Sea, sun, and sand… Is my dear sweet St. Maarten’s land… Blessed with a touch of unspeakable culture that reigns and spreads across the land… The Friendly Island is what we’re known to be… A place I call home that is so dear to me.
On this day November 11th we celebrate a memorable day, we were discovered and came to life I’m so proud to say.
St. Maarten is my home, and yes this is my land. Collectively diverse and blessed I’m to take the stand. To always speak of your glory. And hope all others will see, this place called the friendly island it means so much more to you and me.
I from here!! Is my motto...that no one can take away from me. My navel string is so buried under the St. Rose Hospital tree.
St. Maarten is a true gemstone that I always plan to lift up… and on this day I decided to stand up and yes speak up. Because it hurts to see that our country can’t seem to get it right...they’re fighting the wrong battles that are noticed in plain sight.
Start focusing on the people and hear their silent cries... give them something to look forward to instead of turning a blind eye.
Let’s come together as one country...and prove all others wrong ... and bring St. Maarten back to life of the melodic “Oh sweet St. Maarten song”… that’s been engraved in our hearts and so the future generation will see. Why they call us the friendly island and also for others to see.
That united we are one country split down from French to Dutch… and together we’re going to show them why St. Maarten means so much to us.
We are the chains of mountains green and Soualiga is our name. Oh how we love our paradise with nature’s beauty and so very nice... Oh sweet St. Maarten we love thy name... and anyone who comes here will never be the same. For they’ve experienced this precious gem we call home… and now St. Maarten is a place they will always call home. It’s planted in their memories and engraved in their hearts stone... and to you my county my island the place that will always be my home...
A blessed St. Maarten’s Day I bid to you as you sit on your royal throne.
Written by Latoya Ruan
My fellow St. Maarten/St. Martiners, as we assemble together once again this year on November 11, to commemorate our national day, let us ponder for a moment on how far we have come as a country.
As we look back, we can truly recognise the numerous achievements we have made thus far. We should pride ourselves that as a young country, we are making bold steps in order to ensure that our “Sweet St. Maarten’s land” remains the jewel of the Caribbean.
We must be mindful of the fact, however, that building a nation or the course of national development is an ongoing process. And before this process can fully come to fruition, we must ensure that our executive, legislative and judicial systems though independent, are fully functioning to a level where our people will be able to benefit and be provided with opportunities that will fuel a better quality of life.
We must be also mindful that St. Maarten, just like every other country in development, will face many, many challenges. The focus of our governing process as well as our constitutional stance irrevocably concludes that we are committed to the strengthening of our institutions in order to manage our affairs. We must remain vigilant in our endeavours, however. We must continue to work diligently and responsibly to build upon our accomplishments with the foundations that have been established.
On this St. Maarten/St. Martin’s day, let us continue our quest for a more resilient country; one that that continues to harvest through the peaceful cooperation and in the true essence of friendship, which has been solidified over the past centuries by our forefathers.
Let us in the process of nation building remain a people of hope, a people of optimism, and a people who are committed to propelling our nation forward in a collective manner. Let us remain true to the precepts of Christian values and principles and never lose sight of our vision as a people.
On behalf of the Parliament of St. Maarten, I wish to extend a very safe and Happy St. Maarten/St. Martin’s Day to all. May it be a memorable one for you and your family as we celebrate our patriotism in reverent togetherness.
May God continue to bless our beloved St. Maarten/St. Martin.
Claret M.M. Connor
President of Parliament
Dear Mr. Editor,
In the relationship of The Hague and the islands of Bonaire, Statia, and Saba, The Hague has, among others, also the responsibility to make sure that each island’s administration provides basic service to the people of the island. So far Statia has failed miserably to comply with that responsibility. This is the result of the fiscal distress suffered by the island now for years. This distress is notable by the imbalance between the level of financial resources committed by the island/The Hague and the basic expenditures of the island.
Dear Editor,
Rain Forest Adventures would like to express gratitude and a sincere apology to the residents, students, teachers and professionals of the Saunders/St. Peters area.
In hindsight, we should have warned people of the noise utilizing a helicopter to assist in the construction of Rockland Estate. I hope you will share our view that this project will be very good for St Maarten once complete.
We intend to be complete with the helicopter work by November 18.
Rain Forest Adventures
Dear Editor,
Some people may not know this, but we do have a new Parliament. I am not sure that we can afford to give them 100 days (over three months salary) to learn the ropes.
Some of us may not last 100 days. Some of our children are being affected, as I write this.
Some of our elderly are being affected. Many of our taxpaying residents are being affected. Can they survive 100 days?
MPs, you asked for a job, you were hired now do the damn job. How difficult is it to talk to each other by phone, via WhatsApp, by email, on the road or in the bar? If those supporting government won't call a meeting, then the five in opposition must request one, for the health of the residents in Cay Bay, and the students and teachers who go to the area. The situation in Cay Bay must be resolved post haste.
And, while resolving that we have an “asbestos situation” at the King Alexander School in St. Peters that must be properly explained to the residents of St. Peters. Is there an asbestos threat in St. Peters? Is the yellow tape around the fence keeping the asbestos dust secured within the school premises? Let me remind you that there are four schools and the “old people’s home” in close proximity to the King Alexander School. The residents of St. Peters matter too.
This not a rant. It’s a demand for action
Clifton R. Wilson
