St. Maarten Private Eye

Columbia Suxsit presents: "A Series of Unfortunate Events"

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RBTT hasn't been the only one providing the laughs these past couple of weeks, Richard Gibson gave us all a little giggle when he announced he'd be happy to serve again if asked, a subject that deserves it's own blog post and may just get one. For now, lets have a look at the Series of Unfortunate Events occuring over Dawn Beach way.

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The Blog Post you are are about to read is extremely unpleasant, this story does not have a happy beginning, nor a happy ending, there are really no happy bits in the middle either. This is because not many happy things happen with the three unpleasant developments currently ongoing on along the East Coast.

To tell the story we must first go back a little to early last year in April when it was announced that the Dawn Beach property had been sold and that a grand new brand name development was coming to the island. Our "Commish of the Environment" (sic) Roy Marlin, proudly declared he was determined that the project “becomes a success story in terms of the protection of the environment, the beach, public access to the beach, public parking, etcetera,”

The etcetera at the end tells a great deal about the statement and it's sincerity and the rest of the article is rather interesting too. He asked “all concerned parties to give government the opportunity to finalise the details with the developer.” Yes, the man is serious and ruthless, he wants to first make the deals and sign permits before addressing citizens or environmental concerns. Not that it really matters anyway, he believes "permits are fivolous details".

The modus operandi that Roy uses is generally, "don't get emotional", "trust us" or "It's individuals with hidden agenda's", occasionally he even adds insinuated and subtle threats.

Anyway, moving on with this unhappy story, the result was that the pond and mangroves got dug up and the pond drained into the sea, along with the sludge.

More photos here

This was of course done without the proper permits and whilst there were outstanding objections and questions about the project. The project has the support of Roy, who just happens to be renting out a house he recently aquired in Dawn Beach to the developers. The police and prosecutor Mooij did launch an investigation, about the polution, not the house,and as of now I do not know what the outcome was. Anyone?

Suxsit again showed it's consideration for the environment later in September.

Cement mixer washed in ocean at Dawn Beach - 6th September 2005 - More photos.

Now we must jump forwards with the story and to the most recent "Unfortunate Events" of the past couple of weeks, which started with this story about Red Pond. The Herald mistakingly stated that the project was for the Marriot and it prompted this article from Suxsit.

Isn't it ironic that this should happen?

Jump another week forwards and we have the SVB conducting a raid on both Suxsit and the neighboring Duck construction sites, Duck being the third of the Big Three developers along the East Coast, currently trying to remove Ms B from the beach in front.

Construction workers run from SVB inspections - 9th February 2006

(UPDATE - 120 uninsured in SVB control - 11th February 2006)

Need I continue?

Well, ok, just a little more.......

It would now appear that the Coral Beach Club being developed by Duck will also be a Westin Resort,, remarkably the images shown on their site are nearly all on the Suxsit side of the beach. I guess Ms B is in the way huh?

Suxsit meanwhile continues to be confused about where in the Caribbean they actually are. I feel certain they would not have been able to do what they have done in the Virgin Islands.

"You're doing a heckofa job Marlin!"

Hady Nufyet

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