Dear Editor,
When I say that sport has the power to change and be a tool to develop so much, this is exactly what I mean.
After the incredible achievement of Team Curaçao, who secured their place in the World Cup, making history as the smallest nation ever to do so, we have all witnessed the true essence of what sport can inspire in a people.
That achievement was vision.
It was hard work, collaboration, and sacrifice.
It was leadership, discipline, determination, and above all, national pride.
As many of us across the former Netherlands Antilles, the Caribbean, and the entire world watched this historic moment unfold, we felt that pride. That joy. That excitement. That deep emotional connection that rushed through our bodies as our brothers from Curaçao advanced and secured this monumental achievement. That feeling is proof that, in that moment, we identified with them.
We witnessed the rise of the “Blue Wave” – the heartbeat, the spirit, the energy, the courage, and the strength of the Yu Korsou people. A wave powered by belief, unity, and the unshakable will of a nation determined to make history on the world stage.
I want us all to remember that feeling.
Hold on to it.
Reflect on it.
Let it anchor us.
But most importantly, let it guide and inspire us here on St. Maarten.
Because that feeling is the perfect example of the power sport has, not just to entertain, compete, or win awards, but to transform lives, communities, and nations.
So today, I call on and challenge everyone in the sports sector, and the entire community of St. Maarten, to truly see and believe in this power:
The power of sport to uplift physical and mental health.
The power to strengthen communities and tackle social issues.
The power to unite people.
The power to build a nation.
We can only build and feel that kind of pride when we value ourselves, when we understand who we are, and when we share a purpose and a vision, a vision to grow, to develop, and to excel together.
A future made magical, not by chance, but by choices, by will, and by the identity of its people.
May this moment remind us of what is possible for St. Maarten, we Soualigans. If we believe in ourselves, invest in our people, take ownership of our future, hold ourselves accountable, work together toward one shared vision, and challenge ourselves to be critical thinkers with a growth mindset, ready to build, innovate, and lead.
Let us reflect.
Let us find introspection.
Let us reconnect to why we are here, what this beautiful island means to us, and how we can collectively build a better future for it.
As Nelson Mandela so powerfully reminded the world, in one of my favorite reflections on sport: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.”
As I reflect on that powerful feeling that rushed through my body during that last football game, and on the opportunities sport has given me throughout my life, I truly hope this moment inspires St. Maarten as well.
Thank you for taking the time to read. I hope you too, feel inspired.
Let’s keep working together.
Yours truly,
A sports and community lover and passionate St. Martiner
Naomi Korstanje
President – St. Maarten Sports Federation (SMSF)
Dear editor,
Yesterday at 3:30pm I took to the road from the Maho towards Simpson Bay, leaving early thinking I might avoid the worst of the traffic. By 4:00pm I hadn’t reached the airport terminal, I had travelled a whole 600 metres! I gave up and turned around. I also pity those who didn’t have a choice.
A flood of bad reviews is coming and will bite us all very hard.
The success of this island is becoming its demise.
Somebody better think of something and soon.
Jean de la Salle
Dear Editor,
Public commentary plays an important role in shaping opinion in a small community like ours. People turn to the opinion pages to understand different viewpoints, to hear concerns, and to follow discussions about leadership and accountability. Because of that influence, commentators carry a responsibility: if they choose to speak on issues of integrity, they must be consistent in how they apply their standards.
Over the years, the name Joslyn Morton has appeared frequently in this newspaper’s opinion section. Her letters often focus on leadership failures, moral decline, and political misconduct. Strong criticism is her right, and criticism when balanced can be healthy. But what creates concern is not the criticism itself; it is the silence that follows when similar or even more serious issues arise involving individuals or parties she chooses not to confront.
For example, Morton has written repeatedly and firmly about Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten, Minister Melissa Gumbs, MP Raeyhon Peterson, former MP Rolando Brison, and former Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs, often portraying them as responsible for many of the issues she highlights in her letters. These letters are usually intense, sweeping, and uncompromising.
But when a matter arises involving others, matters that directly relate to procedure, or political influence, that same intensity suddenly fades.
A recent example is the court proceedings involving MP Ardwell Irion and attorney Jairo Bloem regarding the CBCS nomination. According to witness statements reported from the hearing, Mr. Bloem said he went on radio to defend his own appointment at the request of Democratic Party leadership. He also acknowledged he had personally reviewed the official advice regarding his own nomination, something in the reporting described as unusual, since nominees do not typically review or receive their own appointment documents.
These are serious concerns involving influence, procedure, and ethics, the very issues Morton claims to champion. Yet not a single letter addressed it.
The same silence appeared in her commentary on Minister Heyliger-Marten’s recent exchange with MP Francisco Lacroes. In that piece, Morton focused solely on the Minister’s response, completely omitting the context: both the Integrity Chamber and SOAB reports raised serious concerns about how the former Minister of TEATT and his cabinet staff handled the taxi and bus licensing process. That cabinet structure in which MP Lacroes served is central to understanding why the exchange occurred at all.
Ignoring that context while criticizing only one side presents a deeply incomplete picture.
This is the pattern the public should pay attention to.
