Dear Editor,

I read about the traffic accident at the back of the police station between a bus and a motorcycle in which it was stated that the bus was responsible for the cause of the accident. Let me start by stating this.

The way the exit of that parking lot is laid out and the fact that there is a roundabout within fifty meters of the exit of the parking lot, no one exiting that parking lot should attempt to make a left turn leaving that parking lot. So in my opinion either the exit should be altered or an arrow should be painted on the ground by the exit indicating obligated to turn right and a traffic sign indicating no left turn.

Now this. In no form or fashion can I feel good knowing that someone was hurt in any accident, but I continue to state that in any accident in which a motorcycle is involved it is always the occupant of motorcycle who is hurt, the rest is material damage, which again is in this case.

When I ask what has happened to those sayings from our parents and grandparents, I am told that parents have to be careful, because children are told that they have rights. Some people try to get away with “You can make the child, but you can't make its mind.” But I am standing firm with Proverbs 13:24. If I am responsible for you I am responsible for your upbringing.

I can remember my mother asking a lady many years ago, who commented on the way my mother was punishing me, “Are you ready to give me your good child for my bad child?” It took me years to understand what my mother meant.

Now this. What I know is that it is for years now that we are aware of what the liveable wage on St. Maarten is and that no matter who is in power in the government nothing has changed. On the contrary, things have gotten worse. Proof is the Governor's New Year’s remarks. The consequences of this is that parents have to do more than one job to make ends meet. Yes I wrote “ends” because it is not “to make it” but literally to make ends meet.

The Customs should be able to tell us who are the main importers of food and also let government know why is it (or not) justified that every day, I repeat every day at least the price of one (food) product is increased by US $0.25 in the supermarkets managed by foreign nationals. I mentioned managed, because a whole lot of permits for supermarkets were issued to locals, who in turn contract foreign nationals to manage their business in a skillful manner.

In closing I would appreciate if we all would read the Governor’s New Year’s message.

Russell A. Simmons

Dear Editor,

We continually hear that the irresponsible parents are the fault of the behavior of delinquent children. It is also written in Proverbs 13:24 that discipline is necesarry for good upbringing (if the parents spare the rod that would spoil the child). In our penal regulation it is also stated that the public prosecutor is in charge of the vigiliance of the adhering to the maintaining of the public order.

One might think what is Russell getting at this time? In keeping with what part of what the crux of my upbringing was, if I see something is not correct and I don't do anything about it, I too am contributing to that wrong. Therefore I am challenging every single person who is involved with public law enforcement and also the vehicle inspection office to explain what is the reason that so many motor vehicles are being driven over the roads of St. Martin (Dutch/French) with illegal lighting and no one is doing anything about it?

I cannot lie to returning visitors who have known me for years when they question me about this. I am going to repeat myself. Irresponsible drivers only adhere when they feel it in their pockets. Along with that the police officers will be contributing to the justice coffers, which if I am correct in extension will be contributing to their own salary.

Now this. Equally as the heavy equipement (dumptrucks, cement trucks) are too big for those small roads on St. Maarten, so are the tour-buses. Along with that if we down-size on the tour-buses, then we would be able to give more people work and smaller buses would have access to more sites. All crave all lost is not an exaggeration.

By the way, would traffic lights by the intersection Sucker Garden Road/Arch Road help to regulate and alleviate traffic leaving Philipsburg?

Russell A. Simmons

Dear Editor,

Philipsburg needs an uplift with beautification, more parking, proper sidewalks, lights and about 2,000 more people to live there.

Even all the buildings government has to rebuild can have five floors. Our police, teachers, nurses and many more can own their own home. Government should build parking places in Philipsburg and use this income to paint the roads more often.

Cuthbert Bannis

Dear Editor,

It has been nearly a year since a 40+-foot sailboat washed ashore in Simpson Bay, one of our most treasured assets, and it remains broken and beached to this day.

After multiple letters (including one hand-delivered) to VROMI, with unanswered requests for action, this eyesore and more importantly environmental hazard remains stranded, half buried in the sand.

Fortunately, this past hurricane season only had passing storms, but if this wreck remains on the beach, we risk a hazardous, environmental fluid spill and possible damage to homeowners’ property. This ticking time bomb needs to be properly disposed of and well before the upcoming hurricane season, which might not be so forgiving.

The police know who owns the wreck and should hold them accountable for the cost of removal.

VROMI, where are you? Please address this situation now before it becomes an even bigger problem.

R. Paul Speece