Dear Editor,
The terrible devastation inflicted by Hurricane Irma has been already more than a month ago. Already more than a month ago Irma took away the blanket of already existing major issues on our island. Nothing can be hidden anymore, everything has surfaced, beyond the effect of the immediate damage to infrastructure, buildings and the social economy: the major shift in the cruising industry worldwide, the tourism industry for Sint Maarten already in decline, the social health issues, the poverty, unemployment, etc.
Ima made this very visible and increased the urge to address those issues on a structural basis. Damage control and cleaning up as we are used to after hurricane impacts cannot be sustained any longer. Irma marked a point in history for Sint Maarten and its people, which is irrevocable. We cannot go back anymore to the pre-Irma state. Irma made things clear – Irma changed everything – Irma makes everything to be reconsidered.
UPG not only firmly believes this mark in history can be turned positive; our Sint Maarteners have been actually working on a new future-proof fundamental way before the hurricane struck.
The point of celebrating our 7th year of the State of Country and praising the fact we got everything right in those seven years, seems irrelevant in relation to the tremendous challenges we are facing as a nation for the future. Not only irrelevant for the future, but also puts up a virtual barrier to work together.
As you said, Mr. Marlin, and to quote you “certainly, unemployment will also be a formidable challenge. Addressing these and other issues unleashed by the onslaught of Irma and Maria will require a massive infusion of funds”.
Not only will this unemployment issue require a massive infusion of funds; at the same time it requires a new economic model to sustainably cover those costs. Otherwise, this will cause an additional cash drain in the future of our island, which we cannot afford ourselves.
We are an independent country with our own government and our responsibilities. At the other end we already were fully dependent on external sources, like our almost indefinite dependency on the tourism industry. And now we are fully dependent again on the help of external sources all over, like The Netherlands government, EU, UN, IMF, and a whole range of other bodies. We are a nation, but simply the devastation is way too large and too much to handle for a small country like Sint Maarten without accepting and allowing help.
Even now, as it seems we are expecting the first commercial flights as well as the first cruise ships, still evacuations of people from the island are taking place as we speak.
Therefore it is not losing face, it is not losing pride or independency, it is a matter of working together to simply survive: as people, as country and as economy.
As Sint Maarteners in UPG we know, feel and understand the sensitivities and tension within the existing constitutional situation, the strengthened dependency from the Kingdom today.
Especially adding those last paragraphs together, what is better than a group of young professional Sint Maarteners who have the passion for their island, their economy and want to help you with everything they have.
There are people out there who are willing and capable for professionally facilitating the planning process and as well as are able to act as a sensible interface in the complex arena of our nation, the Kingdom and the world beyond. Your own people!
Unleashed Potential Group
The Unleashed Potential Group is a group of multi-disciplined, young professionals from Sint Maarten, mixed with seasoned and senior experience from the Netherlands. Passionate, full of energy, pooling personal strength together to jointly creat valuable things. Changing and improving the social economy of our island from the inside-out. Power to build togetherness and solidarity in the community of Sint Maarten.
Dear Editor,
Hurricane Irma has exposed the truth about our parliamentary system. Our parliamentarians, for whom we voted directly, have no say. It has been more than a month, since the passing of the most devastating hurricane ever to hit St. Maarten and Parliament has not yet been fully briefed on the post-hurricane disaster management situation and on the recovery plans ensuing Irma. It is sad when the highest legislative and supervisory body in the country is still unable to get clarity on what transpired in the wake of Irma.
Likewise, it is unacceptable that this body has not yet been apprised by Government concerning the financial, economic and social plans to get St. Maarten back on its feet. According to the looks of it, the agenda is set by the Prime Minister and not by Parliament. Therefore, Parliament must wait until the Prime Minister’s agenda is cleared and until he has been able to get around to preparing the answers to the questions posed in Parliament. Meanwhile, Parliament, our highest supervisory institution, simply waits and does nothing!
Listening to the two sessions of the Central Committee of Parliament held thus far, one could sense the frustration and dissatisfaction among several Members of Parliament. MP Perry Geerlings has taken his frustration to the media via a letter to the editor. MP Tamara Leonard has directed her letter, posing several questions, to the Prime Minister. And MP Sarah Wescott-Williams expressed her dissatisfaction in a draft motion that was presented to the Central Committee. The motion has received sufficient support to be discussed in the next meeting and hopefully thereafter it will obtain a majority of votes in a meeting of Parliament.
Given the manner in which the Irma situation has been handled thus far, it can take weeks before this motion can be passed in Parliament. Then, if it is passed, its execution will depend on whether the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers are willing to give it priority. Up to now, with the exception of a motion of non-confidence, Government does not take motions, passed in Parliament, very seriously.
