...with the sound of backhoes and construction if Roy has his way. Not content with the environmental damage he has already caused, he is now aiming to develop the hills. It sort of got missed in the drama of Laveist, but in the IC meeting of 3rd November, a motion was presented for a subdivision that I am told would run against the Hill Side Policy. It seems that some developers in St Johns want some exemptions and Roy, as usual, is happy to accommodate.
See the video at the link below (you'll have to pause the podcast audio). The motion was supported by Mr "Real Estate" DeWeever who claims that local young people would have a chance to own a plot, Maria supported it, presumably Sarah too. The vote was null and void as the NA did not vote. I would very much like to know more about this subdivision, can anyone out there tell us more?
Needless to say, making an exception would open the door to more exceptions, I expect we will see this issue back up for a vote again soon.
See the video here.
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Development and Construction | Environment | Local Hero's blog | add new comment | read more
Submitted by Local Hero on Fri, 2008-11-21 23:05.
There are still a few stragglers out there who keep clinging to the belief Climate Change is a hoax, a plot by liberals and caused by natural cycles of the planet. It doesn't matter to them that the scientific community, data and evidence are almost conclusively against them. Thankfully for us all, there is a new incoming president of the US who does trust in science, data and rational thinking.
"My presidency will mark a new chapter in America’s leadership on climate change that will strengthen our security and create millions of new jobs in the process."
"And once I take office, you can be sure that the United States will once again engage vigorously in these negotiations, and help lead the world toward a new era of global cooperation on climate change. Now is the time to confront this challenge once and for all. Delay is no longer an option. Denial is no longer an acceptable response. The stakes are too high. The consequences, too serious."
Obama's speech to the Governors Global Climate Summit.
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Climate Change | Energy and Water | Environment | Caribdude's blog | add new comment | read more
Submitted by Caribdude on Fri, 2008-11-21 12:18.
TIme for a new one considering the headline on the previous is outdated, I decided to keep it generic this time.
Laveist - “I firmly believe that our island should have a majority-backed government in the Island Council in order for St. Maarten’s future constitutional relationship in the Kingdom to be debated with the Kingdom partners from a position of strength,”
Right Louie, your support and participation gives that strength and integrity to the team. Latest news and back links added below.
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Bad Governance | Island Politics | Flipper's blog | 27 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Tue, 2008-11-18 09:34.
All this talk of Theo's Road Plan reminded me of the reported 20 mill nafs in damages from Hurricane Omar, it seemed rather a large amount. Maybe it's just me but I really don't see the damage in those areas matching the amounts stated.
Sucker Garden Road isn't much different, couple more pot holes maybe, but just as 'beautified' as before the storm with trailers and piles or rubble on one side and knocked downs posts and mud with struggling grassy patches on the other. Arch Road, 940,000 nafs. Where is that damage? Or do these figures include repairs and improving that was needed pre-Omar?
Theo wants to invest lots of money into the infrastructure, apparently he also supports the road across the lagoon idea. There are lots of crumbs that will fall off the pie and the usual suspects are in line to snatch them up.
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Roads and Traffic | Local Hero's blog | 1 comment | read more
Submitted by Local Hero on Mon, 2008-11-17 20:35.
Writers write when they feel like it, so there are often times when an important issue or topical news story doesn't get covered in a blog post. This is the place for thi=ose stories and comments, It's sort of like an open thread.
Here's one to get you started :)
Westin Resort robbed monday morning - 17th November 2008
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Open Threads | Flipper's blog | 14 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Mon, 2008-11-17 19:27.
So, now, according to the latest report on SXM Island Times and a press conference, the National Alliance is prepared to form a new government with the support of Louie Laveist and they are in discussions with Theo about being a 7th vote. I think we can guess what Theo is going to do can't we?
I'm starting to run out of popcorn and feeling a bit ill. I'm listening to some voice of the NA, not sure who, defending their decision to work with Louie. Listen in to the press conference.
National Alliance announces decision to form next Island Government - 15th November 2008
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Island Politics | Hady Nufyet's blog | 9 comments | read more
Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Sat, 2008-11-15 22:05.
There has been a little confusion and a few questions being asked about the fundraising event for EPIC that was held at Westin this past weekend. Please find below an email received from Rueben J. Thompson in response to these concerns.
