the watchdog bites back

Posted: March 20, 2009 in Uncategorized

Auditor Larry Dennis has hit back in today’s Gazette at accusations from Government over his recent Special Report. According to the Gazette:

Police/Court builders Landmark Lisgar donated $1,000 to the Progressive Labour Party and then claimed the money back from Government, says Auditor General Larry Dennis. The cheque was made out as a “charitable donation” and Mr. Dennis said it was included in a bill to be reimbursed along with other costs. His audit revealed other strange payments including $14,500 for a car for building managers.


First the good news: Cellular One says it will start selling 8GB and 16GB Apple iPhones and launch its 3G network on March 31, although data roaming will not be available until the end of April. There will be no pre-paid service for the iPhone.

Now the bad news: the prices are eye-watering. I was quoted  $1,399 for an iPhone with no contract, $1,199 for a one year contract and $999 for a two year contract. Ouch! By comparison, AT&T in the States sells the 8GB for just $199 and the 16GB for $299 – or $499 and $599 respectively for no-contract phones. It was not made clear by Cellular One whether those prices were the same for the 8GB and 16GB iPhones.

Even allowing for shipping and duty on what presumably are unlocked phones as Apple does not have a partnership with a Bermuda carrier like it does with AT&T in the US,  Cellular One’s prices seem steep. Will this make Bermuda’s the most expensive iPhones in the world?

M3 says it will also be bringin in the iPhone. A  spokesperson confirmed to me yesterday: “We will be bringing the iPhone in. However, a date as to when we will launch the iPhone has not been disclosed as yet. We will properly advertise the promotion of the iPhone and when it will be available to the public.”

hair today – but gone tomorrow!

Posted: March 19, 2009 in Bermuda

Quick update on the Team Gibbons fundraising efforts for St. Baldrick’s. Tomorrow night myself, the wife and son Toby all get shaved for the children’s cancer charity at BAA Clubhouse (5 pm if you want to come along and support us). As of 7.30 pm tonight, we are at about $29,000 including corporate matching donations and as yet unbanked cheques. The response has been absolutely astonishing – we were only aiming for $10,000!  There’s still time to pledge – so if you’re feeling generous, you can donate online at our website.  And if you’ve already donated – thank you from all of us and the St. Baldrick’s kids!

Watch this space Saturday for the YouTube moment!