Dear Editor,
There was an interesting article in the paper yesterday concerning the observation by the police that “people are more violent than normal” since the storm and somehow this is surprising. This was followed up with some psycho-babble from the police psychologist who attributes all this to some mysterious transformation that occurs in the event of stress or disaster.
Really? Is it all that complicated and mysterious? I don’t think so. You fundamentally have two groups of people in this world. There are those that believe in the rule of law and decency and those that don’t. There is nothing you can do about those that don’t except, perhaps tie cement blocks to their feet and drop them in the ocean.
For the rest of us we have the police and the judicial system to rely on for our safety. So what happens when the police and judicial system abdicate their responsibility to protect the law-abiding and responsible citizen? Then the citizen is charged with the simple responsibility to protect themselves using any and all means possible.
If a person is drowning and the lifeguard if off having drinks with his girlfriend does the person just say, “Oh well, I guess that’s it” and just drown? No, they fight for their life. And with all due respect to the police and their psychologist, that’s what people are doing now. They are fighting for their lives, often with no support or response from police or anyone in authority.
An example, if I may. Several weeks ago I had occasion to have several young punk looters trying to gain entry to my property. The dogs held them at bay but in the meantime I called 911. In a nutshell I described the situation as one of imminent danger to the operator. She said police were “just up the street.” No one ever responded even after a second and third call. Fortunately, a neighbor came home and changed the odds and the thieves fled, but hung around for a long time at some distance and still there was no police response.
So what does that lead me to believe? Simple. It tells me in no uncertain terms that I and thousands like me are on our own and that the next time they show up I won’t waste any time calling 911. I will respond myself with all available force no matter how badly off that leaves the looters. There will be no mercy or measured response. If they come again then they come at their own risk.
And that, Ms. Veltman, is not some deep and mysterious psychological change that takes over people and makes them more aggressive. It is a simple proactive self-defense mechanism that people adopt that keeps them from becoming victims when the law fails to protect them.
Do I think the police are doing a bad job? Good question. All I have are my observations before, during and after the storm. How many police uniforms did I see when I watched 1,000 people loot the Great Bay Hotel for days until there was nothing left? None. It wasn’t until well after all the damage was done weeks later that the first officers showed up and chased people away ... for 10 minutes.
The first officers I actually saw doing police work were road controls checking for tinted windows ... a well-known and critically important function after a natural disaster and resulting humanitarian crisis.
During the LA riots some years ago there was lots of TV footage of whole city blocks of looted and burned buildings. Interestingly there were small groups of properties left untouched. Why? Because the owners of those properties (primarily Vietnamese immigrants) had stood guard with shotguns and M-16s and the looters knew that going there would be a very very bad idea. And they were right.
Ms. Veltman, I suggest to you that it is not the citizens that need a psychological makeover but more likely those charged with the responsibility to protect them. Those who were supposed to run towards the gunfire because that was their job instead of heading in the other direction with their eyes closed.
Steven Johnson
Dear Editor,
The conversation on Sint Maarten in respect of recovery from Hurricane Irma seems to focus on personal resilience, community togetherness and a positive spirit. Whilst not wishing to undervalue these aspects of society, there is a distinct lack of attention to what makes the island’s economy function and life remain sustainable.
There is only one crucial question that needs to be answered if we are to minimize the inevitable pain and suffering that will result from economic decline. That question is how do we get the resources and capital in the economy functioning as best as possible, as fast as possible? That is largely a technical economic question that requires to be attended to, at least in some part by the government, ideally in collaboration with the private sector.
The most recent coalition made it abundantly clear that it was not a question that they were particularly interested in. They had never paid much attention in spite of appointing Ministers who had the task in name. The new short-term majority is clearly more interested in the subject but who knows who will be taking on the enormous responsibility after the February election?
In order to get the economy growing, those entities which drive the economy must be in place and functioning. Without hotels, for instance, the airport will not be profitable. Without tourists the restaurants will not be profitable. Without tourists, taxis will have no business. Without taxis having revenues, the supermarkets will be making less money. With nobody making money the government gets much less. These are called linkages.
In order to get the economy growing as fast as possible, someone needs to understand the linkages described. This party needs to not only have authority and government power but they must have the foresight to focus on the most strategic linkages in place of a focus that will only bring in votes in the short term.
If that party is the UPP or DP then we can at least be sure that they have an interest and familiarity with how the economy works, something that was not evident from the ministers appointed in the last coalition.
At the same time it must be noted that the challenge post Irma is significantly different to any challenge that any of the UPP or DP leaders have faced before. The reduction in functioning productive elements in country Sint Maarten is significantly less than was the case post Luis. The cost of running the public sector is significantly greater, especially since the advent of the constitutional status of 10-10-10. The deficit that will be accumulated in the long decision-less period since hurricane Irma and the beginning of a possible new coalition period will be substantial.
There is a great need for an economic policy that is driven by strong understanding of the calamity economy and considerable courage to match the tough circumstances.
What happens if the economy does not come back ? This is a significant possibility.
Here are some factors that will play on this scenario:
*The longer decision-making operates slowly the greater the chance of ultimate return to full production of the economy exists.
* Unless Dutch funding is aimed directly at getting the productive activity going, the less chance of it ever getting there.
* The CFT is going to be confronted with an impossible situation.
* When Country Sint Maarten runs out of money in say 2 years’ time it is still only going to be the Dutch that we will be able to turn to.
* Whilst the Dutch have now leveraged their position in law and order issues, at this later date they will exercise it in economic management issues.
* At this later date SXM will be even less in a position to reject Dutch demands.
Robbie Ferron
Dear Editor,
We can claim some kind of return to normalcy with the news of a formation of a new cabinet. At long last the face of government is not the two old horses who seem to willingly swap the leadership role.
