Dear Editor,
Permit me to applaud Mister Henri Brookson for his prompt reaction to the roadside construction on Union Road. I am not a regular social media person, so I cannot comment whether there were observations on this situation or not on social media.
On Tuesday last I went to Marigot but I went via the bridge and the causeway because I had to make a stop in Simpson Bay. On Wednesday, however, I used Union Road and to my surprise I saw roadside construction in full swing. It had to be in full swing because of the amount of workers and equipment on the sight.
My first reaction was, “at last a sidewalk.” But then I noticed the layout and when I put two and two together, thoughts like “who is getting how much under the table and why so much construction equipment? Is this a rush job?” This, in my opinion, had to be done in a hurry, because no self-respecting engineer and minister would like to sign off on that project. Why with all of that space, so close to the road?
When I read the letter to you by Mister Brookson I said to myself, “Mister Brookson must have written that letter with great restraint because I know there are different ways to write, when mister Brookson so rightfully stated that, ‘It would save the government money in the future when they would not have to reimburse people for the structures that were built.’”
In the past several investigations have been made in the then-Public Works turned VROMI [Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure – Ed.]. So, because of dubious modus operandi, would it be farfetched if persons would want to know if VROMI is some kind of a cash cow? We have a set of bus-stop huts along Walter Nisbeth Road which are doing service as “setties” for the food trucks, while the buses cannot get access to the bus stops. These were also approved by VROMI.
I am aware of who the concerned minister was during that period. So, I again want to say kudos to Mister Brookson for his prompt reaction to what anyone can see is very unprofessional and I would dare state malicious. And even if it is not intended to do harm, road safety would dictate that, as again Mister Brookson so rightfully stated, “It can create a dangerous situation when at night (or even during the day) someone slips off the road and bangs into the wall (or a pedestrian).”
So, are we making propaganda for being incompetent or that “anything goes” in St. Maarten?
My father use to tell us that there is always some kind of a doubt when one uses the statement “even a blind man could see that”.
By the way I saw the reaction on the face of that cooking-gas truck-driver who was rocking with the truck while driving through Front Street yesterday.
Russell A. Simmons
Dear Editor,
All over, trash, attitude, racism, misogyny to the max, pay below anything I’ve ever earned in my life using the knowledge I have for a job that borders on the illogical, the culture, Latin macho and women with fake butts running around for men with $$$$, it disgusts me to be here, the music, the worst of all.
Give me back the beauty of my island I belong to, my lovely people from everywhere, my Caribbean Island people, my reggae music, my swims, my buses to go wherever I feel like, my friends, my Chinee around the corner, my views, my beaches and food! Food that is only in SXM nowhere else. I need my home so bad it made me sick today.
I do not belong here, this is not the Caribbean, not even close to it, it is South America with the attitude that comes with the “culture”. The South Americans don’t even try to speak Papiamento or English, let alone Dutch for that matter.
Oh, let’s not forget the materialistic side, let me not even go there, well, yeah, let me. Nothing worse than guys in Gucci loafers, Louis Vuitton belts and Cartier bracelets, oh, hold on, the ones with no money wear the fakes of any brand they can.
I will come back because this is the wrong way to live, it is not right for the brain, my brain.
M.I.A. Roos
By Frank Kunneman
Internationally recognized general rules of good governance such as “no political interference in government-affiliated entities” also apply to our Central Bank. This is laid down in the so-called Central Bank Statute. These are, so to speak, the statutes of the Central Bank, but laid down in law to underline their importance.
Recent publications in the media give rise to fears about the appointment strategy at the CBCS of our new government. Government statements in the media raise questions. Terrifying questions.
The AD (local Dutch newspaper) of 9 July states that the Minister of Finance of Curaçao has said that he will not follow the recommendation of the Supervisory Board for (re-)appointment of supervisory directors. According to him, the Curaçao government would like to appoint “its own” people. The government website stated on July 20 that the commissioners of the CBCS would be “thanked” for their services and that new nominations would be worked on. According to the AD of 21 July, the recommendation of the Supervisory Board was rejected by the government.
You may think, “Oh, what the hell.” Assuming the media coverage is correct, I have to kid you: this matters a lot. What the government apparently wants is not possible at all. It is against the law. So, it affects us all. Our government must follow the law.
The CBCS is the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten. So, the Central Bank of two countries. The commissioners are appointed on the recommendation of the government of each of the countries, jointly by the countries (Article 25, paragraph 4, last sentence of the Central Bank Statute). The government of Curaçao can nominate three of the seven commissioners. It cannot independently appoint “its” supervisory directors.
Moreover, the government cannot make a nomination without a so-called “recommendation” from the Supervisory Board. That recommendation was already made by the Supervisory Board in April 2021. Now it is almost August. And make no mistake: that recommendation is not “without obligation”. Our government cannot make a nomination without a recommendation from the Supervisory Board.
If the Curaçao government makes a nomination for the appointment of “its” supervisory directors without an underlying recommendation from the Supervisory Board, then the government of Sint Maarten is legally obliged not to cooperate with that appointment because an essential legal requirement is missing.
Why is the law so complicated? The answer is simple. Precisely to prevent governments from thinking that they can let their “own” people with their own political color rule the supervisory board. The supervisory board of an institution that is essential to our country, such as the Central Bank, must be able to exercise its supervision completely independently. The procedure is therefore mandatory by law that (1) the Supervisory Board makes a recommendation to the government, (2) the government makes a nomination based on that and (3) the countries jointly appoint. There are no other ways.
