Every time I read an article by PE teacher/coach turned activist Armand Hessels I am reminded of this biblical conflict, and Armand is in good company because Christ suffered from the same prejudice. As a rule, for the past two thousand years, truthsayers are rarely accepted in their own hometowns.
Although after 17 years of activism, Armand has his followers.
We had him as guest of the radio show yesterday morning, Pica 96.5%, on Magic 96.5FM, and co-host Jacky Wernet asked – she is usually very direct, what moved Armand, a retired PE teacher/coach to lay down the ball and pick up a pen, and become our self-styled, self-appointed Good Governance specialist.
His answer was quite shocking. Armand recalls around the Millennium, he attempted to organize a bike-path project around Aruba. He raised some money from the private sector and was in the last planning stages of a cycling network with Public Works and the Ministry.
At an official meeting, he was asked about his finances and how he was, as a private entity, paying for the project. When he finished explaining his fundraising strategy for this healthy-lifestyle community-project, the minister’s aid interrupted and said: I hope you also have a line item in the budget as a donation for the minister; for him to sign the documents, you will have to make a donation.
Armand says he saw red, he was outraged. He recognized corruption when he was confronted with it. He explained it was a not-for-profit, healthy-lifestyle community-project, but to no avail. The minister insisted on his pound of flesh. Otherwise, go jump in the lake.
And that turned the humble, quiet PE teacher/coach into an advocate.
He’s been busy since then, and this week he wrote an article explaining why the upcoming tax hike is pointless, throwing good money after bad, because the SYSTEM is rigged for failure.
He made suggestions to the MinPres just recently.
How to get away from political patronage and thereby reduce the government’s overwhelming cost of personnel.
About the need to reform the government’ wasteful administration and SAVE up to 50% of the national budget.
Regarding the benefit of a comprehensive Tax Reform, that would generate Awg 100 million extra for GOA to spend.
And the institution of proper control of public funds when dubious public infrastructure projects are proposed.
Read more about him on FB, and on line, he is one of the only island reformists, his foundation advocating Good Governance gained momentum before last year’s elections and he deserves our support.
