Dear Editor,
On November 14, 2016, out of frustration, a social media challenge was issued to the citizens of St. Maarten, particularly to those that are a part of the Facebook group WiVoice. Admittedly this was not my finest moment, I was frustrated with yet again another day of chemical smoke from the dump filling my nose, but the hash tag trail was formed and the challenge was simple.
1. Share the image with the hash tag #1sxmchallenge
2. Tag any and as many local politicians as you like, at least one.
3. Tell them your main concern or ask a question, example “Why can’t you give us a solid, viable solution for the dump issue?” Prime Minister of St. Maarten
4. Spread the awareness.
Now to my surprise many took up the cause, many more shared the initiative and other just questioned why. Of those who read and complied with “point number 3” this is what I have collected:
Point number 3: “Tell them your main concern or ask a question, example “Why can't you give us a solid, viable solution for the dump issue?” Prime Minister of Sint Maarten”
* What is the truth about the plans for the dump?
* Why is it that we can build a bridge, we can cater to cruise ships and millions of guests, we can build a rain forest park, but we can’t manage our waste issue?
* How can we continue to function as a country while our governmental infrastructure, as well as government-owned businesses is in dire need of fixing? How can St. Maarten function as a country when our basic needs seems more like a privilege than a right due to no choice of proper business competition? How can we function as a country when quorums for laws/ideas/amendments that can progress the island are not met multiple times due to personal reasons? How can St. Maarten exist when we only have one shaky economic pillar?
* The Dump should be the number one priority of Government to resolve!
* Yes!! Busy working on new projects, but can’t fix the dump. They’re so ridiculous I’m beyond tired of my nose bleeding from this smoke... get up and do something!!!
* Do our kids’ lives matter?
* Other places are turning their dumps into energy plants. Right now current is out where I live, so maybe St. Maarten can do the same thing and eliminate the waste problem and the energy problem at the same time, or at least consider that option because at the end of the day it’s not about a short term solution it’s about one that can also help our Island.
* Was in Sucker Garden and Philipsburg areas today, no breathing problems like I usually get when there is smoke from the dump, but a sudden bad feeling and dizziness occurred. Now tell me why are we paying our parliamentarians and ministers? While the Dump, on a bi-weekly basis is stifling the people, while GEBE, which I predicted after their so-called arrival of their new part, will have outages and load shedding before the end of the year. So said, so done. Now if one of us drops due to the smoke, doubt anything will get done, but if one of our elected or appointed officials or tourists collapse (not wishing for it to happen, just talking facts), we will see how fast this issue will be resolved.
* Dear Government of St. Maarten my daughter, who suffers from asthma, had an attack at school this morning due to this ongoing saga.... #sad. We need this fixed like yesterday.
* The island is run by Mafia...and that is no taradiddle! Our politicians are puppets or sell out @ 10% and the Godfather takes the 90%. The masses (voters) are selling for $300 and those that helped campaign get $30.000 or a piece of land or a job in govt., or govt- owned companies. It is no secret that certain families (in power) are taking (stealing) land from original owners or govt. and turn around and sell them for millions.
Corruption is a part of our culture and we love it! Unless we aren’t getting a little dig in....Isn't it true??
* So how come nobody is saying how much it cost to out these fires?
* No mention of the cost, no mention of the cause, no mention of the process to reduce the cause, no mention of the procedures that take place when a fire happens. No mention of the chemical components in the smoke. No mention, no mention, only half educated advice such as, “Close your windows and your doors.”
* This is why I was so upset at the school situation. Giving people information based on inaccurate results and no knowledge of the matter! We go out on elections and vote the same people in over and over! I think we, as the people, need to just stop waiting for the govt. to fix things and force them to fix it. It is our tax money they using anyhow!
These are some of the questions/comments collected after 12 hours of allowing this hashtag to circulate on social media. If the people seem ignorant it is because you no longer know how to reach and properly inform them.
These are the legitimate concerns of the people. Where are our politicians to respond? Who is going to address the people’s business now? Prime Minister, Minister of Health, Minister of VROMI, of TEATT or even Education, where is the accountability, the transparency, where is the concern for the safety and health of the nation?
I cannot speak for the people of St. Maarten; I was not elected to do so, but I can show you their words…
I hereby issue the #1SXMChallenge to you elected officials; I challenge you to tell the people the truth in regard to your handling of the dump situation. We know that there have been many fact-finding missions to the United States and Europe to find the rare and illusive waste-to-energy plant that best suites St Maarten, but where are your results What were the findings, and based on what criteria were they turned down?
It is not just 2016; I have documented 10 years of your inadequacies when it comes to the dump matter. If you will not provide the people with the information they seek, we will provide them with the motivation they need to remove you. This is not a threat, this was a long time coming, and this is a revolution.
S. Valies
