THE COALITION

The United People’s Coalition (UPC)

The Progressive Labour Party (PLP)
The Sint Eustatius Empowerment Party (STEP)

GOVERNING PROGRAM
2011-2015

Island of Sint-Eustatius
Dutch Caribbean
 Island Above Self
Building a Better and Fairer Statia
Everyone Counts

TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS...............................................................................................2
Foreword................................................................................................................. 1
List of Priorities........................................................................................................3
Seaport (Harbour)..................................................................................................17
Water Supply......................................................................................................... 23
The Fisheries Complex .........................................................................................26
 Foreword

This is an historic document in Sint Eustatius politics. It is the first time in our
history that three parties have come together to present a program for partnership
in governing.

As our three parties embark on this journey, pledging to work together for the
betterment of our island, it is clear to us that although there are differences in our
style and thinking, there’s also enough common ground to bind us together. We
acknowledge that Sint Eustatius is changing, the people have requested this
change, the days of favouritism, family and religious preference and affiliations are
over. We believe that the time has come to disperse power in a broader scope, on
Sint Eustatius today; this government recognizes that we can only make progress
as an island if we help our people to combine their efforts to make life better.
Therefore, it is our ambition to ensure the even distribution of opportunity and
power to our people, avoiding the hoarding of authority within government or select
social and family groups; thereby we will be able to build a responsible government
and the fair and free society that is our goal for Sint Eustatius.

We agree that the first duty of government is to free the people of Statia from the
excessive tax burden they now face and to secure a more advantageous and
reliable Healthcare system. We will do everything in our power to ensure that we
can accomplish this task within the shortest time possible. We also agree that
among the most urgent tasks facing this Coalition Government is the need to review
the relationship between the Kingdom Government and the Island of Sint Eustatius.
We acknowledge that this will not be an easy road but it is a most necessary task
since, without this review, none of the plans we want to realize for our people,
would be accomplished.

We must also have proper representation for our people and to that end,
we will negotiate with the Kingdom Government for appointment and
recognition of a representative of Sint Eustatius, in the Kingdom
Parliament. This is important, the concerns of our people must be heard, difficult
decisions will have to be made in the days and months ahead and our people must
have a voice in the highest levels of our Government.

It is our goal to build a better Sint Eustatius, therefore, we will support sustainable
growth, assist entrepreneurs and promote free enterprise, in every aspect of
business development on our island. This is essential for the future of Sint Eustatius
and this is one of the reasons why the Coalition Government has the potential for
challenging the norms and creating crucial reform in the way businesses have
developed on the island in years past.

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We want to build a Statia where social mobility is made easy, where each citizen,
regardless of their background, will have the opportunity to rise as high as their
ambition and talent will allow. To help with this aspect of Statia’s development, we
have pledged to review, implement, change, and remove when and where
necessary, all obstacles regarding welfare, taxes and to improve the education and
training of our people.

We want to make this Coalition government a success and one to be admired in the
region. We share the hope and goal to reform the way government has operated on
the island, over the years. We promote transparency and open government.
Keeping our citizens informed and responding to their questions and concerns in a
timely manner. Whenever possible, we want our people to play an active part in
decisions which directly affect their lives up to and including voting, by way of
referendums, on issues which will affect their lives, civil liberties and their future.

We are committed to removing old stigmas and attitudes, opening government to

new, more innovative thinking and governing style. We will open our government
to the advances in technology, creating better contact through computerized access
to government departments in order to reduce the time needed to gather basic
information, receive government notices and bulletins and responses to
communications between citizens and the government.

We have created this program for government out of a strong, progressive and
united coalition which is inspired by the values of social responsibility, fairness and
freedom for all. We are inspired by our people and we assure you that we will do all
in our power to make life on Sint Eustatius better, for everyone. This program is for
four years of governing partnership encompassing those values. We believe that it
can foster sincere government reform, a stronger society, a more close knit and
cohesive island and put power and responsibility in the hands of each of our
citizens.

We look forward to great changes and sound economic progress for Sint Eustatius in
the years ahead.

.................................................................
Reginald C. Zaandam
The United People’s Coalition

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 .................................................................
Clyde I. Van Putten
The Progressive Labour Party

..................................................................
Franklin A. Brown
The Sint Eustatius Empowerment Party

List of Priorities

1) Establishment of the Department of Economic Affairs and

2) Establishment of the Department of Welfare

3) Review of the relationship between Rijksdienst Caribisch Nederland

and Government of the island of Sint-Eustatius. Immediate concerns
are in the areas of:
a) Healthcare

b) Taxes

c) Social Affairs

d) WOLBES

4) Review of the Infrastructure

a) The local Dump
b) Cleanliness of the island
c) Waste Management
d) Golden Rock Houses – sale of first phase houses
e) Roads

5) Environment
a) Removal of roaming animals

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 Poverty Eradication

It is widely known and agreed that the greater majority of those persons
living at the poverty level on St. Eustatius can better support themselves and
climb out of their positions of poverty, given the right training and
opportunities to improve themselves. To assist the people, Government will:

• Enforce education and setting of realistic goals as a way out of

poverty. Offer adult education classes, vocational training and life skills
development.
• Upgrade curriculum in schools to include marketable skills and training
needed in a developing community.
• Create opportunities for re-training, upgrading and furthering the
education of adults where necessary, thereby allowing them to build
on their skills.
• Create a more broad-based and modern after school program.
• Expand opportunities for Second Chance Education
• Establish an Institute and engage SESNA to teach needed skills on
island, particularly for those not able to travel because of lack of
acceptance, funding, family and other social constraints.
• Training of individuals in small and light industry manufacturing such
as handicrafts, sewing, flower arranging, furniture building and
upholstery so that they can supply the local and neighbouring markets
and become more self sufficient.
• Support the Tourism Foundation, SESNA and the Chamber of
Commerce in creating a local marketing agency to assist our small
industry manufacturers with the marketing/sale and export of their
products.
• Re-establish the school meals program to ensure that every child
receives at least one nourishing meal each day.
• Negotiate child benefit law which will help parents with the child
expenses.
• Renegotiate pension benefits
• Renegotiate the minimum wage

Migrants

The situation with migrants, on St.-Eustatius, is one which is necessary and it

is manageable. Most of the migrants in the community are law abiding
individuals, many have come to the island seeking better opportunities and a
better standard of living than that afforded them in their home country. To
maintain a cohesive and mutually beneficial relationship with this social
group it is necessary to:

• Carefully monitor the influx of migrants into the community to ensure

that the community does not become “unbalanced” thus causing social
problems.

