The Royal Gazette has now set up a Facebook group to garner support for its Right To Know: Giving People Power public information campaign [see yesterday’s post]. So don’t just sit there – click something!
Archive for the ‘bermuda politics’ Category
Dr. Brown’s increasingly secretive Government and the closed-doors policy of bodies like the Corporation of Hamilton have given a sharp poignancy to The Royal Gazette’s Right To Know campaign for increased Freedom of Information. The paper launched the campaign today to “throw open the doors of Government and publicly-funded groups to give the people of Bermuda access to information that shapes their lives”.It’s in all our interests to throw our support behind this long overdue move. As former Premier Alex Scott, who published a green paper on public access to information in 2003, said: “This is not an anti-government exercise. It’s a pro-democracy vehicle for the public that we serve.”The Gazette is campaigning initially to see a commitment in the Throne Speech on February 1 to table a public information bill in the next House of Assembly. Go to the Gazette’s Facebook page to vote or e-mail comments to arighttoknow@royalgazette.bm
Very good piece by Matt Taylor with Jim Butterfield in today’s Gazette. I don’t know all the ins and outs of the Bermuda Cement Company business with WEDCO and Government but something sure doesn’t smell right and I do know Jim Butterfield well enough to know that if someone like him is feeling uncomfortable in today’s political climate, it is not a good sign. Yes, Jim was born into a white, privileged family but in my experience he has been careful not to abuse that position. Indeed, along with his wife Debbie, sister Peggy and brother Tom, Jim has always made a conscious and sincere effort to give back to all sectors of the community. Not just in financial terms but actively getting involved with any number of sporting and social causes and giving up hundreds of hours each year to benefit those less fortunate than themselves. Most of this has been done quietly, with humility and without recognition. For sure, there are plenty of arrogant, racist white Bermudians who need to feel uncomfortable, ashamed and guilty – but Jim Butterfield isn’t one of them. The PLP – or at least those going along with the current climate – should think really carefully about where they are going with this. If they succeed in driving people like Jim Butterfield out of business and maybe out of Bermuda, we will all be the poorer.Dennis Correia, one of the new shareholders at BCC, does plenty for the community too – as a Somersfield Academy parent I have seen first hand his and Jane’s generosity in helping provide facilities and support – but he sure could learn a lot from Jim when it comes to dignity and humility.
Breezeblog 