January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Shoddy roads a sign of declining standards
From peeling paint at bus stops to gunfire in the street — Gov’t. doesn’t seem to care
Whilst I complained about the poor condition of the bus poles to my car passengers, it occurred to me that they are a tiny example of the Bermuda government's failure to take care of things, to do a good job. My real concern is that the peeling of the reflective material off bus poles is just tip of the iceberg.
When you drive about you can't help but notice the number of public road signs that are broken in half, or spray painted over by vandals or simply missing.
The centre divide of quite possibly half the island's roads is non-existent, either due to wear and tear or paved over on one of the "half paved" road works that seem to be so prevalent. The problem is exacerbated at night when the generally poor road lighting in many areas of Bermuda makes the centre divide that much more important.
Roadside weeds
The weeds on the side of the road in many areas are longer than ever (although I note the "weed" truck has finally been out and about) and the number of dangerous potholes and bumps in the road is staggering. Add all this to the dangerous driving, generally from motor bike riders and I am truly surprised that we only have 11 road deaths this year.
When I asked a parliamentary question this year in the Senate about the schedule for road works and repaving projects, I did not get an answer and I don't expect to ever get one. You see, all of this is simply an indication of an indifferent, overly casual attitude and disregard for rules that seems to have invaded every part government and society in general.
We don't seem to care about the effects of a peeling bus pole and what that shows about ourselves, let alone to our tourists (if you can find any). Indeed, we don't seem to care that poor road conditions contribute to road injuries and deaths. We don't seem to care that despite government announcing it will cut spending by 10 per cent that spending has in fact gone up by 10 per cent.
We don't seem to care that four Uyghurs brought to Bermuda without following our own Constitution, now enjoy employment at Port Royal and a roof over their heads when many in Bermuda are not so blessed.
We don't seem to care that young people implicated in the death of a young man walk free or that the un-born baby of Miss Rhiana Moore did not receive justice. We don't seem to care that no-one knew of her pregnancy or the past sex crimes of her killer.
We don't seem to care that our students continue to fail - 10 years on from grand government promises about education reform.
We don't seem to care when we read daily reports of the sounds of gunfire in our neighbourhoods.
We don't seem to care that true political discussion and solutions are shouted down by fear mongers and people who peddle racial hatred.
I urge you to wake up! Wake up Bermuda to the poor quality of leadership in your country. The society in which we live is gradually deteriorating. I place much of this squarely at the feet of the government and its mismanagement of our Bermuda home and its disregard of the rules.
Our society is deteriorating - much like a pink bus pole.[[In-content Ad]]
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