Dear Editor,
People often approach me and ask me to write to you concerning different issues, and I generally let them know that their opinion is not my opinion and that they have to put their thoughts on paper and send them to you. In this case I myself have decided to find out if what was told to me is true: “Mr. Russell I can’t speak no Papiaments or Dutch and I can’t understand what it is they does be saying when I call the bank to find out if government put the li’l pension money on the bank.”
This has always bothered me because it happened to me several times because on several occasions during a conversation with the elderly that question comes up and as they would say in Papiamentu (“kurpa habri”) without giving it a second thought I would dial to find out if government had deposited that stipend on the bank. And again I would be struck by the fact that the recording on the answering machine of a bank situated in St. Maarten is in Papiamentu and Dutch. English is out of the question. A book of recording in Dutch and Papiamentu.
And when I finally get someone on the line and ask that age-old question if “government pay the pension” which nowadays has become “did government put pension money on the bank” I get a barrage of questions. When I ask why all of these personal questions just to know if government has put the pension money on the bank I get answers like “we want to make sure that you have an account with us before answering that question.”
I cannot lie about this because at the beginning it tells you that your conversation is being recorded. But I continue to be embarrassed because I still do not think that the crime is so bad in St. Maarten that one has to be careful while asking if government has paid pension.
But for me it is even more degrading that the bank which earns a great deal of its money in St. Maarten would not even honor the population by having a recording in the official language and our people in government continue to hold those responsible in high regard. Who is government actually representing?
Then the question automatically rises like my father “the old sailor” used to say when he had up a few, “Who is the captain of this ship?”
By the way, now that everybody is aware of the controversies with the so-called vaccine, why have not we heard that the doctors in St. Maarten have come together to formulate a plan of action to combat COVID-19? Is this question far-fetched?
Russell A. Simmons
Dear Editor,
I just want to take this opportunity to address for a while this abusive situation between employers and their employees, that has become a regular ongoing issue here on St. Maarten, especially since the beginning of COVID-19.
Dear editor many people, not only here, but all over the world are facing and going through some serious financial times. While we are seeing many people who are still fortunate to have a job, or buy a new brand car, and do their regular shopping for themselves and their families, there are also many out there who have lost their job, since the outbreak of this pandemic, and are in dire need of financial help, and food. Today we can hear the outcry of the various employees now seeking their rights because many employers have also found it fit to take advantage of their employees who have worked hard and faithful, some of them for even many years.
Beside the loss of loved ones that this pandemic has caused since it started in 2019, it has also brought misery, mental issues, hopelessness, and family problems, as well as court cases for many others seeking their rights.
Dear editor, I stand in solidarity with those employees who are still fighting their battle against their employers, who show no mercy and wilfully fail to pay out their workers in a fair and just manner. These employees have to now go to court along with their unions, to seek justice for the injustice that has been done to them.
Dear editor, this is an ongoing cry here among workers on this little island we call St. Maarten, where the words “justice” or “righteousness” seem to be forgotten or unknown, especially for many employers who underpay their workers, abuse their rights, and take advantage of them. These employers, during the pre-pandemic good times, have made their profits, and filled their pockets.
They did not come to this island for the sunshine, or the beautiful beaches, but to do business and make money, because St. Maarten is an island where not much honour is given to worker’s rights. Furthermore, you are free to trample underfoot the laws of the land, treat the workers as you want, because the labour laws are not respected anyway, and even go as far as disrespecting the very verdict of the judge to pay out their workers, even if they win their case.
Yes, as always, government officials remain silent about these issues, so the workers or the poor man continues to suffer the consequences. So, it’s like saying to all residents as well as foreign employers, “Live as you want, hire and fire as you want, respect or, to your own decision, disrespect our labour laws and the judges’ verdicts as you want, because the people of this little friendly island are nothing else but a bunch of slaves and as a matter of fact, we the employers are the “shadow government,” behind your local government.” This is St. Maarten “the friendly land of the free”.
Dear editor, whenever this island receives money or loans as financial aid from the Dutch, account must be given for every penny that was or would be spent. Yes, they may be blond, with blue eyes, or fair-skinned, but I am sorry, they are not our “Father Christmas.” There must be a feed-back or nothing else will be given.
What I then, dear editor, don’t understand is why do these employers receive financial aid from government for their workers, and there are continual complaints from these employees that no money, or the right amount of money, was given to them? Don’t these employers have to give a feedback as to who all received, and how much they received, to our good Minister of Finance?
Dear editor, I rest my case. I do wish these unpaid employees much success in their struggle for their rights, against these mighty employers, and to keep on fighting for justice and righteousness. Your families are depending on you.
