important foundation in the community that has made the residents of St. Maarten much more aware of the importance of a cleaner and more livable Island.
Especially Jadira Veen contributed a lot of her spare time and determination to this important foundation. Of course Rueben Thompson as well
but Jadira has always been the engine of this foundation. More and more students and residents have become more involved thanks to her
relentless efforts. And believe me it is not easy at all !! At times it is very frustrating. Especially when you have to deal with the commissioners of
St. Maarten with their constant display of (intentional) lack of transparency. Because of the absence of proper policies and laws commissioners
have been able to play their games at the expense of the community and (also) the environment. The commissioners simply refuse to do their
job and implement (f.e) a strong conservation policy to protect one of our most important tourism products.
Pride Foundation, Nature Foundation, Epic Foundation, Emilio Wilson park Foundation, Heritage Foundation and our Foundation have been
founded because of the absence of government leadership. What commissioners usually do is supporting an initiative on their own account. But
real support should come from the Island Council with real decisions and incentives. Frans Richardson can of course claim that HE wants to
protect the environment. Sarah Wescott also claimed that SHE was aware of the importance of sustainability in 2008. But when I asked her if the
speech was on behalf of government she admitted it was just her own opinion. Of course the DP did not do anything. If Frans Richardson is
different then he should take some real action and get the other members of the council and (especially) the Island Council involved to back it
up. Only then will he deserve the credits he wants.
If it is up to these foundations you will have clean(er) beaches, clean(er) roads, good access to (your) beaches, proper waste management,
beautiful old houses, a beautiful park, clean(er) seawater, no running waste water, more busses, more energy saving, more clean energy,
recycling of waste, less plastic, conservation laws and policies, proper law enforcement etc. These issues are recognized via the Millennium
Development Goals (sustainability) of the United Nations. But St. Maarten has never really supported these goals. Isn't that strange?
If we all agree that these foundations are really serving the community why do we allow government not to support them? Please help them for a better future for YOUR children.
