Dear Editor,
I cannot say with certainty what is the real reason, but I have noticed that it is becoming more and more difficult for emergency vehicles with emergency lights and siren blaring to get through traffic as described in the traffic ordinance. On paying more attention to how drivers really behave when I hear a siren, I have noticed the following. Drivers with ear phones, in their ears while driving their vehicles are seemingly surprised when they hear the siren at the last moment, and are sometimes frozen and then do not know how to react.
They sometimes do not or cannot pull off the road or to the extreme right of the road. They even stop dead in their tracks. Other drivers look in their rear-view mirror and continue their merry way.
I believe that this is because of so many different kinds of vehicles using all kinds of what is considered to be emergency lights that many people just disregard them. That is also a concern of mine. Others make use of the opportunity to speed up and pass those drivers who have pulled off the road, instead of they themselves pulling off the road. And then there are those who intentionally speed behind the emergency vehicle (piggy back), not caring what the consequences could be if that vehicle had to stop suddenly for whatever reason.
Another phenomenon is with drivers not adhering to the instructions given by the person directing traffic. I have seen oftentimes that the police are sending the traffic in one direction and drivers instead of following the orders given by the police; pull up close to the police officer, impeding the flow of traffic to tell the police officer where he/she is going or to ask why is the traffic being detoured.
This kind of behaviour is irresponsible and also forbidden according to article 21 of the traffic ordinance. This is one of the situations where I have always insisted on drivers following my instructions first and asking questions after, because it would be defeating the purpose for me being there if I had to listen to every driver, who had to explain me what their intention was.
While I'm talking traffic, permit me to make this observation. I believe that a motor vehicle (car) is one of the premier possessions of the people on Sint Maarten. This because of the infrastructure of the roads, and the very poorly-regulated public transportation, mainly because of the routes and the times. Because of this, I believe that those car owners should always have the documents of their vehicles in order, to avoid the risk of the vehicle being impounded with all ensuing consequences.
It is the third year now that I have noticed that the vehicle inspection office is overrun by owners of cars having to get their cars inspected, because when they pay their road tax, if the documents of the vehicle are expired, they do not receive their plates. It is not the responsibility of the receiver to control the documents of one vehicle, but the receiver should not facilitate anyone in using the road with a vehicle of which the documents are not in order. So the receiver will not issue you a plate.
What I have gathered by being inquisitive is that not everyone’s name, who is on the documents, is the actual owner of the vehicle. Meaning that there are a whole lot of people who live and own a car on Sint Maarten, who are not documented as residents here. If the Inspectorate of Taxes decides to look into this and introduce a law to also levy taxes based on the number of motor vehicles one possesses, here again, innocent Sint Maarteners would fall victim because of practices introduced by undocumented residents.
I will repeat again. To walk a mile one has to begin with the first step.
Russell A. Simmons
Dear Editor,
It was quite interesting to read the “Enough is enough” article on the opinion page this week, as it is my exact sentiment, along with that of many others in the same situation.
It appears that one day, the supervisory branch of the Catholic School Board decided to implement the extended school day with utter disregard on the affect it would have on its teachers, and therefore all other stakeholders.
The reality is that teachers are to fulfil a function, which by the way should be done within their functioning hours 7-3, all day, all night. It should not be expected that what was once willingly done during extraordinary hours by teachers become a bold, indirect command by employers. This notion depicting that in order to be a passionate teacher requires a teacher to be on task 24/7 without uttering a peep needs to stop immediately.
People fail to realize that teachers are also part of a human race, with family, friends and other activities not related to the vocation of teaching. The so-called many vacation days does not compensate for the multitude of what we teachers do, so let's not even go there.
Lately, this vocation has gradually had a new function description attached to it, namely administration. The problem once again is that provisions to fulfil that function along with the already existing function of a teacher is never made to occur within the working hours. Instead the teacher-student contact time was extended, thereby decreasing the time for all other tasks including the never-ending, sometimes questionable workshops.
