Dear Editor,
I can already imagine it, on November 16, 2026, the successors of Dutch Prime Minister Rutte and US President Trump, together at Fort Oranje in St. Eustatius.
On that day it will be exactly 250 years ago that this Caribbean island claimed its place in American history. On November 16, 1776 a cannon was fired from this fort in the direction of an American ship as a salute, in response to the greeting of the naval ship that sailed under the American flag. With this symbol, the Netherlands became the first country that recognised the United States as an independent nation.
The Americans fought for independence against the British and Statia was a centre of slave trade, but also of arms trade. The American insurgents were armed on a large scale from this small Dutch colony.
In Fort Oranje there is now a proud memorial with a flagpole and a plaque, which was presented to the island in 1939 by the American president F.D. Roosevelt, commemorating the historic First Salute.
This old fort is unfortunately somewhat neglected, as is the rest of Statia. Many people live in poverty on the island, because jobs are scarce and the cost of living is high. Roads are badly kept, sometimes even impassable, and there is a lot of rubbish and debris.
However, it is not the fault of the residents that Statia is in this neglected state. The fault mainly lies with the local administrators who have rejected help and interference from The Hague. Like after Hurricane Irma last year, when we sent soldiers to help. But Clyde van Putten, the most important politician on the island, threatened to “kill and burn” the Dutch soldiers in the “Statia streets.”
In February 2018, the Dutch government, with the consent of all parties in the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament, the House of Representatives, decided to implement the most far-reaching measure by placing the island under direct supervision. The Executive Council and the Island Council were put aside and Statia is currently managed by a National Government Commissioner. It was a very difficult decision that we took in February 2018 to put democracy aside on this island.
When I visited Statia with a parliamentary committee in July this year, the residents appeared to be very relaxed about the current situation. Most people had no confidence in their own politicians and hoped that the civil servants in The Hague would do better. Unfortunately, they had not yet seen many improvements so far.
On Thursday, the Second Chamber will discuss the situation on Statia and the plans that have been made in the meantime to improve roads and to fight poverty, but also to stimulate the economy and improve governance. The Dutch government has reserved funds to renovate Fort Oranje, but I think we can do a lot more.
Let Statia in eight years be the centre of the commemoration of 250 years of ties between the US and the Netherlands, with the leaders of both countries shaking hands. A good time to reflect on the dark sides of our past, such as colonialism and the slave trade. But also a reason to build up this beautiful island and to facilitate tourists who want to visit this historical heritage.
Ronald van Raak, Member of the Second Chamber for the Socialist Party (SP)
Dear Editor,
At one time a member of the ambulance personnel came to me and asked me what can be done about these men who molest children. This person explained that she knew about two cases below the hill. I referred her to the Detective Department.
Growing up in Aruba I knew about a man who got 9 years for having sex with a minor, so when later I heard that the perpetrator of a similar act was handled with kid gloves, I became curious and paid extra attention to circumstances surrounding that case.
Between that and some other instances it seemed as if people in government were careful when having to take decisions. They were careful not to offend people because of the fear of losing the vote. The risk of losing the vote was greater than correcting the wrongdoing. Even child molestation.
In reading the letter “How much longer will they suffer” I got a flashback. I suggested that women should try to avoid walking around the house and in their neighborhoods with what we call flimsy (scanty) clothing because worthless men find themselves empowered to make lewd remarks. Beside that it is not a good example for their girl children who they also dress the same way. The response that I got via via was: “Who does Russell think he is to tell people what to wear.”
It was so then and it is worse now. It not my imagination the proof is in broad daylight. Ironically men are walking around nowadays with baggy clothing and their body almost completely covered and women of all ages, sad to say, are going anywhere and in public with less than or just about only one third of their body covered. Sadly to say that in too many cases there is no difference between their dress code and the ladies of the night.
The girls who go to school in uniform try to get away with wearing their skirts shorter than permitted. Not even the church is spared. Almost in every family in St. Maarten both parents work and constantly fathers are left home alone to take care of the children, which makes it easy for the men to engage in their pedophilic behavior.
Every good goes accompanied with its bad, so when we boast of the hundreds of different nationalities living in St. Maarten, we also have to be conscious of the fact that they bring their customs, habits, morals along with them. Including those from countries which celebrate girls becoming teenagers. Also from our neighboring country which has big celebrations for their daughters’ 15th birthday.
Another phenomenon is what I consider that dreaded cell phone. Ninety-five percent of our children have some kind of cell phone or the other. Parents, even though they know the negative effect of the cell phone on their children, still give them one because the parents themselves are addicted to the phone.
Nowadays people do not necessarily have to be next to each other to be engaged in immoral acts. Which makes it very easy for pedophiles to contaminate the minds of unsupervised children and lure their prey to them. The promise of a phone is one of the biggest catches for children nowadays.
So we have to be aware that porn, pedophiles, lack of supervision, customs of foreign countries, nudity and opportunity are all contributors to lewd behavior.
Ladies do not permit the men in your home to walk about the house merely clothed in their underwear. Ladies do not even think of forbidding your daughters to walk about the house in their underwear, while you yourself is doing likewise. By now we are aware of the fact that children become and do what they see and not what you tell them.
Some of us use the saying “seeing is believing.” We also know the saying “curiosity killed the cat.” And we also know that children are curious, so parents have to be extra vigilant.
