Dear Editor,
Parliament’s decision to appoint MP Peterson as Chair of the Committee for Spatial Planning, Infrastructure and Housing is nothing short of outrageous. This is not just the largest and most influential committee in Parliament it is one that demands the highest level of integrity from its leadership.
On June 12, 2025, The Daily Herald reported that national detectives have launched a formal investigation into a physical altercation allegedly involving MP Peterson. The St. Martin News carried the same report, and the Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the investigation is active. Yet, in full knowledge of these facts, Parliament chose not only to ignore them but to reward the individual at the center of the controversy.
Let’s not forget that MP Peterson has had various run-ins with the law incidents that have directly impacted his appointment as Minister. In fact, it was precisely for this reason that he could not pass the screening process to become Minister. If those standards disqualified him from ministerial appointment, how can he now be trusted with chairing the very committee that oversees spatial planning and infrastructure?
It is telling that PFP leader Melissa Gumbs described MP Peterson as “a valued and trusted member” of her party, while conceding that she “takes this matter very seriously” and emphasizing that “accountability is a value expected of every PFP member.” But those statements ring hollow in the face of this appointment. If the PFP truly practices what it preaches, MP Peterson’s appointment should be immediately suspended until the investigation is concluded.
This is a slap in the face to every citizen who believes in justice, transparency, and good governance. The Party for Progress has built its reputation on those very ideals. How can the public take that messaging seriously when its actions so clearly contradict its words?
Let’s be clear: promoting someone facing serious allegations to a leadership role is a blatant disregard for public trust. It sends a dangerous message that political power shields individuals from consequences, and that integrity is optional when it becomes inconvenient.
Parliament has failed the people with this decision. If it wishes to restore even a shred of credibility, it must act decisively and that begins with suspending MP Peterson’s appointment to the committee until the investigation is resolved.
Albert Bryan
Dear Editor,
Those of us who try our utmost to adhere to the laws of this land are becoming weary of seeing other people blatantly disobey the rules. Strangely, this action does not seem to be a bother to those responsible for ensuring that these regulations are being upheld. So, what sense does it make for us to abide by the laws? And, how do the authorities expect the bikers to respect the traffic rules and that the youngsters quit committing these robberies?
St. Maarten has become the Wild, Wild West. It’s either the police force has no control of the streets or they really do not care. Earlier this week I went into Philipsburg, and it was alarming to see the amount of huge trailer trucks and monster trucks transporting sand, dirt and big boulders in the middle of the day. What was also disturbing is that almost every one of these vehicles did not have a license plate.
Besides, not one monster truck had a cover over the materials that they were transporting. How these wrongdoings are allowed to take place, when the traffic regulations are very clear? Yet, the authorities are demanding that the bikers quit popping their bikes in the middle of the streets and at the same time, they expect the youngsters to stop the robberies. Again, what sense does it make for us to follow the law?
This is why the police force is having a very difficult time recruiting youngsters to join the organization. As much as the youth seemed to have lost their way, there are still quite a few who would have liked to serve in this capacity, if the image was different. First of all, the uniform does not command respect. Before 10-10-10, I used to admire the police and immigration officers, because the uniform was appealing. Now, the attire resembles that of security guards.
Apart from that, wherever you turn, day and night, the sidewalks are blocked with vehicles. Pedestrians forever being frustrated with stepping on and off the pavement. There is no consideration for someone with a cane, a wheelchair or even an injured leg. Then, what is the use of the footpaths, if pedestrians cannot utilize them without obstructions? So, maybe government needs to dig up all of them and let us walk in the middle of the streets.
Everywhere on St. Maarten there are cameras. What good are they, if the information is not being compiled and levied against those who have committed these infractions? On another note: Why are so many drivers and a few bikers, drive without headlights; whether it’s early in the morning, early evening or when it is raining? Is this the kind of behaviour that the community will embrace for it to become the norm?