Moreover, the independence of the supervisory directors at the Central Bank is legally enshrined in Article 18 of the Central Bank Statute. That article expressly prohibits the governments of the countries from giving instructions to commissioners. Once a commissioner is appointed on the recommendation of the countries, he only serves the interests of the Central Bank, not the “own” interests of the ruling parties. Article 25 paragraph 10 of the Central Bank Statute also states in so many words that the members of the supervisory board must be independent.
Why “own” supervisory directors? I honestly can’t imagine that our minister would have said that. “Own” does not exist. The Central Bank belongs to all of us and even to two countries. So what should the government do? Just follow the law.
~ Prof. F.B.M. Kunneman is a senior partner at law firm VanEps Kunneman VanDoorne and professor of Corporate Governance at University of Curacao. He leads the team that advises on corporate governance. He has been writing and teaching on this subject for decades. ~
Dear Editor,
The island is too far to educate the inhabitants about providing adequate shelter for their adopted dogs. Animal rescuers can’t cope with the present overpopulation situation alone, government help is desperately needed! It is totally irresponsible to give female dogs for adoption to uncaring, uneducated people.
A total lack of education about a clean environment where trash can be seen almost everywhere. Owners who don’t clean their properties don’t have the capability to care for their pets. It’s an overwhelming situation seen every day almost everywhere in Sint Maarten. People walking through trash going to church with their Bibles in hand, walking on dirty, uneven, sloppy roads, full of trash in Cole Bay. If they praise the Lord, they must know that He would like people to live in a clean environment, and love and respect their pets.
Government does not show a bit of interest in supporting animal rescuers. The situation seen in Great Bay across where Great Bay Hotel used to be, the Mount William area, there is a pathetic environment. Many owners do not clean their properties and have the pride to rent. They should be fined! There is no law to enforce those irresponsible property owners. Poor unhealthy dogs are seen all over.
I have been desperately looking for a suitable apartment, to find out that landlords have the pride to rent apartments in terrible dirty condition, inside and outside, broken and dirty windows. It’s unacceptable. Nobody is supervising those landlords. In Madame Estate, intended to be a commercial Amsterdam Shopping Center, there are tons of trash on the back side. Constructors leaving a terrified trash scene behind.
Abandoned female dogs are almost everywhere. In Sucker Garden area, Dutch Quarter, Oyster Pond on the road of the night club green yellow building, and on the upper roads there are dozens of abandoned dogs. Some female dogs right now mating and probably there is a morbid joy for some people to see them. People adopt dogs just to guard their house, not interested in building a fence instead, leaving dogs on their own, just drop some food, the properties where some beautiful Flamboyant trees are witnessing the uncaring environment, but no money or time to care for their dogs.
In the French Quarter area at the end of Webster Road, animal rescuer “I love my Island dog” must be informed of the alarming situation on that road, mainly at the end of the road. Caretakers are overwhelmed with caring for animals and totally unable to help others. The French- and Dutch-side government assistance is urgently needed. Roaming horses, sick cows dangerously crossing busy traffic roads, and goats are part of the environment.
Cleaning companies are cleaning every week from Oyster Pond to Sucker Garden; they are breaking the rocks, because of cleaning and cutting the grass every week, there is not much to cut and because they can’t reach the properties with trash and carcasses of the thousands of abandoned cars.
Hope this note will help give some awareness of the alarming situation in Sint Maarten.
Name withheld
Dear Editor,
Greetings to the bereaved family, friends, and associates of Mr. Gregory James Arrindell. Please know that I greet you in love and support, having heard of the death of Mr. Gregory James Arrindell. Special condolences are imparted to you, Ursula and Aisha, whom I met and shared a short time when Mr. Arrindell became a business partner as a direct result of the Tallahassee-St. Maarten Sister Cities initiative over a decade and a half ago.
I wrote a grant that supported the effort on the U.S. side through the Caribbean association in Tallahassee, Florida. This enabled wonderful opportunities to enjoy your beautiful country and meet government leaders, civic advocates, and business owners. While involved through GlobalBzNs, N.A., an entity incorporated in Florida and SXM, I co-established the SXM Business Association with a grant funded in Holland that I wrote. Later, I was honored to become a business consultant with the SXM Chamber of Commerce and participated in a Caribbean Executives Conference in Jamaica.
Who can forget the Caribbean-wide boxing tournaments orchestrated by Milton Ottley of Better Opportunity for Talents (BOFT) Foundation? We and many more were in this together. Greg inspired a radio show in Tallahassee by the Capital City Chamber of Commerce, Inc. that was co-hosted by retired City of Tallahassee department head Ben Harris, J.D.
While the voice of SXM and physical being have departed as we know in “Greg”, may his spirit find comfort knowing he is remembered. I especially thank Mr. Arturo Lugisse, who has kept the spirit of the Sister Cities initiative alive through the years in the form of the Tallahassee-St. Maarten Foundation, Inc., another entity that grew from this association.
Last, but not least, Greg introduced me to Mr. William Lake of New York (via SXM), a corporate executive who guided me along my SXM business journey. Mr. Lake is credited with leading the efforts of the Florida Advisory Council on Small and Minority Business Development’s drive to allow small businesses to raise their own capital for operations and growth.
Good ol’ SXM! None of this would have happened but for Greg’s “gift of gab”. He believed in putting people and principles above politics, and going places to make things happen. He was excellent with networking!
Lay the past aside and look forward to the living future!
In peace and charity,
Dr. Cheryl S. Mobley-Gonzalez
