Dear Editor,
The history of St. Maarten has demonstrated time and time again that the people of St. Maarten are a resilient people. Whether there is little or no incentive from the side of government, the people continue to find a way to bounce back.
This has always evoked thoughts of the correct or incorrect disbursing of goods by government to those in need. I would challenge anyone to show me where I am wrong about this.
I read a letter to you from Steven Johnson “Who kidnapped the Editor?” and was not surprised, because I myself did not agree with the timing. People are hurting a whole lot more than they are showing, because they cannot sit back and wait for handouts. Especially with prices escalating and no one to control it.
I will sound like a scratched record, but I have to continue asking how can both Kingdom government and local government be so callous as to continually disregard the people after what Irma and Maria did to St. Maarten, purely for politics. I still believe that the toppling of government should be an indictment for conspiracy of those who are responsible. Then not only Steven Johnson, but everybody should react and voice their opinion.
One of the questions to be asked is, did any member of government lose their roof? Is it back on? With so much damage and so many hands needed to clean up, reconstruct and to serve both the needy and the visitors, are we really going to be able to perform optimal? Are we looking for quality or quantity? And do we really prefer to use Irma as a scapegoat? What do we prefer – continual mediocre service or one low and bad season with a very valid reason? Do we really think that anyone will judge our Carnival this year?
As one who been personally involved with visitors for years, I know that the vast majority of the visitors for Carnival come for the atmosphere of the St. Maarten Carnival season and they will continue to come.
Even though my way of expressing my disgust is different I can understand conscientious responce to that editorial. The impact of Irma is in no way close to over, and big as well as small, old as well as young are still traumatised as a result thereof. Most of all, not everyone is coping the same.
Would I be able to say Happy Carnival without reservations?
Russell A. Simmons
