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
Dear Editor,
I believe that page 4 of The Daily Herald of September 21, 2018, says a lot to what I have been writing about lately. I have written about it in different ways and I have always stated that the head of the house remains responsible.
Professor Saleh shared a lot of wisdom during the gathering of the Governors of the Kingdoms, which in my opinion is worth repeating. He explained that a decent standard of living, employment, security, proper housing, education and health care for all should be the main focus in all the parts of the Kingdom. He also said that solid finance, good governance and law enforcement are expected to be the pillars for a good functioning relationship.
It is imperative that the people also contribute, but the wishes of the man in the street should be respected and carried out. Not to forget that the majority of the people in the Dutch Caribbean had voted to maintain the relations in the Kingdom. He also cited what I deem a reality of life: “People do not live in constitutional structures. People live in a house in a district and they need food on the table.”
Professor Saleh stated that we have to work in creating more trust in all openness, because it is only if the partners in the Kingdom can agree that we can go beyond the constitutional discussions and invest more in common trust. I would add that that is an uphill battle because that will be difficult for the Dutch whose modus operandi is to lay and wait so they can get you one day. This is not the recipe for trust. Nor is the Prime Minister openly considering people of St. Maarten corrupt.
Russell A. Simmons
Dear Editor,
Among the many catastrophes Hurricane Irma unleashed on us is the damage of the Philipsburg Jubilee Library. Like a wounded lion, the Library has taken staggering steps to get back on its feet again, thanks to the dedication and commitment of its staff, however, it urgently needs to be relocated for it to survive and continue to serve this community as it has done for the past 95 years. Yes, the Philipsburg Jubilee Library is 95 this year, and the best birthday present for this nonagenarian institution is a new home.
Dear Editor,
This will be my last spiritual sermon for a while. The reason for this and the previous sermons is for people not to be deceived by the amount of counterfeit Christianity presently in St. Maarten and the world.
1 John 3:6 – No one who lives in Him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen Him or known Him.
John 4:6-7 – We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us, but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 – This is what the Lord says: “Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, But let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know Me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,” declares the Lord.
The following words define God’s character. I quote them from the Christian Fellowship Network and I agree with these statements. “God is supreme with no one to answer to. He is completely independent and can make decisions without anyone else’s agreement or consent. Everything that God says or does is correct word or action for us to follow. He is ultimately ‘correct’ in every situation. God is all-powerful, there is nothing too difficult for him. God knows every detail of the past present, and future. He has perfect recall. He knows our thoughts before we think them. God’s justice is perfectly fair when measured on an eternal scale. God is no respecter of persons. Good deeds will be rewarded and evil will be punished.”
And the following words are from me. You cannot claim to love God but continue to follow the world trend. You cannot love God but do not be obedient to him. You cannot love God but defend or partake in Satan values (abortion, homosexuality and adultery and drunkenness).
Malachi 3:6 – For I am the Lord, I change not.
God does not make deals. God’s 10 Commandments is the deal. If you did not accept Christ as your personal savior and confess your sin and repent to him, when you die you will be taking the broad road to eternal separation from God in the everlasting hellfire where the worm dies not and the fire never quenched. You do not have to believe in it. It is still there and you still going if you do not accept Christ.
The conclusion is, the final decision belongs to God.
The Patriot Miguel Arrindell
Dear Editor,
Based on information provided by the St. Maarten Nature Foundation and recently published in the local media, researchers from the University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST) have discovered that several greenhouse gases are emitted when common plastics are degrading in the environment.
It has been reported by researchers that the plastic bag (polyethylene) is the most produced and discarded synthetic polymer on a global level and is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases into the global environment.
Greenhouse gases influence climate change which includes sea level rises, increase in global temperatures, stronger storms/hurricanes, flooding, drought, increased erosion, and the health of land and ocean ecosystems.
According to the Nature Foundation, single-use plastic bags, plastic items and Styrofoam are known to have negative consequences for the environment (organisms and ecosystems).
I commend those businesses that have taken the lead to reduce their single-use plastics and start to use reusable and biodegradable alternatives.
Countries around the world are taking measures to reduce their footprint on the environment and to do business in a sustainable manner.
I have taken recent note of Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams’ initiative draft law that has been submitted to the House of Parliament to ban single-use plastic bags by amending the General Police Ordinance.
Our country’s main industry is tourism. Our environment is one of the key selling points to visitors abroad. Our beaches and underwater ecosystem are part and parcel of our economy, and therefore, every effort must be made to not contribute to their degradation or destruction but create an eco-friendly destination.
Every individual has a responsibility to keep their environment clean. I read where more than 1,000 pounds of trash were removed from Mullet Bay Beach during the International Coastal Clean-up Day.
This shows that beach-goers must do better. Bag your garbage and take it back home is one way to keep our beaches clean for everyone to enjoy.
I applaud all efforts underway to reduce their footprint on our environment. There is much to be done, but we are on the right track and it always starts by taking the initiative and making that move and being consistent in keeping our environment clean on a daily basis.
Stuart Johnson
Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications (TEATT).
