Summer recess for the IC so I thought it might be OK for us to have a little fun. I'm hoping to be impressed by the creativity and wit I think is out there. :)
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
It was just over a year ago that I wrote a blog about the SXM condo market being past it's prime. Less than two weeks afterwards the island's Economic Affairs Dept reported a positive assessment of the real estate market with a nice big bold headline. Remarkable coincidence eh?
Just like in the US, where Dubya and McSame are trying to convince the public that everything is just fine and that really, it's mainly psychological and people whinging, if only people would think positive then things would look better, we have the same here. Only problem is, the facts keep intruding.
SXM economy to be stable next 2 years - 24th May 2008
Maria: Island's economy successful and resilient - 25th March 2008
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
Business and Labor | Climate Change | Development and Construction | Energy and Water | Environment | Tourism | 8 comments | read more
Submitted by Local Hero on Sun, 2008-07-20 10:43.
I understand through the media that Mr. De Vrieze will be appointed as a consultant for the Chamber of Commerce in connection with the issue of Crime on Sint Maarten.
As a business organization I wonder why management has not requested a public input in regards to the requirement that the Chamber thinks they need in order to be able to combat this issue. A general call for input would have been a better approach then to appoint a former prosecutor. My questions are as folllows:
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
The recent story of a police officer shooting at the door of his ex, or unfaithful, lover, should come as no surprise when you hear that there are no social workers working within the Windward Islands Police Force. It's not the first time an officer has displayed unstable behavior and decision making, nor, if the club and gun rumors are true, the first time authority has been abused with a display of arrogance and egotism.
Power corrupts, it is well known, which is why a healthy democracy must have transparency and accountability from it's government and public officials. Police and Law Enforcement officers have a great deal of power, which requires a higher level of supervision and management. The big picture here is not this officer, or the others before him who have 'screwed up', the Big Picture here is the failure and almost criminal neglect of responsibility from Dutch and NA politicians, in particular David Dick and Hirsch Balin, to fix the problems of St. Maarten and it's justice system.
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
Dutch Politics | Federal Politics | Franklin Richards | Justice Police Crime | 2 comments | read more
Submitted by Dr. Voodoo on Sat, 2008-07-19 11:26.
It would seem our judges and prosecutors don't feel rape or sex with a minor are such a big deal, lenient sentences or deals are made quite often, unless of course you do it armed as a robber,. In St. Maarten you could also just claim the voodoo made you do it. The judge will sympathize.
One particular case stands out to me though, the case of 4 women, who were apparently on the run from a brothel, and the off duty police officer who reportedly returned them to the brothel and participated in raping and abusing them. Janchi Leonard, he of little credibility, came out last week to state there was no evidence to support the womens allegations and that in fact no complaint of rape had been filed. Conveniently the women have all now been deported.
Today we hear an officer has been arrested. There are good reasons why you should always take what Janchi say's with a grain of salt. The funny thing is, the guys that run these sleazy joints have formed a 'Gentlemans' (sic) Clubs Association.
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
Justice Police Crime | Religion | add new comment | read more
Submitted by Dr. Voodoo on Tue, 2008-07-15 14:29.
So many things going on that don't get blogged about. Please feel free to bring them up for discussion below. - Flipper
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
It is very clear, at least to me, that our government and opposition are beholden to 'special interest' groups, businesses and developers for money, others like the Taxi and Bus drivers, for votes. This explains why we have a public transport system that sucks. What is needed is a comprehensive policy and action plan for the future, what we get is Louie, the man of action, pussyfooting around and failing to make any difference whatsoever.
Bus drivers do what they want, when they want, and their licenses and permits are no longer their own, but most often rented or leased from someone else who never drives one. Our Taxi drivers have no interest in serving the local market and the local market has no interest in paying their high 'tourist' prices. The Today Editorial from Saturday is spot on.
