~Your beliefs don’t make you a better person, your behaviour does ~ Unknown

Dear Editor,

Permit me the opportunity to provide a response to the commissioner’s statement and her characterization of me. While it is true that empty vessels make the most noise, that noise is loud enough to resonate far and wide to be heard by my people, and respond to the call for help from our beloved Statia. It is those same empty vessels that remain so, because they would like to be filled with information coming from government. The queries that have now arisen were irrelevant during the governing period, because the finances were critical and higher supervision was not in place.

With my present involvement in government, the United People’s Coalition Party (UPC) is requesting on behalf of the people of the island territory of St. Eustatius for this government to stop finding excuses, pointing fingers, playing hide and seek with the business of the people, and explain the actual situation of the government’s current situation. The Commissioner promptly responded with quite an extensive article, yet throughout that article, the commissioner somehow eluded every question that was asked and failed to provide any information whatsoever.

During the governing period as previously mentioned, the purchase of the AFAS was already in progress and supported by the independent member of this coalition, who was also a member of two previous governments that commenced the process of purchasing this program. Thus the question is asked; if the independent member supported the process then, what has changed now? Please be advised that my involvement in the island council representing the aforementioned, and my connection with UPC resulted in questions raised pertaining to the abovementioned.

The questions that are now being asked are attributed to the promises made to the people during the election campaigns, which to a certain degree, entailed rectifying certain situations in government that proved to be problematic, that would ultimately lead to the peoples’ devotion by means of votes, and resulting not favourably for the financial status of the island. Furthermore, in the governing period of 2013-2015 no higher supervision was placed. The UPC cannot answer any questions, as they are no longer in government, which is why the questions are being asked to those who are in the position to fill the empty vessels of the people.

I have never been the type of individual to bite my tongue, or favour the game “Simon Says” for the simple fact that I refuse to blindly follow instructions without applying critical analysis to the situation, and forming hypothesis that will ultimately lead me to conclude if my actions will be in the best interest of the people. The public is well apprised of my stance and opinions of the current government, even with my own party’s partial formation of the aforementioned.

I reiterate, requesting the truth isn’t for me but for the people of this island. While they choose to remain silent, the pertinent matter at hand is the filling of their vessels with the much-needed information.

While the UPC would hope for a working relationship where assistance can be given, how are we expected to offer any assistance when the communicative avenues were consistently blocked? In such a case, the UPC would then have made strategic decisions that resulted in the sole benefit of the community; which leads to another mass of questions, such as:

1. What has become of the bi-weekly press conference, which proved to be an effective medium to keep the public informed? My observance has made me realize the decline is this method since the sitting of the newly-appointed commissioner.

2. UPC would like the government to explain that if the constant cry to the people is that their hands are tied behind their backs (blaming the Netherlands), how was it possible to orchestrate convenient hiring and payment?

3. There will again be a town hall meeting on Thursday, October 27, where information will be shared with the public as to the financial situation on the island, again without this information first going through the proper procedures, such as discussed in the executive council, technical debate in the central committee and sanctioned in the island council. Is this another stunt of throwing sand in the eyes of the people?

4. Despite the vague reaction of the commissioner of telecommunication, the UPC would still like the community to be explained why the entire Eutel board was asked to resign, and how does that contribute towards continuation?

5. Deadline for submitting the 2017 budget is scheduled for November 15, however, two weeks prior to submission it should be made available for viewing by the general public. If this isn’t the case, a budget will be drafted by Committee for Financial Supervision (CFT) and sent to the Ministry of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations (BZK) for approval of its contents, which includes the basic needs for the island, such as salaries. UPC would like the public to be explained the state of readiness with regard to the 2015 financial reports, the 2016 quarterly reports, budget amendments which all have effect on the realistic drafting of the 2017 budget.

6. We would like the people to be explained why the luggage screening machine has been out of operation for such a long time, and what is being done to remedy the situation in terms of repair or replacement.

7. We would like the public the be explained what was the role of Mr. Blackman as part of the delegation that recently travelled to the Netherlands for talks with KPN while the commissioner in charge travelled with his advisor, subsequently who paid for his cost?

8. UPC would like the people to be explained when the airport bar will be re-opened to travellers and in extension the general public.

9. UPC would like the people to be explained why the commissioner of tourism was absent at the recent tourism/business expo that took place in Fort Lauderdale, where he was registered and was expected to give a presentation?

10. UPC would like the people to be explained how they are prioritizing the flexibility given by the Netherlands in making appointments with the sole goal to contribute positively towards the progress of the process, which is executing the action plan towards improving both financial and administrative situation of the island government.

