Oh Boy! The SXM Political Circus is back in town! So much fun to be had! But before we get started I'd like to make an appeal to all readers of SXM PE, we need your help!.

Three years ago we here at SXM PE put together the St. Maarten 2007 Island Council Election Section. We would like to do this again for the upcoming elections, but time is short. We are going to need your help, this is what we need:

Links to any websites belonging to individual candidates and the parties, photos of candidates or billboards, scanned pamphlets and flyers and anything else related.

Over the coming week we will prepare the 2010 SXM Election Section in the same way we did before, with separate pages for each party and for their candidates. Ideally we would like to do much more, question candidates on their positions on certain issues for example, list their interests, particularly their business interests and be a real watchdog for bulls**t and dumb policies. But until a real sponsor steps forward we will have to live with whatever the current SXM Main Stream Media feeds us.

In the meantime we here will do what we can to give you an information resource that can help you decide who deserves your vote.

Can you help us out? Post links to websites below and email us with photos and other things at sxmpemail at gmail dot com.

Flipper

Yes, SXM PE is finally back! Actually it's been back online for about 2 weeks, but I was away last week and have had no time to write a thing. Now I have a little, so it's time to see if we can breathe some life back into SXM's longest running and sometimes (hee hee) 'controversial' blog site.

Can it be done? I think so. While Facebook has a place and role to play in bringing people together to communicate and discuss issues of our island life, it does have it's limitations that SXM PE does not. For one thing you reach a much larger audience, for some reason, despite the inaction, SXM PE is still getting 500+ visitors a day and often comes up quite high in lists in google searches about the island.

But I will say again as I have said many times before, the success of this forum and blogging site depends a great deal on the support of those who value and read it. There are two ways you can give that support, one is to make a donation via the Pay Pal button, we are in urgent need of funds as we have to change our hosts and have some upgrading and improvements done.

The second, but I think perhaps an even more important and valuable contribution you can make, is your participation in sharing your opinions, ideas and comments. It's you that make this site a daily visit for many many people.

Regards and best wishes to all! - Flipper

Everybody knows about the new political thrill. Right?
And aren’t we all DYING to finally see its’ manifesto?
Unfortunately it is yet to make a grand entrée. The bore of waiting and considering the fact that its’ figurehead has never made the slightest greenwashed impression on me, have induced me to extend a helping hand (shown kindness may be applauded here).

Hey, I know this is a small story amongst many other bigger ones going on, but I'd like to say something about it because I feel it's just another reflection of how dysfunctional SXM's government departments are.

In June last year the Census office announced that yet again, the one and only machine they have for making ID cards was out of service. In August they told us that the problem was the software and it was being upgraded. In March this year it was finally working again. And now, again, it is not.

Will be another 10 months before it is working again? Does it need replacing completely or perhaps another purchased as a standby? And are those using it actually trained in it's operation and care? Will those with expired cards be given a break from police or immigration, or will they have to spend nights in a police cell while their renewal status is investigated? Will the census office offer letters to those with expired card or those waiting so they can avoid that horrible possibility?

SMNN - Guana Bay:--- The St. Maarten Pride Foundation celebrated its 10th anniversary at a cocktail party on Saturday. Pride President Jadira Veen distributed four awards to different groups namely, St. Maarten Science Fair Foundation, Pearl FM Radio, Belvedere Home Owners and Tenants Association, St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA). Veen in her address said the awards are just a symbol of appreciation to the persons who worked or either assisted the foundation in maintaining the environment.

Have you ever read something that made you fear your eyes would dangle from their sockets?
Well, here’s one that did the trick for me:

Click

The detention of Sir Bobby Valasquez in connection with apparent molestation of a teenager is generating a whole ton of comments on our two main local news sites, SMNN and SXM IT that are well worth a browse through. Bobby, and the reported victim, have both been convicted, judged and sentenced and of course there is speculations galore, but between it all there bits and pieces of information that makes me uneasy about it all.

