St. Martin News Network

Integrity or Hypocrisy? Minister Marinka Gumbs vs Dr. Luc Mercelina.

Dear Editor,

In the world of politics, every decision matters, but recent events in the Council of Ministers (CoM) have left URSM supporters feeling betrayed. Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, once seen as a strong leader, is now under fire for what many see as his failure to stand up to the Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs. At the center of the controversy is a troubling situation involving favoritism in the Tax Office that has sparked widespread outrage.

Minister Marinka Gumbs often preaches integrity, but her actions tell a different story. Recently, she overturned a fair hiring process in the Tax Office to favor her own relative. This relative had previously worked in the role on an acting basis but left because the pay wasn't worth the extra workload. When the job was officially advertised, the relative applied but did not rank as the top candidate. Despite this, Minister Gumbs stepped in, declared her relative the "best fit" for the role due to past experience, and instructed the Human Resources Department to remove the top candidate and hire her family member instead.

This blatant act of nepotism has caused an uproar. The hiring process should have been straightforward: the most qualified candidate gets the job. The person who came out on top was a former employee of the Ministry of Finance and is currently working in the Cabinet of the Prime Minister. Their qualifications and performance had earned them the position through a transparent process, only for their rightful placement to be disregarded for personal gain.

Such actions break the fabric of trust within the organization and raise serious ethical concerns. Civil servants are now eagerly looking to see if the Governor will sign the national decree to finalize the appointment. Many fear that allowing such favoritism to stand will set a dangerous precedent, further eroding morale and undermining confidence in the system.

Power Dynamics: Gumbs vs. Mercelina

Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina is also facing sharp criticism for his perceived inaction. Many URSM supporters, who once celebrated his rise to leadership, now feel disappointed and betrayed. The growing belief is that Dr. Mercelina is being overshadowed and pushed around by Minister Gumbs, raising doubts about his strength as a leader. His apparent unwillingness to stand up against what many see as bullying has caused supporters to question whether he has the courage to defend the principles of fairness and integrity that his party claims to uphold.

This controversy is not just about one job; it is a litmus test of the government's ability to lead with fairness and transparency. If the Minister of Finance can interfere with hiring decisions for her own benefit, what does that say about the administration's commitment to integrity? And if the Prime Minister cannot stop such actions, is he truly in charge?

For now, all eyes are on Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina as civil servants and URSM supporters, and the public waits to see whether integrity will prevail or if hypocrisy will continue to rule the day.

Concerned Civil Servants.

Names of Civil Servants are withheld upon request.

Unfair Practices, Discrimination and Tax Evasion.

Dear Editor,

I am writing to bring to your attention the ongoing unfair practices at Hilton, Flamingo Beach Resort in the Timeshare Sales & Marketing Department that are negatively impacting local employees and potentially violating labor and taxation laws. These practices include:
1. Discrimination and Unfair Treatment:
Local employees are frequently subjected to discriminatory treatment, including harsher work conditions, lack of support, and retaliatory actions. Many have faced termination unjustly, which has fostered a hostile work environment.
2. Victimization of Local Staff:
Local employees are often singled out and victimized for expressing concerns or not conforming to the rigid, military-style management approach, which emphasizes control and intimidation rather than collaboration.
3. Preference for Foreign American Workers:
The company continuously hires mostly foreign American staff in preference to local employees. While diversity is welcome, this hiring practice seems to intentionally bypass local workforce participation and fair employment policies.
4. Tax Evasion Concerns:
There are indications that foreign staff are employed under arrangements designed to evade local taxation, undermining legal obligations and harming the community. They enter the Island territory on the pretense of being on vacation for three months, during which time they are working at Hilton. They then leave and go back to the United States or some other neighboring island for a few days, then return for another 3 months of work and continue to repeat the process.
These practices are not only unethical but also detrimental to the workforce, our local tax system, and the company’s reputation. I urge the government of St Maarten and the local authorities to look into these unlawful practices and to take the necessary and immediate action to address these issues.
• Ensuring fair treatment of all employees, regardless of their origin.
• Complying with local labor and taxation laws.
• Implementing a respectful and inclusive management style.

