If we are to pay for all the Cause Ways, Justice Parks, Ring Roads, Tunnels, Police cars, Schools, Mental Health Care, Drug Rehabilitation, Street lights, Road repairs, Empty Government Buildings, Full Parliament Buildings, etc., etc., I strongly recommend our Government reconsider the forced closing of businesses on any holiday or Holy Day. Employees that volunteer to work on these days can earn double and in some cases even triple pay, while businesses can try to make up for the absolutely dismal "off-season" that is now slowly coming to an end. Hiding behind "it's our culture" as an excuse to not allow businesses to open (especially when there are numerous cruise ships in port) may sound good, but no longer holds water if there is continued talk in the corridors of the Administration Building about budget deficits and increased taxes, new fees and other government levies that supposedly are on the planning board. Let's embrace each other and form a true Public/Private Sectors' partnership to dig this Sweet St. Maarten's Land out of the financial hole it is in, rather than finding 16 ways for Government to say NO!
Michael J. Ferrier
