Dear Editor,
I read an article in The Daily Herald of Wednesday, August 10, entitled, "No more accomplishments, please" signed by someone, who didn't dare to put his or her name to the article, and so it was signed: "Name withheld at author's request."
The unnamed author wrote about some of the ills plaguing our country for years, and blames the current government for these ills. So, unnamed author, let me elucidate the facts to you.
1) The 15% decrease in tourist arrivals did not occur after November 2015, when the current coalition took office. It stems years and years back when the former government was in office.
2 and 3) The 30% loss of Island spending and the loss of Disney and NCL cruise lines did not occur during the current coalition's term either. This happened while the previous government was in office. Check your facts.
4 and 5) the unprecedented number of fires on the landfill. Please, don't tell me that you are not aware that fires on the landfill go back many years. Years that the previous government was in office. I hope you don't believe that these fires started only after November 2015. I recalled being called to the homes of several disgusted residents of Walter Nisbeth Road to see what damage the smoke from the Landfill has been causing them. That was certainly not under the watch of the current coalition.
6) A waste of taxpayers' money for a parking lot on Kimsha Beach. First of all, unnamed author, the name of the beach is Simpson Bay. There is no beach on St. Maarten or St. Martin called Kimsha Beach. But, despite that, I know what you mean. You may consider the parking lot to be an extension of the Causeway Bridge: a true waste of taxpayers' money.
7) Finalizing the government building is a task that the previous government was unable to accomplish in their many, many years in office. How incompetent!
8) Increasing taxes via fuel tax and electricity consumption (Is this a joke, or what?) Citizens of this island have been complaining about the high fuel clause attached to their electricity bill for years. The same years that the previous government was in charge. And, unnamed author, I wonder if you were aware of some of the measures that the previous government was about to apply before leaving office, but were annulled by this coalition. Measures such as 18% increase on road tax and to taking away the civil servants' (including school teachers) vacation allowance, etc.
9) Management of GEBE in total disarray. I somewhat agree with that statement, but it was the former government that had GEBE's management in disarray. This government is responsible for the recent appointment of the new COO and the new CFO of GEBE. Is that the disarray you are referring too?
10) Total lack of vision for our one-pillar economy. Who are you praising for having our economy as a "one-pillar" economy for 40 years and more? Certainly not the current coalition. Lack of vision? Please, unnamed author, go back to your drawing board and check your facts. The lack of vision comes from the former government's years and years of governing with no plan of action.
When you criticize, be truthful with it. By the way, I know why you didn't put your name to your letter. I wouldn't had put my name to such a ridiculous letter either.
Fernando R. Clark
