WILLEMSTAD — 230 candidates on eight different lists will participate with the elections of October 19. Traditionally, only the kingpins of these parties will receive attention in the local press. The ‘inferior candidates’ are to do their utmost to attract attention in the electoral struggle. In this compilation, an overview of press reports and publications on many of these candidates.

Orlando Griffith is 73 and one of the oldest candidates in the next elections. He is number 28 on the list of candidates of Pais. His decision to be on the list of a political party ensues from his endeavor as pensioner to do something in return for the island and its residents. Born in Surinam but raised on Curaçao and having studied and worked in the Netherlands, he has experience in numerous positions within the government. For instance, he worked with the General Civil Pension Fund (ABP) in the Netherlands and was chairman of the Antillean association Mosaico in Heerlen. On Curaçao, he had been head of personnel department of Feffik, among other things. Griffith states he deliberately chose not to twiddle his thumbs but contribute to the development of his island. He is of the opinion that education doesn’t link up well with the labor market; this could improve to help more people find employment.

Ane Marten de Vries is number six on the list of candidates of the PNP. He is the director of institution Social Care and Recovery. In a press report at the beginning of the campaign he wrote he advocates a strong autonomous Curaçao. In practice this means Curaçao should be a powerful island that self-consciously seeks collaboration with the surrounding countries. He thinks he’s the ideal candidate to bridge the Netherlands and Curaçao. “The complete break off of the relation with the Netherlands experienced the past 22 months causes huge problems, for example in our society. Large groups of European Dutch citizens no longer feel safe here; pensioners are concerned about their income, trainees are afraid to go out on the streets and entrepreneurs are confronted with the wheels of government. These people are part of this island but aren’t making any headway. Partly on account of their origin and the accompanying tensions. I will introduce measures to optimally involve them and others with our society, nobody is excluded.”

Rennox Calmes is number nine on the candidate list of the FOL and one of the younger ones of the orange party. Calmes is concerned about the latest developments on Curaçao. He blames these developments on the lack of a good patriotic foundation in the Curaçao society. He points out that many people on Curaçao demand attention for the lack of patriotism on the island and that little is done to change this. He is of the opinion that the local education should also focus on the history of Curaçao, the national anthem, the weapon and the constitution. “People need to think about every line of our anthem; it may sound strange but there are still people who can’t sing the entire anthem. This too must become part of the final exams.” The people will no longer be manipulated once they’re familiar with the island’s history, said Calmes.

Aldebert Rooijer was once a member of the NPA and seated in the Island Council on behalf of this party. He switched to the DP in 2010, where he is now number two on the list of candidates of DP/Laboral. Rooijer, originally a lawyer, wrote in one of his press reports for his electoral campaign that he advocates for a law that deals with people who don’t pay their debts. “If you don’t pay your debts and have all your properties put in someone’s name to avoid attachment, you should be punished with community service or imprisonment”, said Rooijer. According to the DP-member, too often people make debts deliberately; knowing they can’t meet their obligations. Not only is this unfair but in due course it’ll have destabilizing consequences for the local economy.

Milton Yarzagaray, number 17 on the list of candidates of the MAN, has held one of the most visible campaigns lately. At the beginning of the campaign he sent a press report to the media, advocating saving the fund of the General Insurance Special Medical Costs (AVBZ) after reports in the local media on plans from the previous government to take over this fund. He states that this fund was founded in the past by ministers of the MAN-party for the uninsurable risks within the health service. If this solidarity fund is closed it will cause enormous damage to the local health service, says Yarzagaray.

18-year old Franyelis Santana Mojica is number 19 on the list of candidates of DP/Laboral. She was born in the Dominican Republic and this is the first time she’s officially using her suffrage. Santana Mojica believes good education is so important that it should make people aware of their talents, to development themselves optimally. “Education determines one’s development and fortune; education is necessary to get a job and for the economic growth of our island.” In her opinion priority should be given for instance to investing in teachers and educational material, the introduction of vocational schools and continuous upgrading of teachers.

Rutven ‘Reechie’ Ellensburg is candidate number 12 on the list of PS. In his press report he requested attention for the development of Saliña. He is concerned about the development of this central part of the island where many youngsters assemble in the weekend and the numerous problems there require the police to take action. Ellensburg advocates a ‘positive approach’ of these problems. He suggests closing this area for traffic in the weekend and allocating it pedestrian area to create a pleasant climate as on weekdays.

Geert Huisman is number 17 on the list of candidates of PAIS. He believes firm action should be taken regarding attacks, domestic violence and burglaries. Huisman: “Much attention was paid to organized crime for a long time but should continue to receive attention. Priority should also be given to combating attacks, domestic violence and burglaries at residences and companies.” According to him, the dominant unrest in the society is caused by a lack of trust in the judicial chain. One of PAIS’ priorities is controlling the attacks, he said. This means investing in more and better technical tracking equipment for the police corps.

Kenneth Pieter is number 11 on the candidate list of the PNP. He thinks this election is about a distinct choice. The citizens are to choose between respect and misery. He regrets that since the previous elections the island is confronted with a lack of respect, humiliations, intimidation and wasting of government funds. If this doesn’t end, it’ll only make the misery worse on the island, says the PNP-member. He thinks the people are now to make a choice: stick to the current course or vote for the PNP to restore respect, standards and values on the island.