Dear Editor,

I would like to expound my views on public transportation, because my comrades have been badgering to talk about the industry. As a small-time labouring man, who has been going through the vicissitudes of life, I have very little time for anything else. But because my comrades would not let up, I have decided to put “pen on paper.” They have asked me a plethora of questions about the chaotic state of the industry. But the following questions are the most crucial ones.

Why have the St. Maarten-born bus drivers let a Haitian-born national run the show? Why have bus drivers refused to service the Middle Region and Sucker Garden route? Why do gypsies blatantly pick up people within the confines of the bus stops?

The answer to the first question is a simple one: The Constitution of Country St. Maarten gives every Dutch citizen (the person in question has a Dutch passport) inalienable rights. The answer to the second question is a very difficult one: I have spoken with some of the bus drivers who used to service the Middle Region and Dutch Quarter route. They told me the new road is a “major problem.” According to them, the way the cement was laid is detrimental to the bushings and the bearings of the buses. But since I am not a mechanic, I have no opinion about that. What I do know is, Middle has become exclusively gypsy territory.

The answer to the final question is quite obvious. The government, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of TEATT, and some members in the “top brass” of the police force are gypsy-friendly. Even parliament is “wrapped up in the brew.” Nobody in government is on the side of the legitimate, tax-paying bus drivers. The legitimate bus drivers have to toe the line, while the illegal bus drivers and the gypsies (seemingly) have been given cart blanch to ply for hire among us. “Ain't that a shame?”

Comrades, there are about 300 buses on the road. Yes, 300 buses and innumerable gypsies run on the roads of this 16-square mile island. Let me give kudos to the former minister of TEATT Ingrid Arrindell for controlling the unending requests for “help drivers” during her tenure. When a prime minister would deem it necessary to issue “help-driver” permits to what is evidently a money racket, something is terribly wrong with that prime minister.

Maybe the special Anti-Corruption Taskforce of the Kingdom Detective Team RST, under the supervision of an Investigating Judge, should look into the situation. Or maybe if Dutch MPs Andre Bosman (VVD) and Ronald van Raak (SP) should start "running off" their mouths about integrity breaches regarding public transportation, then government would get a wake-up call.

And our local MPs would diatribe against Dutch interference. They would say, "The Dutch want to trample on our autonomy." Tommyrot! The country is seven years old. What has our Parliament done to have public transportation regulated properly? Nothing!

Comrades, I will be back in a little while with another hot issue.

Julien F. Petty

Dear Editor,

When a politician is well-read and has the capability to place country above self, these superior qualities can never be concealed, nor are they flaunted for the purpose of self-gratification. In fact, this persona has the propensity to unfold naturally, and with a high level of maturity. Hence, every time I watch or listen to our Minister of Finance Richard Gibson, I cannot help but marvel at his level of education, and the manner in which he weaves this learning into the process of nation building.  

It is quite amazing and extremely refreshing to see how Minister Richard Gibson keeps his ego this low. Even when journalists fail miserably to articulate their questions effectively, he is able to maintain a calm demeanour, as he visualizes the bigger picture – the picture that involves consistency in ethical behaviour and his beliefs that he has a duty to serve, and the obligation to educate the population.

Minister Gibson is fully aware that effective communication intertwines with education. Therefore, he is very mindful of how his reaction affects the morale of the journalists. Instead of acting brashly or displaying the behaviour of a braggadocio, he analyses the questions quickly and responds in a manner that enhances the quality of journalism. What also makes this brilliant communicator so conspicuous is that: one cannot detect if he has an animosity towards a particular journalist, or that he discriminates one’s level of competence.

How does he do it? The first two sentences of this article answer that question. Besides, throughout the briefings or interviews, Minister Gibson is usually very attentive to the types and depths of the questions, even when they do not relate directly to his portfolio. During this period, he takes time to assess the proficiency of each journalist. Then, when a question is directed to him, he focuses on the gist of the inquiry and the accuracy of his response, rather than how the question has been posed. This is the power and influence of a true scholar!

Furthermore, this well-informed minister understands that in order for the country to grow and meet the expectations of a civilized community, St. Maarten has to do things differently. In essence, he consistently inspects his ministry to seek ways of removing obstacles to improve his department. Some of his recent achievements include: the acquisition of shares from the assets of the then Netherlands Antilles that were delivered in two instalments, totalling an amount of 67 million guilders.

He is also in the process of signing a protocol with the joint Central Bank for St. Maarten to acquire a more evenly distribution of yearly revenues from this lucrative financial institution. From the 67 million guilders, one may think that Minister Gibson would use some of the monies to initiate new projects. Instead, he made it clear that the extra finances will be used to pay off debts to SVB and APS. Clearly, this is the action of a well-read politician and one whose heart is aligned with improving the country’s financial image.

To top it off, St. Maarten will be introducing its law program in September – a soon-to-be mine of legal brainpower, designed to replenish itself accordingly. Again, this is the power and influence of a well-educated politician, who envisioned the need to cultivate home- grown lawmakers to occupy the demands of a growing nation. Education is power and so there is no boundary, when one's vision is fuelled by education!

Joslyn Morton

As I drove by I heard voices, muffled words, hidden tones due to gentle breezes; in my mind nothing made sense. I tried harder to listen, then like brutal attacks, came shouts of pain and anger, thunderous voice blown by nature’s wind.

It was a vexing conversation, ambiguous emotions, fits of rage, boiling anger between who? I don’t know?

I tried to look for faces, but none could be found, but smoke and angry protest, a voice seeking justice. I thought who could be so angry? Listening attentively, I heard the words, the cry of a broken heart.

