Dear Editor,

The environment is an important issue in the world especially today and every effort to look after it should be made by each and every one of us on our tiny island. I have mentioned the issue a few times over the years and was today confronted with a situation which apparently happens every day and sickens me to no end.

Whilst waiting in my car outside a shop in Simpson Bay, I witnessed a person get out of his car and discard a just consumed can of liquid at the side of the shop. So, I opened my window and questioned the person in a respectable manner wanting to understand why he was doing that. The response was heated, basically telling me to mind my own business.

He is in fact the cleaner at these premises, and he can do what he likes. It would have been so simple to have left the empty can in the car and dispose of it at home in a correct manner.

I don’t care if you are rich or poor, there is no need for this, and we should start educating our children at the schools to ensure we can overcome this type of careless behaviour.

I believe that currently some schools employ people to clean up after the kids which sends the wrong message in my opinion. In my school days, if you littered you would have to clean the complete schoolyard after school.

At times we get the tourists coming in organising these beach clean-ups which are much appreciated but totally useless if we keep repeating the process of dumping our rubbish everywhere.

The other day the police issued a request for people to stop dumping cars at the stadium which made me think, why, oh why do they not read the VIN numbers of these cars and charge the owners for the cost of removing these vehicles and issue a penalty at the same time. The moment these owners want to renew a licence they should be confronted with any outstanding fines. It seems the only way we learn if it hurts in the pocket.

Come on St. Maarteners, we can surely do better than this!

Rene Lammerse

Graph showing the trend in electricity and water bills since January 2021.

Dear Editor,

In March 2022, St. Maarten's utility company GEBE fell victim to a devastating cyberattack that resulted in the loss of all its billing information. The consequences of this breach have been far-reaching, exposing a web of nepotism and favoritism within the company, which has left us, the citizens, grappling with confusion and soaring bills.

The graph illustrates the alarming trend in electricity bills since January 2021, with the red trend line showing a steep increase over the years. As a consumer, I have noticed my electricity bill rarely exceeding 100 guilders. However, post-hack, there have been five months where it surpassed this threshold, raising suspicions that the company is attempting to recoup its costs at the expense of consumers. Pair that with no usage corroborating these increased charges and you have a recipe for discontent! This lack of accountability, combined with lackluster leadership that turns a blind eye to rectifying past wrongs, fosters a culture of underperformance without real consequences - a cycle that must end! Wake up St. Maarten! The inefficiencies are hitting us where it hurts, our pockets!

The roots of this crisis lie in the practice of appointing friends and family to influential positions, despite their lack of qualifications and aptitude for the roles. From senior management roles to supervisory boards, individuals with questionable qualifications were entrusted with important responsibilities. This nepotism and favoritism fostered an environment where accountability and transparency were thrown to the wind.

The aftermath of the hack has been a nightmare for the people of St. Maarten. We have been receiving exorbitant bills, leaving us puzzled and struggling to comprehend the sudden surge in costs. Many are left with no choice but to endure the difficult process of disputing charges, an annoying task that should not have been necessary.

Furthermore, the lack of transparency and accountability within the current NA/UP government coalition has only exacerbated the crisis. The absence of clear communication from the authorities has left us feeling uninformed and unheard, adding to the frustration and anger.

The situation at GEBE serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for change in our government and institutions. We, the people of St. Maarten, deserve leadership that prioritizes competence, accountability, and the welfare of its citizens. It is time for us to elect representatives who will work diligently to rebuild trust and put an end to the detrimental practice of nepotism and favoritism.

As the next elections approach, the call for change resonates louder than ever. We must demand leaders who will prioritize the interests of the people over personal connections, leaders who will uphold transparency and ensure accountability at every level of governance.

The GEBE hacking scandal is a wake-up call, urging us to forge a new path towards a brighter future. It is an opportunity to elect leaders who will bring back integrity, competency, and a commitment to serve the people. Together, we can build a St. Maarten where transparency, accountability, and genuine leadership prevail, leaving nepotism and favoritism in the past.

