Dear Editor,
I write to you today to answer the burning question some of my supporters, and those still on the fence about supporting me, have had over the past few weeks since I announced that I will be contesting the upcoming St. Maarten Parliamentary Elections as a candidate for the United St. Maarten Party.
The question is why the USP and not another party. The answer to that question is simply this. Today, we see many of the seasoned politicians in parties that have been around for years do nothing but line their pockets with the people’s money, taking projects and making them their personal bank and giving only their close friends and families the opportunity to advance themselves. Like many of you I am a victim of this type of greedy politics that has left us and our children without much hope for a future for this country.
Our educational system seems to give no real answer as to a way forward, and we still have issues with language of instruction for children who grow up confused about the choice of words to use; and, the standard of our education still falls below that of the rest of our Caribbean partners.
You witnessed the game being played, now it’s time to actually build a decent Medical Centre and you ask yourself why. Many of our politicians have either been dragged to court or are suspected of some form of corruption.
So, I looked around and I recognized that Frans Richardson has fought from a simple upbringing to become a voice for the people. He has also gained experience working within the system and he understands what is needed in order to get the Country moving forward. He, unlike many of the others, has had less of an opportunity to do something for our people, and those who have had their chance took that opportunity for self-enrichment. Growing up in Simpson Bay, individual and having to take care of two children on my own with a family who did their best to keep a roof over our heads, I understand just like Frans does, the cry of the poor people of this Country; and, while it could have been another party, we have seen clearly how they spend their time making the rich richer.
So, yes I have chosen the USP because it has the most down-to-earth leader in Mr. Frans Richardson, and it is being joined by grassroots people who understand the fundamentals of going back to the basics like MP Maurice Lake.
We are going to be a force to be reckoned with because we are incorruptible, and we have all chosen to walk away from being corrupted or being part of any group whose sole goal is to suck this country dry and leave its people in the squalor. So, look at what we are about to do and not just at what party we are on. Look at the background of the people on the USP and you will see that finally St. Maarten has a party of people that look like its people, feels the pain of its people, understands the peoples’ cry and knows the difference between promises and action.
Jelen Coulanges
Dear Editor,
I believe MP Cornelius de Weever got a little overzealous when he suggested placing the matter of reinstating St. Maarten on the UN’s list of non-self governing territories on the IPKO agenda for next week. A move promptly endorsed by MP Meyers. This basically means re-listing St. Maarten as a colony.
Dear Mr. Editor,
On April 26, 2016, Minister of Justice Edison Kirindongo along with representatives of the various unions that represent the civil servants working in the Justice Ministry appeared in Parliament to respond to the questions posed to him on the insurance policy for police officers.
Minister Kirindongo showed the Members of Parliament a PowerPoint of what he has been doing in order to have a suitable insurance package for the justice workers. He said that the unions in collaboration with his Ministry already selected an insurance company that will provide insurance for the justice workers.
The cost of the insurance policy will be NAF. 35.00 per worker per month a total of NAF. 420.00 per year per employee. Coverage for all justice workers will cost the Ministry NAF. 19,250.00 monthly for the 550 workers in the Justice Ministry, which brings it to NAF. 231,000.00 yearly.
The Minister was given credit by most Members of Parliament for being able to work with the unions and to find a reasonable solution to provide life insurance for justice workers who place their lives on the line on a daily basis.
I very much support the Justice Ministry in having a suitable insurance for personnel that put their lives at risk in the line of duty, but I have a couple of issues.
1) This should have been done for the Ambulance and Fire Department personnel also. How does this insurance compare to what the Ambulance and Fire Department has?
2) This insurance goes beyond the civil servants that put their lives at risk in the line of duty in the Justice Ministry; it also includes the rest of the personnel in the Justice Ministry. What about the rest of the civil servants in the other ministries? There seems to be an imbalance within the Government structure.
The Council of Ministers should realize that upon approving this insurance for the Justice Ministry it will create an imbalance within the government organization and also could have legal implications for government from the civil service. I would advise the Council of Ministers to think very carefully on approving this insurance as is.
Jason Peterson
Dear Editor,
St. Maarten Nature Foundation released the results from a survey concerning the dump fires and the effects of the smoke. As expected the results show that up to 73 per cent suffered from burning eyes, noses and or throats and up to 50 per cent experienced problems breathing and uncontrolled coughing. I was a part of the fifty per cent. This came from approximately 500 people who responded to the survey.
