St. Maarten Private Eye

We got to get our act together or we will loose out on this business. St.Kitts is building Mega yatch cruise facililities as part of the new Auberge resort. St.Maarten has it all for the Mega yatchs- parts, food, dinning, entertianment, we have it all. What we don't have is people who are reading on the same page as it relates to customer service and rules.
I'm a St.Maartener, one of the born here ones. And proud of it, but I'm saying " Get your shit together". Earl, who is the agent for this Yatch and a St.Maartener, I'm sure he did all he could to have this Yatch cleared. Cudos to you Earl. This story on Triton is damaging to the island and its Yatching community. I have met captains from some of the Yatchs and they really love St.Maarten, but for how long if these stories are the talk at the Boat show which our reps attend to promote SXM as a Yatching destination.

What may have happen here is that the captian had contacts with the French authorities from Monaco and ofcourse being the lovely island of two nations that we are, confusion sets in. Maybe he should have docked on Fr St.Martin.
However, he also mentions in his article that Customs in Philipsburg indicated that the Simpsonbay Port Authority didn't know what they were talking about- that's messed up!!!!!!
Maybe Russell Voges can give some clarity.

Well, he said in the article that he contacted the Netherlands consulate in Monaco.
But I think that Immigration here seems to interpret the laws the way they want to.
I agree with you. They better get their shit together.

How can a man walk with to health legs when he cuts one off. Well he cant cause he ll never get to where he wants to go to.
Wake UP. People start to speak up. Set up to the plat and form a group against this. Cause looking at the next man is not going to help.

Thank you for clarifying this.

Can anybody else confirm that "It is a formality and not impossible nor difficult to obtain"?

I have never before heard anybody say that anything that comes to adminstration is easily obtained in St Maarten.

I am not so sure. If Immigration Police Commissioner Ademan Dorian really welcomed these people he could have said this in the Daily Herald, rather than just, I quote: "things will be done by the book".

He could have taken the opportunity to explain what these people should do (instead of just buying a return ticket) and personally guarantee that obtaining the residency permit will be a hassle free experience.

Somehow I doubt it...

Before 2003 non French EU members needed a Carte de Sejour. It was a formality, since a EU member has a right to live in France if they wish to.

However, in reality in St Martin, it was a nightmare to obtain one. Stand in line from 7 am to get a form, stand in another line for hours until noon until they close in order to perhaps get to hand in the forms, etc, etc...

"Easy to obtain" for me means: go online, fill out a form with all the required info, get a time and a date for an interview together with a list of what required documents I need to bring. Go for the interview, get approved or denied. End of story.

When I search the net for "residence permit netherlands antilles" I get to this page:

http://www.netherlands-embassy.org/article.asp?articleref=AR00000400EN

See it for yourself. Not even a phone number in St Maarten...

Immigration Police Commissioner Ademan Dorian, think out of the box!

I'm from SXM and I met my fiancee 4 years ago. I tried getting a residency permit for her. She has no intention of working here and financially I can handle it easily . Well, it turned out more difficult than getting a work permit. So she comes and goes with the regular tourist visa, and I'm contemplating moving to her country .
I'm retired so that shouldn't be a problem .
I love this Island.

As a Dutch citizen, when I purchase a ticket to the US, I'm asked by the airline to present a return ticket. When I enter the US the immigration staples a blue stub in my passport- on my departure the airline removes this blue stub. I know people who lost the stub and were not able to return to the US for years. These are their rules. Our rules are that the US citizen need a return ticket as well, and the airlines should inforce these rules, becuase they could be fined. We don't need to check whether these people are middle class or wealthy or good or bad for the SXM economy
Years ago the US citizen knew the rules of foreight countires they entered, today some of them play stupid.
I'm sick of hearing how on St.Maarten we do this and that to people, what's the big deal that we require tourist to have a return ticket. If an American or any other citizen wants to immigrate to St.Maarten, purchase property and optain residence, then they should inquire from first the Dutch embassy or the local civil department how to carry on.

WE have had snow birds coming to SXM since the 50's, no problem man, welcome ! A lot of them have been helping many of the local families, they would remember the names of every child you introduce to them- wonderful people. They contributed to the local economy, they were up to date with all the politics and when several hurrincanes hit the island they were some of the first people who contacted those locals whom they have met over the years.

But they knew the immigration laws and would take the time to get all the relevant documents to extend their stay on the island.

Try going to INS in the US to regulate your papers, it takes forever. Even US citizens who wanted to get a passport recently had to wait in long lines recent.
The easy times in SXM is over. We can and should always improve, but don't blame SXM as a difficult place, becuase a tourist did know that they needed a return ticket. This issue has nothing to do with slowing down the economy. If this issue occured in the US, they would not have been a reaction, the authoirties would have deported you for stupidity

I asked the question WHY in my blog post? What is the alterior motive for hassling (US) visitors?

What you express in your comment is exactly my gut feeling.

"Since US requires return tickets we should too".

I think this is a childish approach.

The US is a first world country. St Maarten is a thirld world country. The US doesn't need YOU there. They have enough problems with immigration already. That is why they need to be strict. Our economy here in SXM NEEDS the influx of dollars these wealthy Americans bring in. Completely different situation.