As much as the coalition government is criticizing the Netherlands, they still appear to get away with murder. UPC is of the opinion that BZK should have erected a higher degree of penalties against the coalition government for misusing the flexibility given to them, rather than a mere slap on the wrists in the form of a flimsy warning letter. It is clear that this isn’t the first time, and thus, the UPC is requesting Plasterk to explain to the public how long they will be tolerating this type of behaviour.

The genie hen brings genie cock stories can and should no longer be accepted by the people. I’m again pleading to the people to let your voices be heard; this level of governing is unacceptable. It is your God-given right to demand proper, honest and quality accountability.

There are so many important issues to be decided on, but this coalition government seems to be hand picking to reach the campaign promises made. This isn’t proper governing. UPC is requesting the present government to come clean with the general public. We are willing to help/assist as long as the government is willing to listen and take advice. We are open, because Statia belongs to us all, and we all are responsible for the well-being of our people.

United we stand, divided we fall.

Elvin Henriquez

Dear Editor,

  I was not present, but because of what was said and issued publicly via the media, I believe that I would not be too far off the mark with my observation.  I know that the people in government are there to serve the community in their different capacities. We also know that the salaries of those in government are the highest in our kingdom. In my opinion there is therefore no urgent reason why members of Parliament should demand certain positions, even though regulations allow for certain rights.

  In The Daily Herald of October 19, I read that MP Jules James will be appointed Minister of Justice. I do not approve of that choice. It reminds me in several ways of the works of Donald Trump these days. I also feel sorry for the civil servants who have to serve in his cabinet, because their headaches have not yet started.

  I was also surprised about the nomination of MP Christophe Emmanuel as Minister of VROMI, because not too long after it was announced that UP and NA would form the coalition, I listened to MP Rudolphe Samuel in an interview in which he outlined why he is qualified to be Minister of VROMI. So when I read that MP Emmanuel would become the new Minister of VROMI, I wanted to know what happened.  I do not know anything from the inside, but on the outside it is said that MP Emmanuel demanded to be a Minister, because he received more votes than MP Samuel.

  I began this letter by stating that members of government are there to serve the community. Let me add this.  I am not advocating catering to the Dutch, but we have to be realistic. We know what the Dutch mean to and it is time enough for anyone whose ambition it is to be a politician to know this.

  I, Russell Simmons, strongly believe that anyone who wants to be a Minister of government in any of the countries of the Dutch Kingdom, should be able to speak, read and write Dutch.  I did not demand this from Minister Lee, because others eluded to that matter in several letters to the editor.

  I heard and saw on several occasions how MP Emmanuel asked for legislation written in Dutch to be translated into English to accommodate those who do not command the knowledge of the Dutch language. I also do not know what was behind the cause of the rumour that he intended to go independent, but I felt short-changed, because all kinds of observations are made about the Police not even being able to write Dutch correctly, and MPs are demanding the laws and correspondence in English, because they cannot understand Dutch. What a double standard.

  What is the main language used in VROMI?  Is the whole department going to transform everything into English? If the Minister of VROMI has to deliberate with a colleague from Holland, who refuses to speak anything but Dutch, what's going to happen? Are they going to go to the UN building?  The official language in Holland is Dutch. Will whoever MP or Minister who travels to Holland in an official capacity be able to demand that English be spoken?

  If as it is said that MP. Emmanuel is demanding that position just because regulations allow for certain rights, then MP Emmanuel does not understand what it means to serve.

  What I know is that everyone who tried to walk before they could creep has fallen several times.  The people put the members of Parliament there, and the people have the right to show their displeasure with the behaviour and performance of those MPs when they do not comply satisfactory.  It is very possible that both MP Jules James and Christophe Emmanuel will perform to the best of their ability as Minister of Justice and Minister of VROMI, but in my opinion, the best of their ability will be far below the demands of those ministries.

  It is also not fair to the civil servants who work in those departments. They are the actual ones who for so long have been constantly saving the hides of Ministers, who are too often merely padding and signatories in those Ministries. A Minister of VROMI should be an engineer and a Minister of Justice should be a lawyer. Point Blank.  We going to see who we put there is a slap in the face of the people.

  Instead of the parties putting competent people on their list, who could represent the people in a dignified way, they are constantly putting people on the list who can bring in votes, and who, because of party regulations, end up in government, whether they can represent the people or not.  And Holland is constantly laughing at us. Bosman just scared us again by suggesting that Holland should let us go. Why, because he knows that we simply do not have the brainpower to stand on our own. So we desperately have to determine who is a Sint Maartener, and we need to bring our professionals home so that we can have competent people filling essential positions. 

Russell A. Simmons

Dear Editor,

The loss of human life and the devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew in southwestern Haiti on October 4 are no longer among the hot news of the day. But we can still help to relieve the hardships that the storm piled on the people of our fellow Caribbean country.