Jose Lake Sr was an island Hero, one whom I believe has yet to be honored with a roundabout, not to worry though, Theo's building a few more and hopefully he will get a spot. He was smart, he was progressive and he championed free speech, which I can confirm doesn't earn you many friends amongst 'Pinheads' or others who don't want their doings talked about or criticized. I sure they don't like us adopting Billo's term, lol.

Anyhoo, this blog post is about SXM PE, about freedom of speech and about using it. This site was created with the intention to provide an outlet and forum for people of the island to vent, share opinions and ideas, discuss and debate issues and to share information. (Whistle blowers, our email is sxmpe at gmail :)) It has most certainly not been about making money, it has survived on volunteered time and donations till now, in fact I still owe the guy who rebuilt it last year a few hundred $'s, I think the donation button still works if you are so inclined :)

SXM PE needs people to use it, blogging is open to anyone and I invite again all those progressive, thinking, caring and intelligent people out there on the island to make use of it. FB is all fine and great for sharing stuff with friends, but it does have it's drawbacks and limitations. SXM PE offers a free place about SXM for you to post your thoughts and opinions and create a broader and perhaps even freer discussion. Hey, you can even do so with an alias.

Please watch this video about preaching to the converted, because what you say and think can have an impact and power, a power the intelligent, progressive and caring people of this island need to use. The madness of pond filling, pollution, corruption, crime and destruction of the island and it's community will go on day after day until you do. Who else is there except you? Leopold James and Wild Willy Haize?

A guide on how to post a blog on SXM PE.

With the growth of St Maarten’s economy, constantly rising quantities of waste are continuing to be produced. Tonnes of bio-waste arise in food and garden waste and the food and drink industry. The first priority, of course, must be to prevent / reduce waste. This can go hand in hand with major environmental and economic benefits.
The enormous quantity of waste produced every day on this island cannot simply be squandered. Bio-waste plays an important part in combating climate change and offers valuable potential in terms of protecting the soil and promoting the production of renewable energies, and is therefore a significant factor in the recovery of this volume of waste. This means that sustainable development can be promoted through the efficient management of resources.

Over the past few years I have written more than a few articles on here about Climate Change and Oil, in most of them I have argued that even if you are a skeptic about CC, that there are plenty of other reasons why we, the Human Race, must kick our addiction to it. It will be the death of us if we don't.

BP it seems, unsurprisingly, has been lying about how big the leak is. The true volume of the leak is not 5000 barrels a day, but may be much closer to 70,000 barrels a day, comparable to 1 Exxon Valdez every 4 days. I strongly suggest everyone to read the following links.

Gulf Gusher Worst Case Scenario.

Worst Oil Spill Ever.

When I started SXM PE back in April 2005 it wasn't just about having a place to vent and blog my opinions, there were other reasons, one of which was to spur and encourage discussion, debate and the sharing of ideas within the SXM Community and hopefully bringing together people who shared cares and concerns. Another was to create a library of sorts, a library that has been used by students, lawyers, journalists, 'pinheads' and the general public at large. Over 2.2 million pages have been viewed since I started this site.

When I started, there was very little SXM news online, the DH had a site, but it was dated and quite often stories had to be scanned to be posted on here. The Today, even today, has no website presence to speak of.

The DH recently rebuilt it's website, perhaps because they got a little tired of it being criticized, especially here on PE, and all in all they did a good job. However one small problem. The thousands of links listed here in the pages of PE and elsewhere on the internet to news on their old site no longer work. I don't know if they are still available online, perhaps they are, but really, the loss is heartbreaking.

It's not the loss to SXM PE that hurts most, the DH did demand once that we stop posting links to their website and I refused, telling them that posting limited partial content and links was not only legal but also normal for the internet, in fact it was good for them because it helped drive up their visitor and page view numbers. The real loss is to the community and general public of the island. The news we scanned is still there, but links to DH stories over the past years are now useless.

Sorry folks, I guess the DH just doesn't think archives and history are as important as we do.

Flipper

The Daily Herald -

PHILIPSBURG--The Prosecutor's Office has denied claims that its requesting a review of Cor Merx's appointment to the local bar is a witch hunt against the former chief prosecutor. Solicitor General A.C. van der Schans (not Hans van der Schans) suggested in an appointment hearing some months ago that the Court weigh allegations of legal malpractice against Merx before the appointment. A response from the Court is expected soon. [More....]

