Dear Fellow Sint Maarteners,
As this year is coming to an end I would like to encourage you to reflect on all the good that transpired in 2018.
In the aftermath of Irma, our country has shown that its people are resilient. Our citizens, civil servants and business owners have picked up the pieces and started rebuilding Sint Maarten on their own.
I must admit that as a Member of Parliament I have not been satisfied with the speed of our recovery process where it pertains to insurance claim settlements, World Bank monies, initiation of projects, etc., as our school and sport facilities are still badly damaged, while a number of roofs are yet to be repaired.
However, our government has made significant strides in the recovery process the last few months. A number of World Bank projects have initiated. This is certainly an accomplishment of our Council of Ministers that should be applauded. Our COM remained steadfast in their efforts to seek funding for our country.
Personally, I am of the opinion that nation building does not only entail rebuilding concrete structures but should also focus on social matters such as a revamped education curriculum, maternity and paternity leave, updated driver’s license laws, an updated sick leave policy that does not treat those on partial sick leave the same as those who are 100 per cent on sick leave, a revamped Chamber of Commerce law that properly caters to our business community, etc.
In my 6 months tenure as Member of Parliament for the 2018-2022 term, I have 1) resubmitted my draft amendment to the maternity and paternity leave law, 2) Submitted a draft decree to update our current driver’s license legislation to enable persons to take their driver’s license exams in automatic and stick shift, 3) started the process along with stakeholders from the business sector to revamp the Chamber of Commerce legislation, and last but certainly not least 4) have discussed the possibility of reducing/waiving taxes for the shows organized throughout the 50th Carnival Season.
It is my intention to follow up on all the issues I worked on in 2018 and also submit more initiative law amendments in the 2019 year, as I consider myself a legislator that has as main task to legislate and not simply dismiss every proposal brought forth by the Council of Ministers in Parliament.
I ask all Sint Maarteners to join me in 2019 as together as one island one people we focus on rebuilding our country.
Season’s Greetings to you and yours!
Member of Parliament, Tamara Leonard
