Dear Editor,
On July 1, 2023, the Kingdom will be commemorating 150 years of abolishment of slavery in Suriname and the islands in the Caribbean side of the Kingdom. The King himself is set to apologize on this day. This day is an official holiday “celebrated” throughout the Kingdom with festivities. On St. Maarten this day is commemorated annually with the Diamond 26 Run for Freedom.
Currently there is a public debate concerning the 545 million euros the Dutch royal family is said to have earned from slavery and colonialism: whether or not the Netherlands should be held financially accountable for their role in slavery; if yes, the amount the Netherlands should be held accountable for, and what these funds should be used for and who should receive and manage these funds.
Even though there are no official answers to these questions, what we know for sure is that the Dutch government will make two million euros available for the organization of activities during the Slavery Memorial Year 2023-2024. Institutions or individuals would be able to apply for funding to organize these social and/or cultural activities.
As a person vying for legislative office, I question whether the two million euros is not missing a few more zeros behind the two. Nonetheless, I would rather these funds and any other funds that might become available in the near future, as a result of this matter, be invested in programs and projects on St. Maarten that would actually combat poverty in a strategic and structural manner.
There are many ways the Netherlands can contribute to poverty alleviation on St. Maarten. First and foremost, debt cancellation is a must. In addition to debt cancellation: in the same manner that country packages were created during a period of cost-cutting measures, as part of reparations: a country package can be created to eradicate poverty. Some examples of projects that could go into this country package are:
* a project to transform our university into a national accredited university ensuring that our students would not have to leave the island to follow tertiary education on an accredited level. In doing so, also make St. Maarten an attractive place for students in the region to come and study.
* Programs that would be beneficial to our districts and neighborhoods that focus on, for example, agriculture in the different neighborhoods.
* Rehabilitation/second chance programs for our prisoners to ensure a smooth transition back into the society after they serve their term.
* Projects that would transform loans of students from the Dutch Caribbean countries who finish their studies in a reasonable timespan in the Netherlands into free scholarships.
* Creating multi-purpose sport facilities that meet international standards. In such facilities we would be able to host recreational and educational activities on St. Maarten and preferably in every district. The focus of these projects is to ensure our kids are continuously engaged in activities that would keep them on the right path, while their parents work one or two jobs to provide for them.
Other examples are projects that focus on the development of safety-net programs for our children, seniors, single parents and the unemployed, such as nutritional programs for seniors, breakfast programs in our schools and after-school activities for our students.
In my opinion, this would be the only real way to actually show regret and finally tackle the effects of centuries of physical and mental slavery. I sincerely believe that these types of investment projects would pave the way for next-generation St. Maarteners to have a true opportunity to be successful, while we simultaneously attempt to alleviate and possibly eliminate poverty on St. Maarten.
Richinel Brug
Dear Editor,
Annually in June, Island and Executive Council members of the BES islands and their staff travel to the Netherlands for the VNG Congress. It’s customary that the delegations add several meetings with ministries, various committees, and organizations to the agenda to sort of “kill two birds with one stone”, so to speak, while in the Netherlands.
Residents of Saba often believe these trips are nothing but mini vacations funded by the taxpayer’s money because developments and updates from these trips could be more transparent. During the last two weeks (June 5-16), the Island Council had a full agenda and discussed various issues with federal government representatives in the Netherlands and other organizations.
It was also a privilege to visit Schiermonokoog and learn about the challenges faced on the Wadden Islands, islands in the European Netherlands.
See the article published on the public entity Saba’s Facebook page for further details of the ICM agenda.
What is the VNG?
The Association of Netherlands Municipalities (Vereniging van Nederlandse Gemeenten, VNG), established in 1912, is where all Dutch municipalities are members, and other members are the countries Aruba and Curaçao. The public bodies Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba have been members since 1995. Source:
https://vng.nl/artikelen/about-the-vng
Here's what your PEP faction is bringing back to the island;
1. A better understanding of these trips and the significance of them. The ministries expect more initiative from the island, and that’s a clear PEP goal. We will be contacting and communicating frequently with them. We should make more proposals instead of waiting for suggestions from The Hague. We are the experts of our islands. We need to start acting like it.
2. A promise to work closer with Bonaire, Statia, and even St. Maarten because it is necessary; forming and building working connections is vital. We had the great privilege of collaborating with Statia and Bonaire in various meetings while in the Netherlands, and we look forward to strengthening those bonds. A joint plan is coming, and we will make sure of that.
3. A governing program. A governing program is a plan that outlines the priorities for the governing term, giving the Executive Council the framework for executing its tasks. As far as we know, this has never happened on Saba. Please correct us if we are wrong. The WIPM party has let us know that they will be working on the governing program, and they will present it within the first 100 days after the election, and we will have the chance to discuss it during an Island Council meeting.
4. Greetings from some of the ministries and organizations we visited, which are pleased that there’s opposition again on Saba. They said hurray for democracy and congrats.
We must highlight how much we impressed the BES delegation and government representatives with our professional approach. As a solid and constructive team, we gained respect, recognition, and praise for our proficiency. We see this as a great start to forging meaningful connections and working for our fellow residents of Saba.
Outside the regular program, we met as the PEP Party with the Dutch Labor Union FNV and discussed the possibility of having a FNV Labor Union representation on Saba.
Furthermore, we spoke with the mayors of the different islands about a twinning project between both islands since we have numerous similar problems and issues. We also discussed the possible donation of a new boat for the Saba Sea Rescue. The other one is a cultural exchange between both islands. We made a lot of connections with various parties, and we will continue working on these connections.
Finally, this trip was once again an eye-opener to the current functioning of the Island Council. There is a necessity for much-needed training to upgrade ourselves as a body, operating in the interest of our people.
PEP made a clear plan of what we wanted to achieve during the two weeks in the Netherlands, and mission accomplished!!
We remain committed to working for you regardless of party colors/lines.
Saskia Matthew
Saba Island Council member for PEP party
Dear Minister of Education,
I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the recent issues surrounding the Foundation Based Education Exit Examination 2023 (FBE 2003) in St. Maarten. It has come to my attention that there have been inconsistencies and discrepancies in the evaluation process, which are adversely affecting the academic futures of our young children.
During various meetings and in relevant documents, it was stated that there would be discussions regarding the academic progress of students in the 5th and 6th grades, including their FBE exams. However, it appears that only during the placement period, the focus of the placement committees in the high schools has been primarily on the FBE results, and in some cases, solely on the FBE scores. This approach is causing unnecessary stress and anxiety among our children, as the FBE exam period is crucial for them. Furthermore, it fails to take into account the consistent efforts and potential they have shown throughout the entire academic year.
Adding to these concerns, it has come to my attention that the exam committee had to correct the FBE exam results on two occasions due to errors. If such corrections were necessary even after the initial corrections made in May and June, it raises questions about the reliability of the FBE results on St. Maarten.
Therefore, I kindly request a prompt response from your office addressing these issues. The teachers, as well, have expressed their frustration after numerous discussions on this matter at the high schools. It is disheartening to witness our children’s academic future being compromised in this manner. As a concerned and frustrated parent, I feel compelled to take this matter to the media if a satisfactory response is not received soon.
“It is not about how you started but how you end.” Delaying our voices being heard will only provide more opportunities for the schools to continue with practices that could potentially harm the academic prospects of our children.
We implore you to take immediate action to rectify these issues and ensure that our education system upholds the highest standards of fairness and integrity. Our children’s future should not be jeopardized due to administrative shortcomings or lapses in the evaluation process.
Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I trust that you will address these concerns promptly and effectively.
Name withheld at author’s request.
Dear Editor,
Many islands in the Caribbean wish to enjoy the economic benefits of the yachting industry. Many are already doing this but the benefits are distributed unevenly. Every island wants to be the “capital of yachting” in the Caribbean but there is no clear winner yet but there are going to be winners and losers.
Firstly, we are talking about the “yachting industry”. Here in St. Maarten it is often referred to as the marine industry and I submit that this distorts the focus. Yachting is about pleasure boats exclusively. Marine is everything that floats or accommodates anything that floats and includes cargo and cruise ships. Here we hold the logic that because it floats it fits together with other industries where things float as well.
When it comes to regulation and development you need to select targets where the entities within the target behave in the same fashion which therefore facilitates regulation and facilitation. Yachts, cruise ships and cargo ships do not behave in the same manner. It makes no sense for them to be regulated or promoted by the same entities. Also, yachting tourists do not behave in the same manner as stay-over tourists. To be effective and cost effective the public sector entities that regulate or promote yachting should be only focusing on yachting and not be unproductively bundled with incompatible activities.
There are some territories that are fantastic yachting destinations but have great difficulty in extracting revenue. These are destinations that have great anchoring bays and beaches but they do not receive much financial benefit out of these natural assets. St. Maarten is the exact opposite in that Dutch St. Maarten has a poor offering in respect of tranquil anchoring bays but gets to enjoy substantial business as the yachts replenish, repair and connect. St. Maarten and French St. Martin have done well in this regard.
Unfortunately, Dutch St. Maarten has limited its revenues by imposing fees, are not transparent and incentivize yachts to visit St. Martin to a greater degree. Given that no island charges for anchoring, including St. Martin, it appears that we have given up a great deal of business in return for a revenue stream that cannot be known by the public and their impact on traffic is not measured.
The strong revenue streams that are enjoyed are:
Infrastructure rental (dockage)
Repair and replenishment activities
General hospitality spending
The repair and replenishment activity would appear to the main economic driver in our tiny niche, and the more successful they are the more income from other sources. The success of these activities depends on a range of details that are poorly studied and understood by decision-makers. In 2004 the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean did a study measuring economic impact. The recommendations never led to a plan of action to optimize the industry.
The industry is difficult to understand and assess; a problem that occurs in all islands. The complexity originates from the large range of differences within the market and behaviors of the customers. This should not put us off, but rather points to using advisors with insight to wade through the complexity. And then we need policy-making that is based on the actual industry and not based on a pretense that it operates in the same manner as stay-over tourism, cruise ship tourism or cargo handling. It does not.
Let’s do that and St. Maarten will move forward for the benefit of all.
Robbie Ferron
Dear Editor,
St. Maarten people must wake up from their slumber and be wise. The Dutch side and French side can never be one: our Dutch-side representative doesn't hold the bulls by the horns, and you all are not a protesting nation.
Before 10/10/10, all you in government were blaming Curaçao. Now after 10/10/10, you all are blaming Holland and all you are doing is just talk, talk, talk on radio and TV, without protesting.
Ministers and parliamentarians, make laws to take even governors and ministers to court for poor performance during their time in office.
We always heard that Oyster Pond lagoon belongs to the Dutch side because the entrance of the lagoon is on the Dutch side, whereby the Dutch-side seawater feeds the Oyster Pond lagoon.
Cuthbert Bannis
