Dear Editor,
In memory and in celebration of the life of my old friend Mrs. Daniella Jeffry (1941-2019), please allow me to publish these elements of a speech I delivered in Marigot (July 5, 2003) on the occasion of the presentation of her book 1963, A Landmark Year in St. Martin/1963 – Année charnière à St. Martin.
Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen:
Mrs. Jeffry has asked me to say a few words in the context of this presentation of her book to the public on this side of the island. I take this as an honor and thank her for the esteem and the confidence she has placed in me.
My fellow St. Martiners, those of you who are familiar with my views and sympathies know the importance I ascribe to language, to the spoken/written word, to discussion, dialogue and debate in general, to the fundamental relationship between language and politics, by politics I mean life in the “polis,” the city, the community.
There can be no real community without language, without communication, without the spoken/written word. Therein lies the importance of language, of interaction, of communication in general, of a people’s mother tongue, and of a people’s history in particular. Most of us know that the question of the St. Martiners’ mother tongue is a very sensitive subject, more so on this side of the island than on the other side, the South side. It is sensitive because it is political and, therefore, crucially important.
Unfortunately but understandably, as soon as one touches upon this nerve, one runs the risk of being misunderstood, and being labeled anti-French, anti-foreigner, i.e., a member of the “born-here” crowd, a troublemaker, an agent provocateur, etc. I am none of those. At least, I do not wish to be any of those except to say that I was born here, and on that matter, I have no lessons to take from anyone, particularly from those who were born elsewhere but who act as if I must roll over like a dying cockroach.
Fellow St. Martiners, if the old sandbox tree that stands in Marigot, the only one remaining on the waterfront, should fall tonight without anyone ever acknowledging its presence, this old tree, so generous with its shade, would fade out of memory. If no one ever records its existence, attests to its presence, its bounty, this old tree would soon fade away; it would fall into oblivion, into nothingness, would cease to exist due to a lack of representation.
Representation is the key element here. Representation goes hand in hand with survival and democracy. Without representation, democracy cannot exist. Democracy is representative government. (…) That is why we cannot get out of politics, because we cannot get out of language, of interaction. We cannot get out of representation, lest we pay the consequences.
Therein lies the importance of information, of communication, newspapers, literature, books, and history books in particular. History deals with the lives and the development of people. It is the record and analysis of past events. A community that does not record and analyze events is a community whose days are numbered. To be without a history is to be outside of time, to have no existence, no being. (…)
Mrs. Jeffry’s book, 1963, A Landmark Year in Saint Martin deals with the lives and development of St. Martiners. That is what her book is all about, what it “re-presents”. That is why it is crucially important, fundamentally important. That is why we must not only present this book, but we must celebrate its publication that now makes it available to every school child in St. Martin, in every home library in St. Martin, in the libraries of the world. (…)
With this book, Mrs. Jeffry invites us to consider and acknowledge the fact that her community, our community, the St. Martin community, does not date back to the ’60s. Her book bears witness to the fact that, like all people, our people have a history, one that is full of events, full of true stories, full of our stories. This book brings home the fact that, like all people, St. Martiners have a collective memory.
We have no cathedrals but we have our hills and valleys, our gutters and old trees. We have no annals but we have the sand, the sun and the sea. These three have seen all the injustices, all the spoliation, all the suffering. They have seen the red men, the white men and the black men. They have seen all the women and all the commingling. To date, most historians are men who too often neglect to underline the role, the key role of women, of great-grandmothers, of grandmothers, of mothers, aunts, sisters, wives. This St. Martin historian does not neglect them. She does not place them in the margin, on the edge, away from the center where they rightfully belong.
1963, A Landmark Year in St. Martin/1963 – Année charnière à St. Martin is a determined valiant effort to make sure, to see to it that the St. Martin community does not fade out of memory, that it does not fall into oblivion, into nothingness, outside of time, outside of history; that St. Martiners do not cease to exist due to a lack of representation.
This history, this book, this exemplary act of representation, is the ultimate tribute that an individual can pay his or her community. Therefore St. Martiners should, St. Martiners (French and Dutch) shall, forever be grateful to their historian, to Mme. Daniella Jeffry.
Gérard M. Hunt
Dear Editor,
St. Maarten is passing some hard times because of Hurricane Irma from 2017 and we were expecting NA and US Party to work closely and together with UD which has been governing St. Maarten in these hard times, but instead the opposition kept criticizing Leona’s cabinet 24/7.
This not the way opposition should behave. It was best all 15 parliamentarians and ministers work together and help the people, than being hungry for power.
