PLP Blog | Bermuda Progressive Labour Party

Bermuda is lucky to have an advertising firm of the caliber of GlobalHue working for us. But, the combined opposition sees it fit to make up facts and attack their sterling reputation at every opportunity. Premier Ewart Brown sets the record straight:

I refer, Mr. Speaker, to comments made in today’s paper to the effect that Don Coleman is a longtime friend of mine, and to specific comments made by the Honourouble member Mr. Richards to the effect that Tourism went with my “old buddy” in awarding a contract.

Let me state clearly here that Mr. Coleman is not an old buddy of mine, or a longtime friend. I met Mr. Coleman because he was introduced to me as a major force in the advertising industry, as the owner of one of the largest, award-winning multi-cultural ad agencies in the world. This was only as recently as 2004 or 2005. I did not go to college with Mr. Coleman, and only met him in his professional capacity. However, since that time, I have come to admire him and his firm for the fine work that they do for us, and for others.

The combined opposition is misleading the public. They are trying to paint a derogatory picture of the Premier and the PLP Government. They don't seem to care about the facts - because they have a destructive narrative to advance. Premier Brown continues:

I was particularly chagrined to read a quote from my Honourable colleague, Mr. Richards, to the effect that “you could have had the best advertising brains in the entire Madison Avenue. Why wasn’t that done?” I take from that quote that the Honourable member does not find it plausible that the best advertising brains can be found in a firm like Global Hue. That is tragic, and probably goes to the heart of many matters here, Mr. Speaker.

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, Mr. Speaker, 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, Mr. Speaker.

It's telling that of all the contracts with Government, the combined opposition focuses their attacks on a prominent black owned business. Premier Brown concludes:

In conclusion, Mr. Speaker, I and others in the Government are often accused of “playing the race card”. Mr. Speaker, what is hardly ever discussed is the fact that there is no NEED to PLAY the race card – it is already in play and so are its devastating effects. The Honourable member Mr. Richards’ comments are clear evidence of it.

It's clearly already in play. Bob Richards played it when he repeatedly suggested that GlobalHue, a black owned business, wasn't up to the task at hand. A few weeks ago, Trevor Moniz did too, but, that comment the daily called "wry" and Mr. Moniz was never forced to defend his statement. The double standard is clear. When the PLP brings up racial realities, we're attacked relentlessly. When the opposition does it, they're called 'wry' and their attacks are praised and advanced.

Next Saturday, July 10th, join us for our very special Culture Unwrapped: Youth Culture Festival. The Festival is sponsored the PLP Government's Department of Community and Cultural affairs and was the brainchild of Mr. Adrian Kawaley Lathan. Minister Neletha Butterfield describes the Festival:

THE YOUTH CULTURE FESTIVAL AIMS TO CONNECT YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE ORGANIZATIONS AND GROUPS THAT EXIST TO SUPPORT THEM, WHILE SIMULTANOUSLY EXPOSING OUR YOUTH TO EXCITING WORKSHOPS AND ACTIVITIES THEY MAY NOT HAVE SEEN BEFORE.

MR SPEAKER, A FULLY FUNCTIONAL URBAN PLAYGROUND WILL BE ASSEMBLED WITH RAMPS AND JUMPS, AND WORKSHOPS ON BMX, SKATEBOARD AND FREE RUNNING WILL BE TAUGHT THROUGHOUT THE DAY. ALL ACTIVITIES ARE GEARED TOWARDS ENGAGING THE BODIES AND MINDS OF BERMUDA’S YOUTHS, AND SHOWING THE WEALTH OF HEALTHY ACTIVE ALTERNATIVE OUTLETS.

MR SPEAKER, WORKSHOPS WILL ALSO BE PROVIDED IN DJAYING, V-JAYING, AIRBRUSHING, AND GRAFFITI ART TO PROVIDE AVENUES TO ENCOURAGE POSITIVE EXPRESSION IN THE FORM OF MODERN AUDIO VISUAL ARTS STYLES.

MR. SPEAKER, A YOUTH VILLAGE WILL BE ESTABLISHED FOR THIS EVENT WHERE YOUTH GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS WILL GATHER UNITED IN THEIR COMMITMENT TO YOUNG PEOPLE. THESE ORGANIZATIONS WILL BE PRESENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY TO OFFER TRAINING, COUNSELING AND INFORMATION, ADVICE ON RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS.

