General Meeting
The next meeting day is May 25th, 6 PM in the Town Hall (pending the election outcome). During the meeting, you will learn about all the projects underway and new programs and projects we may be undertaking. The standard agenda follows:
Town Manager / Secretary Report
Committee Reports and Recommendations
Government Board Member's Reports
Other Board Member Reports
Action Items from the Town Plan
Public Q&A Period
Resolutions
Failed: To raise Bob Burn's Park sitting wall one course higher and wider (additional detail requested).
* All resolutions require the approval of the Minister responsible for Municipalities.
Road Closures
When the Corporation hosts major events, we will reduce public access to ensure public safety. On some occasions, there are no road closures, but there may be traffic delays as the participants exit the Town.
Date: Saturday, May 6
Time: 5am-10:30am
Street: King’s Square
Date: Sunday, May 7
Time: 8am-5pm
Street: Water Street West
Trash Collection
Public holidays may disrupt the FREE twice weekly collection of trash in the Town of St. George for business and residents.
Holiday Collections:
- King Charles Coronation - Tuesday, May 9th
- Bermuda Day - Saturday, May 27th
Letters To The Editor
I recently received your April Town News and wanted to add one point. There is a reference to the Post Office on Water Street and the "Connection to the world". I would like to throw my two cents in if I can. For the many times we've stayed at Lilly-Annes, we have always wondered why the Bermuda Transport has not provided direct ferry service to/from Hamilton. "Connect to Hamilton" would seem like a commonsense thing to do. Imagine being able to hop a ferry and go between these two great towns. It seems to me that St. George's would benefit greatly. Thanks in advance.
Tom, Oak Ridge, NJ
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Dear Tom,
Thank you for reading!
The Corporation of St. George, which manages town services such as trash collection, wastewater, and a selection of property rentals, unfortunately, does not own a ferry. While the ferry stop is the Town's, the Government of Bermuda owns the ferries and has advised financial constraints does not make the route feasible at this time.
Municipal Elections
On May 11, you get to elect your favourite person for mayor and business councillor. Advance Polling Day-Thursday, May 4, 2023.
Elections are an important part of the democratic process. Acceptable forms of ID are a commonwealth passport, a Bermuda driver’s license, a Special Persons Card, Voters Identification Card or an employee identification card with a photo, signature and date of birth.
Tips on voting:
1. Can they deliver on what they propose?
Adapting to change is crucial. It's essential for candidates to understand how changes may impact the electorate. For instance, entertainment initiatives like movies, games, and performances on the Town Square may not suffice to bring the community together due to the technological competition from platforms like Xbox, TikTok, and streaming services, which are capturing the attention of the youth.
2. Can they make tough decisions?
Addressing residents' demands that seem simple but have complexities, for instance, the call to open town bathrooms during a national emergency like a pandemic, may seem reasonable at first, but they can create complex and challenging situations. For example, the crisis response discourages people from being social; the bathrooms would need to be cleaned frequently; people would have to sacrifice their health for someone else's convenience; and there would be additional expenses with no significant benefit.
Town Hall Wrap Up
Residents made it very clear.
They demand action now!
- A financial plan to get investors and allow the Town to stand on its own two feet.
- Make sure every home is sent all the information about the corporation’s plans.
- Moreover, the plan we have can only fail if we have no money.
- And stop making a wishlist for the sake of making a wishlist. 20 years on, and some items are still not done.
That is what residents provided as key feedback on the Town's Strategic Draft Plan.
We demand action now!
Attending the general meetings held every fourth Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. in the Town Hall is the way to take action. You'll get an update on the plan's action items and can ask questions of the council. Additionally, you can make your voice heard by contacting the corporation's office Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or visiting their website to send a message.
Deliver a financial plan!
The Corporation has a yearly reviewed operations plan and a fixed-source budget. The community has called for investors to support the town, but it's crucial for them to clarify their desired investors' intentions regarding control and ownership, as no one does anything for free. Residents can invest in the town by shopping locally, attending town events, and renting facilities for events. Shopping locally helps businesses thrive, and spending money during town events and renting town facilities generates revenue to improve the town's economy. Moreover, if a particular business type is missing from the town, the Chamber of Commerce or the BEDC can be contacted to fill the void.
