We took notice of several expressions, declarations and publications that came out of the last meetings held in Bonaire and The Hague and that greatly alarmed us.

On September 6, Mr. Knops visited Bonaire in remembrance of the discovery of our island on the same day in 1499 and behaved in a comparable way as his ancestors have done over the centuries since the colonization of our islands: he came to (over)see if the subservient local politicians and government comply with the instructions of the colonial master. The great news that the master, Mr. Knops, was satisfied was celebrated extensively by him and the submissive subordinated Bonerian government, humiliating the Bonerian people on their day. The irony of the celebrations’ theme, “From Generation to Generation” was not lost on the people who from generation to generation have suffered under colonial rule. Mr. Knops, true to the colonial tradition, made some promises to our beggar-politicians which could help them win the upcoming elections, and he shone, even scintillated, as the example of the next generation of Dutch colonizers.

Back in The Hague last week, after the show in Bonaire, it was business as usual for Mr. Knops, this time assisted by Mrs. Van Ark. Without shame or regret it was maintained by both, that although all reports show that about half of the population is living way below the poverty line, that there is no need for alleviation, no need for swift action to establish a minimum to guarantee a humane existence. In line with the colonial tradition they both blatantly blamed the islanders for the poverty. It became clear the policies are not to eradicate poverty but to create, promote, and maintain poverty. Poverty is the business model; the aim is to keep and make our people poor by laws and policies as to collect international funds you need poverty. Mr. Knops’ statements are very clear: he cannot do magic or manipulate the dot on the horizon because it is impossible to keep our people in poverty and eradicate poverty at the same time.

The hypocrisy of Mr. Knops reached its summit when he said that the actions in Bonaire, St. Maarten, and St. Eustatius should not be understood as recolonization but as aid, help, assistance to the islands. What help, Mr. Knops, is the illegal removal of the elected government in St. Eustatius and replacing it with appointees from The Hague; what assistance is it to topple the elected government in St. Maarten and force it to accept measures against its interest using the post-Irma chaos; what aid are the few dollars spent whereas measures to alleviate poverty are refused?

To conclude, Mr. Knops admitted to me in our encounter last January on Bonaire during his inaugural visit as State Secretary, that he does not know and does not want to know our common history and colonial past, and that he is only looking forward in the future. Now I understand that by his actions, that he is right: he is innocent, from his perspective as he is acting in accordance with his laws. Because colonialism and racism are part and parcel of the Dutch mind, he is innocent, as were his predecessors, as were our ancestors which by his constitution and laws were de-humanized, declared non-human, and were legally traded as cattle and herring. Because he said he does not know the history, I would like to remind him, that through these inhumane, criminal actions, the Dutch rose from being an insignificant fishing village to one of the world’s richest nations; through the blood, sweat, and tears of our enslaved ancestors. The VOC / WIC are listed as biggest company ever in the world’s history, about 10 times bigger then Microsoft and Apple, and they were not selling software. We understand by now why he does not want to know his history. It is because it would confront him with his criminal origins and would expose his actions of today as crimes against humanity no matter that he has legalized them as a constitutional act, a method not very different from the way the Nazi’s legalized their actions against those whom they regarded as belonging to an inferior race.

I hope that this letter is the dot on the horizon that will grow into the rising sun that will brighten the future and shed light on the past as darkness is not eradicated by darkness but by light. The Netherlands is signatory to the United Nations Charter and as such cannot continue to ignore their violations of the different resolutions to end colonial rule. Mr. Knops and Mrs. Van Ark, you are in the position to make that change on behalf of The Netherlands.

Respectfully,

James Finies

17th September 2018 – Leader of the Opposition – Public Statement

My fellow Anguillans, I need to speak to you on serious issues that are confronting our nation at this time.
The recent announcement that CIBC First Caribbean International Bank will be closing its operations here in Anguilla is yet another symptom of our failing economy. The Chief Minister would have us believe that this is an isolated situation, a simple “business decision.” Are we to believe that this banking institution would have made a conscious decision to open a branch here in Anguilla only to maintain five per cent of the overall market share? Furthermore, are we to believe the Chief Minister when he says in the House of Assembly that the government was informed about this decision on September 12th - the same day it was announced to the public - despite the fact that he apparently told the Anguillian that on Tuesday September 11th he had "a scheduled visit from some principals of the FCIB's regional office in Barbados about the closure of the Bank, having before been briefed on that possibility by Eastern Caribbean Central Bank officials"?
Whether or not the Chief Minister's statement in the House was misleading, does this not raise questions as to the ability of this government to maintain proper relations with such institutions?
Surely, with employees on the brink of losing their main source of income, one can safely deduce that officials from the bank would have provided ample notice to all stakeholders, including the government. What is even more appalling is the apparent callous attitude towards the bank’s employees who by the Chief Minister’s own statements, in the last sitting of the House of Assembly, are free to attend the next job fair. Perhaps he has in mind another of the job fairs where the unfortunate unemployed stand in line for hours on end, without shelter, some of them leaving before being interviewed to avoid getting sick and incurring medical bills they cannot afford. This from a leader who claims that “It’s all about you"?
Ensuring that the bank complies with the labour laws of Anguilla in relation to the separation packages offered to employees is not only insufficient, but speaks to a complete disregard for the human suffering that will take place as a result of this situation. I call on the government to operate with humanity and decency by setting up a special committee to provide support to these employees and their families over a six month period as they seek to transition into alternative employment opportunities after January 2019. This should include income support, counselling, family services and possibly negotiating extended timelines for servicing their debts.