Now, while I continued pressing the Honorable Minister of Health, Mr. Emil Lee on social media, to take the initiative and do something like finding a temporary solution so we do not have to go through this unhealthy predicament, the Treasurer of the Democratic Party pretty much lashed out and stated what Emil Lee said in previous comments concerning the Running & Stagnant Waste in public streets and private yards, and that all of this and the Landfill do not fall under portfolio of the Minister of Health.
However, with clear results as this, that the smoke indeed is affecting people’s health, the question is, how can anyone continue with the tone that this does not fall under the portfolio of the Minister of Health? Sure, Landfill is under the Ministry of VROMI, however, there are times that a specific issue can crossover to another minister’s portfolio.
I’ve been saying this since February concerning the waste water. True, the Minister of Health admitted this has crossed over to his portfolio, but on that same day DP’s Treasurer’s “Nonsense” comment was posted in a response to my Facebook post. You have to wonder just how much “teamwork” there is within the Democratic Party.
Let us focus on the People of St. Maarten and the unhealthy situations we have to live through that could turn into an unfortunate epidemic, due to lack of interest and enthusiasm to work on a solution to benefit the people. Not at election time when they’ll come to you and say “If you elect me I’ll do it for you,” no, we want it fixed right now. You are in Government. Unfortunately, right now, the Kimsha Parking Lot seems to be so much more important to this “hap-hazard crisis management” type of Government.
Now, I am being challenged by DP Board Member Mr. Q. Marlin “to put my money where my mouth is” by bringing solutions to the table and working together with the government for a better community. I’ve decided not to wait any longer, but take Mr. Marlin’s challenge head on. Matter of fact, I’ll go further and invite the Hon. Minister of Health, Mr. Emil Lee to join me and let’s take a walk into several districts that are affected not just by the smoke from the Landfill fires, but also the constant running waste, that becomes stagnant in some yards.
I’ve done this on several occasions, whether it’s a quick walk-through or visiting homes and speaking directly to those who have already suffered for too long. I do hope the Minister will take time out of his schedule to join me, let’s get the Minister a real life look at what’s taking place in the various communities.
With that said, it is important for you to know that with or without the Democratic Party’s Minister, I’ll continue to visit these districts, I’ll continue to listen to the people, like I’ve been doing since September 2015.
I am ready to Lift UP St. Maarten together.
Armand Meda
Dear Editor,
Let me start with the consensus. “Parliament has to convene meetings to determine who is a St. Maartener before the very next elections.” I have been getting reactions from a whole lot of people especially those who have lived on St. Maarten for years and have children born here as well as the French side.
The majority of them have similar stories. They are treated like foreigners when they go back home, especially if they have a Dutch passport. In their country, which they left and came to St. Maarten to make money and send back home to help their families and help build up, they are treated like strangers. If I am not mistaken one of the problems of the Caricom countries is migration between the member countries.
By now we know that no matter which government you support, if things are good in the country it is good for everyone. The same goes for the contrary – if things are bad in the country it is usually bad for everyone, which brings me to the question what would be the difference between a Member of Parliament who did not get re-elected and a person who lost his job.
My answer to that is the reason for the difference in compensation. I will always be against that policy, because none and I will repeat none of those Members of Parliament could prove to me that they have worked the equivalent of 40 hours per week during their tenure as a Member of Parliament; contrary to the average 12 hours a day of the average workman.
Government should know that that one per cent story is hogwash. If we are contemplating independence, we definitely have to determine who is a St. Maartener. I would suggest that voters especially start demanding from government to begin the process now. Yes, before elections because we are sick and tired of election promises which are never complied with and we are also not accepting the fall of the different governments as a reason for non-compliance.
There are several models as we know, and government should invite all who desire to submit their model of “who is a St. Maartener” before June 15, 2016, in order to get the process in an acceptable advance stage or completed before the elections.
I hope that that bloggers and twitters would jump on the band wagon and decide not to vote for anyone if nothing is done to determine “who is a St. Maartener.” This is vital for the future of especially the young people of St. Maarten.
Beware I am not talking about independence that is going to take a while; I am talking about government determining who is a St. Maartener in order for “the St. Maartener” to be counted in his country, starting with the labour department doing the right thing when it comes to salaries for locals as opposed to those who accept less than the minimum wage. When foreigners, who have lived here for years and have acquired a Dutch passport, want for the St. Maarten people to take back St. Maarten I also think it is time.
Russell A. Simmons
