Dear Editor,

It is the job of the Legislative Branch to conduct the checks and balances in dealing with the Executive Branch. In doing so, the coalition partners can be critical, but not at all times. After all, the Executive Branch is executing the governing program, backed by the coalition government.

On the other hand, one of the most important jobs of the Opposition in the Legislative Branch is to constantly question the Government in seeking clarity. This of course, is only possible, assuming that the Government remains answerable to the public at all times. The latter is of paramount importance for democracy to reach its full potential. A good opposition can point out serious issues, and debate them to get those resolved in the interest of the people.

According to scholars on the matters of government, the other major role of the opposition is to propose alternatives to what the government is doing, so the people get the benefit of political debate on different directions and alternative viewpoints.

The matter at hand in Statia, is that the Opposition attempted multiple times unsuccessfully to secure a debate on the precarious financial household of Statia, and the functioning of the Commissioner of Finance. In principle, this agenda point should not have any merit for the coalition government to go to the extent to filler bust this agenda point. Nine times boycotting the one and the same agenda point indicates that this ruling coalition is trampling on the trust bestowed upon them by the people.

There is a Financial Action Plan in place to be executed, and questions regarding the execution thereof seem to be the just thing to do. Democracy at the max. To just vote the agenda point off the agenda, not providing a quorum, or instruct the commissioners not to show up for the meeting, borders on child's play.

One can understand that it is an art to execute the power of the majority. One thing is sure and that is, if this solemn authority is used to stifle the Opposition, the ruling coalition failed miserably in that regard. The attitude of “might is right” is surely not in the interest of the coalition government. This only creates an unnecessary distrust and helps foment the growing perception among the public that the government has something to hide.

To those looking in from the outside, for example, The Hague, this childish behaviour is unbecoming for a Legislative Branch. There is also an indication of immaturity on the side of the coalition, and this surely will have ramifications. After all, no self-respecting entity will entrust a child with millions of development aid. This is a disgrace for the Island Council, a slap in the face of the people of Statia.

Being faced with these immature people’s representatives and knowing that these are the same persons knocking on the gates of The Hague seeking more autonomy, is a scary thought. If the premise for this autonomy is a proper financial household and a functioning administration, then these are surely not the persons qualified to deal with the future of Statia.

A government that shuns transparency and accountability, and gives "might is right" new meaning, is not a people's government, but one serving only its minions and own selfish agendas.

The UPC sincerely hopes that in the coming days the coalition partners will muster the ability to develop that little sense of responsibility, and also realize that they are doing themselves a disservice in the eyes of the community of Statia, and making our island the laughing stock of the Caribbean.

Elvin Henriquez

Deputy Leader

United People's Coalition

Dear Editor,

Wow! It has become unequivocally clear, that coalition governments do not work on St. Maarten. The unions are formed as a springboard to facilitate the thirsts of corrupt politicians and their entourage. Who could have thought that just before elections, MP Frans Richardson would be speaking this ill of the Finance Minister Richard Gibson? Is it not the same minister who the MP defended so fiercely, during the 2016 budget debate? Then how is it that all of a sudden, the minister is referred to as being too old to keep up with the times? This statement that the MP uses so conveniently will definitely come back to him.

   The question is: in which category does he place the minister that he appointed and the individual who he supports to become the next director of the airport? More importantly, when he goes on the campaign trail hunting down the voters, does he bypass the ones who he considers to be too old to vote for him? Or, does he try to convince them that the US Party, under his leadership, is the only choice for this election? And, how does he integrate his party’s manifesto to suit the lives of these persons of a golden age?

It is time that the electorate wakes up and smells the coffee that is being brewed – the beverage that will give them severe diarrhoea, shortly after October 31. The moment has arrived for the people to use their discretion and scrutinize before they finalize.

As I mentioned in my article last Friday, these unprincipled politicians see you the people as nothing more than just a vote. This is the permission that they need from you to keep them in power – the control that politicians like MP Frans Richardson need to inform you later that you are too old to maintain a particular position.

Furthermore, people really need to pay attention to what is transpiring at the moment. If MP Frans Richardson is throwing rocks at the Finance Minister now, just to highlight his party, what do you think will happen in a few months should his party becomes part of the next government?

Besides, if he is one of the next coalition partners, do people really think that there will be easy sailing with his party? These renegade members of the US Party will dictate the direction of the country and if they cannot get their way, they will throw down the government again. People should never forget that MP Frans Richardson made it abundantly clear that he cannot help anyone from the opposition benches.

This election is the run for his cricket stadium and God only knows the desires of the remaining rabble-rousers that are on his team. Coalition governments have not functioned efficiently because of their infidelity, and to run this country has become much too costly. Therefore, the electorate has no other choice but to give a clear mandate to a one party slate!

