Dear Editor,
I believe that people who say “Never say never” should never say never.
For instance: “There was never an investigation against me.” To that I say, not because something did not come to light it did not happen.
For example: traffic accident on the French side. Of late too many people are telling me that “the standard of the police is far below allyou days.” My responce to that would be, “What should one expect when one does not even need any kind of formal education to be elected member of Parliament?” So I can understand when one who postulates one’s-self to be elected member of Parliament is of the opinion that screening is not democratic.
Another point that I have been making for years which not one member of Parliament has been able to explain to me is “where in whatever form of government pertaining to Parliament is it stated which member(s) of Parliament are (is) the opposition?”
Another point. Does not every country (region) have its traditions? One of these traditions in the Caribbean islands is to greet each other according to the time of the day. For years Caribbean children have been punished for not greeting, especially their elders. If we are not taught that not all over the world the same traditions are kept, who is responsible for not enlightening those of us who will encounter people who are not familiar with this tradition, how to go about welcoming them?
What I was taught is that in the Caribbean, good morning, good afternoon, good evening and good night were a form of greeting. My father who was a seaman later taught us that those greetings for people of other countries would be understood as a wish. So you can expect “thank you” as an answer; or “good morning to you” also or possibly no answer.
So those of us who know better should promote “customer care” instead of doing what we usually do: expect people, especially the youth, to do what was not instilled in them.
I stand corrected, but is not the Immigration Department our first line of defense?
A question for those persons who have been in government, and in this case in education for years: If tourism is the pillar of our economy, why did we not continue with those languages that were taught in MULO?
Another question is: If an exam is kept today in the “Constitution and civics”, what percentage of the members of Parliament and the different government employees would pass that exam?
And for those of us who put ourselves in a position to be criticised, we should not feel offended when we are not readily forthcoming and are made out to be so.
I hold everyone who knows about government employees who are collecting (part of) a salary without showing up for work, accountable. It is good to know that the present Minister of Justice will resume work after being “on paid vacation for almost ten years” as he publicly stated.
I have stated this in the past and will repeat it. Not because it is not forbidden by law that makes it the right thing to do. Not because something did not come to light that means it did not happen.
Please check who all of those supermarket licences, which are operated by Chinese nationals and merely employ 2% of locals, belong to. The fuel clause fluctuation is chump change compare to the kind of money generated by those supermarkets which daily add at least one quarter (US $0.25) to the price of a different product. Please don’t touch our present Minister of Finance.
Russell A. Simmons
Dear Editor,
Now that the dust has settled after the unveiling of the colourful Caribbean Guilder (Cg) in a gala-like presentation, it’s time to face reality. Let’s set aside the fact that the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) has been promising the Cg since 2008, yet we’re still using the currency of the Netherlands Antilles which ceased to exist in 2010.
Let’s also ignore, for a moment, the many controversies surrounding the CBCS, such as the leak of personal information about a prospective minister, or its inadequate oversight, which led to the debacles of Girobank and Ennia—burdens that will fall on our shoulders and those of future generations. Not to mention the numerous court cases, with more still pending. And if that weren’t enough, the CBCS Supervisory Board is pushing for a 130% increase in the maximum salary for its Board of Directors.
That’s already a lot to digest, but there’s more. The new, shiny bills represent a monetary union between Curaçao and St. Maarten, a union that is nothing short of dysfunctional. The federal Netherlands Antilles was dissolved because its five territories wanted to pursue their own policies. Yet somehow, we decided to form a monetary union, to coordinate or harmonize macroeconomic, fiscal, and monetary policies. As State Secretary of Finance, I vehemently opposed this decision back in 2008, as it was imposed by The Hague without any economic study. No one listened, but some did call for my expulsion.
Despite entering this monetary union, unlike successful examples such as the European Monetary Union or the West African Monetary Union, we have no permanent mechanisms or supranational institutions to coordinate the necessary policies or work towards convergence criteria that would ensure success. Instead, we chose to defy logic and ignore empirical data.
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Today, both St. Maarten and Curaçao have their own economic policies, tax codes, and budget management systems. Over time, the two countries—once part of the same entity—have drifted apart, each following its own path. That would be perfectly fine if they weren’t in a monetary union. But relevant policies remain uncoordinated and specific to each country, which defeats the entire purpose of such a union.
The former Minister of Finance thoughtlessly stated in 2015 that coordination was “not a priority.” Now he’s Executive Director CBCS. St. Maarten, which risks enduring the stark consequences of the aforementioned Ennia fiasco, contemplates leaving the union. My advice? Leave now, “or perish slow”, as Gypsy sang in Sinking Ship. This monetary union is destined to vanish into oblivion, just as many before it.
Alex Rosaria
Dear Editor,
As we pause to reflect on the anniversaries of Hurricanes Louis and Irma, I ask you to not only remember the catastrophic damage to our beautiful island, St. Maarten, but to also focus on the mental health of our people. St. Maarten has experienced some of the most catastrophic hurricanes, and yes, we are known for being resilient. However, it’s important to recognize the toll these disasters have taken on our community.
