The momentum of the district meetings of the National Alliance is intensifying; the Haitian community filled and spilled over into the yard of the Salvation Army Auditorium in Cole Bay. The information given and actions being taken by the National Alliance, apparently a forerunner in the Haitian community, where often fear and confusion with regards to their status as citizens reigned, were dramatically evident in their questions and concerns.
More than 90 brothers and sisters of the Haitian community came together Friday evening at Cole Bay to welcome the National Alliance elected officials and Congress committee members and participated in the “from the Districts to the National Alliance Congress” action.
It is out there, big and broad, in the districts and various communities, answering the question what a National Alliance government is all about. Within the short span of four months, dramatic changes and the implementation of essential services have already taken place. Establishing the date for becoming Country Saint Martin was the proper perspective from which to project and realize the necessary infrastructure on our island territory.
Finance Commissioner Xavier Blackman shared with the community that a system of direct taxes was something being considered for Country Saint Marten, after serious comparative study of the system in other territories. He went on to further explain the National Alliance government as can be read in its plan of action: “Our intention is to grant full exemption from income tax on all incomes up to NAf.2000 per month” as part of the new tax system of the direct taxes. Labor/Culture Commissioner, Hyacinth Richardson discussed some aspects of the National Alliance adapted labor policy with the enthusiastic audience.
Then, Senator George Pantophlet, obviously very well known in the Haitian community for his seriousness, concern and fairness, regarding immigration policy, was heartily received. Touching on the importance of implementing compulsory education in our public school, the senator, remarked that it had the added beneficial effect of minimizing juvenile delinquency and crime in our communities. Mr. Pantophlet further referred to the National Alliance plan of action, that reads: “A National Alliance Government will introduce a Department of Facilitation charged with the responsibility for ensuring that citizens born in other lands and documented new residents enjoy a hassle-free integration into mainstream Sint Maarten.”
A very important aspect of the contact meeting of the Haitian community was the availability of English/Creole interpreters, who simultaneously related the information in Creole to the audience – credit was given to Mr. Henry Javier and Mr. Jean Baptiste for their facility. When National Alliance Congress committee president, Terry Peterson stood to address the community, the audience already enthused by the information and answers they received, were fired up and ready to go, as he spoke…in Creole and English. In a lively conversation with the community, Mr. Peterson pointed to the National Alliance emblem that shows a coming together of all of the interests of St. Maarten. We envision a new inclusive beginning that offers hope, opportunity and a better quality of life for all St. Maarteners. He then invited the commissioner of labor to present the Revised Labour Policy as approved and ratified by the governor general to the representative of the Haitian community, Mr. Henry Janvier. Janvier expressed his deep appreciation and promised to make sure that the community members will get a copy.
State Secretary of Public Health, Patrick Illidge, informed the Haitian community in the hall about his efforts to help establish a Health Insurance program for all the people of Saint Martin. He made a rousing plea to them to do not see themselves as out of the Saint Martin loop. We are a Party of inclusion and you, who have been living here for so long are part of us, the state secretary impressed upon the audience.
Advisor to the Congress committee, Edgar Lynch, explained how the Haitian community could participate fully in the Party’s affairs at the Congress. The participation of all interests of the communities in our island-territory is based on our pledge to consult with the people on major decisions and to do the right things on behalf of, and in partnership with all of the people in ‘One Sint Maarten’ – country Saint Martin.
The enthusiasm of the Haitian community of this contact meeting at Cole Bay was obvious, even afterwards during refreshments and socializing. It was clear, that they felt a new energy and disposition than was usual for years.
The National Alliance believes that we, who are entrusted with the responsibility to represent the people's interests, should set aside partisan political concerns and seek common ground through which the people's purpose would be best served and their dreams realized. We must put aside our differences and “together, go forward” to realize the necessary infra-structure for country Saint Martin.
It’s A New Day! How’s it that some of us just don’t get it?!
RECTIFICATION
In the press release story of the NA Contact meeting with the Haitian Community it was inadvertently mentioned that Finance Commissioner Xavier Blackman stated that "a system of direct taxes was being considered for Country St. Maarten after serious comparative study of the system in other territories". On the contrary, what he said was that the government intends to make a shift from Direct taxes towards INDIRECT taxes as stated previously in other media releases.
He was also misquoted as saying that that “our intention is to grant full exemption from income tax on all incomes up to NAf 2,000 per month as part of the new tax system of their direct taxes”. But what the Commissioner actually said was that in the indirect tax system of Anguilla, there is no income tax, meaning that you take home more income, and that in systems of indirect taxation, measures are put in place to protect those with no or low incomes against the relatively higher costs of living (i.e. higher prices of goods) associated with such a system.
The Congress Committee sincerely apologizes to Commissioner Xavier Blackman and the general public for the unintentional and unfortunate inaccuracies in that publication.
Sincerely,
Congress Committee