York said he applied for a visa for a long time friend of his whom he wanted to visit the island for the 40th carnival celebration and despite providing all that is required by St. Maarten and the Dutch consulate in the Dominican Republic they denied his friend the visa.
The consulate he said claimed that they do not believe the woman would have returned to her country. "I know of several persons who were deported from here and in one week time they are back. One of them told me they had to pay $1,500 to obtain the visa. Secondly on my return to St. Maarten there were 150 Dominicans on board the flight some 40 of them visiting the island for the first time. My question to these people is what proof they have that those people would go back home? York asked.
York said he learnt the consulate is using the letters that was stamped by the government of St. Maarten to sell the visas to those that may have committed crime on the island and were deported.
York further explained that in his bid to get help he approached the island Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards to explain his plight and to see if the governor could have called the consulate to find out the reasons on which they denied the visa. He said he visited the governor on Monday whom he said promised him to call him back later that day but he never received the call. York said he went back to the governor's office on Tuesday and was told that the consulate stands by its decision.
York further explained that he already sent a letter to Curacao where he is asking that the present consulate be removed since they are involved in corruption. He said he intends to bring the matter to forefront hoping that government in the Antilles and Holland would do what is necessary to get to bottom of the matter.
The well known St. Maartener said he has been visiting the Dominican Republic for the past 45 years and the person he invited to the island has been very kind to him over the years. He said he felt he owes that family some type of favor and thus he invited one of the family members to visit the island at his expense. The young woman he said has a job in her country and she had no intention to stay here. "I just wanted them to see my country and meet my family since I have been among there's for so long. I feel the consulate has done me injustice and I would get to the bottom of it" says York.