Dear Editor,

The need for tax reform in Sint Maarten is undeniable. With a fragile economy, limited revenue streams, and increasing reliance on external funding, a fairer and more stable tax system is not a luxury but a necessity. However, the current approach risks doing more harm than good. The recent proposal by former Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion is a stark example: a narrow reform of the profit tax, without an integrated plan for the broader fiscal framework. This piecemeal approach is not only ineffective—it is potentially damaging. A tax system is an interconnected structure; altering one component, such as the profit tax, without accounting for its impact on other taxes—like income tax, wage tax, turnover tax, and social security premiums—can lead to unintended consequences, such as shifting tax burdens, pushing tax payers from being an income tax entrepreneur to having to set-up an expensive legal entity, and legal inequality. Moreover, Sint Maarten, with all due respect, lacks the institutional resilience to implement ad hoc reforms continuously. The Tax Administration of Sint Maarten has long struggled with capacity issues, compliance rates are low, and public trust in government institutions is fragile. Any new fiscal instrument must be not only economically sound but also administratively feasible and socially legitimate. Reforming the profit tax in isolation like suggested by Ardwell Irion—without parallel changes to the income tax, for example—could even backfire. In a small, open economy like Sint Maarten, businesses are highly sensitive to tax burdens. A standalone adjustment to the Profit Tax could discourage investments without achieving a fairer distribution of the tax load. What Sint Maarten truly needs in my opnion is a coherent fiscal policy plan with clear goals: broaden the tax base, reduce the informal economy, improve compliance, and support economic growth. This requires transparent consultations with the private sector, the people of Sint Maarten, and international partners, not quick fixes driven by political or financial pressure. A solid, inclusive, and integrated fiscal strategy is no easy feat, but it is the only path to sustainable public finances. Quick patchwork measures like Minister Irion’s proposal may earn short-term political points, but they risk undermining the larger goal: building a fair and future-proof tax system for Sint Maarten. That said, the intent behind Minister Irion’s initiative—to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and modernize parts of the tax legislation—is commendable. It reflects a willingness to tackle long-standing issues and a recognition that reform is overdue. Now, what is needed is to channel that momentum into a broader, more coordinated reform effort—one that strengthens the entire fiscal foundation of Sint Maarten and serves all citizens, equitably and sustainably. Marco Aalbers, Former Tax Inspector on Sint Maarten and active in the Caribbean in the field of tax law education.

By Marco Aalbers

Dear Editor,

The controversial reinstatement of Hensley Plantijn to a top government position in Sint Maarten has amplified public concerns over the erosion of integrity, transparency, and sound governance within the civil service. Plantijn, previously dismissed by the former government under Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs for non-performance, appealed his dismissal not through an independent or impartial channel, but under a new administration in which he now serves as a legal advisor.
This dual role as both a beneficiary of the appeal and a legal advisor to the very government deciding on his case represents a blatant conflict of interest. By failing to recuse himself, Plantijn compromised the ethical standards expected of public officials and cast doubt on the fairness of the reinstatement process.
The fallout extends beyond Plantijn himself. Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina’s administration is under fire for its growing reputation of opacity, preferential treatment, and failure to uphold the procedures that should govern the public service. His silence on this case, and others like it, has severely damaged his credibility. Instead of defending democratic principles, the government has chosen to shield one of its own — a move that suggests political loyalty is being prioritized over public accountability.
Alarming allegations also point to Plantijn using his current position to marginalize Emilia Thomas-Connor, effectively preventing her from executing her role as Secretary General. Faced with mounting internal pressure, Thomas-Connor ultimately stepped down and moved into the private sector. Such tactics not only undermine professional integrity but also send a chilling message to other civil servants.
This case also highlights a deeper, systemic issue: the performance of many Secretary Generals (SGs) who are critical to the day-to-day functioning of government is not being adequately monitored or evaluated. Several SGs have remained in their posts for years without any formal performance assessment, leading to stagnation in public sector efficiency and accountability. Without proper evaluation mechanisms, poor performance is allowed to persist, further eroding the quality of governance.
Given the serious implications of these developments, many are now calling for the Kingdom Government of the Netherlands to intervene and assess the situation. Reinstating individuals under ethically compromised circumstances, particularly those who misuse their influence for personal or political gain, is not only inappropriate; it is unethical. Without integrity, the machinery of government ceases to serve the people and begins serving only itself. The current trajectory threatens to compromise everything Sint Maarten’s democracy stands for.

Author's name withheld upon request.

Dear Editor,

Over the past decade, the Caribbean has been increasingly affected by the recurring influx of sargassum along our shores. Sint Maarten is no exception. Already, satellite imagery and forecasting models are predicting that 2025 will be among the worst years on record, with massive blooms of sargassum drifting westward from the Atlantic. The time to act is now—before the health, environmental, and economic consequences once again overwhelm us.

Large quantities of sargassum washing ashore bring with them a host of cascading challenges. Decomposing sargassum emits hydrogen sulfide, which causes respiratory distress and poses serious health risks to vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly. For our tourism-dependent economy, the presence of rotting sargassum on popular beaches is not only unsightly but deters visitors, affects local businesses, and adds significant costs for cleanup. The marine ecosystem is not spared either—sargassum smothers seagrass beds, coral reefs, and nearshore habitats that are critical for fisheries and coastal resilience.

What is urgently needed is a coordinated, proactive response that goes beyond short-term cleanup and reactive measures. Managing the sargassum issue effectively requires integrated planning, sustainable financing, and regional cooperation. On Sint Maarten, this means formalizing collaboration between the Dutch and French sides of the island, aligning monitoring systems, sharing response strategies, and jointly engaging with regional institutions and technical experts.

