Local Hero's blog

Three Wise Men??

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:05:37 -0700

Can someone tell me who these supposed Three Wise Men are? Seems debatable to me.

Will Leroy take up a place on the Exco and would that set the stage for a possible repeat conflict drama with his sister as acting Lt Governor?

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Poisoning the People

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:31:08 -0700

Last week the island was again subjected to clouds of smoke from our dump, I swear it's like one of those candles that you blow out and it relights itself. The only way to really put it out is to wet your fingers and stop the smoking and smoldering, something that the dump management (Windward Roads? I don't know, these companies all change names so often), Mr Buncamper and the fire department just don't seem to get. The dump is still smoking and smoldering today, blaming it on scavengers is an old and very tired excuse that is not only weak, but implies that they are incapable of keeping the dump secure.

SXM Pride's press release warning of the health concerns of dump smoke is accurate, in fact, if you really look into the matter you will not only be very concerned, but also very angry that it keeps on happening. If you really want to know more about what you and your children are breathing every time the dump burns, then read on.

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Badda Bing to you too!

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:43:58 -0700

It's been no big secret that very little scrutiny is given to big money investors in SXM, so todays article in the Today about the Rainbow Spat between the Erato Family and a Mr. Iodice is no surprise either. I can't find it, but it has been mentioned on here before that there is also an apparent friendly relationship between the Erato sons and the sons of convicted Bonanno capo Louis 'Ha Ha' Attanasio.

I wonder how 'Da Bosses' feel about this publicity?

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Spatial Planning - Govt offices full.

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 02:14:28 -0700

The only way this study will be of any use to the island is if it is published, fully and unedited and undoctored, online, for the public to see, the students promise to so. Our govt has resisted zoning, environmental and spatial planning for decades and there are plenty of studies and reports, on development, education, crime and many other issues, that have been ignored or kept out of the public domain, we don't need another.

I look forwards to reading it and hearing more about their 'jollifications'.

Daily Herald Editorial - What’s the hold-up? - 25th July 2008

Dutch students on spatial development study - 24th July 2008

Dutch team to help with Spacial planning - 24th July 2008

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The Economy, Energy and Development

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:11:42 -0700

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

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A 'Semblance' of a Soap Opera

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:29:33 -0700

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 :)

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The Merit Group vs The Telem Group - PDF document

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:52:56 -0700

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.

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Laveist's Foundations under investigation

Sun, 03 Aug 2008 06:11:51 -0700

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.

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Mr Good Governance? Sky is the Limit and Telem Donation

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:33:31 -0700

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.

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St. Maarten's Corporate Governance

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 04:52:05 -0700

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

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Dump the Dump Management

Mon, 02 Jun 2008 23:02:04 -0700

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

On Line Petition Here.

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Enviro Week - EWE - 4-8 June 2008

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:42:23 -0700

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.

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Inaction in Action - EWE

Mon, 26 May 2008 22:10:59 -0700

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.

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Good Governance SXM Style

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 04:44:30 -0700

Again, in no way is it my intention to discredit or cast Millicent De Weever in a bad light, but I do feel a little bit vindicated after raising questions about her appointment as Acting Lt. Governor back in February. This matter should not reflect badly upon her, it's a good job to be offered. But those who made the appointment must clearly have a poor understanding of the rules and principles of governing and good governance.

Editorial: Proper governance - 25th April 2008

De Weever appointment was illegal, say experts - 25th April 2008

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GEBE, EcoFest and Climate Change

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:57:50 -0700

Island Vision long ago lost my respect and I don't plan to be sending in nominations this year for their enviro awards, I just can't be bothered, sorry. It's not that I can't think of people to nominate, the usual crowd spring to mind along with a few newcomers like Laura Bijnsdorp and her team. There are people out there who deserve to be recognized for sure.

It's not the lack of transparency with the nominations or votes, nor is it the plagiarizing. No, it's more to do with the people he invites to present awards and make speeches, it's partly to do with Stephane's desire to 'be Someone" and his enabling politicians, officials and businesses to fraudulently portray an environmental image when they have none. I cringe and feel ill just being in the same room as some of the people he invites. No thanks.

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