Teachers are burnt out, exhausted and gradually becoming demotivated. Passionate employees remain passionate in an environment where compassion and respect is received from the supervisory level. What was the objective of extending the school day? This definitely was not needed in order to implement an afterschool programme.
Was it done to see the teachers physically at school longer, or was it just a way to execute command? Has there been any noteworthy or significant changes in academic and artistic performances/results since the implementation of the extended school day? Is it even really needed?
A survey was indeed sent out to parents asking them for their thoughts on extending the school day, however, results of this was never shared with the relevant parties, especially the teachers. The idea of the extended school day was presented and implemented in a matter of several weeks.
However, since we are not anywhere on the burner for this board to hear our sizzle, it is only fair to plead to our fellow colleagues in the supervisory positions at other boards and government NOT to implement the extended school day.
At the end of it all, in order to produce holistic students, the reality is that having holistic teachers who are not burnt out, exhausted or demotivated is the key ingredient. You should want energetic, freely willing and motivated teachers in your schools and extending the school day without making provisions within the respective functioning hours to fulfil ALL tasks related to this vocation is just another form of modern day slavery.
As for the Catholic School Board, you are diluting the quality of your staff. Insisting to continue like this will only result in one of two things – a very quick staff turnover or schools with exhausted, frustrated teachers walking around, or maybe even both.
Happy Catholic Schools Week, and let us indeed spread the good news!
A genuinely passionate and honest teacher who deserves a compassionate employer.
Name withheld at author’s request.
Dear Mr. Editor,
Permit me some space in your valuable well-read newspaper. Earlier today [Monday – Ed.] I went to the Census office in the morning to collect my car’s number plates, for I had already made the payment in January. As I approached the building, I saw a small group of people huddled together on the outside. I would have never thought that those same people were also there to collect their paid plates.
When I got inside the building, I was told by a kind security guard that I would need to join the line on the outside. As it was my day off, I didn’t have the time to stand around all morning. The same kind security guard told me then it’s better if I came back before they closed at 3.30pm. As I returned a little bit before 12:00pm, the line was still long, but on the inside of the building, so I took my chances to stay and wait until I got assisted.
What I want to add is that there needs improvement on the collection of number plates. Year in, year out, we are using the same old method. We are already 16 years into the 21st century, and we label ourselves as modern and advanced. From what I heard, someone mentioned that a tent could have been set up on the outside of the building adjacent to the door of the building, or at the windows and have at least several employees go back and forth getting the plates out.
Another suggestion would be to perhaps have the plates sorted by M-plates from 100-5000 digits picked up on certain days, and then do the same for the P-plates, etc. Or why not make temporary use of Festival Village right next door? And please, let us not forget our senior citizens. Open a window just for them. From what I witnessed today, it’s kind of absurd to have everybody together at once standing in line to collect their plates, while there was another line for making payments as well.
It is a public secret that the Census Office building is bursting at its seams, due to the population growth in the last few years. In a small cubicle like that, it’s hardly impossible that tempers would flare, which they did. For after standing, waiting for so long, human nature at its worst starts to kick in. People do tend to get agitated and or aggravated in that small enclosed space. Come on, St. Maarten, we can do better than this; after all, it’s our hard-working taxpayers’ money you are collecting.
I must make mention of the young and dynamic staff that they had on duty today; they were doing a great job with staying focused and very calm, despite their environment. I give them 3 kudos!! They have picked up where the elderly folks have left off!
Hoping to see much-improved methods in continuing to serve us, the general public.
Magnolia van der Mark
Dear Editor,
Please allow me some space in your newspaper to address all artist/musicians and so-called artist/musicians.
As calypsonians, soca artists and musicians we are to be discipline to the core for we set an image to the general public as professionals, especially those with experience need not to be educated where this is concern, but is seems we all need an intense refresher now and then so we can stay focus and on track to these facts.
Note: I’m in this artistry for two decades and a half and counting, in the course of my experience I have learned that respect is key to discipline, we are to appreciate the little things God blessed us with and stop trying to cry down another brother from getting his blessings for the devil never wins!
