COLE BAY: ---- Activist former school teacher and writer Leopold James at a press conference at his Cole Bay home on Friday told reporters that he wants to initiate a process in the community where the people can regain trust.James said he requested a meeting with the Island Lt. Governor where he would discuss some pertinent issues. James is also looking to meet with the President of the Collectivity of St. Martin Frantz Gumbs where he would be sharing his concerns which includes hatred, resentment and mostly importantly on how to fight crime.
In the letter published both on this website and one of the daily newspapers James indicated that the he has been receiving worrying information and even threats from the native population and other ethnic groups including the Chinese who are very much concerned with the state of affairs of the island. He said in his letter which was sent to the governor yesterday that there is a potential for escalation. James said he is the opinion that the people would begin to react by taking the law in their own hands which he fears would cause a social and economic melt down.
James said the reason he requested the meeting with the island's Chief of Police and Lt. Governor is because he wants to start a process which would actually heal the hurting population.
Leopold James said already they have noticed a widening gap between the natives and other nationalities and cultures and ethic groups. Based on this he firmly believes that certain mediators in society need to get involved to try and bring about some sort of calmness and to most importantly to bridge the widening gap.
James said on several occasions persons from within the community including Damu Ratawani and representatives of the Dutch Kingdom has called on him to intervene in matters that relates to the community. He said the reasons for these invitations are because these persons believe he can bring about unity.
James said unless the population plays their rightful role in this community then there would be no stability in society which would affect everyone especially investors.
He said after meeting with these officials he expects to receive appreciation for their efforts and concerns since while many may be concerned they are the only ones who are stepping up to the plate and to do something about it.
He said he took note of the platform the Indian Merchants Association used when they shut down the island last week. The IMA called for unity in an effort to bring the community together to fight against crime after the businessman Haresh Dayalani was killed. James said while it maybe nice to use the word unity one has to know that unity is an end result. "No one starts off with unity, and why should anyone unite when there is no trust, so we have to start on building back trust in this community and work towards unity is a contribution I want to make" James said.
He said while Dayalani has died a tragic death and the Indian community has clearly expressed their pain by saying enough is enough the locals he said is showing a "don't care' attitude something he considers to be dangerous because the community is dealing with the loss of someone's life. "We are aware of this situation and the impact it has caused on our community and we hope to achieve something fruitful." James explained.
James said in the future they plan to invite other stakeholders and associations to join with them in the hope to lead to unity and move to the next level.
He said one of the things he is hoping to get from the governor is all registered association and NGO's so that they can begin the process.