Dear Editor,

  I constantly write about the consequences of the irresponsible use of the cell phone, especially in traffic, whether driving a vehicle or crossing the road. Even though there are laws forbidding a certain use of the cellphone, those who can help temper the illegal use of the phone are not doing anything about it.

  In my opinion it is a worse addiction than drinking or smoking, because one is hooked without being under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Even the risk of crossing a busy road is ignored by those while texting. Not to forget those who strike a pose while talking on the phone behind the wheel of the car or not paying attention at intersections.

  Self-imposed abbreviations have become a norm in text messages and are even accepted in official correspondence, so I am not sure whether your readers will give a second thought to the “true” which is written in that [picture of a traffic diversion sign –Ed.]. I believe they will react to according to the way how “true” sounds, means to them.

  What I know is that those signs were not hand-painted, so whoever had those signs printed should have had the discipline to make sure that the correct language was used. Beside that, should not there be someone to control whether the correct signage is used at the site of such a big project with several traffic diversions?

  We are still not sure whether the intention is for no traffic to go beyond that so-called barricade or whether it is forbidden for “real” traffic to go beyond that barricade.

  What I do know is that the people who I hear supervising those works primarily speak Dutch to each other. Those who of late are constantly paying attention to the wrong that we are doing. Which brings me to what I was taught from child in school: “Verbeter de wereld, begin met jezelf.” I also believe that if one’s motto is “I will get you one day” one should be fair and be man enough to accept “Wie kaatst moet de bal verwachten.”

  On the other hand, I believe that in this case, VROMI personnel have shown halfhearted behavior. Let us not omit the importance of being professional.

Russell A. Simmons

Dear Editor,

  Wow, wow, I have been holding this back until now. I read about Stuart Johnson and his apparent saving grace to the library situation. A huge photo opportunity with the Rotary Club to launch a mini library. Sweet boy, are you sick in the head?

  I am utterly disgusted in both French St Martin and Dutch St Maarten with respect to libraries.

  Over 15 years ago I came to this island. The first place I went was the library in Philipsburg. English books … I felt comfort. I paid my annual dues as a French resident. Year after year I renewed, enjoyed CDs, books, recipes. … Now that I have a child, since [Hurricane – Ed.] Irma, all that is lost … gone, only just a bit of history. Imagine, the library is history?!

  Honest to God! Here are governments who preach the Lord saving you! Let’s sit and pray about our problems … Oh, please … Let’s stop and pray … pray for what? An intelligent government? Governments who claim they want the best for their people? Governments who talk big about education? … Governments who want tourism to prosper? Since Irma I’ve come to realize that the governments on both French and Dutch sides have zero, no , nada, interest in the common people.

  Again, it was reading this article about Stuart and his little libraries that struck a nerve.

You both on either side of this island make me sick. Something tells me I’m not alone in this. The entire island. It’s time to stand together. French and Dutch government not giving any money into the rebuilding of the libraries on either side. That is the basis of education.

  How, how, please tell me how, you sick individuals in government can say you are representing the people on this island? Here’s what … You keep people stupid and the stupid never ask for more … right? How can rebuilding libraries be at the bottom of the totem pole?

  I sit here forced to home-school my child. Why? Because I have zero faith in you sickos educating my child. All you care about is money lining your pockets.

  Dare I even comment on that so-called Christian person who represents Education on the Dutch side, and Mr. Daniel Gibbs, you, sir, should feel shame, shame to the core for the nothing you have done for the children in St. Martin.

  Shame on all of you for failing the children and us parents who want so much more.

Disgusted parent representing St. Martin and St. Maarten,

Mary De Francesco

Dear Editor,

  Almost 7 months since the article was posted on August 21, 2018, our questions still remain, where is the protection of our local people? Who is investigating and where is our government?

  Since bribery and investigation on various issues has been a hot topic on our island, it seems to be only focused on our own, and not of those of foreign investors, who came into our country and are not abiding by the rules and regulations of country St. Maarten.