Few days now, after the Soca Rumble result we have a so-called professional
artists/musician taking matters out of proportion going up on Facebook and posting senseless posts with misspelled words worse than when a non-English person is learning to speak English with the entire post out of context, and is a case of contradiction within their false information (learn to write and spell before you try to criticize another brother).
Nevertheless, this act is unacceptable and epitomizes illiteracy. which reminds me of the calypso by Alana Khan - Moron & Oxymoron; acts of such make a jackass intelligent in comparison to humans, you can’t go a disrespecting the groovy Soca King Timo and Power Soca Rickie-Fox, much less our Calypso Monarch Fish Da Mega Boss Alberto Arrindell, down to myself a veteran and respectable composer a master of the art as that.
Then Big-Money Rey /X-Rey quote: As you are fully aware so-called Dr. of music, whether you like it or not we are name-brand artists and you are a no-frill artist. Therefore, show respect to the masters, learn to be humble and count your blessings and stop crying like a “Drag Queen B*tch!” because at the end of the day it isn’t worth it. You only depreciating your own image and self-respect, which shows clearly not all humans have it, they rather embrace the image of a damn fool.
In saying this, I must let my fans and critics know when I divert from where I go to produce my music, after teaching a few producers what I know and I learning what they know, that is because I’m striving for higher heights and aiming for best. Because of course in life we all need one another and learn from each other, it’s the heart of life for a man who knows what it takes to be at his very best. Some of us ignore this principle and give ourselves self-praise; that doesn’t count and it never will.
I am indeed thankful to make one of the segments of the Soca Rumble even though I didn’t make one, and I always believe what’s not for me is not for me. I cherish it as a blessing to a next man which we are to share the bread, and as always I respect the credential chosen judges as they see it, they know what they are looking for to maintain a certain standard of this show which Grisha Marten has put together for us to shine, God bless her soul. They may have a hard decision yes, but we all need to give others a chance at times.
So, when a man chooses to blow his own horn he is living in a lost world of fantasy telling himself he is the best musician in the world/SXM, but I quote as a realist to be the best you have to beat the best on the soil of St. Martin/St. Maarten Island, and to do that as a musician you have to go through Terror, Mr. Stutter Nic, Lega-c Rey/Gotkin, Skellet of Red Eye Crew, Youth Waves Neville James/ Fats Funk Gumbs Sr. and many more who are in high standard before you can even get a place on the first step at pro level.
I have composed for many and don’t brag about that; not only on St. Maarten, but many artists on the island of Anguilla, St. Vincent and the Grenadine, and now Grenada yet I remain humble for I will be one day great. My old-school-retro style that has you furious and senile, the music was produce by my good friend a calypsonian again, a true master of the art Richie Buntin, and trumpet by Steven Brown and trombone Neville James horns arrangement by me, myself and I, His Majesty Baker Jr. and composed by me as well. It was mixed and mastered by Neville James, and my boy Big-Money Rey was produce in Guadeloupe, which outshines the so-called musician songs that failed to make it in the soca rumble line-up and mix and master by his song Gotkin AKA Lega-c Rey-C a young maestro.
In closing, I must let you know any calypsonian can master the art of soca 10 times better than an artist that only do soca, for the simple fact Calypso is much more dynamic for the limited human intelligence such as yours, and Calypso is the mother of Soca, always remember that.
Below is a little education where calypso came from that created soca – Calypso is the living document of our nation’s history and development.
Calypso is the chronicle of human civilization in song. In this regard, it has been both a chronicle of the past and a form of positive. The calypsonian, the music maker, is portrayed as an agent of resistance, affirmation, he argues that among other things music “serves as a record of a civilization or is rooted in this resistance against inhumanity and the quest for humanity.
