Statia News No. 02

INDEPENDENT NEWSLETTER

S TATIA N EWS V OLUME 1,

ISSUE

2

M ARCH 9, 2009

Mrs. Bijleveld made some promises. Page 1 and 2

Editorial The name ‘Statia Gazet‐ te’ has been changed  into Statia News. The  First edition was recie‐ ved with a lot of en‐ thousiasm, every day  emails came in from  people who wanted to  be on the mailinglist and  we are now forming a  team to make this news‐ letter grow.      Everybody, even a per‐ son who has just arrived  on the island should be  able to publicly address  issues they feel  are im‐ portant for the commu‐ nity.     In the last island council  meeting Mr. Clyde van  Putten, leader of the 

opposition, stated that  “teachers should not be  allowed to complain  about their school on  the radio or television.”  He added that in other  countries of the world,  including the Nether‐ lands, that would never  be allowed.     The fact is that in the  Netherlands teachers  often voice their opini‐ ons in the media. In a  true democracy, any  one can speak out. The  media plays an impor‐ tant role in a democra‐ cy.  From reading or  hearing other opinions,  you have the possibility  to form your own opini‐ on and the people as a 

M RS . B IJLEVELDS ’ The Mike van Putten youth center was well attended , all the newly appointed Civil Servants from Statia were there. The Island Secretary and Commissioners were also among the attendees. Summary of what Mrs. Bijleveld promised:

whole will stay well in‐ formed .     Statia news will try to be  as objective as possible,  because  Statia news is  looking for the truth..    Anyone that wants to  join the team is invited  to send an email to:    [email protected]   

We hope you enjoy rea‐ ding this second edition, 

  Annemieke  Kusters,  Lena Courtar,    Lenora Cannegieter,  Jules Suares,  Joyce Wijshake,  Carla Schelling     

Interview with Mr. Roy Hooker, page 3 Mega D’s Brithday Bash, pag 4 Tackle Diabetes now!, Page 5 and 6 Statia Clean, Beautiful and Safe, page 6 Baking and Pastry Course, page 7 Questoins about taxes, page 8 Antillenhuis info Page 9

VISIT

1) The economic problems in Holland will have no effect on the money Holland promised to spend on the Antilles. So the money for the Debt Solving and the money for Education and Health etc. will be the amount that was agreed upon.

2) Minister Plasterk of the Dutch Ministery of the Education will be responsible for 6,28 million euro (NAF14.3 million ) that will be spent for the BES islands to catch up with the level of education in the Netherlands. We will get extra support from specialists that will be

“Our schools will have to come to the Dutch level” is what the Coordinator of Education of the BES Islands that works in the Dutch Ministery of Education, said end of February see page 2

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M RS . B IJLEVELDS ’ VISIT, A `kwartiermaker` will come, just like the marechaussees last year were `kwartiermakers`.

CONTINUED

point of no return or can we still change our Status in the future? `The only other option is independence`, she said.

3) She promised to go on U 6) talk with Franklin Brown Mrs. Bijleveld said that next time she is here. within 5 years there will be an evaluation and 4) some things may need The Dutch will be readjustment for the BES sponsible for collecting islands. the back taxes as far back as five years. . All the By that time Holland will taxes that Government have a new Government have to pay back to their and a new Second Chamcitizens will also be paid ber and a new State Secreby the Dutch 5 years retrotary of Kingdom Affairs. actively. Astrid McKenzie asked this question, she Kamp works at the Tax Department and gets called every To answer Mrs. Rivers’ day about money Governquestion about the qualifiment owes people. cations a politician needs to have, Mr. Kamp said About the backtaxes Bijthe only qualification a leveld stresses ´Wie heft, politician needs is has to moet innen`, meaning `if be the trust the people you tax, you have to colhave in them. lect.´. The money collected will be invested in the He also let the audience community and the Antilknow that he understands lean Government is still the difficulties a small responsible. The taxes that island like Statia has. He will be received, will not compared it to a Dutch be deducted with the Debt small municipality and paying arrangement. said that in Holland there is a lot of cooperation with 5) other municipalities and Bijleveld said: `Or BES or the “Provincie” also takes Independent`. care of structural things One person, had a most like water supply. A small intelligent and confronting island like Statia doesn’t question for Mrs. Bijlehave this cooperation and veld. has even more things to take care of: a harbor, an The man first stated that airport, a hospital. this BES option is the best option for now. But what will happen to our future generation? Is this the

