Dear Editor,

The controversial reinstatement of Hensley Plantijn to a top government position in St. Maarten has amplified public concerns over the erosion of integrity, transparency, and sound governance within the civil service. Plantijn, previously dismissed by the former government under Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs for non-performance, appealed his dismissal not through an independent or impartial channel, but under a new administration in which he now serves as a legal advisor.

This dual role as both a beneficiary of the appeal and a legal advisor to the very government deciding on his case represents a blatant conflict of interest. By failing to recuse himself, Plantijn compromised the ethical standards expected of public officials and cast doubt on the fairness of the reinstatement process.

The fallout extends beyond Plantijn himself. Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina’s administration is under fire for its growing reputation of opacity, preferential treatment, and failure to uphold the procedures that should govern the public service. His silence on this case, and others like it, has severely damaged his credibility. Instead of defending democratic principles, the government has chosen to shield one of its own – a move that suggests political loyalty is being prioritized over public accountability.

Alarming allegations also point to Plantijn using his current position to marginalize Emilia Thomas-Connor, effectively preventing her from executing her role as Secretary General. Faced with mounting internal pressure, Thomas-Connor ultimately stepped down and moved into the private sector. Such tactics not only undermine professional integrity but also send a chilling message to other civil servants.

This case also highlights a deeper, systemic issue: the performance of many Secretary Generals (SGs) who are critical to the day-to-day functioning of government is not being adequately monitored or evaluated. Several SGs have remained in their posts for years without any formal performance assessment, leading to a stagnation in public sector efficiency and accountability. Without proper evaluation mechanisms, poor performance is allowed to persist, further eroding the quality of governance.

Given the serious implications of these developments, many are now calling for the Kingdom Government of the Netherlands to intervene and assess the situation. Reinstating individuals under ethically compromised circumstances, particularly those who misuse their influence for personal or political gain, is not only inappropriate; it is not integral. Without integrity, the machinery of government ceases to serve the people and begins serving only itself. The current trajectory threatens to compromise everything St. Maarten’s democracy stands for.

Name withheld

Dear Editor,

Have you ever walked into a house with pets and noticed a particular odor? If you’re not used to that environment it remains unpleasant. Oftentimes pet owners don’t recognise it and walk around their home like it’s normal. This experience is known as olfactory adaptation. It’s when our brain becomes less receptive to repeated odor exposure. The olfactory receptors stop sending strong signals to your brain and the recognition of the odor diminishes. On St. Martin, there’s a pervading stench we must not become immune to and it is called abuse. The murder of Claire Pryce should be a strong signal to our brain that we need to cleanse our community.

It is not fair to our women in particular that we live unaware of the horrors of abuse. If we know abuse is repulsive, evil and shameful, then there must be a condemnation to uproot it from within our culture. It thrives off our fear which leads to this mass silence. Generations continue passing down heirlooms of muzzles to keep from “bringing shame to the family” or “telling people your business”. This shields abusers from accountability and withholds justice from victims.

Being our brother’s or sister’s keeper is a value that cannot fade. It’s easy to say “that’s not my problem” until it knocks on your door or someone you know. The discomfort talking about abuse places a mask over the masses. It’s time we acknowledge it and remove the ghastly nature of this stench.

From personal experience I understand why we often choose to remain silent. Calling out abuse and wrongdoing isn’t glamorous, it's scary. Especially when it can cost you your livelihood or opportunities. However we must ask ourselves if our silence is worth the destruction of another person’s life. This is where we challenge ourselves to form values that shape how we respond in crisis or moral dilemmas. At the root of abuse is the power imbalance which paralyses victims and makes them feel helpless. The condemnation has to begin with those in positions of power or influence.

Reports published globally consistently show that men overwhelmingly are perpetrators of abuse in domestic or intimate partner cases. As a man, I’m pleading with fellow men for us to champion rooting out this pariah. Why men? Because we’ve been the dominant hand that moulded our culture and exacted control over other humans. Abuse against women, children and other men is unacceptable. We have to establish that principle.

It begins with calling it out in our proximity by establishing that no friendship, opportunity or compensation is worth your silence. Also note that asking someone who’s been/being abused what they did to deserve it is ridiculous. It is never the fault of the victim as there is no excuse for abuse. We must collectively agree that self control and respect ought to be a trait of manhood we uphold. Our voice and disapproval creates a safe space for victims to speak up or receive support as needed. Words are powerful, and how we speak creates the framework for our behaviour.

Advocacy must extend to petitioning our governing system to create policies alongside experts and organisations which are in the field working to resolve the impact of abuse on parties involved; including them into all sectors on the island. This entails strengthening our legal system which abusers seem to skirt. What we perceive as weak penalties often mean abusers receive a few years imprisonment after committing their heinous acts. A sex offender registry and other legal measures that work best for our community ought to be explored. Most importantly, deep rehabilitation is necessary. One hundred per cent reformation isn’t guaranteed, but for those who return into society, sincere efforts to educate and transform their minds and behaviours must be deployed.

The reality we face is that for those abusers who’ve faced the law, our social environment doesn’t have enough guardrails to condemn it. There is a high possibility of repeat offenders. Too many abusers walk unashamed and unafraid while a slew of victims stumble over their traumas. This is where our collective agreement comes in to forge a safe and hospitable nation. Respect and value for the lives of women, girls and boys must be deeply rooted and protected. How can we be comfortable seeing the (gruesome) end of a woman’s life; the very one that brings new life into the world? It begins by seeing women and girls as human beings. Simple right? It is their right to exist without the constant fear of being abused. Equally value them as we do ourselves; no matter who they are or what they do.