The Daily Herald - ~ Exco reportedly had faulty figures ~

PHILIPSBURG--The NAf. 24.3 million projected by the Executive Council to fill the deficit in the 2010 budget through the collection of back taxes is not collectable.

The Daily Herald has learned that Commissioner of Finance Xavier Blackman has reports indicating that only NAf. 2.5 million can be collected for the period 2004-2007. The Commissioner had indicated that NAf. 14.4 million could be collected this year. Also, only NAf. 90,000 can be collected from 2008, not NAf. 4 million as was mentioned by the commissioner.

CLICK HERE!

Shown on Dutch TV this past week. Mostly in Dutch, but not so difficult to understand.

The Daily Herald - Dear Editor,

Please allow me to review the state of St. Maarten's environment on behalf of EPIC, St. Maarten Pride Foundation and the Emilio Wilson Estate Foundation on this 22nd day of April, 2010 – the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, which coincides with St. Maarten Pride Foundation's 10th anniversary.

Our National Anthem describes St. Maarten as being "So bright by beach and strand" and "Where the chains of mountains green, variously in sunlight sheen" yet the reality of today's St. Maarten is somewhat different:

Sewage, leakage from septic tanks and urban run-off flood the streets of many of St. Maarten's neighbourhoods and flow towards the island's natural treasure chests and economic products: ponds, lagoons, beaches and coral reefs. These same sewage-covered streets are more often than not adorned with solid waste, ranging from car wrecks to a multitude of bottles, plastic bags and other domestic garbage.

Click here to Read More

SMNN - PHILIPSBURG - The Central Committee of the Island Council met with GEBE officials last week to discuss the problems and challenges the company has in providing good service to the community.

Chairman of the Central Committee George Pantophlet said the meeting was very informative as they heard from William Brooks, GEBE Managing Director on the state of the company.

SMNN -

Philipsburg: --- The court of first instance has rejected the claim filed against Talking Drum Foundation by Julian Rollocks. The court also prohibited Rollocks from acting as a representative to the Foundation in its April 9 ruling while giving Julian Rollocks one week to turn over all documents, contracts as well as sub-contracts for the Border Point to his half brother Cimmeran Marlin. The judge in his ruling said while he would not give a direct decision on how the foundation and Rollocks should settle their dispute regarding Rollocks so called investment in the foundation. [More....]

The Daily Herald - CAY BAY--Friday's oil spill in Cay Bay, the second largest in over a month, has left the environmental community fuming because nothing much is being done by utilities company GEBE to prevent continued pollution of the bay.

Environmental activist of Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) and St. Maarten Pride Foundation Rueben Thompson is again outraged with yet another spill. "This is the second largest one in more than a month but it is one of many for this year."

Click here to Read More

The Daily Herald - CAY BAY--A second oil spill for the year in Cay Bay occurred Friday and appears to have been caused by utilities company GEBE again. This time, St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies has taken a strong stance.

Harbour CEO/Master Mark Mingo is demanding GEBE make the necessary changes to prevent this from happening again and ensure it is properly equipped for quick response in an emergency. This demand is also to be formally addressed with the company.

Click here to Read More

The Daily Herald - Dear Editor,

Please allow me to congratulate my young friend Rueben Thompson on being awarded the 2009 Ewan P. McFarlane Award for Outstanding Leadership in the Insular Caribbean.

Environmentalists are a rare breed. In our small island societies, it is rare to find local people concerned about the environment. But Rueben, Jadira and others are proof that local people do not need to be lectured to by people coming from the polluted industrial world they left behind.

Click here to Read More

SMNN - Philipsburg: --- The executive council has taken a decision in their weekly meeting on Tuesday to suspend the director of sector ROB Joseph Dollison and head of maintenance Claudius Buncamper pending reassignment. SMN News has been reliably informed that commissioner of Public Works Theo Heyliger voted against the decision.

