SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) – Nation Opportunity Wealth (NOW), Member of Parliament (MP) Lyndon Lewis is expressing serious concern regarding the manner in which the Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) Patrice Gumbs is handling the conclusion of the Government’s District Cleaning 2022–2025 contracts, which are scheduled to expire on March 31, 2026, without a new public tender currently in place.

Recent documentation confirms that contractors performing district cleaning services were formally notified by the Ministry in a letter dated February 24, 2026, that their agreements will conclude on March 31 and that an extension will not be granted.

The correspondence also indicated that a new public tender would be issued “in the near future.” However, as of now, no such tender has been publicly announced, raising serious questions about the continuity of district cleaning services across the country.

MP Lewis questioned the logic and planning behind the Ministry’s decision. “It is difficult to understand the reasoning behind notifying companies that their contracts will not be extended while there is no replacement contractor in place and no tender process completed to ensure continuity of service,” Lewis stated. “District cleaning is not a luxury service—it is a fundamental public health and environmental necessity.”

While the Ministry has taken formal steps to end the existing agreements, the absence of a published tender or confirmed replacement has created uncertainty about what will happen after March 31. MP Lewis warned that this lack of planning could have serious consequences for the country.

“If district cleaning services stop even for a short period, the result will be immediate. Garbage will accumulate, illegal dumping will increase, and our districts could quickly face serious sanitation problems, including infestations of rodents and other pests. This is not a hypothetical scenario—it is the predictable outcome of poor planning,” Lewis stated.

MP Lewis emphasized that responsible governance requires foresight and proper transition planning. According to the Member of Parliament, it would have been far more prudent to extend the current contracts temporarily until a transparent tendering process is completed and new contractors are properly selected and ready to assume the work.

“Ending contracts without a replacement ready demonstrates a troubling lack of vision and strategic planning. The Minister must understand that decisions like these affect the daily living conditions of residents in every district,” Lewis added.

MP Lewis is therefore calling on the Minister of VROMI to urgently clarify the Ministry’s plan to ensure continuous district cleaning services and to explain why a new tender process was not initiated earlier to avoid this potential gap.

“Our communities deserve clean, safe districts. The government must ensure that essential services such as district cleaning are managed responsibly and without disruption,” Lewis concluded.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - There is once again public contention surrounding the chairmanship of the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS), specifically regarding the question of “whose turn” it is to propose a candidate.

While this debate has generated considerable discussion, it is important to clarify the historical sequence of events and, more importantly, to redirect attention to the substantive challenges facing our monetary union.

Historical Context

In 2017, Etienne Ys was appointed Chairman of the CBCS. His candidacy was recommended by the Supervisory Board of Directors (SBD), and the screening for both countries was conducted through the agencies of Curaçao.

At that time, his appointment was generally regarded as Curaçao’s candidate within the rotational understanding between the two countries.

Upon the expiration of his term (2017–2021), the SBD, then signed by Vice-Chair Denis Richardson, recommended Mr. Ys for extension. However, Mr. Ys subsequently withdrew, and the Supervisory Board retracted its recommendation.

During this period, internal disagreements within the CBCS Board intensified. As a result, the Ministers of Finance of Curaçao and Sint Maarten agreed to jointly present a proposal for the chairmanship, effectively bypassing a board recommendation due to the prevailing contention.

This approach was communicated to the Court and endorsed. Board members were expected either to resign or to be dismissed.

In December 2021, the SBD proposed Denis Richardson for the position. Both Ministers of Finance agreed to this proposal. Notably, there is no documentation reflecting any dispute over “which country made the proposal.”

On the contrary, the Minister of Finance of Curaçao reminded the Minister of Finance of Sint Maarten of the recommendation of Mr. Richardson that was on the table.

At the time, Sint Maarten had not yet amended its National Decree (LBHAM) governing the screening of CBCS officers. Noteworthy in this regard is that in 2017, screenings were conducted by each country’s respective agencies.

Following the required procedural steps in Sint Maarten and Curaçao, the screening of Mr. Richardson did not proceed, notwithstanding communication between the current Sint Maarten Finance Minister and the SBD.

Subsequently, faced with a stalemate, the Minister of Finance of Sint Maarten initiated a new nomination process, resulting in the proposal of Jairo Bloem.

Conclusion

Based on documentation:

• The 2017 appointment of Mr. Ys was recommended by the SBD and regarded as Curaçao’s candidate.
• The attempt to reappoint Mr. Ys was treated as Sint Maarten’s candidate, but this did not materialize.
• The SBD then recommended Mr. Richardson as the next Sint Maarten(?) candidate; both Ministers agreed, pending procedural screening, which was never completed.
• Thereafter, a new nomination process was initiated.