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
The discussion and comments about the Carnival stakeholders and Foundation has crept into the Maria Telem post, so here is a roundup of the news gathered on this story. Please use this thread to continue the discussion. :)
I don't have a lot to say on it myself, not knowing all the details and issues behind it. What I will say is that like public companies, foundations that work directly for and receive large amounts of public money should be publicly accountable and open to scrutiny. There is absolutely no reason why the financial statements for the SMCF should not be publicly available online, along with open elections and the nominations for the board open to public discussion. This is how is should be.
What we have instead is the 'semblance' of cronyism and a 'good ol boys/girls' club with a revolving door for more than a few. While there are certainly many members and past members who have worked hard and dedicated themselves to Carnival, there are also most certainly members who have been appointed based on their political affiliations and connections. This is the case also with Govt companies, with the same crowd of faces wearing many hats and swapping them around with each other now and then. Accountability and public information is a key component of the solution to these 'semblances'.
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
Heritage and Culture | Tourism | add new comment | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Sun, 2008-07-13 11:54.
Some of you may remember that is was Louie Laveist who was the main spokesperson and Exco member in charge of the New Government Building in Philipsburg. Informed sources tell me that 'Pinnochio" Roy has now taken over.
Why? Well, I don't know all the details, but I'll tell you what I have heard below....
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
Bad Governance | Development and Construction | Island Politics | Louie Laveist | Roy Marlin | 3 comments | read more
Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Fri, 2008-07-11 08:36.
It's only a 'semblance' of a soap opera, it's actually a real life Reality show we have going on here in St. Maarten and I think we all need to keep that in mind. Sure, there's drama, intrigue, mystery, scheming, skullduggery, sociopath characters, poor acting and badly written script, but it is Reality and what is going on today will play a big part in determining how the future unfolds for our island.
Below I have posted all news from the past week or two on the Maria, Telem, Summerfest story. I would like to request all those planning to make comments to try to do so on this blog rather than on the individual news clippings, otherwise we end up with comments and discussions going on all over the place. The previous blog posts have now been closed to comments.
Oh, I've also posted a couple of my own observations on the whole matter too :)
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
This past week a litter of puppies was found abandoned in the garbage bins by Belair, they are now at Gary Swanson's Clinic on Cay Hill waiting to be adopted. While we wait for a proper govt funded shelter and ordinances, volunteers and island vets do the best they can to save and find homes for as many abandoned pets as they can.
If you have room, in your home, and your heart, for a loving furry companion, please head on over to either Gary's on Cay Hill, Chris and Terry's on Union Road or Stephanie Virginie's behind the KFC in Cole Bay.
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
It's been over 14 months since the much hyped Fish Market in Simpson Bay was officially opened by Sarah,, the Fishermen were so enthusiastic and happy about it. Total coincidence of course that this was all so close to the elections. This project was to include 17 market stalls, six restaurants, four office spaces and a bar overlooking the lagoon.
Today it stands empty, while Roy may well be right that there areno liens on the property (who can be sure with this govt?), it also appears to be correct that there are no tenants either. Yeah, sure, the fishermen use part of it to sell their catch, but the units themselves are empty and weeds are pushing up through the brick pavements and flowerbeds. Heckofajob eh!
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
Bad Governance | Development and Construction | Simpson Bay Lagoon | 1 comment | read more
Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Thu, 2008-06-26 05:33.
Well, it appears that the Daily Herald Website finally got rebuilt, after 10 years or so. Not that you will notice much difference really, except the layout and color scheme. Still no archives, which proves to me they really have no clue on how to build visitor numbers, page views and therefore advertising revenue.
2008 and this is the best they can do? Par for the course really isn't it.
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
Media | 4 comments | read more
Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Thu, 2008-06-26 05:03.PPA Leader talks about conflict of interest
Written by Gracita R. Arrindell
Wednesday, 11 June 2008 19:16
We read with great interest the news reports and the editorials concerning the public spectacle at the Island Council meeting Monday considering the clearly impermissible and improper conduct by Commissioner Maria Buncamper-Molanus and her spouse.
