Dear Editor,

  In the spirit of annual New Year reflections I have tried to create a thumbnail picture of how I find the position St. Maarten is in at the end of 2021 and what the future looks like for the country in the coming years.

  First and foremost are the studies that show that there is little or no chance of the economy reverting to growth numbers that were seen in the ’80s and ’90s. At that time of fast tourism development, low labour costs through immigration existed, limited government meant limited regulation and low public expenses. Now with the same non-expandable single pillar economy, such growth is extremely unlikely. Without growth in the economy, the size of the population and the cost of the public sector point to longer-term deficits.

  The political situation is such that only a party with strong commitment to the entitlements of the public sector is likely to obtain a majority.

  The public debt and the immediate liquidity shortages exclude any possibility of investments that might lead to the development of industry diversification and if the capital were to be available it is doubtful whether the dominating political entities would support opportunities in respect of legislation and budgeting. Foreign direct investment in economy expanding and public sector revenue creating activities is unlikely.

  Most of the good possibilities of increasing public sector revenue via indirect taxation are limited due to the open border with the French side and harmonization seems not to be realizable. Whilst some revenue increases may be possible through the targeting of specific sectors only a massive change in the taxation circumstances would create a breakthrough.

  Whilst the Dutch have a vision of how the situation could be rescued via the COHO [Caribbean Body for Reform and Development – Ed.], it would appear that solutions by the Dutch are not going to receive a hearty welcome nor likely to enjoy strong execution support.

  The majority in the St. Maarten Parliament does not have a vision of how the country could break out of its obviously deep economic hole other than all public debt being forgiven by the Netherlands. Even if that were to happen, then unless conditions were to change a new significant debt would quickly be recreated.

  The Netherlands wants to restructure various parts of the economy so that they are more sustainable but a record of poor cooperation has led to an approach where coercive financial force is being used which in turn is probably creating more resistance to cooperation, regardless of the sense and value of the proposals.

  The population is confused. They resort to parties and politicians who were connected with the growth of the ’80s and ’90s but those parties and politicians do not have the courage and or knowledge to deal with the deeply rooted problems that have now become clear post [Hurricane] Irma and under pandemic. Simply claiming “resilience” does not seem to be turning things around.

  Does this paint an accurate picture of Sint Maarten?

Robbie Ferron

Dear Editor,

  A few months ago I wrote you a letter which I realized you opted not to print and as usual that prerogative remains yours. Even though I think the people were short-changed.

  Because of what we do, people in government and the police have become fair game, while those businesspeople who are known to buy themselves into and out of almost everything are, as it were, spared the public scrutiny. The results of all this is that 50 to 60 thousand people on merely 16 square miles of land are administered as if the country was so big that so many things have to go unnoticed.

  I have always remarked that our road infrastructure has not changed and very few roads have been added,. Along with all that, nothing has been done with those bottlenecks which are the only connection between above and below the hill. Today I got one text and two calls concerning the traffic congestion over A.J.C. Brouwer Road and Alexis Arnell Road and traffic was also moving at a walking pace over the Link One Phase Two.

  I was getting into my car after checking out the Christmas trees at Kooyman when I received another text concerning the traffic congestion. That person texted me stating that she was getting frustrated and decided to text me because she can remember me having written about the traffic situation several times. I reminded her that she was in traffic and should not be texting. “Which traffic? The traffic is not even moving.” So again I will repeat, we urgently need to revise the public transportation ordinance and we also urgently need to limit the random import of motor vehicles.

  I mention random because I am sure that no consideration is taken with the road infrastructure, when permitting whomever to import those oversized heavy equipment. And so, the drivers do not care about the regular traffic because all of them conduct themselves in traffic as if saying, “Hit into me if you dare.” They literally ignore the traffic rules because of lack of control. You know what I am referring to because several articles concerning reckless behavior in traffic appear in this newspaper.

  The car dealers and the car parts business owners are the ones who are profiting from this. And it has become so bad that more and more the motor vehicle owners are not even repairing the damage anymore because there is no control, which in my days the Control Unit used to have under control.

  Car-pooling is something I also referred to over the years. I have made it my business to monitor the traffic Belvedere-Simpson Bay and St. Peters-Simpson Bay. Eight out of every 10 cars are occupied by only the driver. Eighty percent of the cars are used only by the driver. Because of the difference in working hours, a great deal of homes have more than one car.

  It is more than high time that rich, middle class and poor be administered in a way that everyone is able to have a relaxed and not anxious life. After all, we are only 50 to 60 thousand people on 16 square miles of land with a billion dollar economy. Wow, that is totally mismanagement!

  I once had a similar conversation with my father. “Disobedience and total lack of love” was his answer to that question. During the conversation he said to me, “What is the use of so many churches in St. Maarten and 70 per cent of the people are existing with less than a liveable salary? Yes, below the poverty line. You yourself have been going to church since you were a child, you should know that there are several places in the Bible where sharing is mentioned. He gave certain people plenty because He expected them to share, but their greed exceeded the love and they refused to share. This greed was converted into the lust for power and the rest is history.”