Mrs. Bijleveld answer to the next question from Mrs. Rivers, what mechanism will be in place to check our local Government, was: “We make sure “good” or “corporate” Government is in effect, we will have “financieel toezicht” and we will have “toezicht op geldleningen”, meaning the Dutch will check that Government does not give private loans.

tion, said: “We will not spend money on projects. Projects do not guarantee structural changes” “We moeten naar de werkvloer” Mrs. Bijleveld added, meaning: “We have to talk to the teachers.” By A.K. Mrs. Ank Bijleveld-

Mrs. Clarke-Brown, principal of the Golden Rock Catholic School was wondering where the books were that were ordered. She hadn’t heard of any books. “Books were not ordered as yet, Mrs. Bijleveld said, but soon every school will have the possibility to make requests for books. Mrs. Clarke-Brown told Mrs. Bijleveld that there is a great lack of “social help”, the elementary schools need “psychologists, psychiatrics and other professionals like remedial teachers and even substitute teachers.” Bijleveld agreed on that, but did not make any promises. In an interview with Statia News and Mr. Reehuis, our new head of the Department of Education (Bureau Onderwijs), Bijleveld made some remarks about education: “The extra money for education will be spend on structural changes” Her staffmember, who also took part in the conversa-

Schouten

Mr. Henk Kamp

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E DUCATION \

General information All the parents of the GVP school are invited to come to the Regional Service Centre (Mazinga Square) next TUESDAY March 10, to nominate a parent representative in the GVP Schoolboard. You are welcome from 5.30 PM until 6.30 PM. On the link below, you can read about the problems in education on the BES islands. It is written from a Bonairean point of view and the author, Mr. Fred de Haas, explains about the language difficulties in education. This is a weblog where you can comment on the writer and pose your own opinion on the matter. SABA The commissioner of Education of Saba, Chris Johnson, will lead a delegation to Holland in mid-march to have 3-days worth of meetings with the Dutch Ministry of Education, along with the other BES representatives. Saba will propose four short term needs and present them to the Dutch Ministry. These short term needs include: Materials for the schools, recruitment packages for teachers, and new school busses. (SGIS)

Government Information

because Mrs. Leeflang,

still. Mrs. Dijkshoorn and the librarian will be part of the delegation, because the meetings will not only concern education, but also culture and the media. Statia’s Government wants to have more Dutch on our island. Not only in the schools, but also in the media.

to Cycle 3.

Interview with Service and our new lithe Antillean Minister of Mr. Roy Hooker brarian, who is in Holland Education has put an end Instead of an interview with Mr. Reehuis, the new head of the department of education, we had a short interview with Mr. Hooker, the commissioner of education. What experts will be appointed for education? In the Regional Service Centre, on Mazinga Square, a person will be appointed especially for education. Holland is now busy looking for a suitable person. In the department of education, one person will be appointed by Holland to assist the people that work there. And also, there will be a “kwartiermaker”, or maybe two, who will assess the situation in education and who will help to make it better.

What will you ask for in Holland? Mr. Hooker thinks the local Government should find a niche, a way to have some influence in our educational policy. Holland says it will be solely the Dutch responsibility, but Mr. Hooker thinks that is not the right way. “The Dutch will have a say in the “What”, but we must have a say in the “How”.

