dear sir,
It would appear that the only person fixated on race in the row over GlobalHue's performance is the Premier himself. I offer his own words as proof...
"If you are not the biggest known on Madison Avenue, you cannot have brains? Mr. Coleman happens to be a black gentleman who owns a very successful ad agency that has done excellent work for Bermuda's Department of Tourism. I find it ironic that certain members of the Opposition never fail to malign companies doing business with this Government that are owned by blacks or that are owned by whites who are friends of this Government. That is very tragic."
The above quote from the Premier represents the first time race was used in the conversation. The opposition is critical of GlobalHue because of the lack of a proper tendering process and their iffy at best performance since then. This use of race by the PLP to deflect attention from the real pressing issues and answers that the people of Bermuda need is getting old. Someone needs to inform them that there are 52 cards in the deck... please give the RACECARD a rest.
Clinton J.A. Paynter
St. George's
Dear sir,
It would appear that the only person fixated on race in the row over GlobalHue's performance is the Premier himself. I offer his own words as proof...
"If you are not the biggest known on Madison Avenue, you cannot have brains? Mr. Coleman happens to be a black gentleman who owns a very successful ad agency that has done excellent work for Bermuda's Department of Tourism. I find it ironic that certain members of the Opposition never fail to malign companies doing business with this Government that are owned by blacks or that are owned by whites who are friends of this Government. That is very tragic."
The above quote from the Premier represents the first time race was used in the conversation. The opposition is critical of GlobalHue because of the lack of a proper tendering process and their iffy at best performance since then. This use of race by the PLP to deflect attention from the real pressing issues and answers that the people of Bermuda need is getting old. Someone needs to inform them that there are 52 cards in the deck... please give the RACECARD a rest.
Clinton J.A. Paynter
St. George's
Business as Usual
The below article was published in the Royal Gazette Letters to the Editor section approx. July 2010
Dear sir,
Can someone please explain to me why our Government is acting as if it's just business as usual? Whenever queried about the huge debt that has been amassed they love to compare us to other countries that are in debt, and say that this is normal. Well those countries have a much more diverse economy than Bermuda, they do not rely on ONE pillar (International Business) as we do. Where we should be following other countries lead we are not... they are putting austerity measures in place, cutting back where they can and making plans on how to pay down debt in the future... are we? I think not. A perfect example that out Government is still plowing ahead at full throttle is the 2010 Bermuda Music Festival that was recently announced. It appears that it has been scaled back from previous years but it begs the question, why have one this year at all? It has already been proven time and time again that this Festival fails at it's intended purpose... to draw much needed tourists to Bermuda.
Why does our Government continue to throw good money after bad? Honestly sometimes I feel like I'm Neo caught in the MATRIX!
Clinton J.A. Paynter
St. George's
Dear sir,
Can someone please explain to me why our Government is acting as if it's just business as usual? Whenever queried about the huge debt that has been amassed they love to compare us to other countries that are in debt, and say that this is normal. Well those countries have a much more diverse economy than Bermuda, they do not rely on ONE pillar (International Business) as we do. Where we should be following other countries lead we are not... they are putting austerity measures in place, cutting back where they can and making plans on how to pay down debt in the future... are we? I think not. A perfect example that out Government is still plowing ahead at full throttle is the 2010 Bermuda Music Festival that was recently announced. It appears that it has been scaled back from previous years but it begs the question, why have one this year at all? It has already been proven time and time again that this Festival fails at it's intended purpose... to draw much needed tourists to Bermuda.
Why does our Government continue to throw good money after bad? Honestly sometimes I feel like I'm Neo caught in the MATRIX!
Clinton J.A. Paynter
St. George's
Monday, December 20, 2010
"A Good Piece of Wood"
Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves recently instructed taxi drivers that it would have been better to have "a good piece of wood" or a bat in their vehicles, but not a knife or gun.
Does this mean that it is now okay for a member of the general public such as myself to carry a similar weapon in our cars? I can recall being stopped during a police routine check a few years ago and having the baseball bat I had in my trunk confiscated by the officers.
I honestly feel that with the current state of Bermuda and our police being unable to deter crime it's better to be safe than sorry. So the next time I get stopped with a similar item in my car I will site the precedent that has been set in this case by Judge Greaves...
Does this mean that it is now okay for a member of the general public such as myself to carry a similar weapon in our cars? I can recall being stopped during a police routine check a few years ago and having the baseball bat I had in my trunk confiscated by the officers.
I honestly feel that with the current state of Bermuda and our police being unable to deter crime it's better to be safe than sorry. So the next time I get stopped with a similar item in my car I will site the precedent that has been set in this case by Judge Greaves...
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Hope for the Future is Slipping Away
I was listening to Everest's show on Friday afternoon... an older black person... sounded like they could have been in their late 60's was on complaining about racial injustices of the past. This person calls all the time with the same subject. I decided to call in and give my opinon on the topic.
