St. Maarten Private Eye

From SMN News

Philipsburg: --- Former Council man and politician Johan Janchi Leonard yesterday lambasted government leadership yesterday after teachers took to the streets for the second time in a row. He said he cannot understand the attitude of the leader of government Sarah Wescot Williams who did not come out and talk to the teachers on Monday. Leonard said that he does not care what the problem may have been but quality leadership is when a leader faces its people in good and bad times. He said this is the time to confront the people and show them your leadership skills and admit it when you are wrong Leonard said he personally believes that the teachers would have acted differently had government shown them some respect. He felt that government should admit to their lack of insight if even if they did not want to give the details of the delay.
He said that as he looked at the demonstration his heart grieves to see the lack of leadership from Wescot Williams. “When there is problem you come out and confront those problems and don’t hide behind glass doors, had the leader of government address the teachers and the union on Monday the teachers would not have been there again.” Leonard said that the island is trying to achieve country status and this is the moment to show the people the skills of leadership. “Had the island leader face the civil servants on Monday and tell them yes she did promise but here is the problem that changes the situation and give them something to look forward to would show that she is capable of leading” Leonard said that even though you promise face your people. He said that right now government is placing the future of the youths at stake because the longer the teachers stay away from school it is the children who will not be educated properly and this he said is going to make it worst for a new St. Maarten. He said that the people have lost trust in this government. “Can you imagine they promise teachers a salary and they cannot deliver how they can expect the people to believe that they can deliver a new status to the country and its people?” He said that it is now proven beyond doubt that his party leader Gracita Arrindell who spoke about the status and the November 2 accord was saying the truth all along. He said that the reason why Arrindell was not reelected is because many people sold their votes to the Democratic Party and to stay in government. However, he is questioning how long they will remain there based on their nonchalant behaviour. The Democratic Party has failed in its leadership and they allowed the Dutch Government to laugh from both sides of their mouths when they see what is happening here. The Dutch he said is talking about the judicial system but that is not the problem because the St. Maarten Police Force is the best in the Caribbean and they have track records to prove that. Leonard said that is only recently corruption began in the police force and questions if they think one man can change the course. He went on to explain that the Dutch also have one of their police chief’s as suspect in illegal activities and St. Maarten is not the first with such a problem. He said that the strongly believes that the Dutch is using the judicial chain as an excuse to deny the island its country status and should this continue he would join the group that is championing Independence because the Democratic Party simply cannot lead St. Maarten to higher heights. He said that the island has many other local people who can bring about a change inn several areas and the Island and its people can move on.

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