The future of Statia’s education. Mr. Hooker takes the inspectionreport very serious and expects that the At the end of April, a inspection of education team from the Netherwill be important in the lands will come to Statia future. to assess the level of the oldest pupils in the EleLearning Dutch must bementary schools. gin in the Buzzy Bee day care centre. More money Who will attend the has to be spend on the next Bes week about Buzzy Bee to keep it afeducation? fordable for parents. The delegation from Statia for the next Bes There will be more Dutch week about education in the elementary schools will consist of the foland the exams at the GVP lowing persons: Mr. Roy school will be according Hooker, Mr. Renee Reeto the Dutch standard. huis, our head of the department of education, Cycle 3 is not going to be Mrs. Malvern a part of the GVP school, Dijkshoorn, head of the

When pointed out that teachers in the elementary schools are stressed and the classes are too big, he said that the SDA school has found a good way to deal with that matter. The teachers stay in one spot and the pupils go from teacher to teacher. That way, it is no problem if a teacher doesn’t master the Dutch language. The elementary schools have the freedom to “fill in” the FBE system in whatever way they want. All they need is a good schoolplan and a “classplan”. He says that all the teachers on the island should be capable to work in the FBE system, because they all had a training of almost two years. He says he is not going to shut down the Governor de Graaffschool, because he the island needs to have a public school. He wants to have one language lab for our island. That lab can be used by the schools, but also by the general public. In that language lab people use their ears and eyes and can work in many ways on their language skills. He stresses that this is also important for the Spanish speaking people that live here. By A.K.

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M EGA D’ S B IRTHDAY B ASH Saturday night, the 28 of February 2009. The first annual Mega D. Birthday Bash. 11 o´clock: It was like

T-time, Walton Schmidt, King Trini, Alicia Redan, Singing Eve, Sexy Mona, Private, the Regulatorz,

T– time and Mega D

lence for Mega D’s grandfather, Josser Daniel who just has passed away. All of the artist performed and who stood out? Private. Private sang a song from his new cd. A real good partysong and Private knows how to play with the crowd. Walton Schmidt. Walton Schmidt first said that he is not used to sing from a tape, he always sings with live music. But when the old song started, the old days relived. He sang about West Indian Music that comes from Africa, that started out with no instruments and is conquering the world. T time. T time was performing alone, the rest of his band sat on stage, I could see them laugh a little bit. T time can really deliver! He sings as if his

life depends on it! But T time can really sing and the song `Don´t you go away` came straight from the heart. The Regulatorz. Very good song. These two guys looked like the coolest imaginable dudes. Wearing sunglasses all evening. But when they were on stage, the fastest rapping and singing came out of them. Around 2.30 Mega D. sang his hit, all the girls sang along and then the party really began. Finally the crowd really started to dance. A lot of old talent and a lot of young talent. A lot of history and a lot of future. A lot of awards handed out. A joy to listen to and we look forward to next year, the Second Annual Mega D. Bash. Thanks Mega D., for this great party!

Singing Eve and Alicia Redan Hollywood entered the Community Centre. The stairs were covered with red carpet. The prettiest girl of the evening was throwing flowerleaves on the carpet. The guests were coming in. Most of them dressed in black and white. It was as if everybody just bought a fabulous new outfit for this party. Inside still empty. The stage, full of luxurious lounge chairs was still empty and VIP seats too. Everybody was waiting for the artists to arrive. Police siren was heard and there came the cars. Mighty Fat, Problem Child,

the “Man on the fifth Floor” Fleming, Daddy Rain, Maestro Dennis, Daddy Screw, and more. Best dressed artist: Singing Eve. She was wearing a stunning yellow satin dress. Migthy Dow from St. Maarten was the host of the evening together with Belkis Hassel, our local radio host. After all of them had a talk in front of the camera, the siren was heard again. There was Mega D, our local international music star! Now the party began, with a one minute si-

