Dear Editor,

And dear Members of Parliament of St. Maarten,

The phrase “It takes a village to raise a child” has been embedded in our community for centuries. Today, this phrase has practically lost its meaning and relevance.

Over the past months, we have witnessed atrocities and atrocities committed to children, and in particular, our special needs students at our special needs school Prins Willem Alexander School (PWAS). Parents appear to be oblivious about what is happening with their children in school, educators become compliant about the day-to-day activities fearing for the safety of their jobs, and political leaders enable the situation to promote their agenda.

The only special education school in St. Maarten has not received attention from anyone from the beginning of the school year 2024/2025.

In August, as published in the media, WITU [Windward Islands Teachers Union – Ed.] called on the Minister of Education to reinstate two highly skilled education workers who were reassigned to another school. As reported, WITU issued “a formal appeal to Education Minister Lyndon Lewis, urging him to reconsider the reassignment, citing the potentially devastating impact on the specialised education provided to children with diverse abilities at the institution.”

To date, this matter has not been addressed by the minister nor the Parliament of St. Maarten. Where is the investigation into this matter? Has the SG been made aware of this and what is the report? Where is the stance of the Ombudsman in this matter?

What is happening now at PWAS? It has been reported that there is one person in management. How is this possible? Does the assigned individual have the necessary qualifications in special education? Is PWAS equipped with the special education teachers, music teacher, physical education, home economics teacher, handicraft teacher, Dutch teacher? Is the office equipped with a Director, Assistant Director, Student Care Coordinator, Social Worker/Counselor, Psychologist/Nurse and functioning administrative assistant? Why are there so many teachers out? Who are the substitutes when these teachers are out, taking into consideration the students are special needs and need individual attention, accommodations and modifications? Are the students receiving the necessary sensory materials to advance their learning?

How are the students treated? Why are they being pulled, pushed, kicked while no one in authority is investigating these matters? Why are the students being denied water to drink? WATER, a basic human need.

Why are there reports of special needs students being sent home without their shoes? Why are the students unsupervised for extended periods? Who is observing the teachers and guiding the new teachers? Why were the police officers called into the school to deal with threats among teachers? Why are parents being asked to keep their children at home because the challenges of these special needs students cannot be handled at school? What are the Truancy Department, Inspection Department, Student Support Services Department, and Ministry of Education doing for our special needs students?

MPs of St. Maarten, if you truly love Sint Maarten, do for our special needs students what they cannot do for themselves. Do not be intimidated by the threats and victimization of others, use your voice, and champion the cause of our students. Help Prins Willem Alexander School become the school that special education students deserve.

Return the skilled professionals to carry out exemplary work at that school for the sake of our special needs students. Ensure that the care and attention needed for our students is being received.

Do not go on hearsay, investigate, we beg of you. We plead with you.

On behalf of all Special Education Students and parents, thank you.

Concerned citizens

Names withheld at author’s request.

Dear Editor,

I am writing to express my concern regarding the recent theft of concrete benches from Front Street, which has long been a popular hub for tourists and locals alike. These benches were more than just seating; they offered visitors a place to rest and take in the beauty of our town.

The removal of these benches not only impacts the aesthetic appeal of Front Street, but also compromises the comfort and convenience of the many tourists who flock here throughout the year. It is disappointing that such public amenities are being taken, and this raises questions about the level of security in such a busy and vital area.

These benches are not just public property but an essential amenity for the many visitors who stroll through Front Street each day. Their disappearance not only inconveniences the public but also undermines the safety and security of this bustling tourist hub. It is essential that local authorities act swiftly to investigate this matter, identify the culprits, and restore confidence in the community.

Front Street is a key part of our town’s identity and economy. We cannot afford to let petty theft diminish its appeal. I hope this issue is taken seriously and addressed with urgency.

I urge the law enforcement to review the surveillance footage, increase patrols in the area, and implement stronger deterrents, such as better lighting and more visible security measures, to prevent further thefts.

Front Street is a vital part of our town’s economy and identity, and we cannot allow these brazen acts of theft to continue. I hope action is taken before more of our public amenities are lost.

Concerned citizen

Name withheld at author’s request.

Dear Editor,

There is an undeniable truth that the dismantling of the Antilles was a terrible mistake. The evidence of this disastrous consequence is the constant recycling of incompetence, pettiness, malice and monotonous dialogues. Regrettably, the people have gained very little from this constitutional change, which confirmed that the task group had limited foresight, when this new status (10-10-10) was constructed.

Due to this lack of prevision, this painful dilemma has led to the invention of this unrefined culture that exists in The People’s House – a culture that has been developed to weaken the legislative branch of government, mainly to serve the needs of unscrupulous MPs [Members of Parliament – Ed.] – a culture that is being created to control the minds of ministers, and to remodel the executive branch, for total exploitation.

Gone are the days when the population was eager to hear what our Island Council Members and Commissioners had to say – intellectuals, who could have debated and defended the issues at hand, because they felt a sense of accountability to the people – advanced thinkers, who knew that they were the regulators with the authority to hold the government liable for any mishandling of the people’s business.

Now that this high-level thinking has disappeared, it’s every man for himself, with the exception of a measly few. Parliament has become a lounge, where most MPs act as if they are waiting for a friend to have a drink, crack some jokes, and get drunk if they so desire. When I watch the parliamentary meetings in Holland, the MPs are so alert, and they debate with maturity, knowledge, interest, and a sense of purpose.

Here on St. Maarten, it’s plain to see that the MPs are there just for the money. They are not ready to work, nor are they willing to learn. So, they live on their phones as if they are preparing on the spot and are anxiously waiting for their friends and supporters to send them the questions and answers. This is why their level of deliberations penetrates no further than the surface.