Stand on your own two feet!
A resident was adamant that this was the way forward. The reality is the Government has made it clear they wish to move ahead with municipalities reform. Seeking government handouts to function is not sustainable, but is necessary where the Corporation's funding is restricted.
Make sure every resident is sent all the information about the corporation’s plans!
A sitting councillor publicly questioned the Mayor, demanding to know where residents can access information about the Corporation. It was implied that seniors either don’t own computers or cannot use them.
For those who don’t know, the Corporation of St. George operates a website at corpstgeorge.bm.
The website contains the Draft Town Plan, General Meeting dates, the newsletter, notices of events such as cycle racing, urban foot races, and the National Trust Walk, and other helpful information.
The demand was made to send all correspondence through the mail to residents. While home delivery is possible, the community should be aware that it is expensive. Simple math applies: if a plan consists of 6 pages and costs $1 per page, then the cost per plan is $6. If this is multiplied by 1,000 addresses, the base cost is $6,000 each mailing.
If people require a printed copy, CSG can print out one or two copies at no cost, but beyond that, there will be a cost per package since it is a consumable item and other versions are available.
All of it is linked to Google for easy searching.
No money leads to failure!
This is true. The past councils said no to taxing anyone—residents, businesses, or even cars parking too long. No to everything.
The outcome of this is felt today to the tune of $23 million in revenue. The Corporation of Hamilton reported $23 million in revenue from property tax, parking fees, wharfage, and other items, from which 383 registered businesses enjoy a benefit.
St. George’s is not a metropolitan city; it is now a commuter town where a good portion of the 1,317 registered residents get up every day and empty the Town when they leave to work. They return late, when no stores are open. So, merchants have to rely on trade from tourists or visiting residents throughout the day.
The choice of removing taxes dismantled the successful municipality’s business model. It now has no base of paying customers but on-going expenses to serve them. The three-legged stool that offered stability is now a mere stump of a leg when you compare COH's $23 million in revenue versus CSG's $2 million for total operations. That was a choice, which a vote made, but the consequence is that every town resident and business must now pay for it. Nothing is really free.
If the Corporation of St. George’s could operate with $7 million, this would allow the town to begin a renaissance. Collecting tourists from the dockyard could be supported directly by the town; municipal services could be expanded to directly attract new local or international businesses to diversify the town's business portfolio and generate more customers throughout the day; and the town could invest in programmes that would generate activity and support the Town's social fabric.
The residents demands can be met if they are willing to support a business model that has proven to work all across the world.
East End Closing For Renovations
Education Ministry Announces.
The Ministry of Education in Bermuda is implementing a national programme to restructure the education system to three levels of schooling, resulting in the closure of primary schools in St George's. This comprehensive change is a shock to the system as Bermuda has a history of slow and incremental changes, and traditions are sacrosanct. Families will have to make a serious sacrifice as their children will have to study in Smith's parish commuting for an hour every day or five hours a week. However, the town may see an influx of construction workers and families moving closer to the town for education once construction is complete in two years.
Ducking Stool Re-enactment Returns
Ducking Joins the Medieval Stocks and Pillories Display.
The Corporation of St. George’s is thrilled to invite visitors to explore the unique history and culture of the Town of St. George. From Monday, May 1st, guests can witness the Ducking reenactment, which showcases how corrective measures were used to manage wayward towne folk in the past, supported by the Town Crier. The event will run 1 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
New Transport Hub
Tiger Bay streamlined.
The Corporation of St. George is pleased to announce the new transportation hub located at Tiger Bay. This facility is designed to reduce congestion at the Hunter's Wharf ferry stop, providing a more streamlined transportation experience for visitors. With ground transportation available to popular destinations such as Tobacco Bay, Clearwater Beach, and Crystal Caves, the Tiger Bay transportation hub is the perfect starting point for some of the most breathtaking attractions in Bermuda.
The Corporation of St. George extends its gratitude to the Ministry of Transport for their generous support in providing a dedicated traffic officer and police officer to the area. Together, we are committed to ensuring a safe and efficient transportation system that will enhance the overall experience of visitors and residents alike.
Open For Business
St George’s Marina substantially complete.