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T ACKLE D IABETES N OW ! heart to pump blood more Column written by Joyce They were on Statia on efficiently, allowing more Wijshake. Project leader 27th of November 2008 and gave a demonstration oxygen to get to muscles Tackle Diabetes Now! and organs. This is very on every school. Minister Leeflang brought positive, because many The 24th of November them to the Antilles as an chronic diseases, like diabe2008 the Ministry of Health Care and Educa- example how to be active tes are developing by the reducing of the metabolism. other than in sport clubs tion has invited me to and without extra costs. Curacao for a gathering The higher your metaboThis rope jumping has with many other health lism, the more calories already become a ‘hype’ you can burn, even in rest. care providers from the in the USA among Netherlands Antilles to By fitness you develop brainstorm about how to younger people. more muscle tissues and improve and implement a (www.nytimes.com) healthier lifestyle on the more muscle tissues In accordance to “Antilles you have the more caloevery Island. on the Move” and with the ries you can burn. With Minister from Health Care and Education, Mrs. slogan “Move your Act”, I the result that the chances started the project “Tackle of getting overweight are O. Leeflang started aldecreasing rapidly. ready in 2007 with a pro- Diabetes Now!”. A lifestyle program with a motion campaign Fitness is used to train peo“Antilles on the move”. tailor-made (but tight) ple to perform better while Her goal is to get every- activity program, combined with a nutrition plan doing something for a long body more active, for and educational informa- period of time. Usually this example by introducing is done through cardiotion. the “stappenteller”; a vascular exercise, like runsmall device attached to Why is Fitness so im- ning or swimming, (nordic) your belt, which counts portant   walking etc. every step you take, to promote the 10.000 steps The international requireFitness increases your or more everydayment for adults; metabolism. It is a proc- Every adult (inclusive 55+ ) activity. Unfortunately ess whereby one trains the needs to perform at least 30 Statia didn’t get any (promised) stappentellers sponsored as promotion for the Campaign. She also made sure the SVB got involved. * Every Island of the Netherlands Antilles was asked to do walk-a-ton’s. * SVB held gatherings with and for the employers to inform them how to support their employers to become healthy or stay ‘fit’. * For the younger ones Mrs O. Leeflang invited the “Double Dutch” team from USA to the Antilles; the youngsters (15-21 years old) of this team are the international Champi- 10.000 steps or more every day... ons in rope jumping.

minutes average intensive activity for at least 5 days , preferable every day of the week. This will be equivalent with 200 kcal per day and 1000 kcal per week on the extra energy consuming, above your restmetabolism (like breathing, sleeping, digesting). The energy that you expend through your daily activities, such as breathing, sleeping and additional physical activities, should equal the energy you consume as calories. If these two things (energy used and energy consumed) are equal then your energy is in balance. To lose weight you will have to either increase the amount of energy expended through additional activities or decrease the number of calories consumed, or both.

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T ACKLE D IABETES N OW !, CONTINUED

cose level after meals, a lower average blood glucose level, a lower HbA1c rate (=the average glucose level rate over the 3 months). Very important because a normal (healthy) HbA1c rate must be under 4.7%. Concerning diabetes: Above this percentage you are at risk of getting diaIt is proved that participating in fitness activities betes. will improve your insuTo learn more about the line-sensitiveness. That is positive, because project call 318-4304 with a better insulin, ac- (physical therapist) or register yourself for the tivity will cause less program via the general spikes in the blood gluRemind however to use all the nutrients your body needs to maintain in good health. Eat foods that are high in nutrients, but low in calories.

practitioner, to learn more about the positive advantages of this active lifestyle program.

Place: the Terminal Playground from 1.00-5.00 p.m. Come to the to learn more Health Fair, Sat- about this project. urday the 14th of March 2009, organized by

AMSA.

Statia clean, beautiful and safe Winston Fleming is  the project manager  of this project. With  USONA funding, he  will try to involve  everyone with the  cleanliness and  beautification on the  island and the safety  issues that are in‐ volved.     On Thursday, Febru‐ ary 26, a discussion  took place at the  Government Guest‐ house about Statia’s  littering problem.  Winston Fleming  hosted this meeting  and local business  people and represen‐ tatives of Stenapa  and others were pre‐ sent. The main topic 

discussed was PLAS‐ TIC BAGS. Everybody  agreed that plastic  bags should not be  given out in the  shops. Koos Sneek  suggested that if  there was a law in  place that forbids the  giving out of plastic  bags in stores, the  problem is easily  tackled. Jackie Berkel  agreed on that.   Ernie Simmons said  that enforcement of  that law will not be  there. The only thing  we can do is  “hammer it”. Keep on  educating the people  about the dangers of  plastic bags.  