Joslyn Morton

Dear Editor,

I do not usually react to comments made in connection with my letters, unless those comments are from an influential source. When I read about the numerous complaints the police still receive regularly for issues like illegal parking, disturbing loud music, businesses remaining open after the lawful closing hours, traffic backed up, just to name a few and as a consequence the police keep meetings with the wrong-doers, I reacted. I reacted because even though I dearly believe in dialogue (I usually to time to make sure that both parties understood what was going on) I believe more in order and consistency.

Then I read the Editorial Promoting Awareness and was confused. Which citizen has more rights, I asked myself. I expected the editor to comment on the fact that the police were not enforcing the law and that everybody has a right to a comfortable night rest and equal protection. Instead the editor took it upon himself to border on discrimination and decided that the authorities have better things to do than constantly run around dealing with these kinds of situations, etc.

Should it not have been so that the first time the police went to solve that problem, the consequences of non-compliance should have been made known to the wrong-doers? No meetings would be necessary if it was dealt with in the correct way the first time.

And even worse, to have follow-up meetings. If the business owners do not agree they have the Chamber of Commerce to complain by. They can take a lawyer and dispute the decision of the police, but it should never be so that the police have numerous complaints for the same situation from the same businesses and find themselves with their hands up in the air looking for a solution to abide by the behaviour of wrong-doers. A sign of weakness.

Besides that the Prosecutor's Office should have intervened in that already after reading those numerous complaints, because that is part of their duty also. The reason for the traffic been backed up to the traffic lights and Bush Road was also clear to everyone. A drunken driver loses his driver's license as soon as a report is made up against him for failing the drunken drivers’ test. There is no warning. Numerous complaints of different kinds and the wrong-doers are called to a meeting. Wrong approach.

I fully agree with the idea and goals of the Community police, but police do not make deals. Police enforce the law, sometimes by summons and more often by their presence, but they do not make deals. Especially not with constant wrong-doers to see how to get them to comply. The fact that follow-up meeting will be scheduled tells me that the police left the door open for the wrong-doers to continue.

Once more I applaud the work of the Community police but the actual police work must not get lost in the midst while neglecting the rights of others. Do not forget "zachte heelmeesters, maken stinkende wonden.” Promoting awareness is not keeping meetings with people who know better and do not do better. The police are not probation officers. Do you want to tell me that those wrong-doers hands are really tied?

Russell A. Simmons

Dear Editor,

Politician in both territories of St. Maarten and Curaçao should join hands with both UP and MFK leaders to help bring better opportunities towards the people whereas if UP and MFK get into power Aruba will join both UP and MFK leaders as a move toward The Hague to demand the needs for their people for each three territories of the former Netherlands Antilles.

But for this to happen for the three territories leaders to hold one head, one mind and determination to put St. Maarten, Curaçao and Aruba as one great team, the people must put the government in the hands of UP and MFK to govern.

The people in the region and the rest of the world seeing the politicians are fighting against both the UP and MFK leaders whereas voters still have great confident in both the UP and MFK leaders.

The writing is on the wall, the voters not against the UP and MFK leaders it is the local politicians that playing enemies against these two individual leaders. (The people Nelson Mandela.)

Let us all hope next election 20-20 there will be district representatives in every district whereas politicians will get votes.

Only at their district nowhere else and they will stop jumping ship. Take for instance buses not running Middle Region, Sucker Garden, Oyster Pond, Dawn Beach, Guana Bay, and Pointe Blanche if St. Maarten had district representative and the Minister for transportation from the district, no buses not running, he or she will not get a seat in these areas.

Look again US $2.00 from Philipsburg to Marigot but when bus drivers put Middle Region People by the tamarind tree for US $1. 50 and a gypsy take them from the tamarind tree to inside Middle Region, for US $1.00 they paid in total $2.50 more than if they were going to Marigot.

Middle Region people pay gypsies from Middle Region to Pointe Blanche US $10.00 to US $14.00 roundtrip per person per day no parliamentarians, government, or ministers for transportation has helped the people with these transaction problems.

Middle Region road is better and stronger than Philipsburg street, why no buses not running in these areas? Why there are so much parties on this small Island? Why candidates that not elected not remain active on things and situations that need to be done for betterment for both the Island and the citizen, and why you all not getting more involved in NGO's and more self-employment?

The World is watching the elections. I’m predicting eight to nine seats for UP party, three to four seats for NA Party, one to two seats for DP party and, two to three seats for US party. For those other parties there's a one seat opportunity for them depending on the number of voters cast their votes the people are fed up since Claude Wathey gone.

It don't seems there will be a coalition government because if UP party and MFK party win or get to govern St. Maarten and Curaçao, Aruban citizens will jump up to the sky, the Angels are singing and dancing (St. Maarten, Curaçao and Aruba government will become a great team; together these leaders have common creativities in mind for their people.

Concerning the Chinese project the population seem not appreciated, not going well with the citizen of St. Maarten, so politicians elected be wise, hold the bull by horns and act on all the negative things the people don't like about the Chinese people and if UP party and MFK party get to govern Aruba St. Maarten and Curacao will have one voice dealing with

Holland that will make history these leaders are powerful in the region.

Cuthbert Bannis