Dear Editor,
As one who has been involved in elected politics in the United States for over 30 years and simultaneously has been a multi-week visitor in St. Maarten for those same 30 years, I believe I have a unique perspective on the political process in St. Maarten. I have seen many so-called politicians come and then go when they prove to be more interested in themselves than in the people they are supposed to serve. Some of these politicians have enriched themselves and some have found themselves going to jail. We have the same situation in our country and I do not claim any superiority for the United States electoral process with that of St. Maarten.
With the above as my preface I would like to state that I have the utmost admiration for Sarah Wescot-Williams who has been involved in the political process for many years because I find her to be genuine. Her guiding star seems to be what’s best for the people of St. Maarten including not only those who profess to be real St. Maarteners but also those who have lived on the Island and continue to try their best to make it the "Friendliest" Country in the World.
I have only had one contact with her in the 30 years that I’ve been coming to St. Maarten and that would be about 8 or 9 years ago when she addressed a meeting of the Rotary Club while I was attending such a meeting. I actually did not get a chance to speak with her but I do read The Daily Herald every day of the week online and I have done so probably for the last 10 years.
I am getting close to retirement age and I am seriously considering relocating to St. Maarten and one of my main positives would be the continued presence of Sarah Wescot-Williams in government. I have made many friends both in and out of government in St. Maarten during my many years here and most are trying to pull together despite severe handicaps such as weather, insufficient critical mass of population, limited natural resources and a lack of diversity of occupations. These handicaps can be overcome and I believe they will be overcome because of the work ethic of most of the people that I have met.
St. Maarten faced its greatest challenge in 2017 and aside from a few days of chaos has come out of it with a stronger resolve and will overcome the handicaps I have set forth above. You have only to look at how the people who visit St. Maarten feel about the island by checking the internet on the many social interactive websites that exist and get a feel for how we as Americans, Canadians, Europeans and many people from throughout the world feel about what we consider to be our second home.
William E. Flynn
Old Bridge, New Jersey