Authors name withheld upon request

Allegations of Fraud by St. Maarten Youth Council Association

Dear Editor,

I am contacting you regarding a very serious matter - a fraud committed by St. Maarten Youth Council Association, president Connie Francis Gumbs, and Ria Khudan.

Youth organizations from many EU countries took part in an Erasmus+ project, and even after 12 months, we are all still waiting to receive a travel refund from this organization that got the money from the European Commission for this project. 40 people from many NGOs across Europe are still waiting for their money, and Ms. Connie Gumbs is not answering our requests—which are over 40.000 euros!
The two projects were implemented in October and November 2023 in Rupert Maynard Community Center.

They have been reassuring us that the problem is a bank or something else, always something, and we have been waiting for a very long time. TSeveral weeks ago we found out that the bank proof of payments they have been sending to us were all fake, meaning this is a fraud, which was proved by our banks.

We contacted OLAF—European Anti-Fraud Office—and Windward Islands Bank because the fake documents had their logo. We still do not know if someone inside the bank is helping them or if they did it alone. They are already under investigation by Nationaal Agentschap Erasmus+ Jeugd (the National Agency in the Netherlands), and the European Commission has all the information on this case.

This is a very serious matter because of this NGO other NGOs on the island might lose funding from Erasmus+ and all stakeholders should be informed. We have already informed Minister Mr. Lewis about this matter.

Best regards,

Sanela Ravlić, Ph.D., Assistant Professor
President

Association for Community Development KREAKTIVA

A Letter from Under The Flamboyant Tree.

“Tribute to Keacy Carty: St. Maarten's Cricketing Trailblazer”

Dear Editor,
In a world where cricket resonates as the heartbeat of the Caribbean, one name stands tall as an emblem of determination, skill, and national pride: St. Maarten’s own Keacy Carty. With a remarkable performance in the recent series against England, Keacy has not only captured the hearts of cricket enthusiasts but has also etched his name into the annals of St. Maarten’s history as its first cricketer to score a century in international cricket.
Although that I have not met him personally, I have been following his career from afar as an avid Cricket Fan. His journey from the vibrant streets of St. Maarten to the grand stages of International Cricket, is a testament to his unwavering dedication and passion for the sport. Keacy’s stellar performance showcased not just his cricketing prowess but also the spirit of resilience that defines the people of St. Maarten. Each run he scored was a celebration of his roots, a tribute to every aspiring cricketer in his homeland, and a message to the world that talent knows no boundaries.
In an exhilarating display of technique and composure, Keacy dazzled fans and critics alike, earning admiration across the Caribbean. His century is not just a personal triumph; it serves as an inspiration for future generations, proving that hard work and perseverance can lead to extraordinary achievements. Keacy has become a role model for young athletes, igniting a fire in their hearts and encouraging them to reach for their dreams.
Beyond the boundaries of cricket, Keacy’s character shines brightly. His humility, sportsmanship, and dedication to representing St. Maarten with pride resonate deeply with his fans. He embodies the spirit of unity and resilience that is intrinsic to Caribbean culture, reminding us all that success is sweetest when shared.
As we celebrate Keacy Carty and his monumental milestone, let us recognize the pride he brings to St. Maarten and the Caribbean. His journey is just beginning, and we eagerly await the many more milestones he will achieve. For now, let us revel in this historic moment and honor our national hero—the young man who dared to dream and who, with his bat in hand, has inspired a nation. I hope that with his achievement, it will help to motivate our Government to construct a Keacy Carty Cricket stadium, to not only train young St. Maarteners, but to host Regional and International Cricket tournaments, which will attract thousands of Cricket fans from around the World. Another boost for our Tourism.
Congratulations, Keacy Carty! The Caribbean stands proud of you, and we are excited to see where your incredible journey takes you next.
Sincerely,
Brian Meade
(An avid Cricket Fan)

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