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WAYWARD.

When I was a young man, I overheard the old folks talking that there was once an idea, a thought to transfer all the people from Statia (And, maybe Saba also.) to the larger islands of the Netherlands Antilles for they were too costly to upkeep. The same line of thought that nowadays would have one suggest to establish a border between Sint Maarten and Saint Martin. No comprehension neither consideration for the People living on these islands.
The examples above may be extreme, but if you find willing Representatives of the People these ideas becomes very real (Public Entity?? – Anyone). Thank God for the fortitude of our forefathers that they were able to withstand these forces in their time.

Today, we see the same pressures being brought to bear on our Representatives and I am imploring them to stand firm to the assault on our existence. We are not capable to appoint Ministers in St. Maarten, Unable to formulate a budget in Aruba and to top it off here on Statia my Representatives are deemed incapable of even passing an ordinance in the Legislature of St. Eustatius without interference from the Dutch Government.
The Local Institutions that are supposed to serve the People of Statia, have instead become agents and surrogates of the colonial masters oppressing the people under the guise of 'Good Governance' and 'Rule of Law'. To serve their Cronies and 'Dutch' business interests in the Islands. What the Dutch Politicians forget to mention is that the guarantee function stipulated by the United Nations also entails that the Netherlands must bring these 'Island Institutions' up to the International Standards – at their expense. That is the guarantee.

Each time the islands venture into any activity aimed at economic sustainability the 'Motherland' intervenes. Does anyone remember the Off Shore Business on Curacao?? – Holland blocked it, in essence relegating Curacao to what it has become today. That same activity is flourishing in The Netherlands at present. And, all the other Caribbean Islands picked up where Curacao left off and are the envy of us all.

Where was the same concern for my Statia, where it regards the 'Statia Terminals/NuStar' set up. For years our Island and Federal Representatives protected this 'Sacred Cow' at the expense of the Statia Community. Now the Dutch Ministries want to annex these potential revenue streams for the Netherlands and in turn accord the Island a 'Free Allowance'. For more than thirty years Statia is blessed or cursed with the 'Statia Terminals/Nustar Terminals' depending on your point of view. Besides the labour contributions and wage tax (gone since 10-10-10), and spinoff businesses no major contributions is derived from this entity for our island. Sorry, the last Agreement calls for a $ 685,000.00 yearly stipend for the Statia Community on a more than 2.0 Billion Dollar Profit (Not Turn Over) per year Multinational. And, the total disrespect or negligence of our Representatives that for years the same Company have been collecting the dues and fees that were the jurisdiction of the Island Government for themselves.

Finally the Harbour Ordinance is completed, thanks to the input from Dutch/Regional Professionals, and the due diligence of our Finance and Harbour Departments.
The People of STATIA must witness, that the aforementioned ordinances will be presented to 'NuStar' and The Ministeries in the Netherlands beforehand.
I cannot understand the necessity for such a trip to the Netherlands, given all the technical advances on hand. An island ordinance must first clear 'NuStars' Lobbyists in The Hague before reaching the floor of the Island Council.

I assumed our Representatives want to toe the 'Dutch Line' to avoid being branded like
MR Theo Heyliger and MR Mike Eman. The trouble only starts when you try to avoid, eliminate or bypass these 'Middlemen'. Our Representatives will never succeed in Holland, for they do not have the ears of the Dutch Council of Ministers nor the Dutch Parliamentarians nor its Civil Service Core. Your only hope is to take care of the People Business at home in the Legislature and pray that the 'Rule of Law' prevails in the end. Your protection is in the 'STATUUT' that is where you can rid yourselves of these influences and expose the coercive behaviour to the world.
To all sitting members of the Island Council and Executive Council, and Collaborators – Statia's electorate is watching your performance as it relates to the Referendum Ordinances and the Harbour Ordinances. Be advised whose interest you are about to serve, the People of Statia or your Lobbyists 'Friends'.
By instituting these ordinances forthwith and establishing the Harbour Holding Companies to manage and oversee these activities in our Marine Sector you would have protected and secure these revenue streams for Statia. Safeguarding, the social and economic uplift of all on Statia.

Franklin Schmidt

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