Dear Editor:
I understand it’s in the heart of an election and some political parties would try to put others into a bad light for their own political gain. When I saw a letter from Fe Hernandez-Liburd of trying to destroy our local companies I wasn't surprised by the content of the letter trying to discredit two former Ministers.
The matter was discussed with Hernandez on several occasions that Air Lekkerbek is located in the area needed for a future round-about (information from the Department of New Works). At first a parcel of government land was offered to her a little bit further from the location of Air Lekkerbek according to her request.
I wanted to establish a commercial center (Economic Service Center) close to the location of Air Lekkerbek, with one entity to manage it. It was proposed to Hernandez that Air Lekkerbek would have a space within this building instead of a separate location.
Hernandez agreed to that and her company, Presella Enterprises N.V., was included in the advice for the commercial center which was to be managed by the Chamber.
If it is one Minister for promoting local entrepreneurship, it is Maurice Lake. Tell me of one other Minister who has created and helped other local businesses than myself during my tenure?
I don't want to get into political games. I just want to focus on my main objective for this election which is building back St. Maarten and putting our people back on their feet by creating jobs, housing for our people and seniors.
Maurice Lake
Dear Editor,
National Alliance has proven that they cannot govern this country and Hurricanes Irma and Maria have completely exposed this reality. What is bothersome is that the former Prime Minister William Marlin has never apologised to the people for his misrepresentation and none of his members sees it fit to for him to do so either.
Instead, they joined in the chorus of lies, thinking that everybody will forget what they have experienced after the devastating storms. Up today, I and many others are still without basic needs. Imagine, 6 months later, this is still possible? But who cares? No matter how NA tries to put a spin on everything, they have failed! Who needs more of this incompetence?
NA has put the country in such disarray and they have the guts to ask for an extension to do more experiment. There is no time for an apprentice government. The country needs professionals with leadership, managerial and educational skills; persons who are decisive, have vision and empathy for the community.
The country does not need a repeat of the hardships that NIPA and USM were forced to endure due to this hands-off approach of a former minister, who is consumed with being popular, but lacks the vision to govern. Up to today, teachers are under enormous stress with long hours and no roofs, yet they were obligated to return to school without psychological and financial help. How inhumane and unfair!
So often, NA makes reference to how the Dutch viewed them during the formation of the red, white and blue coalition. At present, that perception is totally opposite and they want to know why? How about starting with some self-examination? This is a party that has accused UP and DP of ill practices but they went in government and did worse.
A party that is boastful about all their ministers passing the screening should be honest with the people as to why they couldn’t continue with the red, blue and white coalition immediately after the 2016 elections. Then they should demonstrate integrity, when they broke off their relationship with UP and didn’t have the courtesy to inform this community.
This so-called screening: Is it a fair measuring tool or even manned by persons of integrity? It was clear to see that the recent screening process was deliberately delayed to sabotage the developments that lead up to elections. To bring more balance, the screening should start with one’s reputation, first and foremost.
The country is in limbo and it requires professionals, who understand how important it is to revitalise the economy as quickly as possible!
Joslyn Morton
Dear Editor,
The St. Maarten Guyanese Association (SMGA) would like to express warm wishes and congratulations to all Guyanese living in our adopted homeland a Happy Republic Day, which is celebrated each year on February 23.
It has been 48 years since our country attained the status of a "Republic" and despite the fact that we are living away from our homeland and have established new lives on the “Friendly Island” of St. Maarten, let us not forget from whence we came – for a people who know where they came from would always be appreciative of where they are today and what they have to offer.
Guyanese who have chosen St. Maarten as their home understand this and will continue to build this fledgling island-nation, as it is now our home. But in all of this, let us take time to reflect on what led us to leave our homeland and wish those left behind strength and wisdom to fulfill the dreams our political forefathers had when they fought for colonial independence from Britain.
As we reflect on the underpinning principles of our republican status, it is important that we continue in the spirit of cooperation upon which our country was founded. We have a lot to offer our St. Maarten counterparts and together we can build a successful nation here as we pool our myriad of skills, whether in the fields of education, health, construction engineering, or entrepreneurship.
We, the St. Maarten Guyanese community, believe that as St. Maarten prepares for a new political future this coming week, it is imperative that we become one people, one nation, striving for one destiny, in order to realize the island's motto, "Semper pro grediens" (Always for progressing).
St. Maarten Guyanese Association (SMGA)
Dear Editor,
We are now just days away from another snap Parliamentary election and while for some it is crucial others view it as just another campaign of empty clichés and platitudes. On every street corner we continue to hear the refrain, “What’s the point? Voting makes no difference.”
The inherent messiness, incivility and dishonesty often attached to election season does not help.
At times, we are tempted to despair, wondering if the politicians and the programs offered are even worth engaging. Perhaps it’s better to simply sit out an election, some have concluded.
Some people, based on past experiences, have a right to be dubious and apathetic but every eligible person should vote and not be hopelessly indifferent to the value of our democracy.
We should vote out of love for neighbor. While we face the temptation to withdraw into ourselves and disengage from the world around us we must be mindful that we are called to live out our mission in our communities and in our country.
Jesus told us that we should love our neighbor as ourselves – how can we love our neighbor, how can we seek the welfare of our communities, if we abdicate the opportunity to choose the people who lead us? How can we love our neighbor if we ignore the policies and structures that affect him?
Voting is a way of telling our neighbors that we too are committed to a vision of the better life and promote the common good in our country. This simple yet sacred exercise can lead to cultivating a just and merciful society.
Secondly, we should vote because God has blessed us with this ability for which we will be held accountable. We can all agree that the system is flawed and requires reform post-haste. However, in Romans 13, Paul reminds us that all civil authority is granted by God (Rom. 13:1-7).
This power to vote – is a gift from God. Not only will government be held accountable for the way they rule – those who vote are also held accountable for the choices they make or didn’t make come election time.
In some ways this then helps us not to be so invested in a candidate or party that we lose heart. We therefore vote not because of their promises of pie in the sky but to fulfill our God-given requirement.
Thirdly, we should vote to give voice to the vulnerable. On some issues, a vote for or against a particular candidate can be a vote for or against human dignity. It is a way for us to speak out for the powerless on issues that elevate their worth and dignity in our society.
It was Jesus who commanded us to stand in the gap for the widows and orphans; that is, the marginalized of our society. We do so when we vote for policies, programs and politicians who hear their cry and seek to institute corrective measures.
We should never renounce or underestimate our power to influence government. Every vote counts. We must see our efforts from a communal perspective, individually it might seem insignificant yet combined our vote can have a staggering impact in this country we call home.
“One of the penalties of refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors.” – PLATO
Every voter should exercise their right to cast a vote in this election. Our forefathers fought valiantly, some even died to establish this right to be heard, to have a say in social, political and economic matters and to leave the best government for future generations.
Go out and vote.
St. Maarten/St. Martin Christian Council
Dear Editor,
We are giving the United Democrats a positive chance to win this coming election February 26, 2018, with 11 seats.
We are fed up having coalition government all the time. lt is the DP party, UP party, United Democrats party candidates, investors and its supporters that developed St Maarten (just remember).
And our expectations are very high with great rewards from Theo, Sarah, Franky, Brownbill, Leona, Cornelius, and all the candidates on United Democrats party list.
Theo said he needs politicians that are willing and can work with him to get the laws changed and uplift our citizens’ standard of life.
He also said he has great confidence in his team that is on the candidates list.
The French side is wishing Theo wins the election with a full majority which they believe will help French St Martin.
Cuthbert Bannis