Third World Country?... Please Daphne, teach yourself the definition of a third world country before using this "label" and you will see that St Maarten, which is not a country but part of a country called (so far) the Netherland Antilles doesn't fit the criteria and is not on the list... Get out of this island once in a while, travel the world and go to Africa, and you will see what is a third world country. Now if you still want to sound ridiculous, you can stick to what you said.

I have been to quite a few places around the world and that is why I have a perspective. I am not trying to be mean, I am just trying to kick a few people in the butt not to loose theirs...

The pot holes in the roads, the smell every time it rains, the corruption among politicians, authorities and police force, the pointless bureaucracy, the getto style construction. All these things are typical signs of a thirld world country. How long do you want me to make the list? I could go on and on.

I am not talking about the Netherlands Antilles in general, I am discussing St Maarten. Don't insult Saba. Saba doesn't look like a city dump.

Have you seen the YouTube clips with the old pictures what Cole Bay and the lagoon used to look like? Hard to believe it is, but there used to be beautiful beaches.

There isn't a scientific definition of third world, but if you would like to define third world architecture it would have to be the getto style construction in Cole Bay (not to mention Sandy Ground).

The lack of environmental laws are typical signs of third world. The lack of building codes (and I am especially thinking about the aestetic side) is a typical thirld world symptom.

I have a acquaintance, originally from Africa, who was shocked when he first moved to St Martin. Shocked. He says that even if people are a lot poorer in the country where he originally comes from at least people try to keep it clean around there houses even if they only have a palm leaves to sweep the streets with. Here's garbage everywhere. I know this isn't true everywhere in Africa, since I have been there, but I certainly understand what he means. He said he was expecting neat little Caribbean houses in vivid colors - not the shanty towns - and I agree, who doesn't?

Daphne: Can you tell the readers what exactly made you decide to become an immigrant to our shores and what makes you stay here when it all so bad? Can you also elaborate why an overpopulated Island as St. Martin -or any other one for that matter- may not adhere to its own immigration rules. Do you mean to say that we should continue to welcome everybody -including all americans- without questions asked? Should we build more houses and more roads and accept more cars. Is that your answer to the mess we are in? Just tell us loud an clear what you have on your mind because you haven't been making a lot of sense since you write here. You go left right and center and pretend to know it all but you don't seem to be very knowledgeable about the Island and its people. Your apparent lack of comprehension of most issues you write about and your negativism that is displayed in all your posts, makes this site loose its unique character.

I removed the last line in your comment as it was a personal insult to another user of this site, someone who has taken the time to create a sign in name and write here. I would like to remind all readers that you too can write a blog post or opinion piece if you want, just by creating a sign in name and using the post a page option. I would also like to remind those who missed it or still dont get it, that NO one blog represents the views of everyone else who writes here or helps to run this site. If you don't like the content, add some of your own. - Flipper

Talk about poking a stick in a hornets nest. I think Daphne has it right on more than a few things and has made a few positive suggestions too. You are right though, negatism on its own doesn't help and nor does knocking and generalising the people of the island. There are many reasons the island is in the state it is in, mostly I think it is because of how people are afraid to speak up or ask questions and it goes back decades.

It is a truth that you can suffer when you speak up, you can suffer when you are in politics or put yourself in their bad books. There are many smart people on the island, many intellectuals and educated people, yet most of them keep their heads down and stay out of it.

The only way things are going to change here is when some of those people get brave and run for office. Do we have an opposition party?? I remember somethng about being a 'formidable' opposition party after the last election, the only one we hear from is George, I've forgotten who the others are now. What a joke they are.

And now the DP is holding 'Constitutional' meetings. I have to ask, isn't that something the Island govt should be doing together? I sure hope no fed or island govt money is being used for these political party events.

I see no Thomas Jeffersons or Benjamin Frankins out there and SXM realy really needs some.

Flipper

your friend from Africa thought that his African country men were cleaner than SXM? I ask you where this friend of yours lives in Africa. maybe the rich part of South Africa? This Daphe is starting to be a turn off.
While SXM indeed has a developing world infrastructure and at times would seem very third world, the island is a developing island with first world Airport and Harbour. That my friend Daphne you cannot find in a third world country.
I do think it is time that governments of both sides start paying attention to the infrastructure which includes basic environmental laws, legislation, policies and enforcement, you will have a hard time even convincing the Dutch that this island is Third World. The entire Dutch delegation will be here next week, I am sure when they see the SUV's driving on the road even if that road has running sewage, the Dutch will see this island as a developing world island with a neglected infrastructure.
As for this entire debate about Americans needing a return ticket, since when is this a debate? this has been like this for as long as I know and like a previous writer wrote, they are now playing stupid.
Daphne said something about Americans don't need us, but we need the Americans, news for you Daphne..... we don't need more people on SXM! we are full! the island is densly populated. This entire issue is out of proportion because Notaries and Real estate agents keep telling these expats wonderful stories and not the truth.
The island is suffering from environmental challenges exactly because the population has grown with villas, condos, shacks and shack villages. keep in mind that the high end home buyers who are expats are not paying any property taxes because we dont have any such tax on the Dutch side and the lower end shack renters are not paying tax either as their income is mostly in cash, they are domestic workers, handy men, lowly paid security guards etc, so we are left with the middle class to pay profit tax, TOT tax, wage tax for everyone.
And then you wonder why we have such a lousy infrastructure and environmental challenges? I do hope that you contribute your part Daphne on the Dutch side. Paying taxes, making sure your house or boat is doing the environmental friendly good things.

