St. Maarten Private Eye

I agree 100%. Change is within. You start with you and your family and maybe in 50 years from now you might see a change.

Thank you!!! Thank you for explaining the type of change that is needed.

Gracita would bring change for the Island and good change as well. Recall that she has worked along side of us as well as First Lady Angela on SXM Pride clean up, her word is of value and she has the people at heart. I just feel bad that the Lt., Governor had rejected my residence permit, as I also think green and I've volunteered many hours with environment and clean ups.

Gracita, with a well qualified slate, not like the last one would be the only one to take steps to bring back the Island to a logical stance on overbuilding, and environment. Go back and read her manifesto in 2006.

Sincerely,

Larry Geer
lgeer44@comcast.,net
Member P.P.A. Party

I have been reading your comment and to be honest Gracita maybe has the ideas but does she have the energy and vigor to go out and implement/make the changes?

Everybody wants change, but what people don't seem to realize is that with change comes great great planning and lots of headache!

I don't think Gracita is capable of backing up her words, her manifesto is very well worded but words and actions are two completely different things.

First off for SXM to be ready for change the people have to be ready and willing to accept change. At the moment to bring change to SXM is going to be hard, reasing being you would have to start from the ground up again, with that I mean total new infrastructure: new roads, new planning (social and economical) and the most important part island people being able to think out of the box! Then one can start talking about change, but until we islanders start thinking out of the box and taking pride in where we live and stop looking at what another have, and jealousy on one another then Gracita's manifesto can become reality.

I love SXM but people are very small minded and materialistic!

Trust me, there are tons of SXM'ners that can and do think out of the box and can have a serious positive input for sxm. However, good intentions die real hard here. Whether it be in private or public sector.

But change is coming and it will be from these people I refer to. And it wont start from within Govt. but from outside. The private sector has always taken the lead here and Govt. follows. Time to start!

The Patriot

I am not doubting that there are out of the box thinking SXM'ers, but my question is why are they not into political positions?

I have been hearing ever since I was a little boy living in SXM that change will come and it is 32 years later and I am still hearing the same song. Everybody dreams and talks change but no action to actually go out and make the change happen. If you are thinking that you need money to make a change you are wrong in that thinking. People of SXM have to realize that they are movement of SXM and way forward and that they have the power in hand not the politicians and they are the ones that can make the change happen but they have to believe and want the change.

You comment on the private sector is not totally true the private sector is mostly concerned about there own benefit, if they are going to benefit 10 fold then they will back the change but if they are not benefiting then there goes your change out the door.

My question to you is why rely on the private sector start making the change happen on your own, again change can take loads of energy and vigor are you or I up for it? With change also comes lots of enemies can you or I deal with that as well?

Nice that you are patriot but are you a real patriot to go all the way true the real bad times? Before seeing the glory that may or may not happen in the struggle?

Larry, for the most part I think Gracita is the best candidate out there to bring about a change in how government does business (by enforcing for instance: good governance rules, establishment of an Ombudsman office, all government projects having to go through a decentralized bidding entity that has zero government interference, getting a Zoning plan implemented etc. etc.).

HOWEVER, Gracita does need to acknowledge mistakes made which is for instance her stance on the 2006 Final Accord. She has underestimated the will of a majority of the electorate that are for more control on how government conducts business. Our government officials need to be scrutinized at all times by an independent body just as is the case in other countries in order for democracy to really flourish.

Only when she realizes that her stance on the final accord cost her a big chunk of the electorate, can she move forward again in my view.

I hope to see her back in the IC benches soon.

Gracita dont have the ability to bring about the change St. Maarten needs. Gracita is an ordinary politician just like all the others...Gracita is talk believe me. IF, However, Gracita got a little bit of ability to bring about the change I dont think she have a team that is ready to push her forward on that note. Nevertheless, on a general speaking opinion I dont think Gracita have the ability.

St. Maarten needs a social change not a political change...Politics wont make a social change it can possibly cause a social upset which will worsen the situation.

I totally agree with your comment.

Could have said it better myself.

Gracita is in there because she ran the only other party that has had a seat and place in govt in recent history. Including an option for her allows those who prefer her to make a comeback instead of seeing a new party, to vote for her. it has nothing to do with 'you all' thinking she bring the change needed. Some people may think so though.

Flipper

Sorry I couldn't vote...I'm depressed and I think I should change my name into Cassandra.
A green party? On sxm? Even if there's gonna be one, what's the use? The whole island is already destroyed, what's there to save?
A green party on an island where nature has been neglected for years and years...I find it hard to imagine. Sorry.

Oh and a nominee? Well, there's only one man for the job, right? Roy, will you please stand up?

Well, the lady that considers environment her calling is Jadira Veen. Then all the Green people could support their own green candidate. My only concern with Jadira is her husband. Because as long as his law firm represents a particular development then the St. Maarten Pride stays Mum on the enviromental issue. Other than that she would be my candidate for the green party.
'Well I tend to agree with the previous blogger. Nature has been neglected for far too long to even try and save it now. It will be hard for Gracita, Jadira or Roy to fix this problem.

Roy going green? I was being cynical!!!!

Look here:
Frans: Roy flying private jet while island in dire straits
~ Tackle crime, says Roy ~

PHILIPSBURG--Tourism Commissioner Roy Marlin has come under fire from National Alliance (NA) Island Councilman/Parliamentarian Frans Richardson for flying via private jet when the island is in dire financial straits.

In response, Marlin chided Richardson for picking on unnecessary issues when crime is becoming rampant and the Central Government, which Richardson supports, needs to be more involved in making the island safe.

Richardson told The Daily Herald Sunday that Marlin had taken a different turn by giving up flying commercial airlines in favour of hopping onto a private jet to carry out his tourism duties. The latest trip Marlin took was to Colombia, he added.

“No wonder he has asked for an increase in the tourism budget. I want the chairman of the Island Council [Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards] to explain this new development as soon as possible, because the people are facing hardships while the commissioner is flying in the most luxurious fashion,” Richardson said.

He will ask Richards formally for an explanation and an outline of what the budgetary increase will be used for. “The people need to know if spending more for such travelling is government’s new way of doing business.”

Commenting on the claims levelled at him, Marlin said he had not travelled by private jet on government business and never intended to do so. “However, what I do on my private time is my business. Government does not pay for my private travels.”

He urged Richardson to put his concerns in writing to the Executive Council.

“Richardson should deal with issues affecting the island. Crime is rampant. People are afraid to leave their homes. He should say what he has done to combat crime. After all, his party supports the Central Government and he should get the Minister of Justice [David Dick] to pay attention here,” Marlin said.

He sold the villa... the one on Oyster Pond... maybe he has some money he would like to spend? Am I just being silly or is it really a peculiar business for a commissioner to be the owner of a roundabout? Desperately trying to do something with you money that garentees a good payback or what?