]> http://sxmprivateeye.com/blog/196 en http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12833 <p><img src="http://sxmprivateeye.com/files/images/Fish%20market%20thumbnail.JPG"></p> <p>It's been over 14 months since the much hyped Fish Market in Simpson Bay <a href="http://www.thedailyherald.com/news/daily/j274/fishmar274.html"><strong>was officially opened by Sarah,</strong></a>, the <a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/8559"><strong>Fishermen were so enthusiastic</strong></a> 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. </p> <p>Today it stands empty, while Roy may well be right that there are<a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12832"><strong>no liens</strong></a> 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!</p> <p><a href=""><strong>Click here to Read More</strong></a><br /> <strong>____________________________________________________________</strong></p> Bad Governance Development and Construction Simpson Bay Lagoon Thu, 26 Jun 2008 03:46:57 -0700 http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12830 <p><img src="http://sxmprivateeye.com/files/images/logo_tdh.JPG"></p> <p>Well, it appears that the <a href="http://www.thedailyherald.com/tdhonline/"><strong>Daily Herald Website</strong></a> 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.</p> <p>2008 and this is the best they can do? Par for the course really isn't it.</p> <p><a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12830"><strong>Click here to Read More</strong></a><br /> <strong>____________________________________________________________</strong></p> Media Thu, 26 Jun 2008 02:23:27 -0700 http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12802 <p><img src="http://sxmprivateeye.com/files/images/constitution_quill_pen.jpg"></p> <p>Last week I noticed <a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12801"><strong>this story</strong></a> about the Organic Laws for the new <a href="http://www.countrysintmaarten.org/"><strong>Country St. Maarten</strong></a>. 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.</p> <p>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 '<cite><strong>A New Electoral System: A More Powerful and Dynamic Government?</cite></strong></p> <p>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. </p> <p><a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12802"><strong>Click here to Read More</strong></a><br /> <strong>____________________________________________________________</strong></p> Bad Governance Constitutional Change Island Politics Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:04:49 -0700 http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12640 <p><img src="http://sxmprivateeye.com/files/images/Lost%20Golden%20Key.JPG"></p> <p>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. :)</p> <p><a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12640"><strong>Click here to Read More</strong></a><br /> <strong>____________________________________________________________</strong></p> Mullet Bay Theo Heyliger Mon, 02 Jun 2008 23:14:34 -0700 http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12613 <p><img src="http://sxmprivateeye.com/files/images/images_9.jpg"></p> <p>A few years ago the Federal government jacked up gas prices and taxes and caused the French side to find new suppliers. The last Texaco in Marigot has now closed it's doors and Artsen Shell appears to be hanging on by the skin of it's teeth. The Dutch side stations all suffered and if I recall correctly, the taxes had to be reduced so they could compete a little better and keep their doors open.</p> <p>Our economic affairs department and private sector have been unable to offer up any ideas to ease the burden of recent food and oil prices on the public and I have yet to see an indication that any of them really comprehend that the problems of today are nothing compared to the problems that are coming. It's not about 'tightening our belts' and 'weathering the storm', it's about the need for a fundamental change in how we live, think and consume, times are a changing and there will be no choice. The Growth and Consume Party is starting to wind down my friends and St. Maarten needs to prepare for a knockout hangover.</p> <p><a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12613"><strong>Click here to Read More</strong></a><br /> <strong>____________________________________________________________</strong></p> Energy and Water Environment Fri, 23 May 2008 08:18:00 -0700 http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12515 <p><img src="http://sxmprivateeye.com/files/images/Pinocchio%20Roy%20with%20drip.JPG"></p> <p>When it comes to smoking up the an issue and rewriting history, Roy Marlin is the boss. In an <a href="http://www.thedailyherald.com/news/daily/k274/water274.html"><strong>article this past week</strong></a> reporting the 'official' opening of Air-Fin's water plant in Cupecoy, he had me in tears with tales of his sleepless nights during his fight to award them the contract and save St. Maarten from having dry taps. According to Roy, he is not to blame for months of shortages and the huge financial losses incurred by GEBE from purchasing water from the French Side, it was the opposition's fault for demanding transparency and asking questions.</p> <p>Poor Roy, suddenly overwhelmed by an urgent situation that no one could have seen coming, not even the Commissioner signing off on all the development that contributed greatly to that urgency and whom had also been in charge of GEBE for many years preceding the shortage. And then, having to suffer the public and their elected representatives asking questions and wanting details about the urgent deals he was having to make on our behalf. Honestly, there were tears!