Dear Editor,
The recent political turmoil that dominated the local air-waves regarding the possible fall of the present “government” once more reigned supreme at the kitchen tables of residents and visitors to our island. This is highly regrettable, leaving speculations aside for the reason or reasons why this event caught on like one of our now infamous dump-wild-fires. This ‘fake news’ served to magnify the fact that we still face unstable governments and lack of effective and decisive leadership at a critical time when focus should be on a cleaner, safer, beautiful Sint Maarten, and a robust economy, thereby creating a better quality of living for our citizens and great experience for our valued visitors.
Effective and decisive leadership remains elusive even after having two back -to-back elections in the space of two years where promises were made to the electorate. Don’t take my word for it. Take a good look around you and compare your living conditions today against those promises made.
Amidst the distractions, speculations and innuendos circulating our households, many of our citizens are really struggling while keeping up appearances regarding the true depth of their hardship. It is a known fact that we now have a large group of people, estimated to be 75 per cent of our population, who live just below the so-called poverty line. If these figures were accurate in 2016, one can only imagine how many more have regrettably joined this social ladder post-Hurricane Irma.
Where is the middle class? Should our focus not be aimed at establishing policies and programs that would increase employment, lower taxes, opening five-star hotels, establishing affordable healthcare and decent social housing, providing efficient service from government, increasing integrity and being accountable to the people?
Prices of building materials and other durable goods have spiraled. Those businesses that have not closed shop still lack support ( not a handout mind you) from lending institutions in terms of receiving a rebuilding loan at an interest rate at three per cent or lower.
School fees have been increased, while parents and our society are faced with an unacceptable shortage of teachers at our schools. The absence of a locally established eye specialist and other much-needed specialists on the Dutch side, remains a thorn in the side of our people. Our people and visitors are still inhaling poison caused by the garbage dump in Philipsburg.
Most of our roads are still dotted with potholes. Loose garbage and car-wrecks line our sidewalks and neighborhoods. The causeway and Simpson Bay bridges that cost taxpayers millions, as well as many streets in the districts, still lack complete lighting one year after Hurricane Irma.
These are some of the serious social/economic issues our people are confronted with. Yet, effective leadership that approaches these and other pressing issues in a decisive and open manner remains elusive. St. Maarten deserves better.
Sound and comprehensive and forward-thinking management of the people’s business is needed, not a drip, drip approach and ad-hoc manner of governing seen at both levels of government, Parliament as well as the Council of Ministers.
Don’t be distracted from what is really important to this nation. Your and your children’s future is at stake.
Gracita R. Arrindell