However, the most disappointing part of the meeting was the continuing role of the Lt. Governor who uses every opportunity to prevent and delay any effort to call the DP to order.
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
Bad Governance | Constitutional Change | Corruption | Franklin Richards | Island Politics | Maria Buncamper | add new comment | read more
Submitted by Wasime Liburd on Thu, 2008-06-26 04:48.
It's been a while since I wrote a blog rounding up the news on Climate Change and I had tons of links saved up in my bookmarks, it was time to clear them out.
Below you will find a selection of news and video links that I think are well worth checking out, I've added many more to the SXM PE Global Warming / Global Resources Thread. i don't time to write much about them now, but I think most of them speak for themselves anyway. Feel free to add your own links and comments below.
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
Climate Change | Energy and Water | Environment | Garbage and Waste | World News | 3 comments | read more
Submitted by Caribdude on Sun, 2008-06-22 10:34.
From West Indies Power Holding BV
"Geothermal Power is the use of super heated hot water and steam located in the Earth (Geothermal Resources) which are extracted by specially designed wells (Well field) and allowed to convert to steam when it reaches the surface. That steam is then collected in pipes (Gathering System) and sent to a geothermal steam turbine which uses the steam to generate electricity (Power Plant)."
Let me start by stating that I am not in any way affiliated with West Indies Power Holding BV or do I seek to do so. I am an objective observer and a consumer of GEBE electricity and am of the opinion that GEBE is currently overcharging their customers and do little (nothing) to seek ways of reducing the price of electricity.
From recent reports in The Daily Herald, one can gather that local energy and water supplying company GEBE has been made an offer by Nevis based West Indies Power to buy geothermal derived energy (= clean energy) but up to this point (June 19th, 2008) GEBE has not responded to their offer of buying clean energy from them.
Why, you ask. Please read on.
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
Climate Change | Energy and Water | Environment | 2 comments | read more
Submitted by island guru on Sun, 2008-06-22 07:11.
Last week I noticed this story about the Organic Laws for the new Country St. Maarten. These laws are the foundation laws of how the government and country St. Maarten will operate in the future and it seems to me that very few are really paying attention and that we the public are not being adequately informed or involved. These laws will decide if we get change, I mean real change, in how our island is governed.
According to the article, a variety of draft laws covering areas such as Rules of Order for Parliament and an Ombudsman have already been dealt with. (Does this mean approved by the Exco?) Searching the Country SXM website I can find no documents on these laws and the documents that are listed appear not to be available. One I would love to read has the title 'A New Electoral System: A More Powerful and Dynamic Government?
I would like to make an appeal here to all Civil Servants, Lawyers and Politicians to send us these 'dealt' with laws via email on PDF so we can post and discuss them. (sxmpemail at gmail). SXM does not have a civil rights organization and I don't think we should trust in the opposition to make sure that the needed changes and reforms in governance are included. Mainly because they are really not capable and secondly because they expect or hope to be in office next time around.
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
Bad Governance | Constitutional Change | Island Politics | add new comment | read more
Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Thu, 2008-06-19 16:31.
Joe Richardson is probably very happy he found an excuse to walk away from the Telem board. He leaves a troubled company behind. Being sued is a nuisance. Being sued in a New York state court for 2.3 million dollar is more than a nuisance. It is already a costly affair in terms of lawyer’s fees and the risk for Telem to lose this fight and go under is substantial. Elected state court judges have a tendency to be favorable to the American voter. Telem is not an American voter. Their adversary is.
They want Telem to pay $ 2.3 million in damages and lawyer fees because the phone company breached a contract. It concerns a Citi bank financing deal for 78 million that was secured in 2007 by the Merit Group out of New York. All was ready to go but the Telem board members headed by Joe, started dragging their feet and ultimately backed out of the deal that was supposed to be signed, sealed and delivered after 2 years of negotiations. That is what the complaint of the Merit Group reads and that is what Joe conveniently walked away from. Remarkable that he forgot to mention this in his resignation letter.