I went on to explain that people of my generation (born 1976) did not experience the overt racism of the past... the four boys under six years old that I have today are not either. My boys are coming up with all different colors... just as I did years before. I agree that we should never forget the past but when is enough enough? Must we saddle current and future generations that have no part in the past attrocities with this baggage?
The last time I checked it wasn't the white executive climbing in my window to steal my belongings while I am out for the evening. When I am at Ice Queen for a late night snack I never look over my shoulder at the group of white teenagers that are hanging out there.
The main problems that people from my young generation have has nothing at all to do with this racism that the older heads in government speak of. We are more concerned with the fact that we cannot afford to live in our own country. Back in the day the people had hope, they had goals that were actually achieveable. You could buy a piece of land and get ur mates to assisst in building a house on the cheap... maybe have it all paid off in 10 years or less if you really put your back into it. Older members of my family tell me that all I have to do is work hard and save money and everything will be allright. BULLSH@T! With land and house prices today my wife and I would have to kill ourselves working for the next 40 years to ever hope to own our own house. While we do all this what will become of our four children while we work 12 hours a day? Better to pay rent and save up money to enjoy life... take our kids to Disney World... buy a nice new car etc. There are many young people out there that feel the same way as we do. What becomes of a country when the ones that should be taking over the economy have no hope or goals? Exactly what is happening now... they have no love for this country... no pride in it. This is also one of the reasons college students aren't bothering to return when their studies are completed.
The last time I checked there are many black business owners these days... making a heck of a good living. The problem is that they usually hire cheap foreign labour... leaving thier black brothers behind in order to further themselves. The white man doesn't seem to be the problem here does he?
While our leaders waste time convincing the massess that the "white man" is to blame and persue there own selfish revenge fantasies young Bermudian familes like mine are deciding if it's even worth trying to make it here anymore.
I went on to explain that people of my generation (born 1976) did not experience the overt racism of the past... the four boys under six years old that I have today are not either. My boys are coming up with all different colors... just as I did years before. I agree that we should never forget the past but when is enough enough? Must we saddle current and future generations that have no part in the past attrocities with this baggage?
The last time I checked it wasn't the white executive climbing in my window to steal my belongings while I am out for the evening. When I am at Ice Queen for a late night snack I never look over my shoulder at the group of white teenagers that are hanging out there.
The main problems that people from my young generation have has nothing at all to do with this racism that the older heads in government speak of. We are more concerned with the fact that we cannot afford to live in our own country. Back in the day the people had hope, they had goals that were actually achieveable. You could buy a piece of land and get ur mates to assisst in building a house on the cheap... maybe have it all paid off in 10 years or less if you really put your back into it. Older members of my family tell me that all I have to do is work hard and save money and everything will be allright. BULLSH@T! With land and house prices today my wife and I would have to kill ourselves working for the next 40 years to ever hope to own our own house. While we do all this what will become of our four children while we work 12 hours a day? Better to pay rent and save up money to enjoy life... take our kids to Disney World... buy a nice new car etc. There are many young people out there that feel the same way as we do. What becomes of a country when the ones that should be taking over the economy have no hope or goals? Exactly what is happening now... they have no love for this country... no pride in it. This is also one of the reasons college students aren't bothering to return when their studies are completed.
The last time I checked there are many black business owners these days... making a heck of a good living. The problem is that they usually hire cheap foreign labour... leaving thier black brothers behind in order to further themselves. The white man doesn't seem to be the problem here does he?
While our leaders waste time convincing the massess that the "white man" is to blame and persue there own selfish revenge fantasies young Bermudian familes like mine are deciding if it's even worth trying to make it here anymore.
An Introduction to Your Host
Hello all,
Welcome to my blog, Bermuda First. I created this to be a place for me to log my thoughts about Politics and Life in Bermuda in general. I really have no idea if you all will find my musings of any interest but it's just good to get my thoughts out there. I am a 33 year old married father of four young boys. I recently started a new job as the old one was a victim of the recession and could no longer support my families needs. I feel that mine is representative of the typical young Bermudian family in these trying times. Pretty much living paycheck to paycheck, struggling to keep our heads above the rapidly rising tide of this economy.
Well, that's all for now... hopefully I'll have more for you a bit later, Until then let's all put Bermuda First....
Welcome to my blog, Bermuda First. I created this to be a place for me to log my thoughts about Politics and Life in Bermuda in general. I really have no idea if you all will find my musings of any interest but it's just good to get my thoughts out there. I am a 33 year old married father of four young boys. I recently started a new job as the old one was a victim of the recession and could no longer support my families needs. I feel that mine is representative of the typical young Bermudian family in these trying times. Pretty much living paycheck to paycheck, struggling to keep our heads above the rapidly rising tide of this economy.
Well, that's all for now... hopefully I'll have more for you a bit later, Until then let's all put Bermuda First....
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