Dear Editor,

The people of St. Maarten are going through some challenging times,especially if you focus on topics in our community like housing, education, health, health care, unemployment and poverty. Our sitting government had in the past 4 years one agenda point in their governing program and that was to make sure that this government will stay alive for 4 years.

Unfortunately this government is and was completely disconnected from the reality of our people and society. As a doctor having daily contact on a one-on-one basis with my patients I can inform you that the deterioration of our society in all its dimensions has now reached to a level of directly affecting the health of our individual citizens.

I am constantly asking myself what more has to manifest in our community for this government to understand that it is now not the time anymore for more analytic expensive research reports from consultants that are actually abusing our national budget and costly surveys to confirm what actually the government of St. Maarten should know already.

With astonishment I was recently informed about a new Health Survey that is in the pipeline to be conducted to gather more information about an already well known reality of the suffering and misery of the people of this country. I can already inform to you that the reality of the outcome of this new health survey for country St. Maarten will not only shock and embarrass this current government even more; but will prove to the people that this government was not there for the people of this country in the past governing period.

We do not need more research and surveys about the health status of the people of our country. We need a hands-on pragmatic government with vision and leadership to just execute an action plan that will lead to tangible alleviating solutions for the suffering of the vulnerable people of St. Maarten. I reiterate that more surveys will not solve the health issues, health challenges, and suffering of the people of this country.

Without awaiting the outcome of this upcoming unnecessary costly health survey, I will give you free of charge some figures that will give you a good reality check of the socio-economic and health status of the people this country:

- The poverty rate in this country is 29% (one out of each three households live on less than US $850 per month).

- 42% of our populace does not have a finalized secondary school education in our country.

- 6,000 families are on a waiting list for decent housing.

- The realistic unemployment rate in this country is 17%.

When it comes to the alarming reality of the health status of the population of St. Maarten the following: 67% of the populace is suffering from obesity (2 out of each 3 citizens), the prevalence of diabetes (sugar disease) is 15% (average 1 out of each 6 citizens). There are 2 surgical interventions/amputations per week as a complication of diabetic disease.

The prevalence of hypertension (high blood pressure) is 31% (average one out of each 3 citizen has high blood pressure). We have 78 individuals that are being dialyzed (average 1 dialysis patient per 769 inhabitants).

And last but not least: 25% of our populace does not have a health insurance.

I can guarantee you that the URSM under my leadership will take immediate action based on the above-mentioned alarming statistics.

The URSM counts on your mandate!

Dr. Mercelina

Dear Editor,

In a shocking display of political maneuvering, MP Rolando Brison recently wrote an article in The Daily Herald, attempting to shift the blame for the Bearing Point scandal onto the shoulders of the previous DP/UD minister. However, the truth of the matter remains crystal clear – the current NA finance minister cannot escape his responsibility in this grave matter.

The scandal, which revolves around the implementation of a new tax system platform from Bearing Point, is yet another example of financial mismanagement, and potentially wasted funds. The consequences of the court ruling against St. Maarten has serious implications, with the island now having paid a very significant one million guilders, which is merely a prepayment for a total damage claim which currently sits at 12 million guilders and is increasing by 50,000 guilders per month.

What is most alarming is the lack of action taken by the current finance minister when he learned of the situation. If he truly believed that the contract was signed under wrongful pretenses, it was his duty to act swiftly and decisively. Instead, he chose to remain silent, leaving the people of the country in the dark about the unfolding crisis. It is evident that TRUE transparency and accountability are not priorities for this coalition, as they attempt to shift blame and evade responsibility. These terms are not to be thrown around lightly. Actions speak louder than words, and the fact that very little has been said or done (we don’t know, because there is an abundant lack of transparency) over the past 4 years says enough.

As citizens of St. Maarten, we must not be fooled by such weak attempts to absolve oneself of accountability. The current NA finance minister had an obligation to take immediate action upon discovering the “questionable” contract. “Questionable” because of? If this industry standard tax system was truly not the right fit, we, the people, would expect an in-depth analysis would have taken place, wherein an IT systems architect would have given his or her professional opinion on the matter.

If indeed the currently proposed system did not meet the future vision of this Council of Ministers one would expect Bearing Point to have been approached and a potential scope change to be discussed, or some other means of negotiations to have taken place. Instead, he chose to turn a blind eye, and now seeks to point fingers elsewhere.

In a subsequent council press briefing the finance minister alluded to not having caused this problem. That is very much so up for debate, however, it is your responsibility to have resolved it in an amicable way. It is not the former DP/UD minister currently in office, it is you! Thus, making it YOUR responsibility.

