Dear Editor,
The Integrity Chamber came about because the Governor of St. Maarten, having taken into consideration that the problems concerning the integrity of the administration and constitution, identified in various reports, require an adequate and decisive approach to improve the situation that has arisen and that this approach was hereby proposed, August 21, 2015.
In perusing this Federal Ordinance on Integrity we learn the following:
- Chapter 1, Institution and Task, article 1-4
- Chapter 2, Layout and Composition, article 5-14
Integrity Chamber, paragraph 1
Secretariat, paragraph 2, article 15-16
Admittance law, paragraph 3, article 1
- Chapter 3, Supervision, management and resources, article 18-20
- Chapter 4, Advice from the Integrity Chamber
Paragraph 1, integrity violations, article 21-25
Paragraph 2, integrity policy, article 26-27
- Chapter 5, Registry and reporting, article 28-29
- Chapter 6, Other provisions, article 30-32
- Chapter 7, Transitional and final provisions, article 33-37
First of all, congratulations are in place for Mr. D. Franco with his appointment of being the first ever President of the Integrity Chamber Supervisory Council. Apparently Mr. Franco was appointed by Kingdom Decree as of January 1, 2023 for a term of three years. Why is it that we, the people of St. Maarten, are only now learning of this appointment in June, some 5 months later?
The Federal Ordinance establishing the Integrity Chamber went into force on August 21, 2015. Can the Integrity Chamber or the Prime Minister explain to the people of St. Maarten why there is a lapse, lack of continuity, seeing that some 7 years later it is deemed relevant to fill the important vacancy of President of the Integrity Chamber Supervisory Council? Why wasn’t this undertaken before?
Mr. Editor, something appears not kosher, and we the people have been kept since 2015 in the dark. The last CFT Chairman during his farewell address reportedly said that Corporate Governance was one of the biggest challenges facing Country St. Maarten and that the Integrity Chamber should fall under the CFT. Was this former chairman of the CFT alluding to something that has been hidden from the people of St. Maarten by the executive branch?
I guess some info can be gleaned from the fact that according to Chapter 3, titled Supervision, Management and Resources, there was no one appointed to head this most important office of Supervisory Council until the recent appointment of Mr. Franco as of January1, 2023. Perhaps the last 5 months Mr. Franco was working from his residence. Needless to say we are glad that he is finally here, as his delay could not have been caused by immigration issues. Chapter 2, paragraph 3, article 17, is applicable to him and his family.
Mr. Editor, the expectation was created in 2015 that better days are coming through the inception of the Integrity Chamber but there was no real commitment from the sponsors, cabinet of the Governor, Prime Minister and the Kingdom Council of Ministers to achieve such.
So now that it has been established that the Integrity Chamber has been understaffed since its inception, it is equally established that the people of St. Maarten have been fooled once again. The people of St. Maarten are constantly made fools of because we, as a people, hate reading. The people are kept under stress all the time that the only thing on their mind is survival. So efforts have to be put in place to fight on many fronts, among them self-development, self-enrichment, integrity and emotional intelligence.
Mr. Editor, it would appear that unless the Integrity Chamber can prove its legitimacy for being part of the fabric of this society in a positive way, meaning living up to the expectations created, it should be abolished. There is no need for more toothless tigers.
Chapter 5, articles 28-29 titled Registry and reporting. To whom does the Integrity Chamber have to report? Could the 28-29 be amended to reflect reporting to the people of St. Maarten? Can this be done retroactively? This info is of particular interest because the people can then determine for themselves if there has been a hands-off approach to the ills that were going on in the government-owned companies. It is reported that SOAB reports on GEBE and TelEm are hidden and not shared. What role is the Integrity Chamber playing here? Is this the way good governance, integrity and transparency should be promoted?
Did the Integrity Chamber look into the fact that many articles of incorporation were written more than 12 years ago? Are the lessons learned from the Enron scandal incorporated sufficiently in the articles of incorporation? If the Corporate Governance Code or the application thereof is not yielding improvement across the Boards, how is this been addressed? What about the Sarbanes Oxley Act, has the Corporate Governance Code been equally updated?
The environment in which business is conducted on St. Maarten is a changing one. 10 years ago there were many companies that could have done audits, today there are hardly any. This means, among others, that murders are being committed in broad daylight and no one cares. Many guardrails have been removed.
The Integrity Chamber knew it was not well staffed, there was no president of the Supervisory Council, yet the appearance was maintained that all is well. Did the aspects of the statute of limitations figure in any of these musings when contemplating the vacancies to be filled? Were there any conflicts of interests and how were these resolved?
The governor used many reports to come to the conclusion that integrity was lacking in our society and the governor justified the birthing of the Integrity Chamber through these conclusions.
Some 7 years on can the governor, there is continuance of office, inform the people of St. Maarten what the effects are of having a not properly functioning Integrity Chamber?
The people will patiently wait and murmur later.
Mr. Editor thanks kindly for the space.
John A. Richardson
James Finies and Davika Bissessar of Bonaire Human Rights and Nos Kier Boneiru Bek, in their first international participation as associate members of the CARICOM Reparations Commission on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, created history by addressing the United Nations Permanent Forum for People of African Descent in New York on behalf of the people of Bonaire. Mr. Finies’ intervention at the United Nations was recorded and aired worldwide by the United Nations Web TV
(https://media.un.org/en/asset/k19/k19ymwnvtv).
“Nos ta papia Papiamento – We speak Papiamento – Our language that is together with Haiti-Creole the only two official Native Languages in the Caribbean that survived colonization – Today I will speak in “broken English”.
Our theme of today: Migration – Then forced migration – Today settlers’ migration or settlers’ colonialism by European Dutch colonization – As member of Permanent Forum of the people of African Descent Dr. June Soomer highlighted earlier – they are migrating with the right to vote in 90 days on our island.
My indigenous Indian civilization and roots were destroyed – My African civilization roots were destroyed – I am now a Caribbean Civilization, an Bonerian – our existence is now again under threat.
Colonialism, from the past? former? post-colonial? No, not the past, it is my present, my reality – I live in a Dutch colony Bonaire, 31 May 2023, in the 21st century.
Our island was kept colonized because, in my view, we were denied our history.
BHRO recommends: that “we”, this Permanent Forum on People of African Descent and CARICOM Reparations and others to create, produce urgently a “basic our-history document” for educational purposes that all Caribbean and further will incorporate in curriculum of all levels of education, from kindergarten to university level. … Give our kids this power – this will ensure that all our dreams, including reparations, will be realized.
I will finish by calling on this forum and all sisters and brothers here for support and solidarity on behalf of our people of Bonaire, as we are in a systemic displacement, depopulation and eradication. In a decade since 2010 we were reduced in 2017 to under 40% of the total population, by 2030 we will be less then 1/3 and will disappear soon, witnessed by all here today.
I also make a call on behalf of our sister islands’ civil society and human rights of Curaçao, Aruba, St. Maarten, Saba, St. Eustatius.
The “Dutch Apology” admitting their crimes changes our case from “internal, hidden from the world” issue to a continuous “international crime against humanity.”
Please help us – Save the Bonerians – Stop Colonialism in the Caribbean.
I am ending: about migration.
We all came in the same boats – We are here today, descendants of forced migration, we are still in the same boat. Then it was a voyage of no return, today in this boat, we have a common destiny, together, we all.
Thank you.
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
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