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 • Ensure that migrant workers are not engaged at wages below the
established norm thus used as “cheap labour” to displace the local
workforce, keeping in accordance with the human rights laws.
• Carefully monitor the Labour and Immigration Laws to see that the
needs and skills of our own people are not being ignored or passed
over, in favour of migrant workers.
• Ensure an honest and fair policy when soliciting workers for services
and skills not available on the island, so that only suitable migrants
with the desired expertise will be engaged for such positions.
• To closely monitor the recruitment of migrant workers in the various
companies so that it does not become as acute as to negatively impact
the community and everyone can continue to coexist amicably.
• Carefully screen individuals wanting to establish business on St.-
Eustatius. Statistical matters such as police records, social and
financial history should be thoroughly investigated.
• Immigration laws and cases should be reviewed on an individual basis.
• together with the Dutch, review the Naturalization law to consider
reinstating the 10 year rule and requiring that persons to be
Naturalized should be able to speak English and Dutch.

Housing:

It is a general conclusion that the community of St.-Eustatius is desperately in

need of housing for its people. It is impossible for an individual or a young
family, earning minimum wages, to rent decent accommodation on the
island. This causes young men and women raising their own family to
continue to live in cramped conditions in the home of their parents.
Government will

• review and or establish the proper criteria for the occupancy of

government owned houses and buildings and the leasing of
government owned property in general.
• carefully re-evaluate all existing housing policies, establishing policies
where needed and adjusting those which now exist.
• make sure that affordable housing is available.
• renegotiate property tax.
• use of the funds from the sale of the houses of Golden rock to assist
with the building of new low income housing.
• ensure that the first phase of the Golden Rock houses will be sold,
allowing occupants to make repairs and improvements thus uplifting
the look of the district.
• ensure that the Housing Foundation develops good relations with
banks in the region and collaborate with Housing Foundations in
Holland to secure funding for mortgage loans at manageable interest
rates for our citizens.
• encourage The Housing Foundation to back mortgages for
homebuyers.

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 • support the building of Senior citizen housing as an “Assisted Living”
community taking into consideration wheel chair accessibility and
other needs of elderly or infirmed persons.
• support the building of housing facilities for single parents.

Infrastructure and development

Government will:

• develop a detailed disaster contingency plan of St.-Eustatius, that includes

hospital, airport and renovating/creating necessary roads;
• carefully review the NuStar Expansion plans to establish implications and
workable solutions which will not hamper nor interfere with the execution of
the disaster contingency plan.
• to divert from the excessive and a constant focus on short-term costs of road
repairs and maintenance and pay more attention to the prospect of longer-
term "win-win" situations;
• seek the active input and support of the local communities and groups of
interest for the quest of sustainability.
• ensure that economic development will never be seen as being more
important that of social, cultural, heritage or environmental safety and
security.
• promote the strengthening of infrastructure and development of the public
services, vital for the community, such as roads, sidewalks, supply of goods,
expansion and improvement of our schools, sport complexes, club-houses,
water supplies, telecommunications systems, gas supply, electricity etc.
• ensure that the management and maintenance of our roads will be privatized
to the Road Fund.
• examine whether this fund could be expanded to include other infrastructure
and environmental tasks.
• review naming of roads and numbering of houses and buildings
• upgrade the Traffic signs, to highlight dangerous road conditions. Providing
more street light

• Waste Management

The management of our waste is probably one of the more challenging areas with
which we are confronted. We will establish a waste management division. This
division will be privatized and equipped with the machinery necessary for the
proper disposal of our waste. A waste sorting policy will also be put in place.
Persons will be encouraged to invest in the recycling initiative.

• Garbage collection will be placed under the waste management division.

• Establish and enforce recycling and proper disposal of waste.
• If Government continues to offer garbage collection services, this should be
for residential collection only against a fee. Business establishments should

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 pay government separately for garbage collection services or use a private
garbage collection service.

Church and State

• Stand firm on the premise that politics and government must be separated
from religion;
• Not allow individual members of the community to impose their spirituality on
anyone;
• Never let religious conviction impair judgment in taking care of the people’s
business. Representatives of the Legislative and Executive branches of
government are forbidden to impose their spirituality on anyone. Government
and the people must be protected at all times, against any adverse attempts
on that separation.

Healthcare

We will seek to maintain the Dutch Caribbean islands as the primary destination for
secondary hospital and specialist care; a secondary destination will be the English
speaking Caribbean; only as a last resort will we send patients to Guadeloupe.
Patients should be given some choice in deciding where to go.

• Primary factors of consideration will be quality, care, and costs in this specific
order.
• The availability of local emergency airlift will be incorporated in the health
care matrix.
• Persons willing to co-pay (via a private insurance) will be assisted if they want
to access treatment in for example Venezuela, Puerto Rico, the United States,
Holland, or another country.
• Programs in preventive care will be promoted.
• We will urge Holland to construct a new medical centre, via the Health Care
Foundation; and place that asset into the Health Care Foundation; following
this the present medical centre should be given back to the island.
• Identify the property designated for the building of a new Medical Centre.

Healthcare too, is a vital component in the development of our people and should
revert to the local government’s authority in due time, with a guaranty function
from Holland for the financial needs.

Under the former administration, Healthcare has been privatized. The Queen
Beatrix Medical Centre and its staff have been transferred to the newly established
St.-Eustatius Healthcare Foundation (SEHCF).

• The government intends to continue on this road. We support sharing

facilities such as kitchen, laundry and housekeeping of the Auxiliary Home
with the QBMC, but do respect the position of the Home as an independent
organization and their need for sufficient security safeguarding the interests
of their part of the organization.

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 • We will do all that is in our power to support the Foundation with their plans
for a new medical centre for St.-Eustatius.
• Healthcare now is the direct responsibility of the Dutch government. This
does not mean that the government no longer feels any responsibility for this
sector. The government sees it still as one of its main tasks to see to it that
our citizens receive proper healthcare and therefore we will be in a continued
dialogue with the Dutch government and the SEHCF.

As of January 1st the general health insurance BES has been introduced for which
the “Zorgkantoor” is responsible. As of this date all legal residents on the island are
insured under this program and entitled to the basic healthcare package. The
insurance has replaced BZV, SVB and private insurance policies. The structure of
the general healthcare insurance is quite unique. As a result of this errors and hick-
ups may occur.

• The government will monitor any developments and where necessary we will
see to it, as the representative of the people that adjustments will be made
when necessary.
• For St.-Eustatius an air ambulance will be made available for patients in need
of evacuation permanently on the airport of St.-Maarten. This helicopter will
be used for emergency evacuation, whereby the patient will be picked up and
transported to the hospital that can best take care of the injury or illness.
• Primary hospital for St.-Eustatius will remain St.-Maarten. In very urgent
cases and when the St.-Maarten hospital does not have the facilities to deal
with a particular case, the patient will be flown to Saint
Kitts/Aruba/Curaçao/Guadeloupe. The Government is aware of the
reservations that many have for Guadeloupe and therefore will monitor all
cases very closely.
• In the event handling of our patients will not be satisfactory we will
immediately intervene with the responsible agency in order to find an
alternative solution.
• The public health (GGD) will remain the responsibility of the island
government. For this task we will receive support from the GGD Limburg
Noord.
• The introduction of a medical insurance card will take place for all insured in
St.-Eustatius.