As our people continue to struggle under these strenuous economic conditions, the government now lauds the Anguilla Residency by Investment Programme as our saving grace. As Leader of the Opposition, I call on all Anguillians to remember that all that glitters is not gold; indeed the devil is in the details. The Chief Minister and Minister of Finance would have us believe that this Residency by Investment programme, including its retroactive fast track application period and relaxed application process, caters to individuals who already own investments and real estate on the island. While that may be true and what the Chief Minister intends, this programme will also be marketed internationally to attract investors from different countries. As is the case in other OECS countries, programmes of this kind are marketed heavily in the Middle East and to countries in Asia such as China. It is disingenuous at best to suggest that this programme will not have serious implications to our local business owners and our people specifically as it relates to the availability of lands to build homes and start families. In fact, at the last sitting of the House of Assembly, I specifically asked if lands were being ear marked to accommodate the real estate investment route of the Anguilla Residency by Investment Programme, where these lands were located, and the size in acres. Such limitations have been entrenched in similar citizenship by investment programmes in other OECS countries since they recognize the importance of mitigating the impact to their respective societies.
The Chief Minister insists that there will be no constraints or limitations on the lands to be included in the programme. Furthermore, when asked how many more public consultations will take place to discuss concerns raised by the people with a view to the possible modification of the proposals to allay those concerns, the Chief Minister stated – one. Sadly, the voice of the people continues to fall on deaf ears to a group of persons who are out of touch and out of ideas. While the Anguilla Residency by Investment Programme would bring much needed revenue to our economy, we must be cautious in its planning and implementation. While the government moves rapidly to get this done, I am about getting it done right – the future of our nation and our children is at stake.
Anguilla is in desperate need of a new dawn and a new direction. We must end this vicious cycle of entrusting the future of our country and our children to career politicians who only care about self-preservation. This self-preservation is achieved when we allow them to divide us based on family and party affiliation. I make a clarion call today for unity and for our citizens to become active participants in the decisions that affect their lives. I will continue to share this vision for One Anguilla, a nation which is built on love, unity, and active citizenship. Despite the many attacks waged against me, I will continue to stand for the rights of all Anguillians and to ensure that your interests are represented at all costs. This is my solemn duty.

Dear editor,
Lets talk about mommy/woman shaming..also, solo parent shaming in general.
Yes, it’s a thing. To the weak men/women who do it, you know who you are. To the solo parents who feel it, i share in your daily struggles, you are not alone.
I am not writing this with the intentions of forgetting the solo fathers out there also pulling double duty. Regardless of gender, its a challenging life path.

