“Tribute to Keacy Carty: St. Maarten's Cricketing Trailblazer”

Dear Editor,
In a world where cricket resonates as the heartbeat of the Caribbean, one name stands tall as an emblem of determination, skill, and national pride: St. Maarten’s own Keacy Carty. With a remarkable performance in the recent series against England, Keacy has not only captured the hearts of cricket enthusiasts but has also etched his name into the annals of St. Maarten’s history as its first cricketer to score a century in international cricket.
Although that I have not met him personally, I have been following his career from afar as an avid Cricket Fan. His journey from the vibrant streets of St. Maarten to the grand stages of International Cricket, is a testament to his unwavering dedication and passion for the sport. Keacy’s stellar performance showcased not just his cricketing prowess but also the spirit of resilience that defines the people of St. Maarten. Each run he scored was a celebration of his roots, a tribute to every aspiring cricketer in his homeland, and a message to the world that talent knows no boundaries.
In an exhilarating display of technique and composure, Keacy dazzled fans and critics alike, earning admiration across the Caribbean. His century is not just a personal triumph; it serves as an inspiration for future generations, proving that hard work and perseverance can lead to extraordinary achievements. Keacy has become a role model for young athletes, igniting a fire in their hearts and encouraging them to reach for their dreams.
Beyond the boundaries of cricket, Keacy’s character shines brightly. His humility, sportsmanship, and dedication to representing St. Maarten with pride resonate deeply with his fans. He embodies the spirit of unity and resilience that is intrinsic to Caribbean culture, reminding us all that success is sweetest when shared.
As we celebrate Keacy Carty and his monumental milestone, let us recognize the pride he brings to St. Maarten and the Caribbean. His journey is just beginning, and we eagerly await the many more milestones he will achieve. For now, let us revel in this historic moment and honor our national hero—the young man who dared to dream and who, with his bat in hand, has inspired a nation. I hope that with his achievement, it will help to motivate our Government to construct a Keacy Carty Cricket stadium, to not only train young St. Maarteners, but to host Regional and International Cricket tournaments, which will attract thousands of Cricket fans from around the World. Another boost for our Tourism.
Congratulations, Keacy Carty! The Caribbean stands proud of you, and we are excited to see where your incredible journey takes you next.
Sincerely,
Brian Meade
(An avid Cricket Fan)

Dear Editor,

Yesterday, on St. Martin Day, families across the island faced the aftermath of significant flooding. Heavy rains, increasingly severe due to climate change, left residents clearing mud, drying their homes, and salvaging belongings. This event underscores a critical reality: the impacts of climate change are intensifying and becoming harder to predict, challenging our island’s resilience with each storm.

These floods highlight broader issues in St. Martin’s approach to land use and development. Current policies often permit construction on hillsides without sufficient environmental safeguards, leading to widespread deforestation that leaves the land vulnerable. Without vegetation, these hillsides are exposed to erosion, turning rainfall into torrents of soil and water that flood residential areas, damaging homes and infrastructure. Construction without stringent environmental protections exacerbates these risks, making our communities more susceptible to the consequences of even moderate rainfall.

The recent floods reveal a need for stronger, more proactive measures to protect our island. Emergency pumps and reactive efforts are temporary fixes. True protection requires a shift in policy and planning. Protecting our hillsides through enforceable laws must be a priority, ensuring that the natural buffers we have are preserved and strengthened. These hillsides are vital to our island’s infrastructure, acting as barriers against floods and landslides; safeguarding them is not a restriction on growth but a necessary defense for public safety.

In addition to hillside protections, St. Martin must adopt sustainable urban planning practices to address these climate-related challenges. Development projects should include water retention zones, permeable surfaces to absorb rainfall, and mandatory environmental impact assessments that specifically examine risks related to water flow, soil stability, and erosion. Many regions facing similar climate vulnerabilities have implemented these practices effectively, proving that they are both feasible and essential to building climate resilience.

Updating our building codes is another important step. By requiring higher standards for construction techniques and materials, we can ensure that new structures are equipped to handle severe weather events. Enforcing these codes would reduce the long-term costs of emergency responses and repeated repairs, freeing resources for lasting resilience measures.

Engaging the community is also essential. Residents must be informed of the risks associated with hillside construction and educated on the value of preserving natural barriers. Effective climate resilience requires both institutional support and community involvement, fostering a culture of preparedness and conservation that extends beyond individual storms.

St. Martin Day reminds us of our shared commitment to this island, and yesterday’s floods emphasize the urgency of that commitment. Each storm, each flood, and each mudslide makes it clear that our approach must change. It is time for comprehensive hillside protection, sustainable urban planning, and stronger building standards. Only by addressing these root causes can we build a resilient future for St. Martin.

