St. Maarten Private Eye

“environment can't be replaced easily when it is destroyed.”

Even if Mr. Lee wins a possible case against Westin, we'll still be stuck with an enormous eyesore and we'll never see Dawn Beach again as it used to be, before WESTIN. Thanks Mr. Marlin, really appreciate your professionalism.

By the way, I suddenly remember that three years ago I saw that there were turtles in the brownish water of the stream that used to be where now the Westin-pool is. Does anyone know what happened to them? Oh my God, I so hope that they haven't been buried alive! Poor creatures!

Angelina
angelinablogger@gmail.com

Noise readings! Finally! Bravo!
I'm so unfortunate though, because I'm currently off-island (won't be back for at least a month if everything goes according to plan) and so I can't pop in and get a form but nevertheless I sincerely hope Mr. Lee will be able to sue the Hotel. It'll serve them right!
The 'Hinderwet' :-)

And for the writer below:
(599) 5436906

Angelina
angelinablogger@gmail.com

Could you send the number of Emil Princess Heights?

Thanks

I believe the whole department VROM including the dept. Head are not qualified for the job, because when you have a situation like WESTIN on an overdeveloped Island like st.maarten you should ask yourself if VROM personel KNOW"S WHAT there doing! I would like to review the environmental permit & spatial plans of Westin SXM one day. I am SURE the permit / plans are not up to standard!! VROM is the MOST important department on the island when it comes to spatial planning and environment, but the personel and department head don't have NO knowledge of what the work all entails.

I do believe the VROM department is not 100% competent for the job. Too many people there don't really care about "their" island and are more working on their own private projects during working hours. But there are also some civil servants that want to do something to protect this island from further development, that care about the environment and that have sometimes even brilliant ideas.
But... It is also known that all the good ideas they have concerning planning, zoning etc. are blocked by the Exco and Theo in particular. They cannot make any decision unless it is approved by the commissioner, who has his own agenda.
When talking about Westin, everybody knows that VROM involvement in this project was minimal. It was Roy who was in charge and made everything possible. The developer was so pleased with Roy's help that he donated him even a house in Oyster Pond. So, instead of taking VROM to court, I would suggest take the Exco to court. They approved all Roy's ideas.

The house on Oyster Pond, is that Villa Gillian? Wow, I never knew that! Makes voting alot easier!
The thing is, I've lost all confidence in the current government, with all these failures and now and then we luckily hear of some quick-fixes after which we are again disappointed by some dramatic exposure of greed. And when finally something good comes along, it receives public attention, is then applauded and then it's plainly ignored?! Existence denied!
My sentiments exactly, when I look out of the window and see that thing this thread is about.

Mrs. Bijleveld should have a look at that thing and then reconsider the competence of the individuals in the Administration building. Yes, it sounds harsh but it's perfectly sane and understandable, especially for someone used to the spatial planning of the Randstad.

Angelina
angelinablogger@gmail.com

Information reaching us here tell that Villa Gillian came into Roy's hands with the assistance of some Venezuelan developers, the ones that built some block of condos on Simpson Bay Beach.
Roy then rented the villa to Babit Bay (Columbia Sussex) the developer of Dawn Beach. For how much is unknown and rumors have reported they also did work on the place for him. All at the same time that Roy was signing frivolous permits from them which went against established policies and regulations.

Of all Commissioners suitable for investigation, Roy is at the top of the list in my book.

Flipper

If the EXCO is taken to court, all they will do is tell the court that VROM approved everything and they took their advice.
If VROM is taken to court, the truth will come out. Some of them might quit their job in order to protect their favorite Commissioner.
The reality is indeed that many are working on their own projects on government time. Some in VROM will make drawings for developers for their own personal bank accounts and then "make sure the entire project gets approved" The developer has nothing to worry about. Pay the right person and his project is magically and in no time approved.
Thats corruption my friend. As for the others who might have a good heart and care for their island, they know who is making money on the side. My advice to them is, get out and find another job. If they hang out with corruption, it will rub off.

So, what we need here on this island is a course on corruption: what exactly make your actions corrupt? and most importantly: how can one avoid being corrupt?

