Dear Editor,

  It’s always good to know where you stand.

  St.Maarten right now should know where we stand regarding its relationship with the Dutch.

  It’s becoming clear that because we are in a position of beggars that we don’t have much to say.

  I’m referring to the situation with the letter send to the UN.

  Apparently sending the letter to the UN has touched a nerve.

  And because we need financial and structural assistance and the only place to get it is by the Dutch government; we can no longer state our opinions about how we feel.

  Mr. Knops and by extension the Dutch Government has laid down their demand to pull back a letter that was written by a group of Dutch citizens who feel that they are not being treated as equal by other Dutch citizens in the Kingdom

  What’s the problem with the letter?

  The fact that these concerned Dutch citizens don’t feel Dutch or that it was sent to the UN?

  Let me start over. You are withholding money you promised to send to help a partner in need because those that were elected to look out for the wellbeing of their people are concerned that the conditions that you are demanding to them seem colonial.

  That’s what they were elected to do!

  Again, what’s the problem?

  If you are doing nothing wrong, if your actions are pure and you only want to help, what’s the problem?

  I thought MPs were supposed to vote and legislate according to their conscience and not according to party lines.

  Yet here you are demanding in writing that not only the whole of St.Maarten parliament but also the executive branch express the same sentiment and/or opinion.

  What happened to the trias politica, whereby the justice, the legislative and the executive branches of government are separate and don’t interfere with the other?

  Here you are telling the executive branch to tell the legislative branch what to do.

  Our parliament is functioning just fine, you had those that were pro and those that were against, not a rubber stamp.

  I’m surprised that one of the most liberal countries in the world, or portrays itself as such, is taking this attitude.

  You can’t be wrong and strong. Even your own Council of State pointed out that you were infringing on the autonomy of the country.

  Might is not right!

A disappointed Dutch citizen

Name withheld at author’s request.

Dear Editor,

  Day and night life in destinations where tourism is the largest contributor to GDP [gross domestic product – Ed.] is only a part of what makes up a nice place for tourists to visit. However, in a pandemic, while you are allowed to be open for business, you must be able to control your crowd, or risk getting shut down and after repeated offenses even losing your license to operate.

  St. Maarten’s economy has since decades not been as fragile as it is today and as per April 5, 2021, our population is far from reaching “herd-immunity through vaccination”. If you and/or your patrons insist on being irresponsible in your public behaviour, you should appreciate that those of us presently without a job, or on reduced workweeks, or losing money every day we open up our businesses, are losing our patience with your recklessness and  your “we-don’t-give-a-d**n” attitude.

  Guidelines are to be followed. By failing to do so, you and your patrons are sending a message to the rest of the community that not only you couldn’t care less about us, you also do not respect the rule of law. And just in case you haven’t noticed: persons 40 years and younger are dying of COVID-19.

  And then Government: it takes two to tango. If you issue rules and guidelines, but fail to enforce them, you are encouraging citizens and businesses to ignore authority! When are you going to show some teeth?

  Freedom is not free!

Michael J. Ferrier

Dear Editor,

  Still people think that adopting a puppy is a nice toy gift for their little girl or boy. A family has adopted a little puppy, for days it’s been barking day and night. Unfortunately they are my neighbors and I can’t demand them to help it.

  Either a little female or male, probably it was taken from its mom and it was happily playing with its brothers and sisters when the unfortunate day to be separated came. Very unfortunate if it was given to a “caring family” that has isolated it!

  Many people are not accustomed to have their dogs indoor, it’s been very unfortunate for this little precious dog that seems to be probably a “german kind”. It’s a tremendous torture for this little dog now living in loneliness like a little child left without his family that could be in panic if it would happen. Now isolated in the back porch for days, perhaps months, perhaps years of torture, perhaps will be chained for life.

  Those who are breeding brand dogs for business must be sure to give puppies to responsible serious families. It’s not even taken outside for exercising! It is out of question, not even that! People seem to be so lazy This puppy suffering may last who knows up to when!

  Another family adopted a little white Yorkshire terrier, very cute little puppy. Their little girl was happily playing. Months later or a year later as an adult, in very bad shape it was criss-crossing the road. Means as an adult it was left outside on its own. Ended up walking on the road up to a food stand where it was probably for a couple of days and finally taken by someone.

  People should not be allowed to adopt dogs if they think it’s just a temporary toy for their kids.

Name withheld at author’s request.

Dear government of St. Maarten,

  For months the community of Beacon Hill has been complaining to the police about the noise level at Karakter beach bar on Sunday afternoon which goes on past 12:30 in the morning during their beach party! Sleepless nights especially on Sundays because of the high level of the bass which is cranked to the max!

  It’s unbelievable that this loud noise is still being allowed without the decibels being checked by the relevant authorities! This terrorizing noise should be dealt with once and for all so the community of Beacon Hill can have their peaceful rest on Sundays!

A sleep deprived Beacon Hill resident

Name withheld at author’s request.