St. Maarten Private Eye

St. Maarten Westin and Columbia Sussex - Environmental Criminals? - Part 2

The last blog I wrote about Westin and Columbia Sussex is quite full, so I think it's time for a new one. Please note that that the title of these two posts has a question mark. I am asking because I think they are, I am laying out the evidence that has bought me to this conclusion. I thank everyone who has commented and added to the debate, I have to say though, so far no one's changed my mind.

Profiles of The Windward Island episode on Dawn Beach.

More evidence to support my opinion below.
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Now let me first define what I consider 'Environmental Criminals' to be. It has little to do with the laws of the land (we don't really have any it seems), because destroying the environment is a crime against everyone, it is a crime against nature and our suffering island and planet. Destroying natural and endangered ecosystems is probably the worst of all and that's what I consider Columbia Sussex to have done and is still doing.

An email arrived yesterday with some new photos. You've seen the ones with the cement mixer and the sludge being pumped into the sea, but what I want to bring to your attention in them is the drainage culvert which was shown under construction in this post.

The mud and silt that washes down the valley now goes straight down the culvert into the sea. Yes, they did build a 'retention pool but it is too small and it is always full of water, leaving little room for water to settle and filter, it used to do this through the sand. This has been going on since August 2005 when they cleared the land and filled in the ponds, EVERY TIME it rains heavy. The reef was struggling against bleaching and hurricane damage anyway, now it is probably doomed completely.

Here are some more photos showing what happens there when it rains. I added this last one in because it shows the generator pump they used to pump the sludge into the sea, at night when no one could see what they were doing.

Until the Kadaster, VROM and or ROB go over there to check the measurements against the conditions of the permits then the question if they are on the beach remains unresolved. Neither of the local newspapers have touched this story, but that is hardly surprising considering.

Today Editorial - On the Map - 9th November 2005

Daily Herald Editorial - On the Map - 8th November 2005

Daily Herald Weekender - Westin boost to island - 2nd September 2006

Today Editorial - Dawn of new development - 21st june 2006

Now, adding to all this just a few more things. Firstly how they treat their employees. That SVB raid for example, when all the workers went running off into the bushes. This article tells you what you need to know, and raises the questions, for me anyway, if Columbia Sussex were avoiding paying taxes or other govt dues on those unregistered workers.

Then there is the case of Joe Miller, I strongly suggest you to go and read some of those articles, in particular his letters. It also stands to reason that because Westin is planning to manage Coral Beach as well, that they, like Duck, want Ms' B's gone and I predict they will try again.

I'll finish up with this.

It is my opinion that Westin and Columbia Suxsit want to make the beach as private as they possibly can for the guests of their hotel and condos, this is why they use the slogan 'Imagine a beach to call your very own'. No word has been said about public parking and access to the beach, no reporter has asked to see on the plans where they will be, no reporter dares to. In the years of Scavengers there would often be between 30 - 50 cars parked there, sometimes maybe more and during the week too. I hazzard that they will make no more than a dozen available and the rest will be used for the Car Rental Company that operates there. A car rental company contract that has been given to one of Roy's buddies.

It is my opinion that Roy's balls really are in Billy Yungs pocket, that he's squeezing them hard right about now too.

Letting Westin claim the beach as private property as he does will be the beginning of the end of public right and use of beaches. Current descriptions or ideas circulating about the redevelopment of Mullet Bay report that the road will be moved closer to the lagoon and there will be villa's, condos and maybe highrises on the beach, within a gated area. The same thing will happen there, same restricted access and use of beach for us, the residents of the island.

I guess local people really better wake up, because next year they may find that on St. Maartin's Day they have no beach left to go to, at least not with all the family. If it was my decision, I would arrange for the whole island to be at Dawn Beach on opening day, with kids and dogs, bbq's and cooler boxes. And if I wasn't an environmentalist I would say leave the fricking garbage there too.

And that's my case, I invite you all to respond if you think I'm not seeing something, or seeing too much. Or if you agree.

I have to say, if you think Global Warming as a reality as more and more people are accepting day by day, then you wouldn't be investing in this place. Sheet rock walls?? Too Funny. I wonder if when we get a good hard Hurricane come through, and we will, have no doubt, if we will end up with another Mullet Bay scenario, where owners of condos and Westin get into a long drawn out fight over a ruin.

Local Hero

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