Dear Editor,

The Dutch is feeling great of the progress that St. Maarten is doing which can be a very good example for all the rest of Dutch Caribbean Island citizens.

Many are waiting for the new government to get in to govern and put the recovery plans in full action.

Our Prime Minister Leona Marlin is performing very well.

I just hope St. Maarten historians are not sleeping, because there's a lot of things to write about.

Although the Dutch made a 45-degree-turn since the last election (February/26^th/2018) it will be sad if they leave without parliamentarians bringing down their salary and help us the St. Maarten [people – Ed.] with a small claim court.

As long [as – Ed.] parliamentarians bring down their salary they can use this money to build proper hurricane shelters and buy wheelchairs for the pensioners and even pay the small claim court for employees.

Cuthbert Bannis

Dear Mr. Marlin,

I felt the need to put pen to paper and offer a little advice to the National Alliance and in particular to you, Mr. William Marlin. A man I respect and have voted for because you stand strong and I didn’t like how they tried to destroy you. There are rumors out there that the United Democrats is sitting with the Alliance as well in the talks to form government. As a supporter of the Alliance I’m sorry, but I have a serious issue with this. And I’ll remind you why.

This island nation of ours is taking longer to get on the economic recovery road due in part to the fact that the UD broke government. No matter how people try to dress it up, every fire starts with a spark. And that spark was the now defunct DP and UP along with Brownbill throwing down government in the aftermath of a hurricane.

They got to that point by painting you Mr. Marlin, as the worst public servant this country has ever seen, despite a career of 30-plus years of achievements. They called you AND the National Alliance every name in the book. You were a liar, a manipulator, undeserving of being the PM, not worthy to be called honorable, and on and on.

The venom that was spewed your way culminated in them firing you not once, but TWICE! It was a clear attempt to destroy you personally, not just politically, at the behest of the Dutch. The same UD then turned to Christophe Emmanuel and called him even worse names. They hold a personal disdain for you and the National Alliance.

Please explain to me HOW you expect your base to accept any partnership with a group of people who just tried to destroy the leader who has guided the Alliance to prominence. How can I? These people do not change. They will actively try to undermine you and yours and try to destroy their biggest threat (Alliance) from within.

There are times when you simply have to say “no” and grow a spine. Mr. Marlin, more than ever SXM needs a strong opposition to keep people in check. You can also effect change from the opposition benches. You can do work for our people from right there. But I beg you, Do NOT form with a group of people who visibly hate you and through their actions despise you and yours even more.

A proud supporter

Name withheld at author's request.

Minister of VROMI [Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure – Ed.] you have been talking about home repairs and roofs. It has been seven months since Hurricane Irma hit St. Maarten and many are still without proper roofs or any at all. Have you ever thought about Middle Region, where there are persons still without roofs?
There are persons who have lived in homes for almost 30 years and honestly paid their rent, yet their landlords can’t cover their homes. Some of the landlords have been giving their tenants stories upon stories and have not been doing anything to fix the situation. I think that it’s a shame, they are playing games and should be held responsible.
I refuse to believe or accept that they can’t afford to cover the homes of the tenants. Where has the rent money for the past 25 to 30 years gone? These landlords should be exposed because it is unfair for them to be living comfortably, while their tenants are still waiting to get back to their normal lives.

Name withheld at author's request.

Dear Editor,
Since the State of France discovered the island with the 1986 Law of Defiscalization, Saint-Martin has been rapidly going down the drain. The entire island was baptized the “Friendly island” by the first tourists visiting here during the 1960s. “Friendly,” because the islanders were hospitable and pleasant.