Dear Editor,
Several days a week cars swoosh by men and women cleaning our streets, come rain or shine.
Some of these workers wear a hat or some other garment wrapped tightly around their head and face to protect from the blistering sun, from dirt, or grass particles flying around as they go about their tasks. Working in small groups, some holding a shield to safeguard vehicles from possible damage, while having little protection themselves from ongoing traffic such as container-trucks, or small motorcades including quads.
While we are aware of the fact that cleaning agents are paid to do this line of work, we must be kinder and more appreciative of the work they do in order to keep our island clean and beautiful for our citizens, as well as for our valued visitors.
A good start to show we care and respect these workers is to stop throwing trash out of vehicles. These workers are not our personal picker-uppers! Government can be more proactive by placing road signs back at strategic locations warning of fines to pay by perpetrators when caught. Regrettable, some of those who continue to litter our island include garbage-collecting companies contracted by government, thus paid for by our tax paying residents. Many of these vehicles remain uncovered as they head towards the landfill in Philipsburg to offload their trash, usually leaving a trail of their load behind. This brings to mind the definition of insanity: “Doing the same things over and over again and each time expecting a different outcome”. We must change our behaviour and stop loitering our neighbourhoods.
These road-cleaning workers deserve respect and hopefully an end-of-the-year bonus from their respective employers for the work they do.
Special gratitude and words of encouragement go out as well to management of the Sint Maarten Harbour group of companies represented by new managing Director Alexander Gumbs. Their decision to include the Freddy Lejuez bridge in Simpson Bay in their annual Holiday decorations currently carried out by a team of young electricians headed by well-known resident Addison Richardson, better known as uncle Shadz, is not only fabulous. It is historic! This bridge will be a festive backdrop for our citizens, as well as our yachting visitors. With so many distractions and negativity it is good to pause and choose a positive.
We are thankful to many other citizens and companies who take their responsibilities seriously and execute these with pride to serve. This time around, both the road-cleaning crews as well as Alexander Gumbs deserve to be highly commended. Sometimes a seemingly small decision can have a big impact.
Gracita Arrindell
Leader, People’s Progressive Alliance