If Parliament passes this motion, will the Government accept the instructions and agree to execute them in a timely manner? Will the Prime Minister agree to update Parliament in a weekly question-and-answer period? Will he agree to open and strengthen the line of communication with the Kingdom? Will the Government follow up immediately with draft legislation to empower the community councils?
These and other instructions in the motion, presented by MP Wescot-Williams, are noble but the execution thereof will depend on how seriously Government views the supervisory role of Parliament. Ignoring motions or delaying their execution is common practice for Government and apparently, there is nothing that Parliament can do about it. Parliament is helpless and dependent on the goodwill of the Prime Minister and the other Ministers. Currently, parliamentarians are going through the motion of attending meetings and giving a semblance of working, but in reality, it is accomplishing nothing.
For example, if the Prime Minister informs Parliament that he needs a week or a month to prepare the answers to Parliament’s questions then Parliament just has to wait. Also, if the Minister informs Parliament that Government needs a year or more to prepare the legislation on the empowerment of the community councils, then Parliament has no other choice than to wait. If the Minister does not care to give further clarity on the issue of the closing of the borders then Parliament can let it slide or it can request a parliamentary investigation. These are but a few examples to indicate how difficult it is for Parliament to move forward if it does not have the support, cooperation and goodwill of the Government.
Parliament has allowed itself to believe that it is totally dependent on Government in the situation of the aftermath of Irma. However, instead of going along with the schedule and timetable of the Prime Minister, Parliament could have convened emergency meetings outside its normal schedule. What is wrong with calling urgent or emergency meetings during the evening hours or in the weekends? Just last Saturday the Parliament of Dominica convened an emergency meeting.
If legislation is needed then Parliament can also commission the drafting of the ordinance instead of waiting for Government to do so. Given the state of recovery of St. Maarten, Parliament should be proactive. Parliament should start working on draft laws that it deems necessary to move the country forward. For example, several MPs have voiced their concern regarding tax relief for the business sector. In this case, Parliament need not wait for Government but should commission the drafting of relevant tax amendments and present them to Government.
We often hear the phrase “a lame-duck government.” But hurricane Irma has clearly exposed our “lame-duck” Parliament. Irma has revealed that our parliamentarians, who we voted for directly, have very little supervisory authority as it relates to the functioning of Government. Our Parliamentarians seem to be helpless and the legislative and supervisory roles of Parliament leave much to be desired.
Parliament, our people need to see how well you are able to represent them, especially in times of crisis. Do not let us down!
Wycliffe Smith
Leader of the Sint Maarten Christian Party
Dear Editor,
In my opinion the most important thing for the tourist industry and the economy is to get a good first impression of St. Maarten, as there will be no second first impression.
I believe it is when the cruise ship passengers come off the ships and walk on the walk to Philipsburg when most get their first impression of St. Maarten. So this is very important.
This week’s work, on the walk most tourists take for the first time, was impressive and well done.
Congratulations to St. Maarten for a good start in this so important renovation part.
Paul Ingram
Dear Editor,
A few days after Irma passed, my hut was aggressively cleaned out by a powerful friend L., literally cleaned out, everything not on the shelves went outside.
Going carefully through what came out I salvaged shirts, pants, towels, electrical wire and some odds and ends. Only one thing is missing. It is my old hard drive in a special box that lights up when on. It was on a shelf by my laptop table.
It holds hundreds of pictures, stories, movies, music, all from an old ancient HP computer that was falling apart. An IT shop took the hard drive out and put it in the box. I have the power cable and the special, different from all others, USB connecting cable. The cables are on the spot where the box used to be, but the box is gone.
It went missing after the 20 men with bulletproof vests, guns, uniforms and civilian-dressed anti-loot delegation came to visit me. I kid you not.
I was not in the room when it happened. I sat in my car and a young lady friend and a man friend were around. Me in the car with my iron leg, at the gate of the yard, door wide open when the leader of the group started questioning the young lady.
I interrupted the light-skin man with a balding head and glasses without rim, and told him that I was living here, not the other two visiting friends. When asked why they came to see me, the man said he had information to go search the “green house” as my house is painted green. I gave the man immediately permission to go see inside, to find nothing. I am one of the most honest people on the island I told him, and how anybody had recommended to come see me is an enigma.
I think that the leader of the group confiscated my hard drive to find compromising information. That he won’t find because there is none.
How do I go about to ask the man if he has it and how can I get it back? Hundreds of pictures my ex would love to get on a memory stick, hundreds of movies I have not seen downloaded years ago. Playing them when the Internet was down, I miss that box so much that it hurts bad now that it is gone. Years of memories are on it. In case the anti-loot delegation has it, let me know that I bring the charger and connecting USB cables to help you check it out.
