Frans states position
on children’s homes
PHILIPSBURG--The Government of St. Maarten lacks vision. Its priorities lie with investors and a new government building that eventually will cost the community US $100 million, but organisations such as I Can Foundation and Crystal Children’s Home do not receive a dime, says National Alliance Councilman Frans Richardson.
He reacted to the threat of eviction of 16 residents of Crystal Children’s Home by January 15, because of three months’ arrears in payment of rent, totalling US $10,500. “We are talking about separate status, but we cannot take care of our youngsters,” Richardson said.
He pointed out that the total budget for 2008 amounted to NAf. 315 million, but Government could not find the necessary financial means for organisations such as Crystal Children’s Home.
Justice Minister David Dick told The Daily Herald that he had dealt recently with the payment Crystal Children’s Home should have received for each child from the Court of Guardianship, in spite of the fact that the home had not signed the required care contract. Dick said he wasn’t aware of new problems the home was encountering, but expressed his willingness to attend to the matter in an effort to find a solution.
Richardson and Finance Commissioner Roy Marlin were already at loggerheads on the issue late 2007. The financial problem of Crystal Children’s Home was reason for the Councilman to reiterate his position that St. Maarten should take care of its responsibility in light of future separate status.
“New regulations concerning children’s homes should be adopted. When St. Maarten becomes Country it should take responsibility for its youth,” he said.
