Dear Editor,

We, the police union NAPB St. Maarten board, have learned a lot over this period in 2018, from time to time when it feels like the world is against us, chaos we had experience will never end. But that has never slowed us down, it has being a very challenging for us in preparing and finalizing everything that is legal and rightful for our members.

We may have felt discouraged and destressed on our days, but nevertheless we were patient and persevered as a board. This is very memorable because tomorrow is guaranteed to be a brighter day as we turn to a new chapter of a next 365 days, which we believe and stand strong.

Our hard work and dedication for our members, Men and Women in Blue who have left their families day and night to go out in the community to Serve and Protect, we salute each and every one of you – job well done with tools or no tools, knowing it is not an easy task, but you all made your country proud. We stand behind in every step you made in time to time for this Police Force of St. Maarten.

Your Excellence Honourable Governor of St. Maarten, Minister of Justice Mr. De Weever, the Council of Ministers , Members of Parliament, the G.O.A., the Board of WICSU/PSU, Board of ABVO, the Board of the Teachers Union and Management and staff of the Police Force of St. Maarten, we heartily thank you for your time, and for all that we did and accomplished during 2018 for our Men and Women in Blue, it does not just stop here. We still have much more work ahead to better our Police Force which we all can be proud of NAPB board.

Do place them all in hope as the new adventure begins 2019 good luck to all as we do keep a positive outlook in 2019 may this HAPPY NEW YEAR be a blessing.

NAPB Board

Dear editor,

  As the island celebrates the year, there is a lot that St. Maarten should be grateful for. While 2018 could be seen as a challenging year for many St. Maarteners, our resiliency re-enforces the knowledge that brighter days are ahead of us.

  We all look for a better tomorrow that demands from all of us greater determination and hard work. The government had a rough year publicly, but with the strong support of St. Maarten United Christian Democratic Coalition, we will continue to work in the best interest of St. Maarten. St. Maarten should be proud to get back to some type of normalcy with tourists returning to the island since devastating Hurricane Irma nearly wiped out our beautiful island on September  6, 2017.

  I am proud of the VROMI [Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure – Ed.] ministry who was able to assist a number of homeowners with their roofs and NGOs [non-governmental organisations] who continue to assist those who are in need of rebuilding their homes. As a member of parliament, I will continue to work in the best interest of the country and I request that the population continue their resiliency, as St. Maarten is truly unique and special.

  I look forward to 2019, government working on reviving the economy. I would like them to put emphasis on sustainability. As outlined in the governing programme, the council of ministers should stimulate entrepreneurship and job creation, establish an economic masterplan and introduce incentive programmes for (small) businesses, fully restore Princess Juliana International Airport to its former glory while introducing USA pre-clearance.

  Also, as an MP I would like to see the creation of more homes and diversity of our economy but at the same time promote the tourism industry. Despite the difficult fiscal conditions we are facing, the people will understand that it is not possible to solve every issue overnight. I wish the citizens of St. Maarten peace, prosperity, good health and God’s guidance for the upcoming year and I look forward to tackling any challenges ahead in the name of a better St. Maarten.

Chanel Brownbill

Member of Parliament

Dear Editor,

Recently, a friend of mine who was here on vacation suffered a massive heart attack caused by plaque that had become dislodged from an artery. His heart stopped beating, but he was successfully revived by a Sint Maarten doctor, an act for which he and his wife will be eternally grateful.

Fortunately for my friend, a plane that had been previously organized to evacuate another critically ill patient suddenly became available. Even with this lucky break, and the determination of the Sint Maarten medical team, it took 10 hours to reach Miami from the time the flight was planned.

Upon arrival in Miami my friend was immediately taken to a cardiac catheterization laboratory for treatment. He was told if Sint Maarten had had a similar facility, and with no delay in time, he could have made a full recovery from the 15-minute procedure. The end result of the delay in transit was the patient lost 50 per cent of his heart muscle and faces a long, slow recovery. His life will not be the same.

St. Maarten residents and the thousands of tourists who visit our island are at risk, most people in this same situation would probably die. My question is, could a cardiac catheterization lab be built into the new hospital? Could we raise the funds and hire the appropriate staff? It would be money well spent, as our population is growing and we also have to be responsible for the many tourists who visit this island.

Gary Howkins

Dear Fellow Sint Maarteners,

  As this year is coming to an end I would like to encourage you to reflect on all the good that transpired in 2018.

  In the aftermath of Irma, our country has shown that its people are resilient. Our citizens, civil servants and business owners have picked up the pieces and started rebuilding Sint Maarten on their own.

  I must admit that as a Member of Parliament I have not been satisfied with the speed of our recovery process where it pertains to insurance claim settlements, World Bank monies, initiation of projects, etc., as our school and sport facilities are still badly damaged, while a number of roofs are yet to be repaired.

  However, our government has made significant strides in the recovery process the last few months. A number of World Bank projects have initiated. This is certainly an accomplishment of our Council of Ministers that should be applauded. Our COM remained steadfast in their efforts to seek funding for our country.

  Personally, I am of the opinion that nation building does not only entail rebuilding concrete structures but should also focus on social matters such as a revamped education curriculum, maternity and paternity leave, updated driver’s license laws, an updated sick leave policy that does not treat those on partial sick leave the same as those who are 100 per cent on sick leave, a revamped Chamber of Commerce law that properly caters to our business community, etc.

  In my 6 months tenure as Member of Parliament  for the 2018-2022 term, I have 1) resubmitted my draft amendment to the maternity and paternity leave law, 2) Submitted a draft decree to update our current driver’s license legislation to enable persons to take their driver’s license exams in automatic and stick shift, 3) started the process along with stakeholders from the business sector to revamp the Chamber of Commerce legislation, and last but certainly not least 4) have discussed the possibility of reducing/waiving taxes for the shows organized throughout the 50^th Carnival Season.

  It is my intention to follow up on all the issues I worked on in 2018 and also submit more initiative law amendments in the 2019 year, as I consider myself a legislator that has as main task to legislate and not simply dismiss every proposal brought forth by the Council of Ministers in Parliament.

  I ask all Sint Maarteners to join me in 2019 as together as one island one people we focus on rebuilding our country.

  Season’s Greetings to you and yours!

Member of Parliament, Tamara Leonard