Telecommunications

The government recognizes that in the area of telecommunication much is to be

desired in particulate internet service. With the anticipated fibre optic line that will
connect St.-Eustatius with the outer world and providing the necessary bandwidth
that will enhance communication for government as well as the private sector. The
government also recognizes that a great deal of the infrastructure in relation to
fibre optic lines is not in place throughout the island, therefore we must:

• Seek ways of expanding the fibre optic network, and

• Review the telecommunications policy.
• Support investors interested in this sector.

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 • Together, with the Supervisory Board, we will have a new Managing Director
appointed for EUTEL N.V. and also have a strong recovery plan put in place to
make EUTEL N.V. a financially healthy company.

Information Technology

• Basic speed internet connection will be provided to all households on the

island, free of charge; higher speeds must be paid for.
• Every household with a child/children registered in elementary school will
receive a one-time voucher for a new computer.
• Every secondary school student will receive a one-time voucher for a laptop
computer.
• Government will ensure that computer education and usage becomes more
widespread in schools.

Following this, most government services will be made available on line. The private
sector will also be encouraged to provide online services as much as possible, such
as online banking. This should lead to a better quality of service to the general
public.

Budget and Finances

• Government will work towards a balanced budget by entertaining other

avenues with strong tax revenue possibilities but at the same time, we will
make every effort to avoid raising taxes which would directly affect the people.
• Have a committee in place to put project plans together for Public Tasks for
2011 and make use of the funds available in the Special Benefit Package of the
Dutch.

Taxes

Renegotiate the tax system with the kingdom government in particular; taxes on
imported vehicles, property tax, and taxes levied on companies like Nu-Star. It is
unacceptable that an island with the second busiest sea port in the entire Dutch
kingdom be treated as if it is a welfare case.

In order to stimulate and make visible the financial autonomy of St.-Eustatius, all
taxes levied in St.-Eustatius must remain on the island. The current tax system will
be renegotiated with the Dutch based on the following objectives:

• The Income tax, in particular, should be reviewed and reduced.

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• The “Eat In” restaurant tax should be abolished, it is injurious to the citizens
and the restaurant business as it does not promote dining out for our citizens.

• The import duties/tax (Post Office/EZONE) will be reviewed.

• Government acknowledges the need for adequate taxation, however these

must be reasonable and fairly distributed over both place and time; taxes
should not be burdensome on any one group or groups; Government will
further support movement toward more indirect taxation.

• Government will negotiate with the Dutch towards abolishing the 25% tax on
motor vehicles; this is an unnecessary burden on our people and a restriction
of their freedom of action; it will be replaced by the general rate of 6 % on all
motor vehicles and 15% tax on all auto related products such as gasoline,
spare parts, fuels, and accessories.

• Government will examine the feasibility of extending the 15% tax to durable
goods such as furniture, electronics, and appliances, if necessary to generate
the same amount of taxes brought in by the 25% on cars.

• Government recognizes the polluting nature of cars and durable goods, and the
cost of collection, storage, and disposal of these items after their life cycle has
expired. The environmental impact from them is huge, and disposal will have
to be arranged off-island which is costly. We find it therefore reasonable that
buyers of these items contribute by means of this increased tax to the total
cost of dealing with the effects of having these items on our island. To this end
Government will deposit all proceeds from these taxes on vehicles and durable
goods into a special fund to be used specifically for infrastructure and
environmental purposes.

• Government will negotiate for the taxes to be collected directly by the island
government not by customs.

• The 6% and 7% taxes on services will be abolished; since goods used to

provide services are already being taxed upon entry to the island, we do not
see the need for this additional tax. The application of these taxes is too
complicated for our mostly small businesses and the revenue is too limited. We
must not add to the bureaucracy of our small businesses.

• A one-time tax deduction of US$ 6,000 (six thousand dollars) will be granted to
persons buying an environmentally friendly vehicle. If the buyer’s income is too
low to benefit entirely from the tax deduction, the individual will receive an
exemption from paying the 6% import tax. The tax benefit could be spread out
over a maximum of 5 years.

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 • Further tax revenues from St.-Eustatius Terminal must be explored, such as a
levy on each barrel of product moved by the terminal as well as on ship
movements;

• To discourage the use of alcoholic beverages and tobacco, which negatively

impact the health of the community in general, and add to the cost of health
care, these products will be taxed at a 30% rate.

• The government will establish a committee that does not consist of tax experts
only that will review the tax system as it is implemented.

Sports

Involvement in sports activities is vital to the social and physical development of

children and the community at large. This government will support the
establishment of a fully rounded sports program for the island by means of:

• Make a sports policy and an action plan

• Strengthen the collaboration between our government’s sport Department,

the Dutch and the umbrella sport organization on our island.
• Create sports programs for small spaced sports activities, i.e. board games
such as Checkers, Cards, Dominos, Chess, Table Tennis with a view to
building teams for regional competitions.
• Look for the necessary funding for training and upgrading of personnel and
for the maintenance and upgrading of our sports facilities on St.-Eustatius

• Educate our people about the importance of sports: physical, mental,

psychological and social development of children and adolescents.
Involvement in sport activities can boost children’s health, improve academic
performance and help reduce involvement in crime.
• Develop programs seeking to empower participants and communities by
engaging them in planned activities.
• Restructure and reorganize the administration of the Sports Department of
the island.
• Government will support the realization of a race track for motor sports; also
facilities for track and field; promote sports tourism by hosting regional
events, training for coaches and volunteers.

Labour

The goal of the government is to restore accountability, transparency, and honesty

at all levels of government. Government will enforce the rule that demands the
highest ethics from every public servant and promote the same within the private
sector.

• We will enforce equal jobs and wages for both genders.

• Re-structure the system of employing local persons.

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 • Reform insight in contracts and carefully review the laws.
• Fight to protect and help the growth of small businesses.
• Form a committee with NuStar to assist with all future development.
• Partner with local entrepreneurs, by providing the required: business
development, programs and training skills.
• Provide income support for unemployed (unemployment law/Bijstandswet)
• Ensure that qualified St. Eustatius will be given preference in the Job Market.
• Renegotiate for equal or higher pension (AOV) and quality insurance for all
employees.
• A policy would be put in place which would require a person of retirement
age to train their replacement before leaving government service.
• Expand business skills and opportunities and create long term, decent paying
jobs.
• Establish the right conditions so that the private sector can invest and grow.
• Ensure that in this collaboration with NuStar a vocational school policy be put
in place whereby all the skills necessary to work at the facility be taught thus
enabling the locals to be hired (cutting back on imported labour).
• Government will support stimulation of small/medium businesses and
supports granting tax incentives, social safety nets will be strengthened. The
goal is to get people back to work.

