City services might be lost if bill is passed

Please Slow Down, Calm Down Everyone and Let’s Get Reform Right

Some 82 per cent of Bermudians do not support the takeover of the City of Hamilton.  

They have questions. Serious and legitimate questions.

Why is this Bill about the future of our City being rushed through Parliament? What’s the hurry? Is this the best way to bring about voter reform or is it simply part of a plan to seize assets? What are the costs and consequences to my job and family as a result of this legislation?

And the Public deserves answers. Not political rhetoric. Not accusations. But real answers.

Whenever any country’s democratically elected leadership chooses to be secretive, confusing or evasive on a matter of this importance, it should cause everyone concern.

The Minister’s statement states, “No jobs are affected and no employee should be or feel threatened as a result.”

The truth is if this Bill is enacted, Government will seize over 8 million dollars of the City of Hamilton’s operating revenue. To put this into perspective, the total cost of the salaries of the wide range of dedicated City employees is around 11.5 million dollars. You don’t need a calculator to figure out the devastating impact an 8 million dollar loss in revenue could have on those Bermudians and their families. Faced with the truth of this harsh reality, some supporters of the Bill are starting to backtrack and say that Government will give the Corporation money but that is not what the Bill says.

The Minister’s statement states, “Insofar as is required to maintain functions and service levels no prejudice will result from this change.”

Common sense will tell most Bermudians that the reality of sustaining the same level of service or standard of living by any government, municipality or community facing a 40 per cent loss of revenue is impossible. Taxes have to be raised or deep cutbacks need to be made to maintain even the most minimal level of services and support.

The sad truth is that if this Bill is enacted many of the programmes and services Bermudians have come to count on and love, from Harbour Nights to Christmas lights; from CCTV security cameras to twice a day trash removal and more, would most likely be the immediate victims.

And while the title of this Bill references reform, anyone who reads it will quickly see most of its provisions focus on seizing the City of Hamilton’s operating revenue. That goal is reached in a matter of months, while the voter reform it promises will not be realised for years.

The rushed Bill itself, whose unknown and serious long-term economic effects could ripple through every taxpaying household in every constituency, also contains typographical errors, inconsistencies and vague and confusing language.

Economic risks

Ask your MP to let you read it and you will see for yourself.  It’s hard to imagine any legislation of this magnitude with the serious economic risks and hardship it could impose on families and businesses not being open for their public debate and review.

The issue of gaming was deliberated on and publicly discussed for months. This Bill, based on a report that has never been shared with the public, will be debated in Parliament for minutes.

Since the public ultimately has to pay for or suffer through the consequences of any legislation, don’t they have the right to know what their leaders are rushing them into, before it’s too late?  

Every major national poll over the last year shows the vast majority of Bermudians still believe that the future of the City of Hamilton is too vital to the island to allow a rushed Bill based on secret reports created by $800,000 foreign consultants determine its fate.

And they hope and expect those in Parliament, in whom they entrust their votes, will listen to them.

That’s the essence, the beauty and the power of real democracy. Democracy at its best.  That’s why Bermudians from all party persuasions are coming together and fighting hard to Save the City. Not because of politics but because of principle.

Because, like no other time in Bermuda’s history, it is the right thing to do. And we need to do it right.

Charles Gosling is the Mayor of Hamilton.