Dear Editor,
I have been asking myself this question for the past several days. Why is Lyndon Lewis the Acting Minister of Education? Overseeing two ministries is a daunting and difficult task for one person to effectively manage, especially for a new minister.
Another question is why the ruling coalition did not appoint a minister of education? The ruling coalition saw fit to appoint a minister of VROMI [Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure – Ed.]. This was done because of the current energy crisis. Not appointing a minister has been interpreted by some educators that the current political leadership does not view education as a priority presently.
The main reason this article was written is to highlight the fact that during the Council of Ministers July 10, 2024, press briefing Minister Lewis did not discuss the fact that subsidized school teachers still have not been paid 1 percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) and 1 percent increase in vacation allowance.
Finally, on June 26, 2024 a reporter asked a minister about this issue at the last council of ministers press briefing. Unfortunately, the minister was Patrice Gumbs. Equally disappointing is Minister Lewis was not present at that meeting. Moreover, sadly the minister of finance was not there either. Additionally, the minister of finance did not show up to the latest council of ministers press briefing.
Appointing Lewis to be minister of justice made sense because it suits his educational and work background. Placing him to be an acting minister of education was very foolish. An educator who worked at the elementary and secondary level is needed for the ministry of education.
Minister Lewis's silence on the non-payment of COLA and increase in vacation allowance is profoundly disturbing and deeply disrespectful towards subsidized school teachers. For the past four years, teachers have suffered greatly at the hands of one minister of education. Will this mistreatment and ignoring of subsidized school teachers' concerns continue? How long will these teachers have to wait for these two payments? Will it be sooner, later or never?
Kenneth Cook
Dear Editor,
At last, there is an awakening and the beginning of a powerful counter-discourse that, hopefully, will redress for a while (at least) the old sinking ship USA and, with it, “the West,” Western civilization.
The gaping hole left in the hull of ship USA by slavery/segregation/the Civil War and its aftermath (Jim Crow) have combined with more recent deep gashes, one in particular, that dates back to April 4, 1968, the day they shot and killed Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. (I was a young man back then). Ever since that wretched day, more than half a century ago, the USA has been leaking profusely, steadily, increasingly! The doomed vessel is listing heavily, sinking slowly. It is as if she awaits that exceptional sea storm and a strong enough wave to send her to the bottom into collapse, complete breakdown.
Fortunately, a hopeful awakening may right the sinking USA. As I gauge it, the leader of this awakening and revival is Coleman Hughes, a young philosopher whose new book I strongly recommend. “The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colourblind America, 2024” is strong medicine, a counter-poison. It is the perfect antidote for all of those who, for way too long, have abandoned the teachings of MLK to embrace the poisonous politics of race that is nothing more than a payback version (an inversion of that old racism) of segregation and Jim Crow politics.
Wikipedia informs us that Coleman Hughes is “of African American and Puerto Rican descent and grew up in Montclair, New Jersey.” It also states that “his mother died when he was 19.” Hughes is young (age 28). He graduated from Columbia University, where he majored in Philosophy. However, he is already a proven scholar. In this new book, Hughes argues against race-based politics to counter and end American racism. He maintains that socioeconomics (Class) is a better gauge or “proxy for disadvantage.”
This new book (available on Amazon) is a must-read for those interested in this matter and the perfect gift for all politicians in Saint Martin (French and Dutch), for whom Coleman Hughes’ antidote may be very beneficial.
Gérard M. Hunt
Dear St. Maarten,
I can no longer sit back and witness parliament seeking politicians or career politicians blatantly out here pandering to people of certain demographics. These demographics include the Spanish, Haitian, and Indian communities ignoring any other “community” that resides on St. Maarten including the local St. Maartiner. We have become 3rd class citizens in our own country. St. Maarten has always been a diverse tiny island, now country that is home to over 100 different nationalities. We pride ourselves on being friendly people and this has fostered the inclusion of many. However, our friendliness is now being taken for granted.
In proportion to the size of St. Maarten and its population, there seems to be a lack of concern over migration influx and legal pathways to residency, further placing a strain on the fragile infrastructure, education, healthcare and employment systems.
One candidate in particular is apparently running his campaign encouraging the unlawful migration to this country. This is a sure strategy to capture the votes of many foreigners who have acquired their citizenship and continue to worry solely about their interests and the interests of their close family and friends, while not having an ounce of equal concern for everyone in this country, namely the St. Maarten people. This candidate took to his social platform over the weekend in a tyrant rage; lashing out at a member of Parliament line of questioning towards the current Minister of Justice. The candidate spewed into making discriminatory and sexist remarks towards the parliamentarian in attempt to smear her campaign efforts.
This sort of behaviour is known as a manipulation tactic aimed to keep people of a certain demographic very happy. The candidate went as far to suggest that the parliamentarian should ask around to find out who are related to who and who comes from where before asking questions. This shows that this candidate is okay with nepotism and will continue to carry on with the status quo. I genuinely thought we wanted change and to move away from the “who yuh know” and “go along to get along” to achieve anything on St. Maarten.
The candidate, who himself was born in Curaçao, would have not been able to pander to the Columbians and Venezuelans that flock to the shores of Curaçao in the tens of thousands in seek of refuge. And even if he tried, the people of Curaçao would never accept that, so, why should we?
Candidates should be focused on the Belvedere, Dutch Quarter, Middle Region, Sucker Garden, Point Blanche, Philipsburg, St. Peters/South Reward, Cay Hill/ Cay Bay, Cole Bay, Simpson Bay, etc. communities. These are the only acceptable communities that we should be hearing about and appeasing.
Catch you at the polls, come August 19th!
Your constituent,
Name withheld at author’s request.
Dear Editor,
Eavesdropping is not a nice thing, but even though when one is within earshot of a conversation, one can avoid speaking, one cannot avoid hearing which can lead to listening. On such an occasion I heard one person ask if the police are going to make the drivers take off the dark tint when they are controlling cars for motor vehicle tax? Another person answered, “That wouldn’t be fair, because a lot of government cars have dark tint too.” But this is nothing new, because on several occasions I was asked if the police are not allowed to make drivers take the dark tint off the cars? “As far as I know the law did not change.”
I personally strongly condemn the government for a double standard. I will even go as far as to state that I blame the chief of police for not insisting that government address this situation in the appropriate manner. I will not publicly state my opinion in this matter, but it is more than high time that dark tint and the use of cell phone while operating a motor vehicle be addressed.
Russell A. Simmons
Dear Editor,
Hooray, the Labour party won the election in the UK and the world and Europeans would rather Emmanuel Macron wins the French election this weekend.
Donald Trump is winning the 2024 election in America this year.
Thanks to the UK people who elected the Labour party.
French people, be wise: elect Emmanuel Macron. The world and Europeans want Emmanuel Macron to be elected in the 2024 election so that the three men leaders Kier, Emmanuel and Trump will work together to bring peace and prosperity towards the world.
Respect Bannis’ advice: the world is in need of Emmanuel Macron, Kier Starmer and Donald Trump.
French people, be wise: please don’t let down Emmanuel Macron, The UK and Americans want these three male leaders to work together: Emmanuel Macron, Kier Starmer and Donald Trump.
Cuthbert Bannis
