Marigot: ---- Territorial Council Member Noreen Brooks is once again raising her concern with the state of affairs on the French side of the island. She said the just recently the Dutch Parliament visited the COM on a fact finding mission something she applauded the Dutch for since she does not think they should make the same mistakes as the French side. One of those mistakes Brooks said is that the French side to date is not able to put locals first. "In my opinion this is a Caribbean sickness they tend to believe people from the outside can do the job better than their own people. To date it is still hard for people here to accept a Caribbean brother or sister as within the Region who may share the same issues and concerns of St. Martin. It is easier for us to accept someone from afar who does not understand or share the same culture as ours. These foreigners do not even understand the special relationship the two sides of the island share." Brooks said that these outside experts cannot be blamed for the mess they sometime create because they can only organize or do things based on what they know or accustomed to.
St. Martin Day Drama
"There are so many things that can be said of how the St. Martin's Day festivities were organized because this is the first time it was celebrated on the French side since the installation of the newly formed Collectivity. I personally believe this could have been done at a different level." Brooks said this side of the island was the host and their flag had to be first but it was not, she said one may think that is minor matters but it is an important aspect. "This shows the mentality of the people and how they think of themselves."
For the first time the population did not participate in this celebration which is not the case over the past years. She said the setting that was in place was not suitable for the local people. Brooks said the lunch for the invited was severed at the Domain Restaurant at Anse Marcel rather than serving and eating with the people. The spirit of St. Martin Day was absolutely not there compared to where to where this celebration was during these last years.
Comparing the Commune to COM
"While I agree there were faults of the commune people always tends not to appreciate what they had until they have lost it. Even though we are no longer a commune I don't see the administrative difference since it takes almost the same amount of time to get things done, even though the politicians said with having article 74 they would be the ones to make their own decisions or manage the affairs of the island." Brooks said people today are suffering more than they did in the past and outside of that government should be working in the interest of the people and not themselves. However, this she said is not the case, the elected does not consider the people who have elected them to govern.
The council woman wants to know if the island people have learnt anything from the election of Obama to the White House. Obama said he is bringing change but he also acknowledged that his country is in a detrimental financial situation and trying to fix this problem he is using his own people from within the United States. "Obama is not importing experts he is using those that have been there and done that before with experience and not having learners.
Brooks said St. Martin has people who can do its work but politicians are not giving them a chance. As for the youths who is often criticized by these very politicians Brooks said nothing is done for them. She said politicians are not even setting proper example for the youths because they cannot even work together. "Togetherness is only talk to get pass their political bureaucracy. In my opinion these politicians are only there to say they were the first while the people are last to benefit."
Brooks further explained that if St. Martin is to get pass it's current economic and social predicament then it would take more than the political platform which was created only for election campaign. "One would expect after the election the governing body would make adjustment to suit the people. But these politicians re only sticking to their platform because that is what they said the people voted for. However, the situation today is beyond any political platform."
The people of this island has to come together and demand more from their politicians whom they elected whether is not it is the opposition or those in position. She said that the opposition has tried to give the present administration enough time to catch up but so far nothing is heard on what is being done. While the opposition is in the waiting line the crime rate is climbing and the economy is going downwards and youth delinquency is at is peak moment.
"Our people have to now come together to find solutions to these issues since these issues are more than the UP group or the political platforms since they are not addressing absolutely none of the crisis it is facing. The councilwoman said that she is giving the island until the end of the year to continue in this trend if not the people would hit a stage they would not be able to recover from. Already the leader of the RRR has filed a request with the COM for an urgent Council meeting to address the social and economical crisis but to date they have not received a response. Brooks said that her party leader is now looking to forward his request to Dominque LaCroix.
"My urge to the people is to get together and stand up for your island, make demands from your political heads, let them face the music of power. Demand solutions and not promises" She said in a passionate plea because these politicians are not doing you a favor they were elected to just that. You have to come together and take back the streets and economic powers of this country. Take back the island and put it in the hands of the grassroot St. Martiners. Do not depend on the politicians are not going to do this for you because they are frying a different fish." She concluded.
