Dear Editor,
It is normal and quite usual in the Caribbean to treat visitors and strangers with respect and extend the utmost courtesy. St. Maarten of course is no exception to that norm. So it strikes us as rude and insulting that you would invite someone for a meeting to discuss differences of interpretation on a colonial protocol, and then insult them. I have read in the press and on social media how some people side with the Dutch in this dispute.
One news outlet even suggesting that the pressure of the formation talks contributed to the abrupt and crude behaviour of PM Rutte. I beg to differ, for the entire Dutch political landscape has minced no words in their effort to clarify the balance of power between the Netherlands and the countries in the Caribbean.
Be it the First or Second Chamber, or the Council of Ministers, the point of departure simply is it’s ok for you to consider yourselves as equals, but we are a colonial power and don’t intend to recognize you as equals. The noise about this so-called Integrity Chamber is a clear example of who sticks to agreements or supersedes them by unilateral action. To try and explain I put the Dutch text and a free translation thereof.
Bullet point three of the agreement reads, “daartoe op zo kort mogelijk termijn, doch uiterlijk op 1 Juli 2015, door Nederland een kwartiermaker wordt benoemd die samen met de reeds door St. Maarten benoemde kwartiermaker wordt belast met de instelling en inrichting van de integriteitskamer”. English: To this end on a short as possible period, but ultimately no later than July 1, 2015, the Netherlands will appoint a quartermaster who will be charged with the already appointed quartermaster by St. Maarten with the formation and installation of the Integrity Chamber.
The fact that the Dutch did not live up to the agreement cannot give them the right to come two years after the fact to place their quartermaster with the illegal use of a Kingdom measure of higher supervision or an instruction. This Kingdom can’t survive in modern times with the draconian and dictatorial actions and behaviour of the Netherlands. We can and will no longer accept that our people are less than theirs, and can’t do anything for ourselves unless they lead it.
The argument that they are doing this for the people also doesn’t carry any weight when we see them squashing elections determining who can be part of government, or destroying laws the overseas countries enacted to level the playing field in the labour market. We don’t see their help coming in funds for the eradication of poverty, or the solution to the garbage problem that too would help the people. The Dutch, whatever their new policy is, simply want to place European Dutch civil servants in top positions, who history has shown to be disrespectful with unlimited authority.
We have seen, for instance, during the 1990’s when we were under higher supervision how they failed to train any locals and later on, when they left especially from the police force they took everything they came with. We were left just where we were before they came.
We need long-term structural solutions that must be found locally; we have the human resources and capacity and don’t believe they can do for us what we should do for ourselves. Like with the now infamous debt relief, many promises are not kept unless their people are put in charge. Enough is enough and if it takes closing the country down to illustrate our resolve, then so be it. We have spent much time and money educating our children, and we wish to see them make their contribution.
Elton Jones
Dear Minister of VROMI,
Employees representing TelEm and GEBE took note of a project to be constructed in Dawn Beach, nothing wrong with that as The Daily Herald applauded. The monthly mortgage payments are 1,530 guilders, - for a one-bedroom home and 2,070 guilders for a two-bedroom home. This deal is brokered between the Minister and a private land owner. The Minister of Public Housing today is in Curaçao to negotiate financing with the tax payers’ money on behalf of a private land owner.
Dear Editor,
More and more, we are witnessing the “do as I please” attitude from a certain egotistical minister who feels that he is there to please himself. Now that his feet have touched the ground the need to be accountable and transparent has become irrelevant, but who permits this to happen? It is our Parliament that is packed with amateurs who are unwilling to become scholars. This unfortunate situation is the reason why they could never demand proper and effective representation from their colleagues in the Council of Ministers!
Look at the fiasco that took place in Parliament about a week ago between a group of unprepared parliamentarians and a minister whose hobby is to conceal the truth. The meeting was a complete waste of financial reserve; a sample of habitual episodes that have become mind-numbing and questionable at the same time. How long will the people accept this mediocre performance from Members of Parliament? Likewise, how long will Parliament tolerate a minister who is reluctant to provide the people with integral and candid information that relates to his ministry?
Imagine Health Minister Emil Lee came into Parliament to clarify some pending concerns about the new hospital. Instead of being true to the people he found every excuse in the book to circumvent the truth by announcing that there is a confidential clause that prevents him from revealing the exact amount of the settlement. The Minister must be reminded that when a contract is presented it is either accepted or rejected. Moreover, whose business does the Minister manages? Is it his or the People’s? This is why Holland is like a threatening axe because of the consistent dishonesty among several members of government.
