Tax authorities make a virtue out of necessity! After the fire in the tax office, the material damage to furniture and computer hardware is undoubtedly considerable. I understand that the data is stored electronically elsewhere, and backups have been made.
However, piles of “papers” have been destroyed; I assume that this concerns particularly objections and requests for deferment of payment; in contrast to the returns that must be submitted electronically, these still have to be physically delivered on paper to the tax office.
I propose to make the need a virtue and to open the possibility of allowing objections and requests for deferment of payment via e-mail (or via the already existing portals of taxpayers) if especially the first must be able to be realized quickly.
With this, from the moment of submission, these items can be stored – securely – digitally, people are prevented – at any new/temporary – location, this increases efficiency, saves trees and necessary storage space, and will generally reduce the cost of doing business on Curaçao.
Fred Rabbeling
Curaçao
Dear Editor,
Sunday morning, at approximately 9:30am, me and my bike pal came from the Causeway bridge entering the roundabout on Airport Road. We wanted to go in the direction of the Simpson Bay bridge. The driver of a black dollar bus (with the plate BUS or B) came just from that direction and wanted to go to the airport. The bus driver was first on the roundabout, so he had preference.
However, we came with our bikes with some speed from the causeway bridge just behind him and the driver saw us in his rear-view mirror coming. He slowed down and stopped at the roundabout to make way for us. However, we were not used to anybody just braking and stopping at the roundabout to give preference to bikers, so instead of thanking him, we pointed out with an arm gesture to him that we thought he was being a bit dangerous to do so.
However, it must be noted that in this case (early Sunday morning) the traffic was calm and there were no other cars around. The bus driver shouted that his only intention had been just to make way for us and that we were ungrateful.
Later on, I thought that our reaction to the bus driver was way too unfriendly because his intention was right, being aware of bikers around and trying to make way and give us some space. Therefore, our apologies to you, bus driver. We should have reacted friendliera to you. On this Friendly Island it starts with care for each other and being friendly. And being grateful for those allowing bikers some space on the road.
G.B. van der Leest
Dear Editor,
Every time I read anything about taxes, I get uneasy. I have mentioned this to several people to get their opinion and everybody agrees with my point of view. I started to work for the government of the Netherlands Antilles in 1965, was transferred to Sint Maarten in 1975, and have worked here until I retired in 2006. All I did over those years was to literally work for the communities in which I lived, I swore to protect and serve and that is what I did.
Because what I did was teamwork I will continue with “we”. Besides combating crime, we had to combat fires. Yes, we were firemen, besides our regular hours on the job. Fire trucks were stationed in every area where there was a compound of police houses and we were expected to man those fire trucks and go fight those fires whenever and wherever it was requested.
When we got to the Windward Islands, it became more interesting. Along with firefighting we were ambulance attendees and were called upon and expected to assist the nurses during the night shift at Sint Rose Hospital. I do not know who they are, but I was told there are one or two people in government who were born in the hands of policemen who assisted the nurses during their delivery. I know this to be the case with a young man who lives in the Netherlands.
There was no army in the Windward Islands, so in case of pending riots (thankfully these were at a minimum) we held the fort. I am not writing this to – as we would say – “big up” ourselves, but to point out that we literally served the community. So, when I hear that approximately only 35 per cent of the working population pay taxes, and that I and so many like me are still paying taxes, then there is a whole lot more of the working population who are not paying taxes. And to paraphrase what someone told me, “Why should I be paying for politicians’ clothes?”
I dedicated 41 years of my life paying taxes and 13 years later I am still paying taxes. I earnestly believe that our tax collecting system has to be urgently revisited.
Russell A. Simmons
Dear Editor,
Commonwealth of Dominica, Commonwealth of St. Kitts and Commonwealth of Grenada are proud of you, Theo.
In the days of the federation before CARICOM, these are the three nations C/W Dominica, C/W Grenada, and C/W St. Kitts which stood up for all the small Islands in the Caribbean. And we don't change our currency because we are wise to see those who change their currency what it does in the region. And they do spread poverty in the region because of their exchange rates.
Now the entire world knows Theo is a developer. The position for VROMI is Theo portfolio in this hard time and recovery process we are going through. Now Theo is the right man for the position for Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI.
If l was the governor, president of Parliament or prime minister, l would seek solutions to talk to the Dutch government, king or queen to see if we can get a solution for Theo to become our next Minister for VROMI. Because Theo is a great man for St. Maarten.
Please give him his roses now. l hope our historians are staying focused.
Cuthbert Bannis
Dear Editor,
Recently there were discussions in parliament about lease land that housed a boatyard (St. Maarten Shipyard) and the press also covered the matter of the major marina in Oyster Pond (Captain Oliver’s) where legislation matters prevented reinvestment after Hurricane Irma.
In all that was said on these matters by public decision-makers, there was nothing that referred to the impact that these non-functioning entities are having on the marine industry. This is in contrast to the airport where the link between its functioning and other industries is central.
The marine industry was measured at being 15 per cent of the economy pre-Irma. A significant number of employees work in this industry and there is the potential for more, including high-paid positions.
The industry does not receive any tax breaks, unlike the stayover industry.
The industry has to date not required public investment, unlike the cruise industry where public funds investment has to date not resulted in acceptable dividends for the investor, the St. Maarten taxpayer.
Every single planning report by external consultants has pointed to the suitability of the development for the future of St. Maarten when compared by criteria like employment, investment, returns, sustainability and growth to other existing or potential industries.
In spite of this, public representatives seem only to view the two problematic properties from angles other than their contribution to this important and high-potential industry.
The success of yachting sectors in the various islands in the Caribbean, all of which I am familiar with, has been connected with investment in yachting infrastructure. The initial investments are typically boatyards and marinas which in turn drive downstream smaller investments. The manner in which the properties are handled will impact how investors will perceive investment in St. Maarten. This investment is very important, but sadly not currently reflected in the conversation about them.
The yachting industry of St. Maarten developed mainly without public investment. If it is to flourish and contribute to the tax base and provide employment in the future it cannot be ignored in the manner that has recently been identified. Competitive destinations are actively courting investment, facilitating growth and supporting marketing. The experience of the two properties referred to above may well suggest a poor investment climate to potential investors.
Robbie Ferron