I told you so. St. Maarten does not have things in place from 10-10-10. I quote: 10-10-10 was a very rush-rush thing.
I am very proud of Theo and Sarah for their willingness to pull out from Curaçao while William wanted to remain and supported staying with Curaçao.
I told you so, the writing is on the wall: Theo, Sarah and Franky are the three individuals the population set their eyes on to be responsible to save this nation – the minimum wage, high cost of living, high rent, pensioner situation, lack of buses running through Middle Region.
And all 15 parliamentarians and ministers not addressing the situations. Why?
It will be good if our governor makes sure our parliamentarians and ministers take into consideration the cry and needs of the people and make those a priority for them.
Cuthbert Bannis
Dear Editor,
We are approaching again another year whereby the numbers 10-10 appear. These famous numbers 10-10 appear when the Netherlands Antilles decided to stop existing in the constellation that they were. They decided to stop co-existing in that constellation, but did agree to continue to cooperate with each other in the most delicate situations. Those are anchored in the Rijkswet.
“Everyone on their own force, but with the will to support each other” –
“Ieder op eigen kracht, doch met de wil elkaander bij te staan” (Dutch version).
Those numbers have also a meaning for the members of the Police Force of St. Maarten KPSM. Since the early beginning when the Police Force became on its own in the new constellation, the members had mixed feelings about it. But slowly but surely they made it one of the Police Forces in the Caribbean which the community can recon with.
It is also no secret that we are a force with a young generation, and that is growing in experience and knowledge. They are guided by the veterans, who are committed to make them and the organization the best in the region. This organization is one that also its rules and regulations. It supposed to be an own society whereby norms, religion and value are the basic. While working towards these goals, for their organization, the members also are looking forward to their placement in the new organization, which should have been done since these numbers 10-10-10 and not 10-10-?
This leads us to understand the following:
- that St Maarten itself was not ready for this, especially in the Justice chain
- that so far we in the Justice chain are the most who are suffering from the change
- that the way St. Maarten is taking care of its own, let me wonder
- it makes me wonder why we always have to fight each other in order to get what we deserve or is owed to us
- it makes me wonder why we all cannot get along.
June 2019, during the Parliament hearing of the Justice Committee, whole St Maarten found out how the members of the Police Force are being ill-treated for nine years. We are using this terminology because of these reasons:
We work with it on a daily basis
And because we cannot find another word
Despite knowing that we are being ill-treated, these members never lost the hope that one day God will be on their side. They have never lost the hope that God will never fail them.
September 6, 2017, St. Maarten suffered from a devastating Hurricane Irma. We all are still suffering, but we stand strong. There are members of this Police Force who are still dealing with the after-effect of Irma.
On Thursday, October 10, 2019, another year will have gone by without a positive answer from the Minister of Justice or his caretaker to the members of NAPB [the police union – Ed.].
Is there any reason for celebration? Is there any reason to spend money from a budget that has limited or no funds?
The members have been proud and loyal to their duties of their force with or without any celebrations.
Despite our setback, despite lack of attention from the concerned authorities, we of NAPB would hereby encourage its members to attend the invitation to the ceremony sent to you, on behalf of your management team, in order to show that despite all the ups and downs, nobody can break us.
For the Men and Women in Blue I’d like to thank you for all that you do!
We’re not just cops, We’re KPSM Family!
To everything there is a season – a time to keep silence and a time to speak. Ecclesiastes 3:1,7
Rogerrel E. Mauricia
President of the NAPB
Dear Editor,
It was about 2-3 days after Hurricane Irma when a lady with her young son (almost one year old) came to check on her recently built home in Stand Over Garden. The home had water damage, the entire zinc came off and some broken windows that can be considered as minor (compared to others). At no time before the hurricane did she come to secure the place.
The neighbors around, particularly 2 families, rallied around this single mom with her young son helping to secure her home, her property on the French side, move to the apartment below her home, going to hardware stores, babysitting, sharing food and other supplies.
From the get-go this lady seemed to have certain interpersonal/social challenges; however, the families overlooked this and continued being good neighbors/citizens.
Now, to be fair initially, she was also nice to the neighbors especially their children. However, before the year (2017) was out, she did a complete 180-degree on the neighbors – she stopped speaking to them, responding to WhatsApp messages, phone calls, etc.
At first, it was thought that she might be experiencing some stress in the aftermath of Irma, with her rental properties on the French side affected, being a single mom, a foreigner (no family on the island) as well as drama with her child’s father. Though she mentioned the challenges with her child’s father, it became quite evident with the screams and shouts that could be heard coming from her home whenever the father visited, all in the presence of her son.
