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Dear sir,

I recently became very blessed to acquire into my possession a work that I believe represents a solid piece of Bermuda's history.

This work, entitled "The Next 20 Years" by H. Thornley Dyer, was a report commissioned in 1963 by the then government to propose a 20-year, island-wide, development plan for what could be done in the coming years.

This report served as the basis for what formed into what we recognize today as our planning department.

Within which is contained some amazing and novel ideas, some of which outline problems that we face still today and solutions to how they could be overcome.

It is amazing to consider, that within this report of nearly 43 years of age an outline exists for a plan for the Hamilton harbour that we recognize today whose familiar layout and vision may soon change.

The report outlines other incredible suggestions that were never realized such as reclaiming land in areas between Blue Hole and Ferry Reach and offering potential solutions to problems such as overpopulation, traffic, and other woes similar to that which we face today, long before international business ever had a place here.

It seems utterly amazing that such an incredible work could have been compiled back in the 1960s, outlining a review of an island wide development plan. It has left me to wonder what could be done to compile a similar plan for the issues we not only address today, but those we approach in the coming future.

Modern times have thankfully given us the gift of communication through the Internet which can be used to encourage the collaboration between individuals of ideas. It enables us to no longer be restricted in waiting for our government to commission such a report today and hold the very power of our future within our own grasp.

In honour of not only our forefathers whose foresight brought us to where we are today, but also those who share the future that we have to look forward to, I have done my best to compile a tool that will allow our people to build a plan for our own future.

One for every Bermudian regardless of sex, race, or political affiliation whose ideas can be shared to the benefit of us all as ideas should ideally be free.

After much trial and tribulation, I have concluded that the best step forward that I could achieve is to put together a website based upon discussion forum technology to drive content and ideas that could serve to empower our people into creating a development plan for the next 20 years.

I invite you to not only visit and explore the site at http://www.bermudawiki.com, but most of all to share any ideas you may have to contribute via our forums at http://forums.bermudawiki.com. The results of which will be used to compile a “People’s Platform” of ideas to showcase to our leadership what our people want to see accomplished in our next 20 years.

Together, as Bermudians one and all, we can build a better future.

Denis Pitcher

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