A lot of good ideas  The social pressure to  came out of this  stop handing out plas‐ meeting:  tic bags will then be  Fleming and his team  bigger. Ernie Simmons  will go to all the local  agreed: If we make a  shops that have plas‐ good strategy, and the  tic bags and talk to  awareness is there, it  them. A poster will be  can work. Gary Brown  designed and shops  added: “We have to  that do not have plas‐ be proud and we have  tic bags will get this  to be role models for  poster to inform the  the young people.”   customers. Every two    weeks there will be a  It was very good that  some representatives  television program  of the Chinese Super‐ about “the state of  markets were there.  affairs” concerning  the littering problem.   They have a hard time  refusing plastic bags  Leontine Derby of  Mazinga suggested  and Mr. Fleming will  that in that program,  give extra attention to  a list should be made  their problem.   of shops that already  stopped giving out    plastic bags.  

 

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B AKING & P ASTRY C OURSE St. Eustatius – From the 2nd until the 6th of March 2009, the St. Eustatius Tourism Development Foundation organized a baking and pastry course for everyone who liked to learn more about this topic. Two ladies from the Atlantis Resort Bahamas were invited to come to the Gwendoline van Putten School, to conduct a one week training course.

Head Pastry Chef Mrs. Valerie Gray taught the students how to decorate the cakes.

Head Chef Pastry Mrs. Valerie Gray and her assistant Ms. Cynthia Saunders taught the students how to prepare the recipes and how to present the courses to the guests. According to Mrs. Valerie Gray, “presentation is the key and the taste will be second”. On the 6th of March, all the prepared recipes were presented to the public and the participants gave information about what they have learnt. ( Noortje Groothuizen)

Espresso Tres Leches, Salted Dark Chocolate and White Chocolate were prepared by the students.

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Q UESTIONS

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ABOUT

Questions about taxes answered by an international tax attorney:

T AXES

you protect local producers/employment.

Holland is thinking of What are federal taxes? having no profit tax at all. What will be the conFederal taxes are taxes sequence of that? levied by the Central Without profit tax, Statia Government, such as VAT, federal income tax, could be a ‘tax heaven’. (belasting paradijs) A lot wage tax, legacy tax, of countries want to be transfer tax. stricter with tax heavens. The purpose of these (stop doing business with taxes is to provide the Central Government with tax heavens) Besides normal business, it also atmoney. tracts illegal or criminal money. There have to be And local taxes? strict regulations about Local taxes can serve to where money comes from, cover local costs, such as you have to be transparent to other countries, exroad tax and environchange information, etc. mental taxes. On the other hand, having a profit tax is also difficult Taxes often serve as because Government has means to bring a halt to certain developments or to check on all businesses. to stimulate certain developments. If you raise Statia is thinking of havrental taxes, renting a ing no import duties, house will be more exwhat will be the consepensive than buying a quence of that? house, so that will stimuThe positive thing is that late home ownership. If products that will be imyou raise import duties, ported without import

duties will be cheaper. A possible negative effect will be on local products. But since almost everything is imported on Statia, it seems like a good solution. The question is “Are there products that you don’t want to see on Statia?” For example: big cars. On these products you can put high import duties. It is difficult to imagine that products that are imported without taxes on Statia, can subsequently be imported without taxes in Europe (Statia being a part of Holland/Europe). That would mean that all products that are levied in Europe at the moment can be imported without taxes through Statia in the future.

does Government want to put a halt to or discourage? For Example: Government wants to stimulate (well paid) eco tourism, Government needs money to invest in that, Government wants to discourage “mass tourism” with low margins. How can taxes help with that: No tax for entrepreneurs that build eco hotels. Levy touristtax to be able to pay for provisions, Levy extra tax for polluting or other unwanted tourism.