Over the past 2 years since she moved into the neighborhood, this lady started instigating problems with some of the neighbors. In the peace and tranquility of the night, regular screams and shouts can be heard coming from her home. Some of the shouting was related to dogs barking from the home in the back of hers (not a part of Stand Over Garden), where she confronted the owner and slapped him, which caused a natural act of retaliation from him.
There was also another incident where she spat on one of the contractors of the development (the one who built her home), the police came, but she didn't respond to their beckoning.
She continues to spur hurtful, derogatory and racial comments (n*****s, trash, etc.) whilst using obscenities to the neighbors around her with her son in her arms. Some of the other things she has done include showing her middle finger, swearing at the little children in the neighborhood and calling a young lady who is still in school a “slut”.
On this specific night, after she insulted the young lady and her parents tried confronting her about this (angry and upset), she called the police and played victim. Two officers showed up, a local, black female and a white, Dutch man. She refused to speak to the black female officer, and she made it known to her (disrespectfully) which the officer, her partner, as well as other witnesses, can confirm.
The night before was not enough, as the following morning she proceeded to tarnish the young lady’s father’s reputation on his job’s Facebook page (evidence of this is also available).
The police have visited our community on several occasions all because of her; she tends to play victim who uses her ethnicity and gender to her advantage.
Based on her behavior, continuous racial slurs (towards black people), continuous negative write-ups (in all the media houses) about St. Maarten, you would think that she would choose someone of similar ethnicity to hers or from her place of birth to be the father of her child, but big surprise … the father of her child is a local, black man! By the way, the child’s father has not been seen visiting the child in months, if not a year. It is very concerning for the child, who is not seen outside playing, and there are even times where she can be heard screaming on the top of her lungs at her son. While the community of Stand Over Garden must deal with her, the one who really suffers is her child, to be in such a toxic environment daily.
She has a pattern of provoking people and when they react, she plays the victim, hides in her “high tower” and calls the police. She is a coward who is looking for attention. She has an outburst almost monthly, when it seems she is bored and wants some attention.
The Stand Over Garden community is not perfect, but it is peaceful and all neighbors get along except her. The police should have reports on these visits and will see that this lady clearly has a pattern and possibly a mental illness. Maybe that’s the reason she does not want to return to Canada as she knows that her child will be taken and she will be placed in an institution. Still, even after all of this, when the main gate for our community was functional and remotes had to be purchased, it was ensured that she was notified.
On September 15, 2019, a letter from said lady in question was published in The Daily Herald where she indicated that she received no help, only a bottle of water. She also implies that she experienced Irma in her new home in Stand Over Garden, which is a lie as she only came there after the storm. She also received supplies, as on one occasion aid came in the neighborhood and she was not home; however, supplies were taken for her.
This lady also continues to bash Koozie Development and tarnish his name and reputation. Despite her terrible attitude towards the developer, he still came with his material to secure and patch up her roof with the intention to fix it after Hurricane Irma. She refused this and paid for her roof to be fixed by someone else. Please note that of all the homes built by this developer, only part of 2 roofs (including hers) got damaged; all other homes weathered the hurricane well and with minor damage.
Of course, when building a home, there are always challenges; however, there was none as it relates to Koozie’s business practice as everything was done through the banks and notary. In fact, for the homes that were purchased through the bank, the developer only received money when the homes were completed, documents signed at the notary and keys given to owners.
In her most recent attempt, a letter by this lady was published in The Daily Herald and on 721News, on Saturday October 5, 2019. She tried to attack the character of one of our residents (who happens to be a police officer) as well as to cast a false impression of the community. The resident/police officer in question has been nothing but nice, cordial and helpful. She helps to keep the neighborhood safe. The lady has continuously for months tried to belittle the resident/officer, her family and friends/visitors.
We have tried to keep the peace with this lady by ignoring her outbursts, her letters and her comments on various news websites. However, this last article went a little too far; she messed with someone’s job and character with serious allegations.
One must ask, if this was a serious concern of Mary, then she should have gone to the police station and filed a report instead of doing it in such a public way. Clearly, the root of her action was filled with hate and maliciousness.
She mentions that she paid for a gated community experience, etc., yet she is the only one continuously causing problems. She has done nothing to enhance or improve the living experience in the community; she makes people uncomfortable and agitated. Let’s not mention the emotional stress she has brought on the residents on her street.
This article and Mary’s disrespectful ways have angered many in the community. Every homeowner paid for a gated community experience and that is surely not the experience with her. The visitors of the officer have never parked in front of her gate or any other neighbor’s. She mentions that she has recordings, etc.; however, please note that there are also recordings, numerous witnesses and screen shots of said lady carrying on with her “ghetto” and “ratchet” behavior, certainly unbecoming of the “gated community lifestyle” she is purporting.
