Dear Editor,
Almost every day I have to stop tourists from entering Hotelsteeg in forbidden direction and/or help them reverse out of that street after having entered via the forbidden direction. This can be avoided if the correct signage is in place.
This is one example, but I believe that with cooperation between the Ministers of Justice and VROMI [Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure – Ed.] and the Chief of Police along with the head of the Police Traffic Department a lot can be done to regulate the motorised traffic situation in our country.
Every time I drive over Walter Nisbeth Road I ask myself “Am I the only person who is ashamed of the layout of the bus stops along that road? Should those snacks along that road be that close to the road with traffic. Why are the majority of those bus stop huts so close to light poles? And why are they not laid out so that the buses can drive off the road?”
On the side of G.E.B.E all the way on to the Bernhard bridge with the exception of a few houses there are all businesses. On the other (pond) side of Nisbeth Road, shoppers park in order to do their shopping. I believe a suggestion to lay out a few more pedestrian crossings along that part of Nisbeth Road is not farfetched.
Not maybe, I am sure that if these measures are taken, the buses will be obliged to only stop at bus stops and so will the people who wait for the bus. Consequently the traffic over Nisbeth Road will flow more smoothly.
In the past I spoke to some influential people and suggested that government should coordinate with business owners (who as we know depend on the shoppers) to help get things like road markings, etc., financed. I was told that government doesn’t work so.
But I continue to see our road infrastructure continue to deteriorate, and I also do not think that those businesses along those roads are doing that badly.
Russell A. Simmons
Dear Editor,
Hurray, I support Trump concerning the situation in Venezuela. Thousands of Venezuelians are dancing daily. Trump has liberated Venezuela people.
There’s more dictators in the world – Great Britain, America and France. Should go after those leaders of government that’s not for its people. And not respecting a positive election result should not stay in power.
Majority of the Caribbean people happy a dictator have been out of power in the Caribbean. Both Venezuela and Cuba need a Democratic government to more uplift Caribbean region and keep up within international laws towards it’s people – citizens and the rest of people in the world (such as visitors.)
Cuthbert Bannis
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,
On Sunday last the “Active for Christ” group of the SS Simon and Jude Anglican church organized a bus outing for the senior members of the church followed by a lunch at the Methodist Brick building. Acivities like these are normal around the Christmas and New Year’s, so one might be asking what's so special about this one. One person “Denis BROOKS”.
Over the years I have been on several bus tours around the island, both with locals as with tourists. I have also participated in all kinds of activities with locals entertaining the tourists. That bus tour from Sunday, January 4th, 2026, made a lasting impression not only on me but on every last person on that tour. All comments were positive. As I have mentioned before the tour was followed with a lunch, which also I must say was spectacular. When I asked the members of the Active for Christ group who supplied the food I was told that there were very gracious donors (You know who you are) who eagerly gave to the church. And again I have to congratulate those who prepared the food.
Because I am an advocate for Civics instruction from the early stages in school, and because I was impressed by the way Denis BROOKS conducted that tour, via this media I would like to advocate for bus tours of that category around Sint Maarten during the school year for students, beginning with the fifth graders. All in all I had a great time and would like to congratulate the Active for Christ group. Get your sponsors for the next event.
Russell A. Simmons
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