Tadzio Bervoets
Belair
Sint Maarten+1 721 5864588

By Terrance Rey

In the Netherlands, ABN AMRO Bank is commonly referred to as "The Bank." This nickname, which reflects its prominent role in the Dutch financial sector, underscores the central place ABN AMRO holds in the country’s financial landscape. Across the ocean in Curaçao and Sint Maarten, the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) often calls itself "The Bank" in its press releases and on its website due to its indispensable role in the island economies. However, while "The Bank" in the Netherlands was nationalized during the financial crisis, the current rescue operation for ENNIA Caribe Leven N.V. (ECL) presents a very different picture. The irony is hard to miss.
During the 2008 financial crisis, ABN AMRO was on the brink of collapse. The Dutch government stepped in to prevent a bank run and further economic damage. The state bought shares in ABN AMRO, effectively nationalizing the bank. This gave the government control over the bank and allowed them to benefit from its profit potential.
After several years of restructuring, ABN AMRO stabilized and was partially re-listed on the stock exchange in 2015. The share sales brought the Dutch state a substantial profit, partially recouping the costs of the bailout. The nationalization not only protected the interests of Dutch taxpayers but also allowed the state to benefit from the bank's recovery.
While the Netherlands saved a financial institution through nationalization in 2008, the CBCS is taking a different approach to rescue ENNIA Caribe Leven in 2024. ENNIA, which has faced severe financial troubles for years, urgently needs a capital injection to resolve its solvency issues and provide security for its policyholders.
However, the proposed rescue does not include acquiring shares for the governments of Curaçao and Sint Maarten. The countries are being asked to provide funds to cover pension obligations without gaining ownership of ENNIA in return. Unlike the win-win scenario that the Netherlands created with ABN AMRO, Curaçao and Sint Maarten are left empty-handed, without any potential to earn a return on their investment or influence the management of ENNIA.
This is where the irony lies: while the Dutch government chose an approach for ABN AMRO that offered both financial stability and potential for profit, CBCS seems to miss this opportunity for Curaçao and Sint Maarten. Given the historical ties and influence of the Netherlands, one might expect that CBCS—where the Netherlands still wields significant influence—would choose a similar approach. Why is this not the case? Why aren’t Curaçao and Sint Maarten offered the same opportunity to become shareholders in ENNIA Caribe Leven as the Dutch government did with ABN AMRO?
A share in ENNIA Caribe Leven would not only offer security but also the chance for a return. It would give Curaçao and Sint Maarten more control over the future of the pension institution, enabling them to better protect the interests of their citizens. Yet, CBCS seems committed to a strategy where the burden is shared across the Caribbean countries without the benefits of ownership.
What we can learn from the nationalization of ABN AMRO is that ownership and financial involvement can go hand-in-hand with profit and influence. In the current situation with ENNIA, Curaçao and Sint Maarten have an opportunity to advocate for a strategy similar to that of the Netherlands. They could request a share in ENNIA Caribe Leven, ensuring that their taxpayers not only bear the burden but also benefit from potential long-term profits.
Shouldn’t CBCS do the same for ENNIA Caribe Leven as the Netherlands did for ABN AMRO? The irony is that the Central Bank that calls itself “The Bank” is offering the Caribbean countries a solution far removed from the model once followed in the Netherlands. It’s a paradox that raises questions about why the Dutch approach was good enough for “The Bank” in the Netherlands, but not for “The Bank” in Curaçao and Sint Maarten.
Only time will tell whether Curaçao and Sint Maarten will accept the current arrangement or have the courage to call CBCS out on this inconsistency. After all, if the Dutch approach was good enough for “The Bank” in the Netherlands, why should it not be good enough for “The Bank” in Curaçao and Sint Maarten?

Dear Editor,

The extended weekend will bring more bad experiences for both visitors and residents if the hospital is the only place for us to go to figure out where the pain we feel is coming from. Mr Editor, today, Saturday had many as it has already been marked by numerous road accidents, keeping the Emergency Center at the St. Maarten Medical Center extremely busy. After my personal experience at the hospital, I can tell you that the decision by the Government of St. Maarten and SZV to close the Clinic in Simpson Bay has proven disastrous for healthcare on the island. Both residents and tourists now feel it as we have to wait five hours at the St. Maarten Medical Center before receiving medical attention.
Today has been challenging, leaving me questioning whether the government truly cares about its people. I arrived at the hospital at eight o'clock this morning, and by two o'clock in the afternoon, I was still waiting to be treated. I pay my taxes, and I usually refrain from complaining, but as the saying goes, you stay quiet until the pain becomes personal, and then you scream so everyone can hear. Today, I am screaming because this situation is unbearable.
It's bad enough that, sometimes, even when you finally see the doctors, they can't tell you your issue. Sometimes, they even prescribe medication after medication, hoping one will work. But subjecting people to such long waits, especially with a medical doctor as the Prime Minister, is a real shame. Both locals and visitors are sitting on hard plastic chairs outside the hospital, which is unacceptable for a tourist destination and a country that claims to care about its citizens.
This issue doesn't affect just me; I've witnessed others arriving after me in severe pain, only to be left waiting just as long. I'm not alone in feeling this frustration. My neighbor mentioned something about SZV complaining about the amount of medication prescribed by the doctors at the Clinic in Simpson Bay. I find it hard to believe the government would stop such a valuable service over an issue like that. So, to save a few dollars, they mean I must suffer through terrible service at SMMC.
Where are we headed as a country if we can't resolve our problems? This feels like a personal matter for those in charge, and I am very upset that my Saturday has been spent this way. As someone paying for medical care, I expect timely treatment. We're talking about people's health, and care should be available around the clock.
Furthermore, as a tourist, why would I return to St. Maarten if it means spending my vacation waiting for hours outside a hospital? I cannot accept this and want the government and SZV to make this make sense. I want the Prime Minister, Minister of Health, and the people at SZV to make it make sense. Please bring back the after-hour clinic in Simpson Bay or elsewhere. The current situation is too much for us to bear.
Sincerely,
A Concerned Citizen