Every presentation of this Minister has become questionable now because shortly after he became a part (by chance) of this 10-seat majority his true character started to surface, but the legendary Maya Angelo describes this kind of behaviour so well. She declares: “When people show you who they are, believe them." Too many persons are hung up on the Minister’s initial approach towards the handling of his portfolio. If one examines his conduct very closely it is crystal clear that this was just the bait to hook the population into trusting him.
This is why the majority of MPs doze off whenever the Minister sings his lullaby because they don’t have the intellectual capacity to detect a slippery politician nor the guts to cross party lines and demand proficient representation for the people. It was so amazing to listen to the two obsolete members of National Alliance, who were a complete failure in the then Nederland Antilles. In the same breath, Chairlady Sarah Wescot-Williams mishandled the proceedings when she failed to participate actively in this vital discussion.
It does not matter if her party supports the Minister in question. The Chair must remain impartial, which includes giving an unbiased contribution towards this settlement. Just a year ago when UP was in government the Chairlady switched her position with the first Vice-Chair and riddled the UP government with questions that pertained to the same hospital. Why is it different now? This is the why MP Frans Richardson refused to work with the Minister from the beginning. And, it was also plain to see the hypocrisy of MPs who supported the Minister, but failed to form a quorum for the conclusion of the discussion.
Furthermore, why does government consistently settles for these kinds of agreements? For far too long the people are being forced to bear the burden of politician’s negligence. Up to this present moment no one has truly informed this public of the reason why the Government Building stood unoccupied for years and who is responsible. Not too long ago the Harbour took a similar course of action and now it’s another tango with this bidding company. Who is benefiting from all these projects that are going belly up all the time and when will this irresponsible behaviour cease? The population is fed up and government needs to quit testing the temperament of this community!
Minister Emil Lee feels that he is untouchable because he has the backing of the President of Parliament and a few self-interested people within the community, but if the MPs would take a moment to compile his actions in chronological order they would realize that the Minister is not working in the interest of the people. There is a hidden agenda behind his unstable behaviour.
Who vex could stay vex, but parliamentarians must remember the famous quote that says: “Your belief does not make you a better person, your behaviour does.” If Minister Emil Lee is refusing to answer to the representatives of the people, then it is time to give him a vote of no confidence and get rid of him!
Joslyn Morton
Dear Editor,
My wife and I have been timeshare owners since 1984 and have used our four units at Pelican Resorts, now Simpson Bay Resorts, every year since we bought our first ones. We have learned to love St. Maarten and admire the culture and the wonderful courteous drivers and people of your country.
The consistent “downer” that seems to be a tradition in St. Maarten is the lack of respect the timeshare owners receive from the local governing bodies. This seems to be a constant at St. Maarten. Throughout the years we have watched the local governments and courts rule over and over again against the interests of the timeshare owners. Listen up, guys; We Are Family. We are a major part of the St. Maarten economy and population. We really should not need an “advocacy body” because our interests are aligned with the best interests of the island. What is good for the timeshare owners is good for the island and vice-versa.
If you feel the necessity of creating a body to deal with timeshare issues, by all means do so, but we are not asking for anything the rest of the St. Maarten citizens would not want for themselves; just fair treatment under existing laws. If the government decides to create a Timeshare Commission, it is your decision, but it should not be used to further tax the timeshare owners $200 a week. Doing this will go a long way toward removing this population from your shores. This will add $800 a year to our trip. Air fare to St. Maarten is already higher than other islands and at the added rate the Island becomes uncompetitive with other destinations. .
My wife and I are getting to a stage where we may not be traveling a lot, but we would hate to see the island we love simply charge $200 per week to timeshare owners just because they can when all we are asking in return is fair treatment and protection from raiders.
Treating timeshare owners fairly is good business for St. Maarten. Doing what is right will be rewarded.
Robert and Penny Catzen
Baltimore, MD
Dear Sirs,
I read about a short visit from former Curaçao Prime Minister Mr. Gerrit Schotte to Miami, last week. I find this strange, as Mr. Gerrit Schotte (whose house was raided again by the police recently, in search of proof of bribery) has been convicted to three years in jail for, among others, money laundering, corruption and bribery.
Each time I fly to Miami, I am forced to fill out an ESTA form inquiring after any convictions I may have. It has always been my belief that I would not be allowed to enter the US if I would have confirmed such a conviction.
For this reason, I would like to inquire with you whether my belief is correct.
If my belief is correct, could you please explain how it is possible that Mr. Gerrit Schotte could enter the US while being convicted to a three years’ jail sentence? Would it be possible that he mislead the US authorities, e.g. by travelling on an old, not up to date ESTA? Would you then be able to inform the US Immigration of another fraud committed by Mr. Gerrit Schotte?
I am looking forward to your early reply.
Thanks in advance.
Best regards,
Margret Smeets,
Curaçao