Our government believes that a strong St.-Eustatius begins at home, with good jobs
that will support families and give an equal chance for all our people. We believe
that the private sector is the engine of economic growth and job creation.

• Facilitate, stimulate, and support private sector ventures.

• Keep the promise of opportunity for all and heed the warning of special
privileges for none.
• Give farmers all the necessary assistance needed to excel in the production
of their products. The rights of low income workers must be protected.
• Support the roll-out of vendor market as an additional boost for
entrepreneurial activity and at the same time encourage strategic linkage
between local and international/Kingdom companies that will benefit St.-
Eustatius entrepreneurs.
• Renegotiate with the Dutch to have the responsibility for work permits be
transferred back to island territory or at least have a voting on the decision
making.
• Increase the minimum wage.

• Create Job trainings for locals

• Implement more flexible working conditions for parents who experience

difficulty with child care.

• Create a Data Bank of persons looking for jobs, including students who study
off island, to create better career change opportunities

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 • Adjust the scholarship plan, in collaboration with the Dutch, in such a way
that the focus is on the professional and skilled labourers needed in the
community of St.-Eustatius.

Culture

The culture of Caribbean people is wide and varied; it is intertwined with that of
indigenous Arawak and Carib Indian civilizations, displaced African slaves, European
explorers, Colonial Plantation owners, slave masters and the white indentured
servants of the Planter class. We are a rainbow of colours and ethnic origins. To
help our people maintain our cultural and ethnic diversity, Government will:

• In collaboration with the Dutch, have the history of St.-Eustatius and the
Caribbean taught in our schools.

• Make Emancipation Day (July 1st) an official holiday.

• Support of local talents of arts, poetry, books on St.-Eustatius and Antillean

and Caribbean history and cultural events.

• Promote and support local cultural groups.

• Stimulate the consistency of local foods, local folkloric-dance and folkloric-

singing.

• Celebrate the United Nations mandated Year of People of African Descent

(2011).

• Encourage singing of St.-Eustatius’s Anthem (The Golden Rock) in schools

and all public events.

• Maintain, highlight and enhance St.-Eustatius’s national monuments.

• Highlight and promote St.-Eustatius’s culinary offerings and local handicraft.

• Establish a once yearly “Market Day” for the island where talented citizens
can display and sell, locally produced foods, handicraft, artwork, carvings,
sculptures, etc.

• Promote recognition and commemoration of our past hero’s with monuments

built in their honour.

• Return ownership of Fort Oranje to the Island of Sint Eustatius

Environment

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A healthy environment is one of the attributes of a wealthy society. A clean and
healthy environment creates an attraction to investors, especially in the tourism
sector. With this in mind, together with the health of our people the Government
plans to promote the following:

Environmental funds

The development of an environmental fund is important in the event of an

environmental, natural or manmade disaster. To this end The Government will

• Impose an environmental levy on all non local vessels/craft entering our ports
(amount to be determined by their size and the nature of their business).

• Levy will also be applicable for all foreign travellers entering both ports.

• A Litter Warden Act will be proposed to empower volunteer Litter Wardens to

impose a fine (to be decided by the Executive Council) on persons caught
littering the island.

Community Beautification Program

The cleanup program that has been initiated by the health department would not be
taken lightly and will not be allowed to fail. The government will do all in its power
to support this program and to take it a bit further to encourage communities to
clean up their area and beautify them. The government with work along with the
tourism sector and the health sector to provide incentive packages to the best
kept community.

Wrecks

There is once again a build up of old abandon vehicle around the island. These
wrecks provide habitation for all kind of undesirable including rodents, bees and
mosquitoes, to name a few. The government, together with the health department
and the public works department will develop a program for the removal of these
wrecks to a designated area to await final disposal.

International Treaties

There are a number of international treaties with regards to the environment to

which the kingdom is a signatory. Sint-Eustatius, being a Special entity with in the
kingdom, have become, by virtue of our relationship with the Kingdom a signatory
to these treaties. One such treaty is The Montreal Protocol. This treaty seeks to
reduce and or eliminate all CFC/CHFC emissions in the atmosphere which wrecks
havoc on the Ozone layer. To honour this treaty the government will;

• Imposed a levy on the vehicles causing emissions harmful to the ozone layer.
• Place a ban on the importation of CFC/CHFC products.
• Encourage more environmentally friendly products.

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 • Request the registration of all air conditioning and refrigeration technicians
• Promote training in the recycling and retrofitting of equipment using these
products.
• Provide the means by which all technicians may be certified in the safe use of
these products.

Tourism

A new and more aggressive approach is needed if the tourism sector is to be a

significant economic pillar of the economy of St.-Eustatius. Consultations with
stakeholders and professionals to determine if it is necessary to enhance the human
resources and the physical infrastructure of island will be undertaken.
The following will be the guide line for discussion:

• Product diversification

• Marketing strategies and programs

• Product enhancement

• Service Orientation (host and hostesses)

• Tourism plant (Available room, Restaurant, etc)

• Target group (cruise tourism, high end tourism, mass tourism,

shoppers, sports, dive, and eco tourism, etc.)

• Promote and enhance dive tourism while safeguarding St.-Eustatius’s

heritage.

• Develop better communication and transportation services on the

island.

• The Tourism department will work more closely with the tourist
oriented businesses to create a more profitable industry. The present
practice of every sector in the tourism industry operating on its own
should be streamlined.

• The introduction of programs to sensitize and encourage resident of

St.-Eustatius to take a direct interest in the development of the
tourism industry.

• Community based tourism will be promoted. This new thrust will

present tremendous opportunities for economic development, not
only in the tourism sector but also throughout the entire Island.

• The exploration of the development of a four/five star hotel while

further enhancing the establishment of small hotel properties.

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• Establishment of a small (200-300 persons) conference centre with
basic hotel facilities.
• Support upgrading of existing hotels, restaurants, and hospitality
establishments by implementing and enforcing policies.
• Establishing a department specifically for the inspection of
hotels/guesthouses and Inns, etc.
• Training of all staff in the hospitality industry.
• Promotion of St.-Eustatius as a home for retired persons.
• Develop the Quill as a tourist attraction in cooperation with and
acknowledging of the landowners.
• Development of Venus Bay for condominium and/or development of a
tourist resort.
• Creation of a Petting Zoo for visiting youngsters.
• Building of a retaining wall in the area of King’s Well.
• Work towards an investment plan which will attract investors for the
hotel sector, the development plan for the airport and fishery.

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Port Facilities

Airport

The planned upgrade will be taken in for review. All the stakeholders will be brought
together to discuss the best way forward with this project and to ensure that the
recommendations, if feasible, will be expedited in a timely as possible. The
development of our airport is closely linked to the development of our tourism
sector.

The Government will seek to encourage the following:

• Create better hospitality and catering facilities

• Create affordable and attractive retail spaces

• Support affordable airfare by Winair.

