To our St. Maarten “leaders”,
On Wednesday, with [Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure – Ed.] VROMI’s approval, heavy equipment removed some of the last remaining trees on Kim Sha Beach for a new project, a much-needed beach bar.
One of these is the old sea grape tree near the center of the beach which we, as children, climbed and played hide-and-seek in. It has seen many a storm and survived [Hurricane] Irma stoically, only to be cut down, without a care in the world, by the very ones appointed to protect them.
And not just one tree, but many.
You would think that any intelligent person would recognize the most basic fact that we have already lost so many trees in the Simpson Bay area due to Irma and that those few remaining would be valued for their size, age and strength, but no, VROMI sees no value in petty greenery. Let’s chop them down for more alcoholic beverages on the beach. God knows we need another bar at Kim Sha.
I am so frustrated and ashamed of those in power.
When my children were growing up, we would have a game on our way to school in the morning. “Tell me the name of our Minister of Tourism,” I would ask them, and the one who answered correctly would get a point. We would go through all of our ministers, governor, king, etc.. and by the age of 8 or 9, they knew them all. We were proud and patriotic, never missed an election and I was so motivated to be a part of our island’s future.
I no longer care who is head of which department as you, our elected officials, do not care about us. Over the last few years we have lost complete respect for you. My children no longer know your names. Your total lack of leadership has made me question why we have ministers and parliamentarians in the first place. Our money pays your salaries to do what?! What have any of you done over the last five years that has benefited St. Maarten as a whole?
Instead of thinking of the future; beautifying, improving infrastructure, protecting our animals, our wildlife, citizens and greenery, you squander our money on court cases and business deals.
I was always told by my father that when you complain or criticize, you should follow up with a solution or suggestion, so I will suggest the only thing that I can think of. Replace each of those trees you removed today with two of its exact kind.
We will be watching and waiting for you to do the right thing.
Susy Maidwell