The time for change is now, and it is in our hands to shape the future we desire for our beloved island.

David Salomon

Dear Editor,

It is very sad and disappointing our parliamentarians and ministers don’t have price controllers out there in the groceries stores to deal with the high prices at the groceries and supermarkets.

Parliamentarians and ministers, stop representing the people [like that – Ed.] and represent the people in a proper way. Wake up from your slumber and work in the interest of your people. Help adjust the cost of living on the island.

Why are surveys still showing St. Maarten people are saying for years all the politicians are the same? For years St. Maarten people are not satisfied with the kind of representation from both parliamentarians and ministers.

The 15 parliamentarians and seven ministers, please focus on the cry and needs of your citizens. You all are focusing too much on projects and not your people. St. Maarten has poverty and shame on St. Maarten’s minimum wage.

St. Maarten people are suffering with high cost of living and rent rates.

It is time Dutch state secretaries stop meeting with only representatives and not the people who dwell on the territories.

Cuthbert Bannis

Dear Editor,

When the driver of a motor vehicle enters a roundabout and is driving over both lanes at the same time (over the division line) and as he is ready to exit the roundabout encounters a pedestrian crossing the street via the by sign indicated pedestrian crossing, who instead of stopping to let the pedestrian cross, and instead of stopping for the pedestrian, goes by the pedestrian and continues his way, is that responsible driving?

When two motor vehicles approaching the roundabout from different roads at the same time and the driver of the motor vehicle coming from the road on the left increases his speed and blows loudly at the other driver for not yielding right of way to him, what is that driver thinking?

When those motorbike riders continuously demonstrate disregard for the traffic rules by their reckless behaviour in traffic, what maturity and sense of responsibility can anyone expect of them?

When the driver of a motor vehicle, suddenly decides to drive completely to his left of the road, stops his motor vehicle on the road in front of a snack truck, gets out of the car in front of the snack truck to collect a drink and then gets back into the car and drives back to the right of the road, completely disregarding the traffic rules while disrupting the traffic, who is responsible for that?

My father used to tell me in the beginning when I started to work and explained to him that some of my school mates were acting strange when we met socially. "My son, people, who don't like themselves are the ones who don't appreciate the police". He would say, "If I know that the police is the person (entity) paid to be vigilant of and authorised to correct negative behavior of individuals. as well as the community in general, why should I do wrong and not expect the police to do what they are paid to do? The saying "one cannot be wrong and strong" is in place here.

By the way, even though a few days late, I would like to give kudos to MP George Panthophlet for his response to Robbie Ferron's last published letter to you reacting to MP Panthophlet's letter in which he suggested that the loan be turned into a grant. My father would say "If you can't say anything uplifting, don't say anything" So, I will leave it there.

Being vigilant was what I did for more than forty-one years, so I am aware of changes. I suddenly got what should be an itemised receipt for my goods at the place where I shopped. At the least, I must admit that my writing to you met with a response, yes, but I made it my business as we would say and checked to see if the other shoppers received a receipt and that was not the case. I cannot determine why not, but I would like for the permitholder of that place of business to do what has to be done in a correct way, otherwise, I will find myself writing again. I do not only shop at one place, so I should not have to get the feeling that they have to make sure to give me a receipt. Everybody should get an itemised receipt.

Let me bring this to the attention of who is involved. Before all of these different government departments were manned by civil servants, the police used to do all the controlling. So, I believe I know something about the ins and outs of the laws of the land. I continue to complain about civics not being taught in school, exactly because of this kind of not-so-nice behaviour of those involved.

Those who desire to live honestly, who want their lives to display faithfulness and authenticity, make choices based on what is true, rather than what is expedient. And I must add that the integrity of the upright leads them. Growing up, I served the altar (altar boy) since I was seven years old. Because of my job I stopped when I was twenty-two. During that period, I served at many funerals and I have attended many funerals, but I cannot remember ever seeing money or anything valuable in anyone's casket.

I am also still waiting to see what a money-sandwich looks like.

Russell A. Simmons