Dear Editor,
After experiencing the most terrible hurricane that struck this small island of ST. Maarten, this little nation has to now deal with many issues relating to the consequences of this Monster Storm.
This hurricane came with a mission and that was to destroy, uproot, demolish, and displace whatever was in its paths. Many people lost their homes, their jobs, their cars and possessions. The sad thing about it is that many will not be able to get back what they have lost.
What may have taken 22 years to accomplish, since Hurricane Luis in 1995, was utterly destroyed in just far less than 22 hours in 2017 by Hurricane Irma. For many this Christmas was not as bright or merry as before, because it’s like yesterday you had, but today you have become a have-not.
Many victims of this hurricane are now living in tents, sleeping in their cars, depending on government for a financial handout, or shacking up with families or friends, hoping for a day when they can carry on their everyday life as before.
Since the month of September, the trees are all now green again. Flowers are blooming. Yes, we are bouncing back and seem to be looking stronger than before. Our mega-supermarkets are full of shoppers for the busy holiday seasons, and some people are still able buy a brand-new car.
However, St. Maarten is now faced with a growing number of unemployed and homeless people, as many businesses were either destroyed or damaged by the hurricane, which resulted in hundreds of workers being laid off. A great majority of these people were living in rented apartments or rooms, but because they have no more income are now not able to pay their rent.
Just after Hurricane Irma this is one of the important topics that came to discussion. The solution that was sorted out was for the Landlords to cancel the payment of rent from their tenants for the month of September. It was even suggested that this should be done for a period of three months, to even up to six months, as to help ease the financial burdens of the tenants.
In a time of difficulty it is understandable that people need to help each other in whatever way possible. Short-term cancelation of rent can be acceptable, but long-term cancelation has now become a problem for many Landlords, who then would have to bear the financial burden of their tenants who are using their water, light, and accommodation for free.
We need to bear in mind that the banks nor GEBE are not going to play Father Christmas, and cancel debts or payments for their services just because the Landlord’s tenants are not paying their rent.
Having people just use your facilities for free is not the best option. I had cases where tenants, just because the water and light were included in their rent, took it upon their own decision to open their private secret “Laundromat” unknown to the landlord, where they would wash clothes from their families or friends on the landlord’s expense.
Dear Editor, election is now just around the corner, and it wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what will be the main points on the political campaign agendas. We all know that there will be promises of suitable or quick solutions to this unemployment situation, as well as a promising fix to the many other serious financial or social situations this little island is now facing after the devastating blow of Hurricane Irma.
For an island that has been plagued, since 10-10-10, by continual unstable governments over the years, ship-jumping, and the rise and fall of political parties, it’s doubtful that any new or snap election will solve the problems.
Dear Editor, the old people have a saying: “Where horse reach, donkey will also reach.”
Dear Editor, the people of St. Maarten are now tired, frustrated, deceived, and many are in need of a job to pay their bills and their rent.
A frustrated landlord
Name withheld at author’s request.