• Seek to create a more active airport

• Privatize and outsource the airport services.

• Seek developer to present a 10 year plan for the development of the

airport.

• Expand parking area to facilitate private aircraft.

• Explore fuelling possibilities

• Create a helicopter Hub.

• Seek to attract a pilot school.

• Push for the expansion of the terminal and runway.

• Seek financial support within the kingdom first, (Schiphol) then explore
outside the kingdom.

• Keep local contractors inform of these developments, giving them time

ample time to prepare to take advantage of these developments.

Seaport (Harbour)
The pending harbour development project is unsatisfactory. It does nothing for the
enhancement of activities in our harbour. The government will conduct a feasibility
study into the re-creation of a deep water port. The annual Heineken regatta is but
a glimpse as to the possible benefits that can be derived from a Marina. The

17
construction of a marina will be further explored. The absence of the government’s
own boat Waterman has resulted in a huge loss of revenue for the harbour.

• Government will explore the purchase of another boat or the repair the
present one.

• Privatization of St. Eustatius’ Ports facilities will be reviewed and

expedited.

• Proper management of these high income generating facilities will be

put in place

• Customs policies will be revisited with a view to relieving the cost

burden on the consumers.

• Support ferry services between our Caribbean neighbours.

• Foster and develop working relationship with CARICOM, the United

Nations, the OECS, the EU and the OAS.

Social Security & Safety

Government will maintain decency, law, order and justice in our society. This we
can achieve by restoring confidence in the justice system by strengthening the
institution of the family and by enlisting the support of all stake holders, religious
organizations, and NGO’S and ensuring that our justice system is quick, responsive
and accessible to all. Government will:

• support and ensure additional ways of maintaining police staffing

levels. (VKE to assist Police with policing duties).
• encourage community neighbourhood watch programs along with the
police and the VKE. Only by working together can we safeguard our
Island.
• Be St. Eustatius’s primary catalyst for change and social justice.
• Require and insist that a preventive security policy be put in place and
that NuStar must have a fully equipped Crisis Ward on their premises
with professionals who can render First Aid to all employees.

Social affairs are now the responsibility of the Dutch Government. We as a

government is not in agreement with the Onderstand aid as is proposed by the
Dutch. The Laws pertaining to Bijstandswet and the Unemployment
(Werkloosheidswet WW) should be implemented for us as a municipality of Holland.
The Bijstandswet is a law whereas the Onderstand is an aid that was given by our
government to assist in the first needs of the people. Bijstandswet is a law
governing funds from which people without an income, have the right to apply for
assistance.

Government will:

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 • Renegotiate the Onderstand for the Bijstandswet.
• Ensure that a retirement with dignity is the right and expectation of
every employed citizen.
• Implement measures for pension reform. As a government we believe
that at the end one’s employment years, one must earn a secure
retirement.
• Encourage employed citizens to create a retirement savings via their
employer.
• Guarantee benefits for seniors and persons with disabilities. Our
government has already negotiated, with the Kingdom representatives
to set the retirement age to 65. We will not negotiate for a higher
retirement age. We will try and see if we can reduce the age if
possible.
• Negotiate with the Dutch for Child Benefits Law (Algemene
Kinderbijslagwet, AKW) and also for the child related budget which can
provide an extra income for parents due to the high cost of living. This
is a contribution which makes provision for child allowances that
contributes towards raising and supporting children up to the age of 18
years.

Government Reform

It is important that there be a review of the present organizational structure with a

view to making changes where necessary and upgrading departments as needed.
To ensure this Government will:

• Execute immediate implementation of the organizational structure

(Orgonogram)
• Census counting
• Make sure that there is less bureaucracy and more accountability,
which is the prescription for a better performing government. Good
governance and transparency is our main focus. We will direct
resources where they will be of benefit to the people, by putting a
professional functioning apparatus in place.
• Start the process to increase the number of Island Council members to
the maximum allowed by law, currently nine (9).
• Put future plans in place for a new administration building to house all
governmental departments.
• Assume its responsibility to create an environment that will promote
private sector investments, foster fair competition, and strengthen the
foundation of an innovative economy.
• Review and evaluate the Governing Program on a yearly basis.
• Government will improve and upgrade all departments with the
required professionals to head the different departments.
• The government will negotiate for the right to have a representative
for St.-Eustatius in the Kingdom Parliament.
• Every organization which is being subsidized by the government must
present its yearly financial report in order to receive new subsidy.

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 • Both airport and harbour must be developed to generate foreign
exchange rather than to service only the local population; the
privatization of these entities will be looked at; service to private jets
and yachts must be developed.
• Defend the rights of St. Eustatius as it pertains to our share in GEBE
and Winair and seek the best solutions for moving forward; alternative
energy sources must be developed; a subsidy scheme will be offered
to homeowners for the installation of solar and other green energy
alternatives.

Organizational Structure

The Coalition Partners will review the present organizational structure of

government with a view to making changes, where necessary and upgrading
departments as needed namely:

• DROB
• Census Office
• Personel Affairs

Civil Rights

Government believes in Civil Rights, the civil rights category encompasses the
following issues:

• Equal rights and pay for both genders.

• Eradication of Domestic Violence
• Minority Rights
• Safeguarding citizens against Crime
• Avoiding racial and ethnic profiling
• Securing and safeguarding healthy family relationships
• Guaranteeing rights for adoption of children
• Guaranteeing rights of Ceremonial Marriages
• Allowing Domestic Partnership Registration
• Supporting Domestic Partnership Affidavits
• Promoting and upholding Civil Unions
• Providing Bilingual Education
• Securing the humanitarian rights of Disabled and physically challenged
persons.
• Guaranteeing the Religious Rights of the individual
• Fighting against discrimination based on religious, ethnic, and cultural
background.

Pension & Senior Citizens

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Our government believes that a fair society is one which takes care of the needs of
everyone. Our government will reform for better healthcare facilities for our
seniors. The fact that the pension age will be 65 years is the same as in our Dutch
Kingdom. Our government believes that the present pension plan is unsatisfactory
for our seniors. The basic pension amount should be renegotiated and increased
periodically within 5 years to the level that will better their livelihood without
putting them into poverty. This can be aligned with the Dutch Kingdom. Our
government is committed to the equality of life for our senior citizens. It is the moral
obligation of government to care for and to protect our senior Citizens. Affordable
housing allows for independent living in a secure environment. It’s our mission to
increase benefits, which will enhance the overall quality, and to alleviate financial
pressures and land tax. Our seniors are the heart and soul of our community;
therefore it’s our responsibility to care for them.

Government will endeavour to implement a system of:

• Free pharmacy prescription drugs.