You can find the PDF of the law suit below.
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
“True leadership must be for the benefit of the followers, not the enrichment of the leaders” -Robert Townsend, taken from Maria campaign material
In my short life I have seen some strange political suicides. But nothing can be compared with the bombshell that Commissioner Maria Buncamper Molanus finally dropped in her own lap. In addressing the matter of her glaring conflict of interest, she claimed she was going to deal with fraud and embezzlement from top to bottom at TELEM.
Has Commissioner Buncamper now sunk to blackmail? Bottom line: too many listeners agree that her revelations convinced the public that she had prior knowledge of wrong doing at TELEM, but she is now using it as a lifeline.
Question: If indeed such information exists, then should they be in the possession of the Commissioner? Shouldn’t they be in the hands of the public prosecutor or, better yet, Ministry of Justice or the police?
Question: Why has the leader of government chosen to say nothing about the Commissioner’s accusations? Why has she not denied those allegations?
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
Bad Governance | Corruption | Island Politics | Maria Buncamper | 61 comments | read more
Submitted by sybille on Tue, 2008-06-17 16:55.
Remember Grand Getaway Vacations and their $50,000 donation to Laveist's New Hope Foundation? It would seem those rumors we heard about a top politician questioned by police had more truth to them than we we were told.
Grand Getaway was apparently sold last year and was in the news this past March with rumors of a reopening. I think it might be a bit more difficult to bring in their own workers this time with all the scrutiny.
Donations and Foundations at the Center of Investigations - 14th June 2008
Detectives investigating Laveist Foundations - 14th June 2008
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
Bad Governance | Business and Labor | Corruption | Immigration | Island Politics | Justice Police Crime | Louie Laveist | 3 comments | read more
Submitted by Local Hero on Mon, 2008-06-16 00:33.
the leatherback is the largest and heaviest, the largest ever found was a little over three meters from head to tail and weighed over 900 kilograms. Leatherbacks are the the reptile world's deepest-divers, capable of descending to depths deeper than 1,200 meters. They are also the fastest reptiles on record. The 1992 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records has the leatherback turtle listed as having achieved the speed of 9.8 meters per second (35.28 kilometers per hour) in the water
Leatherback nests on Simpson Bay beach - 31st May 2008
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
Time and time again, sketchy deals and outright disrespect from the EXCO towards the opposition and the public when it comes it what should be public information is condoned by Mr. Richards. I've tried to convince myself that he is impartial and has integrity, but this latest issue has wiped any hopes I had left away.
Repeatedly writers on here have questioned whether he is capable of walking the walk, and it seems clear, at least to me, exactly on which side of the fence he stands, because he certainly isn;t sitting on the fence in the middle. I mean, really, the best this man could come up with to stop people using phone cameras to sell their votes was to have them switch them off before going in the voting booth.
Anyway, all the news clippings from the past week covering the Sky is the Limit donation issue are below. Feel free to share your thoughts and vote in my poll.
LH
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
Bad Governance | Corruption | Franklin Richards | Island Politics | Maria Buncamper | 7 comments | read more
Submitted by Local Hero on Tue, 2008-06-10 20:03.Thugs rob businesses and individuals because that's where the money is and they're too lame to earn a living like the rest of us.
When the economy tanks, some that do have jobs lose them and join the ranks of the thugs, and the problem worsens unless authorities stop it.
That brings us to our wonderful little island, where nobody in power seems to understand that news of Thug Outbreaks gets to tourists quickly. Tourists read it and they cancel trips. Busnesses lose business. People lose jobs. The economy worsens. More jobless Thugs rob more people. And we wind up another Trinidad, Jamaica or D. R. where tourists still come but hide inside gated, guarded resorts their whole trip.
