Dear Editor,
The month of July has been one of the most violent of recent history where gun violence is concerned. Within a short period of time, there were four shootings within a 72-hour period in the first week of the month.
On July 17, another incident of gun violence took place where the wife of a party leader was gunned down. This is a very disturbing event that has occurred which is currently under investigation. The country’s peace of mind has been shaken to the core.
Gun violence is a scourge that threatens the fundamental right to life. Firearms can cause devastating injuries and have a lasting impact on mental and physical health.
There have been a number of gun violence incidents since the beginning of the year. There is a great concern within the community about these incidents which seemingly are becoming a weekly occurrence and are very concerning.
The St. Maarten Police Force KPSM have increased search and controls of vehicles in order to take away any weapons found during those controls. On several occasions they have been successful.
What measures or “basic tools” as a community, as a society can take to deal with gun violence overall?
Some “basic home-grown tools”/community/family/guardian-based intervention measures that can be taken that have been promoted are: Discourage name-calling and teasing. These can easily get out of hand, moving all too quickly from “just words” to fists, knives, and even firearms. Teach children that bullying is wrong and take their fears about bullies seriously.
Show children how to settle arguments or solve problems without using words or actions that hurt others. Set the example by the way you handle everyday conflicts in the family, at work, and in the neighborhood. Don’t forget that common courtesies like “please”, “thank you” and “excuse me” help ease tensions that can lead to violence.
Stick with friends and family who steer clear of violence and drugs. And encourage your children to do the same. Research shows use of alcohol and other drugs is closely linked with violence, including the use of guns and other weapons.
Take a hard look at what you, your family, and your friends watch and listen to for entertainment – from action movies and cop shows to video games and music lyrics. How do the characters solve problems? Do they make firearms and other violence appear exciting, funny, or glamorous? Are the real-life consequences of violence for victims and families clear? Talk about what each of you liked and didn’t like.
It’s going back to basics as a community in order to truly tackle gun violence within our society. As they say, it takes a village to raise a child, and the country has reached the point of where we have to take a look in the mirror before it’s too late.
We have to look at the educational system and re-invent ourselves where this is concerned. An educational system is the foundation of any country.
Gun violence is a threat to us all. St. Maarten is not the only country facing this phenomenon. We just have to look across the channel to Anguilla which is in the same boat, but many of our brothers and sisters within the Caribbean Basin are also being confronted with gun violence within their communities.
St. Maarten’s economy is tourism-based, and safety and security are one of the key tenets for the travel industry. The country can ill afford being branded a “dangerous country” as a travel advisory.
The country is already facing an advisory about the electricity crisis by institutions from key tourism markets. The Caribbean Region as a whole as one of the key tourism destinations is suffering from the negative fallout of Hurricane Beryl’s damage that stretches around the basin from Yucatan, Mexico, in the west, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, St. Vincent and the Grenadines to Barbados in the east.
St. Maarten needs a community-oriented approach in order to beat gun violence.
Roddy Heyliger
People of St. Maarten,
It is with a deep feeling of sadness that I address you today. I would first like to extend my sincerest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. Secondly, I wish those injured and affected a swift and full recovery. This act of violence is not in line with St. Maarten’s friendly island values of peace and unity. As your Governor, I therefore state that I unequivocally condemn all acts of violence.
Addressing whatever issues there may be via violence is not the path our country should be taking. In moments like these, it is essential for us to come together as a community. We must ensure that division does not prevail, but rather unity, as we continue to work together on the basis of freedom, equality, peaceful co-existence and solidarity.
I urge everyone to remain dignified and peaceful and allow the authorities to carry out a thorough investigation.
Let us use this moment to strengthen our resolve to build a community where, in good St. Maarten tradition, differences are settled through peaceful means where every individual feels safe and valued.
God bless every one of you and your families and God bless St. Maarten.
Governor Ajamu Baly
Dear Editor,
My wife and I have a place in Cupecoy. We love St. Maarten and we want our beautiful island and its wonderful residents to thrive.
The regular power outages SXM experiences are harmful to residents, businesses, and tourism and it is obvious that GEBE is unable to keep up with the demand. What is also obvious is that the government is approving building projects without adding the additional infrastructure necessary to support the increased demand. Every new building that goes up brings with it additional strain on the electrical grid, waste management systems, and roadways.
