Dear Editor,
You may keep your commitments to others, the one who is reliable always delivers and on time – integrity. However, you may not realize that you aren’t living in your truth.
Do you say “yes” when every part of you screams “no” with that heavy, nauseating feeling in your stomach? Oh, you must agree to all requests because you desperately want to maintain your “I’m a nice person image.”
Do you tell yourself that you will exercise, attend to that project, learn something new, clean the car, start saving or end a friendship, but you don’t? Do you play small because it makes someone else uncomfortable? You wouldn’t want others to think that you’re full of yourself or superior to others, right?!
Do you exaggerate or tell “white lies”?
Do you put up with abuse from your spouse, relative or other relations, because it’s too embarrassing to let anyone know that you don’t fully love yourself? Or are you the abuser who is the most charming person publicly, but you treat those closest to you with less than dignity and respect?
Do you preach that everyone is equal, yet you insult and demean others who are less fortunate than you?
These are all acts that are not aligned with your integrity.
You are merely one person with a unique personality. Don’t dishonour yourself by trying to please others while displeasing yourself. You cannot meet everyone’s desires. “No” is a full sentence; practice using it more often and you’ll be surprised by the reaction you’ll receive. Mature people will appreciate your honesty and will be inspired to do the same. As for the others who resent you, the people that mind don’t matter.
It’s believed that when you don’t honour your personal commitments the chakras, the energy system in your body, become out of alignment which causes dis-ease in the body (Eastern philosophy). You can remedy this right now by making a list of all the promises you made to yourself and execute them; you’ll experience immediate emotional relief and self-respect.
Don’t dim your talents, joy or experiences because others can’t handle your light. When you shine your light the brightest possible, you give others permission to do the same. Playing small is a terrible disservice to yourself and others. If others around you cannot handle your brightness, hand them a pair of sunglasses and find like-minded people to surround yourself with.
Exaggeration of accomplishments, possessions, associations etc., is an indicator that you feel that you are not enough. Recognize this false belief and choose to make peace with it as you shift to your truth. You are enough! Furthermore, you only perpetuate that false belief of “not enough” when you are recognized for an accomplishment that you acquired based on deceit.
Abuse occurs when people mistreat or misuse other people, showing no concern for their integrity or innate worth as individuals, and in a manner that degrades their well-being. Abusers frequently are interested in controlling their victims. They use abusive behaviour to manipulate their victims into submission or compliance with their will. Abuse is an act of violence and the perpetrator, nonetheless, a criminal.
Abuse can be verbal, psychological, emotional or physical, including the silent treatment. Yelling, obscene language, insults and other demeaning language, threats, withholding money or things, restricting another’s freedom, infidelity, hitting, manipulation, withholding information, control and the silent treatment are all forms of abuse.
The silent treatment is often overlooked but is nonetheless considered emotional abuse: The term “silent treatment” refers to when a person uses silence to convey their anger or grievance by ignoring or not speaking to the victim. Often used by narcissists, silence can be a form of emotional abuse and as such, is unacceptable. Often, the person giving the silent treatment does so because they want (consciously or unconsciously) their victim to feel unworthy, to appease them, or to feel guilty about something.
It’s important that you always seek help and always share with others what you’re experiencing. Silence is the weapon of the abuser. The tolerance of such a horrific act directly undermines your inherent feelings of worthiness, dignity and respect- self-esteem. A price too high to pay. No doubt this is an act of violence and the abuser a nonetheless criminal who also suffers from a poor self -image and a lack of self-respect. No healthy person mistreats others. By pretending that all is well, you are violating yourself, your integrity.
It is common to frown on discrimination of different sorts, but do you think less of someone who is less fortunate than yourself? You may offer assistance yet secretly scorn the receiver. Our egos make us believe that we are separate from others, superior or inferior, but the truth is, we are all connected. Treating and believing that everyone is equal to you will bring you into alignment with your integrity. Besides, what you do to another, you do to yourself.
Integrity isn’t merely the promises that you keep to others, but it’s also living in your truth; the dissonance is a betrayal of yourself. The worst act of violence is the one that you commit towards yourself. Begin to truly live in integrity. The most important relationship is the one that you have with yourself.

Carmelise Gittens
St. Eustatius

We heard from all them candidats

So today we determin their fate

by deciding which one

we send te parliament

That house where tis we

who pays the rent

Therefore we can pick

we own tennants

Pay their salaries

So they can do their

Duties

which is serving we the people

But fo we te do Dat

Man and Woman

We must stop sitting on

we hands

Come out ah we hold

And go to the poll

22 Thousand voters strong

How could we go wrong

And outright majority

Or ah strong correlation

will guarantee stability

But a solide minority

will insure integrity

So we the people most

importantly

can get back to what matter

most te we

That is living we life HAPPILY

Raymond Helligar aka “Big Ray”

Dear Editor,

Mr. Gates, it’s that time of the year again and I must say, boy, is it interesting! They have become more creative but if you have a good collection of their words you will find out that they all basically say the same thing but through different microphones. Some political rallies sound like a screaming contest. Gosh! My ears still hurt from last night.

Those who believe in the power of redundancy ensure that these same people or their younger version are elected every year either for sex, job, land, promotions, association purposes, family ties or for a few dollars. That doesn’t mean that there are no legitimate voters, you have to first of all, find and then count them. They should be about a handful.

