Dear Editor,

Please allow me an opportunity to respond to Mr. Fernando Clark’s amusing and laughable rebuttal of an opinion piece I wrote with regard to the accomplishments of the current NA-led coalition Government over the past 10 months.

Firstly, I chose anonymity simply because the reputation of Prime Minister William Marlin and the National Alliance for political retribution against their critics has been well earned and documented over the years. So please forgive me if I fear the Wrath of the Government for speaking out.

As Mr. Clark is a supporter of the current coalition Government I challenge him to publish the following data and facts:

1. The number of tourist arrivals from January to June 2016, vs. the same period in 2015.

2. The Turn over Tax revenue from January to June 2016, vs. the same period in 2015.

3. The number of reported nose, throat and lung ailments at the St. Maarten Medical Center from January to June 2016, vs. the same period in 2015.

4. The total amount of money spent by the Government promoting St. Maarten’s tourism, excluding the SHTA’s marketing initiative on TripAdvisor and Expedia, from November 2015 to now.

5. It is a matter of public record that Disney Cruise Lines announced in late June 2012 to pull out of St. Maarten after the instalment of the NA-led Government in May 2012, which did not support Disney’s proposed investment in St. Maarten.

As for the other points, Mr. Clark did not dispute NA’s candidate, Louis Laveist’s roll in the fiasco at the new Government building that has led to tens of millions of dollars of taxpayers money being wasted. At least one point we can agree on.

The Causeway, a waste of money you say? Time is a precious and finite resource we all have in life, so I would also challenge Mr. Clark to research how much time the workers at PJIAE, RBC, WIB and Sonesta Maho, and the residents that must drive to town, save on their daily commute because of the Causeway. I know that the average time saved is 20 minutes per day. It may not seem like much but please do the math.

Over a 50-week work year, our people save 84 precious hours of their lives because of the Causeway; 84 hours per year that our people can spend with their children and families instead of in traffic! Money very well spent I say!

So in closing, Mr. Clark, please publish the data, because the truth is in the numbers. If not, please leave your comedy for the stage.

Name withheld at author’s request.  

Dear Editor,

  Now Emsley Tromp has been benched pending a criminal investigation - and although nothing has been proven yet, where there is smoke there is fire! It is time to contemplate whether the people of Sint Maarten should not break with the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten. Let that bank just be the Central Bank of Curaçao.

  One of the reasons Sint Maarten wanted to be independent was to be freed from institutions in Curaçao, but somehow that central bank remained in place and Sint Maarten kept the Nederlands Antilliaanse Florin or Antilliaanse Gulden (ANG). Some say that was for sentimental reasons, well nonsense, dump those sentimental reasons in a sinkhole.

Sentiments have nothing to do with it. It is about money.

  Civil servants get paid in ANG. and banks make lots of money exchanging that into dollars in a country, where a lot of shops have dollar accounts, so you have no choice. The official rate of the ANG. to the dollar is 1,77. So for one dollar, one pays ANG.1,77. However, most banks make you pay ANG.1,82. This is not entirely the bank’s fault, because on every exchange 1% from ANG. to dollar 1% goes to the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten to keep the ANG. in place, and so Tromp can make sure his girlfriend gets 3 million dollars. The rest goes to the bank, so they make tons of money.

  I say done with it. Done with being cheated at the gas station, when the ANG. is on the display and you pay too much in dollars. Done with an expensive Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten and an unnecessary reconstruction of its office in Phillipsburg.  Done with the corruption. Done upholding an obsolete institution and currency. Done with no less than three currencies on a small – but beautiful – island.

  Put the ANGXIT) on the agenda! ANGXIT is the way to go! Political parties, the elections are coming. Follow Saba and Statia and let us have the dollar as the official currency. Follow the advice from the SER.

Simpson Soualiga

Alias used at author’s request. 

Dear Editor,

Those who have orchestrated the reset of August Monday for the past few years now have brought the event ahead by several decades. From an ordinary event geared towards the indigenous people of the island, as an emancipation celebration, combined with the national sport of boat-racing, the scope of the August Monday activity on Sandy Ground beach has transcended the interest and consciousness of our people, and have rippled throughout the region as a monumental celebration of ethnicity and collaboration of all people from all walks of life; descending on Anguilla for one major national event, perhaps the largest of its kind in the region.

  It demonstrates how all people, working together, can make an enormous difference in the evolution of human consciousness and advancement. People of one kind, from one place looking out for one’s self are not calculated to broaden the perimeters of human effort. By working together with good will and determination towards goals that encompass and appreciate human effort, it actually broadens the scope of humanity which we all benefit in so many different ways. Assisting in commendable efforts to stretch the burden, where we all make sacrifice, we all benefit more.

  August Monday has become the natural phenomenon of our times on Anguilla.

