SXMElections.com

Leader of the One St. Maarten Peoples Party with new candidate Joslyn Richardson, at Richardson’s South Reward organic farm. A labourer waters the plants in the background.

St. Maarten News —Maurits Joslyn Richardson is being put forward as an electoral candidate to contest the September 26th election on the One St. Maarten People’s Party ticket. A press release from the party over the weekend said Richardson was among the first St. Maarten nationals to study agriculture at the university level and has over the years made numerous proposals as to how agriculture can be used to improve the island. He currently runs a farm in the South Reward area where he practices organic farming and says he believes a lot more should be done by the authorities to promote agriculture on the island.

“Over the years I have been trying to bring attention to how important agriculture is to the island but not much attention has been paid to this by the government. With my knowledge in this field and my background I believe it is time for me to quit standing on the sidelines and hoping the government will eventually realize the importance of agriculture to the island, and to get involved directly,” Richardson said in the release. He said he opted to join the OSPP because he has through the years noted the efforts of party leader Lenny Priest to improve the community even while not being part of government.

Meanwhile OSPP Leader Lenny Priest explained that he has over the years read the various proposals submitted by Richardson related to agriculture and has listened to the ideas he has proposed. Consequent he believes more people, especially young people locally should be encouraged to become involved in agriculture. He has recommended two scholarships be set aside annually specifically for young people wishing to pursue a study in agriculture. While both Priest and Richardson acknowledged that St. Maarten is not likely to produce enough agricultural products to export to other islands, they are optimistic that it is possible for the island to produce enough to meet the needs of the ever growing number of health conscious persons living here and who are looking for naturally grown and trusted agricultural products.

Priest said he is pleased to launch Richardson as a candidate for the upcoming elections because of his passion for improving his community which he believes makes him a good fit for the party.

“This election is very important like every other election of the past. However, the vast difference is that each of the political parties in government today has been part of the Executive Branch of the government since attaining our separate status within the Dutch Kingdom on October 10, 2010. Just think about it. What will they or can they tell you that they are going to do different this time around?” Priest questioned. “They had their chances to make it right for you over the last five to six years but they refused; instead they choose to bring shame on this young nation based on their many illegal actions. They choose to stay in government at any cost to fulfill their personal needs. Now is the time that you fulfill your personal needs and vote the OSPP in to office.”