MR SPEAKER, DURING THE COURSE OF THE FESTIVAL VIDEO INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONDUCTED ABOUT THE NEEDS OF YOUNG PEOPLE, PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO SPEAK OUT AND BE HEARD. THIS WILL PROVIDE VALUABLE INSIGHT INTO THEIR NEEDS AND HOW WE CAN BETTER PROVIDE OUTLETS FOR THEM AS A MINISTRY AND AS A COMMUNITY.

Join us on Saturday, July 10th from Noon to 6 pm on the top of the Bull's Head Parking Lot in Hamilton.

Today, Minister David Burch announced that a new Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Serious Crimes takes up the post on Sunday, July 4th.

Mr. David Mirfield, is an expert in gangs, murder and violent crime with 35 years of policing experience. He most recently served as a Chief Superintendent from the West Midlands Police (UK) for four years.

In that capacity, he was charged overseeing all major crime investigations including gangs, murder, kidnap and child abuse. Additionally, he commanded surveillance operations, economic crime and forensic services.

Part of our comprehensive commitment to combating gangs and violent crime is making sure we have experts on the job. We look forward to having someone of Mr. Mirfield's expertise working with the Bermuda Police Service.

Premier Ewart Brown and the Ministry of Tourism today announced a new initiative in conjunction with our hotel partners to extend Bermuda's tourism season. It's called the Endless Summer Promotion which extends summer savings into the fall.

The 2010 Endless Summer promotion features destination-wide amenity offerings of up to two free nights on hotel stays, based on two- to six-night bookings.

Following suit, celebrated restaurants across Bermuda are offering buy one, get one free entrée specials, giving visitors the perfect excuse to extend their Bermuda vacations this season.

The BDOT teamed up with 18 participating hotel properties and 13 restaurants for this exclusive promotion, available for booking July 5 – August 31, for travel August 22 – October 31, 2010.

Premier Brown hailed the launch:

We are very serious about enticing visitors to our shores and this new initiative is indicative of that.

The Endless Summer promotion is an exciting one, and it will continue well into the fall when we have some of our best signature events taking place, such as the Bermuda Music Festival, the PGA Grand Slam and our latest addition, the Bermuda Beach Tennis Tournament.

Simply put, we’re pulling out all the stops to ensure that visitors who take advantage of this promotion get the best value for their dollar, and in turn we will guarantee them a memorable Bermuda experience.

Bringing about a tourism turnaround means attracting cruise ships and airlift to Bermuda. It means enhancing our tourism product through Platinum Period renovations. And, it means marketing and promoting Bermuda through special offers. This government is doing it all.

Today, the PLP Government announced that it is partnering with the International Tennis Federation to bring championship beach Tennis to Bermuda's pink sands.

The star-studded matches will feature men’s and women’s pro-beach tennis players, including the number one ranked team of Alex Mingozzi and Matteo Marighella on the men’s circuit and Federica Bacchetta for women’s.

This event will bring athletes, their families, their fans and sports tourists to our shores. Tourism Director William Griffith:

Beach tennis is a burgeoning sport around the world and is a great complement to our top-tier lawn tennis programmes.

Bermuda is immersed in the sports tourism industry, which has proven to be a promising sector for the Island. We’ll continue to pair with leading tennis industry partners such as ITF and Beach Tennis USA to host key events such as this to support the interests of today’s travelers.

The event takes place from August 27-29th at Horseshoe Bay.

Today, Minister David Burch announced that 293 college students and 80 high school students will be placed in jobs this summer. The Minister also announced that the registration process, while still experiencing bugs, is much improved from past years. Finally, he announced that the programme would be reviewed so as to ensure that it is both sustainable and best meets the needs of our students in summers to come.

We regret that we were not able to employ all the students who applied. The international economic crisis means that more students are turning to us for employment and fewer jobs are available.

Minister Burch aslo announced that three young Bermudians are benefiting from our partnership with Holland College. Minister Burch:

I am pleased to announce that this summer Holland College has accepted three young teenage Bermudian males to participate in their Marine Cadet Summer Program to be held from July 5 through September 27. Mr. Vernon Harrison, Head Boy at Cedarbridge Academy, Mr. Brendon Flemming, a student at the Bermuda Christian Learning Centre and Mr. Daniel Galloway who is currently an Apprentice in the Mechanic Section of the Department of Public Transport will be attending this summer’s training experience. Mr. Galloway is a former student of Impact Mentoring Academy. He has had some sea experience having sailed on the Bermuda Spirit last year. The three young men have all expressed an interest in a Marine Career and this is the first step towards realizing their dream.

The PLP Government remains committed to creating opportunities for our young people. That's why we will review the Employment Programme to make it work for those who rely on it.