When you decide to visit our beautiful paradise realize that to survive, there are rules that you must adhere to. Trust me, you will thank me later. If you don’t adhere to these rules, you might be on your way to the steep hillside in no time. My car is in such a terrible mess that going up that hill could be catastrophic.

Please take into consideration that we just had a hurricane and things are very slow especially in relation to obtaining documents from government offices but elections are always on a speed dial! Everything is possible at that time! The best time to visit is during elections and please come with a camera because that’s the only time you will see or hear from our politicians.

When you have decided to visit our very friendly Island, do take note of the following:

Remember to take a ferry from the port to town after your arrival because the roads aren’t friendly.

If you are a lover of fast food, be informed that Mac has gone to visit Donald and he won’t be returning any time soon. Do eat in your galley before boarding the ferry.

Be informed that most stores on Front Street were attracted to the hood after the hurricane and they got their “Robin”. Most of them are still recovering from the hood hugs. Do not expect to be impressed.

If you decide to shop at the supermarket, please stay away from those that care for the four only. Visit the one that the Minister of health has approved genetically.

Do not voice your negative opinion about the government publicly, you will be fired!

The chicken and johnny cake on the Island are the best around carnival season but their taste may differ when the “dump fire” starts.

Remember that health is wealth! Have your safety gear including your mask ready for when you visit the government building especially when there is a “burn fire” at the dump.

If you need any land all hope is lost because Robin only gives to the hood and you don’t stand a chance neither do I, even as a local. It is meant for those “special loyal locals.”

If you plan to apply for a business license, well I wish you all the best. You might have to pray about that and I will pray with you also, if we are lucky, you may get it after about a year. Remember it’s a slow season, it may require more time.

Expect the rude attitude from some government staff because they are under a lot of pressure from seemingly inconsiderate locals.

Do not attend election rallies unless you are hungry. The grey guys would give you free food and drinks. They won’t force their mission statement down your throat. At least they will allow you to eat in peace.

Don’t forget to visit Colombia in case you have a headache, it’s faster than visiting our Medical Center. They may be out of a bed by the time your headache starts. Oh, I forgot, the contract has been awarded and our “able and capable” is once again in charge of it.

If you get picked up by immigration due to overstay, relax and chill out in jail, they will release you in about a few weeks and you will be free again.

Do not attempt to pay your bills, you will regret it due to endless queues.

Above all, relax and thank God for life because another hurricane season would be here soon but that doesn’t matter because as usual the government has a very good plan and God is in control. As if He was out of control when Irma hit.

Wake up St. Maarten!

Cecil A. Scott

Dear Editor,

As a candidate in the upcoming election, I have observed how political candidates continue to mislead the people in great attempts just to gain political mileage. The latter is evidently the case from the article written by Fe Fernandez, in which he alluded that Air Lekkerbek’s choice to close their business was because of a decision that was taken by the government to reallocate land to the Chamber of Commerce. The article was filled with baseless innuendos and illusions. What was even more disturbing in this shameful report was that the person in question went as far as to levy allegations against my person.  

I have been a member of the Rotary Club of St Maarten Sunrise for more than 15 years. Air Lekkerbek Restaurant was the location where we hosted our weekly breakfast meetings up until 2016. Because this was the venue for our weekly meeting, I got acquainted with Mr. Fe Hernandez.

The Hernandez family at one time informed me that they requested the property on which their business was established and received a “deed” from the then Minister of VROMI, William Marlin.  When inspecting the documents that were in their possession it was revealed that what was given to them was only a Ministerial decree. Fact remains that a ministerial decree does not give ownership to a property without having the cadastral certificate of admeasurement and the deed for the property.

When realizing that the family did not have the documents mentioned, I quickly explained to them the process involved to have the property transferred. Anyone who knows me knows that I operate in a professional, fair and just manner.

So, to the persons who maliciously continue to misinform the people for political propaganda, allow me to educate you on the situation surrounding the ring road and related developments.

The ring road has always been part of a complete comprehensive development and as such anyone (business or otherwise) being issued land (in long-lease) must present plans that are in accordance with this development.  This was one of the conditions revealed to the Chamber of Commerce at the time when the Economic Service Center was being discussed with the government. It was with these conditions in mind that the Chamber of Commerce was able to acquire land. In addition, what was discussed with regard to the Chamber land was that the boundary of the property would not encroach on the property where Air Lekkerbek was situated.

Therefore, when a former Minister(s) feel that they can issue parcels of land on the ring road carelessly; without taking the overall development into consideration, is a blatant and irresponsible attempt to fool the people.

  The Hernandez family have been clearly misinformed and led to believe otherwise. It is very sad when persons are used as “puppets” for political rhetoric. It is even sadder when our political leaders for political gains blatantly aid in spreading propaganda that is untrue. Mr. Christophe Emmanuel and Mr. William Marlin should be ashamed of themselves for misleading people to believe that they have been given something; all the while making sure that they remain ill-informed and unaware about the proper procedures. 

Time should be spent on explaining and educating the public on what has been government’s plans for the development of this area. It is unfortunate, to say the least that efforts are being made to thwart these plans into what may seem like a political freak show.

As I have said before, this type of decorum is not becoming of persons seeking higher and honorable office in my country.  I know that St. Maarten and its people deserve better representation than this and you will get the representation you deserve very soon!

Member of Parliament Claret Connor