If you really listen to the tone of her letter, just see how she looks down on people, especially of a certain class. Upon observation, there is nothing suspicious or worthy of any cause for alarm about the resident/officer in question.
At one point, sympathy and cause for concern was being conveyed for this lady, even after she stopped speaking to everyone. Prayers were being offered up for her, as it was thought or believed that she must be going through a rough time. However, after numerous tries at a peaceful living with this lady, it can be concluded that she has serious mental health issues; though sane enough to write articles and try to tarnish persons’ reputations. The only other conclusion is that she is filled with bitterness, hate and maliciousness.
It is also important to note that this lady used to live on the French side (Anse Marcel, French Cul-de-Sac) and based on information, she also had similar issues over there as well; however, in her usual style played victim. Could this be a coincidence, a trend, a pattern? She has a problem – a serious one – that I wish Court of Guardianship or Mental Health Foundation would look into.
Please, do us, your son, yourself and the island of St. Maarten a favor, sell your home and move back to Canada! Leave our little island for us to continue integrating and building. We are all not born in St. Maarten; however, it is our home and we love it. It is people like you that contribute to the diminishing of communities, no real solution, just bitterness and maliciousness.
It is highly recommended that all developers do a background check on all potential homeowners, because mental health is a real issue!
Stand Over Garden is a new community, and will rise from this. Good people live in the community, and “one bad apple will not spoil the bunch”. This community will continue building on the foundation of peace, harmony, respect and unity.
A few concerned neighbors of Mary De Francesco
Name withheld at author's request.
Dear Editor,
It is essential and critical that St. Maarten creates her own constitution, one that reflects our norms and culture; in other words, our way of life. Starting from the days when it was clear that legislation was not only instituted to establish order but to also set up a dictatorship controlled by the colonial powers.
In our experience and present reality, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Dutch government through the Kingdom Council of Ministers are trampling on our democratic rights or rights of self-determination. They are operating by their laws totally in contravention of the United Nations Charter to which they are signatory.
Why do I say we need to change many laws? It has been established by law that on January 9, 2020, elections will be held for the 5th time. This means 9 governments and 5 elections in 10 years.
I have argued for years that not because a law is legal means that it is moral. Slavery was legal, as a matter of fact it still exists today. Especially when it is formulated in such a manner that it allows for one country to dominate another.
There are articles in the constitution of St. Maarten (copied and pasted from the Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles and Aruba) that must be changed. There are two in my opinion that are responsible for the upcoming elections: article 33 specifically point #2 which states: If a minister no longer enjoys the confidence of the Parliament, he shall surrender his office. And article 59 point #1 The Parliament may be dissolved by national ordinance.
This is my proposal on how article 33.2 should read: If a minister no longer enjoys the confidence of Parliament he should immediately vacate his position. The word surrender gives him a choice, with which I totally disagree. If his performance according to the majority of parliament is not in accordance with their governing program as they have determined as being in the best interest of the people is not being executed, he/she has to leave immediately.
As it relates to Article 59, point #1 should read: The parliament may be dissolved by national ordinance, only if such has been determined in a referendum. It escapes my understanding that an appointed body can ask for a dissolution of the body who appointed them. This is not balance, it is a stalemate and completely against the electorate. The Executive branch did not run for office the people did not choose them.
It should be the people who decide through a referendum whether an election should be held or not. That is democracy. As it is now it is forced upon them whether they like it or not. Reasons why there are those who said they will not vote.
I urge you to exercise your democratic right and vote. With regard to the referendum, it should be a simple question; Are you in favor of the new majority in parliament yes or no?
Another serious problem I have is that a minister can refuse to execute legislation passed in parliament. In my opinion they are sitting on the chair of the constitutional court. In addition to this they can make national decrees and execute them without input from parliament. The few deciding for the masses.
Finally let me add another article that again to me gives the Ministers too much power. Article 62 of the constitution: Every member of parliament is entitled to ask questions of the ministers. The ministers shall respond (and here is where I continue to be deeply concerned) to these questions within a reasonable period of time, insofar as answering the questions cannot be regarded as being contrary to the interest of the country or of the kingdom.
What is a reasonable period? Some ministers have never returned to give answers. Meetings have been adjourned and never reconvened. A definite time frame should be given as to when Ministers have to respond to Parliament. Many laws have to be changed and, I repeat, St. Maarten needs her own constitution.
George Pantophlet