It is not the presence of criticism that raises questions, it is the absence of it where it clearly belongs.
When a commentator chooses outrage selectively, the message becomes less about integrity and more about preference. When certain parties, personalities, or political circles are exempt from scrutiny, it becomes difficult to trust the objectivity of the commentary. And when major issues are ignored entirely while lesser ones are amplified, the public narrative becomes distorted.
The problem is not that she criticizes. The problem is what she refuses to criticize. That imbalance says more than any letter she has written.
When criticism becomes selective, it is no longer about integrity, it becomes strategy. And when silence surrounds certain individuals or circles while others face constant attack, the public deserves to ask why.
Consistency is not a luxury in public commentary. It is the minimum standard. Without it, criticism loses its credibility and commentary loses its purpose.
In the interest of fairness,
A Concerned Citizen
Dear Editor,
When I worked on Aruba and Curaçao many years ago the mentality of the people was that police “ran things”. Honestly speaking, that was understandable, because the police were in charge of making sure that law and order is maintained. Notwithstanding this, the police are also held accountable. Even though politicians make the laws they too had/have to obey the law. In short nobody is above the law. History has borne this out, because over the years many ĺeaders of government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands have been indicted and also incarcerated.
I started this letter this way because some people are telling me that I can write about all the junk that our people in government are doing, but that I cannot deny that police are worse than ever. Let me put it this way. I hear a lot of negative things about the police, but I cannot write hearsay. But I would write here what I always say. I will not put anything black on white that I cannot swear to.
Even though I would be a hypocrite to say that I do not see all those illegal lights that all kinds of motor vehicles are driving around with. Heavy equipment as well as regular motorvehicles and with blue, green, yellow and even red lights in the front of cars as well as motorbikes coming in opposite direction. So if I can see it, I believe that the police can also see it, because this has been going on for a long time. And there is no way that those in charge of the police can claim that they are not aware of this.
These lights are lit on those vehicles night and day. So ĺet me put it this way. I am sure that all the leaders in government have a driver's license and I am also sure that all of them have seen these cars with illegal lighting. So would I be out of place to state that they too are irresponsible? I do not believe that anyone of them would have the effrontery to claim that they do not know what I'm writing about.
Russell A. Simmons
Dear Editor,
Whenever someone is being cornered, the nature of the ego is to retaliate, especially when the defeat becomes inevitable. It was expected that Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten woukd take a moment to digest the requests to relinquish her position and respond with care. Instead, she lashed out at Member of Parliament Francisco Lacroes to challenge his demands on Thursday, November 13, 2025.
Oh I love it when the politicians talk, because they spill all the melee and incriminate themselves without even being conscious of their behaviour. Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Grisha Heyliger-Marten is nervous as the threat of a vote of non-confidence looms. No minister who is faced with such a challenging situation would have responded in that manner, as if she has the authority to fire MP Lacroes.
The minister boldly announced that she was elected by the people to serve and was also duly appointed, and that she would continue to do so with integrity. Ha! Integrity? Minister Heyliger-Marten, when have you served this country with integrity? It is because you haven’t done so, are the reasons why you are caught up in this dilemma. You have never been straight with the public, in reference to the Market Place and Soul Beach.
Since integrity is your watchword, I challenged you to speak off the cuff with the MPs and stop giving us these Nancy stories and useless speeches that are prepared by your writer. Look how you twisted the arms of Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs to side with you to compensate the market vendors (I’m not against the compensation) after you made a mess of the project, because you were not truthful to the vendors and the public.
Do you remember that phone call to the program by Minister Marinka Gumbs, when one of the vendors was expressing her frustration with the market? The minister was very clear that you did not discuss the matter with her. But you gave the vendors the assurance that this was the case. The same thing occurred with Soul Beach. And don’t forget this merry-go-round with Minister Patrice Gumbs pertaining to the matter of soil testing, etc.
Do these situations reflect a minister who serves with integrity, Grisha Heyliger-Marten? But you want to get rid of Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs because she is not dancing to your tune anymore. Just last week in parliament, the same MP Francisco Lacroes and MP Ardwell Irion made it known that the call for a vote of non-confidence came from within the Council of Ministers. Madame Integrity, it is no secret that you asked MP Ardwell Irion to fire the finance minister.
Because you know that there are 6 opposition members and the 2 stooges who “support” the Democratic Party that you have wrapped around your finger, you were confident that they would dismiss the finance minister. Be very careful, Madame Integrity! Pay keen attention to the title of this article which states, “One day for the slave, one day for the master.” This does not need any further explanation because Theo Heyliger was also elected by the people and was duly appointed to serve.
Minister Heyliger-Marten, since you will continue to serve with integrity, tell us why you didn’t want the lawyer to take up the position at the joint central bank? Is the Syrian bank still on schedule to flood our market – another almost useless entity that is here to serve itself and not the people of this land? Now it is clear why you wanted MP Viren Kotai to be the finance minister, from the very beginning of this administration.
Minister Grisha Heyliger- Marten, now that your integrity has come into question, the game is on! Let’s hope that parliament will do the honorable thing and send you packing, so that you would always rememeber, “one day for the slave, one day for the master.”
Joslyn Morton
