Belvedere: --- Residents of Dutch Quarter/ Belvedere showed up in numbers on Thursday afternoon to witness the unveiling of three statues that were placed at the newly built roundabout. They are Jean Frederique Brooks “Tata the Bus driver,” Alexander Lionald Richardson “Alec the Butcher” and Florian Eulalie Duzanson “Lalie.” Relatives of the deceased were given the opportunity to highlight what each of the late honorees did during their lifetime. While the occasion was meant on, opening a new roundabout one would believe that some focus would be placed on traffic alleviation, but the life stories of the three honorees stole the attention of those who attended the ceremony. Alec the Butcher father of 42 was best known for farming and selling fresh meat. According to his daughter her father introduced the Dr. Claude Wathey to politics as he was a member of the National Party while Lalie she was known for providing fresh bread, tarts and shelter to those in need. While baking was her source of income Lalie also cared for students and people who came from Aruba to St. Maarten, she also provided shelter to many during disastrous moments such as hurricanes. While each of the three icons did what they do best to make a living it was clear they impacted several lives along the way and honoring them in such a way was well warranted.
Tata the bus driver he was best remembered for transporting students to from school. He was also known as the bus driver who made sure there was discipline on his bus. Tata transported several persons now holding government function including Commissioner Theo Heyliger.
Attending the ceremony was leader of government William Marlin, former commissioner of Public Works and Finance Roy Marlin, and the current commissioner of public works Theo Heyliger.
The roundabout as well as the drainage around Belvedere cost the island government some 5.4 million guilders, with 3.4 spent only on the roundabout itself. The land on which the roundabout was constructed on was donated to the island government by the Plantz family, while financing was made available through the sale of the Belvedere lots. Leader of Government William Marlin in his address said it has been 12 years now since the negotiations on the roundabout began and he was the one who got the donated parcel of land while in government from the Plantz. While Commissioner Heyliger reminded the gathering that he was part of all three executive councils that initiated the process of the new roundabout as well as finalizing it. Heyliger said one has to understand that government projects takes time since every detail of the process has to be analyzed.
The statues were unveiled by relatives of the deceased honorees and commissioner Heyliger.