  Who is investigating? Where is our government? The recent Macao restaurant on Front Street, former McDonald’s and Rouge et Noir casino; why are the inspectors not checking if undocumented persons are working there or living in inhuman condition? And the treatment of workers. Where is the protection of our local workers? Why is there a blind eye on these matters?

  Can a so-called managing director, who does not have working documentation, continue to work on the island; moreover, after their passport has been stamped, and banned for three years from the island. How are they allowed to slip through the system? Is it allowed to be bullying and enslaving our people? And they walk around like they have no fear. Where is the protection of our local people? Who is investigating, and where is the government?

  If there is a CLA (Collective Labour Agreement) in place as it regards to bonuses, allowances, etc., should it not be honoured and respected for union members and even contract workers? Should contract workers be treated differently? Should a Jr. accountant be allowed to rob employees of their hard-earned money? If employees’ evaluations were implemented, and received good evaluation, should their contract not be renewed without a valid reason? Should these same positions be filled by their own people, foreigners?

  Should incentives be created to fool our people and when it is time to be compensated, no compensation? Where is the protection of our local people; who is investigating and where is the government?

  It is of the opinion that employees of Rouge et Noir and Macao restaurant are being treated worse than dogs. Employees seem as if they cannot even communicate amongst each other without being penalized. Voicing their concerns of their wellbeing seems to be an offense. Should an employer threaten an employee with termination, if he or she has grievances? In the eyes of society, our locals are being criticized of not wanting to work.

  Rouge et Noir had court cases over the past year since new investors took over. Employees took them to court, and all cases were won by the employees.

  Who is investigating this? Where is the justice? Who are we as born St. Maarteners in our own country?

Name withheld at author's request.

Dear Editor,

  The detention of my son has certainly brought me a lot of sadness, frustration and anger.

  I still feel as if Theo was kidnapped. On that night, without formal notice two masked police officers abducted him from his cell; took him to a car that rushed him to a flight for Bonaire. They were in such a rush that they “forgot” his gout medication.

  In Bonaire they’ve been interrogating him, sometimes for up to 8 hours with only a break for lunch. So, imagine this, my son is in pain because of gout and he is getting slammed for hours by Dutch interrogators.

  These are the facts, as I just got back from seeing Theo in Bonaire. When I asked Theo “how the Dutch treating him” he said, “Boy, Mommy, they bad … they bad … they question for hours and hours … they even ask questions about Pa (his grandfather) … just like how you see it in the movies, that’s how they question you … rough, not letting up and attacking.”

  After hours of pressuring my son they ask him to sign the interrogation statement in Dutch. They made him sign when he tired and in pain from gout. He even catch them writing a statement he did not make. This is another manipulative tactic; Dutch is not his first language.

  The question they tried to trick him with had to do with his grandfather (my father). Theo told them “how they kill his grandfather and they’re still not satisfied.” They persecuted my father, my brother and now my son.

  As a mother, everyone can relate to my pain. My son was ripped away without notice to his family or lawyer. He is in pain and away from his familiar surroundings. God forbid something had happened to my son on the way to Bonaire and I would never see him again.

  After hearing how they interrogate Theo and the tactics of moving him to Bonaire and “forgetting” his medication, you have to believe it is all part of their plan. Even as I write this, I was just informed that Theo now has a fever and his gout has flared up again.

  Thank you Stuart, Frankie, Luc, Rolando, Sarah and Christopher, for showing courage by taking a stand for my son. You are true St. Maarteners. The fact that Rolando and Christopher put aside political differences to make a stand gives me hope.

  We now have a court verdict to bring Theo to Pointe Blanche, so just like the order to send Theo to Bonaire came from our St. Maarten Government, now let’s see how long it will take to bring him back.

  I want my son returned to St. Maarten!

Lillian Agnes Wathey