Dear Editor,
The election campaign is in full gear, but the electorate must beware! When several candidates can dodge a question that requires a straightforward answer rather than an unrelated exposition, this behaviour is a classic distrust of one’s moral principles. And, if these same candidates cannot clarify issues that have plagued their political career, whether now or in the past, then the electorate has just fallen into their trap.
To begin, fast and smooth talkers are generally liars. When I listen to the number seven candidate on the USP slate, he may sound convincing to persons, who do not take the time to analyse his message. Or, may have ignored the behavioural pattern that defined the character of this individual. Therefore, the electorate needs to reflect on just two issues that have clouded their minds during his tenure as an MP.
First, it was this bribery charge against the former UPP leader, which was hotly debated and recently thrown out by the court. When he was asked to shed some light on the matter, this former MP danced around the issue. To this date, he has never come clean on these legal charges. So, did the ex-UPP leader bribe him, yes or no? If yes, when the charges were dismissed, why didn’t he oppose the verdict? If it is no, why file a false statement?
Second, this number seven candidate tends to display his passion for a breakfast programme for children that he initiated back in 2014. At the time, I questioned his intention, because it was also on the verge of an election. What was worrisome then and now, is that this former MP, who was making more than $10.000 a month, requested that the airport pay for this initiative.
If he cared so much about the children going to school hungry, why did he ask an entity to pay for the programme, when he had the financial resources to execute it? What is more worrying than before is that this former MP is still in a much better position than previously, but he is complaining bitterly that his programme was shelved. Why doesn’t he fund it with the bloated income he is collecting from his gaming licence?
Now more than ever, the political sphere has become the playground for politicians, who feel that the population is suffering from Alzheimer’s. It’s almost comical to see former Minister of Health Emil Lee running on a political list again, after he has failed to improve the social and labour situations on the island. What does he have to show for being in that position for four consecutive years, except for dispute after dispute?
Over and over, this ex-minister claimed that he brings honesty, transparency and integrity to the table, but declined to answer direct questions when it comes to the controversial issues that surrounded his ministry. What is not surprising, but rather strange, is his change of heart regarding the initiatives he fiercely defended and became utterly disappointed when he was thrown out of government.
How is it that a man of integrity, transparency and honesty is afraid to chance going back to the executive branch to finish what he has started, and demonstrate the qualities that he claims are lacking in government? All of a sudden, he wants to stay in Parliament. Why is that? Is it really because of the uncertainty in the political arena as he continually stressed, or does he want to change the laws that would allow him more freedom, when he returns to government?
The electorate must analyse why he dismantled that piece of legislation that was presented a couple years ago to benefit the workers. And, for an individual who is advocating for locals to profit more from the labour market, why did he sign so many work permits for nationals from the Asian community? Furthermore, why did he approve a three-year permit, instead of yearly? There would have been better control and more generated revenues.
As the saying goes, “Not all that glitters is gold.” These unethical politicians will tell you anything just to get your votes. A politician who is honest, transparent and has integrity, doesn’t need to toot his or her horn; the people will be the judge. Likewise, if there are issues that cast doubt on a politician’s character, that’s a clue that has revealed his or her true nature.
Joslyn Morton
Dear Editor,
I have been asking myself two questions. Should I vote on January 9? If I vote who should I vote for? Before I vote for a candidate, the first thing I look for is a copy of each political parties manifesto. Sadly, only one political party released its manifesto in a timely manner. Even the Electoral Council urged political parties to release their manifestos in time.
When I read manifestoes, I examine if some or most of the promises made in the manifestoes by political parties are kept. What I have been looking for from political parties for nearly two decades are plans detailing how the economy of St. Maarten can be diversified to stop St. Maarten’s reliance on the tourist industry.
This election cycle I have not heard how the problem of subsidy cuts will be addressed by a new government. I have not heard any party making a commitment to stop GEBE from charging schools commercial rates for electricity and water. Schools are not businesses.
Where I live on Zebra Drive Cay Hill a pothole has emerged in the road and for four months the government of St. Maarten has forgotten to trim the overgrown grass on both sides of the road. There are many roads that have potholes and overgrown grass throughout this nation. Many streets still experience sewage water seeping onto many roads. I have not heard a comprehensive plan how these problems can be tackled and eliminated.
Many of my friends and I have not seen a political candidate at our doorsteps trying to convince us to vote for him or her. If I vote, I am not going to do so because a candidate is my family or friend. Instead, if a candidate attempts to ask me to vote for him or her, I will look at the person’s educational background.
Furthermore, I will ask questions like how he or she plans to address St. Maarten’s various problems in extensive detail. I want to know the what, when why and how. If any candidate wants to convince me and others who are still undecided, he or she can contact me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. I willing be listen and question. In my opinion a vote is something candidates should work really hard for with their ideas and plans.
Kenneth Cook
We are nearing the peak of our tourist season which is January and February. These are the months when it is coldest in the United States. Many of these persons travel to the Caribbean to escape the cold for a while and St. Maarten also benefits from this. Hotels and restaurants, casinos and car rentals and other businesses earn the most revenues during this period. It is the time when seasonal workers are hired to reinforce the permanent staff, or so I thought.
Dear Editor,
I am writing to you as an individual who deeply loves St. Martin, and who, with my husband, has made more than 20 visits over the last 20 years, staying on the French side. We would stay on Orient Beach each year, but spend time in Grand Case and Marigot as well.
While we did not visit the island the year that Irma struck, as Club Orient was obliterated, we did return in 2018, and we just returned from a 2-week visit there, staying in a rental at Orient Village.
I wanted to share my observations with you, in the hope that some of what we witnessed can be addressed. We arrived this year, in mid-December, a day before the roads reopened due to the protests. As soon as we could get our rental car, we returned to Marigot and Grand Case and what we saw there, now two years later, shocked and saddened us.
We saw destroyed and damaged buildings still boarded up and deteriorating. We saw dumped piles of debris along the roads and on the city streets. We saw many restaurants and retail stores that had been opened in 2018, now shuttered and abandoned 2 years later. There were many standing pools of rainwater – a true health hazard in the time of mosquito-borne diseases.
The people whom we encountered working in Marigot and Grand Case were clearly angry, and for the first time in our travels to the island, at times we felt unwelcome. We have always loved traveling to St. Martin because of its welcoming and friendly attitude. It hurt us terribly to experience this change.
The most serious aspect of all of this is that the island, left unchecked in its obvious decline and despair, will cease to be a destination for tourists like us. The cycle will be vicious and herald the decline of the economic viability of the French side. Repair is not moving quickly enough. Residents are frustrated and angry with good reason.
I wanted to share the view of a long-term tourist who knows the island well, in the hope that this will join the chorus of those seeking greater support to cart away the debris, fix infrastructure (even in Orient Beach, the sewer system is still plagued), and aggressively rebuild.
As someone who deeply cares for St. Martin, I thank you for your attention to this letter.
Ellen Maidman-Tanner
Maryland, USA
The majority of people on the island of St. Maarten/St. Martin are very concerned about the lack of airplay of St. Maarten’s and St. Martin’s own reggae artist.
