St. Maarten Private Eye

"A strong right of access to government information is a key component of an accountable government. In the simplest sense, accountability is being answerable for performance or results. Much of the public's trust rests upon the government being openly accountable for its decisions, actions and mistakes. When the government operates in secret or refuses to disclose information to the public, it is in essence stripping the public of its ability to oversee and hold the government accountable. Often, a loss of public trust in the government results from these situations. However, it is the government that first displays a lack of trust in the public -- a lack of trust to handle and understand the information.

Unfortunately, because government accountability often means that responsibility or blame will be assigned to agencies, organizations or individuals, an inherent resistance exists within government. It is this reluctance to risk criticism and reprimand that often gives rise to the deeply entrenched secrecy that exists within government." - Source.

Trust and Accountability = Good Governance.

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Last week, the Today had two editorials that I would like to refer to that highlight the issue I want to put forward for discussion, the issue of accountability. The first, titled Communication was directed towards the justice system, the second, following a report about St. Maarten lacking skilled workers, was entitled Dumbing down.

Both of these editorials shine a light on what I have come to consider as one of the main reasons St. Maarten is in the state it is in, lack of accountability. It is something that goes back decades, in general the population is trained to keep their heads down, keep their nose out of govt business and politics, asking questions and interfering is invitation to misery and problems. Going along to get along basically.

Minister Dick apparently does not see any reason to replace Chief Commissioner Holiday. Yet there are very strong suspicions within the community that he knew full well the problems with Loor when he removed him from Immigration last year, basically that he turned a blind eye. And if this is the case then you have to seriously question the appointment of Loor as the head of the Uniform dept and the Rapid Response Squad earlier this year.

Does Minister Dick really need to have a full report laid out in front of him detailing all the other issues and cases, that in any accountable democratic society would have meant resignation and firings long ago, including his own? He can find it here.

Oh.....hang on a moment! He's the Justice Minister isn't he. I guess any acknowledgement of the disgraceful and tragic comedy situation of Justice in St. Maarten would reflect on his performance too. As it should! In my opinion it's not only Holiday that needs to be retired, but also Minister Dick. The justice system on SXM will not be fixed with bandaids and sweet talk, it needs an intensive care unit.

If you want trust then you have to have accountability, if you have accountability you have a healthier and more prosperous democracy. Problem is, if there was real open accountability then we would all really see magnitude of the mess and be able to identify those responsible, which is why we have so little of it. Taco informs us yet again about the prision and police cells being full, he can win convictions but there is no where to put them, so they go free. Discounted Crime, do it now while you can, half price or less. It is also my understanding that the prosecutors office now has only Two prosecutors working, another is ill and another just left, one of the two still there is also scheduled to leave soon. Who is responsible for this ridiculous situation? Dick? Ballin? Richards? Someone is responsible, it's not something that happened overnight.

Seriously folks, just how far does it have to go before the situation becomes unacceptable to you? Or are you just hoping it will all be better under new status as Holiday tells us it will.

Dr. Voodoo

News updates below

Another Slap for Police Department--- Drivers License Racket Probed - 23rd July 2007

Lawyers question how prosecutor will prove Loor committed forgery - 16th July 2007

SXM Crips and Bloods? - 14th July 2007

Police fail to react to detainees - 10th July 2007

SXM PE Blog Post - Assorted crooks - 12th July 2007

SXM PE Blog Post - Emails and Allegations - 2nd July 2007

SXM PE Blog Post - House of Cards - 26th June 2007

SXM PE Blog Post - Cleaning up the whole house. - 23rd June 2007

SXM PE Blog Post - Cleaning up the backyard - 13th June 2007

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