Dear Editor,

  The exchange rate between the US Dollar and our Guilder is fixed for years. For every US Dollar you can get approximately 1.80 Guilders in exchange (or a little less). This exchange rate between both currencies can only continue when the economy and the thereto related money flow is in a balanced pattern, meaning a certain balance between money coming into the Country, money going out of the Country, and the financial reserves of the Country (and the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten). Or better in this case, two countries, Sint Maarten and Curaçao, because Sint Maarten and Curaçao have a monetary union.

How long will we be silent
Martin Luther King Jr
Said in the end we will not
Remember the words of
our enemies
But the silence of
Our friends
How long can we
Remained silent
In the face of injustice
To our people

In face of unemployment
Of our youth
In face of lack of care for our
Elderly
In the face of gendarmes
Brutally
to our women
In the face of eviction from
The beach front property
Of all we local businesses
How long can we
How long will we
Remain silent
You ask me what could
Be worse
Than an inhuman
Heartless
Leader that doesn't care less
About Saint Martin people
And I will answer the silence
Of Saint Martin people

We can't remain silent
Any longer
While day in and day out
We saint people
By the mary's step
Like beggars
While Daniel gibbs step
On them te go te he office
Te work for he white masters
While the people suffers
I can’t remain silent
And I asking Saint Martin
People an’ all other people
Te have a heart
Come out and say something
Break your silence

Or we all will be buried very soon
in we silent Grave
Then when Daniel and his friend

Cups will be full they will sing
“Silent Night” over we empty grave

People stand up
Speak up
and never give up

And big up
Te all we Saint Martin women
Out there struggling

Raymond Helligar aka “Big Ray”

Hi the Hague

  This is Mike Ferrier. I say loud and clear: If Theo did the crime, he should do the time... But we are all presumed innocent until proven guilty, right? So then…. why keep him detained for so long? Is he considered a danger to others?  Do those in the justice system think he might be a flight risk?

  After hearing claims of corruption against him for years coming from the other side of the Atlantic, why does it take so long to put together a case against him? One would think this would be a “slam-dunk”! What does this say about the system?

  I am not suggesting special treatment for Theo….no, no special favours, but at the same time, ensure that he is not treated any differently than other alleged suspects of white-collar crime. His treatment could be better, but it should not be worse. All the time needed to gather facts, should be taken by the Prosecutor as expeditiously as possible and then, see him in court!

  In the meantime: enough bullying already……. You have made your point!

Michael J. Ferrier

Dear Editor,

  Is the Parliament of St. Maarten being run by a dictator? Is the chairlady the only person that was elected in 2018 to the parliament of St. Maarten? This chair of parliament is hell-bent on running the parliament the way she deems is right in her own eyes; she takes the elected members of the NA and the USP parties for granted; and she adjourns meetings that are seemingly not going the way she thinks they should go. She interprets urgently-called meetings by the elected members of the NA and USP as not really urgent and schedules and adjourns them at her own convenience if ever at all.

  In the meeting called to discuss the substitute Member of Parliament to replace MP Heyliger on Friday, March 29, after not receiving a quorum in the prior two meetings, the chair was hell-bent on doing it her way. She assigned a committee consisting of three members all from the UD/SCMP, while there were 2 other elected MPs signed in to the public meeting of parliament. The chair did it her way.

  When asked at the end of that exercise if a decision was taken, the chair told parliament and the people of St. Maarten no decision could have been taken, in agreement with the comments of NA S. Jacobs and USP R. Brison as it was stated in the constitution. Yet we heard later that the dictator made a decision to send up the report and credentials to the Governor in order that he invite the substitute to be sworn in anyway.

  Is this chairlady serious? Was she trying pull something on the Governor? Then she has the brass to go on radio and create the idea that Governor is not doing what he should be doing. The governor is not there to serve MP Sarah Wescot and her dictatorial behavior. His Excellency has a role as defined in our constitution to uphold the law of the land – nothing less and nothing more.

  It is time that members of parliament stand up and let the chair know that we will no longer accept the way she is running the parliament of St. Maarten as if it is her private business, and everyone else must adhere to her wishes. Let me be clear, when I speak of members of parliament I am speaking about the elected members of the UD and the SMCP.

  The situation is bigger that Sarah Wescot – this is about St. Maarten. If this continues as is, the shame will not be on the chair only but on the other 7 members of parliament who do not have the fortitude to stand up and let the Chairlady know that enough is enough. The 7 of you like the other 7 took an oath to vote their conscience, unless you don’t have a conscience because something got it.

  This country is heading in a very bad direction because no one supporting the government is willing to stand up and be counted. So we have created a dictator in the Chair of Parliament.

  That is my 2 cents.

Harold Richardson