It also gives some sense of pride to know that we have something the Dutch can learn from. It took us just two weeks to reach a governing agreement and we have to go to screening. Shouldn’t those super civil servants who are to give advice you can’t refuse also be required to go through the same screening? I am just asking, for when you follow the news the Dutch are also laden with corruption and corrupt practices.
Those members of parliament who were convinced that the solution was only to blindly sign on the dotted line can now sit back and watch the money flood in for the reconstruction. Some of us, though, won’t hold our collective breaths as we can still remember the commitments to the late PM Pourier that never materialized or the debt relief we never got. Added to that, while these conditions were set there is still no information on what part is loan and what is aid.
If we review the folly of our leaders who pushed for a status that remains nothing but problematic and slanted in favor of the colonial master. Today we enjoy less than half of the autonomy we once had and besides the benevolent Dutch insist on dictating how we spend our budget and what we do with our NVs, which by the way they have no input in.
Daily we have more control mechanisms than any other island on earth, starting with a governor, a Dutch representative whatever that is, a CFT, Dutch border agents, Customs and a reconstruction committee to secure their money, as they put it. The only missing element is Mr. Plasterk’s insistence that St. Maarten starts to look more like the Kingdom, so I guess more positions will be created to flood the civil service, while KLM will overload us with the loving European Dutch who all of a sudden want to relocate here.
Sorry if I am pessimistic but seems like we have been here before.
And for all you disrespectful outsiders who think you have some right to accost our elected officials, I will be at the airport when the Dutch border control ship you out. It won’t be long now. If St. Eustatius and Bonaire are any examples, we now know that all top positions must be held by a European.
In any case I do wish the new administration well for the sake of country and people; however, I foresee a difficult and tumultuous two years ahead. This promise might be our undoing as a people though I hope I am wrong.
God bless our leaders and bless St. Maarten. We truly need divine intervention.
Elton Jones
Dear Editor,
Most people call me “Shenel.” I am a proud daughter of sweet St. Maarten and was raised in Dutch Quarter. I am the fifth of seven kids and was raised in a joyfully large and close-knit family, where individuality and self-expression were encouraged.
Growing up, my mother taught me the true meaning of diligence. She is easy-going, but takes every task seriously. To most, she is known as Mrs. Browne for 23 years at the Marie G. de Weever School. My father, now a pensioner, has given 26 years of service in the Ministry of VROMI, and like many of us, has contributed to the growth of St. Maarten. He taught me dedication to societal responsibilities.
My parents instilled in me solid norms and values such as honesty, respect for everyone and resiliency and I live by these to this day.
After graduating from the Dr. Martin Luther King School in 1998 I went to the Sundial School. At the time there was a stigma surrounding the school: that nothing “good” comes from it. But like many graduates then and now, this stigma has proven not to be true. I was determined to work hard and prove that I was capable of much more than just what my grades showed at the time. Hard work and effort made me eligible for consideration to transfer to the M.P.C (Milton Peters College). But just as life hits you a curve ball, another student was chosen over me.
Nevertheless, I continued to push. I studied Basic Health and kept busy with various school activities. I also got the opportunity to follow a Jaycees Training Course. Some years later I took part in the 5th annual interscholastic Talent Show and came in 2nd in the Speech Division. After graduating in 2002 from the Sundial School I went to Curaçao and later to the Netherlands to pursue my studies in nursing, where I graduated as a LPN (Licensed Practical Nurse). During my studies, I worked part-time to make extra money. Most can agree that having a side job during one’s studies is KEY! Being dependent on only study financing does not suffice. My side jobs included cleaning office buildings, working at the post office, call centers and care institutions. No job was too little or too great!
Having graduated in 2010 as a Medical Assistant, I was ready for the job market. I attended the Fred Expo in the Netherlands where the need for young professionals was expressed. Students were encouraged to return to Sint Maarten to serve in various areas. I got the opportunity to return home and serve my country with the skills obtained abroad.
I started my career in Sint Maarten as a Youth Health Care Nurse in the Ministry of Health, then moved to medical assistant and now I am a project leader in the field of health care at SZV.
I am sure that many young professionals would agree with me that it is amazing to be back home, especially with the intent to give back to the island and assist with the further development of the country.
Like many young individuals, I too had to cope with the “culture shock “of being back home and the challenges of overcoming this shock while staying focused on my goals. Some of these challenges that I faced as a young adult were being able to take care of myself, the high cost of living, housing and transportation and career opportunities. However, despite these challenges I stayed focus, worked hard and refused to give up. This is how I managed to persevere. To achieve your dreams it takes a level of determination, focus and drive.
Having been approached to participate in St. Maarten’s 2018 election and to be part of the Sint Maarten Christian Party (SMCP), I quickly realized that this was an opportunity for me to bring that level of determination, focus and drive to bear championing change in Sint Maarten.
As a millennial, I believe that it is time for our generation to become involved in the reconstruction of the country and in developing a long-term vision for our people. Why the Sint Maarten Christian Party you might ask? That’s quite simple! The Party is built on a strong foundation called Principles! It is a party with a distinct ideology as well as a clear vision for St. Maarten and the people easily understand the Party’s principles and vision. I believe that the party offers me the opportunity to effect change in Sint Maarten. I feel a change coming, which is why I am determined to serve my country and my people, for Change!
Shenella Browne
SMCP Candidate
Dear Editor,
I wish to thank the people who erected the tamarind tree on Union Road in Cole Bay.
This was the greatest gift I got for my birthday. This tree and the house it demolished had a lot of history for St. Maarten.
Under the branches it housed the first school in Cole Bay; it also housed the first open market.
People from all over sold their products and vegetables under the tamarind tree.
So I say: Many thanks and God’s blessings.
Felicita Lewis