If anyone from the anti-loot group reads this, please give me (number known by redaction) or the redaction of this paper a call, I swear I would be forever grateful, and so will my friends who want their pictures.
Chamba Chada
Dear Editor,
Having experienced two hurricanes cat. 5, having seen the devastation and been around to feel and understand the inconveniences, to just express it mildly; no water, no electricity or no telecommunication for an extended period. Lots of time though to think about what happened and who are suffering, and wondering about the future.
Returning to what may be considered “normal” is not an option but rather a mediocratic restoration. I have seen buildings that remained almost untouched. I have seen buildings without roofs, windows, or doors where residents sat in front of what once was their beloved home, and their complete damaged furniture and belongings in the yard or on the street in front of them. People not knowing what to d or what may be next. I have seen tremendous piles of sheet metal; pardon my rude English, but I now call it shit metal.
Hurricane preparedness, including having bottled water, batteries, getting any loose items out of the way, etc., is a minimal precaution. What about buildings and construction? The Caribbean needs a hurricane building code.
It may bring me in the doghouse, but I dare to say that the various individual Caribbean governments are incompetent to establish an appropriate code that focusses on building hurricane-resistant structures. Even if one government would be able to do so, what about the ten-plus other countries that have ten-plus different viewpoints? What about the political umbrella organizations handling it?
If you ask me, I have my doubts. Did I say doghouse?
Now, I may be thrown in front of the lions. Being skeptical or critical is one thing, coming up with a positive suggestion is a different thing. Okay then, here we go….
An independent Caribbean Research and Development Institute for Architecture and Construction should be founded. The Institute should be supported by the insurance and the building Industries. The activities of the institute should be carried out in cooperation with reputable international universities such as, for instance, the Technical University, Delft, Netherlands and Technical University, Zurich, Switzerland. No political involvement; an absolutely independent and impartial organization.
Why the insurance industry? When it comes to big dollars and cents, whose profits suffered the most after the hurricanes? They should have a vested interest in any practical and realistic solution that reduces risks; after all, believe it or not, it is a risk adverse industry.
Why the building/construction industry? They should be interested in developing materials and methods that resist any challenging situation. Their financial support and investment should pay off well for them in return.
Why the international universities? That should not need much explanation. They are reputable and insurance, building/construction industries will trust them. Any government or political organization in the region would be foolish to doubt their credibility.
The institute should independently do its research and development to establish a building code for hurricane strength and resisting construction. I even suggest it to have a wind tunnel available to test structure models in extreme high wind circumstances.
In addition, the institute should be the preferred independent international organization that can certify whether design, construction or materials are appropriate. Therefore, it will have inspectors and adjusters. Again, no government or political involvement.
The insurance industry from its side might determine that any new commercial building that is not hurricane-certified can only be insured at higher premiums, get limited coverage, or in the worst case it may not be considered at all for insurance coverage.
The building suppliers could proudly show the certificate or seal of approval on their products.
Come to think of it, investors in new projects may also applaud to see a certification.
The mission of the institute is not to police or regulate, but rather be an undertaking to prevent and protect against hurricane damage of an extraordinary proportion that we have seen recently and which actually may return at any time in the future.
It is not the aim to take authority away from local governments, although it could become a matter of lead, follow, or get out of the way of the institution. The wisest option for all would be to cooperate with this new credible organization all the way, and establishing and accepting a positive standard for all.
The institute would inform general audiences about how to protect their dwellings from hurricane impact. It can do so through publication of documentation, presentations in the media or at locally organized meetings.
As you see, there are many benefits that come out of this solution.
But there is more. The lucky island that will be selected as the location of choice may now have landed an institute of higher learning that is internationally accredited, affiliated and respected, which means new employment in the non-academic segments of the institution on location. It may mean conferences to be held on the island and an opportunity to develop unique science tourism.
For young people in the region, it may be an option to study an alternative academic direction that they don’t have to go abroad for. Because it is Caribbean-related, it may be an opportunity for them to find well-paid employment in the region afterwards or even set up their own specialized business.
The hurricane damage has proven that it all makes sense.
As criticizing as I may have been in the beginning, at least I have provided a positive suggestion. Not telling anyone what to do. I know what I would do. For all others, just consider it to be food for thought.
Commander Bud Slabbaert
Cmdr. Bud Slabbaert is the initiator and coordinator of the annual Caribbean Aviation Meetup conference. The international results- and solution-oriented event brings airlift stakeholders from both the aviation and tourism industries, as well as government authorities together (www.caribavia.com). His background is accentuated by Business Development, Strategic Communication, and Journalism.
