Dear Editor,
Small countries with narrow economic options require their governance to focus more closely on their economic future path than larger more diversified ones because the risk is so much greater. If your economy includes extractive industries, manufacturing, agriculture and financial services, the decline in one of these is less disastrous than when the activity types are fewer. In St. Maarten we have to depend on stayover tourism, cruise tourism and some smaller activities, most closely tied to each other.
Ideally, we and our decision-makers should have a clear vision of what activities in the limited range of options will be optimal for the entire country and population and be consumed with the challenge of making the most of these limited options, many of which are in highly competitive fields. We should have clear understanding of whether industries like gambling, cruise ship visits, yachting, foreign residence construction have value to the country in respect of employment, positive income for the public sector and a longer-term future where that question is appropriate.
We boast extensive and expensive advice-providing services and have in the past hired outside advisers to assist as well. Incredibly, after all that has been written and monies spent there is little evidence of attention being paid to these areas in the political conversation that we hear reported in the press. The focus instead is on how declining tax revenues are spent and the obligations of the “colonial” power that is currently supporting the deficits being created.
That unanimity of vision and purpose that would build business confidence is undermined by divisions relating to the representation of the private and public sectors. The contributions of the private sector organizations to economic thinking are consistently interpreted as being for self-serving individual benefit of the private sector individuals and discounted for that reason. This is exacerbated by the fact that many private sector operators are of a non-St. Maarten heritage. This is further exacerbated by divisions within the private sector based on heritage.
In the near future St. Maarten is going to be confronted with having to make decisions on how the public finances are going to be put in order. There is no indication that there are plans in place that would return the country to a solid public finance footing. Unprecedented tough decisions lie ahead. Tax models are going to be a key determinant as to whether a positive trend can be created from the current structures that were created by short-term convenience and a reluctance to invest in tax collection.
This painful process would fare better if representations of the private sector and the public sector were to treat each other with greater respect and understanding and not with the suspicion that every private sector input is based exclusively on narrow interests. The success and continued viability of many private sector operators in St. Maarten is closely tied to good governance and good governance that is tied to a successful negotiation of the public sector revenue challenges.
Robbie Ferron
We, the residents of Caines Drive, Dutch Quarter, need your urgent attention and help pertaining a problem that has been plaguing for quite some time. It concerns a group of juveniles known in the area as the “Maduro’s children”. These children have been and are causing some serious problems in the neighborhood and are terrorizing the residents in Caines Drive.
Currently they live in an abandoned house that has no running water or electricity, and they are disposing their feces in bags in the yards of the residents in the vicinity. It has even come to a point where people are afraid to walk the road to go to and from work because of these children.
They would beg persons walking by for money and gang up on them and steal their belongings such as their phones, their money or anything they have on them at the time. They are also busy breaking into people’s houses when they are at work. As mentioned before, the “Maduro’s children” are underage, they use drugs and are even having sex for money.
We have lodged so many complaints including calls to the police, and Government concerning the “Maduro’s children”, and all we are hearing is that nothing can be done because these children are under-aged, and that there is nowhere to put them. Because of that, these children are now walking around feeling like they are untouchable and have stated various times that they are not afraid of the police.
We the residents of Caines Drive are fed up and frustrated with what is going on and the fact that nothing can be done with this situation in the neighborhood. We fear that eventually something bad is going to happened and the only one to blame for that would be the Government of St. Maarten because they failed to help to protect these children.
It’s a shame that we are now 11 years since 10-10-10 and the country still doesn’t have the proper facilities in place for these kinds of problems we are facing.
Hoping that the abovementioned situation can be addressed in a timely manner to avoid anyone possibly getting hurt.
Residents of Caines Drive Dutch Quarter
Name withheld at author's request.
Dear Editor,
Regrettably there was no Carnival this year and rightfully so no funds could be given by Motorworld for promotion of this year’s Carnival. Judging by its willingness to support Carnival handsomely and sustainably every year, no one could hold it against Motorworld for not donating the money to the Carnival Foundation this year.
