Dear Editor,

I googled "team player" and the explanation is an individual who actively involves him/herself in a group to realize its goal. It does not say "actively and blindly". This concerns the Council of Ministers.

So, my question is what was the reason and objective for forming this team (picking these players)? Did not these players take an oath? Was it to serve the players of the team only and not include those persons who were instrumental in making it possible for them to be able to become members of that team? So why should we be surprised when there are consistently investigations going on around and about those teams.

This brings me back to many years ago, when I started to openly voice my opinion in the paper. I was approached by a member of one of the then existing political parties to become a member of the party. When I told him that that was not my ambition, he told me that he would still bring my name forward in their meetings. When I ran into him some time later, I asked him about his suggestion. He said to me, "Boy I didn't know that's the way things does go. When I talk to them about you they tell me no, not you. You too straight. You 'n a team player."

So I was never really surprised with all that happened politically since10-10-'10. I believe that even kindergarteners know what happens when one puts the mouse to mind the cheese.

I will try to open some minds and eyes by stating the following. I started as what was then called an alter boy when I was seven years old. I have served for a whole lot of funeral services. I have also attended many, many funerals in different churches. Up now I have not seen any money in a casket. An observation I have consistently made is: if leaders of government are convinced that they need plenty money to live adequately, should not they also think the same is necessary for the people who made it possible for them to get where they are?

A retired colleague of mine who lives on one of the other islands mentioned that the Dutch are copying from Sint Maarten. I told him for me that is not a laughing matter. That might become an excuse for them not to comply. I am not an insider, but I know what happens when confusion starts to straighten out.

Russell A. Simmons

Dear Fernando Clerk and Christophe Emmanuel,

We often listen to your programmes on SOS radio every Tuesday night. But you both, Fernando and Christophe, must give Mark a chance to talk, allow him to inform the people too, of what is going on here politically.

You, Christophe, should allow Mark to express himself, educate the people. And you, Christophe, must let Fernando close the programmes.

Be more constructive.

Cuthbert Bannis

Dear Editor,

The need for tax reform in St. Maarten is undeniable. With a fragile economy, limited revenue streams, and increasing reliance on external funding, a fairer and more stable tax system is not a luxury but a necessity. However, the current approach risks doing more harm than good. The recent proposal by former Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion is a stark example: a narrow reform of the profit tax, without an integrated plan for the broader fiscal framework.

This piecemeal approach is not only ineffective – it is potentially damaging. A tax system is an interconnected structure. Altering one component, such as the profit tax, without accounting for its impact on other taxes – like income tax, wage tax, turnover tax, and social security premiums – can lead to unintended consequences. These may include shifting tax burdens, forcing entrepreneurs to abandon income tax status in favor of costly legal entities, and creating legal inequality.

Moreover, St. Maarten lacks – with all due respect – the institutional resilience to continuously implement ad hoc reforms. The Tax Administration has long struggled with capacity issues, compliance rates are low, and public trust in government institutions is fragile. Any new fiscal instrument must be not only economically sound but also administratively feasible and socially legitimate.

Reforming the profit tax in isolation, as suggested by Minister Irion, without parallel changes to the income tax, for example, could even backfire. In a small, open economy like St. Maarten, businesses are highly sensitive to tax burdens. A standalone adjustment to the profit tax could discourage investment without achieving a fairer distribution of the tax load.

What St. Maarten truly needs, in my opinion, is a coherent fiscal policy plan with clear goals: broaden the tax base, reduce the informal economy, improve compliance, and support economic growth. This requires transparent consultations with the private sector, the people of St. Maarten, and international partners – not quick fixes driven by political or financial pressure.

A solid, inclusive, and integrated fiscal strategy is no easy feat – but it is the only path to sustainable public finances. Quick patchwork measures like Minister Irion’s proposal may earn short-term political points, but they risk undermining the larger goal: building a fair and future-proof tax system for St. Maarten.

That said, the intent behind Minister Irion’s initiative – to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and modernize parts of the tax legislation – is commendable. It reflects a willingness to tackle long-standing issues and a recognition that reform is overdue.

Now, what is needed is to channel that momentum into a broader, more coordinated reform effort – one that strengthens the entire fiscal foundation of Sint Maarten and serves all citizens equitably and sustainably.

Marco Aalbers

Former Tax Inspector on St. Maarten and active in the Caribbean in the field of tax law education.

Dear Editor,

It takes a professional to know when to pause and evaluate the critical issues of her domain, in order to determine how to move forward from a point of reference – a set of criteria that values inclusion and appreciation – a system that further facilitates the needs of not just the personnel within her ministry, but the entire community.

The elucidation by Justice Minster Nathalie Tackling on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, parliamentary meeting cemented this momentous change to the landscape of government. Her vision and efficient coordination allowed her to navigate the ministry into a centralized system – a template that demands clarity, accountability, efficiency, consistency and impartiality.

Repeatedly, the population has seen government officials in positions of leadership, and all they care about is their salary and a glamourous lifestyle – a practice that hardly, or does not include the wellbeing of the people. Finally, the community has witnessed a shift in governance, where a new course has been determined to reinstitute trust and dependability, as a means to empower the society.

Minister Tackling, because you have a genuine commitment to the issues that matter, there wasn’t any need for you to calibrate the truth. It is a fact that whatever is rooted inside of a person will emerge eventually. It’s just a matter of situation and time before this innate quality comes out. Just as accurate is that “Discipline isn’t about what’s convenient. It’s about what’s right, even when it’s not easy.”

As challenging as the situation may be, “Every disappointment is a blessing in disguise.” Case in point: When you mentioned that the primary employee who was responsible for handling the National Decrees left, there was a void that stagnated the ministry for a while; but her departure has allowed you to examine the complexity of the system, to bring it into alignment, for effective management.

I applaud the idea to make the process of the National Decrees inclusive, to lessen the mistakes. However, 30 days seem quite a long time to raise an objection, because if the entire consignment or a great portion of it needs to be revisited, then the process crawls again, and depending on the severity of the objections, it will create severe discontent. Perhaps I0 days is a more reasonable time to oppose the findings of the decrees.

It also takes a professional to understand the limitations within one’s ministry and at the same time, be humble enough to seek an alternative that would remedy the situation, in a very efficient way. So, I support the initiative to include the accounting body in government to speed up the process. It further demonstrates humility and your commitment to finalize this long awaited commission.

During this assessment and reconstruction process, the blessing in disguise gave you the opportunity to discover that there are four different payrolls, which is often confusing to several justice personnel, because their personal information are scattered over the various payrolls. With the professional assistance of the accounting body, this centralized payroll system will come to fruition and be utilized as a point of reference.

It was such a proud moment to see how you were able to speak from a place of knowledge, instead of shuffling through lots of papers and eyes glued to the computer. Even when additional questions were posed or requests for clarification, you responded with simplicity and wisdom, while you maintained that elevated level of communication.

Minister Tackling, you have gradually lifted the veil of several practices that have stagnated the growth of the Justice Ministry. However, it is imperative that you stay disciplined, no matter how difficult the journey ahead may appear to be. Therefore, continue to guard the dignity of your legacy, as you proceed to reinforce trust within your ministry and the community.

Joslyn Morton