Premier Ewart Brown welcomed the opening of the meeting of the Public Accounts Committee, noting that it is the latest in a series of steps toward the Progressive Labour Party's pledge to operate government in the sunshine. Premier Brown:

The Progressive Labour Party as a longstanding champion for fair and honest government is proud to have introduced this form of openness to Bermuda. We have embarked upon an ambitious agenda of reform that within reason, will give the public access to the information that they want. The introduction of PATI Legislation is next on the agenda, providing even greater openness and transparency. Information is power, and soon more of it will be in the hands of the people.

The Premier went on to note that the United Bermuda Party had 3 decades to build a more open and transparent government. Premier Brown:

When they had the opportunity the UBP talked about openness and transparency but practiced opacity and secrecy. When the Progressive Labour Party got the opportunity, we didn’t just talk open openness and transparency we acted on it. Promise made, promise kept.

Ours is the government the opened up the Public Accounts Committee and ours is the government that is moving forward with PATI.

Today, President Barack Obama announced that he sent the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Treaty signed in Bermuda on 12 January 2009 to the U.S. Senate to be ratified.

This landmark treaty will make Bermuda and Bermudians safer. It ensures that our two governments will be better cooperate on law enforcement matters. Attorney General Kim Wilson commented on the significance:

The Bermuda Government has consistently expressed its commitment to playing its role in the global fight against crime and to safeguarding the security and economic well-being of Bermuda. We see this as an important way of demonstrating that commitment and look forward to working with the authorities in the United States of American in these matters.

Premier Ewart Brown noted that the Treaty not only helps make Bermuda safer, but, also strengthens our relations with Washington. Premier Brown:

This treaty represents the continuing partnership and cooperation between our two countries. Our relationship, maintained through constant communication, continues to strengthen and provides tremendous benefits for the people of both Bermuda and the United States. We are pleased to be able to work with the US Government to counter international criminal activity.

We hope that the U.S. Senate moves quickly to ratify the treaty.

Did your father, grandfather or great-grandfather serve in the First or Second World War? If so, we want to make sure that they are honoured on the new War Memorial that is under construction on the grounds of Cabinet Office. Please, send an email to nosoldierleftbehind@hotmail.com or call Carol Everson at 533-4567 to make sure that the special veteran in your family is honoured.

The PLP Government is committed to honouring and caring for our veterans. Until the Government amended the War Pensions and Services Act in 2007, Bermudians who served in the defence of Bermuda and nearly all black veterans and their widows received no acknowledgment or benefits.

The PLP Government extended benefits to veterans and widows to include free hospital treatment, respite and palliative care, a monthly pension and a funeral grant. There were extensive benefits available in the 1919 and 1947 versions of the War Pensions and Services Act, but unlike other Commonwealth countries which had similar Acts, the benefits were never made properly available in Bermuda.

It is believed that more Bermudians per capita than any other country in the world volunteered to serve in the First Word War (1914-1918). Let's make sure they and our brothers and sisters who fought in the Second World War are honoured. Send an email to nosoldierleftbehind@hotmail.com and make sure your soldier is honoured.

Today, Premier Ewart Brown and his cabinet toured newly completed housing units on Perimeter Lane. The Perimeter Lane development is the latest in a string of PLP Government housing developments which are coming to fruition. Others include the Loughlands development in Paget, which is in its final stages of completion and the Harbour View Village at Southside, which has shown significant progress in recent months.

The Perimeter Lane development consists of 38 one, two and three bedroom units.

Premier Brown commented on the units:

This is a fine example of how the Government has delivered on its promise to ensure affordable and adequate housing for Bermudians. Looking at these units, you can see that they are very impressive, and we are very pleased that we could provide a dwelling of this caliber for the new community who will soon be living here.

This is the first housing units built specifically for the Rent Geared to Income initiative (RGI). In September 2008, the PLP Government championed and approved the implementation of RGI. Under RGI, rent charged will be based on 25% of the combined income of all employed individuals in the household along with a mandatory 10% savings plan.

Minister David Burch:

Again this demonstrates tangible proof that we are working to assist Bermudian families in gaining their footing in this challenging financial climate. We are very pleased with the completion of this latest development because it means that 38 new families will have a roof over their heads.

It is anticipated that the first families will begin moving into the units, sometime in mid-July, and at that time, Minister Burch said that the Ministry will host a special ribbon cutting ceremony for the new tenants of the new community.

The PLP Government is committed to providing affordable housing for Bermudians. It's why we introduced geared to income housing. It's why we've put home ownership in the reach of more Bermudian families. And, it's why we're building beautiful new affordable housing units across Bermuda.