However, as the proverbial saying goes, when one door closes, another opens. St. Maarten roads suffer from rain-floods in various locations on the island. In the neighbourhood of Beacon Hill alone, no less than 3 soak-away wells are required. And so, in many other locations on the island. Maybe Motorworld can redirect this year’s funds allocated for Carnival towards drilling of soak-away wells. These soak-away wells can easily and in a short period be constructed and the rainwater will have a place to dissipate in veins under the earth.
The company that drills these wells is called “EXOFOR” and the telephone number is 011-590-590-52.83.22. This is meant only as a suggestion, a suggestion that would be highly appreciated by the entire road users’ community. Maybe the other vehicle sales companies on the Dutch side of the island can join in.
Ask not what your government can do for you. The answer up to now is nothing at all. Ask rather what you can do for the government and by extension for the country and its road users.
Louis Engel
Dear Editor,
There is this lady who, when I want feedback, I permit to read my letter to you before sending it out. She must have read Tuesday’s paper because she called me and told me that the Minister of Justice is tougher than me because I want to talk while the Minister declares zero tolerance and acute action against the reckless bikers.
I did not read the paper yet so she had to explain what she meant. I told her that I would get back to her after reading the paper. When I called her back I explained to her that I was not in competition with the Minister and that I applaud the Minister’s reaction because I believe that what the Minister did is in line with her responsibilities.
There are series of questions beginning with the words who, what, where, when, why, with what and how, which every law enforcement officer should utilize and the “why” is very vital in determining in which direction to proceed. To be able to get the answer to that “why”, dialogue is necessary.
Any psychologist would tell you there is always a reason for action. Let me make it clear I am not implying that the reason justifies the action, but it brings clarification. This clarification could be very useful for further dialogue and to be able to convince the perpetrator that even though his/her views of a situation may seem justified, this is not always the case. My way of saying it is “Not because something is not wrong, it is the right thing to do”. That is the reason why I suggested dialogue between members of government and a delegation of those reckless bikers.
The results of that meeting should be that the bikers leave that meeting convinced that their behavior on the public roads is not acceptable. They should understand that everybody is expected to abide by the law. So, whether there is zero tolerance or their behavior is unacceptable, this kind of reckless behavior has to stop.
Like I mentioned in my other letter, no one should be able to claim that no one spoke to them. In my line of work I have met a lot of stubborn people who regretted it after a while. Being ignorant and being stubborn does not pay. I do not believe that anyone wants to see any retaliation against the reckless behavior.
A question was asked to me by a cousin who I warned about the tint on the glass of his car. He wanted to know if he got a summons for “too dark tint” if he could say that the Ministers’ cars have dark tint too, as his defense. My question to him was, what would you prefer, to get a ticket and take your chance with that defense or avoid the ticket and put on an acceptable tint? I further told him that he could write a letter to the editor and ask his opinion, which could be the beginning of a weekly dialogue in the paper voicing one’s opinion in a positive way.
It could become healthy dialogue. There a lot of people who do not use the social media, but who need a push to write a letter to the editor of the newspaper. Sometimes all they need is a push.
I told him I have referred to people who write letters to editor asking not to publish their names as “cowards” but those are people who write not-so-nice things about others and want their name withheld.
He wanted to start with talking on the cell phone, but I told him that is a good topic to write about, as long as he does not single out anybody.
Russell A. Simmons
Dear Editor,
It is expected that politicians help those that helped them get elected to office. However, land in St. Maarten is scarce and government land even more so.
According to an article in the newspaper, the Vineyard Heights project consists of 52 lots. Rather than giving these lots to 25 or even 52 people, why does the government not consider developing this property. It can be zoned to accommodate housing, parking, play, and sports parks, and land for agricultural farming. Many agricultural products grow on hillsides.
The government must take into consideration that the population is growing and land for housing is depleting. Developing apartment complexes guarantees a roof over the heads of our children and their children. Moreover, land becomes available for other requirements such as mentioned further above.
This form of government is inclusive and beneficial to all concerned. Let wisdom prevail. Use our limited land for granting of sustainable housing, and community development projects.
Louis Engel
