Satellite
Communications East
(757) 746-9803
(757) 838-5538
www.markerney.com
REQUEST FOR
Dear Bill Gates,
I just recently returned from a
business trip to
equipment
that had been damaged or destroyed in the last two storms that passed through the
islands. While on my visit I was made
aware that you have property on
basically
part of
caused
to the Bahamian economy and the Bahamian people during these last two storms. I
feel it
is my duty to bring to your attention a
very important matter concerning the
far from your home in
the north and south part of the
of the island. Without this bridge the
island would be separated into two parts and a ferry would be
the only option to transfer people and
necessities from one side to the other. According to the local
people I spoke with you have never seen
that area of
missing some of the most beautiful and
secluded parts of Eleuthera. This bridge is located in the
middle of that beauty but is badly in
need of repair. The last two hurricanes have severely damaged
the bridge to the point that it is only
passable on one lane. It looks as if the next storm will wash it
away completely. I took quit a few
pictures of it while I was there and told people that I would email
you and see if you might be interested
in helping what I consider to be your neighbors. While I was
leaving the island the taxi driver was
telling me stories about the bridge and how many people have
lost their lives trying to cross it
during “the rage”. They describe “the rage” as something that comes
very frequently. They say the wind blows
so hard that the waves reach the top of the bridge and if
you try to pass over it during this rage
that your car, truck or even bus is swept over the side. They
told me that within the past few years a
school bus with children on it had been swept over the side
during the rage. They also told me that
numerous cars and trucks had been blown off the bridge. I
asked the local people why the Bahamian
Government had not repaired the bridge and they told me
the same thing you hear quit often in
the
repair it. They will more than likely
wait until it falls into the ocean or wait until somebody famous dies
crossing it. While the cab driver was
telling me the story about driving you to the ferry at Harbour
island I told him that maybe Bill Gates
could fix this bridge since it is so close to his home. The driver
responded and said yes that would be a
good idea. I replied that when I got home I would write you
a letter bringing the matter to your
attention. So here it is. I am a man of my word and I love the
Bahamian people and their islands. If I
had the money myself I would fix that bridge in a minute. But
of course I am just one of the grunt
workers that everybody else makes money off of. If I ever hit a
nice lottery ticket then I will return
to Eleuthera and fix the bridge. We both know the reality of that
happening. So on behalf of the Bahamian
people and the people who have already lost their lives,
I would like to respectfully ask you to
consider heading up a plan to repair/replace that bridge before
further disaster occurs. You are
probably the only person living in that area that could possibly get
the job done. You would be loved by the
Bahamian people for many years to come if you could see
it in your heart to donate such a service. I want absolutely nothing out
of this other than a bridge for
the people of Eleuthera. A safe passage
from one end of the island to the other no matter what the
weather circumstances are. Just think,
you may need to take that route to evacuate one day. Please
take a moment to at least consider it.
If you do nothing else could you at least make a good plea to
the Bahamian government to get the
bridge repaired before a disaster occurs. Photos are attached
for your viewing. Please contact me if
you have any questions or need assistance.
Thank You
Sincerely,
Mark C. Erney