Hopefully the board of EPIC will pay more attention to their representatives in future, and who knows, maybe we'll have an Environment Commissioner who listens too. You should apply for the job Rueben. I heard the event was rather quiet and few if any environmentalists were there. Rather sad really, it's nice for people to try to raise money for foundations and organizations, but they should have given this location a bit more thought.
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Environment | Flipper's blog | 55 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Mon, 2008-11-10 21:03.
For all the comments and news stories without a blog post to call home.
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Flipper's blog | 9 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Mon, 2008-11-10 03:34.
The blog post about Laveist going independent his filled up a bit and I have the feeling this is going to be a hot story this coming week. Monday's always a good day to start off fresh :)
Laveist seems to think he is in a powerful position. I really can't imagine the NA working with him, it would be really really dumb. I suspect a deal will be made between the two parties, or with another DP member leaving as suggested in a news report on SXM Island Time.
Oh, and big Welcome to Parliament too, glad you could join us. :)
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Bad Governance | Corruption | Island Politics | Louie Laveist | Flipper's blog | 42 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Mon, 2008-11-10 02:23.
Poor Louie couldn't wait any longer for new status and has decided to go independent, just in time for SXM Day. The name of his party has not yet been revealed, suggestions are welcome below.
Bibi over at SMN News has a report that mentions the investigations of fraud now include the new government building and the fishmarket.
The soap opera continues...... grab your popcorn....
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Bad Governance | Development and Construction | Island Politics | Louie Laveist | Flipper's blog | 27 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Sat, 2008-11-08 02:08.
While French Side President of the Collectivity (The Borg?) is on the right track when he states that the crime situation we have is linked to failures in the past, particularly in the social, education and labor spheres, I think his opinions on correction and rehabilitation of criminals is rather shockingly ignorant..
“Young people over the age of 20 to 22 cannot be corrected,” he said. “The mindset of an 18-year-old cannot be changed. The character and personality have to be built from an early age.”
Yes, people and attitudes are shaped by their upbringing, but attitudes can and do change, even as adults we learn and change our mindsets. Didn't a majority of the American electorate just demonstrate a mindset change? Are you the same person holding the same ideals and opinions you did 5 or 10 years ago? We all grow, we all get older, gain maturity and wisdom (most of us) and only a closed mind refuses to reexamine and if necessary refine their opinions and principles on a fairly regular basis. One can only wonder if Mr Gumbs, as a teacher, ever had a reformed criminal motivational speaker in his classroom or school.
I don't know much about Gumbs, but this dumb statement caught my eye and I'm going to listen out a bit more carefully in future. Can anyone tell me what his plans are? Is he following Louie Constant's previous agenda and program? Are there plans for a National Police Force? I'd be interested to hear about it, and his plans for correction.
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Dr. Voodoo's blog | 15 comments | read more
Submitted by Dr. Voodoo on Fri, 2008-11-07 14:30.
My faith in the American people and democracy has been restored. I have hope and I am inspired, I expect many regular readers of SXM PE are too. Now we need to find an Obama for St. Maarten. lol
Lets hope he keeps the ball rolling and uses the goodwill around the World towards him. Did you hear the big collective sigh of relief?
Watch acceptance speech here
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Flipper's blog | 5 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Wed, 2008-11-05 00:48.
The tragedies keep coming, on Friday the mother and baby in St. James, on Saturday the stabbing attack with one dead and today we have a body found shot on Back Street. I've listed all the news stories from these cases below and will update them as new information comes. Please use this thread to discuss them.
Updated with new shooting in St. Peters.
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Justice Police Crime | Flipper's blog | 16 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Tue, 2008-11-04 10:13.
Weekly news discussion page. Don't know where to put your comment? Here is the place :)
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Open Threads | Flipper's blog | 8 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Mon, 2008-11-03 00:53.
So whats going on with Carnival 2009? Anyone?
Latest news items below, older news on the previous SXM PE Blog Post - Carnival 'not fine' for 2009 - 13th July 2008
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Heritage and Culture | Flipper's blog | 1 comment | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Sun, 2008-11-02 22:13.
Unfortunately I haven't been able to scan the news item in the Saturday Herald as of yet, I'll try to get it up in the next day or two. It reported that Laveist wasn't too happy about his portfolios being reassigned and gave no indications that he will be resigning. I guess that may mean the IC meeting scheduled for Monday could be interesting.
The previous post about Laveist's arrest can be found here, along with older news reports so far.