In the past seven years, we have experienced not just the destructive force of a hurricane like Irma, but also the widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These events have not only damaged our homes and infrastructure but also our mental health. Our parents, ourselves, and our children have endured a great deal of stress and trauma.
While it is often said that we are a resilient people, resilience does not mean that we are unaffected. Our society's mental health is suffering. We notice this in our heightened levels of anxiety and stress, in people exploding over minor issues, and in the rising cases of violence and mental health problems. Tragically, we have also seen an increase in suicide cases.
I believe it is high time for us, as a community and as a government, to prioritize mental health. It is crucial to provide support for everyone, especially our frontline workers who are often the first to deal with the aftermath of disasters, our teachers who shape the minds of our future, and our children and our seniors who are the most vulnerable.
Mental health should not be a topic of shame or fear. Just as we rebuild our physical infrastructure after a hurricane, we must also rebuild our emotional and psychological well-being. By providing adequate mental health services, creating awareness, and encouraging open conversations, we can foster a healthier and happier society.
Acknowledging and addressing the mental health needs of our people is not just a responsibility but a necessity. Let us take this opportunity to come together and support each other, ensuring that our community remains not only resilient, but also mentally strong and compassionate.
Richinel Brug
Member of Parliament
Dear Editor,
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the deteriorating environmental situation on St. Maarten, which has become increasingly alarming and requires urgent attention from our community and local authorities.
Everywhere we turn, we are confronted with the sight of vehicle wrecks littering our roadsides and vacant lots. These abandoned cars not only mar the beauty of our island but also pose significant environmental hazards. They can leak harmful fluids into our soil and waterways, threatening our ecosystems and public health. It is disheartening to see our once-pristine landscapes tarnished by this neglect.
Moreover, the condition of our roads exacerbates the issue. Many streets are riddled with potholes, and the absence of proper road markings further endangers drivers and pedestrians alike. Navigating our roads has become a precarious task, often leading to accidents and damages. This situation not only affects our daily commutes but also deters tourists who contribute significantly to our economy.
We must advocate for a comprehensive clean-up and restoration plan. It is essential for the local government to prioritize the removal of wrecked vehicles and to invest in repairing our road infrastructure. By taking these steps, we can enhance the safety and aesthetics of our community while protecting our environment.
Let us come together as concerned citizens to urge our leaders to take decisive action. The time for change is now, and we owe it to ourselves, our children, and the future of St. Maarten to restore our island to its former glory.
Julian Rollocks
Retired businessman and politician
By Alex Rosaria
Civil society organizations play a crucial role in promoting, defending, and highlighting human rights. Today, I focus once again on one of the organizations dedicated to protecting these rights in Curaçao. Previously, I discussed the Committee for Human Rights for Curaçao, and now I want to address another key player: Komité Amistat i Solidaridat ku Pueblonan (KASP).
KASP was established in June 1981 with a clear mission: to defend and promote human rights in Curaçao, within the Netherlands Antilles, the Caribbean, and Latin America. This mission aligned with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The team behind KASP included dedicated members such as Amanda Arends, Melene Kook, Ange Godfried, Sergio Olaria, Ranulfo Betrian, Humphrey Paulina, Eugene Godfried, and Eus Anthony.
One of KASP’s early initiatives was a nearly three-week trip to Grenada in July 1981. This would be the first of many trips, earning the organization the derisive label of a “socialist travel agency”.
In the first edition of their monthly magazine “Sentebibu”, Grenada, led by the Marxist-Leninist Maurice Bishop, was praised as a paradise on earth. This led to critical questions from the local press, highlighting that Bishop had come to power through a coup, suspended the constitution, imprisoned political opponents, and restricted press freedom.
KASP did not shy away from confronting local authorities. In August 1981, the organization criticized Governor Ornelio Martina for banning a performance by Cuban artists in Curaçao. KASP also organized a protest march against what they called “terror and intolerance towards anyone who thinks differently in Curaçao,” clearly advocating for inclusion.
While KASP initially focused on human rights, its focus gradually shifted towards political activities. The organization openly criticized certain local political parties, praised leftist parties, and even provided voting advice. In their view, capitalist countries were the root of all the world’s problems, and KASP admired socialist or Marxist regimes in the region, such as those in Nicaragua, Grenada, and Cuba.
A notable incident occurred during a trip by Eugene Godfried to Cuba, where he delivered a speech on behalf of the Antilles. He criticized the US, using language that was considered offensive by the people of Aruba. This led to sharp criticism from the Aruban newspaper “Diario”, which emphasized that Curaçao should not interfere in Aruban affairs.
The contrast between KASP and the Committee for Human Rights of Curaçao is clear. While the Committee has consistently focused on human rights, KASP gradually shifted its focus to political activism.
Despite these differences, I am grateful for the work of both organizations. Each, in its own way, has contributed to the struggle for human rights. Although their methods may not align with today’s reality, one thing is certain: the need to stand up for human rights is as important today as it was then.
~ Alex David Rosaria (53) is a freelance consultant active in Asia and the Pacific. He is a former Member of Parliament, Minister of Economic Affairs, State Secretary of Finance and UN Implementation Officer in Africa and Central America. He is from Curaçao and has an MBA from University of Iowa (USA). ~
