The replacement of flags at three border crossings (see related story) is most welcome. The upcoming celebration of St. Martin/St. Maarten Day hosted by the French side this year on November 11 makes it timely as well.
After prolonged exposure to the elements flags get worn and damaged. When that happens they not only look bad but can be interpreted as a sign of neglect or even lack of respect.
Prime Minister Luc Mercelina called on residents to inform government if they notice damage to flags displayed at the border monuments. He rightly stated that the country’s national symbols deserve to be displayed with dignity and pride.
However, it remains hard to understand why the same sense of patriotism was apparently not applied to the flagpole on Cole Bay hill, which has been sitting empty for years at Bell’s Viewpoint. To make matters worse, the site is frequented by hundreds of visitors on a daily basis, who often ask about the missing flag.
To be fair, the spot chosen for his initiative by then Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Nature VROMI Christopher Emmanuel right after Hurricane Irma in November 2017 turned out to be problematic. Strong and gusty winds regularly tore flags hoisted there apart.
New ones of stronger material were ordered, but reportedly due to a structural issue with the pole also suffered damage. In August it was announced that a Flag Pole Project remained on hold because of no approval from the same private landowner who allowed the flagpole in the first place.
Odd as that may seem, Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT) Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten (DP) said at the time that if no agreement is possible, her ministry would evaluate whether related funds in the 2026 budget must be carried forward or reprogrammed toward other high priority tourism infrastructure needs.
Perhaps a renewed effort to reach some kind of understanding can still provide a breakthrough, so that both residents and guests alike in the area can again admire St. Maarten’s very own flag rather than a naked pole.
