Gentlemen:

For those contemplating registering a new political party to participate in the upcoming elections the Electoral Council needs to urgently provide clarity on the following matters:

What is the deadline for new parties to register?

LB 24/406 of May 27, 2024 is silent on this matter. It does state, however, that postulation date is July 2, 2024. According to Article 16:2 of the Landsverordening registratie en financien politieke partijen the deadline for new parties to register is six weeks before postulation, which was, May 20, 2024. This makes it impossible for the Electoral Council to register new parties as the deadline has already expired. We have been informed that the government website mentions June 17, as the deadline for new parties to register, but we know this cannot be lawful as this is only 2 weeks before postulation.

Is the Electoral Council going to follow this suggestion (June 17, 2024) or follow the law?

There is no LB in which this decision is established. If true, would the Electoral Council and new parties seeking to register be lawfully bound by an informal announcement? Should this decision not be made known by placement in the Landscourant in order to have force of law?

Which deadline is the Electoral Council going to honor, and why?

This matter is all the more perplexing because the LB under consideration states: “dat de regering hierbij rekening heeft gehouden met de mogelijkheid voor politieke partijen om zich te registreren en om de bepalingen zoals voorgeschreven in de Kiesverordening na te leven.”

If Government wants to comply with the law, as it states, would it not be contradicting itself if it attempts to unlawfully shorten the period mentioned above, by four weeks?

Fortunately, instead of just pointing out the problem, we have come up with a solution, the Pro Soualiga Formula, which allows all the required legal steps to be taken within 90 days without violating a single law. We are prepared to sit with you to discuss this important matter.

There can never be any justification for violating the constitution, especially if there is a solution readily at hand. Both Ministers and Parliamentarians have taken an oath to uphold and defend the constitution. That oath is presently being, in our opinion, lightheartedly violated, because there is a solution readily at hand.

Renate Brison

Secretary

Pro Soualiga Foundation

Dear Editor,

I was sitting among some folks discussing the latest development in government. A whole lot of sense was made among those folks. What prompted me to write to you though, is an observation which caused a little pause. One person asked, what is the difference between those guys on motorbikes, those armed robbers, supermarket owners and our members of Parliament? I had a good laugh, because I had already begun to formulate a similar letter to you concerning the bad example that our members of Parliament are continuing to show to the public at large.

Dear Editor,

From late last year to the present, we have seen political drama in action. When events like these continue to happen, we as people must check ourselves.

We continue to choose people who stand for nothing and view politics as a steppingstone for their financial success.

I assure you this will continue. After all, we the electorate demand nothing of political candidates and continue to vote because they are told to exercise their so-called democratic rights. The justice minister should investigate if any financial transaction had taken place between the suspected politicians for instigating the fall of the St. Maarten government.

Most or all parties have no political ideology and the individuals in the political parties have weak characters that allow themselves to be used and abused.

The leader of any political party is an example of what to expect from that party. The people who he or she allows in the political party tell you if his or her judgment is bad or good.

The character of a good leader is not only in education, but also in the manner the leader speaks to people, addresses people, and how they respond to people when they meet resistance and when others disagree with them.

If the leader of any political party wants attention to be always on him or her, move away from a person as such.

If the leader of any political party thinks only, he or she should and must make all the decisions you know to avoid people as such.

The electorate must vet the political candidates before voting for them. The challenge with the St. Maarten electorate is that they do not understand the problem in St. Maarten politics and why.

You cannot fix a problem if you do not identify it. And the problem is the electorate of St. Maarten. Your bad choices create the consequences that exist in St. Maarten.

The electorate of St. Maarten does not hold and demand accountability from political candidates.

The electorate of St. Maarten must find out what is important for St. Maarten. If you do not define what is good, how can you choose?

We continue to get wolves in sheep's clothing because we do not define who is a wolf from who is a sheep.

Every candidate should be asked about their stance on various issues, then you know what to expect and what kind of character they have.

But in St. Maarten, the media are afraid to ask those questions. A question that should be asked is, "Do you think a man is (basically) good and if he or she says yes, ask why?

Ask all candidates to tell you their moral values and why they believe they are fit to serve the electorate of St. Maarten.

Is having a decent lifestyle important to be a leader and does it matter? Is the character and lifestyle of a leader a good living example for the future generation? Does believing in God matter to be a good leader?

Most countries in this world are in turmoil not because leaders do not have education. It is because the leaders in this world have evil objectives. The top 1 percent in this world are rich and highly educated, but the problem is that their character is to control, dominate and deceive. The most dangerous people are evil educated people. A fool cannot hurt you, but an intelligent person with evil intentions is the person who will hurt you. That is why character and lifestyle matter.

Conclusion: Choices have consequences! Choose wisely!

The patriot Miguel Arrindell

Dear Editor,

Over the past five years, the public roads of St. Maarten (Dutch side) have been plagued by improperly managed and poorly visible road lines. This situation poses significant risks to road safety and demands immediate attention to prevent accidents and improve the overall quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

The importance of clearly painted road lines cannot be overstated. They are a fundamental aspect of road safety, guiding drivers and reducing the likelihood of accidents. As observed at the intersection of A.J.C. Brouwer Road and Welgelegen Road (hospital road), the lack of visible road markings leads to dangerous driving behaviors.

It’s the simple things that make people see that you have their safety in mind. Look at the intersection of A.J.C. Brouwer Road and Welgelegen Rd., for example. Many drivers enter Welgelegen Rd.. by cutting through the incoming turn lane on Welgelegen Rd. which increases the chances of a head-on collision at the intersection. Many do not know where the actual point of entry to the Welgelegen Rd. is. Properly painted roadways increase road safety for all.

The absence of well-defined road lines not only jeopardizes safety but also reflects poorly on the management of public infrastructure. Clear and properly maintained road markings are essential for directing traffic flow, delineating lanes, and indicating important information such as pedestrian crossings and stop lines. These simple measures can drastically reduce confusion and enhance the driving experience, thereby promoting safer roads.

Investing in road paint is a cost-effective solution with significant benefits. The cost of high-quality road paint ranges from $200 to $300 per mile, depending on the type and durability. This modest investment can lead to substantial improvements in road safety and driver satisfaction. Additionally, it is crucial for the government to demonstrate that tax revenues are being utilized effectively to enhance public amenities. When taxpayers see tangible improvements in their daily lives, such as safer and more navigable roads, they are more likely to comply with tax obligations.

In conclusion, the simple act of maintaining visible and properly painted road lines can make a significant difference in the safety and well-being of St. Maarten’s residents and visitors. It is an essential measure that reflects a commitment to public safety and responsible governance. By prioritizing this basic yet critical aspect of road management, St. Maarten can take a crucial step towards creating a safer and more orderly environment for all road users.

Marvio Cooks