Never mind, that while still operating as LIDO BBQ back then, the loud music coming from that establishment, resulted in many complaints from residents at the back, to all local authorities, including to the Governor, drs. Eugene HOLIDAY.
Never mind that, out of the 'clear blue' one day, it became public that those who had been terrorizing the neighborhood with their loud music had been 'rewarded' by the local authorities with a permit to open an even bigger business facility - the LIDO Bar-restaurant & Events Center.
Never mind that, ever since the owner, a certain 'Vernon' of Haitian descent, has decided that he would play the music as loud, and as long as he felt fit, although having been told on several occasions of the very annoying impact on the residents living there long, many even long before there was ever anything 'LIDO' .
Still, as bad as that all, might be, we tried hard to 'never mind'; after all we all know that 'everything goes' on the 'Friendly island'.
But here it comes, now.
This particular gentleman, seems to have found a 'safehaven' allowing him to disrespect those living adjacent to his establishment, as well as to circumvent the law of the land.
According to a person overhearing him one day, he is quoted as having said something to the following effect.
'Even when police responds to a complaint and comes to check out the loudness of his music, they tell me, that after they leave, I can just go ahead and raise the volume of the music again'.
As if that was not bad enough, when I called him two weeks ago, informing him, that the music was so loud, that we were suffering from headache and that it was not right, his response was very simple.
'That is your problem, because right now there are some police-officers here enjoying themselves and they have no problem'.
I beg your pardon, Mr. Minister ?
Am I still in St. Maarten, or am I now living in some lawless slum-area in Haiti, where the cops can be bribed to do about anything ?
Here, is where I now start to mind and intend to draw a line in the sand !
What was this gentlemen actually trying to tell me ?
Was it actually something, many young people truly believe in, and which is a reason, why many do not trust 'Babylon' ?
Could it be even remotely true, that certain individuals have certain police-officers 'in their pockets' or even elsewhere ?
So, what does this all mean for simple, law-abiding citizens ?
Does it really mean that, once certain individuals have a 'special relationship' with certain police-officers, that such in fact affords them in fact a 'carte blanche', or a 'protective cover' to do whatever they want ?
Really, Mr. Minister ?
With all the asocial behavior, lawlessness, crime, overpopulation, illegal immigration, BTA-'conundrum' etc. our community already has to grapple with, can this attitude be tolerated, let alone 'rewarded' even more ?
If even, under these 'treacherous', social circumstances, certain immigrants feel they can still completely disregard the people of this country, how will this bode after any possible, regulation/amnesty ?
Isn't is time, Government adds/emphasizes the possibility of REVOKING any privilege granted to immigrants ?
Privileges, such as work- and residence permits and even naturalization papers, passports etc. etc.
Given the very serious socioeconomic challenges the people of this country themselves are facing, others should PROVE they deserve a chance to stay in an already, way over populated, way overburdened community, whose carrying- and tolerance capacity has been over-stretched.
Consequently, and certainly in this context, any form of disrespect/crime against a native St. Martiner, should be punished very severely, including having all privileges granted REVOKED and the perpetrators DEPORTED after having serving punishment.
Mr. Vernon of LIDO might not have committed a crime perse, but at the same time, considering his mentality, he should be taught a very clear lesson.
That lesson is to respect the people of the land, who were here long before him and also a lesson for having implying our police-officers, as part of his protective shield, so that he can terrorize the neighborhood with his loud music.
In ending, Mr. DUNCAN, we look forward to you taking the appropriate measures against LIDO Bar-Restaurant & Events Center.
Not doing so, clearly will send out the wrong message, contribute to more lawlessness in our community and discourage citizens from cooperating with Law-enforcement.
With respect,
Leopold JAMES