SIMPSON BAY:--- "It's not the dinner nor the tickets to the 'Laugh Till Your Belly Burst' comedy show; all of that is just a token because there's nothing we could do that would really show how much we appreciate Newton Wilson for his exemplary behaviour," said Regina LaBega, Managing Director of the Princess Juliana Int'l Airport operating company (PJIAE).
The airport's managing director was stressing the importance of honesty and good morals at the individual level in fostering the image of the island.
"Good Samaritan" Newton Wilson, the Lead Agent of Baggage Services at Arrindell Aviation Services recently found a passenger's lost wallet and made sure it was returned to its rightful owner. The visitor was so happy and impressed that he publically commended Wilson and the entire airport staff for what might generally be considered an uncommon behavior.
"We have all at one time or the other lost something at a critical time and the recovery of which we would have paid anything for," LaBega said. "In particular, there's nothing more frustrating and stressful as to lose one's wallet with possibly credit cards, cash, driver's license and other important documents in it in a foreign land."
LaBega said honesty was not only the best policy but a moral value that was instilled in generations of St. Maarteners.
"Unfortunately," she noted, "Often you may even be laughed at and ridiculed nowadays for being honest like Mr. Newton Wilson. That is why it is very gratifying that he did what he did. We are very proud of him."
LaBega, in order to highlight this honest act had invited Newton Wilson and his companion to dinner at Bamboo Bernies, along with his Duty Manager, Matumi Shigemoto.
The airport also presented Wilson and his companion with complementary tickets to the "Laugh Till Your Belly Burst" comedy show.
