Dear Chairman and Members of the Committee on Kingdom Relations of TK and EK,

Although I read that laziness and discrimination is not an issue, I am not convinced. In 2018, legislation could be crafted in a matter of days or weeks to put St. Eustatius under guardianship, while currently – 13 years (!) after 10-10-10 – the Caribbean Netherlands is still groaning under flimsy laws and regulations in various policy areas.

In the European Netherlands there are laws and regulations in – for example – the area of cars; they are simply there, even if you don’t have a car. In other words, it does not matter at all whether laws and regulations apply to the Caribbean Netherlands or not. I cannot figure out why the laws and regulations as applicable in the European Netherlands could not be declared applicable in the whole of the Netherlands (thus including the Caribbean Netherlands). And then there is still room for island (so no generic BES!) legislation in case circumstances on the islands differ substantially from those in the European Netherlands (according to the Constitution). Here I note that not all differences are substantial in nature. The keeping of a different administration for the civil registry (so no BSN for Dutch Caribbean nationals) is not of a substantial nature but the result of official decision-making (which for the same money could have been different!).

I would like to submit that the lack of progress in the development of the Dutch Caribbean Netherlands is mostly due to the limping on two incompatible principles: integration versus association.

The Council of State noted on the occasion of the introduction of the public entities: It already follows from the special nature of the constitutional position and the specific characteristics that Dutch law will not be able to be applied in full to the three associated islands, although after a transitional period this will have to be the main rule.

Thirteen years after the creation of the three public entities, it is as yet unclear when the said “main rule” will take shape. In other words, the government keeps fiddling and postponing.

I would like to see a complete change of course and strive for the realization of one universal law and regulation in the entire country of the Netherlands in the short term (subject to the exceptions permitted by the Constitution). Stop all the “goat trails,” delay and deception!

The discussion about a social minimum for the Caribbean Netherlands can therefore be relegated to the realm of the fables. After all, there is a Dutch social minimum!

Yours sincerely,

J.H.T. (Jan) Meijer

Fiesta di seú is our harvest festival that we faithfully celebrate every year on Easter Monday. Celebrating harvest festivals is a worldwide phenomenon. After bringing in the (first) harvest, farmers usually reflect on this important event.

It happens in different ways with regional religious and cultural customs always playing an important role. On the other hand, these festivals, although from different regions and cultures, have a number of important things in common.

In the first place, the first harvest is widely displayed to the public. The harvest is central to all activities. You can see from the harvest whether it has been a good or less good year. There is no party in a bad year. The harvest is always greater than the accompanying decorations and activities such as the floats, costumes and music.

Second, it’s about gratitude. In some cultures, part of the harvest is offered to the gods (or God) or the church. The farmers express their gratitude for the gift of God through rituals (including church services). It is a festival with a deeply spiritual/religious meaning.

Thirdly, the feast is always celebrated in the region where the harvest takes place. It is primarily a celebration of the farmers, their families and everyone who has worked on the land. It’s a rural party. City dwellers move from the city to the agricultural areas to view the harvest and experience the festivities.

Our Fiesta di Seú has experienced a different development in the last 25 years, which raises the question of whether we can still talk about a harvest festival.

1. Where is the harvest, the most important element of our fiesta di seú? We see dozens of floats and music trailers in the parade; thousands of participants in beautiful folk costumes; “kantado mayo” (the seu singing king); Reina Seú (seú queen); but no harvest. So the accompanying decorations in our Fiesta di Seú are clearly larger than the harvest itself, if there is one.

2. Among all the festivities, there is hardly any expression of gratitude to God and Mother Earth. Little is known of the religious significance of this feast.

3. Our Fiesta di Seú has become a city festival, far from the region where the crops are grown. Our “kunukeros” (farmers) who work hard all season with limited resources and in an unfortunately not very agriculturally friendly climate, do not play an important role in this celebration.

Our Fiesta di Seú has thus become more of a cultural folkloric event. So let’s call it that. Personally, I would have liked all the money we raise to celebrate the festival to be used to provide the kunukeros with better resources and more know-how. This way we can at least bring in a decent harvest on which to build a party. At least we’ll have something to celebrate.

Etienne Ys

Former Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles

Dear Editor,

This letter is addessed to those in charge of the Island. Being a 40-year-old visitor to the island and now owning for several years I am disgusted by the actions of many. So many topics to be addressed and I’m not sure where to start, so bear with me. I will leave the dump and airport to others! And I won’t call out the politicians who offered up help but then fell to the wayside.

Let’s start with utilities. In what world can a utility company demand payment but not send bills? How is this even allowed? I tell people how I randomly send money guessing what I owe and they look at me like I’m crazy.

Growth

You allow growth with no thought to infrastructure or appearance. Why aren’t there height limits or care given to neighboring properties? Cupecoy is an eyesore, and it’s just getting worse with over-development. What was once the “Gold Coast” is becoming a concrete jungle. Over-building with no thought. Police presence is needed everywhere! Especially with more and more people visiting and living on island. I should be able to wear a necklace while walking or carry a bag without fear. Stop-and-grabs by scooter riders, harassment and intimidations by scooter riders is over the top. All season, Sunday “cruises” through Maho and not a police car anywhere as a deterrent.

Mullet Bay

Beyond sad what you have allowed to happen there. What a disgrace that non-profits have to constantly clean the beach! It’s a working golf course, work with whoever and put up fencing to keep cars and people off. (Take a look at the fencing in Terres Basses). Players shouldn’t have to travel to neighboring islands to play when there is an amazing course that just needs to be taken over.

MB Beach Parking – Expand the current lot, you have allowed bars and beach chair rentals to increase but no thought for parking! There is space, just make the current lot larger and ticket those who don’t use it! Whatever happened to the the Boardwalk? Hmmm. Rhine Road hasn’t changed since the 1970s. It becomes barely one lane on the weekends and never mind if there is rain.

Tipping

Just read about a customer being verbally abused for leaving 5% on top of the 15% charged by the restaurant. This ripping off of the American consumer (all consumers) needs to stop. So many Dutch-side restaurants are charging 15% service charge, taxes, TOT, etc., but let’s call it what it is – guaranteed TIP! Restauranteurs need to increase their prices or charge the 15% and call it what it is. But double tipping is a major turnoff and needs to be addressed.

Sorry for the long and somewhat confusing rant, but so much has to be addressed to get back on the right track. Thank you for listening!

A Seasoned Traveler

KDB

Cupecoy

Initials used at author’s request.

Dear Editor,

In the year 2000, my husband and I became residents of Cupecoy, and it has been a wonderful place to live. We have been through many developmental phases since then. Now we have Aqua.

Today is Easter Sunday and the pile drivers began work at 7:40am. Ten hours of noise a day, frequently seven days a week, manifests a total disregard for those who live in this area. The sound reverberates off buildings and often sounds as though it is coming from all directions!

I appeal to the powers that be to at least allow us to have some peace and quiet on Sundays.

Thank you.

WMF

Tigris Road

Cupecoy