  I know that we cannot talk about the lack of legislation because the laws are all there.

  Now this. Over the years I know for a fact that when things are going in favor of some people, whether it is good or bad, as long as it is smooth sailing, no problem. As soon as the boat starts to rock, they look for someone to blame. As long as you are making a living off the sea, you are expected to endure what the sea offers.

  I read, “Government’s involvement in pageants”. Actually, I read it twice to make sure I understood where the writer was coming from. I was surprised that it was not in defense of government. I have on many occasions said, written, insinuated, hinted about the lack of government protection of the people, so it would be hypocritical of me not to show appreciation when, no matter whether insignificant or not, government steps up to the plate for us.

  I know that too often especially businesspeople do things behind the back of government and get away with it (I will refrain from giving examples) so that it has practically become a way of life. The result of that is that too often the people of St. Maarten have to hear that their country is corrupt. And that is the responsibility of the government. So let me repeat what I have stated on many occasions: “Everything anybody does on St. Maarten, whether bad or good, is the responsibility of the government of St. Maarten.” From accident to zigzag and potholes in between.

  I do not know what the requisites are to be able to participate or represent St. Maarten abroad in pageants, but my sense of patriotism obliged me to wonder also. Kudos, MP [Member of Parliament – Ed.]Emmanuel. Did not Mr. Ferron, who definitely has an idea about flags, see that young lady flaunting the St. Maarten flag? That is definitely the responsibility of the government of St. Maarten,

Russell A. Simmons

Dear Editor,

  A Commonwealth is a nation, state and or other political unit, founded on law and united by compactor tacit agreement by the people for the common good.

  The creation of an all-encompassing Commonwealth of Caribbean Nations based upon their regional and Island Culture, as a cornerstone to complete Caribbean Unity.

  Assertion: So long as individual Caribbean island nations must compete against each other and with much larger and more powerful international competing nations these separate nations of the Caribbean will not reach their full political-economic potential. Only by uniting the Caribbean into one socio-politically economic powerhouse will this commonwealth and its member nations achieve the respect and competitive fear of their opponents within international markets.

  Presently there are many Caribbean-centered international organizations such as Commonwealth Caribbean where nation states work together to promote their goals individually within the organization.

  I assert that a fully united Caribbean can and will fulfill the aspirations and needs of each of its member states while assuring this group has the united might in political-economic leverage. A united Caribbean will be stronger in many ways.

  - Greater purchasing power as a group, with a larger united population..

  - Political power and influence through a united front to all friends and competitors.

  - Greater influence on the international stage.

  - Unity of purpose, national outlook and aspirations.

  - United financial clout.

  - Pooling a collective financial revenue to be applied to each member in the same fashion no matter the size of population or island mass.

  - Uniting each member’s ambassadorial, consulate and foreign affairs ministries into one unit.

  - A united commonwealth will assure the ability to quickly and profoundly respond to natural, climatic crises through the establishment of a internal emergency ministry that’s job is to save lives, repair and rebuild that which has been damaged quickly.

  Each member must work towards a democratic outlook and practice. A complete democratization of the Caribbean will be required and demanded. Democracy is the natural human state of most Caribbean nations and must become the basis of this commonwealth.

  The wealth of each member nation is considered part of the greater entity. The petroleum, mining and natural resources sector would be used to the benefit of all member states, much like a health care insurance agreement. Some islands will need more care and investment than others, but these investments can create the greater good for all. The International Bank and foreign banking concerns will prefer to do business with a United Conglomerate, a Commonwealth of Island Nations than separate nations who do not have the ability to borrow.

  Imagine a group of island nations within a greater commonwealth of nations. A government with a president from, say, St. Vincent, a deputy prime minister from Barbados and ministers from islands as diverse and different as Trinidad, Martinique, St. Lucia, or Bermuda. This Commonwealth would move towards gaining new membership from other island nations such as those controlled by former colonial powers such as America, France, Britain and the European Union. Independence for all members within a greater commonwealth, so yes St. Thomas (U.S. Virgin Islands), Puerto Rico and even St. Pierre and Miquelon (beside Newfoundland). This Commonwealth would welcome their brothers and sisters from island nations throughout the Americas.

  The Caribbean must be courageously ambitious, creatively aspiring to what is truly within its grasp. The Caribbean, with their island lifestyle/culture demand better for their people. Only through unity can the Caribbean become, otherwise it will remain as it has been, a political and economic possession of other powers.

Steven Kaszab

Bradford, Ontario

Dear Editor,

  Governments worldwide have found increasing consensus on what governments should manage, own and regulate and what they should not involve themselves in. Maintaining roads and eliminating potholes is generally accepted to be a definite governance function. Operating airports and harbours has been very much on the decline and mostly moved to the private sector. Utilities are still a mixed bag.

  But beauty pageants are definitely not in the category where governments normally involve themselves. In the case of sports, the major global sports bodies actually disallow any involvement by government in the representation of athletes by their countries.

  Should we not follow global trends and encourage our government to fix potholes and stay out of categories of activity that are regarded as unsuitable for government involvement?

Robbie Ferron