We have to go back to the days when neighbors looked out for each other.
Now this. I believe it is high time that our government be realistic, consider the people and get information from Aruba concerning solar energy for St. Maarten. Aruba is 60 square miles, we are only 16, people. Let us be realistic. We need alternative energy and alternative source of income.
Also, it is time enough for us to hear something positive for St. Maarten being expressed by Holland. Sometimes a phone call one to the other can work.
The people want positive action, not negative rhetoric.
Russell A. Simmons
Dear Editor,
The St. Maarten Nature Foundation is applauding the court decision last week in which the court found that parking on Great Bay Beach close to the Walter Plantz Square as illegal. Despite the ruling, the Foundation is continuing to observe residents and tourists alike both parking and driving on beaches on the island, in particular on Simpson Bay Beach at the area popularly known as Kim Sha.
We are very happy about the ruling regarding the illegality of parking on the beach in Great Bay, and we believe it sets an excellent precedent in protecting and conserving what is our most important natural resource.
While the Foundation applauds the ruling it is also highlighting the ongoing practice of parking and driving on beaches, in particular the part of Simpson Bay Beach popularly known as Kim Sha.
While we applaud the court ruling, we would like to highlight that parking and driving on Kim Sha beach, which has been designated a tourist hot-spot, is still ongoing. We have noticed heavy equipment, cars, buses, trucks and ATVs all parking on and driving on the beaches. A car dealership also recently posted an advert of their cars parked on the beach.
Research has shown that driving and parking on beaches makes the beach more susceptible to overwash during storms and hurricanes. Parking and driving on beaches also causes erosion, negative health effects in beach users and impacts to beach flora and fauna.
Our beaches are faced with so many issues, including water quality, pollution and now this. We really need to enforce the beach policy and have it written in legislation how our beaches should be protected.
Tadzio Bervoets
St. Maarten Nature Foundation
Dear Editor,
Please allow me to express my concerns about the “clean-up campaign” which took place right after Hurricane Irma.
Government had called on contractors/subcontractors to apply with VROMI to be part of the clean-up campaign. I have a small company consisting of 20 young men. Whatever savings I had, I invested in obtaining the necessary materials to carry out the work effectively. I was given the opportunity to work at different locations on the island. My boys and I worked really hard and were complimented on doing a good job. We started to work in February 2018 and worked through April 2018.
The problem I am here facing is that government has not paid me for these months and I have an obligation to my employees. When I enquire from the respective office about my payments I get the runaround that they are busy paying this month and we would be next to be paid. Then that time never reaches. I go back to them pleading to get my money and then I am told that it went up to a particular office to be signed off on, however, nothing ever materialised.
I have been extremely patient and I really would like to know when we are going to be paid. It is not just my company who has not been paid, but several other companies as well.
I was grateful to have been called upon for my company to carry out this work but we would like to be compensated. We really worked hard in the hot sun to beautify our island and I know we did.
I am calling on the necessary government authorities to look into this matter and please pay us.
Name withheld at author's request.
Dear Editor,
In the same paper, Monday, September 24, 2018, are articles concerning illegal parking in Philipsburg. Around the turn of the millennium already there were talks about the transformation of Philipsburg. Then already the question was raised, where are the people who live and visit Philipsburg going to park their vehicles?
Later on during the time that the actual transformation was taking place, I was at a gathering in which the then Commissioner of Public Works was present. He was asked about the parking situation in Philipsburg. His answer was: “I know that Max and them going to be mad at me, but I have to do what I have to do.” My mental reaction was “Wow, this is not diplomacy this is arrogance.”
From then I said to myself that the objective of the transformation of Philipsburg was a personal project and that the wishes of the people meant nothing to those directly involved. In speaking to one of the project managers concerning the parking problem, he said to me that the people are going to adapt. They are going to find place to park.
As we now see, when they find place to park their vehicles are being towed away, because the same business people who need the people to shop are the ones complaining about cars parking in front of their business.
The police spokesperson stated that the illegal parking situation in the Philipsburg area has become “quite serious.” Particularly in Front Street during the evening hours, and also by persons visiting the restaurants and casinos. I will not be hesitant to say I told you so in this, because it is a long time now I have been writing about the increasing number of cars and nowhere to park in Philipsburg as a consequence of the transformation.
At that time I stated that it is not possible to squeeze 100 cars in an area that can only accommodate 50 cars. Between the no parking areas, the bus stops and the no stopping areas there were just about 50 legal spots open to park. I know, I walked the beat. And it is still the case today. Statistics will show that since then the import of the amount of cars, the size of motor vehicles, the kind of buses and heavy equipment has drastically increased.
Yes, parking lots have been laid down, but we also know that at least one third of the parking area was used for planting what is rumored to be sick coconut trees. We do not want to control the import of cars; we know that Holland is among the best in the world where it concerns the infrastructure of public transportation, but we are not making use of that; the crushed cars hill is becoming bigger and bigger and forming another eyesore; those who already secured their portion of the Great Salt Pond are now declaring it a monument. The pound yards are bulging from the lack of space and the maximum on cars per car rental has increased.
So, will somebody explain to the people that this is putting extra strain on the police, because they have to take action against what they know is unreasonable from the side of government. This again has a semblance of greed. I must agree that during the evening hours the parking lots are less occupied, but should there not be measures taken?
Russell A. Simmons