A concerned citizen
Name withheld at author’s request.
Dear Editor,
Governments that are elected by the people took an oath to take care of their citizens. All of us will never be in agreement with all the decisions they make, that is a given. But what is expected of a Government is to take care of the welfare of its citizens in every aspect, they need to make call on how move forward.
On our Island the debate is ongoing to accept or not to accept the COVID-19 vaccination. So far Government has not passed a law stating that is mandatory, I pray that will remain the case.
As stated, Government has a responsibility to take care of its citizens, and there is a thin line on my civil rights and the wellbeing of the nation.
On the other hand, what is the churches’ responsibility in all of this, do we have an opinion, it is just an emotional reaction, how are we informing and educating the people the Lord has entrusted into our care?
The churches’ responsibility is to pray for those in authority. 1 Timothy 2:2, that’s the instruction we have in the word of God, they are mere men and women and in their human wisdom they will make decisions that are not what we like or even according to Godly principles. But do we stand behind our pulpits and call them out and beat them down with the word of God?
Jesus told Peter, “Put up your sword, there is a time to fight” that was not then. Jesus came for a purpose, that was to die on the cross for the sins of the world, and Peter trying to defend was not the plan of God.
Could it be that we as the church have loss our witness and influence in the nation, could it be that our light has gone out and we have lost our saltiness? Maybe if our light was burning the way it should, government would be consulting with the church on all critical decisions that would affect the people of the country.
Let me with clarion call remind the Body of Christ on this 37-square-mile rock of 2 Chron 7:14 … and begins with a condition for the healing of the nation: If My people who are called by my Name will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land! That’s the word of God, cannot talk that down or explain it away.
Body of Christ, let all from the pulpit to the pew fall on our faces in repentance and returning to the plan of God for His church. The challenge I have with the 21st century church is every man/woman is busy building a name for themselves, But hear the words of the Founder of the Church, “I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” We mere servants, let’s begin to walk like servants.
Oh yes, with clear voice and humility the church is to make clear to any Government what God’s word states, not compromise on that, but we do it in love and humility!
So, yes, there needs to be an understanding if a person feels that he or she should be vaccinated then that must be respected, but the unvaccinated also must be responsible that take others into consideration and follow the protocols led out by the government.
In closing, the vaccine is not the Mark of the Beast! This COVID-19 is deadly, but to those of you have placed faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, the worst is yet ahead, there are some pending judgements that this world will face, COVID-19 will look like child’s play, that statement you can take to the bank, it is more sure than America’s gold at Fort Knox.
But I have good news, you can accept the gift God has made available through the Lord Jesus Christ and escape the wrath that is going to come.
Government, it is your responsibility to protect every citizen and educate them with proper information, you cannot force your citizens into anything they are not comfortable with. If there is an alternative treatment then this should be discussed and people be allowed to use what they are comfortable with.
Church, let us arise and pray for the healing of our nation, and for wisdom for our government.
Harold Richardson
Dear Editor,
It is common knowledge that the economies in the Caribbean desperately need diversification. Being dependent for about 70-85 per cent on tourism is insane. It is sad that no realistic alternatives have been developed yet as the dilemma is older than V.S.O.P. ripened in an oak barrel. The problem needs attention because it is hotter than a firecracker lit on both ends. Sure, there is a lot of “um diddle diddle diddle um diddle ay”-talk about it, but there are no meaningful initiatives or results. More of the same, tourism development, is not a solution but rather fueling the problem. Maybe a look from different perspective in a time now, where the pandemic circumstances provide more time for pondering and planning.
The formation of a Research and Development Center can be a crucial element of the development of future advancement and sustainable growth. It is the place where scientists and engineers will meet, plan, investigate, and test inventions, innovations, and technologies that are developed at the center. It will also be a laboratory for studying any kind of impact of projects as a whole or its individual components on social-economic and environmental matters, as well as how extreme external conditions may impact the project.
The ultimate mission of the Center is to contribute to the production and dissemination of new rigorous evidence and products that provide practical solutions to issues, confrontations and problems that shall not be overlooked in this or any other project of its kind worldwide. Topics or projects may vary and pertain to unique regional circumstances that can also be applied in other areas.
The R&D Center will:
* Provide leadership in defining research and development directions within its topic areas.
* Attract scientists, engineers and students to visit the location (education/science tourism).
* Be subject to worldwide media exposure of new development or discovery.
function as an educational resource center (motivating local youth).
* Create opportunities for cooperation with other educational institutions of various levels for the development of new dedicated programs and conducting supplemental research.
* Extend the dissemination of its findings though online educational and informational offerings.
* Impact the economy positively, without dependency on trends; it may diversify the sources of revenue of the local economy.
