Dear Editor,
On February 2nd of this year, I wrote an article in this newspaper entitled: "The value of a life", in which I condemned the proposed sentence of 15 to 18 months imprisonment against two youngsters, who fled from police in St. Peters, after threatening someone with a firearm. They were chased by Police and ended up fleeing on foot across the ball field behind Cost-U-Less, at which time they fired at least ten shots at the two Police Officers.
I also condemned the lawyer who, in representing the two suspects, said that their attempt to escape "was not deliberate, but a spontaneous action." Your editorial of December 2 reads: "After all, a well-known man trying to earn his daily bread in an honest manner was killed by unscrupulous robbers, who clearly don't place much value on human life." It took your newspaper exactly 9 months to confirm in its editorial exactly what I wrote on February 2nd.
To top it off, the person suspected of murdering the innocent gas station attendant turns out to be one of the youngsters who, together with his fellow accomplice, fired at least 10 shots at Police. According to the article on the front page of your newspaper of December 2, the suspect "was sentenced earlier this year and was released in March" and, according to the headline caption, "was out of prison for good behaviour".
We started the year 2015 with the authorities on both sides of the island offering persons in possession of illegal fire arms to turn them in during a specified period, at which time no questions would be asked. They warned that anyone caught with illegal fire arms in their possession after the deadline would face stiffer penalties. Well, it looks to me as if the stiffer penalty includes a reward of being released from prison prematurely.
There are countless reports of people who were caught with illegal fire arms and got off with very soft sentences. Now here comes my question about the value of a human life: Why is a sentenced criminal, who fired at least ten shots at two Police officers released from prison prematurely for "good behaviour? The law clearly shows that it placed no value for the lives of the two police officers whose lives were in danger.
The youngster too made it abundantly clear that he shows absolutely no regards for human life. If we doubted him after firing ten shots at two police officers, he convinced us now. Instead of leaving him sit out his full sentence, we allowed him back on the streets to prove his point: He has no regard to human life.
I applaud the witnesses, who provided the police force with the necessary information to apprehend the culprits, and I cannot hold back my praise for the brave men and women of the police force for their swift action.
But, I cannot end this article without asking the following question, which is in no way intended to be construed as racial or bias. If the youngsters had fired at least 10 shots at a judge or a prosecutor, do you think they would be on the streets today? Think about that when trying to establish the value of a human life.
Fernando R. Clark
Dear Editor,
The month of December has begun, the year is quickly coming to a close and as I get ready to celebrate the festive season and a new year, I believe and pray will be a better year for St. Maarten. I pray for an election that will bring a stable and hard-working government, less violence on our island and throughout the world, and a better financial year for all.
Over the past month I have made my position clear concerning snap elections on February 9, 2016. I believe once the wheels of democracy (elections) begin to turn, it should not be removed by any government or individual. Any attempt at tampering with our right to vote is a violation of our democratic rights.
Now, unfortunately, that is exactly what our Honourable Prime Minister is doing when he sends a decree, backed by the Coalition of Eight to the Governor's desk. There is no excuse in the book to call for an indefinite postponement of an election authorized by the Governor and posted in the National Gazette. If there is any article in our constitution allowing such actions to be taken, to do away with the most important part of our island's democracy, then we have a much bigger problem in our flawed Constitution than I thought since 2010. We have a democracy flaw in our Constitution.
I have been called a ship jumper, a traitor, even a thief. I don't know if the individual who accuse me for stealing the core symbol of the Democratic Party knows the difference between a lighthouse and a flaming torch. One thing is clear; you can lift and move forward with one and the other remains stagnant.
There is a difference between the torch I selected to represent my vision for St. Maarten's future and a lighthouse abandoned by the 66-year-old party two years ago. The symbol signifies the passing of the torch to a younger, brighter, more intelligent generation on St. Maarten. However, political leaders hell bent on clinging to power no matter what will not even teach the future generation how to hold and lift that torch properly, less yet run with it.
We should always invest in our future and I can say the United People's (UP) party has shown these actions and not just when elections are just the corner, like that plastic Christmas tree that is taken out, set up and decorated; give it all the attention needed and once the season is over is dismantled placed back into boxes and into the closet until Christmas rolls around again.
UP has shown a different side of politics when it comes to getting their youth involve, they have been active year round and for that I applaud the party. Let's hope other political parties, old and new alike, will take note and follow in being active, getting youth involved and not wait until elections are around the corner.