  Growing up as a boy, I never missed an opportunity to go to Sandy Ground beach on an August Monday. Many of our forebears have not lived to see what this event has become. Whether or not they would approve of its evolution, one must admit that this event has accomplished an important goal – it has brought Caribbean people of all kinds in one place, on one day, for one major national, regional, and international event on one of the most acclaimed destination in the world, to celebrate that all important legacy, and the history of a people, people of our region. The emancipation of a people, Caribbean people demonstrating a strong will to endeavour and break down those barriers that seem will forever keep us apart.

  Those who have put innovative organization in place to stimulate, and maximize the interest in our people, and those of the region, must be commended. St Maarten / St. Martin are the Gold star winners here. They dominate this event on this day on Anguilla.   

  When we watch the continuous expanding range of beach front being totally and fully occupied by the pleasure boats and Yachts from SXM only, staying put until the last bit of activity has been exhausted, then pull up anchor and head back South, our wonderful, neighbour makes us proud each and every year for decades. This is extraordinary and extremely commendable; we simply cannot ask for more from a neighbouring community.

  Speak truth to power that this friendship could be exemplified with the addition of an official meet on the eve of August Monday, where the governments in representation of our people, Anguilla / SXM meet in an official commemoration of the natural coexistence and friendship between we, the people, of all three territories. We must be aware that a significant portion of the population of SXM is of natural born ancestry of Anguilla, making that significant portion, naturally Anguillian. Thanks to the people of SXM and Anguilla for such a peaceful coexistence for all our lives.                   

  Without doubt, government has come up short on its general planning and advancement of this great event for the island. There is actually nothing we can point to as positive contribution towards its great transformation for the island. We know that government is actually the major contributor in funding, but as we know, in the evolution of mainstream society much more than dollars and cents are required to make that dynamic impact.   

  Where is the master-plan for a community like Sandy Ground? Which will undoubtedly, overwhelm us all, including government in the next few years with its new construction and developments on the way, literally changing that community before our very eyes. It appears that there is no plan or provisions in consideration for the ever expansion and growth of the August Monday event. No plans for improved parking access or traffic management. I got trapped in traffic backed up as far as George Hill. There appears to be no planning for better accommodation or organization of this massive occasion, other than the natural assembling on the beach front.

  Not everyone attending the event wants to walk on the beach or bath in the crystal clear water of Sandy Ground and not everyone is there to be entertained by the massive set up for performing artists and consistent wave of international music.

  We have boat race enthusiasts, those who are jamming all day, all night, and some are just there to enjoy the dynamic atmosphere created on Sandy Ground Beach for that one day. A massive display of food and drinks, as large as they come, it seems to be not enough to accommodate the people, and not enough food to serve them all. More can be done to capitalize on this overall development.

  It is perhaps time for government to put in place a master-plan that would guide the continued evolution of this major event on the island, and be engaged in creating and improved the surrounding environment, contributing to the overall Sandy Ground community.

  What about a modern, well-engineered plan for modern containment of the salt pond, while creating better parking zones and recreational possibilities? In fact, there is a world of improvement that can be imagined for this area that can work sufficiently for modern development, and also planning toward this massive August Monday event consolidated, and creating a master piece for the community in environmental upgrades and general community improvements.

Elliot J. Harrigan

Dear Editor,

  It is that time again, where early morning risings become a part of our daily routine, and the roaring noises of the school buses fill the air. This message is not to scare you back to school, but an opportunity for all of us to take a good look around us. It is an opportunity to observe what’s happening around us and analyse the situations so we can take the lead in making a change.

  The theme of this year’s International Youth Day is, ‘Youth Leading Sustainability.’ What is sustainability? According to dictionary.com it is ‘the ability to be sustained, supported, upheld or confirmed.’ We must each ask ourselves how we can contribute to the sustainability of our country.

  Each citizen, regardless of age or gender, has an essential role to play in nation building. If we are to build a strong, viable country, our people must be skilled and knowledgeable to take up key positions in leadership. Our young people must therefore be prepared and equipped to lead. This preparation extends beyond the classroom to the community, and begins with a personal commitment to excellence.

  To be able to lead sustainability, I encourage you to do these three things this school year. 1. Stay focused. There are many things that can distract you from achieving your goals. Try your best to pay attention in class, so you can learn, develop and execute properly.

2. Always be yourself. All leaders are not the same. Good leaders are authentic; true to themselves. The world thrives on differences, and so will our country. Use your unique abilities and gifts to lead. A leader worth following brings something of value to the table.

3. Choose wisely. It is election time again (yay). It is time for us as young people to decide on our future sustainability. Do your research. Ask pertinent questions. Analyse the past and current situations. Do not vote for/support a particular party or candidate because your mother, uncle, sister or boyfriend is running. Make your choice on what is right for you and our country Sint Maarten.

  In conclusion, we all have a purpose. We were not put on this earth to be couch potatoes. Take the initiative as young people of Sint Maarten to make appositive changes for our future, and other generations to come.

  Happy International Youth Day and have a safe, successful school year 2016/2017.

Kamilah Gumbs

President, Sint Maarten Youth Parliament