Dear Editor,
When dealing with a Cancer patient ZVK should be more sympathetic and compassionate. The fright and stress alone of being told that one has cancer is hard to handle.
But for persons that do not know one thing about you other than what they read in your medical file, to be in charge of deciding your faith and can determine the outcome of your treatment is unacceptable.
My name is Sandra Rogers-Gibbs and I am 73 years young and I reside on the island of Statia. I was originally sent to Colombia for a check-up of a surgery I had earlier this year and while there I suddenly received a phone call that I had breast cancer. That is a very hard blow for anyone let alone getting this news while in a foreign country. Since I was already there, my doctor forwarded all the relevant documents pertaining to my breast cancer to Colombia.
I accepted my faith and did what the doctors suggested, knowing it was in my best interest. I had a total left breast mastectomy including the lymph nodes under my arm. The oncologist said I would need two different types of chemo and recommended I start as soon as possible as I had stage III cancer. It's because of the way I was treated in Colombia and the compassion and kindness that was extended to me by all involved, even strangers that it was so upsetting for me to learn that my chemo was denied.
Had I have known from the beginning that I would potentially have to do the follow up of Chemo or Radiation elsewhere than Colombia I never would have agreed to the surgery.
So, for Bonaire to deny my treatment is a hard pill to swallow. One’s life, no matter the age should not be more valuable than the other, especially when dealing with cancer. We are talking about a deadly disease not a common cold.
What makes the life of a Bonairean more valuable than that of a Statian? There are persons in Colombia from Bonaire and Saba receiving chemo because they have no faith in receiving the proper treatment on their respective (surrounding) islands. It's hard to understand how a Bonairean is not told to have chemo in Curaçao because it's closer but a Statian has to return from Colombia where they can get the best treatment possible to go to SXM to have chemo. Most importantly one must take into consideration the fact that medical health care in Colombia is far cheaper than the USA or the Netherlands. ZVK should be mindful of the fact that numerous persons from the islands who were receiving treatment in Colombia and were sent back to the islands for chemo to receive treatment in SXM have eventually ended up dead!
I had the support of my surgeon, oncologist and International Office in Colombia whose hands were all tied even though they all thought it would be in my best interest to stay there where they were already familiar with my case and ready to help me. Based on their advice I made a last ditch attempt on Monday, September 5, and called the Bonaire office to speak to a medical advisor about my case. In speaking to him the connection was lost twice. The saddest and most disrespectful fact is that in speaking to one of the medical advisors in Bonaire I was told that he can approve for the chemo to start ASAP but the hotel cost would have to be paid by me personally. This is unheard of and an injustice to the highest extent.
On the third try that I called back I was told that he was in a meeting discussing my case and I would be hearing back from them soon. Knowing that I already had my ticket to travel back the following day and it was almost 5 in the afternoon Bonaire time, I called back to see what had been decided and to my disappointment I was told the answer was "NO"! I thanked the gentleman for his time and told him I would be contacting the media and Internet via Facebook and the ombudsman.
I Therefore plead to you the ombudsman to intervene in this matter and help me in getting this situation resolved ASAP as I would feel more comfortable being referred back to Colombia to receive the treatment I desperately need.
But most importantly implore you to see to it that there are clear guidelines across the board for all citizens of the BES Islands and each and every person residing on these islands should be treated equally!!
Fighting to live,
Sandra Rogers-Gibbs,
Cherry Tree,
St. Eustatius
Dear Editor,
Mr. Bas de Haan is among multiple fatal accidents we have had on the Airport Road throughout the years which is a clear indication that something needs to be done. How many lives need to be lost before the authorities implement safety systems such as speed bumps, pedestrian crossings and clear markings on the roads? Our lives matter and our safety matters!
It’s sad and disheartening that another young life is gone due to the recklessness and arrogance of another. How many lives need to be lost? Our lives matter and our safety matters! On June 17, 2016, I too had a bad car accident due to another young person’s recklessness and arrogance and what did the authorities do about it? Nothing! Instead our authorities understanding the severity of the situation when it comes to reckless endangerment, they want to know who was right and wrong was wrong; but when a life is lost there is no right or wrong; it’s a life lost, it’s gone forever.
Mr. Bas de Haan left behind loved ones; his family, friends and students who loved and respected him. It is extremely unfortunate that here on this 37-square-mile island we seem to have lost our sense of purpose, integrity and moral values. We have forgotten the meaning of righteousness, morality and worth. Every time someone dies in an accident we need to remember that that person’s life mattered, they left behind loved ones, they were loved, they were respected, they were a part of something bigger than themselves which is called “Purpose,” but most importantly we must remember that their life and safety mattered!
To our Government, Authorities and Law Makers, I pose the question once more, “How many lives need to be lost before the proper safety systems are implemented on our roads?” Enough is enough! We need speed bumps on the Airport Road to eliminate these horrific accidents. We need pedestrian crossings and clear markings on all the roads so that motorists and cyclists remain on their side of the road.
Additionally, there should be a straight, bold marking along with signs indicating that there should be no over-taking on the Airport Road as failure to do so will invoke severe penalties. Furthermore, the reckless endangerment of others on the road should be viewed as a serious offense and should come with grave penalties such as imprisonment, heavy fines, and licence being suspended or revoked so that these violations cease to exist.
Our island needs to wake up! We have been asleep for too long! Our lives are important, we deserve better because our lives and safety matters!
