Dear Editor,

Over the past five years, St. Maarten has undergone serious growth trauma. From unstable Governments, the worst financial crisis ever in our history, an escalation in crime, unemployment to other unattended social issues. These issues all require urgent attention but they can only be effectively dealt with through unity between Government and Parliament.

According to the Constitution of St. Maarten, Articles 82 to 89 clearly outline Government and Parliament working together in the best interest of the people of St. Maarten.

The Story of the Tower of Babel in the Bible, Genesis 11:1-8, presents a clear picture of what can happen when people unite…. Genesis 11:6 And the Lord said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; NOW NOTHING THAT THEY PROPOSE TO DO WILL BE WITHHELD FROM THEM.”

If the 15 members to be elected to Parliament were to recommend a Council of Ministers and all were to clearly understand what it means what it means to work together as one, in order to serve the people, then they will transform St. Maarten into a prosperous and healthy nation because NOTHING THAT THEY PROPOSE TO DO WILL BE WITHHELD FROM THEM.

“The power in unity can only be effectively achieved where teamwork and cooperation are practiced.”

Lisa Alexander

Dear Editor,

Please allow me to address the Social Health Insurances SZV Bank on the occasion of the 67th anniversary of the universal declaration of human rights on December 10, 2015.

Ladies and gentlemen...

We come here today

over the bank in Great Bay

Place now called Harbour view

To present our main point of view

On this the 10th of December, 2015

knowing that on this day

In the year 1948, 48 nations

of the then United Nations

came together

And ratified the international convention on human rights

However, today 67 years later

We come to denounce the abuse

Of our human rights in St. Martin

And the open misuse

Of the law that was meant to protect us

We speak for all those that have suffered

But can't speak for themselves

Because they are now silent in their graves

We speak for those that would like to be here

But they are confined to a hospital bed

because of hard labour and bad treatment

We also speak for those that

After working so hard for many, many years

They are still working two jobs to make ends meet

Because they were refused the pension they seek

We speak this morning for our young and coming generations

We speak for the unborn so they too

Don't have to go through

The same sufferation

And deprivation

As we do

We are appealing to you

Ladies and gentlemen

For you to join with us

To find the solutions

And by so doing, together

We will confirm to our forefathers

That their resolution

Was not just a mere illusion

Raymond Helligar

Dear Editor,

The Constitution of Sint Maarten was unanimously adopted by the island council of Sint Maarten on July 21, 2010, and entered into force on October 10, 2010, the date of the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles.

The Constitution does not grant anyone or any entity the authority to postpone or cancel a Dissolution Decree once it has “entered into force” by publication, according to Article 89, including His Excellency drs Eugene Holiday, The Council of Ministers or Parliament of Sint Maarten.

A dissolution of Parliament requires new Elections. Therefore, elections must be held according to the Dissolution Decree (Landbesluit Van de 28e oktober 2015, no. LB-15/0951) on February 9, 2016.

Article 59 of the Constitution, unlike Article 33, is an Article that must be enforced “as is.”

Article 59:

1. Parliament may be dissolved by national decree.

2. An order for dissolution shall also require new elections to be held for Parliament which has been dissolved and the newly elected Parliament to meet within three months.

3. The dissolution shall take effect on the day on which the newly elected Parliament meets.

We, the people of Sint Maarten “… declare that we are a people that believe in the principle of democracy, the rule of law, the principle of the segregation of powers, the dignity and value of the individual, the entitlement of all persons to the fundamental rights and freedoms; …”

Lisa Alexander

Dear Editor,

I see the leader of the UP Party Theodore Heyliger has come out of hiding from where ever he was since his government took office. Now, since his government has been sent home, he has become a frequent media user. The same media his government has avoided for over nine months. He is now using the media to try to fool the people of this country. His last attempt was his statement: "Government stalls new generator purchase as people sit in darkness."

I have to admit, it sounds good, but not convincing. MP Heyliger mentioned in his statement that "GEBE has been struggling with various power-generation and related issues for more than two weeks now." The MP went on to say: "Similar struggles were experienced by the company in early October and intermittently in November." And he blames the recently installed NA-led government for keeping the people in darkness.

I have a few simple questions for the MP. Who was in government for the past year, including October and November? What have they done about the situation at GEBE? Had the last government been proactive, they would have foreseen the problem and would have been able to deal with it beforehand.

But all we have heard in regard to GEBE from the former government under the UP leadership were things like; Managing Director being fired and taking government to court, rumours about deals being made to purchase fuel from the Dominican Republic, fuel clause rising while oil prices were dropping worldwide, no relief for the people of the country, particularly the elderly, and the list goes on and on.

Let's not go on into other sectors where things like the Managing Director of SXM Airport was sent home and....you know what? I need not continue.

The people have suffered under UP-led government much more than they will under a new government. I am trying hard to find the positive that we have experienced during the past year that UP-led government was at the helm, but I can't. Perhaps the MP can remind us of at least one.

Lastly, I want to advise the MP to please stop thinking that the people are stupid. They know better.

Fernando Clark