According to information, reaching SMN News is that Heyliger believes the council should disregard the SOAB report, which was issued in November 2009. Reliable information reaching SMN News states that the council took the decision some three weeks ago but they placed it on hold so that the commissioner in charge of ROB Theo Heyliger would discuss the decision taken by the council with the two civil servants.

SEE ALSO:
ExCo takes decision on Dollison, Buncamper.
ROB officials to be replaced by management team.

SXM Island Times - PHILIPSBURG - Education is the single largest chapter in the Draft Budget 2010 that was presented to the Island Council on Monday by Finance Commissioner Xavier Blackman.

The total budget is 323.6 Million Guilders and is balanced. An anticipated shortfall of 1.7 Million Guilders in the Capital Expenditure Budget is covered by a surplus of the same amount in the General Expenses.

SMNN - Great Bay – The premier local construction materials supply company on St. Maarten, BBW is relocating to Sucker Garden. The company's offices and operations will now be located on the Arch Road.

As a public statement regarding its commitment to St. Maarten, the company has decided to place and always maintain, a large St. Maarten flag on the top it's tallest cement silo, which forms part of BBW's recent installation of its new and modern Ready mix Concrete plant. The two white Cement silos at the company's new location, are visible from Philipsburg, Cul de Sac, Fort Willem and adjacent areas.

See also the exact same story on SXM IT - BBW relocates to Arch Road, Sucker Garden

The Daily Herald - PHILIPSBURG--Environmentalist Rueben Thompson is the recipient of the 2009 Euan P. McFarlane Award for Outstanding Environmental Leadership in the Insular Caribbean.

Thompson was nominated by Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) President Natalia Collier, supported by Paul Hoetjes of the Environment and Nature Department in Curaçao. The award was presented in Barbados on Monday.

As Thompson was unable to attend because of prior commitments, an EPIC board member collected the award for him at the annual general meeting of the Caribbean Conservation Association.

Click here to Read More

SXM Island Times - PHILIPSBURG - The Governor of the Netherlands Antilles, mr. F.M.d.l.S. Goedgedrag, received the final report of the formateur, Mr. P.J. Atacho. Mr. Atacho has accepted the commission to form a cabinet that:

· has a majority support in Parliament and a basis on all the islands of the Netherlands Antilles, and
· consists of persons who are prepared and able to execute a transition program in a decisive and well-balanced manner on the basis of the Agreement of Philipsburg, concluded on February 19, 2010

The Daily Herald - ~ Talking Drums Foundation speaks of crimes ~

PHILIPSBURG--Emotions flared at the Courthouse Monday afternoon when half-brothers Julian Rollocks and Cimmaron Marlin faced off concerning Talking Drums Foundation in which both are involved.

The non-profit organisation, established in November 1998, can be considered Marlin's life's work. Its objectives are to promote greater awareness of the African heritage and black role models, and to organise charitable activities. One of the most eye-catching activities of the foundation is classes in woodcarving for the youth.

The Daily Herald - PHILIPSBURG--The commission established by the Executive Council last year to determine whether disciplinary measures against Environmental Development and Property Management ROB Department Director Joseph Dollison and adjunct Director Claudius Buncamper were warranted as a result of the Government Accountants Bureau SOAB report findings on the issuance of building permits, has found no credible grounds for such measures and has advised the council accordingly.

The commission's advice was discussed by the Executive Council recently and, according to sources, Commissioner Theo Heyliger was the sole member willing to follow the commission's advice.

SMNN - Philipsburg: --- The island government and the department of Legal Affairs are currently investigating an inspector of ROB (Public Works) who allegedly tried to extort monies from Blue Marine. According to reliable sources, the ROB inspector and his girl friend are owners of Blue Blood Construction tried to extort $42,000 from Blue Marine, a company that belongs to Saro Spadaro. SMN News learnt that the inspector committed his act since July 2009 and to date no actions has been taken.

The source said the inspector sent his girlfriend (another civil servant) with an invoice in the name of Blue Blood to Blue Marine for $42, 000 even though Blue Blood did not conduct any work for Blue Marine. It is further understood that when Blue Marine questioned the invoice they were told that they should pay the invoice if they wanted to get their inspection approved on the buildings that were constructed at Pointe Pirouette.