Thanks for signing the petition
We’d like to give a big thanks to everyone who has written letters and/or signed the petition so far and especially to those of you who have gone out of your way to get others involved.
Below are some of the comments from the petition…
When all the trees have been cut down, when all the animals have been hunted, when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you discover you cannot eat money. - Cree Native American prophecy.
Scott Tucker, Bermudian
If the people behind this proposed project can’t see how it will further damage Bermuda’s already fragile and diminishing beauty, no word of mine will persuade them. I just hope the sheer volume of signatures of those against it will persuade them instead.
Janet Wingate, Bermudian
Why when there are 4 sites that are EMPTY (Sonesta, Lantana, Club Med and Morgan’s Point) does a SDO need to be pushed through for this? Precious little open space is left on the island as it is.
John Williams, Bermudian.
It’s one of the last untouched parts of Bermy. Leave it Alone!
James Doughty, Bermudian
Our quality of life on this lovely island is severely compromised by developments on the scale proposed.
Deborah Jackson, Bermudian.
Before allowing the development of this site, intensive research into the environmental and social impact of this project must be carried out. It is unsettling to watch the speed and secrecy surrounding this SDO application. It is imperative that the general public be allowed to voice their opinion and be witness to a transparent and honest dialogue about the merits of this development.
Tina Fraser-Epps, Bermudian.
The need for this development is totally unproven. It’s benefits would be small compared with the cost to Bermuda. Just in terms of open space, protected open space, the loss is too great. The strain on housing and other infrastructure is too great. There are few Bermudians who want to work in the hospitality industry. Why is this SDO being considered?! The new Sustainable Development plan had the potential to lead us down the right road. A road in which a wise, long-term, pro-Bermuda view would be taken each time a decision like this had to be made. In one fail swoop, granting this SDO would undermine that entire movement. It would also render impotent all Section 34 Agreements and send a dangerous message to predatory land developers. In the last 15 years, Planning laws have been relaxed over and over for hotel developers in the hopes of helping our tourism industry. After getting approval these developers, have shrunk the hotel component, sometimes removing it altogether, and replaced it with high end condos and time shares. How do we know this won’t happen again? We don’t. It’s not even a close call - this development must not be allowed.
Toby Butterfield, Bermudian
There is so little open green space available as it is that it would be terrible to turn Southlands into a concrete jungle. Never mind that the hotel has no resemblance to anything Bermudian and will only be an eyesore.
Elmina Peniston
I am disheartened to find that once again commitment to preserve a balance between human needs and environmental health has fallen ill to manipulation and special interests. Protocol is put in place for a reason, giving society stability, direction and the basis for making wise decisions, particularly for the future.
Lynn Thorne, Bermudian
Being a frequent visitor of Bermuda, I am both shocked and saddened to learn that the unique beauty of Southlands in danger of being destroyed in favor of yet another hotel/ resort. As a visitor of Bermuda, my primary attraction to your island is it’s natural beauty. I have never seen trees like the ones that exist on the Southlands. Please consider the devastation to this area’s natural beauty ,that will occur as a result of this construction.
Kristin Hatfield, American
It is clear that the SDO procedure is a sham and stands for nothing. If this project succeeds it will effectively make the SDO procedure redundant and will sound the bell for the complete demise of Bermuda’s open space and woodland in the future. Bermuda’s ecology is in complete crisis.
Stuart Forbes, Bermudian
We do need a new hotel but not of this magnitude. I am against the tunnel on South Road.
Marion Scaife, Bermudian
The concreting of the cliffs would be an environmental disaster, especially with the destruction of Longtail habitat.
Charles Zuill, Bermudian
Are they trying to make Bermuda the ugliest place in the world rather than the most beautiful…we have plenty of hotels here - renovate that thing in St. George’s for goodness sakes!!!!!!!!!!!
Heather Adams, Bermudian
See more comments HERE.
April 17th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
This island is looking more and more like a floating city, each and every day.