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
Not that I want it to be found, there are many rumors and none of them are nice. I just thought it was humorous reminder of things gone by. :)
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
One of hte main holdups with constitutional change negotiations is the issue of corporate governance. I think we all know our present government would like to continue being able to use our public owned companies as private bank accounts for those projects they can political and media mileage out of, or for jobs for party favorites, friends and family.
Maria's husband is on the board of Telem, a highly questionable appointment in itself, they are both on the board of their Sky is the Limit foundation. At least the governor of the NA is asking questions, which is more than our own lame ass governor 'Mr Good Governance' Richards is doing.
Telem Sky is the Limit donation - 31st May 2008
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
Constitutional Change | Island Politics | 8 comments | read more
Submitted by Local Hero on Mon, 2008-06-02 07:37.
Does anyone out there know how, or is able to, get hold of a copy of the Dump Management agreement/contract Windward Roads has with the Island Govt?
Personally, I think it's time they were fired, either they are lousy managers or they are doing the job on the cheap and not hiring enough staff to look after the dump.
And the Fire department needs checking into too. Time and time again we suffer the toxic and poisonous smoke from fires, fires that are often seen starting small and are left for days until they become bigger and harder to control.
Video - Great Saltpond Landfill burning May 29, 2008
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
Are you ready? It's that time of year again, June 1st.
It really started yesterday when the Eastern Pacific storm Alma crossed over Central America and became Arthur.
All forecasts point towards a highly active season this year and as someone who has been through a few here, including Luis, let me tell you it's not an exciting adventure to experience. It's been a long time since we got hammered hard and the law of averages grow more unfavorable every year. We are going to get hammered, it might not be this year, might not be next, but it will happen again because there is no escaping geography.
This post will be added to the Threads list to replace the one from last year. Below we will post news and information about the season, storms that directly affect us will get their own blog.
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
Imagine... a park full of green products and services that will help St. Maarten become a bit more of a nature friendly island and a more livable island for the younger generation. With our eco-expo we make it a reality and you can even participate with your green products or services.
A solar cooker contest, a car that runs on water (French Lycee), a car that runs on biofuel, local biological food, green cleaning products, wood crafting, local natural art, solar heaters, water saving and energy saving products, water from air and a raffle. There will also be workshops in between with related to agriculture, solar power, energy and water saving and some interesting keynote speakers. Details, updates and press releases below.
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
Climate Change | Energy and Water | Environment | Heritage and Culture | SXM Pride Foundation | 9 comments | read more
Submitted by Local Hero on Tue, 2008-05-27 01:25.
Late last week the Today had a wonderful little O & C article about EWE, bringing it back into the public eye. I've been meaning to write a post about it for a while, we are still waiting to hear just what exactly the Govt is doing to follow through on it's two resolutions to preserve the estate. I'd be willing to $100 down on 'not a damn ting'.
The article went into some detail about Henri "I want to be a Millionaire" Brookson's contract with the BV developers and ownership of the estate, something I thought Brookson had already cleared up back on January the 28th, maybe he was bullshitting.
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
Development and Construction | Emilio Wilson Estate | Environment | Housing | Island Politics | add new comment | read more
Submitted by Local Hero on Tue, 2008-05-27 00:27.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department does a lot of prediction and research of weather and climate-related events. It works with its federals partners in more than seventy countries and the EC to develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet it observes, predicts and protects. A new study suggests some decrease in tropical storm and hurricane numbers.
Click here to Read More
____________________________________________________________
© Copyright 2005 Flipper Dolphin. All rights reserved.
Recent comments
15 min 11 sec ago
11 hours 36 min ago
12 hours 14 min ago
12 hours 23 min ago
12 hours 45 min ago
1 day 25 min ago
1 day 1 hour ago
1 day 2 hours ago
1 day 6 hours ago
1 day 6 hours ago