St. Maarten Private Eye

Your letter says it all!
Absolutely!
I agree with you 100%.
There simply is no defense here. What Leroy did was just plain wrong and, as usual, our elected officials, condone the behavior, as they have in the past with other developers.
Didn't we all suspect something when Leroy cut down the tree? That was just preparing the site for what was to come.
Bunchie Buncamper set an example when she remodeled and renovated the old crumbling Vineyard building. She is one local who wanted to and did preserve SXM heritage.
The rest are just out for greed.
It's pathetic!
B
http://barcann.livejournal.com/

Noise to the wind.

Once again PRIDE, Heritage et al has been caught flat footed by another such development. You have an inventory of all these existing houses (so you say) . If you are going to champion something, shouldn't you at least be aware of the state of what you're championing? Mrs. Bosch has a list, what is done with this list? Does the heritage foundation inspect the buildings on this list? Do they visit them to check their state? How many people even paid this house any attention before it dissapeared? Most drove by it a million times and simply referred to it as the office of Tendal Real Estate. Was it ever brought up in any discussions about monuments on SXM? Or historical sites? Just questions for clarity sake.

You mention pest control eliminated termites from your house. Why do you assume the level of infestation was the same at your house as it was at this? Is your home completely made of wood like this old house was? Termites can rot wood so completely, it makes no sense to even try and save the structure. Do I know if this was the case? No. But you don't know that it wasn't either. And getting back to my earlier point, if the heritage foundation had done any inspectio on their own, since it was on their inventory list, we would at least have something to counter the claim that it was termite infested. But we can't. Because we have a list......and that's it.

Lastly, does Mr. DeWeever not own the land and whatever structure that was on it? He can do whatever he wants with his property and neither the Heritage Foundation or a court of law can deny him that right unless its listed as "protected". And I don't believe it is. Am I happy to see another one of these houses go? NO I AM NOT. But as writers here tend to look for more accountability from our government, I will contnue to hope to get more accountability from the persons and foundations who is supposed to be protecting these sites and championing these causes.

Simply put, you failed again.

J. Baptiste

By the way, this list, can we get it published here on sxmpe. AND Maybe you can ave it published in The Daily Herald as well. Just so folks like me know for the future. This might give pause to anyone looking to demolish any such structures in the future and heigthen community awareness. Just a suggestion.

Give light so people will follow, like moths I guess, though I think the mushroom anecdote is more apt, keep them in the dark and feed them on bulls**t.

Are you so blinded by their light you can't see them for what they really are Babtiste? A bunch of self serving, self interested charlatans, I used to think them inept and incompetent too but have come to the conclusion they know exactly what they do and really don't care. Narcissistic is the word that fits some.

What are these foundations supposed to do Babtiste? You seem to have a problem with foundations in general and I wonder exactly where this comes from. The Exco has problems with foundations too, they are a nuisance to them, always asking questions, demanding something or other gets protected or whatever. Bunch of treehuggers is the usual slur throw the way of environmentalists, which is kind of funny because most environmentalists are proud to be treehuggers, didn't you know, being green is cool now.

This government has done nothing to protect the heritage of the island, the man made heritage or the environmental heritage. Tell me one place that has been protected, one, I challenge you. Foundations can champion causes but at the end of the day it the government that needs to lead the way with laws, support and consequences for those who break them. How long have we been waiting for the Exco on the Monument list and protection for the heritage of the island, the Marine Park ordinance, Emilio Wilson?

How convenient it is that no one brings up the fact that Mr "Pinochio" Marlin was in charge of the dump for over 6 years and did nothing, it doesn't matter that Theo is now in charge because it was the DP government that failed, not just Roy. Same goes for sewage treatment plans which we have heard nothing about since Roy's little 'deal' with intaquin crashed. Or how about the $1 million or so that was lost because Roy played politics "scheming" with Barendson and then the cheeky F**ker say's it's the opposition's fault. I'm sorry for the language if it offends, but I speak bluntly and that's exactly what the man is.

Anyway, I have a lot to say about these people that you seem to give your benefit of doubt, while slamming foundations which operate with minimal funds and almost zero political support, except when it's convenient to the politician. I've been meaning to write a blog since the headline a week or so ago on the Today saying that SXM got no respect at the talks. Respect is to be earned, (votes don't earn any respect from me because I believe most of them were bought in some way or another), these people get none because really they deserve none.