Calypso is the voice of our people as we claim our space in the world
Calypso is the editorial in song of the life we live; through calypso our history unfolds by calypso our stories are told, what the media fear to highlight reveal because of bribery calypso will appeal and expose universally. Therefore, calypso is the saviour of humanity crying out for equality, calypso is the ring leader of heroes and black history.
Calypso was born in Africa and it is a certain style of music which had incorporated into it rhythms that are typical of African music. This type of music is played during Carnival by Calypsonians, singers, who have prepared for the event all season long. These songs poke fun at anything and anyone, from politics to gossip and on occasions some controversial topics.
During the time when the Caribbean was under colonial rule, slaves too would use this as a way to have their voices heard. When the slaves would sing these songs they would make fun of their masters, the condition that they were in, and at any other political figure in society because they knew that they wouldn't be persecuted for it.
After the Christmas holidays, Calypso music can be heard any and everywhere, from house to house, corner store to pub and clubs, far and near over yonder down yonder, everywhere and every island that embraces calypso.
The Carnival fever sweeps the nation and each Calypsonian’s goal is to win popularity of the people with their songs because during Carnival there is an event where they compete for the title of Monarch for the rest of the year. In this event each Calypsonian performs his/her songs and competes against last year's champion. I Hope all so-called artist are now well educated. Stay bless, remain humble and be disciplined at all time.
Andrew “Baker Jr.” Richardson
Dear Editor,
Today I believe that I have come to the end of my proverbial rope! I am a teacher and have been for the past 15 years. Working hard and dedicated every day to give my contribution to those young minds that will one day in the near future be among our nation’s leaders. Imparting to our youth, love, wisdom and many times my own resources.
I am positive that I am just one of the many dedicated teachers, social workers, school managers, student care coordinators and other school staff members on the island who share the exact same experience.
Our society has evolved drastically over the past several years, and this has brought with it some positive but also many extremely challenging factors such as severe behaviour problems and a lack of social skills. The effects of these changes have unfortunately also brought with it a moral and economic breakdown. The extended family unit has become extremely scarce and parents have to do what they can to make ends meet.
Often this means that children are either left alone for many hours because their parents make long hours on the job, some even need two jobs to make ends meet. The result being that many children do not even have a warm meal to look forward to when they get home!
Now we are all aware that these social ills are taking place around us, and I am sure we all agree that we can no longer turn a blind eye to the reality. Surely we as a society can put our heads together and look for meaningful ways to remedy a significant part of these cases.
Sponsored afternoon school classes would help in a great way. One such suggestion is that the business sector could contribute by sponsoring a number of children per school to be able to participate in already existing after school or community programs. I am sure that there are several other ways we can band together to give our support to those families who most need it.
Having said that, I would strongly urge the Catholic Schoolboard to revisit the already implemented initiative of extended school hours. The Division Public Education should seriously reconsider their plan to implement longer school hours in the new school year as well. You are overburdening your teaching staff! We are the same teachers who go out of our way to make sure things run as smoothly as possible in our class rooms, sometimes without the proper tools. Sometimes going in on weekends.
Remember that teacher’s task do not only comprise of teaching, but correction work as well as preparation. All of the above mentioned certainly brings us to eight working hours and even more during those peak periods of test week, CITO’s etc.
Extended school hours entail that teachers have to teach students till 2pm and stay at school till 2:30pm (or possibly until 3pm if Division Public Education follows through with their plans). This does not work for teachers, parents or students. Especially since most teachers and student’s days start at 7am! Students are tired at 1pm and teachers are becoming burnt out!
Keep in mind that our climate also plays a significant role, as many do not have the luxury of air-conditioned classrooms. Parents are forced to make other arrangements for their children to get home, because they can no longer pick them up during lunch hour. Initially a survey was done among parents and staff of the Catholic schools and neither party was in favour of the extended school hours. Lo and behold, a few months later it was still implemented. It is high time that those in managerial and administrative leadership positions stop being arrogant and start to pay attention to the experiences of those working in the field. Put a stop to extended school hours! Teachers it is time for us to make our voices heard
Name withheld at author's request.
