Dear Editor,

A new year is here – one that requires thoughts from an innovative mind that extends beyond the parameters of 2025; whether your goals are to stay abreast of current affairs or to pursue the aspirations that are shelved, due to unexpected circumstances. The fact that you are reading this article indicates that your purpose on earth is evolving, and that you have the opportunity to push those objectives into the direction that would enhance your personal and professional lives.

Before I take a deep dive into the matter at hand, I would like to congratulate the Positive and Elektralyets Foundations for being recognized as Persons of the Year! Besides, many thanks and best wishes to the entire St. Martin for your kindness towards others throughout 2025. Those of us who have touched lives in a manner that words cannot express, may we continue to sow seeds of love and compassion, without financial compensation.

The title of this article strikes a posing question, and if we are to advance as a people, we must take this inquiry seriously, and so I will start with myself (the man in the mirror). Over and over, I’ve been asked (asked is an understatement) to compile my newspaper articles into a book. In December, I have given the proposal some meaningful thoughts and I’m in the initial stage of putting a team together to guide the process.

Besides that, it has always been my dream to write books for children. I have lots of materials, ready to be put together, but with a different twist, because I won’t be the author. That process has also started in December. These are two of my personal initiatives that I would like to pursue in 2026 and hope to have them finalized in the not too distant future.

On a professional note: this idea has been floating in my mind for almost a year. Sometimes the complexity of comprehension can be broken down into a very simple format, which lessens frustration and builds interests and engagement. And since each individual has his or her learning modality, I am proposing that certain laws be presented to the public in audio form, rather than in writing, only.

My areas of concern are the constitution, rules of order in parliament and the rules that govern the Council of Ministers. These are vital documents, but not everybody understands their contents, based on one's inability to read and comprehend at the same time. I’m not asking for every single item to be put on audio. I’m thinking of those that are frequently used and are or can be misinterpreted by the public.

If this can be produced in a timely fashioned, with her vast knowledge and understanding of the workings of government and parliament, this audio should be narrated by none other than our Honourable Chairlady of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams. The public just need a concise version of these documents, for better understanding and a broader political involvement.

I can go deeper but I don’t want to extend it too far. But recently, I got some information on fines for traffic violations. This too can be narrated by the Police Spokesman Inspector Josepha, or he can choose one of his colleagues to narrate this pertinent information. Some people can’t read nor care to read and so this mode of vital information will reach a wider section of the population.

As a people, what improvements would you like our government officials to accomplish in 2026? It is a year where you have to hold your government accountable, whether these officials are your friends, acquaintances or family members. It should not matter. Do not let the relationship hamper you from calling them out whenever it is necessary. It is your duty to let them know that they are working for you and not for themselves.

Again, what are your dreams and demands for this year? Whether it’s personal or professional, go after them with every ounce of passion and unwavering determination.

Joslyn Morton

Dear Editor,

I’ve never lived nor visited any other country, and didn’t see its currency. The situation here on St. Maarten is completely different, because the American dollar is so dominant. It’s amazing that the Caribbean guilder has been in circulation for 9 solid months and it’s a currency that I rarely see. What is the logic behind this mystery?

I grew up with the American currency, and so it has been commonplace for me, throughout my entire life. But it is incredible that the former Antillean guilder, which was depleted in volume (as declared), was so much more in circulation than this Caribbean guilder that I see once in a blue moon. Sometimes I don't even remember that there is a new currency, because I don’t see it. So, when I do, I hoard it, to add to my coin collection.

Imagine, 9 consecutive months have passed since this “official” currency of the Dutch side was introduced, and I’ve only seen the 5-guilder piece just once. I’ve never seen the Cg 200 note, the 1c nor the 50c. Maybe I’ve seen the Cg10 note three times. But what is very alarming to me is that out of all the Cg coins that I’ve collected, the majority have the island of Curaçao on them. Sometimes I feel as if I’m living in Curaçao, and not on St. Maarten.

Another thing, maybe a month after the money was introduced, I saw the 25c, 10c and 5c. After that, I saw them perhaps once or twice and that was it. So again, where is the new currency? Why is it that the supermarkets are not giving us back our change in guilders? They just automatically reach for the dollars. Every time, we the customers asked for our change in the currency that was given to these merchants, they said that they don’t have guilders. And we just have to accept it.

I am asking the question again, because it concerns me deeply. Where are the guilders? This is a serious situation! In fact, it looks more like a predicament to me. Because, if the supermarkets are not giving the customers back the guilders, then what are they doing with them? Do they have their own secret banks? If they do, how does this situation affect the circulation of the currency and the economy?

The discussion may tilt towards the assumption that more persons are using online banking. That assertion is possible, but the customers were having the same complaint during the time that the Antillean guilder was around. The only difference is that the intensity to repress the Cg, has multiplied. Then the question is: What is the real reason behind this action, and how can any government tolerate this behaviour, where one sector of the economy is dictating how our currency is being spent?

Right here, is a classic example of how dangerous it is to be consistently issuing business licenses to a specific group that dominates a vital component of this economy.

Currently, our government is going down a very slippery road, with the abyss right at the bottom. Because, when a sector of the economy is dictation how our currency is being spent, then government has lost control of the economy and its political power. No wonder they say that St. Maarten is a not a real place.

Joslyn Morton

Dear Editor,

Via this media I would like to ask the drivers on Sint Maarten if they are aware of the laws governing the speed limit in the country? And my other question is if the drivers are aware of where they are going(destiny) when they get into their vehicles.