Open your eyes and try to see these people for what they are, they don't deserve your respect or benefit of doubt, nor do the foundations and the people who give up their time and energy trying to make a difference deserve your scorn and derision.

LH

LH, thanks for your support and very on the ball words. Anyone interested in finding out about the monument inventory can go to the Museum on Front street and ask to see it. Ms. Bosch has always been very open and willing to allow interested persons to review it.
Since the breaking of this news, we have received many calls and emails from people very upset by what happened. One of the callers told us something interesting.
According to one caller, There is a gentleman working in the Lt.Governor Cabinet who was sent by the Queen of the Netherlands via Governor General Goedgedrag to work on drafting one or more of SXM important ordinances that the EXCO has been pussy footing with for years.
One such ordinance is the Monument Ordinance. This good gentleman is ready with the final Ordinance to protect the old monuments that are listed.
Now the caller suggest that it is obvious that the Councilman knew about this and he hastily decided to get rid of the house that previously housed TENDAL REAL ESTATE.
The caller also said that based on the actions of the Councilman we can expect to see more of these houses that are listed to be preserved disappear into the night.
The decision of Jay Haviser to just give an ok to the owner to demolish this house listed on the monument list was not a wise and well thought out one.
Haviser made his decision without informing other stakeholders and he based his actions on a termite infestation.
So the caller and myself can only conclude that if this is the road that the head of Monuments and Environment will lead, we will see other monuments disappear very fast. The Monument list will be tremendously downsized.
Next on the list will be the Guavaberry Emporium, former West Indian Tavern.
This building is showing old age, and according to the owner has holes in the roof. I have also heard the termite excuse thrown around for Guavaberry Emporium as well. So if Haviser gave an ok for the Councilman to demolish a house listed on the Monument list, how can he now deny the owner of Gavaberry Emporium not to do the same?
Haviser decision has left the door wide open. He has literally turned back the clock for many that have put in endless unpaid hours to document all these houses that are listed on the Monument inventory and the Monument list.
The island now stands to risk losing many of the charming old style SXM houses that showcase our islands history, culture and Caribbean architecture.

Batpiste

Nice post to defend you DP friends again. Anything goes what they do, doesn't it? Whatever your arguments are you seem to be a stgranger to the concept of ethics.

Ethics is about right conduct. Do you think it is right conduct for a councilman to demolish this soon to be monumental house at 2 am in the morning because it has termites? What bullshit story is that? 2 am. He didn't want to disturb the traffic or something?

I' d say that the councilman knows that the monument list is done and ready to be made into law. He simply ran out of time. Do it at 2 am . Nobody there to stop you. All you suffer is a couple of blows from the activists and you are good to go and build your 4 story building. The man has style.

Rackham

Typical response there Jack. Try to divert by saying I'm defending. I didn't defend anyone. But why sing the same song as everyone else here. I asked questions because I think it's important to have a well-rounded picture. Some writers here are like horses with blinders on.

So adamant in their opposition that you refuse to be critical of other parties involved in any issue. I understand the ethical premise, but the place belonged to the man. He can demolish whenever he wants. Would it make it more ethical to demolish it in broad day light? Would you then say wow, now that was ethical of him. No you would not.

Was the house on the monument list? I dunno. I'm just asking. I did say in my post that I am NOT happy with this development (you conveniently missed that). But where were the foundations who claim they are there to protect these buildings? Is that an unreasonable question Jack? Am I supposed to just join the bash government bandwagon because it seems to be the popular modus operandi?

Please. Answer my questions if you have any answers. Stay focussed.

JB

~ Looking at the flip side of the coin ~

Batpiste,

Answers? As if you don't know.

Siem Dijkshoorn, an architect and expert on monuments was in charge of making the monument inventory and subsequent list. And, yes the Tendal office was on the list and the Councilman knew that. Where were the foundations to protect these buildings, you ask. What question is that? Where everybody else is at 2 at night maybe? And besides, what do you want them to do. Form a militia against councilmen that demolish soon to be monuments or may they expect that the elected officials set good examples instead of bad ones? It is improper behavior for a councilman. Admit it.

Rackham