* Offer local employment for non-academic supporting and supplementary services.
inspire the future plans of young people in the community and region.
It is envisioned that the Research Center will become a permanent institution that will continuously explore all aspects of the development for regional needs but also applications that are useful worldwide. It will find its own place in the international community of Research and Development Centers. It is intended that it will remain permanently on its location. As such the R&D Center may be considered an equal gift and asset to both sides of the hosting island community.
Who is going pay for it?
The local governments will not have the funding for it, period. However, the governments of the Netherlands and France, or even the European Union may be interested to contribute. There should be nothing against supporting a program that equally benefits the communities on both sides of the island. Seen as a vision, it could equally support socio-economic prosperity of both territories.
It should not be subject to local politics but be an independent international project. Because of the chosen international status, it might be that international organizations are willing to provide support.
It could even have the form of a private-public-partnership. Industries spend vast amounts of funding on research and development and have their own development centers and laboratories. However, it can be advantageous for them to outsource projects or have a representation in a particular geographic location or environment. They could help the research projects with knowledge input or feedback. They may receive privileges on sharing property rights or being the beneficiary of research and development results.
In business, there is no such a thing as a free lunch. But, if a project is of significant importance to development and testing of products or techniques, industries are willing to invest. On the one hand the support will be a form of donation by the industry for a good cause, on the other hand it is an opportunity for them to develop innovations that may result in new business opportunities. The R&D Center can be a test-lab where new materials and techniques can be experienced under real typical regional circumstances and will be further developed on site. If it becomes a complex project, it could also mean that several industries will cooperate to find a joint solution and an opportunity how their products or services may complement each other in a united effort. Nothing is impossible and it could happen here in the Caribbean.
Does it all make sense?
To name a neutral territory, Switzerland is one of the highest spenders on research and development in the world. Switzerland invests over US $17.5 billion in research and development annually, which is equivalent to around 3 per cent of its gross domestic product. The private sector is a major player when it comes to research and development. In previous years it invested a total of US $14 billion (2.2 per cent of GDP) in R&D. Sure, Switzerland is known to be a wealthy country. Research and development contributes to it.
What’s next?
More than happy to think about it and consider it? Being “more than happy” sounds like a dangerous mental condition after consuming illegal substances. And complacency borders on waiting and hoping for lightning to strike. For those looking for an easy-way-out response: “If we don’t know it already, we’re not interested.”
Commander Bud Slabbaert
As this marks the first week of school for most students, we as a community can agree that education is essential for the betterment of our society and a better life for our children. The government of St. Maarten is committed to this reality. It is indeed important that our children get the opportunity as is their right, to education in a safe and nurturing environment.
We are starting a school year in challenging times amidst the pandemic which may seem to have no end in sight, especially when we see numbers continue to rise rapidly. St. Maarten has been here before and we know what it takes to bring down our numbers. As such, opening schools for the continuation of our students’ education remains a priority. As long as we can continue to offer education to our students in a safe environment, we will do so. We must all continue to practice the behavior that will ensure that the rapid spread of COVID-19 is contained and lessened. If not for ourselves, do so for your children and their future. Our children’s education is everyone’s concern; our children’s future is in all our hands.
To our students, all we can ask of you is to give your best each day. Continue to strive for excellence, exhibit good behavior and demonstrate the good values and morals that you’ve been taught at home, and are being reinforced at school. I want to remind all students that while you have a right to education, it is a privilege to attend school in these trying times. Take your education seriously, attend class every day, on time, and pay attention to all that is put before you. You have a responsibility for your achievement; set your goals, determine your actions, take responsibility for achieving them and have fun on this journey.
To our parents and guardians, you have a responsibility to support your children in their endeavors to do the best they can each day. I’d like to take time to encourage parents, to boost them up as I know many face challenges beyond what was expected. Do not give up hope, stay focused on making the best out of what we have, as with life there is hope. Management staff and teachers, you are a valued part of our society as front liners in educating our nation, you are awesome!
In short, we all need to pull together to make these successful and rewarding experiences for all, teachers, parents, students, the stakeholders in education and the community. I pray that with the necessary provisions in place by your respective school board and with strict adherence to protocols for safety during this pandemic, that you are able to do what you love, which is absolutely necessary and makes a difference. Never lose sight of the influence you have on a child’s day, life, and future.
I pray that all our students will have as normal a year as possible, which will ensure their success on their journey. I encourage all to be safe at all times, protect yourself and your family by maintaining strong hygiene practices at home, on the street, at school and work. We will get through this together!
On behalf of the government of St. Maarten, I wish all a successful 2021-2022 school year. May God bless you all.
Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs
