Dear Editor,

I believe that everyone should clip out this letter if printed and make it a point of discussion in the homes. Even at the barber shop and around the domino table. I could not resist sending it to you after reading it. It goes like this:

“I had spent an hour in the bank with my dad as he had to transfer some money. I couldn't resist myself and asked: ‘Dad, why don’t we activate your Internet banking?’ ‘Why would I do that?’ he asked. ‘Well then you won’t have to spend an hour here for things like transfer. You can even do your shopping online. Everything would be so easy.’ I was so excited about initiating him into the world of netbanking.

“He asked, ‘If I do that I won't have to step out of the house?’ ‘Yes, yes,’ I told him how everything could be delivered at door. His answer left me tongue-tied. He said, ‘Since I entered this bank today I met four of my friends. I have chatted a while with the staff, who know me very well by now. You know that I’m alone. This is the company that I need. I like to get ready and come to the bank when I have enough time. It is the physical touch that I crave. When I got sick the store owner from whom I buy fruits came to see me and sat by my bedside and cried. When your mom fell down a few days back while on her morning walk, our local grocer saw her and immediately got his car to rush her home as he knows where I live. Would I have that human touch if everything became online? Why would I want everything delivered to me and force me to interact with just my computer? I like to know the person that I’m dealing with and not just the seller. It creates bonds of relationship. Does Amazon deliver all this as well? Technology isn't life. Spend time with people, not with devices. Don’t just push me in a corner.’"

By the way, it was conspicuous that nothing of the use of water distributed by GEBE was mentioned in the article pertaining to the groundwater of St. Maarten. Are we going to get more updates on the well-water situation and the negative consequences of the use of mancozeb? I do not know if over the years scientists have changed their conclusion, but I believe that man can survive longer without food than without water.

On my way home from church this morning, a lady asked me for a lift to go by her daughter, because her cooking gas had finished while boiling the water after reading the article in the paper. She could not cook anything for herself. Then the thought arose, if people are going to have to boil their water more often now, then they will use more cooking gas. This will be another strain on their pockets.

By the way, what percentage of the tax budget is still being paid by retired senior citizens? I have been retired since 2006 from the only official job that I have had, and up to today I am still being taxed, while we all know that there are thousands who work here and earn much more than the minimum wage who do not pay taxes.

By the way, similar questions were asked way back in 2005, (We can trace back who was the then commissioner of finance, and also get the answer from then.) Who is holding what above whose head? Are not the seniors the foundation-layers of St. Maarten?

Russell A. Simmons

Dear Editor,

We always heard the cry of the people in St. Maarten that the government doesn't hold the bull by the horns – the cry of justice, high rate rent, high cost of living and seniors are not treated well for so long.

It is excellent the justice system has improved but very disappointing most justice workers are not fully paid.

There are dirty lawyers that are covering up for friends and relatives on the island.

Christians and justice workers are the ones to fix the world and not to be punished by God, justice must be honest.

Cuthbert Bannis

Dear Editor,

If one does not realize that disagreeing with what was said or done is not necessarily wrong, or if it is not done the way one would have preferred to see it done does not necessarily mean that it is wrong, then that person is narrow-minded and short-sighted and should not aspire to be a leader of the people. Or could it be that one has the tendency to be a dictator.

I must ask, however, should one not expect stupid and careless mistakes when one refuses those who are overqualified? I'm here since 1975 and up to today, and the same M.O. that was used by politicians then is still used today. Discredit your opponent, because, when you pass one hand of black paint over a white wall, it will take six hands of white paint to cover that black spot on the white wall. But in the meantime the people are not served.

I am reacting to the letter “Paving road blunder in Cole Bay” by Julian Rollocks Jr. “Russell, if you cannot do it better, do not criticize it.” I heard those words on several occasions from my father. I stand to be corrected, but if I am not mistaken Julian Rollocks Jr. is an aspiring member of government in the upcoming elections. His letter to you is about the blunders in connection with the paving of the roads in Cole Bay, but I am waiting for the follow-up letter explaining how to correct the blunders. Or even, as a good leader would do, find out what could have led to that blunder and then evaluate what would be the less of two evils. I personally do not see much difference in the snail's pace in which traffic increasingly on the whole at certain times in the day is moving.

I do not write about anything that I cannot add something positive to. I will either stand to be corrected or ask a question concerning the matter. Similar types of questions and insinuations have been brought forward by people in government in the past, not contributing to the enhancement of the quality of life for the people of St. Maarten. I find no fault in anyone who sees something wrong and comments or writes about it. But if one can determine that it is wrong, then that person should be able to point this out, but also point out and/or explain how it should be done in the correct way, or explain the right approach.

Now this. I do not know what the motto of the Lions is, but I think “Help us help you” would be an appropriate saying. When I think “Lions” I can hear “Anybody Bingoooooo? Nobody Bingooo!” Approximately two months ago the Lions organised a drive to have the sight of the senior citizens tested, and I would gladly announce that today, June 1, 2023, right now, I am comfortably typing this letter to you, using a brand new pair of bifocals donated by the Lions. Yes, brand new and personal, and all I had to do was to show up, be tested and say, “Thank you, Lions.”

Because I have my way of finding out things, I heard also heard that approximately 750 pairs of prescription glasses, along with shades, were donated to the seniors on St. Maarten. Go Lions, roar!

At the risk of being accused of being sarcastic I want to mention this: To the people who are experts in convincing the public with promises during their political campaigning, what about embarking on a similar mission as the Lions? But this time for much needed dental healthcare. “I can see you” ...

Russell A. Simmons

The Bonaire Human Rights Organization (BHRO) represented by Davika Bissessar and James Finies of Foundation We Want Bonaire Back concluded a productive visit to the United Nations headquarters in New York, attending meetings in which the Committee granted BHRO the historical Special Consultative Status of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.

The visit reinforced the three objectives of the BHRO:

1. Strong voice of civil society of Bonaire.

2. Trajectory of the people of Bonaire to relist Bonaire on the non-self-governing territories list of the United Nations.

3. Submission of an objection/joint complaint by BHRO and Movement For Change (MFC) to Mr. Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations.

There has been a long-standing relationship between civil society and the United Nations which is one of the pillars of this great institution which was created in 1945 after WWII where 18 million people died, with the promise to mankind that no people or nation big or small should be subordinated to another, but shall all be free and equal.

This sentiment was reiterated by Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands under German occupation with many actions, among which her famous words to the people of the Antillean islands “… will participate, with complete self-reliance and freedom … in that regained freedom they will be able to build a new and better future.”

BHRO and MFC shared commitments to hold the Netherlands accountable for the unjustifiable human rights violations on Bonaire, to promote its mutual commitment of protecting basic human rights and to work collectively to bring regional awareness on Bonaire’s social, economic and political inequality as well as cultural injustice.

Being on the UN list of non-self-governing territories, according to article 73, will give Bonaire social, educational, cultural, and political advancement, as the Netherlands will have the obligation to report annually to the Secretary General of the United Nations.

During BHRO’s UN visit, they met with various UN ambassadors presenting the assessment of self-governance sufficiency in conformity with internationally-recognized standards. BHRO reiterates their commitment as they continue on the over-430-days awareness mission, and BHRO will, together with MFC, continue to strengthen their partnership and defend their shared democratic values, while creating a more prosperous future for the Bonairean people.

Bonaire Human Rights Organization – Davika Bissessar Shaw

We Want Bonaire Back Foundation – James Finies

Movement For Change – Sedney Marten