Dear Editor,
In the wake of a new government, I will continue to advocate that we need a complete revision of the public transportation ordinance, which should be administrated by the government (the people), and once regulated right, will surely create a domino effect in eliminating our congested traffic situation.
On one or more occasion, I have heard mention that those who I expected to know better; those who have been there in various capacities; those who have dished out thousands to be able to get back or remain in there, challenge those of us who they claim to hide behind our letters to you, to bring solutions.
I always laugh, not smile but laugh out loud, because when they think they are scoring points, they are demonstrating their incompetence. They are affected by the fact that the taxpayer who afforded them that opportunity is doing what the tax-payer is supposed to do. It is no secret what kind of negative effect the situation at the entrance of the harbour has had on the rest of the traffic.
I have mentioned it before. The infrastructure and size of Sint Maarten do not afford for those very big buses. The 25-seaters should suffice and should be easier navigating around the country, not to mention that more drivers would be able to get a job. These are a few points, but in order to make it work optimally, I have to go back at what I have been studying for some time now.
We have to first determine who is a Sint Maartener to get the ball rolling in the right direction. Like I always mention: "Where there is a will there is a way." I know it can be done because I became a boat captain at 48, because in the late 80's when Bush and Mitterrand met here, in no time the Maritime Police was erected. And that was not to benefit Sint Maarten. I know that the Dutch and the French could do this together if they are interested in doing what is necessary for a better co-existence of this country.
Now that we finally have a coalition, I believe that along with embarking on determining who is a Sint Maartener, a committee should be set up to spearhead the Dutch and the French coming together in jointly organizing the public transportation by both sides complementing each other. I do not claim to be Mr. Omniscient, but I will challenge anyone to show me a better way of tackling the traffic congestion on Sint Maarten other than drastically regulating the import of motor vehicles.
I have this question: Did Irma and the rest wake up anyone to the thought that we need to add (diversify) some other kinds of industry to our tourism? And why can't the melting or recycling of those old cars be done right here on Sint Maarten? What is so difficult in administrating a 4-billion-dollar economy to accommodate only sixty thousand inhabitants? If that is the case, then we have to look for some of those overqualified Sint Maarteners to come and help us.
I believe that now is the time for the members of this coalition to establish themselves for the future, just by simply doing the right thing and hang in there for four years. There is a lot to do to keep them busy during those four years, and before they realize it, those four years will have passed and they would come out smelling like a rose. On the contrary, if they mess up, I clearly see political suicide. Because there are a lot of other young aspiring men and women who would be able to blame the voters for putting back the old politicians in there. I still maintain that we should get rid of the old and bring in the new.
Russell A. Simmons
