Dear Editor,
There are some things that I react to right away and other things of which I weigh others opinion first. I believe that this one deserves right-away reaction, because, when there is a gas leak, one does not wait until they find who caused it, but the first priority is to make sure that that leak is fixed in a safe way.
When a politician goes to the people laying out his plans for the country and the people are convinced and elect him to office, the next thing that is expected of that politician is to be responsible and stick to his word. When a businessman is granted a permit to operate a business, it is expected of that permit holder to be responsible and comply with the conditions of that permit and the ordinances governing the contents of that permit.
We all know the demands that are put on us on all fronts. Good governance and integrity are among those demands. In the past, we have heard stories concerning which hotels and casinos do not pay taxes, and also which, for years now, have not contributed to SVB’s coffers.
We also know that there is a long time but still effective bail-out-government story which several ex-ministers know about. Where am I going with this? Let me first ask: Do two wrongs make a right? The health department has been carrying out controls these last weeks and several public eating places were closed to right the wrongs uncovered in those eating places during those controls. There were even jokes made of a certain eating place which once was a target of VROMI.
And then, all of a sudden, we read that the health inspection team's operation stopped because of the misconduct of the inspectors during the control at Point Restaurant at Sonesta Maho. The health inspection team found pest infestation and a sewage pit in the middle of the kitchen emitting a foul odour, and because of the zero tolerance policy handled just as they did at other restaurants.
We also read that the restaurant's operation resumed and dinner was served on Friday evening. No mention was made whether these wrongs were righted, whether the emitting of foul odour was stopped, or what was done about the pest infestation. Dr. Best did not expect those repairs to be ready by Monday.
When I go on control and discover infringements, does my conduct take away from the fact that there are infringements? I did not read anywhere where the ministry of health was involved and did not see the urgency that both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance had to go so far as to override the professional Dr. Best, as it were slapping him in the face for daring to close down a place of business at Sonesta Maho. What picture is being painted here?
As I said before, there have been founded stories. If because of history, one would put two and two together and start speculating, because of where this happened, would that be far- fetched? When we refer to one of the reasons given by that same Prime Minister for the exorbitant salaries given to members of government, if that was considered that urgent, should it not be so that the rectifying of those infringements should have priority above the conduct of the inspectors.
Are we not aware that the accused is allowed to lie? Who should be given the benefit of the doubt? Dr. Best and his team or the accused. Am I to believe that the health of a community, including mine, and also those who eat at that restaurant does not mean anything to Ministers Marlin and Gibson?
Is the world not in a Zika craze? Is what I consider irresponsible behaviour on the part of government any different to the behaviour of Dr. Best's team? I believe that the health of the people should have priority. I am sure that Dr. Best will do what is best. This is an election year and the politicians should remember that because of technology nowadays everything is recorded and played back, even on big screens. Are these the same people who will come to the people in a few months?
It seems as if overriding the decision of the inspection team has priority over the safety of the people. Is this putting the people first? Would those who did this eat at that place of business after showing the management, you can do as you wish? Not me! I did not stop the operation of the so vital for our industry inspection team and caused it to be reported. But all of us could be harmed if health inspectors are not allowed to do their work, because of who they control. Do two wrongs make a right? Who is above the law?
Russell A. Simmons