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Bad Governance | Corruption | Island Politics | Louie Laveist | Flipper's blog | 13 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Sun, 2008-11-02 20:50.
The referendum on new status was held 8 years ago when all people really knew was that they wanted to get out of the Netherlands Antilles. What exactly the people want now is questionable in my opinion, times have changed, people have different perspectives, and while back then the referendum was about a new status, a new referendum would be about what kind of new status it would be.
It seems to me that St. Maarten, (like the USA this coming Tuesday), is at a crucial turning point in it's history with this process of constitutional change. It has a chance right now to learn from it's mistakes, make the important changes to it's political and democratic system that are desperately needed, and basically get a fresh start in new clothes. Or, if our proud, egotistical and power hungry politicians have their way, continuing on with the same sad story, and smells, under a different name.
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Flipper's blog | 2 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Sun, 2008-11-02 06:45.
Philipsburg Theatres newest movie is one I've been hoping they would get and I'll post a short review after I have seen it. I haven't seen it yet, so I can't really recommend it, but I can point out that it's looks darn good :)
Check out the trailer and more videos with John Cusak on Youtube.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday, 8pm.
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Flipper's blog | 3 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Thu, 2008-10-30 15:55.
Remember that new school the DP announced just before the elections last year? You know, right after the NA started hitting on the fact that no new schools have been built for almost a decade. A decade of building new classrooms with aid money from USONA and other sources, creating a sardine like over crowding situation not just in the schools, but also the L.B Scott Road and Cul De Sac. I think it's fairly proven that less crowded and more open schools are conductive to the learning process, not to mention less stressful and less tensions. Sarah thinks
more classrooms are more important than new schools.
Anyway, I noticed Sarah took a tour of the land where the new school is going to be and informed us that the project is at a tender stage, 18 months after being announced. I was wondering, how long do you think it will be before it actually gets off the ground and cement starts being poured? My guess is right before the next elections, whenever they may be, what's yours?
Project for post Secondary School at tender stage - 29th October 2008
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Education and Youth | Hady Nufyet's blog | 2 comments | read more
Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Thu, 2008-10-30 15:09.
Prosecutors Office in Curacao - SXM Island Times
This story is starting to get very interesting and although I filed the first news link in the Louie's Arrest post, I think it's becoming clear it deserves it's own. There is nothing to suggest it has anything to do with Louie's case anyway, it just appeared right after he was arrested.
There are three reports that I have found online now, all of them on SXM Island Time. The first tells of some Federal Detectives that want to go public with their concerns, about missing documents via the Curacao Ombudsman. The report does not mention which island Pros. Office the documents have gone missing from, but this commentator seems to be sure it's Aruba, probably because it is written by Stardust News. The second has the Curacao Ombudsman saying the case is too heavy for him to deal with and today we have Taco telling us all documents accounted for and that the investigation "does not pertain to his office".
I think, considering these are Federal Detectives, that the missing documents could really be from any island. I extend them an invite to come to SXM PE with their concerns and more information about the missing documents, we'll listen and publish what they have to say. :)
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Flipper's blog | add new comment | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Tue, 2008-10-28 22:45.
Please feel free to use this thread to make comments or bring news and stories up for discussion during the week ahead.
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Flipper's blog | 18 comments
Submitted by Flipper on Mon, 2008-10-27 14:14.
A few months ago I wrote about GEBE and made a prediction that has turned out to be wrong, that oil prices wouldn't fall below $100 again. It's not that I wasn't aware a financial crisis was on it's way, I'm a regular reader of blogs and independent news sites like The Agonist, and the housing bubble 'pop' which started the downward roll has been written about here too. For some reason I just didn't connect or consider how one would effect the other.
I'm sure there are many people who find relief that oil prices have been falling, no one wants big power bills or expensive gas to get around, that's understandable. Sadly though, I do fear there is going to be a bigger price to pay in the long run than we realize. High oil prices helped to drive investment towards clean energy research and projects, the investment has now dried up and the financial returns are much less attractive. Climate Change continues.
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Climate Change | World News | Caribdude's blog | 1 comment | read more
Submitted by Caribdude on Mon, 2008-10-27 10:14.