Am i “single baby mama?” No, i am a solo parent. Note the difference, i do not receive financial help nor any form of hands on assistance from my child's biological father. Do i whine about it, heck no..i’m a strong woman as any solo parent becomes, a fierce leader for their family. Which i suggest you not tango with unless you are prepared to feel the wrath.
What that means is...i run my own business, household, meals, ensure we stay alive, i am my child’s only protector & care giver.
When there’s a noise in the night, i find it. When we have a flat tire, i deal with it...got the drift? My day starts & does not end. So, if in your eyes, that makes me “crazy” (you know who you are) OR/ if that makes me an “unfit mother” (you know who you are)...then SO BE IT.
Karma, what goes around eventually comes around. For all you out there who are guilty of verbally shaming woman as i have been, well, for your sake, i pray you live a perfect life because one day someone will give it straight back, be it through you, or 1 of your children. Trust me, memories of your words will flash & you will then understand what it feels like.
Tell me something, what gives a person out there looking from the outside of our lives the nerve to pass judgement on my life, my parenting skills. Is it a cultural thing amongst Caribbean men to feel that degrading woman is acceptable? To mock them? Obviously my life is humorous to you & your family. Time to change that stigma.
Actually, regardless of my situation, who in this world or outside world gave you the right to label any woman as “crazy” or feel as though she is an “unfit mother” or that she should clearly not have a child? Call her an old bat? Or shame her body parts? Who do you think you are? I presume you feel as though you are a group of perfect parents. Well hats off to your neighbourhood posse, we can’t all be perfect people like you all.
Here’s the thing, you may not see yourself as a racist when it comes to skin colour, however, you judgemental hypocrites are Bigots...read the definition of a bigot. Tear yourselves off facebook/whatsapp for a minute & educate yourself. You're aim at degrading/humiliating or trying to intimidate a woman is sexist... you’ve targeted on gender, age, physical appearance, not race which makes you no better.
To the mommy shaming, judgemental, self righteous men out there (lets not forget the meek, silenced women who would be lost without a man) , the Sunday church goers who turn into “he said/she said” , gossiping weekday folk; well, you would not last 24 hours in my shoes or any other solo parents shoes. Man or woman! Did the lord our God send you down to earth to judge me? I think not. I suggest you take a look into your own lives & keep your judgemental eyes, ears & running mouth(s) into your church & start practicing more of your preaching! Carry your own cross, & i shall carry mine.
To all the solo parents in St Martin or elsewhere who need a boost of encouragement, keep up the hard work, you are an amazing parent doing your best! Pay no mind to the “naysayers” lurking in your lives, eventually their running mouths will burry themselves.

Proud strong solo mama Mary & Baby G

Dear Editor,
St.Maarten Academy P.S.V.E. staff is now in a very peculiar position with its leader, Mrs. Lavern Nelson. The principal of the Vocational section has been accused of many ethically dubious practices by the teachers and other staff members. She has divided the staff and created a toxic environment. Her actions at the school seem to compound the work related psychosocial problems on campus, which is very risky, because the students depend on the teachers for a proper learning environment.

Mrs. Nelson is accused of using her position of power, which is sanctioned by the schoolboard to victimize, single out, harass and demotivate teachers at the school. While teachers have been performing and achieving high results over the years, this year the results dropped from 89% (two years ago) to 65% passing. Unfortunately, her poor leadership skills has now trickled down to the major stake holders, the students.
If the teachers are demoralized, how can they perform their tasks optimally in the classroom and on campus? Due to Mrs. Nelson’s leadership approach, teachers are now distracted and disconnected from their leader and other teachers and most of all their students. Many teachers now see their jobs as an obligation rather than a passion. They cannot wait for school to be over to be away from that stressful environment. Going the extra mile is no longer an option. Survival is the focus.
Based on the ASEAN Guidelines on Good Industrial Relations Practices, Mrs. Nelson should treat all and not some of her teachers honestly, respectfully, openly and with integrity. However, during the 2nd meeting with the minister on Thursday August 30th, 2018, Mrs. Nelson stooped to a new low by engaging in poor industrial relation practices, poor judgement and violated the rights and trust of the teachers.

In an effort to destroy the character of some teachers who were chosen to represent the other staff members, Mrs. Nelson went into their personal records that was entrusted to her as a principal and published certain information such as personal e-mails, personal letters and personal statistics by projecting it on a screen for more than forty persons to view, including the Minister of Education, the Honorable Wycliffe Smith and his cabinet. Mrs. Nelson twisted the truth to taint the teacher’s characters, knowing that the teachers could not rebut during the meeting.

Her presentation was done in response to the 1st meeting, which was held the week before where those same teachers were chosen to represent the larger majority to express the grievances of most of the teaching staff and care unit. Unfortunately, this was done in efforts to protect the ones that were fearful of being victimized and singled out, which is a well-known unethical practice by the Seventh Day Adventist Principal, Mrs. Nelson.

Sadly, what was even more troubling about her actions, is the fact that she made several serious accusations against certain teachers and a staff member that were not even present during her presentation to defend themselves. This is unethical and morally wrong. This is the principal that says to her teachers, we are a team and a family. What is also noteworthy, is the fact that only seven of the thirty eight teachers and staff stood by her side.
In addition, Mrs. Nelson did an excellent job substantiating the teachers’ complaints against her. Instead of dealing with the heart of the issues of the staff, she chose to single out certain teachers the entire week prior to her presentation by issuing letters to them and also victimizing and slandering their names during her presentation.
Mrs. Nelson has achieved the highest achievement for a principal by demoralizing her teachers to save herself, while the school board applaud her actions.
As John Quincy Adams puts it, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” In addition to that, the best quality of leadership is unquestionably integrity.

Mrs. Nelson is a narcissists that has no ethical values, integrity and compassion as a leader and Christian.

Gregory Van Heke