Being a minister is no easy task, and this misconception must be dispelled from the minds of aspiring politicians on the island. The ministerial position, especially on St. Maarten, carries an immense amount of responsibility, and one must fully accept this fact along with the consequences that come with it. This role should not be taken lightly, and if one is not up to the challenge, they should graciously step aside for someone who is prepared to take on this significant responsibility.

In the worst-case scenario, country St. Maarten would be burdened with an exorbitant cost of at least 12 million guilders to settle with Bearing Point, on top of having to pay another vendor for their tax system. Can you imagine the magnitude of 12 million guilders? For all the passionate basketball fans who attended the battle of the fittest basketball games, that amount could provide state-of-the-art cooling facilities. It could also bring about a top-notch court and brilliant lights for the players to excel.

This mismanagement of funds must end. The people of St. Maarten deserve leaders who prioritize their welfare, act with integrity, and uphold transparency in all matters. It is time for us to demand accountability from those in power and to ensure that our elected representatives uphold the highest standards of governance. Let us not be swayed by empty words, false promises, last-ditch efforts, and political games, but instead, let us stand together and demand the transparency and honesty that our country deserves.

The Bearing Point scandal is a stark reminder of the urgent need for change and a call to action for all citizens to hold their leaders accountable for their actions and inactions. Only through collective determination can we pave the way for a brighter and more accountable future for St. Maarten.

David Salomon

Dear Editor,

It is panic time for some parents as we are one week away from the reopening of the school year 2023/2024. I want to specifically point out single parents since they are the ones that are seriously affected. Most if not many earn the minimum wage and what they have to deal with are school fees, school uniforms and schoolbooks. And for a single parent with more than one child it can be a nightmare. The school fees can be in the area of $500 per child and add to this amount uniforms and schoolbooks. As far as I know, when it comes to the school fees and/or school material everything has to be paid before the child or children are allowed to attend school.

To add insult to injury, from what I understood is that some of the books are falling apart. It would be interesting to find out how relevant these books are; however, be it as it may, no child will be able to attend school if everything is not paid. In this case compulsory education apparently means nothing.

Now we can understand that the school boards or the schools have their expenses to cover. But don’t they receive subsidy from government in accordance with the Subsidy Regulation?

What I understood is that the calculations are based on an established amount that is given per child; in other words, there is a quota. For example, 100 guilders per child per month. 100 children x 100 guilders amounts to 10 thousand guilders per month. It appears that this amount is not sufficient, and for this reason the school boards are allowed to charge parents a fee to compensate for those costs.

I know that the school boards have to present an annual report to the government detailing how the funds were spent. What I do not know is whether they are being paid based on an outdated Subsidy Regulation. This will mean that the Subsidy Regulation has to be amended to reflect or offset the increased costs that have occurred over the years.

In accordance with article 18.1 of the Constitution, the government is responsible for the promotion of their right to education and so on. Maybe the schoolboards should sit down with government/minister of Education and come up with a solution.

Costs of materials have increased substantially and it is difficult to keep pace with such. But I believe this matter should be addressed soonest. We cannot afford to have children not attending school because their parents cannot afford to pay their school fees or purchase the needed school materials.

I believe some years ago discussions were held in Parliament as to whether government should be responsible for these fees, It will definitely be an expensive undertaking. For me the matter of debt cancellation to free up the necessary funds which government can put to good use is becoming more and more important.

Panic time for some parents.

George Pantophlet

Dear Editor,

I want to thank all the opposition in St Maarten for their great performance from

2020 to 2024.

You all in opposition are performing very well. DP, UP and UD are always known as the

parties that always perform the best when they are in opposition.

NA is the worst party that gave the poorest performance in opposition in St Maarten, that’s why the people are not even protesting on this island.

SPM, SPA, in now NA party gave the very poorest performance on opposition. 98% of this party since existing they were always in opposition.

Holland, CARICOM, the Caribbean, the UN, and the rest of the world didn’t hear NA when they were in opposition. Especially the days DP party were in power governing the island of St Maarten they were not heard how it should be.

Now Grisha, Christophe and member of PFP Gumbs join Sarah with an excellent performance in opposition.

The majority were waiting to see great performance from NA as they in power to govern 2020 to 2024. It seems the people are not satisfied with NA and will send NA back on the opposition bench where they belong next election.

NA were silent in opposition. They think when they get in power they will do so much but they fail. Prime Minister Hon. Silveria Jacobs cannot prove yet her carbinet is better than former prime minister Leona Marlin-Romeo.

This government is not giving us an update of the CKC credit union money the central bank is

keeping for so long.

Why are Curaçaoans joining Caricom before St Maarteners? Even Holland gets along with Caricom more than the Dutch Caribbean nations.

St. Maarten leaders, help your people. Let’s hope 60% to 70% voters will come out to vote next election.

Cuthbert Bannis