St. Maarten Private Eye

Read the Daily Herald article here.

Knowing the work both Lorraine Lopez and Liesa Euton de Marinaro have both put into Safe Haven over many years I find this whole affair very very fishy, it's not the anchovies I had for lunch either.

The new board has made some serious accusations on the integrity of two very respected people in the community. Lorraine has worked tirelessly over 6 years on behalf of the women in Safe Haven as it's director, along side Peewee Suzuki she helped arrange numerous workshops and events on behalf of the home and the cause against domestic violence. Her sacrifices have been huge and anyone that knows her will I am sure, talk highly of her integrity and professionalism.

Liesa Euton de Marinaro is the same, she is professional and she has integrity. She has organised or been involved with several causes and projects for the benefit of the island, SMART is just one of them. I believe she was president of Safe Haven Foundation (till 6 dec) for at least a couple of years and during her time Safe Haven grew into a recognized and respected foundation and organization.

You know what I think? I think the new board came into office with plans to shake things up and perhaps even get rid of Lorraine. I think she has made many enemies in the past, with her campaigning on behalf of abuse victims. I also think that several politicians are afraid of Liesa, if she put her time into politics I think she could be another force like Gracita.

I feel sure this could be politics at play, NGO's who become a thorn in government's side are often targeted for take over. By watching US politics you can see certain similarities here and I think liberal and left leaning organizations and foundations of the island need to keep an eye out for chameleons, people who are not what they seem. At the same time, you can see the opposition here is rather lacking in substance and message or the ability to communicate it, like the Dems. Except Gractia, she's a fighter.

I have to ask, is Melba Wescott a relation of Sarah?

I've also been meaning to add this last thought in here somewhere, this seems like a good place.

Last month at the Jimmy Cliff concert at the the Heineken Regatta there was a moment when the music stopped and he spoke. He said....

"There's too much political indimidation"
"There's too much corruption"
"There's too much missinformation"

I thought it very apt to the island and I looked around to see if I could see anyone it could be directed at. They were there somewhere, you know it.

Anyway. I hope to get some emails soon which may enlighten us all.

Flipper

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