Importantly, the so-called “rotation” of the chairmanship is not legally codified. It has been a matter of practice and political understanding, not statutory obligation. Therefore, framing the current debate as strictly a matter of “whose turn it is” oversimplifies a complex institutional process.

While institutional clarity is important, the greater issue before us is the health and effectiveness of the monetary union itself. Curaçao and Sint Maarten face pressing economic and financial challenges that demand coordinated policy, regulatory stability, and strong governance at the Central Bank.

Public energy would be better directed toward:

• Addressing structural bottlenecks within the monetary union;
• Strengthening regulatory oversight and financial sector resilience;
• Ensuring transparency, credibility, and institutional stability within the CBCS;
• Safeguarding the shared currency and protecting economic confidence in both countries.

The stability of our monetary union must transcend individual appointments. Leadership matters, but institutional coherence, economic resilience, and public trust matter even more.

Now is the time to move beyond procedural disputes and refocus on strengthening the foundation of our financial systems.

SINT MAARTEN (GREAT BAY) - On February 26, the Department of Communication of the Government of Sint Maarten paid a working visit to their French side counterparts of the Collectivité of Saint-Martin, Communication Department, which includes the protocol section.

The working visit was to get a deeper understanding of how the French side Department of Communication functions within the Collectivité, to exchange mutual operational information and ideas, and to continue fostering the working relationship.

In their Marigot offices, the head/director of the French side Department of Communication Nathalie Longato gave a short presentation and shared an overview of the work and responsibilities. After doing so, the two departments made informative exchanges of ideas, policies, and procedures.

Following the discussions, the staff of DCOMM was given a tour of the operational section, where demonstrations of what and how takes place with respect to equipment, photo and video tapings, programs, and further discussions about their graphic designs, internet, social media products and operations.

Head of the Communication Department Maurice Lake said, "Our visit to the communications department of the Collectivité of Saint-Martin was an invaluable exercise in synergy and professional exchange.

“It provided a unique platform to align our operational protocols and compare logistical setups, ensuring that both departments are working toward a unified standard of excellence. Beyond the technical discussions on infrastructure and communication workflows, the meeting allowed us to build the interpersonal rapport necessary for seamless cross-border collaboration.

“We left with a deeper understanding of our shared challenges and a strengthened commitment to streamlining our information-sharing processes for the benefit of all our communities."

Both departments exchanged tokens of appreciation.

DCOMM head has extended an invitation to the French side Communication Department for a visit in the near future.

SINT MAARTEN (COMMENTARY - By Cdr. Bud Slabbaert) - Every year, sargassum seaweed makes its grand entrance onto the shores of St Tosia. Just when the island thought it had everything under control, a massive wave of sargassum approaches. The smell hits you like a bad decision. Except this one covers the whole shoreline. When that sargassum starts cooking in the sun, it’ll clear your sinuses, and your will to live. It’s one way to keep the tourists from overstaying their visas.

While other islands struggle to “manage” sargassum, St. Tosa monetizes the chaos. It turns environmental pressure into economic play. The citizens of St. Tosia, being the resilient, creative, slightly mischievous geniuses they are, already decided this year will be different and they will outsmart the seaweed.

An American who owns a timeshare property on the island commented: “I tell ya, this sargassum, no respect at all. It just washes up on the beach like it owns the place. Shows up uninvited, like my in‑laws. At least the seaweed doesn’t ask for money. I tell ya, no respect. But the people of St. Tosia? Oh, they’re tough. They don’t let anything get ‘em down. They take one look at that seaweed and say, ‘We can work with this.’ Me? I’d just complain. These folks? They innovate. They take a problem, flip it upside down, and make it look good. Me? I can’t even turn a sandwich into lunch without something going wrong. I tell ya… St. Tosians get all my respect.”

Politicians in general, anywhere in the world, would stand there like, ‘We are monitoring the situation.’ Monitoring is politician‑talk for ‘We have absolutely no idea what to do, but we’d like you to think we’re doing something.’ They love monitoring and monitor so much, they should open an electronics store. And their governments? A government always has a plan. It’s usually a terrible plan, but it’s a plan. They’re doing what governments do best and typically form a committee, and a sub‑committee to discuss the committee. They hold meetings, write a report and issue a statement that they concluded it is indeed seaweed. But nature doesn’t care about committees or meetings. Nature just does what it does.