This conduct is very dangerous, because if a pedestrian or driver is not cognizant of their surroundings, these lawbreakers will crash into them or vice versa. Sometimes the engine is so soft that it’s difficult to hear until the vehicle or bike is very close by. So, is it that the police force is not aware of this gradual and dangerous behaviour or they have better things to do? Yet, they want the youth to stop popping the bikes in the streets and quit with the robberies.
Why is the law applicable for some and not for others? Isn’t there a law against heavily tinted vehicles? How come this is still a matter of concern? But again, this conduct started in government, yet they want the public to adhere to the rules. Until they set the example, the public will remain defiant. So, what sense does it make for us to follow the law?
Another thing: over and over, people are whispering about nationals of a particular country, survive on smuggling people oversees. Busloads of people assemble and leave Cay Hill and Cole Bay, at all hours of the night, to board a boat in Simpson Bay. Is this not the residence of the coastguard – one of the institutes that is tasked to protect the integrity of this country? If the people are aware of this activity, why wouldn’t the police, customs and the coastguard, have the same knowledge?
In a previous article, I mentioned that apart from these crooked politicians, these 3 organizations have helped to create this lawless community, because they have failed to protect the integrity of this country.
Joslyn Morton
To the Editor and the people of Sint Maarten,
Around the globe, governments have enacted legislation mandating the provisions of annual financial statements of publicly-owned companies, including 25+ Caribbean countries. In Saint Martin, this is governed by the Corporate Governance Code for State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO). The key requirements state that:
* SEOs must submit audited financial statements to the Government of Sint Maarten and Parliament of Sint Maarten within 5 months after the financial year ends.
* SOEs must adopt a Supervisory Board model, ensuring oversight and accountability. The board is appointed by the Government of Sint Maarten.
* Government of Sint Maarten formulates national policies that guide SOE operations and ensure compliance with integrity standards, procurement rules, and financial management practices to prevent corruption and inefficiency.
* Parliament of Sint Maarten ensures government accountability and transparency through the right of interpellation, to ask questions and instigate inquiries.
* The Code sets standards for transparency, reporting, and the role of external auditors.
* The Committee for Financial Supervision (CFT) monitors compliance and regularly reminds the government to submit missing annual reports.
Let’s be honest, how did GEBE manage to go four years without submitting financial statements? And where were the Supervisory Board, the Government, Parliament, and the CFT during all this? These bodies exist to ensure accountability, yet this glaring lapse suggests they weren’t doing their jobs.
What makes it worse is that the Government itself, one of the key oversight authorities, previously failed to submit its own financial statements for five years, only acting after pressure from the Dutch.
At this point, it’s hard to believe this is just incompetence. The pattern looks deliberate, and it raises serious questions about whether there’s large-scale financial mismanagement, or worse, embezzlement happening within both GEBE and government. Adding to the concern: GEBE reportedly has no signed contract with SOL, despite spending huge sums on fuel every year. That’s not just bad governance; it’s a red flag that demands immediate answers.
Both government and Parliament have the right of inquiry, e.g. via a forensic audit or parliamentary enquiry. In four years, they have not acted, but in the meantime, our people are being swamped with mysteriously high bills after the hack. Let that sink in for a moment and tell me whether this government has the people or even the economy of this country at heart—a country that is laden with debt.
What more messaging do we need for us to wake up!?
Regards
Romeo Jermin
Dear Editor,
Permit me to address Prime Minister Luc Mercelina, with the hope that he would give some thought to my suggestions and inquiries, but more importantly, that he tries his utmost to push this country forward. The stagnation is causing frustration and the population deserves an explanation.
Prime Minister, on every street corner, the conversation involves the lack of action from this government. People are frustrated and quite disappointed, because this is not what the population had predicted. The people had expected to see a more robust economy and a more harmonious Council of Ministers. Instead, we are witnessing the same selfish and disorganized team, as the previous administration.
In light of this view, it’s not every contract that was made with the public can be achieved within the time frame that was specified. Sometimes a minister can go off-track because of minor obstacles that delay several important processes. Instead of waiting forever for these changes to occur, the appropriate action is to inform the public of the challenges that you are faced with. Sometimes I wonder if we still have a prime minister.