Statia has to consider it’s development. The advise is: Don’t try to do “everything”, try to do something that fits the island and that will distinguish Statia from the surrounding islands. If Statia for example will be the place to have a medical Before thinking about what kind of taxes Statia treatment, with a good wants to have, it is impor- hospital, a good medical tant to ask these questions: training, close cooperation 1) What are Governments’ with Academic hospitals in objectives? 2) How much the Netherlands, this could money does Government be a good source of inneed for that? 3) What come, bring prosperity to the people and give them good educational possibilities. Taxes are a derivative of a future plan and no goal in itself. Statia can hire advisors to make a more thorough study of the matter. There are a lot of “bad” advisors, that only give “technical” advice. Do not hire them! The Dutch Government can help if you ask them for advice. By A.K.

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A NTILLENHUIS

INFO

If you want information  about the Netherlands  Antilles, you can sub‐ scribe to  “Antillenhuisinfo”, just  send an email to  berk‐ [email protected] and  she will send you all rele‐ vant articles from differ‐ ent newspapers. Included  are also reports and let‐ ters to the second cham‐ ber in Holland. In STATI‐ ANEWS, we will make a  short summary of the  news that appeared on  Antillenhuisinfo over the  last two weeks. 

Bonaire. John Schagen,  the chief of police for the  three island was inter‐ viewed in Amigoe. There  will be one high‐tech  emergency room for all  three islands. There will  be the newest technolo‐ gies like digital roadmaps.  A new way of thinking and  a big investment. For the  Statia and Saba police the  “wijkgebonden politie‐ zorg” (police care by dis‐ trict) will be the new way  of working. There will  actually be no reorganiza‐ tion, but a completely  new police force. By the  end of March this new  police force “building  plan” must be ready and  hopefully next year Janu‐ ary it will be operational.  The police force will coop‐ erate with Curacao and St.  Maarten, for special  things like an arrestteam.   (Amigoe) 

The police:   The report `Nu of Nooit`  that was published in  January 2008, stated that  cooperation between  Bonaire, Statia and Saba  concerning the police will  be complicated, unpracti‐ cal and very expensive  and should be reconsid‐ ered. At this moment  capacity from a (mother)  island is necessary for  Statia and Saba and  when larger calamities or  crimes appear, both is‐ lands need support. This  help should be there in  time. The report advises  to reconsider the coop‐ eration with Sint  Maarten. (“Nu of Nooit”)  Nevertheless: We will  have one police force  with the main office in 

start negotiating with Cura‐ Statia news will apcao again.“  pear every other With the referendum, the  people from Curacao get  the chance to vote whether  they agree with the agree‐ ments made in the last  “Round Table conference”  that was held on the end of  last year. It contains King‐ dom acts about Govern‐ ment finances, the Court of  Justice, the Public Prosecu‐ tor and the Police. Instead  of a politic referendum, the  committee suggests to  base the referendum on  the rules of the interna‐ tional right of self‐ determination. A political  referendum is not binding,  but with a self‐ determination‐referendum  the motherland must obey  the will of the people.  (Paradise FM/NRC/Miriam  Sluis) 

The Dutch Second Chamber  is very critical about the  The referendum in Cura‐ referendum in Curacao.  cao:  Socialist Partymember, Mr.  Every day different news  Ronald van Raak even sug‐ about the referendum in  gests that Curacao should  go independent if the is‐ Curacao. Mr. Douwe  land doesn’t accept Dutch  Boersema, chairman of  the referendum commit‐ interference. He thinks no  money should go to Cura‐ tee on Curacao.: “If the  majority votes against the  cao if they vote “no”.   agreements made with  Bijleveld says that the  Holland about the dis‐ Netherlands will  stick to  mantling of the Dutch  the agreement  and Cura‐ Antilles, Holland has to  cao should do the same.   (RNWO, Caribbean edition) 

Monday. It will be send by email in PDF to appr. 150 emailadresses on the mailinglist and it will also be sold at Mazinga, Happy City, Pesos Supermarket and Golden Rock supermarket. If you want to send in your opinion on a local or Antillean matter, or if you want to write an article, or if you want to advertise, you can send an email to : [email protected]

You can also call Annemieke Kusters: 3184092 If you want to recieve the paper via email, please send a mail to : [email protected]

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