Men, we have to step up. We need to teach our children, especially our boys, to love, nurture and protect. Without it, children grow up broken, prideful, hardened, angry and destructive, which continues the cycle of abuse. We need a culture of love. That is how we retain our identity as the Friendly Island. That is how we get rid of the stench. Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, nor act disgracefully. Love is not boastful, it doesn’t seek its own way, it does not provoke, nor is it evil. Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness but in truth. Love bears, believes, hopes and endures. Love never fails. God is love. All those traits of love can be found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

My condolences to the friends and family of Claire.

Ralph Cantave

Author and Journalist

Freelance Reporter

Dear Editor,

Several weeks ago, The Daily Herald reported that Anguilla has established a special economic zone. The newspaper also mentioned that the first special economic zone company in Anguilla is expected to hire 8 to 15 Anguillians.

Since 2011, the author of this article has consistently advised the Government of St. Maarten to endeavour or try to establish a special economic zone. Numerous times, various St. Maarten governments and the public were made aware of the possibility of establishing a special economic zone on St. Maarten.

One of the best models of a special economic zone is located in the Cayman Islands. As a matter of fact, the Cayman Islands has three economic zones. Since 2011, special economic zones in the Cayman Islands have generated an estimated 1 billion dollars to its economy. Additionally, there are almost 400 special economic zone companies in the Cayman Islands.

It is commendable that Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs Telecommunication and Transport Grisha Heyliger Marten is spearheading efforts in promoting agriculture. I concur with her endeavors. However, establishing another industry such as a special economic zone is very necessary to improve this nation’s economy. Minister Heyliger should reach out to Caymanian and Anguillian officials to learn as much as possible about how to create St. Maarten’s version of a special economic zone.

Reliable electricity and dependable Internet will be needed to launch a special economic zone. Additionally, the government has to tackle road blocks like the high percentage of profit and other taxes. Moreover, a law and independent body regulating this industry will be needed. This is the path the Cayman Islands took before creating their special economic zones.

Furthermore, the recent meeting between the Government of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and the Government of St. Maarten concerning trade, tourism, agriculture and financial services. Much can be learned from the BVI because they do not rely on a single industry. If the Government of St. Maarten is really serious about diversifying its economy; it must do all the work collectively to make it a reality.

After decades of relying on one industry it’s St. Maarten’s turn to introduce a new industry.

Kenneth Cook

Fifteen years ago, on May 22, 2010, a man named Laszlo Hanyecz unknowingly made history—not in a boardroom or laboratory, but from the comfort of his home, with a keyboard and a craving for pizza. Hanyecz, a programmer and early Bitcoin enthusiast, paid a fellow forum user 10,000 bitcoins for two Papa John’s pizzas. The transaction was the first known instance of Bitcoin being used to purchase a physical good. At the time, 10,000 BTC was roughly $41—approximately the cost of a standard pizza night. But yesterday [Wednesday, May 21 – Ed.], Bitcoin surged to an all-time high of $105,000 per coin, making those two pizzas worth over $1 billion. This surge in value, from $ 41 to $ 1 billion, illustrates the exponential growth of Bitcoin's value over the years. You read that right: one billion U.S. dollars—easily the most expensive pizzas ever baked, and arguably the most famous.

From geek curiosity to global currency

Bitcoin was barely a year old in 2010. It was an experimental digital currency known mostly to cryptographers, libertarians, and software hobbyists. Created by the still-mysterious Satoshi Nakamoto, Bitcoin promised a decentralized, peer-to-peer financial system. But it had no real-world value until someone was willing to trade it for something tangible.

It was Hanyecz, a visionary who saw his purchase not as a loss, but as a contribution to something bigger. “It wasn't like Bitcoins had any value back then,” he said in interviews. “The idea of trading them for a pizza was incredibly cool.” His perspective and willingness to take a risk for something he believed in, set the stage for a revolution.

It was more than cool—it was revolutionary. The transaction7 gave Bitcoin its first price tag and sparked a movement that would change finance, technology, and even geopolitics.

A slice of history

May 22 is known worldwide as Bitcoin Pizza Day, celebrated by crypto enthusiasts who gather online and offline to honour Hanyecz’s now-legendary purchase. Memes, commemorative Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs), and themed pizza parties abound. NFTs are unique digital assets representing ownership of a specific item or content, often used in the crypto and digital art communities.

Yet this is more than a quirky footnote in financial history. It’s a parable of vision, risk, and the astonishing power of technology to reshape our world.

Lessons from a $1 billion pizza

There’s irony in the fact that Hanyecz’s modest meal would eventually be worth more than the GDP of some small nations. But there’s also inspiration. His transaction reminds us that innovation often starts with small, even laughable, acts. That radical ideas may be dismissed until, one day, they aren't. And that every new economy—whether built on blockchain, AI, or something yet to emerge—begins with a first step. Laszlo Hanyecz didn’t just order dinner. He served the world a vision of what money could become. And if that isn’t worth a pizza, what is?

Professor C. Justin Robinson

Pro-Vice Chancellor and Principal, UWI Five Islands Campus