Dear Editor,
I work for a company based on St. Eustatius as a Boarding Agent for oil tankers appointed to us by major firms in the marine industry around the world.
The job in its entirety is challenging and demands time, personal skills and knowledge, but I would credit it as being one of the best jobs one could ask for, once one understands and masters it.
Now let me get to the point that gets under my skin. It seems as though the company's vehicles have become a rather personal concern and responsibility of many out there in the community.
Complaints and calls have reached our office superiors on numerous occasions about the manner in which the agents drive. If it's not that we were seen speeding, it's because we were at some obscene location outside working hours or some other melee.
It has even been recorded that some have decided to make it their priority to march in to the vehicles' owner to rattle off their complaints.
All these talks would eventually mount to mistrust and disappointment in us the employees, simply because some see it fit to involve themselves in matters that are none of their concern.
We live in a community where everyone wants to be in command of other persons' lives, or looking to see what they can bring or carry around the streets.
I'm fed up and only wish that someday we would bury that habit once and for all and realise that, regardless of whom we vote into the seat to govern us, or whom we appoint to ensure we get what's due to us, Statia would never rise up to the changes it deserves if we don't "stick to our own concerns."
Leoncio Zhivago Lopes
(aka "Private")
