PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Member of Parliament Claude “Chacho” Peterson is continuing to honour the pledge made by the Sint Maarten Christian Party (SMCP) during their 2018 election campaign to donate 15 per cent of the salary of their parliamentarians. To date, MP Peterson has donated to two foundations in support of their efforts in the community. This is the alternative chosen until a voluntary reduction is adopted by his colleagues in Parliament.
MP Peterson made his second donation on Monday to Be The Change Foundation, a community-based organisation that has proven through their projects and activities to be making a significant contribution to the lives of many on the island. The Member of Parliament made a transfer of 2,900 guilders to the Foundation to assist them with their upcoming and ongoing activities. Recently, Be The Change Foundation completed the painting of the vending booths located in the Philipsburg area.
“I have observed the consistency of this organisation’s work, and the humility with which they approach making a positive change in our community. I admire the way they involve everyone- young and old, in what they do. They show that we all can make a difference if we are willing to ‘be the change’,” said MP Peterson. “I feel they have done an excellent job in our community coordinating and carrying out beautification and improvement projects. They have done an excellent job in getting persons in our community to volunteer their time to work on projects that uplift our community.”
Since taking the oath of office in July 2018, Peterson has been actively seeking opportunities to give back to the community from his voluntary deduction of 15 percent of his salary. In September 2018, Peterson made his first donation of 770 guilders to the White and Yellow Cross Foundation in support of their celebrations of the International Day of the Elderly held on October 6, 2018. “The event honoured the senior citizens and residents of the Sint Maarten Home, many of whom spent their lives building our country,” noted Peterson.
MP Peterson has taken note of the Ministers recent decision to voluntarily lower their salary by 10% and hopes that very soon, the Parliamentarians will also see the importance of making this symbolic gesture at a time when our country is still combating the devastating effects of Irma while many in our community remain jobless and roofless. This represents an opportunity for not only SMCP but all other political parties to demonstrate solidarity with our people to face the challenging times ahead.