I am asking this because of the way drivers, both men and women, behave on the roads of Sint Maarten. Let me start by stating that there are only two stretches of roads, on Sint Maarten where according to the rules of overtaking, it is allowed to overtake another motor vehicle.

Those drivers who have done their driving exams on Sint Maarten are expected to know the steps(sequence) to be taken, before, during and after overtaking another motor vehicle. Because of this and knowing the limited amount of roads where overtaking is permitted, when I see drivers overtaking other motor vehicles in such an irresponsible manner,

I ask myself "Where are they going?" In doing so I would hope that they would ask themselves the same.

Sint Maarten is not growing any bigger and we are importing cars as if they are going out of style. I have had my carrier but with the irresponsible way in which drivers behave on the roads nowadays, I would have a field day every day.

I have decided to write about driver' s behaviour to you after constantly being approached by drivers to write something on drivers behaviour. What I constantly experience is the gypsies stopping anywhere and not even pulling off the road. Gypsies, that is another topic people are approaching me about.

The general opinion is that they are disrupting the public transportation. I have suggested it in the past and I believe that with the assistance of the marines and immigration personnel that gypsy ordeal can be brought to an end.

The tax department should also be contacted because these are people with residency who are openly and illegally making money in closing I will repeat and ask drivers to ask themselves before deciding to overtake "Where am I going?"

Russell A SIMMONS

Dear Editor,

Yesterday, I wrote about the problems this island faces regarding traffic and parking, reiterating what many before me have expressed. Today I would like to offer some potential solutions.

Of course, most actions needed to fix problems of this sort require monetary resources. There are several potential ways to help fund the plan of action.

First, there needs to be greater enforcement of the current on-the-book’s rules regarding proper behavior of vehicle owners. Excessive window tinting (a favorite topic of Mr. Russell Simmons, a retired police officer), is an easy fix and a source of revenue. Fines for non-compliance with existing rules should be implemented. Nearly half of the vehicles appear to be breaking the law. Simple controls and the doling out of fines would put a partial halt to this behavior. It should be followed up with a rejection notice at the every-two-year inspection, where if there is excessive tinting, the vehicle does not pass until it is reinspected with acceptable tinting.

Fines for disruptive and dangerous motor bike riding and speeding should be enforced.

A new import duty should be instituted to tax the import of all vehicles that share the roads. It could be one percent of a declared fair value of the vehicle being imported. In addition, a vehicle titling routine needs to be established so that the government knows who owns which vehicles. When vehicle ownership changes, a retitling would occur, including a nominal fee, so that the ownership chain is documented. When vehicles are impounded or abandoned, the government will know who owns it and can communicate with that owner regarding their responsibility to pick up, dispose or otherwise deal with the vehicle. This will also take cross-border cooperation.

In addition, there should be a new requirement that for every vehicle brought into SXM, one and a half vehicles need to be either scrapped or removed from the island, taking them off the roads, until it can be a one-for-one, adjusted for population growth, when a comfortable number of vehicles remain using the road system.

A volunteer group of concerned individuals could be formed to help identify the wrecks and abandoned vehicles, to assist VROMI with the task of removal. I will gladly volunteer my time in this effort and believe others will join me.

The additional funds raised from the fines, reinspections and the import duties would be put aside into a fund used to supplement the cost of administering the titling effort, old vehicle removal, road maintenance and improvements, and the building of new roads and parking garages.

To improve movement around the island and the unfettered ability to visit and support local businesses three things need to happen. First is the control of the number of vehicles coming and staying on the island. Second is the need for adequate parking and third is the addition of alternative routes to ameliorate the traffic flow congestion.

An easy improvement is widening the road from Marigot to the roundabout east of the causeway to allow for a dedicated right turn lane that moves traffic across the causeway and out of the traffic headed to Cole Bay.

An alternative route to get over the hill partially exists in a winding one-way road that could be straightened some and made to accommodate two-way traffic, ending in a roundabout near Kooyman.

An alternative route to build a parallel road to the airport runway from Beacon Hill to Simpson Bay would take pressure off Airport Road and could join it near Pollo Hermanos at a new roundabout. This would have the added benefit of giving Beacon Hill a second escape route in the case of Maho Beach over wash and flooding.

Has anyone considered better bridge opening times to avoid conflicts with “rush hour”?

Multi-storey parking garages need to be built in the most congested areas where businesses and tourists need to mix. Philipsburg, Simpson Bay, Marigot, Grand Case all come to mind. Employees of the businesses in the area should be required to use the garages and either walk to their employers’ establishments or there could be a golfcart type shuttle that takes them and visitors to the surrounding businesses on a schedule.

Water taxis for people, not cars, can be placed into service that will have the effect of taking cars off the roads. Philipsburg (Great Bay) could be connected to Indigo Bay, Simpson Bay, Maho/Mullet Bay, Grand Case and Anse Marcel. At each ferry terminal, there would need to be adequate taxi stands to take people to their final destinations and possible golf cart type shuttles for taking them to nearby retail establishments.

This would give an alternative, sightseeing way to traverse the calmer waters on the western side of the island.

I know that these are lofty goals but taken individually and partially funded by the new revenue sources, it is doable. If not done, the island will suffer a reputational decline leading to a drop in the one product we want to promote most, tourism.

I offer my volunteer service to assist in any way I can to make SXM a better place to navigate, shop and live the dream of a successful, attractive island experience for everyone who steps foot on this island.

R. Paul Speece

Simpson Bay