At the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund (CBF), we have been actively supporting the development of coordinated regional responses to the sargassum influx, particularly through our work with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). With funding mechanisms and partnerships in place, CBF has helped facilitate workshops, technical exchanges, and support for early warning systems and sargassum management plans. These efforts are geared toward building the long-term capacity of governments and civil society to prepare for and mitigate the impacts of future sargassum events.

Sint Maarten has a valuable opportunity to link into these regional efforts and learn from what has already been piloted and tested across the OECS. This includes not only monitoring and forecasting but also developing effective removal and disposal protocols, investing in research to understand sargassum’s origin and movement, and supporting innovative uses of collected biomass.

The reality is that this issue is not going away. Climate change, changing ocean currents, and nutrient runoff from major river systems in South America are contributing to the expansion of the Atlantic sargassum belt. Our island—like so many others in the Caribbean—must treat sargassum as a long-term challenge that demands serious cross-border coordination and dedicated planning.

It is my hope that our leaders on both sides of the island, together with regional and international partners, can come together to formulate a joint sargassum response plan for Sint Maarten. Waiting until the next wave hits our coastlines is not an option. The health of our people, the sustainability of our tourism product, and the resilience of our marine ecosystems depend on the actions we take today.

Sincerely,
Tadzio Bervoets

Belair, Sint Maarten 

Have you ever walked into a house with pets and noticed a particular odor? If you’re not used to that environment it remains unpleasant. Oftentimes pet owners don’t recognize it and walk around their home like it's normal. This experience is known as olfactory adaptation. It’s when our brain becomes less receptive to repeated odor exposure. The olfactory receptors stop sending strong signals to your brain and the recognition of the odor diminishes. On St. Martin, there’s a pervading stench we must not become immune to and it is called abuse. The murder of Claire Pryce should be a strong signal to our brain that we need to cleanse our community.

It is not fair to our women in particular that we live unaware of the horrors of abuse. If we know abuse is repulsive, evil and shameful, then there must be a condemnation to uproot it from within our culture. It thrives off our fear which leads to this mass silence. Generations continue passing down heirlooms of muzzles to keep from “bringing shame to the family” or “telling people your business”. This shields abusers from accountability and withholds justice from victims. Being our brother’s or sister’s keeper is a value that cannot fade. It’s easy to say “that’s not my problem” until it knocks on your door or someone you know. The discomfort talking about abuse places a mask over the masses. It's time we acknowledge it and remove the ghastly nature of this stench. 

From personal experience I understand why we often choose to remain silent. Calling out abuse and wrongdoing isn’t glamorous, it's scary. Especially when it can cost you your livelihood or opportunities. However we must ask ourselves if our silence is worth the destruction of another person’s life. This is where we challenge ourselves to form values that shape how we respond in crisis or moral dilemmas. At the root of abuse is the power imbalance which paralyzes victims and makes them feel helpless. The condemnation has to begin with those in positions of power or influence. 

Reports published globally consistently show that men overwhelmingly are perpetrators of abuse in domestic or intimate partner cases. As a man, I’m pleading with fellow men for us to champion rooting out this pariah. Why men? Because we’ve been the dominant hand that molded our culture and exacted control over other humans. Abuse against women, children and other men is unacceptable. We have to establish that principle. 

It begins with calling it out in our proximity by establishing that no friendship, opportunity or compensation is worth your silence. Also note that asking someone who’s been/being abused what they did to deserve it is ridiculous. It is never the fault of the victim as there is no excuse for abuse. We must collectively agree that self control and respect ought to be a trait of manhood we uphold. Our voice and disapproval creates a safe space for victims to speak up or receive support as needed. Words are powerful, and how we speak creates the framework for our behavior.

Advocacy must extend to petitioning our governing system to create policies alongside experts and organizations which are in the field working to resolve the impact of abuse on parties involved; including them into all sectors on the island. This entails strengthening our legal system which abusers seem to skirt. What we perceive as weak penalties often mean abusers receive a few years imprisonment after committing their heinous acts. A sex offender registry and other legal measures that work best for our community ought to be explored. Most importantly, deep rehabilitation is necessary. 100% reformation isn’t guaranteed, but for those who return into society, sincere efforts to educate and transform their minds and behaviors must be deployed. 

The reality we face is that for those abusers who’ve faced the law, our social environment doesn’t have enough guardrails to condemn it. There is a high possibility of repeat offenders. Too many abusers walk unashamed and unafraid while a slew of victims stumble over their traumas. This is where our collective agreement comes in to forge a safe and hospitable nation. Respect and value for the lives of women, girls and boys must be deeply rooted and protected. How can we be comfortable seeing the (gruesome) end of a woman’s life; the very one that brings new life into the world? It begins by seeing women and girls as human beings. Simple right? It is their right to exist without the constant fear of being abused. Equally value them as we do ourselves; no matter who they are or what they do.

Men, we have to step up. We need to teach our children, especially our boys, to love, nurture and protect. Without it, children grow up broken, prideful, hardened, angry, and destructive which continues the cycle of abuse. We need a culture of love. That is how we retain our identity as the Friendly Island. That is how we get rid of the stench. Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, nor act disgracefully. Love is not boastful, it doesn’t seek its own way, it does not provoke, nor is it evil. Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness but in truth. Love bears, believes, hopes and endures. Love never fails. God is love. All those traits of love can be found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.

My condolences to the friends and family of Claire.

 Ralph Cantave