• Abolishing land tax
• Free Dental care
• Enforcing the law on protection against abuse
• Enforcing policies against discrimination towards disabled persons
• Providing wheelchair accessibility to sidewalks and buildings.
• Increase old-age pension for single pensioners.
• Old-age pension for persons who have lived in a foreign country will be
increased annually, eventually giving them full pension benefits.
Pensions earned overseas will be deducted.

Government will support organizations for the elderly, assist in creating programs
which will give our senior citizens a sense of belonging, thereby helping to prevent
the early onset of mental and physical illnesses.

Abortion

The issue of Abortion is one which is widely debated, in many areas.

Abortion, as the intentional termination of a pregnancy because of personal
preference, or as a means of birth control, is rejected in polite society.

• Abortion will not be accepted as a means of birth control on St.-

Eustatius.
• Abortion should only be considered in the case of rape, incest or if the
medical professional determines that the foetus is malformed to the
point that it may not survive to full term, or if the pregnancy will cause
the death of the mother, the child or both.
• Whether or not to implement this on St.-Eustatius should be decided
by the people, by means of a referendum, well before the date of
implementation.

Euthanasia

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 This is described as an easy, painless death. It is the act of putting a person
to death at their demand, without causing them pain in the process.

• Government should see to it that all safeguards are in place to ensure

that this practice, if implemented here on St.-Eustatius, is NEVER
abused.
• Doctors, nurses and all medical personnel attached to the hospital and
any other local medical institution would be made to understand that
this is not a practice which will be condoned on the island that it is
outside the moral, religious and ethical standards of the people of St.-
Eustatius.
• Government would ensure that any doctor or medical personnel being
engaged in employment on the island would be advised that this is not
an accepted custom here.
• Whether or not to implement this on St.-Eustatius should be decided
by the people, by means of a referendum, well before the date of
implementation.

Same Sex Marriage

The island of Sint-Eustatius is proud of its religious affiliations. The island is

home to eleven religious denominations or sects. It is understood that on our
island, as in other parts of the world, there are individuals who are engaged
in the practice of homosexuality. Such persons have existed, unmolested in
our Antillean community and specifically, on our island for generations. The
community of St.-Eustatius abhors persecution of any kind, allowing
individuals to pursue their own way of life, as long as it is kept within the
confines of their own homes. Government will:

• Reject the practice of allowing persons of the same gender apply for
and receive a “Marriage” license on the island of St.-Eustatius.
• Recognize persons who choose to live together, with all the necessary
arrangements for cohabitation agreements, no matter what gender but
will not consider this a state of “Marriage”.
• Persons of the same gender wanting to cohabit on Sint-Eustatius will
be allowed to reside on the island, as long as such persons refrain from
claiming social or other services as marital partners.
• Whether or not to implement this on St.-Eustatius should be decided
by the people, by means of a referendum, well before the date of
implementation.

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Public Utilities

Water Supply

Water is the basic commodity for our citizens.

• Government will support the distribution network that started this year 2011
which will be distributed through the different districts.

• strive together with the distributors to improve and supply quality drinking
water.

• Every home should be connected to metered water.

• Building and use of cisterns should remain a personal choice of homeowners.

Electricity Supply

Since 10-10-10 there have been many discussions on how to move forward with
GEBE N.V. as this is owned by the three Windward Islands. GEBE has been supplying
with these services over the years. Government will:

• seek to negotiate public-private partnership with NUSTAR to provide quality

electricity supply distribution to the island.

• seek several sources of renewable energy such as: wind, solar and
geothermal energy to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. This will keep
the cost low, thus making it more affordable for the consumers.

• explore the possibility of establishing its own electricity company on St.-

Eustatius

• enter into talks with neighbouring islands (Nevis) to explore the possibility of
making use of geothermal energy resources.

• Explore our local geothermal energy source.

• Making use of NUSTAR as our back-up provider to negotiate together with the
Dutch for affordable electricity thus establishing our own electricity company.

Constitutional Changes

After 10-10-10 St.-Eustatius became a Public Entity based upon the Dutch
Municipality. All the laws can be found in the WOLBES, which replaced the ERNA
which was previously created for our Islands. This agreement will be functioning for
the first 5 years, whereby our people will have a chance to change this status
through a referendum before the term is over. The new constitutional structure

23
includes the introduction of dualism. We believe that by working together with
Bonaire and Saba will foster a good environment to develop ideas and solutions for
the betterment of our people.

Government will strive to:

• Place the right of self-determination high on the list ofpriorities of governing

• Seek conferences with Holland to restore the right of self-determination in its

full form as described by International Law.

• Keep the people of St.-Eustatius abreast, on a regular basis, of ongoing

deliberation and also seek consultation with the people through our offices
and island council members.

• Live up to the signed constitutional agreements with Holland but at the same
time, will be vigilant in the content giving process

• Seek regular consultations with Holland to have evaluations on the many

instituted rules and regulations.

• Fight any attempt of double standards promoted by Holland.

• We will support volunteers for military service.

Law and Justice

The peace, security and well-being of the citizens of Sint-Eustatius are among the
prime areas of focus for this government. So far, the people of St.-Eustatius have
enjoyed relative comfort, notwithstanding the occasional social incidents which may
cause some pain. The Government will:

• Endeavour to sustain the peace and tranquillity of the island of St.-Eustatius.

• work closely with the police to ensure that they are properly equipped to
execute their jobs.

• We will encourage the police to develop programs which will improve

relations between the police and the public.

• review all laws proposed by the Kingdom and implement only on a case by
case basis, if necessary.

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 • see to it that all laws to be implemented on the island of St.-Eustatius are first
approved by the Island Council of St.-Eustatius.

• Review the prison system with regard to incarceration and release of inmates
and will ensure that released prisoners not belonging to St.-Eustatius are
removed from the island immediately after release.

Personnel / Human Resources

Government will place emphasis on the quality and level of our human resources
and will not allow the need for expansion and growth to hinder this process. All key
positions which have been vacant for many years must be filled such as:

• Finance

• Harbour Master

• Welfare

• Economic Affairs

The Government will see to it that:

• All government projects which extend beyond the designated three years will
be reviewed.

• All private and public sector workers should be offered labour contracts.

• A policy should be in place to ensure that after a worker has exceeded two
years in a job that worker should be considered a permanent employee.

Spatial Planning

The Government will put in place the proper mechanism to manage the Spatial Plan
and will review the existing Spatial Plan to ensure:

• That the proposals are in the best interest of the people of St.-Eustatius

• That the allocation/designation of lands are realistic and will not form any
hindrance to future development

• That there are no conflicting designations

• That the plan will, in fact, accommodate the intended development plans of
the Government

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 • That the proposed NUSTAR development is not in conflict with the Spatial
Plan

Decentralization

An assessment will be carried out to determine which tasks, formerly executed by

the Netherlands Antilles, could still be transferred to the island government, with
the necessary funding. The goals are:

• To increase the level of autonomy and self-sufficiency of the people of Sint-

Eustatius, by any means necessary.