Lise Coats-Flanders
On behalf of Car Rental Companies, Airport Road
Dear Editor,
In your editorial “fact from fiction” you outlined the highly improbable amount of tourists which, according to the information received, would visit St. Maarten yearly. I was pleased to read that there are more than me who are not gullible, but I want them to be man enough to add their name to their opinion. No matter what the topic, I have stopped reading an opinion of which the writer's name is not added. Regarding that I am second to none. Officially there are, give-or-take 42,000 legal residents on St. Maarten and housing is already a big problem.
Already in the 1980's just around election time there were 6,000 voters and when ALM landed with about 30 visitors who at that time were famous for overstaying their visit and worked illegally. The commissioner of labour was also on that flight and waited in my office for his transportation to arrive, so I had the opportunity to ask him "where are we going to put them?" I also laid out my reason for that question using the 6,000 voters as the key. He totally agreed with my opinion on the matter, but he told me that all of that is in the hands of "The Old Man."
So when I mention that nothing has been done to make the St. Maartener independent in his own country after so many years, neither by those same politicians who are out there trying to con the people out of a vote, these are the kind of things I mean. I have personally discussed several topics concerning the protection of the St. Maartener in the labour field. Once I refused to hang around to protect those who went to work during a strike because it was not in the interest of the St. Maartener and was reprimanded for it.
Those who went to work though they were here with working permits accepted to be underpaid and the St. Maartener went on strike. I am pleased with your reaction. You analysed the information and deemed it highly unlikely. I call it a blatant lie. We just had news of which, in my opinion, is a highly unlikely attempt to tackle short-term contract and also the building of the new hospital from one minister, now this lie concerning the outrageous amount of tourist a hotel will bring to the island in a year from another part of the government.
When are the lies going to stop? Every day we are hearing about untrustworthy presidential candidates; is that same pattern being used here, because the people will have to vote for the lesser of the evils? Is not more the reason for me to suggest to the voters to choose completely new candidates. At least they would try to do something to make a good name for themselves for the future. The older candidates have become complacent and definitely do not care about the people anymore. When one throws out those kind of figures, the person responsible for permitting this is very disrespectful to the people of St. Maarten and this is a case where the term condescending is in place.
Russell A. SIMMONS
Dear Editor,
Finance Minister Richard Gibson, Sr., at a town hall session held in University of St. Martin (USM) said, “We have struck the jackpot,” adding that the Chinese have promised to generate at least one million Chinese tourists annually to the country. A 326-room hotel with a showroom and 450 executive apartments will be constructed on the Belair beachfront by a Chinese public-private venture.
The Minister also stated that the plans for the “Pearl of China” project have already been approved by Government and the ground-breaking for the project is slated for September 17, and should take some two years to complete. A company reflecting 50 per cent share ownership of the Chinese Government and 50 per cent by the Chinese private sector companies has been established in St. Maarten.
To me this project seems to be very vague and leaves room for a lot of questions that I believe need to be answered.
1) Is our infrastructure capable of handling an addition of one million guests to the island annually as it pertains to traffic and power supply? Are we prepared?
2) What would be the impact on the environment from the additional waste that would be generated?
3) What would be the impact on the environment in the surrounding area? What will happen to the natural pond?
4) Who will be constructing this facility? Will our people be contracted?
5) Who will be operating this facility? Has it been ensured that our people will be employed throughout this organization from top management to the jobs on the lower end of the organizational structure?
6) Why does this project appear to have been done in secrecy and in a rush, seeing the huge impact it could have on the country?
7) Will our people still have access to the beach?
8) Other than looking for a new water source and plans to work with Government on cheaper electricity options, what other investments is this group going to make to social, educational and sporting aspects in this country?
9) Will this group be receiving a tax break?
These are all important questions that need to be answered because the people of St. Maarten need to know. I’m in no way trying to downplay this initiative, but I would like to see our people benefit from this project as this country tries to move forward in revitalizing its economy.
Jason Peterson
Dear Editor,
Please allow me to comment on all the hoopla surrounding the announcement of the Chinese investment into a hotel and apartment complex on St. Maarten.
It was quite interesting seeing Minister Gibson, with much enthusiasm announce that they had hit the jackpot. Not too many people knew at the time that a Chinese company had just agreed to buy a 50% stake into NAGICO Insurances for US $ 142,000,000. You read correctly a 50% ownership stake for US $142 million. Minister Gibson as a major shareholder in NAGICO can rightfully declare a Jackpot!!
The Chinese investment in St. Maarten, I am afraid not so much. The Chinese do not invest or commit capital to any country or island in the Caribbean without an end-game. Whether it's political favour in the United Nations, which we don't have, or colonization of smaller entities to further their global agendas through the investments they make.
Furthermore, the company that bought into NAGICO, has direct ties to the Foshun Corporation, which is part of the Bahamian disaster called Bahamar. This Chinese disaster has hurt the Bahamian economy and credit rating.
This Chinese investment will most certainly bring Chinese labour for construction. Where will these many Chinese labourers live?
The plan also promises to bring 1 million Chinese tourists to the island. That would be almost 20,000 Chinese tourists every week of the year. How will our island handle this congestion?
How many of our people speak Mandarin? How many foreigners will be brought in to accommodate these million Chinese visitors? Where will the children of all the expats go to school? We will again be relegated to menial jobs and become second-class citizens in our own country.
Prime Minister Marlin and the National Alliance for as long as the party and politicians have been in power, have always declared that they are against selling out to foreigners. This sell-out is the greatest fleecing of our people since we were brought across the Atlantic by the Spanish in shackles.
I don't think we fully realize the impact, selling out to the Chinese will have. How will our ethnic, religious, cultural, and political landscape look in the next 10 years? I understand when hundreds of millions of dollars are passing through the hands of our leaders, self-interest will always top the people's interest. That is why Minister Gibson's Jackpot is not St. Maarten's.
Concerned Citizen