Having personally responded to calls earlier this month from relief organizers to contribute hurricane relief goods for Haiti, I have faith in the St. Maarten people and their historical generosity.

I’m calling on the people of St. Maarten to continue supporting the call from known local relief organizers to aid Haiti during what is still for many families in dire need, a perilous time.

Our beautiful island is home to a number of people of Haitian descent. There are certainly those among us with family and friends in Haiti who have been affected by the hurricane.

Hurricane Matthew’s reported death toll stands at 1,384 people – from at least six of the countries reporting deaths due to the passage of the hurricane.

The human fatalities, disruption of livelihood and destruction of property, the threat of disease, and the pain and suffering wrought by Hurricane Matthew through Haiti, affecting in like ways parts of the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Jamaica, The Bahamas, and the USA are just plain heartbreaking.

St. Maarten is not sheltered from the experiences of a category 4 and 5 hurricane. We still remember the terror and destruction of Hurricane Luis in 1995. So let’s continue to contribute in whatever way we can, and to pray, in response to the call and needs of a nation in need after bearing the brunt of the deadly Hurricane Matthew. God Bless the people of Haiti. God bless the people of St. Maarten. God bless the people of our whole island.

Gracita Arrindell,

Leader People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA)

Dear Editor,

Nowadays, molesting children is as common as buying a newspaper! It’s like the word decency has been completely erased, and the joy of seeing children blossom into adulthood, has disappeared forever. The unfortunate situation within this community, is that many choose to make noise when it is convenient for them. If all cases of sexual abuse of minors were viewed in the same manner as the accused principal, then the outcry would appear to be sincere.

Last year, when the news broke and the school management refused to address the parents and the Minister of Education, in a timely fashion, most of the people remained silent on the issue. As a matter of fact, some persons defended him. Imagine: one gentleman called in on a programme to express his discontent with the principal. The host responded by telling him he does not have time for that talk, and that the principal made a mistake. Wow! If the principal had molested one of his children, would he still classify that action as a mistake?

Others vehemently and deliberately tried to squash the story by saying the community is spoiling the principal’s name. When the basketball coach was also indicted for the same offence, another concerned citizen called in to discuss the matter. Instead of the host being sensitive to the caller’s concern and the situation at hand, he brushed the caller off in the same manner as expressed above. Then it calls to question, what is the real purpose of advocating for the community, when persons within the society cannot express the issues that are important to them?  

With all of the sexual abuse cases that were made public, why was the uproar so muffled then, and how many of them took the time to console the parents, who are just as traumatized by this horrific crime? What is amazing and extremely dangerous, is that some people tend to lash out at paedophiles who were condemned by the court, but continue to condone those in their own backyard. The question should be asked: Is the principal the only member of that organization to be defrocked and why?

In any case, no one will convince me that the management and staff of that school were not aware of his conduct. Whenever a paedophile is being exposed, the victim in question is just a tiny fraction of all the other victims. That is why throughout 2013 and beyond, I pleaded with parents to be vigilant with their children. I have also stressed the importance of having a clear view of what is happening in the classroom at all times. No door should be completely wooden; not even the principal’s office. If school principals are who they profess to be, then there is no need to be alarmed if someone suddenly pops up at the door.

It is time that this community quits burying its head in the sand and be aware of the people, who are designated to deal with the welfare of children. Don’t be fooled! The basketball coach and principal are not isolated cases. There are several others who continue to play hide and seek, because of the leniency of the justice and educational systems.

Imagine that, the majority of paedophiles are awarded minimal sentences or even just a kiss on the cheek. Likewise, some teachers who were discharged for the same misconduct are being absorbed into government, in a different capacity. Then, isn’t government recycling the process and contributing to the destruction of the very lives that it claims to protect? I have mentioned several times before that all persons who work with children should be thoroughly checked out prior to assuming their position. A police record has no value for these kinds of people who seek a certificate of conduct.

The fact that the principal has admitted to giving one of his victims alcohol, is a clear indication that his actions were intentional. And if he is so innocent, why does he hide his face every time he goes to trial? It is so sad to see that during the proceedings, his position to guide and protect all children entrusted in his care, did not even come into question. And, the thought of him molesting little boys when he gets out, is also not a concern for the judges. Then what purpose are they to the community if they cannot render justice where fairness is due?

Do we know why judges will continue to rule in the manner that they do? It is because the community has failed to rise up and challenge them on their decisions, especially in cases of this heinous crime against children. When will they acknowledge that child molesters are like a runaway train? They do not stop until they are being stopped. Therefore, it now becomes the duty of the community to hold organizations and government responsible for hiring paedophiles, who are forever destroying the fabric of this society.

Joslyn Morton