Dear Editor,

  From 2011 ’til 2017 I visited Saint Dominic High. Every year one week in November. I am Niek Bogaard, coordinator of internationalization of Comenius College, Capelle aan den IJssel in The Netherlands.

Dear Editor,

  The Government Administration building has been at the centre of attention again for more reasons than one. Not in the least because of the recent ceremonial change of the political/ Ministerial ‘guards’ at the helm of the decision-making process of our Island.

However, there is an equally serious issue simmering in the midst of all the political turmoil. The issue is the feeling of helplessness, loss of respect, impatience and uncivil behaviour towards our fellow citizens.  This behaviour is unacceptable.

  Prior to hurricane Irma, our government service, especially in regard to the census office sectors, ‘ burger zaken’, has been under pressure to provide basic and in reasonable time documents such as driver’s license, ID cards, passports, excerpts from the civil registry etc.’ Waiting time up to three months or longer, due to faulty machinery, or system malfunctions has been known for quite some time.  It’s perfectly understandable that temporary measures must be taken in the aftermath of an extreme natural disaster to ensure that a basic level of service is continued. 

  The public service centre in Simpson Bay is still closed while offices are being repaired. Most government services are now centred at the government administration building in Philipsburg, including the extra assistance provided to those who deserve help most, by the social welfare department. The location is understandably packed, especially in the morning hours. Consideration should be given in regard to the latter, to assist these persons, in their own districts, from the offices of the community councils.

  To be clear and fair, there are those civil servants who are courteous and professional in performing their daily duties at the government administration offices and at other buildings, including security personnel.

  Given the negative experiences by numerous visitors who were (are) subjected to unfriendly and downright rude employees, clearly there is an urgent need for someone in authority to step in, step up and improve the manner in which people are addressed. The experiences are too many and too often.

   Adding insult after injury (homes, destroyed, jobs lost, etc.,) and being subjected to unruly behaviour is simply unacceptable.  This must never become the new norm. Immediate attention is required by those administrators who are charged with this supervision, to improve or rectify what should be better.

  We must ensure that a decent level of service continues to be provided. Service that includes, but is not limited to phones being answered, when numbers are given by the civil registry department to make an appointment to pick up documents. The hours when visitors can ‘walk in’ without appointment (now from 8:30- 10:00 am) is expanded back to ‘normal’ working hours as soon as possible. Most importantly, ensure that personnel working at the front offices remain calm and professional when addressing their clients at all times.  

  We must be mindful of the very stress full situation thousands of our citizens are under in the aftermath of the devastation of hurricane Irma. We must never allow our friendliness, humbleness, and our servitude be replaced with animosity towards our fellow citizens. As we move slowly forward towards recovery and building a smarter and stronger foundation of our nation, now more than ever, requires leadership, empathy and civility in dealing with the people’s business

Gracita Arrindell

President, People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA)

Dear Editor,

  I just got back from having a long listen to the disillusioned postal workers, among whom are several of my former colleagues. I was a teenager when I started working for the postal service and have watched a lot of my colleagues grow from teenagers to grey-haired middle-aged adults. I daily spent more hours there than at home with my family. Postal workers therefore have a special place in my heart, even the many “new” faces I don't know.

  When I arrived at the office, I was surprised they were still tending to the public; the director and another manager could not restrain themselves from tending to the long line of customers, in spite of being told by the union not to do so. I can totally relate to that. Being a department head is an awesome responsibility. You can't help but blame yourself when things go wrong, even things that are beyond your control. I have been there. However, I totally agree with the union's advice. It's the only effective way to force the government to act.

  A rather large crowd was waiting impatiently outside the temporary office, and there was some quarrelling among them. I was happy that a security officer was there, or things might have gotten out of hand. I could not speak to management as they were kept anxiously busy tending to the public. It was still early in the morning, but in the course of the day, exhaustion and frustration would take their toll on these two managers.

  I found a group of workers – among whom a small group who were there when I was postmaster. They were all huddled together in a room at the back of the small temporary office. For two hours I listened to them and was overwhelmed to hear of the many frustrations they have had to put up with.

  Where are the board members? I asked, Why aren't they here? They laughed, board members only show up when the press is there and the camera is rolling. Makes you want to believe that board members of government-owned companies are given those paid positions as a reward; you do something for politicians and they reward you accordingly; whether or not you are qualified to fill the position.

  Who do the workers blame for the deplorable state they are in now? They blame their own management, the ever-absent supervisory board and the local government. They feel completely let down by all three.

  It is true that postal offices all over the world have been downscaling. However, I still can't get over the fact that our government allowed Curaçao to open a post office in St. Maarten to compete with our local postal service. Not to mention the fact that they were allowed to take away vehicles, computers and even furniture from the St. Maarten postal service.

  And as if that was not bad enough, at least one local bank is now having its monthly statements (tens of thousands annually) mailed to its customers in St. Maarten from the post office in Curaçao. By doing so, they are depriving our post office of some NAf. 80,000 in revenue a year. This should not be allowed. You wonder if our politicians are ever going to legislate laws that would put St. Maarten first. Is the wellbeing of St. Maarten ever going to be a number one priority in their eyes?

  We reminisced for a while about how much fun our postal family used to have and all the amusing things that happened among the workers; for a while they were all in high spirits, laughing about the memories we shared. But I knew that beneath those smiles and laughter were sad and fearful hearts.

  One postal lady said something profound that stayed with me: "I'm keeping my laughter." Meaning that in spite of all the stress, frustrations, anxiety and uncertainty of how much longer she will be employed, she is determined to continue laughing and smiling. I haven't heard such a positive statement in a long time.

  The Prime Minister has assured them they will be paid for November and even guaranteed payment in December. However, they have to vacate the temporary office per January 1, 2018. What's going to happen then, Prime Minister?

  When I was postmaster, we had 52 employees; PSS presently has 24 employees. I understand that the company that's going to take over wants to reduce that number to five; the union is fighting to keep 10 of them employed. If the union does not get its wish, 19 of the 24 will be sent home.

  Now, let's get down to reality. What can we expect from a postal service run by just five employees? If you used to wait two weeks for your incoming mail to reach your letter box, rest assured that it's going to take a great deal longer now. Even outgoing mail is going to take longer to be sorted, processed and taken to the airport. What happens when one worker is on vacation and another falls ill? (No idea, but we are about to find out.)

  Hard copies of important documents can't be sent by email or WhatsApp. The last time I used DHL was about two years ago; I sent a single document that weighed less than 10 grams to my son in the US; it cost me US $57. Foreign-owned couriers are going to flourish and the post office on the French side will soon have to put up with long lines of Dutch-side customers. I'm not sure the French people are going to like that, but it's going to be good business for them.

  May God bless our postal workers! I will be praying for you. Stay strong and keep your laughter. Love you all!

Clive Hodge

Former postmaster 

Dear Editor,

  Mitigating climate risks (in our case hurricanes and flooding) and building resilience against extreme weather events will be the key buzz words for 2018 for country Sint Maarten.