Late last week an NA supporter questioned how just one year I proudly waved the "red" flag and today I publicly support the United People's party while tossing some jabs at the Democratic Party. That NA supporter simply does not understand the logic of this young, vibrant, enthusiastic and aspiring politician who waved red flags last year and green flags this year and will continue doing so for a very long time.
Allow me to switch to the third person. The known Armand Meda has always been enthusiastic of the party that he supported for more than 20 years; that was the Democratic Party of St. Maarten, and yes, in 2010 he waved those flags in support of the party almost as hard as the candidates of that year. He also believes that he was one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the same party throughout the 2014 elections. He waved those flags hard and proud and was not ashamed of it.
With no regret he pointed out the clear flaws from that same party. If you had taken the time and listened to him in 2010 and 2014, you would have known that the same criticism that he has for the Democratic Party today, was addressed on several occasions then. Maybe you were too busy following the white line.
How can I ridicule a party I support? It's simple. We live in a democratic society and I believe that if anyone supports a certain political party, then he has every right to point out not just the strong points, but also the weaknesses. For that reason I do not have a sense of guilt, and I can sleep well at night, even after constructively criticizing the party that had my support for so many years.
In closing, I highly commend the new political parties that came together to stand united for St. Maarten's Constitutional right. The wheels have started to roll and it should not be removed because a handful of Members of Parliament and Ministers think there is enough reason to annul the decree that calls for the dissolution of government and new elections.
The Honourable Prime Minister accepted the Governor's instruction upon taking office to work towards new elections and electoral reform. However, he abandoned those instructions clearly indicating that he accepted them with false intent. His actions display a lack of respect for authority. It is not your right Mr. PM to take (or postpone) our opportunity to go to the polls away from us simply because you want to execute your own agenda.
I do not care about your being scared of elections or not being scared. Believe it or not Mr. Prime Minister that is not important. What is important, is the people of St. Maarten having the opportunity to exercise their constitutional and democratic right to go out and vote on February 9, 2016. If you don't agree with that, or if you simply don't like it, then refrain from postulating yourself in order to contest the elections. By all means boycott it, but don't mess it up for all of us like you messed up your opportunity to fix St. Maarten's political crisis in 2012/2013.
Armand Meda
Dear Editor,
Why a prime minister so afraid of election? Not even considering of trying to get some of his candidates of his party in. Why? You promised your cabinet will do more better than Marcel Gumbs cabinet and you don't want to prove it with election?
The decree is signed and the agreement stands firm yes yes yes we want election we want to see who wins and want to send a pure message to parliamentarians to stop breaking government. We want election to experience article 59. Oh yes it was time our ministers make use of article 59 towards the parliamentarians and bury article 33 fifty nine feet deep on February 9, 2016.
Hon. Conelius was doing good with his portfolios. He is a good person. He and Hon. Theo performing good with their portfolios but I don’t want the minister for health to have the portfolio of labour in any government.
Now we seeing this present minister for health and labour and is so associated with SHTA have us thinking somehow in the interest of all the people that works in the companies where this minister got close dealings with in the past and is holding both health and labour portfolios.
We not judging him bad but I quote it is not nice for the same minister to hold the ministry of health and labour at the same time. Please do something with this situation parliamentarians. Our ministers for health should not hold the portfolio of labour.
I know Hon. Conelius has done and is doing a lot for the health of the nation and wants to see the new hospital built as soon as possible.
I also hate to see Dutch and French St. Maarteners celebrate St. Maarten Day together. That must stop stop stop. This year make it the last.
It’s nice for the Dutch and French to keep this togetherness on another date but not 11 of November yearly with the local food, drinks, music, band, culture, arts, sports, air show, racing, facing, local artist, international artist, international bands, and so many things citizen on both side can do together.
The French has more advantage on the Dutch side than the Dutch has on the French side when both side properly develop it will be great.
Cuthbert Bannis
Dear Editor,
Someone once said, “The longer I live, the more I realise the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me is more important than facts, it is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company…a church…a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day…We are in charge of our attitudes.”
The author of this partial quote could not have said it better. He was able to pinpoint the one thing that has a great impact our lives, whether it is negative or positive. While growing up as a child, my grandma and I would have several discussions and I can recall her saying, “…but if you have manners, it will take you all around the world.”
Much of this has vanished today but certainly, the population expects better from our parliamentarians, who are the representatives of the people. The situation in parliament regarding having respect towards the chair, is beyond disgrace and pity, for some members of the former coalition.
The only one who has truly demonstrated respect is Member of Parliament (MP) Johan “Janchie” Leonard and to a lesser degree, MP Theo Heyliger. This is why there is absolutely no merit in attaching the word “Honourable” to their names. It is undeserved and outright meaningless!
