SINT MAARTEN (PHILIPSBURG) – Leader of the Peoples Progressive Alliance (PPA) Gracita Arrindell said in a press statement on Monday: “Currently there are several critical issues facing our Nation that warrants our undivided attention. These will be addressed in a different release.
“We must once again draw attention to the growing phenomena of ‘street –people. This issue is equally important for our society to be aware of. It warrants the their undying attention of our elected and appointed representatives. Is it a sign of systemic social deterioration of our society?”
“One swallow does not make a nest’ is a popular saying. The analogy can be applied to a young man who roams the streets of Sint Maarten day and night, especially in the Colebay/ Simpsonbay area. He often takes shelter at one of the advertised (bus) stops. Clothed with dirty ragged leftover shirt and pants exposed feet sometimes barely protected by what were once shoes. Canvassing his territory, anyone can hear his voice conversing coherently perhaps only to him self.
“On the Cole-bay Hill, he sits or lays, down, barely noticeable, however dangerously too close to the curb of the roads. Often, he can be seen traversing the Causeway – bridge or sitting on top of the concrete partition of this bridge while cars dangerously zoom right pass him. He is in our face, every day, yet seemingly, invisible to most who rush past him, skillfully avoiding any physical or eye contact with this individual. Does any one care?”
Arrindell continues: “This person is a human being. He is a resident of our island who regrettably fell between the cracks of our society. Obviously left there to disappear suddenly from the scene, like many destined before him.
“Sadly, his current predicament is not an isolated case. He is not one swallow that lost its way. There are many more, known and unknown who have fallen into this predicament, especially after hurricane Irma. Time flies for most of us as we pick up the pieces and move on, stronger, better? Unfortunately, time froze for too many of our citizens, going around in circles of an uncertain existence.
“Too often, an unsuspecting pedestrian is stopped and asked for money to buy food. Have we become this indifferent to the plight of some of our fellow- citizens? Luckily there are some good Samaritans in our community who really care, selflessly providing clothing and food for several of these people”.
Gracita said: “Two years after hurricane Irma, and currently in the active hurricane season, there’s still too much left to be done, while our political landscape continues to be unstable and shifting as we speak. Have we not learned our lessons about the correlation of political un-certainty and negative social consequences, when the focus is not on the wellbeing of our people? Rather the focus is on ones own personal agenda? When will the next minister of VSA be appointed? One who is able, capable, willing and sociably conscious to place the well being of its citizens first. Many shelters are still not up to standard, while many families cant afford the price of decent and affordable social housing.”
PPA leader concludes: “Political grandstanding continues to takes precedence over the plight and well being of the People of Sint Maarten. It is time for vulnerable citizens, including our homeless, our financially challenged, our children, our elderly to experience priority in importance over selfish and heartless political representatives.”
Source: Souliga Newsday https://www.soualiganewsday.com/index.php?option=com-k2&view=item&id=27495:ppa-leader-arrindell-most-vulnerable-among-us-continue-to-be-neglected&Itemid=504
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