”The SINT MAARTEN MARINE TRADES ASSOCIATION (SMMTA) has with great surprise taken note of the comments, opinions and threat expressed by Mark Mingo, one of its own Board Members, at the official inauguration of the Simpson Bay Causeway on Saturday 25th January. In his address Mingo, in his capacity as CEO of the St. Maarten Harbor Group of Companies, stated that the SMMTA 1) was out to destroy the MARINE industry, 2) uses strong-arm tactics, 3) dictates to others and 4) camouflages programs in the "name of good corporate citizens". He went on to suggest that the Association does not have Country Sint Maarten at heart and that it does "not see the full picture". He then proceeded to issue a threat to the very institution he is a Board Member of. The SMMTA openly requests Mark Mingo to advise the Association and the general public which behavior or action(s) have led to what the Association can only term as his ludicrous conclusions. The SMMTA is the official representative of 100 member companies in, or related to the marine sector of St. Maarten/St. Martin, representing a total investment of hundreds of millions of US dollars, as well as providing jobs for well over 2,500 St. Maarten/St. Martin residents. The Association’s board, of which Mingo is a member for a second term, has not yet had the benefit of understanding the position which Mingo has proclaimed to a wide audience. One would expect Mingo to express his concerns at a Marine Trades board meeting, IF his intention was really to remedy any potential problems. It should be noted that the St. Maarten Marine Trades Association has not opposed the causeway project at any time, other than pointing out that it was not at all a project aimed at benefitting the marine industry, but rather an investment in much needed infrastructure to alleviate vehicular traffic congestion. Regardless of any comments by Mingo, the SMMTA applauds and congratulates all involved with the design, building and operation of the Causeway and looks forward to Mark Mingo’s public explanation of his accusations."