Commissioner Louie Laveist was arrested this morning around 9am, Wednesday 22nd October 2008, it is unclear from news reports if he was arrested at home, or as he arrived for work. Lou Lou is apparently being investigated in a forgery investigation concerning a Venezuelan woman, could it possibly be this one from back in 2005? If so, then I imagine it's possible Lt. Governor Richards is being investigated too? Certainly it would make things interesting wouldn't it?
The smoke from Lou Lou been going on a long time and you know what they say about where there is smoke there is a fire. Indian Merchants tell me today that they estimate donations to Louie's New Hope Foundation to be close $250,000 over the past few years. Can anyone tell me what exactly this foundation has been doing, apparently they help drug addicts but I never hear of their work. That's where the conflict with Boasman comes in, either Boasman wanted a piece of the action or he decided to start playing it straight like any sensible person would in these times. And lets not forget about the bus licenses, meant for the local small businessman, but now something that brings in a monthly rent for whoever owns it. Sheds some light on the crappy public transport system we have doesn't it.
I've collected together the most recent news and most of the blog posts that have been written about Lou Lou over the past few years below, for your refreshment :) - Dr. Voodoo
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Bad Governance | Business and Labor | Corruption | Immigration | Island Politics | Justice Police Crime | Louie Laveist | Dr. Voodoo's blog | 12 comments | read more
Submitted by Dr. Voodoo on Wed, 2008-10-22 16:31.
It's been reported that Chief Inspector Alfred 'Churchill' Marsden was killed in a helicopter accident Tuesday night. Our condolences to his family and that of the other victim, Mike, or Micheal.
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Corruption | Immigration | Justice Police Crime | Dr. Voodoo's blog | 7 comments | read more
Submitted by Dr. Voodoo on Wed, 2008-10-22 15:50.
Frank Cordes, the husband of missing American Leta Lynn Cordes, was arrested about a week ago and is still in custody. His arrest followed announcements new leads were being followed over to the French side in the case. I've updated the Leta Lynn Cordes Thread with all I can find and posted the latest news below.
Please hold back from making "I told you so' comments, the arrest is hardly surprising to most, and please avoid excessive speculation. Thanks :)
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Justice Police Crime | Local Hero's blog | 1 comment | read more
Submitted by Local Hero on Wed, 2008-10-22 14:30.
There was a time when I found Hero Brinkman amusing, like when he made his comment about putting the NA on Ebay, but recently he has become rather tiresome and tedious. Sort of like John McCain really, nothing but negativity and attacks, never inspiring or offering solutions, just another loudmouth with nothing positive to offer. While certainly it has been helpful to a degree to have someone like him speaking up, questioning and exposing the shenanigans of the NA islands and their politicians, he has now entered the yawn zone.
Brinkman and his party PVV advocate cutting links with the islands because we are a lost cause, corrupt to the core and full of pirates. Obviously he doesn't care that the vast majority of St. Maarteners want good governance, transparency, accountability, security and a future for themselves and their children etc. All things he apparently stands for too, (but not for us).
F**k you too Mr Brinkman!
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Constitutional Change | Dutch Politics | Hady Nufyet's blog | 14 comments | read more
Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Tue, 2008-10-21 01:56.
Please feel free to use this thread to make comments or bring news and stories up for discussion during the week ahead.
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Open Threads | Flipper's blog | 5 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Mon, 2008-10-20 10:01.
Omar forms and head up from the SW. Forecast to pass west of us as a Category 2, but close enough to be concerned and make preparations. Weather links and News below.
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Flipper's blog | 6 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Wed, 2008-10-15 16:17.
Lt. Governor Richards, Mr. Good Governance, apparently wants some bills paid by the island which our island secretary disagrees with. At least that's what we read in the papers today. Of course, with proper management, transparency and solid protocols and policies we probably wouldn't have this sort of thing popping up again and again.
I do find the news item on SXM Island TImes rather interesting though, is it a press release or a news report?
No rift pertaining to advice says Governor Richards - 13th October 2008
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Bad Governance | Franklin Richards | Island Politics | Hady Nufyet's blog | 8 comments | read more
Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Mon, 2008-10-13 20:53.
I think perhaps I'll try to do these every Monday in future, these threads seem good for daily news discussion and commentary. What do you readers and users think?
Got something to say or you feel needs to be discussed, but can't find a relevant blog or news post? Open Threads are the place to put it :)
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Open Threads | Flipper's blog | 18 comments
Submitted by Flipper on Wed, 2008-10-08 20:17.
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