St.Tosia is different. Its government announced the “Operation Seaweed Flip”! The Prime Minister of St. Tosia, the Honorable Marva “Don’t Mess With Me” Linton, stood before the nation and declared:

“Operation Seaweed Flip begins now! We will not let a pile of floating salad ruin our tourism season. The sea brings gifts. We transform and refine them. Innovation washes ashore. Born of the ocean, reborn in St. Tosia. From tide to treasure. Our island is the Caribbean’s creative coast. We will create the Sargassum Economy of the region.”

And so began the national Seaweed Flip plan with three bold moves:

1. The Sargassum Early-Warning Squad. A team of an environmental activist, a fishermen, and a retired bird watcher with binoculars formed a coastal watch group. Their job: spot sargassum before it spots them.
2. The Sargassum Innovation Lab. A facility where a biology teacher, a pharmacist, and that one smart guy who always says “I have an idea”, are poking at seaweed like it’s a mysterious alien life form. They can experiment with turning sargassum into products nobody asked for and build brands that make the world blink twice.
3. The “Sea to Soil” Grants. Small businesses will be receiving funding to turn sargassum into products.

This is alchemizing Caribbean chaos into commerce and monetizing the sea. These products are statements that say: “We refuse to be victims of seaweed. When life gives you unwanted seaweed, transform it into products nobody asked for, but everyone will talk about. To boldly repurpose sargassum into items that challenge expectations and common sense. A perfect fusion of aspiration and algae.

1. Sargassum-scented candle (Beachfront Fragrance™). For people who miss the authentic Caribbean shoreline experience. A candle that smells like your vacation actually did. Authenticity does sell.
2. Sargassum Energy Drink (SargaZoom™). Promises “oceanic vitality”. This is the only product that might actually work. Take a sip and be surprised you survived!
3. Sargassum Spa Wrap (TosiaGlow Spa Wrap ™). This is genius. Sargassum therapy without the therapist. A detoxifying full-body wrap in warm, freshly harvested sargassum. Nature’s most unexpected secret.
4. Sargassum Perfume (Cologne de Sargasse™). It is for brave, bold and reckless women.
5. Sargassum Emotional Detox Tea. Brewed from dried seaweed and questionable life choices. Flushes out negativity and possibly everything else.

Ramira Ronneman, the Tosian environment activist admits: “I’m not a scientist. I barely passed high school biology. But I’m pretty sure the ocean’s trying to tell us something. This feels like, ‘Hey folks, you’ve been messing around too long. Sargassum is caused by warming oceans and climate change. You did it. You cooked the planet, fed the algae, and now the ocean is burping it back onto your beaches.

The wise Tosian elders confirm: “When the sea starts talkin’, you better listen clear. If something keeps coming back, it is either destiny or seaweed.”

The community of St. Tosia isn’t waiting around, it strikes back. Keeping paradise pretty is a point of pride. The hospitality stakeholders launched the “Sargassum - No Stress!” program: alternative inland tours, and introduced a cocktail called “The Seaweed Surprise” which thankfully contained no actual seaweed. Local performing artists created the “Sargassum Shuffle” dance.

In St. Tosia, even Sargassum knows better than to mess with a people who can turn it into an industry, a cultural moment, a tourism boost, and a national joke that everyone enjoys. Because in St. Tosia, the motto is simple: “If life gives us seaweed, we make a festival.”

The locals gather on the beach trying to fight a biological conveyor belt of seaweed that just keeps on coming. They don’t get mad but rather say, ‘Well, the ocean sent us a gift. Might not be the gift we wanted, but it’s the one we got. Raking, hauling, sweating, they just keep going. They flip that brown tide the Tosiatic way. Where the sun stays warm, and the drinks stay cold, the good vibes flow into island cheer. They turn a cleanup into pure delight that feels like Carnival in work boots. Powered by community. Fueled by seaweed, cleanup crews posing heroically with energy like they were training for the Olympics. One seldom sees determination like this. They’ve survived hurricanes. A little seaweed isn’t going to stop them.

St. Tosia teaches the Caribbean that it is not defined by what washes ashore. It is defined by what it creates from it. The island turns a beach full of seaweed into jobs, tourism, and a whole new industry. A Tosiatic tale of seaweed, strategy, and stubborn island pride. St. Tosia, where sargassum is not a problem. It’s part of a lifestyle. Turning a nuisance into a lifestyle, is the most Caribbean sustainability thing ever conceived. That’s the genius of the place. They’ve taken an annoyance and turned it into a business model. If the sea ever sends anything worse, they’ll probably open a gift shop.

By Cdr. Bud Slabbaert