St. Maarten Private Eye

Please name the islands that are smaller than SXM that are more developed. it is very true that the island is very badly managed by Government.
However, FYI, Philipsburg was bustling before the massive trek of Indians, Chinese and Muslims. Back then the stores were owned by locals and a few Hindus who were in the Caribbean for decades. What happened is that the price of real estate hit the roof and locals prefer to rent/lease/sell their properties to foreigners.
Banks also played a role in that they prefer to give loans to foreigners than the local business owners.
If you listened to Tuesday Fernando Clark talk show you would have heard the majority of call ins from locals expressing the same.
Locals are backing the Lt. Governor 200% with the changing of legislation regarding the Directors license. Foreigners are abusing the Directors license to apply for all their employees. Indian stores have up to 6 Directors why??? because instead of apllying for a regular work permit and resident permit for their employees, the companies are applying for Directors licenses so that their people can automatcailly get residence and work permits.
Now they are upset with the new changes the Lt. Governor wants to bring, but the reality is that they have been abusing the system for too long.
And when you hear people like Elco Rosario open his mouth with all his emotional nonsense, it is not because he is an expert as a former notary, no way Jose... it is because Elco Rosario makes big time money helping Chinese and Indians set up their companies on SXM using the Directors license to his advantage as well.
If you don't believe this.... please ask New York Nails, who set up the company for them.