Fishery

The Fishing industry on St.-Eustatius, has fallen on hard times in recent years. This
is an area of our economy which needs a serious injection of capital, work and
planning.

Government will:

• Revisit the regulations and restrictions imposed on the fisherman by the

National Park (STENAPA) with the purpose to calm the rift between these two
groups. Create a liaison person for each group, if none exists.

• Investigate lifting and/or relaxing of some restrictions allowing a wider “area”

to be allocated to the fishermen as fishing ground in Gallows Bay and other
areas around the island’s coast.

• Set rules for proper registration of all those persons claiming to be fishermen.
Boats as well as individuals. Encourage Fishermen to form a Cooperative if
none now exists.

• Investigate possible levy of small registration fee which should go to

upgrading and maintaining the Fishermen’s Village.

• Renovate the Fishermen’s Village or designate a new area.

• Hire a “custodian” if only part-time for the Fishermen’s village.

The Fisheries Complex

This is an area which should be put to its proper use and would be a prosperous
enterprise and an attractive addition to the Bay front.

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 • Government intends to lease the Fisheries Complex to a private company.
This company would be responsible for daily upkeep and beautification of the
complex. All equipment (scales, freezers, ice machines, etc) would be the
responsibility of the company but Government would be responsible for the
maintenance of the physical structure.

• Upgrade permit for the Complex to include a general market area which
would allow for vendors selling vegetables a souvenir stall, etc.

• Government will facilitate fishermen in acquiring grants or loans for

improvement of their “trappings”.

• Seek funding, from EU to assist in the acquisition of long range boats (ice
boats) which would allow our fishing community to travel one or two days
away from the island for a greater catch, thereby creating a constant supply
at home and opportunities for trade with neighbouring islands.

Animal Husbandry

It is generally accepted that something has to be done. If St.-Eustatius is to take her

place as one of the “to visit” locations in the Caribbean, this matter must be
handled and it must be done immediately, decisively, without preference and
without hesitation. Government will:

• Act immediately to implement and enforce ordinances regarding roaming

animals.

• inform animal owners, through the GIS and Town Hall meetings regarding
enforcement of these ordinances.

• All animals are to be properly documented and tagged.

• Upgrade and expand the slaughterhouse facilities and structure the

operations.

• Government would facilitate a “Commodities Trading Agency” to assist St.-

Eustatius’s animal owners with better marketing possibilities.

Gender Equality

Much needs to be done, on St.-Eustatius, in the area of Gender Equality. It is not

enough to mention the term, serious work is needed in order to properly advice and
counsel the women of the island. There is need, in every area, education, training,

27
home and family life, child care and finance. The women of St.-Eustatius are at a
disadvantage because of early pregnancy and lack of good education. Many
women live at or below the poverty level and find it difficult to climb out of this pit.
In order to assist these women, Government will:

• Review the structure of the Gender Affairs Department, with a view to

upgrading the number of staff, qualifications and services offered.

• Create of a “safe house” for domestic violence and abuse cases

• Facilitate easy access to counselling services

• Seek ways to get subsidy for child-care services so that mothers can go out
to work

• Support the overhaul of the Family Court System to better handle family
crisis, complaints and enforce payment of alimony and child payment orders.

• Facilitate safe and low cost child-care situations for all parents.

• Investigate payment of all allowances, under Kingdom law, for children as

available in the European part of the Kingdom. Child Benefit Law should be
available for St.-Eustatius.

• Develop programs in the high schools to educate our young men and women
about the responsibilities of child bearing, parenting and family life.

• Create career and job training opportunities for our young women who have
had to leave school due to pregnancy.

• Sponsor, through the Gender Affairs Desk, frequent programs and forums on
the topics of Gender Equality, Violence against women and girls and Family
Life.

Youth and Family

The fact that our youth are facing a social and educational crisis is well understood.
Many of our young people are falling between the cracks. All of our young people
become sexually active at a very early age and this, in itself, creates a variety or
problems. Our young men are falling prey to anti-social behaviours brought on
because of idleness. They frequently become involved in petty crime and often
father children whom they later ignore as they have no income to assist the
mothers with the financial responsibilities of parenting and they have no parenting
skills since they, themselves, came out of similar situations. The young women are
prone to get involved in unfavourable relationships, because of their insecure
economic situations, many of these relationships result in unplanned pregnancies.
This is a revolving wheel; it becomes more and more difficult to get off because

28
there are no employment or training opportunities available to these young people.
Many of these young people end up in abusive relationships because of the stress of
too early child bearing and parenting, lack of proper education, lack of work and
secure finance, lack of suitable housing for this “new” family and general social
stress brought on by unpreparedness for such relationships and responsibilities. To
assist our youth, government will:

• Better sports facilities, properly supervised and “Open all day” and late into
the evening.

• Creation of small sports groups with an eye on regional competitions i.e.

table tennis, chess, checkers, etc.

• Encourage Youth and Family under the Dutch to establish committees to deal
with Teenage Concerns, Delinquent Youth, parental oversight and Active
Parenting Programs (Triple P).

• Establish a vocational training institute on the island. Such subjects as

plumbing, electrical, carpentry, automotive repair and body work.

Information (GIS)

The Government Information Service is the Bureau which has the responsibility of
keeping the citizens informed on everything happening within the government
structure. It should be seen as the best source of information on the activities of
the government.

• Government will review the functioning of this department which would

include upgrading and increasing of personnel where necessary.

• More frequent information to citizens – at least half an hour broadcast each

weeknight on the government television channel.

Public works (DROB)

The Public works department is a very integral department to the success of the
coalition Government. We recognize that proper management of the resource and
function of this sector is necessary if we are to fulfil our commitment to the people.
The perception of the general public of this department is not very favourable.
Therefore, the method of operations has to be reviewed and possibly revamped.
Proper supervision and management is needed if this department is to optimize its
efficiency. The government will:

• Carry out an audit of the equipment under the care of this department with a
view of ascertain their effective usage and their further usefulness.
• Implement proper division of task and the appointment of supervisors to
these divisions.

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 • Ensure that management leave the line work to line workers and concentrate
on managing.
• Implement a work order system whereby the use of equipment will be
documented and material will be properly accounted for.
• Explore the possible upgrading of all government buildings and physical
structures.
• Review all contracts with this department to ensure there is total compliance
with the terms of the contracts.
• Put in place a continuous road maintenance program.
• Look into the situation with regard to unpaved roads around the island and
examine the possibilities of government involvement with a view of ensuring
that all citizens and residents have easy access to their homes.
• Ensure that there are proper procedures with regards to the use of
government equipment for private use and adequate compensation is
received.
• Ensure there is adequate staffing for this department.
• Request an inventory and proper registry of ALL equipment under the care of
this department.

• Equipment no longer serviceable should be dismantled and used, internally,

for parts or auctioned to the public as “salvaged”. Equipment to be repaired
would be repaired and returned to service.