</p> <p><a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12515"><strong>Click here to Read More</strong></a><br /> <strong>____________________________________________________________</strong></p> Energy and Water Island Politics Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:31:50 -0700 http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12491 <p><img src="http://sxmprivateeye.com/files/images/Today%20-%20Loor%20could%20be%20free%20in%202%20months%20thumbnail%20-%204th%20April%202008.JPG"></p> <p>Not really sure what to say about this. All news clippings posted below, feel free to make a comment.</p> <p><a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12491"><strong>Click here to Read More</strong></a><br /> <strong>____________________________________________________________</strong></p> Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:57:22 -0700 http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12469 <p><img src="http://sxmprivateeye.com/files/images/Cay%20bay%20harbor%20plans%20thumbnail.JPG"></p> <p>Government today announced that a new Cargo Harbor will be built in Cay Bay next to the GEBE power plant. Speaking at a press briefing, Commissioner Theo Heyliger announced plans for the new cargo facilty, justifying the hugely expensive decision to move all of Point Blanche's cargo traffic to this new location as plain old 'common sense'.</p> <p><cite>"For years I have worked to build up the cruise visitor traffic to our paradise in the sun and the first thing they are confronted with is boxy container ships unloading and big trucks roaring past them on the road to town. It's ugly and dangerous, not the sort of image we want to be presenting to our visitors if we want then to come back again. This is just an extension of my ongoing beautification plans for the island.</cite></p> <p><a href=""><strong>Click here to Read More</strong></a><br /> <strong>____________________________________________________________</strong></p> Development and Construction Mon, 31 Mar 2008 23:18:13 -0700 http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12413 <p><img src="http://sxmprivateeye.com/files/images/Good%20governance.GIF"></p> <p>Maria and many others seems to the problems the Dutch have with the island and Separate Status is all down to the <a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/11970#comment-16498"><strong>WODC Report</strong></a>. </p> <p>There is much more going unmentioned. The problems and concerns raised in the WODC report are the result of poor and inadequate govt policies and decision making. St. Maarten has no Code of Conduct or Ombudsman or other body to enforce govt transparency or accountability, in fact this govt has done everything it can to resist, delay or resist such changes. For me there is much more than just corruption at play, there is also incompetence and generally lousy stupid policies to consider too. They will blame Curacao and the Dutch, but our local govt has much more responsibility than it wants you to believe.</p> <p><a href="http://info.worldbank.org/governance/wgi2007/sc_chart.asp"><strong>World Bank Governance Indicators</strong></a></p> <p><a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12413"><strong>Click here to Read More</strong></a><br /> <strong>____________________________________________________________</strong></p> Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:02:10 -0800 http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12342 <p><img src="http://sxmprivateeye.com/files/images/Daily%20Herald%20-%20Murdoch%20thumbnail%20-%2029th%20February%202008.JPG"></p> <p>Two stories this past week centered on government transparency, the first was Maria's <a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12344"><strong>disappointment</strong></a> in the Daily Herald printing information about the <a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12343"><strong>draft Sports Policy</strong></a> and then the DH irritated Roy enough with an <a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12335"><strong>Editorial</strong></a> questioning his trip to NY to meet Murdoch that he felt a need to <a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12339"><strong>write a letter about it.</strong></a></p> <p>The issue with Maria is clear really and she contradicts herself in her letter when she states that the idea is to <strong><cite>involve everyone in the process and get as much input and advice as possible"</cite></strong> So what's the problem Maria? </p> <p>Then there is Rupert Murdoch....</p> <p><a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12342"><strong>Click here to Read More</strong></a><br /> <strong>____________________________________________________________</strong></p> Media Mon, 03 Mar 2008 04:20:07 -0800 http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12276 <p><img src="http://sxmprivateeye.com/files/images/atonement%20poster.JPG"></p> <p>It's been mentioned a few times in the past how regular writers on SXM PE tend only to write about doom and gloom and bad things. This is true, for several reasons, including time limitations and the fact that we are interested in exposing things that are bad and wrong. Talking about good things running well doesn't really accomplish much or provoke much discussion, whereas with the bad things we hope discussion and making information available will help make them better.