I tried to hear through the wind the shouts of a tormented soul, as emotions flared the voice grew stronger, louder, echoing from deep within, deep-seated pain then I heard, then I knew, who was bitterly protesting.

“I want justice!” cried Pond Island against Government building.

Government Building: “Do I know you?” asked government building with a taut smile.

Pond Island: in pain, Pond Island exclaimed, “You moved into my neighbourhood, superficially, flamboyant, exclusive, embellish in frills and thrills, yet very illusive and you asked do I know you?

“Four stories your ivory tower stands, but my tower; however, emerged from remains, refuse and discarded items.

“I watched you daily as men busy themselves, giving you birth and life and shape. I watched you up close and from afar, like a puzzle you were fitted together superficially great. I watched with profound admiration, as they hailed the day of your completion.

Beaming brightly like a city on a hill, beaming colours brightening my still waters; but gaze on me, a tragedy, a travesty of justice, of rightness. Hear my plea! A forgotten soul; like Lazarus I too stand at your majestic gate, but like Dives you don’t see me.”

“You don’t see me, but once I was majestic in splendour, a work of art, a thing of beauty.

Created by the voice of God, the words God – let there be! And I became, became a place of wonder, a place of still waters. God gifted me, to serve humanity, a producer of salt, I became. But today, you don’t see me?

“The land around me was identified by me, not sweet Sint Maarten’s land but Soualiga! I gave this country its name, my salt was widely acclaimed. So gaze into my waters, see my history, my story, Massa wanted me and exploited me.

“Yes, gaze into my waters see condemned black bodies, blistered and bloodied hands clawing through my waters. Gaze into my waters and listen, hear songs of redemption echoing from black diaphragms. Coming from the march of salt pickers, like soldiers in tune to a steady beat giving birth to salt mounds at their calloused feet; but today, you don’t see me?

“You don’t see me, you just come; Johnny come lately, move yourself into my community.

You! Johnny come lately, building institutions for prosperity on my property, but don’t see me!”

Pond Island silently turns its back and said, “Tell me neighbour, why must I suffer from pollutants, wild dogs, rodents and fire? Neighbour, must I be burdened with shame? You forgot I gave you your name!  

“Disgrace is now my story, my lot, my reality, just because you don’t see me!

“Before I go let me say, one day, some day you will be compelled to see me! Sadly, like Lazarus when I am gone then I will be free. Only then will you remember me – The Great Salt Pond – soon no longer posterity or a legacy, but a memory.”

Pond Island walks away, sadly.  

Reverend Dennis Baptiste

Dear Editor,

In the past two to three weeks the news has been rife with reports on the implementation of the NHI scheme for

St. Maarten. Though this is not new as the idea presented itself in the 2014 election without much information or sound reasoning. The minister of public health and labour Mr. Emil Lee said that haste is of essence and delaying the implementation might not be wise in his opinion. The minister said to have spoken to all stakeholders including the Netherlands, though SHTA and other organizations are not wholly on board, while the Netherlands being a stakeholder is not quite clear...

Then it hit me that the minister is himself interpreting advice from the CFT as coming from the Netherlands. But be that as it may here is why we need to slow down and put in place policies that would assure the local stakeholders that this scheme won’t result in unlimited taxation going forward.

We know today of the pressure exerted on our school system by an uncontrolled implementation of compulsory education. Of course as a society we were and still are convinced that every child should be guaranteed an education; we don’t understand why we should pay such for all who end up here. Because of open and uncontrolled immigration, people were literally able to walk from the airport and register their children in local schools. Persons applying for residence or work permits were allowed to lie on the forms and later inviting their families over, putting more pressure on an already heavily burdened system. Because of this free for all Schools, SMMC, public housing and many more institutions here suffer from lack of space, and payment which the tax payer ends up carrying the load for.

The minister also intimated that the civil servant and the labourer will all be the same in this new NHI, and since he claims the unions were part of the consulted stakeholders I wonder aloud if WICSU, ABVO and other organizations representing civil servants don’t see anything wrong with that picture. We have the (LAR) civil servants Regulation because we have recognized by law that the civil service should be different in their functioning and how they seek redress. Moreover, as has been the M.O. of past years when newly implemented systems or experiments don’t pan out to our expectations, the civil servants, because they are a captive work group in government, are the first to be forced to tighten their belts.

Furthermore, the civil service has always paid their contributions and the reason the system AZV/SZV is having problems is that government never turned in the withheld amounts, which now form part of our debt negotiations. So where are the guarantees or checks and balances; the same won’t be true in the future. It would also be interesting if we were told what would happen to private insurers when government by its very action becomes their primary competition. At this time I recall an adage that says, “The business of government is to stay out of government.”

How would it affect dependants oversees or illegals on the island. The minister himself has commented on the fact that too many permits are been extended to outsiders for jobs locals can fill, so maybe we can be told how this would be addressed and how this activity will impact the NHI. How is the abuse of the system, which today permits patients to be referred abroad for medical tests and not only emergency treatment? Can we not enforce a better way or make it possible for these tests to be done locally.

And of course, in the present system depending on your pay grade and your years of service and how much you contribute determines whether your internment is designated as 1^st,2^nd or 3^rd class how would that be organized in our NHI.

We know certain things require speed but we would much more rather have sound and well thought out decisions than hasty kneejerk changes that aim solely to placate the CFT or the stakeholder the minister sees in the Dutch. So for the sake of a seven year old “country” still finding its feet with so much yet to be done let’s slow it down. In the trade-off between efficiency and time we would hope efficiency takes precedence. It would seem to be in our interest to slow it down.

Elton Jones