Some members of parliament feel that their so-called degrees and club affiliations make them superior to the chair. But as the author rightfully said, life is all about attitude. So, I like the attitude of the chairlady Sarah Wescot-Willams, when she remarked that certain members of parliament are underestimating her. In fact, she further recommended that these members read two books in particular, that were written by real scholars, who are adept with politics.
Little do these rebellious parliamentarians know that the chairlady has studied and evaluated their behaviours and so nothing will come as a surprise to her. Like the author, she too has come to the realisation that attitude is everything and so she has refused to let herself be lowered to their level.
I am sure that chairlady smiles inside every time she is reminded that being a toastmaster, one can deliver his or her message in a short and concise way. When one does not know, it is such a pity to hear him or her speak from an egoistic position, rather than from a source of knowledge.
Those who are aware also pity this kind of attitude because the fact is the chairlady, myself and many others including the proposed Justice Minister, are the original toastmasters. We became charter members since 1994 and credit is due to Jack and Asha Stevens for introducing this organisation to the St. Maarten community.
I am sure that many would remember the aircraft carriers that used to come here and welcome the people on board. We all had our assigned tasks and we were like a family. Does anyone of us brag about our accomplishments? There is absolutely no need to because it was all about self-elevation; impressing others was never an option.
And so I am humbled by the courage, patience and authority that the chairlady has demonstrated when she is confronted by members who are overpowered by mere arrogance. Their animosity towards the chair (oh what a difference it makes when the table turns) and their desires to derail the proper functioning of parliament, have exposed them completely.
They have shamed themselves and the people, and ultimately, destroyed their political career. What is disturbing is that these renegade parliamentarians were in charge of certain departments before. Then I cannot help to conclude that this is exactly how they have treated their staff and their behaviour is just a mirror of their personal life.
As previously stated, I admire the strength of the chairlady Sarah Wescot-Williams and the way she exercises wisdom to maintain some semblance of calm within the House of Parliament. This kind of performance to persevere, with a mission in mind, not only takes patience and loyalty, but most of all, a positive attitude.
Joslyn Morton
Dear Editor,
In The Daily Herald of Thursday, November 19, 2015, on page three the headline read “Today is deadline for permit to access town during closure.” I concluded that this was an ongoing process and that that was a reminder. I did not recall reading anything about that so I proceeded to read the article. The article stated that the letter to the businesses was dated November 16 (Monday) and that the applicant had until today, Thursday, November 19, to submit the application for a permit to access the restricted areas.
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be processed. I do not know who wrote or approved that letter to the businesses and residents of the Philipsburg shopping area, but if the original letter was written in the same style, I am not sure that the responsible person is the right person for that position. That letter sounded as if it came from the desk of a dictator. It began with the margin of days (Nov.16-19) and continued with “the need to undertake stringent safety measures to enhance the safety and security in Philipsburg area immediately requires no elucidation.”
There are a lot more things that are happening which need no elucidation, but are not addressed. This sounded like the head commissioner of police putting the emphasis on the measures to be taken while talking to his staff. I would have rather read in that letter to the clients of the COCI something similar to this. “....due to the latest increase in armed robberies in the shopping area of Philipsburg, especially during shopping hours the COCI in cooperation with the justice department have resolved to take among others the following measures in connection with access to Philipsburg shopping area during the 2015-2016 tourist season...”
And then there is a permit “granting restricted access” which is confusing to me. Does that mean that the permit of each person will specify which area he is limited to. “No application will be processed after November 19, 2015. The same day the article appeared in the newspaper. Again, who is that dictator. I believe that this is information given to people whose daily living will be disrupted by measures taken as a consequence of negative deeds of which several of them are the victims. Besides that this is not an emergency.
I am not getting soft; on the contrary, but it is time enough for all of us to realize that our tone also has influence on the environment. Those in position of decision making should learn that the position already affords them a certain sense of authority and if they do their job in a serious manner they do not have try to impose on people.
Now my other question. Because that decision taken will hamper many residents in their everyday movements would it not have been easier to keep an informative meeting with the residents rather than to order them around. The residents of Philipsburg shopping area are not the criminals. Now this. Permit me to say that my colleague looks like Denzel Washington in that Monday, November 23, 2015, picture. Either that or it is the result of the old saying “let sleeping dogs lie.’’ And then that reaction. Some people try to make a joke, Many other nervous ones laugh.
Russell A. Simmons