This mentality has left them so blindfolded that their only mission is to destabilize the ruling coalition, at all cost. They can’t even find consensus among individual parties, when it comes to being an honest MP. Currently, there is a “dutty” game that is playing out in parliament, where MP Ludmila de Weever has voted against her party leader twice, in favour of MP Ardwell Irion and MP Daryl York.

Imagine, MP De Weever prides herself to be the one who is keeping PFP relevant, yet she backstabbed MP Melissa Gumbs on two occasions last week, so that Irion and York to be chair of the Finance and VROMI committees, respectively. In my article of September 23, 2024, I called MP De Weever an imposter, but this action is worse than a fake. MP Ludmila de Weever is a traitor, who has committed high treason.

After this move, I could never repeat that MP De Weever is a politician that I like a lot. I have lost every ounce of respect that I had for her. Wi Voice, this is your beloved queen, who could do no wrong, and some of you are afraid to call her out, because you all still have to meet them up the road. Definitely, the truth always finds its way out. Now it is clear what their private meeting was about.

As mentioned in my article on September 23, 2024, this is Ludmila’s last successful run, because if she thinks that the grass is greener on NA than PFP, she is sadly mistaken. Does MP Ludmila de Weever believe that these renegades on NA will welcome her just so? No! They have already measured her disloyalty, and for them, she is just a pawn in their political chess game. She needs to ask Kevin Maingrette about the price that he paid for salvaging his name.

People, this is the level of conspiracy that dishonest politicians will stoop to, and the “dutty” game that they play, when they cannot get their way.

Joslyn Morton

Dear Editor,

As St. Maarten prepares to host the prestigious FCCA Conference, welcoming top executives from the cruise industry, the condition of our boardwalk in Philipsburg has become a glaring issue. What should be a prime showcase of our island’s best has devolved into chaos, with problems extending beyond deteriorating infrastructure to unchecked and disruptive activities.

One of the most frustrating issues is the constant presence of cars on the boardwalk. Despite this being a pedestrian-friendly zone, vehicles continue to drive along it, endangering both locals and tourists. This reckless behavior is not only a safety hazard but a reflection of poor enforcement. The boardwalk should be a peaceful, scenic space where visitors can stroll, shop, and relax – without worrying about dodging cars. Allowing vehicles here undermines the very purpose of this promenade.

Adding to this disarray is the rise of aggressive vendors, often referred to as “barkers.” These individuals, some of whom operate without proper permits, harass tourists as they walk along the boardwalk or relax on the beach. Their overly aggressive sales tactics have scared many visitors, with some even choosing to avoid the area altogether. Tourism thrives on positive experiences, and when tourists are harassed, it can ruin their perception of St. Maarten and spread negative word-of-mouth, impacting future visits.

This problem is compounded by the fact that unauthorized beach bars and other businesses are popping up on Great Bay beach without permits. While entrepreneurship is vital to our economy, these illegal operations hurt legitimate businesses that follow regulations and pay for the right to operate. These unlicensed vendors and beach bar operators create a sense of disorder and contribute to an inconsistent visitor experience. Tourists don’t know who is legitimate and who isn’t, and the result is often confusion and disappointment.

The lack of control over who operates on our beaches sends a message that we are not serious about managing our tourism industry or protecting the livelihoods of those who play by the rules. It’s unfair to licensed businesses, and it also dilutes the overall experience for visitors, who expect a certain level of professionalism and quality when they visit our shores.

Perhaps the most visible issue on the boardwalk is the state of the space itself. Sand from the beach has blown over, covering nearly half of the walkway in some sections. This not only creates a messy and uninviting appearance but also makes it difficult for people to walk comfortably, especially for families with strollers or older visitors. This encroaching sand is yet another sign of neglect that could easily be addressed with regular maintenance.

These issues combined – cars driving on the boardwalk, aggressive vendors, unlicensed beach operations, and sand covering large portions of the walkway – create an impression of disorder, neglect, and poor planning. This is exactly what we don’t want cruise executives to see during the upcoming FCCA Conference. The event represents an incredible opportunity for St. Maarten to showcase its tourism potential. Cruise lines are essential to our economy, bringing millions of visitors each year, and their decisions about where to dock are increasingly influenced by the quality of their passengers’ experiences. Right now, our boardwalk doesn’t measure up.

With its cracked pavement, faded paint, and lack of enforcement on who uses the space, the boardwalk is failing to live up to its role as a central tourist attraction. This neglect also affects local businesses along the promenade – many of them small, family-owned operations that depend on the foot traffic from cruise passengers. When tourists avoid the boardwalk because it feels unsafe or inconvenient, these businesses lose out.

More broadly, the deteriorating state of the boardwalk reflects poorly on our island as a whole. Tourism is our lifeblood, and the FCCA Conference presents a prime opportunity to impress the decision-makers of the industry. We need to show that St. Maarten is not only a beautiful destination but one that takes pride in its infrastructure and ensures a safe, enjoyable experience for visitors.

The solutions to these problems are not complicated. First, we need stronger enforcement to keep vehicles off the boardwalk and prevent unlicensed vendors from operating. Second, regular maintenance of the boardwalk – clearing away sand, repairing damaged sections, and improving its overall appearance – must become a priority. Lastly, a zero-tolerance approach should be taken against aggressive behavior from barkers, ensuring that visitors feel safe and welcome in this space.

The boardwalk should be a shining example of what makes St. Maarten special, not a source of frustration for visitors and embarrassment for locals. By addressing these issues, we can restore the boardwalk to its former glory and ensure it reflects the pride, beauty, and hospitality our island is known for. With the FCCA Conference fast approaching, now is the time to act and ensure that we put our best foot forward.

The cruise industry is watching. Let’s clean up our act before it’s too late.

A concerned citizen of St. Maarten

Name withheld at author’s request.