Case in point: It has been 3 years since the hack took place at the utility company, and to this day, we are still experiencing power outages, although it is not as frequent, and the time span is a lot less. The population is extremely frustrated because the matter seemed to be a never-ending story. Prime Minister, I don’t feel that the people should be punished any longer for something that we are not responsible for. There must be a resolution to this ongoing confusion.
Prime Minister, do you know what is missing from this manufactured catastrophe? Not enough time or interest was dedicated to pursue the culprits who executed this hack. Yes, it was crucial to get the company up and running as soon as possible, but a vigorous pursuit into who instigated and committed this heinous act, should have taken place simultaneously.
Up to today, this exploitation of the population is not being pursued, Prime Minister. Why is that? To me, here is where the key lies to unravel the mystery of this criminal act, in order to ease the burden and confusion of these excessive and incorrect bills. If this matter is left alone, what guarantee is there that this action will not reoccur and in a more detrimental manner than before?
I frankly believe that this should be tackled post-haste, with the goal to contract an independent firm from abroad – one that has no affiliation with anyone on the island – a company that will reveal the truth and bring the culprits to justice. With regard to the recovery funds that were allocated for The World Bank to manage, why is it that the critical infrastructures are the last to be attended to? And why does it seem like it is The World Bank that tells the government what projects to work on and not the other way around?
After Hurricane Irma, my understanding was that The World Bank’s position would be to ensure that the funds are allocated to the various projects, according to the needs of St. Maarten; not for them to dictate this stringent criteria that has changed the entire concept of their purpose for being contracted to execute the task. Besides, their contract was 5 years, with a possibility to extend it for another 2 years. Eight (8) years have passed and to this day, I cannot point to anything that would justify the millions that were spent already.
The only good thing about this group is that they offer very good training, so I was told. Prime Minister Luc Mercelina, I’m still puzzled. How is it that critical infrastructures like the library and schools were left until the very end of their tenure to come on stream?
Was this a tactic for them to remain longer than the initial contract or was it the idea of the previous government to prolong this process? Prime Minister, I know that you have been in government for a little over a year. How do you know exactly what The World Bank is doing? Do they report to the government or directly to Holland?
The high and incorrect utility bills and not feeling the effect of The World Bank are two major issues that have the population very disgruntled. Prime Minister, if you can address the public more often and in a very simple manner, we would have a better understanding of the situation, instead of depending on speculation or a misconception.
Joslyn Morton
Dear Editor,
Further to the discussion on the “inevitable” deficit that occurs in the government of Sint Maarten (ref Minister Heyliger-Marten), it is valuable to take a deeper look at the background of this deficit. One of the major stand-outs of the financial picture Sint Maarten government is how decisions in the past have resulted in the government taking responsibility of a wide range of affairs that might have otherwise been operated by private or independent owners who would bear the risk of failure.
Globally there has been a trend for airports to be privately owned, harbours to be privately owned, many utilities to be privately owned and most telcoms to be privately owned. In Sint Maarten the picture is that this very small economy that is expecting rapid growth is bearing the responsibility for a wide range of such tasks and the liabilities associated with them.
The decision-making background to this probably stems from a colonial past. The general view has probably been that if “we” can own it , then “we” are likely to optimize the benefits in this sector. This decision-making has probably underestimated the need to capitalize and operate in a lean manner in the market conditions of each of these sectors.
It is likely that participation in the telecoms business is the most extreme case. Unless the telecoms market has suddenly stopped experiencing the rapid disruption it has had in recent years, it is likely to be buffeted by new circumstances in the next few years.
The imperfect logic of “we” getting more benefits when we own it applies particularly to the decision that “we” needed our own currency. It was thought that if it was a currency owned by “we” it would bring economic value to Sint Maarten. In spite of clear warnings that the benefits an owned currency brought no advantages and greater costs to Sint Maarten it was decided to commit to that expensive endeavour.
One hopes that in the future the dominating political forces in Sint Maarten will have a better understanding of what benefits “we”.
Robbie Ferron