OK, since you brought up the subject I didn't. Lets discuss the airport.

First world airport? It might look nice, but the management around it? Well excuse me... Why do you have carry your luggage out of the baggage claim area before you can get a baggage trolley? Why do arriving passengers have to cart their luggage across the main road to get to the parking lot. On busy arrival days the traffic jams builds up miles from the airport because of poor traffic planning. Why are French tour operators banned from the "first world international airport"? Why are they not allowed to wait inside the building? Just how mature in terms of airport management is this? Why is the taxi fare information on the airports homepage from 1993. Just how "first world" is this whole arrangement around the airport?

The entire Dutch delegation will be here next week, I am sure when they see the SUV's driving on the road even if that road has running sewage...

Well I have news for you. Americans love SUVs but the rest of the world don't see them as a sign of prosperity and progress. They are just perceived as being incredibly environmentally unfriendly. So the exhaust from the SUVs goes weil with the suage smell... Honestly, anyone looking at the island infrastructure will be more interested in the existing public transport. And the dollar bus system works quite well, considering it has not been on the top of any politicians agenda on this either side of the island. It could be a little more extended, but considering the price of a bus ride, it is working very well.

We are full! the island is densly populated

And exactly what will this densely populated island live off when you drive away the tourists? What is this island producing and exporting (except tourism)? What will the island live off once the tourists are gone? Where will the money come from?

Keep in mind that the high end home buyers who are expats are not paying any property taxes because we dont have any such tax on the Dutch side

Yes , and not introducing any kind of property or capital gains taxes ASAP is incredibly stupid in my opinion. The builders should have to contribute their share of the burden they put on infrastructure. The home owner should of course have to pay some kind of property taxes. People pay property taxes and capital gains taxes everywhere in the world, except St Maarten.

And then you wonder why we have such a lousy infrastructure and environmental challenges?

I don't wonder. I know what the problem is. No society can live on a non existant tax base. It is a wonder that things work as well as they do on a shoe string budget. We all have to pay our share. Part of the problem is politicians sitting in the laps of wealthy business people not daring to introduce taxes etc. (As if most of them even cared.) Part of the problem is the "common man" just quietly letting this happen, year after year, complaining, but not doing anything. And there isn't even a Free Press to discuss these matters in.

I am always glad when the airport issue and shambolic management is brought to this platform.

One can only hope that the management improves airside otherwise we are waiting for an accident to happen.

The airport , as far as passengers are concerned, is a terrible experience.

The parking is in the wrong place. No baggage trollys, limited or no porters. God bless the old chap who is regularly there. But he cannot handle more than a person at a time.

Take a look where they tow cars to from the front of the building ! That is really crazy. " Oh lets tow the cars and then park them closer to the aircraft !!!"

On immigration. big yawn. The comments of the immigration Dept on enforcing the law. The average tourist arriving here poses no threat to the immigration of these islands, at all. Getting serious about immigration requires controls on illegal workers, who live in substandard conditions, drive cars with no insurance, licences and statistically will turn to petty or more serious crime to make ends meet.

The tourist who has paid to be here will return home, may well commit a crime on the island, but that is more likely to be associated with over consumption of alchohol

If you had a working immigration department who liased with the police it would have far more effect than the easy touch of "catching out" tourists.

Of course highlighting tourist infringements is politically beneficial but in the long term very damaging.

The police would be more effective if they recruited from off island so that no "favors" were shown.

If this island didn't attract foreigners ,rich and poor, we would have still been the neat little Caribbean Island with neat little houses etc.........
They were attracted because of the big bucks that were pouring on SXM. With progress came also all the ills that go with it.
We went from stoneage to modern world almost overnight. We were not educated to handle the change . Our infrastructure did not follow. And we all know about the big mess we are in today.

I think what you say has so much truth to it. When I first came to SXM and then visited Anguilla I couldn't believe how "slow" they were in Anguilla and why the political forces there kept stepping on the break every time the economy seemed to be taking off (=overheating). Now I understand why Anguillians are using SXM as a bad example of what they do not want to become.

SXM has certainly been exploited by foreigners, but they couldn't have done this if they hadn't been in bed with the local politicians who let them, and who still lets them do these things to the island.

I read the tittle of your blog and it says :"Immigration creatively trying to slow SXM growth"
Then I read all of your defenso-agressives answers and I only can agree with one of the poster. You go right, you go left, you go center, you go everywhere and at the end you go nowhere...
I do not need to "see the pictures of the lagoon, cole bay" or even the youtube clip to know how it was sometime ago... I adopted this island, or should I say this island adopted me long enought to know how it was. I also live over 25 years of my life in Africa, and you didn't convinced me with your "African friend" argument.