</p> <p>I really started this blog about my being happy <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkVQwwPrr4c"><strong>Atonement</strong></a> will be playing at <a href="http://philipsburgtheatres.com/"><strong>Philipsburg Theaters</strong></a> this coming week, nightly at 8pm (except Mondays). But as I write it I realize that this is a good opportunity to take a new look at the movie theater situation on the island and to share some thoughts about it.</p> <p><a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12276"><strong>Click here to Read More</strong></a><br /> <strong>____________________________________________________________</strong></p> Wed, 27 Feb 2008 14:15:18 -0800 http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12233 <p><img src="http://sxmprivateeye.com/files/images/teachers%20strike.JPG"><br /> <a href="http://www.smn-news.com/"><strong>image from SMN NEWS</strong></a></p> <p>The Teachers are on strike and who, knowing how they have been treated, can blame them? They have been fighting for new salary scales for <a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/2594"><strong>several years now</strong></a> and have been offered nothing <a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/9512"><strong>excuses</strong></a> and <a href="http://www.thedailyherald.com/news/daily/j183/Scales183.html"><strong>broken promises.</strong></a></p> <p>I support the teachers, I think the <a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/4328"><strong>education</strong></a> system <a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/6904"><strong>in SXM</strong></a> is a <a href="http://news.caribseek.com/set-up/exec/view.cgi?archive=142&#038;num=54627"><strong>disgrace,</strong></a> schools getting donations to buy text books on <a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/6582"><strong>hospitality,</strong></a> are you kidding? People give Sarah too much respect, she is very much like many others in her Exco and government, undeserving of it..</p> <p><a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12233"><strong>Click here to Read More</strong></a><br /> <strong>____________________________________________________________</strong></p> Education and Youth Thu, 06 Mar 2008 08:15:10 -0800 http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12224 <p><img src="http://sxmprivateeye.com/files/images/water%20drop.JPG"></p> <p>An article on page 3 of Thursday's DH deserves a mention I think, unfortunately it's not on their website and I am unable to scan, so you'll just have to take my word for what it says.</p> <p>The article was about Air-Fin's, (sounds more like an airline of Finland than a water company), 'imminent' take over of the plant in Cay Bay and is based on what Roy Marlin told the press on Wednesday. <cite>"Told the press"</cite> are the key words here because, as we all know, our island's intrepid reporters rarely ask questions that may make our commissioners uncomfortable or upset. It's much more amiable and safer not to rock the boat.</p> <p>Update -<br /> <a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12298"><strong>Air-Fin finalizing plans to take over water plant - 14th February 2008</strong></a></p> <p><a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12224"><strong>Click here to Read More</strong></a><br /> <strong>____________________________________________________________</strong></p> Energy and Water Thu, 28 Feb 2008 09:25:52 -0800 http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12219 <p><img src="http://sxmprivateeye.com/files/images/Holy%20Sarah%20image.JPG"></p> <p><cite>"Change is important, but not at all costs"</cite> and <cite>Change in (SXM) attitudes likely"</cite></p> <p>The headlines yesterday about Sarah's new attitude towards the Kingdom (Holland and Curacao in particular) put me in a blogging frame of mind. Someone beat me to it though, sort of, with <a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12183#comment-18753"><strong>this comment</strong></a> in Voodoo's previous post titled <a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12183"><strong>Vanity, Pride and Thin Skins</strong></a>. The writer is pretty much on target with my thoughts on the matter. There are a few things I want to add though, and because I think this story deserves a fresh blog page I will put them below here instead of in a comment there. I have also added links to related news on the Daily Herald website these past few days.</p> <p>St. Maarten needs a New Status and to be free of Curacao, I fully support this and I think most people can agree with this point. The issue here is not whether St. Maarten will get New Status, but what form will it take. It's about vanity, pride and ego over rationality, practicality and wisdom.</p> <p><a href="http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12219"><strong>Click here to Read More</strong></a><br /> <strong>____________________________________________________________</strong></p> Constitutional Change Dutch Politics Federal Politics Island Politics Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:36:51 -0800 http://sxmprivateeye.com/node/12192 <p><img src="http://sxmprivateeye.com/files/images/news_slavery_open2.jpg"></p> <p>The Daily Herald deserves applause for it's article this last weekend on the three sex slaves from the Dominican Republic who have been screwed over, not just by the owner of the so called 'Gentlemans Club' and it's clients, but also by our so called 'Law Enforcement' authorities. The Dominican Consul is too kind and gentle to them in the report today in the DH, asking why she was not notified about these women until after they had been deported.</p> Mon, 21 Jan 2008 07:36:48 -0800