The fairest way to finance the considerable expense of infrastructure improvements is to pass along some of that cost to the people making the profits – the developers. For example, if a developer seeks approval for a $200 million project they should pay a $20 million infrastructure fee – 10% of the project cost.
When the new towers at Mullet Bay (known as Fourteen) were built they should have made road renovation a condition for opening. The developer should have been allowed to finish construction using the old road so that the trucks wouldn’t damage the new one. Then, BEFORE opening, they should have renovated the worst 1/4 mile of that road – which is the part along the golf course from there to Maho. That road is an important thoroughfare for people traveling between Terres Basses, Cupecoy, Maho and Simpson Bay. Anyone that travels that stretch of road knows it is in terrible condition and is regularly made impassable when it rains.
We can expect developers to understate the scope of their projects in order to reduce their infrastructure fees, but financial analyses and audits would assure that SXM receives the revenue needed to help it keep up with the growing demand.
As previously stated, the fairest way to finance the considerable expense of infrastructure improvements is to pass along some of that cost to the people making the profits – the developers. Including the fee with each project approval assures that infrastructure improvements keep pace with new development.
Looking forward to the day when these power outages are a thing of the past.
Lou & Sue Rivera
Dear Editor,
I have two questions for whoever accepts that the questions are directed to them. The idea for these questions hit me as a consequence of the everyday observation made by a gentleman while using his cell phone “Why only now?” I believe that a nod to the wise is enough.
My questions are: "How long ago was it determined in the Plenary court of Strasbourg that there is no right to same sex marriage?"
And my second question is: "How long ago was the fuel clause implemented (G.E.B.E.), and who in government knew then and still knows today about it?"
Topics negatively affecting us for a long time.
Russell A. Simmons
Dear Editor,
The cost of living in St. Maarten is getting out of hand! One of the main reasons for this is the overpriced apartment rental fees. The average maximum income for citizens of St. Maarten is less than $1,000. Yet, most apartment fees range between $900 and $5,000 a month, sometimes for a mere studio or one-bedroom apartment that is barely livable for one individual, let alone an entire family with children.
To add insult to injury, an alarming number of apartments now prohibit pets and children, greatly narrowing the options for most St. Maarteners seeking a home. The situation has become so dire that once an affordable, livable apartment does become available, there is an overwhelming response of desperate renters competing to secure it. Most residents are then forced to take apartments that are way over their budget, causing eventual debt and embarrassing evictions, or they are forced to burden their family and friends for shelter. St. Maarten is a small island, only 37 square miles, 80 percent of which is owned by individuals or companies primarily interested in making big money off tourist-geared Airbnbs, condos, and hotels.
Where is the consideration for the average small man trying to make his living serving the very tourists we rely on to generate this economy? Is he not the very foundation our economy stands on? If he is weakened, how can we possibly stand strong? If his pockets are not full, how then would he be able to give back and add wealth to our currently suffering economy? As a country, we must begin to think ten steps ahead! Why allow an apartment to sit empty for months in the hopes of catching a big payout for a short time? Why refuse to lower your price when lowering it actually assures a guaranteed, consistent monthly rental income from young professionals looking to save money or average citizens working domestic jobs who actually live on the island day to day?
As a country, we must begin to show compassion and empathy for our community. It’s easy to say it’s your property and you can charge what you want, but what if supermarkets were not regulated and charged whatever they wanted? What if schools did the same? You would suffer in an already overpriced economy! There must be new laws and regulations to make things fair for the community as a whole. If everyone is allowed to abuse their positions, people suffer. Especially the small man and his family, they suffer the most, and as a result, crime increases. How dare we help to create more criminals and then complain about them after? Prevention is the solution!
Once I, your candidate Marie Claire Gwendolyne Langlais, candidate #14, am voted in to become an elected member of parliament, I will make it my solemn duty to bring a magnifying glass to this situation and begin the process of rectifying it. My goal is to become the voice for those without one! On August 19th, 2024, go out and vote #14 on the NOW party list! Vote Marie Claire Langlais and let’s all move forward into a brighter and fairer future for us all – together! It is time! Vote for change! Vote for fairness! Vote NOW!
Marie Claire Langlais