Let's say, a friday afternoon workshop for the commissioners and anyone else who's interested, because I've got this vague idea that corruption is something alot of people won't be able to define.

Angelina
angelinablogger@gmail.com

Angelina, you are so right! They probably don't know how to define corruption. And they most probably think what they do is normal- sure it is ok to work on their private business which just happens to be in conflict with their government job. It could be that no one ever told them that this is illegal. So what ever happened to that course on integrity for civil servants? You know, I have given up on this island, I have given up hope that we will ever have an intellectual government who knows when to make the right choices and upgrade the civil servants to be of quality service.
I feel for you as a resident of Dawn beach having the WESTIN monster hindering your quality of life. I feel for every resident around the pond, in town and everywhere else who have to suffer through the landfill smoke. The fact is: there is no physical planning on this island.
Oh my god! I wonder if VROM will be checking their pictionary for the word "physical planning" as someone else wrote here, there is never enough ugly buildings on SXM. Notice to owners of recently constructed buildings: I have not seen one beautiful one as yet. And you people and VROM have to learn a new word. It is called PARKING spaces for customers.

Having good ideas is not enough, you need the knowledge & know how about the work, so you can advice CLOWNS like Roy & Theo that what there doing is all wrong and Illegal, you should be there professional advisor, because these guy's don't have a clue whats going on as long they can full there pockets and get rich, so again having brilliant ideas is a waste of time in SXM,you as a civil servant you have to know the legal system (on environment & spatial planning)and advice people like Roy & Theo correctly that what there doing is all wrong!! But I"ll agree with you on this one, the people within this department don't care about St. Maarten and the future of our children, there making money under the table and working on there own private projects during working hours, which has been going on for years now! Even when L. Brown was head of this department it was'nt functioning the way it should, because he's also a DP figure who gets appointed for positions within Government without the right qualifications, look whats happening at the project bureau! And now we have D. Richardson (unprofessional with NO background in spatial planning & environment), who's father is a member of the DP party, so you see its always about politics and NO PROFESSIONALISM.

and it will stay that way untill .... Carnival is stopped! Which is, in other words, when Sarah will give up on Seperate Status. Or when Maria gets fired. Or when Louis stops acting. Or when Theo can resist the temptation of whiskey. Or lastly, when Roy declares 'no more hotels/resorts!'

My apologies for the above.

Angelina
angelinablogger@gmail.com

That's your house!?! Jeez!!!
My heart goes out to you.
It is a wretched situation indeed.
In Holland this situation would never have happened in the first place.
In the USA this situation would have cost Westin millions in law suits.

And here on SXM it has happened, happens and will happen over and over again. Never enough ugly buildings; finished or unfinished.

So, you have this choice: you either take Westin to court or move. Well, let's say you go for option #1: that will probably cost you alot of time, energy and of course money and après tout Dawn beach has already irreversibly been destroyed and the eyesore won't disappear, even if you win the case, which is highly unlikely. And also, it would not precisely get your name in the goodbehaviour books...ever heard of 'theo and the thwarting game'? Capital amusement. My compliments.
Suppose you choose Option #2: other islands may be what SXM used to be, but you'll have to build up a whole new life and get yourself a new job as well.

Your position is hardly an enviable one, Angelina.
I, for one, would not go for option number one, but who knows maybe you'll win! Let me know and I'll take you out for dinner!

Edward

Thanks Edward; I'd better go and buy myself some of those earplugs that actually stay in your ear...unlike the ones you get in the airplane.
I'm just going to try and pretend I don't hear or see anything of that concrete monster...you know like they always say: there are none so blind as those who will not see. Wish me luck!

Bye the way, you don't happen to know a store where I can get those earplugs now, do you?

Angelina
angelinablogger@gmail.com

Get GEBE to fix their power & those generators wouldn't be coming on.
I hate burning my deisel everytime their power goes out.
Can't imagine what the fuel bill is there.

Gemeenschappelijk Elektriciteitsbedrijf Bovenwindse Eilanden

The "Common" Electricity Company of the Windward Islands

The Windward Islands being SXM, Statia & Saba

And in case you are wondering the "Benedenwindse Eilanden" are Bonaire and Curacoa..and if you want, Aruba.