St. Maarten Private Eye

Sorry, if his qualifications are mainly technical drawings, than he can manage a department (VROM). Futhermore he don't have any expertise in environment and spatial planning. Again political appointed!!!!

POOR ST.MAARTEN

So where was the Inspection department and VROM when the third floor was being constructed? this is becoming so obvious, that developers and home builders receive permits for what ever and they build something completely different than what their permit allows or they are in non-compliance with their permit. So if it was'n for Henny Hager this story would never be told? no-one would ever check? Some will try to argue that VROM's job is only to give advice, yes it is, but it is also their job to make sure their advice is followed up on.
Their job does not end with advice only, they will argue that it is Inspection's job, sure it is, but is it so difficult for VROM to make site visits and inform the Inspection department that something is wrong?
We can hear untill dooms day that they have no cars, that they are understaffed, that they have few tools to work with, but someone is responsible, and we the public have to start holding someone responsible for this nonsense.
Regardless of what the court will rule, the fact remains that the building has a third floor that is illegaly built, this might hurt Henny Hager's view but the issue should not only be seen from the perspective of the neighbors view but also from the developer's intention of deliberatly disrespecting the building permit he received. As we enter into a new political era of country status, these and many other issues will have to be dealt with if we are to become self reliant and mature on handling the issues at hand.
Nilda Arduin had an excellent letter to the editor this week, although the subject line was about the labour laws, she said something along the lines that we the public should not wait for the politicians to solve all our problems.
As we live in a Democratic society, the people should hold our elected officials acountable when they mess up, by speaking up. If we do not speak up then we can only hold ourselves responsible for their actions.
Can SXM PE find this letter? I would hate to mess up Mrs. Arduin-Lynch words as she wrote them.