Dear Editor,
The two-day symposium held in Trinidad from April 17-18 is a necessary exercise for a particular racial-racial group (black) of a region that is commemorating its 530th anniversary in this year 2023 as a victim of Gun Violence and Crime from 1493-2023, at the same the racial-ethnic group (white) that is the perpetrator of the Gun Violence and Crime is presently engaged in wargames that will further perpetuate gun violence as public health issues resulting from their games. The time has come and we have the opportunity to address not only the symptoms but also the cause of the problems of gun violence and crime. The root cause stems from two main policies the “Doctrine of Discovery” and the “Slave Code Act”.
We are informed that the Vatican has recently repudiated the first, which is their “Doctrine of Discovery” of 1493 that gave the white racial group the false belief in God that they had permission to start the gun violence and crime in the Caribbean that has now since been affecting the world. That group is also having events to examine what is happening in their world of white superiority.
The second policy that needs to be addressed is the repudiation of the Slave Code Acts of 1661 that started in Barbados and affected the Caribbean region, setting a precedent of legal false justification of black inferiority before being adopted by the USA and subsequently impacting all ethnic groups of the wider world.
To adequately address both policies there is one particular action that needs to be taken that will bring both groups, white and non-white, to the consciousness that the world in which we live can be a better place. Such a proposal has been before the world since 1990 and before the government of Barbados and CARICOM in particular from 1995 for the tabling of a resolution to the United Nations (UN) that October 12 be designated a day for truth, justice, peace, healing, and reconciliation.
In 2013 the World Social Forum proclaimed the date October 12 as the International Day for Reparations, and in 2017 the CARICOM Reparations Commission proclaimed October 12 as Caribbean Holocaust Day. The resolution should now be from CARICOM to the UN for October 12 to be designated as the International Day for Reparations towards truth, justice, peace, healing, and reconciliation, and if we are serious about addressing gun violence and crime as a public health issue the resolution should be tabled to the UN before this October 2023.
Reverend Buddy Larrier
Dear Editor,
My roof recently leaked and my wife placed a couple of old towels, which she saves for such an occasion, on the floor to soak up the water, lest one of us slips on the wet spot and falls. The roof had been fixed by several different contractors, but did not remain fixed for long.
My four-year-old tenant, let’s call her Faye, saw the towels on the floor and wanted to know “Who made a mess in the house?” She is very good at spotting and pointing out messes. We explained to her about the leak in the roof and the reason for the towels on the floor. Two days later, the inquisitive little girl pays us another visit for the sole purpose to see if the roof was still leaking.
There are two ceramic fishes hanging on the wall on the front porch, which the child has admired from the time she was a toddler. Unfortunately, one of them had recently fallen and its tail had broken off. As soon Faye saw it, she surprised me with: “Don’t worry, Papa, I will ask God to fix it for you”.
She proceeded to place the two pieces on a porch table, closed her eyes, folded her hands and said a short and to the point prayer: “Dear God, please fix Papa’s fish”. That was four days ago. The Lord has not yet fixed the broken fish. I guess HE concluded that lazy Papa can easily fix it himself with a little bit of super glue.
This incident reminded me of how my own daughter surprised me decades ago. One evening, shortly after her mother had put her to bed, she called me into her bedroom and told me she could not sleep because she had pain in her legs. She was at the time suffering from “growing pains”. I told her not to worry, I was going to ask Jesus to heal her. Her little face lit up. I rested my hand gently on her legs, and said a short healing prayer. When I finished, she smiled at me, stuck her thumb in her mouth, turned her back to me and promptly went to sleep. I am sure it was her faith in Jesus that healed her that night.
Since I am on the topic of God and children, let me relate how God saved this same daughter’s life several decades ago. We were picnicking under a grape tree at a beach on the French side of the island with a couple of good friends and their children. It was a beautiful day and all was going well. However, while chatting with my friends I clearly heard an inner voice ask me, “Where is Dale?
I looked around the tree and did not see her. She must be somewhere close by, I thought. So, I went a little further up the beach looking for her. I saw my son playing in the water with his friends, but no sight of Dale.
I continued looking and then my heart stopped. To my horror, I saw her floating face-down in the water. I ran to her as fast as I could. Even as I ran, I kept wondering how it was possible that no one saw a child in pampers floating in the water. There were people on the beach only a short distance away and my son and his friends were in the water a short distance away from her, and yet, no one saw her?
I ran as fast as I could to where she was in the water and grabbed her. As soon as I lifted her out of the water, she immediately started crying. When I heard her crying, I instantly started thanking God for His mercy and compassion. I was puzzled that she had not inhaled or swallowed any seawater, even though she was floating face-down. Weeks afterwards I realized that the inner voice had forewarned me before she had entered the water. I believe she had gone into the water to join her brother. Our friends who were still under the tree were even more upset than I over what had taken place.
Some people later suggested that it was the air in her diaper that had kept her afloat, but I knew better. Had the air in her diaper prevented her from inhaling swallowing seawater? I have thanked God countless times over the years. Though she was too young to remember the incident, I occasionally reminded her how God saved her life on the beach that day.
Jesus once forbade a demon-possessed man from whom He had cast out a legion of unclean spirits, to follow Him. He instead told the man, “Go home to your friends and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you and how He has had compassion on you.”
I am sure there are a number of people on St. Maarten for whom God has done a great thing in their lives. I invite you to tell us what God has done for you recently or in the distant past. And if you need help putting your miracle into words, get in touch with me.
Clive Hodge
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
~ Cricket Field in Cul de Sac ~
Dear Sir/Madam,
We appeal to all sports (cricket), school, church, and organizers of private events to your sense of consideration for the residents of Isis Road to keep the volume of the music and of the microphone at your event at a level that is appropriate and within acceptable limits within our residential area. We all share this area and everyone must do their part to ensure good cooperation so everyone can feel comfortable. Unfortunately, this is currently not the case.
Noise pollution, defined as any level of noise that is harmful or annoying, is a major (health) issue in St. Maarten. Recreation, (sports) entertainment, and church meetings are enjoyable activities but should not be had at the expense nor detriment to others.
The excessively loud volume from events on the cricket field disturbs the (mental and physical) rest of residents and also results in health issues: headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, muffled ears, and raised blood pressure. You don’t know who’s ill in bed, who’s perhaps studying, or even who is working from home.
Please be responsible. Be respectful. Be considerate. Be kind.
We hope this letter will be read by those to whose conscience we appeal and that positive change will result.
To all other residents, if noise pollution is a problem in your neighborhood, speak out about it. You shouldn’t have to silently suffer and accept it, because it’s not acceptable! You, we all, have a constitutional right to enjoy undisturbed peace and quiet on our properties and in our homes!
Sincerely,
Beverly Mae Nisbeth
And fellow residents of Isis Road, Cul de Sac
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.