The Corporation of St. George and the Bermuda Government partnered in August 2022 to redevelop the world-class Ordnance Island Marina, and we're thrilled to announce that this visionary project is now complete and will make a significant contribution to the economic revival of St. George. With an investment exceeding $4 million, this capital project showcases our commitment to enhancing services and attracting international visitors and esteemed residents. Our world-class facility, managed by the highly-regarded St. George’s Marina Development Company, offers clients a variety of exceptional amenities and personalized services tailored to their every need. We take pride in delivering unparalleled experiences in the Town of St. George.
Bulletin
- Thursday, May 4th - Advance Polling Day
- Saturday, May 6th - Convex End-to-End
- Monday, May 8th - King Charles III, Coronation
- Thursday, May 11th - Municipal Elections
- Friday, May 12th - Seven Sea Navigator in port
- Sunday, May 14th - Mother's Day
- Friday, May 26th - Bermuda Day (Race starting in St. George’s)
- Monday, June 19th - National Heroes Day
Bermuda Day — May 26th, 2023
Bermuda Day: A Bermudian Renaissances.
Bermuda Day, the official first day of summer, is celebrated with the half-marathon derby in St. George's, where runners race through the island's landscapes. The Bermuda Day Parade in Hamilton features dance groups, bands, majorettes, and decorated floats made from natural materials. The highlight is the Gombey troupes dressed in colorful suits and dancing to traditional Bermudian drums. The day celebrates the unique culture and heritage of Bermudians and their resilience in building a thriving community, even in the face of challenges and changing times.
Did you know …
You can host a major or intimate event in St. George’s at one of the amazing locations; Penno’s Wharf, Somers Garden, King's Square and Town Hall, any of these spots are beautiful and idyllic to host a company function, weddings, milestone birthday or any occasion. For more information please contact CSG Offices at
Shopping For Bermuda Day
Bermuda's Fashion Industry Thrives on the Power of Creativity.
Once upon a time, in the magical land of Bermuda, fashion was not just a fleeting trend, but a way of life. The St. George's Original Dancerettes knew this better than anyone when they dazzled the crowds at the 2022 Bermuda Parade with their metallic silver skirts and shimmery sequined black tops with a sheer neckline, giving us that futuristic meets high-fashion vibe. It was a masterpiece of creativity that required selecting the perfect fabrics and colours and crafting the outfit to withstand the rigors of the parade route.
The art of sewing had always been the cornerstone of Bermuda's fashion industry and holiday traditions, and iconic stores like Trimingham's, Smith's, AS Cooper's, and the English Sports Shop had been the go-to destinations for the island's most discerning shoppers. These stores catered to everyone, from fashion-forward trendsetters who craved the latest must-have styles to astute business executives who sported colorful Bermuda shorts and blazers. Exclusive in-house labels were the ultimate status symbol, signaling one's refined taste and impeccable sense of style. Their sewing rooms were legendary.
However, as technology advanced, brick-and-mortar stores were slowly impacted by international shopping trips and online shopping, fulfilling a prophecy made in a shopping video in the 1960s. Fortunately, the English Sports Shop remained loyal to the town and mastered the art of manoeuvring technology, serving the residents on Water Street with original Bermuda shorts and an array of ready-to-wear fashions for Bermuda Day and every other occasion throughout the year.
But the fashion legacy of Bermuda was not left behind. The Woman's Shop, now known as Gibbons, has always been a haven for fashion enthusiasts seeking the latest sewing patterns and materials to create their unique custom fashions. This store survived the dot-com bubble, global recession, and pandemic by being nimble and pioneering local online shopping in Bermuda, which proved to be a blessing when the pandemic struck. Recently, they rebranded their Water Street store to Palm Lane Shop Boutique, maintaining their traditional focus on tourists and residential shopping.
The growth of Hamilton's commercial landscape was pivotal in the expansion of satellite stores into the Town of St. George. Legacy investments in the town cater to a range of clientele, with a focus on tourist-centric items such as china, perfumes, jewellery, and fashions, and have served us well.
Amidst it all, creativity remained the thread that stitched Bermuda's rich and storied business history of fashion and heritage together, ensuring that the island's fashion legacy will continue to shine brilliantly, just like the silver skirts worn by the Dancerettes, who inspire the next generation of seamstresses and designers of Bermuda fashion.