• Ensure that the Commissioner with the portfolio would make regular
inspections of this department

• Implement immediate renovation, repair and or upgrade of government

buildings starting with the Government Guesthouse.

• Privatize all government janitorial staff (Cleaners).

Agriculture
To promote the revitalization of this very important facet of St.-Eustatius’s
economic sustainability, the Government will:

• Sit with the farmers to draft up a plan as the first step towards the
revitalization of agriculture on St. Eustatius;
• Government will establish short-term emergency measures to meet the
critical needs for these farmers, considering the results of global recession.
• Brain storm with the education stakeholders to find creative ways to get
youngsters involved in and to understand the importance of agriculture on
St.-Eustatius;
• Preserve, through the St.-Eustatius Spatial Plan, enough land for agriculture
and animal husbandry on St. Eustatius;
• Approach the Dutch, together with the farmers, to see in what way they can
facilitate the revitalization of agriculture on St.-Eustatius, through modern
agricultural methods;

30
 • Encourage food production (planting, animal-raising, fishing), will be a
priority;
• Seek to increase food production to reduce the import in this area, by seeking
funding through European institutions to achieve a sound agricultural project.
A subsidy scheme will be developed to encourage farmers into full-time
farming; such subsidy will be tied to proven investment and production;
• Seek to develop a food production program as part of the curriculum, geared
toward actual production by students;
• Facilitate and stimulate Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fishery as a
means of economic sustainability.
• Attract developers for Poultry Farming (Chickens/ducks/turkeys)
• As an island we have all the necessary animals on hand to have a dairy farm.
Instead of importing cheese, milk and butter we will produce them.
• Encourage the Dutch to invest in the cheese production thus becoming the
hub in the Caribbean for the famous Gouda cheese.

Economic Affairs

It is important that every effort is made to ensure that the economy of St. Eustatius
improves, over the coming four years. In order to facilitate this, Government will:

• Set an Economic Policy Plan which is based on economic diversification;

• Support the St.-Eustatius Development Plan;
• Look for creative ways to revitalize the agricultural sector of St.-Eustatius
because this sector must be an integral part of our efforts towards financial
sustainability.
• In collaboration with the Dutch, we will adjust the scholarship plan in such a
way that the focus is on the professionals and skilled labourers St.-Eustatius
needs.
• Setup informative sessions to encourage landowners to become part of this
economic policy.
• Support the development of the economy along the lines of the four sectors
of focus, namely: oil, tourism, services, and food production.
• Airport and harbour will be developed to generate foreign exchange rather
than only service the local population; the privatization of these entities will
be realized; service to private jets and (mega) yachts will also be realized.
• Support the re-opening of brothels.
• Defend the rights of St. Eustatius as it pertains our share in GEBE and Winair
and seek the best solutions for moving forward; alternative energy sources
must be developed; a subsidy scheme will be offered to homeowners for the
installation of solar and other green energy alternatives;
• Call on the Dutch government to assert its guaranty function to provide airlift
to and from the island by Winair or any other means; meanwhile the airline
ticket price must be subsidized, reducing the rates by 50%; subsidy must be
on tickets sold, not to the airline.
• Encourage the tourism sector in developing several small hotel properties
that can be supported by the local supply of personnel; existing hotel rooms
must be upgraded; training programs for hotel staff to be enhanced.

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 • Support entrepreneurs that can play a very vital part in the future of the
economy of St. Eustatius in providing jobs and on-the job training for our
people.
• Screen and support foreign investors and guarantee that good economic
protection policies are in place for the fundamental security of each
individual.
• Support tax relief for local small start-up businesses and will strengthen
consumer’s protection legislation.
• Establish the right conditions so that private investors can invest and grow
along with our labour market.
• Work together with the Parties and the community to improve the re-
structuring of the Strategic Development Plan and Spatial planning for our
Island to the benefit of our people.
• Establish Price Control for basic necessities, this must be implemented
immediately.
• Create a Consumer Advocacy Foundation.
• Price monitoring would be conducted to circumvent unfair price increases by
businesses.
• Offer off-shore licensing facilities for companies.
• Offer St. Eustatius as a place for registration of vessels.
• Expedite business licenses applications filed by citizens and local residents.
• Explore possibilities of establishing an Agricultural Credit bank to assist our
farmers.

Education

The education of our people is of the utmost importance and carries the highest
priority. No longer can St.-Eustatius be content with waiting for someone else to do
things for us. We must have the ability to manage our own affairs and our people
must be in a position to demand the best education for themselves and their
children. The phrase “Each one teach one” is very relevant as education is an
ongoing process. From the cradle to the grave, each day one is alive; there is
something to be learned. The Government is of the opinion that it has the
responsibility of ensuring that our education system is responsive to the changing
and evolving needs of the community, on both national and international level. In
this regard the government will:

• Encourage the education of children from early childhood and will assist in
the establishment of pre-school education for every child
• A national conference will be conducted on the goals of our education system
and how we can best achieve these goals, with emphasis on individual
achievement and “Education Discipline” from students, teachers, parents and
management alike.

• Set goal for 70%-80% of our children to go on to college level education.

• Investigate the establishment of a private school for local and foreign
students.

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 • Establishment of a School of Hospitality Studies to train local student for the
Tourism, Hotel and Restaurant industry.
• Special Education instruction for students who are mentally challenged.
• Establish and enforce policy of “No child will be left behind”
• Extension of school hours by offering afterschool programs would be
supported
• Reinstate school meals program
• To create some competition among schools and offer students alternatives,
the possibility of establishing another secondary school will be studied; such
a school could emphasize arts (music, dance, drama, painting, crafts), and
vocational education, as well as computer-based technologies (graphic arts,
graphic design, etc.)

• Promote the appointment of a local school inspector.

• Early childhood education under OCW, not the local government for financial
reasons. Part of Social affairs of the Dutch.
• More Adult education classes in general knowledge with useable diplomas at
conclusion.
• Expertise Centre and remedial teaching with two government representatives
on the Board.
• Implement program of scholastic awards to be given yearly. This is a good
morale boost and incentive for learning and pursuing further education.
• Create special pre and neo-natal classes, within the educational system, for
young girls who become pregnant will still in school.

Referendum

All matters/laws that will have an effect on the lives and freedom of the people
should not be implemented, without the input of the people. This government will:

• Declare a month, to be decided, as referendum month

• Ensure that all fundamental issues are brought before the people for their
consensus, before implementation

• Ensure that the people have a mechanism which they can apply, when there
are matters of national interest to be decided.

• Ensure that during the evaluation period a referendum would be held to

determine the wishes and will of the people, moving forward.

• Budget yearly for conducting such referendums.

• In principle, referendum results should be binding on the government of St.-

Eustatius. By law it will be determined which matters can or cannot be
decided by referendum and the criteria for initiating a referendum by
government or the voting public.

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