Yup, a few of us were over there...
As a long time poster, you know that if you search you'd find there answers..
But anyway
To hide an icon, press the alt key (lower left hand corner) and click the trackwheel. A menu will appear; select "Hide icon"
It sounds like you bought a previously owned BlackBerry. It probably has an IT Policy on it. If it does, you are going to have a real problem getting rid of it. The only good way is to get onto a BES and have a default policy (with no password policy) pushed to it. Otherwise you have some problems.
Sorry. And welcome to BB Forums!