St. Maarten Private Eye - Give Light! ......... so people can see what's going on! - Since March 2005

The Three Steps to Crime Preventiion

Thu, 15 May 2008 16:30:05 -0700

There are many issues facing the new country Sint Maarten. With this blog I do hope to exchange with others on ideas and suggestions how we can confront and be part in the making of this new country. Sint Maarten has been my home for 36 years but I do not like what I see today. Crime is of one of the major issues that will bring this island to her knees if we do not act and prevent the escalation.

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Give Carnival Back to the People!

Sat, 17 May 2008 06:39:59 -0700

Despite the Carnival Development Foundation’s efforts to organize the annual Carnival on St. Maarten, there appears to be a concerted effort to cripple the promoters and the booth holders who are the main driving force behind carnival.

This year it is even more evident than ever that something is amiss. As a promoter I ask myself why do promoters continue to support carnival under the present circumstances?

Carnival no longer belongs to the people! With the astronomical high prices being charged at the gate, the average salary earner can no longer afford to enjoy this annual celebration.

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Sign here please

Thu, 15 May 2008 03:16:55 -0700

So, before and especially since the DP was re-elected in 2007 business for MNO Vervat on St Maarten has been anything but a source of complaints for them. The company is responsible for the construction the new coastguard building and the stunning new terminal building; presently you’ll see them working on the Mahtani Building, the Festival Village and within the next three weeks MNO Vervat plans to start working on the first phase of the major upgrade for Belvedere, Dutch Quarter. The signature required was obtained during yesterday's meeting at the Belvedere office.

SXM Sea Turtle Nesting Season....How you can help! Turn those lights off!

Thu, 08 May 2008 08:01:23 -0700

Jadira Veen of SXM PRIDE sent me this information and asked me to post it.

This is a sign from a street in Ft. Lauderdale and the lights on that stretch of beach are off from March to October. They are doing this to help protect the sea turtles and their babies when they nest.. Sint Maarten PRIDE foundation will be trying to get some signs made just like the one pictured above. PRIDE has already received a donation from a very concerned American beach resident to help with the turtle signs.

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Open Thread - 28th April 2008

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:28:54 -0700

So many things going on that don't get blogged about. Feel free to bring them up for discussion below. - Flipper

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Good Governance SXM Style

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 04:44:30 -0700

Again, in no way is it my intention to discredit or cast Millicent De Weever in a bad light, but I do feel a little bit vindicated after raising questions about her appointment as Acting Lt. Governor back in February. This matter should not reflect badly upon her, it's a good job to be offered. But those who made the appointment must clearly have a poor understanding of the rules and principles of governing and good governance.

Editorial: Proper governance - 25th April 2008

De Weever appointment was illegal, say experts - 25th April 2008

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Police Crime Report - Update

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 04:53:31 -0700

A Police Crime Report with a twist. Marcel Loor gets a huge reduction on his sentence, Holiday gets charged with defrauding the Antilles and we are still waiting for Marsden to 'Bus the Pot' on all the fraud and theft crimes he claimed to have evidence about.

And then, there is the Head of Police Finance who has been suspended for revealing financial information about Lt. Gov Richards, information that perhaps ought to be public record anyway. Perhaps now is a time to bring up that old chestnut the Code of Conduct and ask Mr. Richards if he is willing to set an example by following it.

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Science Fair 2008 - Belair Community Center

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 09:16:12 -0700

The St. Maarten Science Fair Foundation is pleased to host its 14th annual Science Fair at the Belair Community Center from Thursday 17 to Saturday 19 april 2008 with a total of 22 projects. The Fair is open to the public on Saturday 19 April 2008.

The setting up and judging of projects will take place on Thursday and on Friday, the 6th graders of the primary schools on the island will visit from 10:00 – 13:00.

Science Fair 2008 will close off on Saturday evening with the award ceremony for the following participating schools: Milton Peters College, Sundial, St. Dominic High, the Learning unlimited Preparatory and the St. Maarten Academy.

New video - Great Bay Water testing - Louise & Roxanne (Learning Unlimited)

New Video - St.Maarten Science fair 2008-too little too late

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Open Thread - 14th April 2008

Mon, 28 Apr 2008 04:52:57 -0700

Please use this thread for comments or questions about issues that have not been blogged about recently, or to raise attention to issues you feel or would like to see discussed.Have a browse down the front page to check for a relevant posting first though :) - Flipper

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GEBE, EcoFest and Climate Change

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 01:57:50 -0700

Island Vision long ago lost my respect and I don't plan to be sending in nominations this year for their enviro awards, I just can't be bothered, sorry. It's not that I can't think of people to nominate, the usual crowd spring to mind along with a few newcomers like Laura Bijnsdorp and her team. There are people out there who deserve to be recognized for sure.

It's not the lack of transparency with the nominations or votes, nor is it the plagiarizing. No, it's more to do with the people he invites to present awards and make speeches, it's partly to do with Stephane's desire to 'be Someone" and his enabling politicians, officials and businesses to fraudulently portray an environmental image when they have none. I cringe and feel ill just being in the same room as some of the people he invites. No thanks.

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'Political Football' 101

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:31:50 -0700

When it comes to smoking up the an issue and rewriting history, Roy Marlin is the boss. In an article this past week reporting the 'official' opening of Air-Fin's water plant in Cupecoy, he had me in tears with tales of his sleepless nights during his fight to award them the contract and save St. Maarten from having dry taps. According to Roy, he is not to blame for months of shortages and the huge financial losses incurred by GEBE from purchasing water from the French Side, it was the opposition's fault for demanding transparency and asking questions.

Poor Roy, suddenly overwhelmed by an urgent situation that no one could have seen coming, not even the Commissioner signing off on all the development that contributed greatly to that urgency and whom had also been in charge of GEBE for many years preceding the shortage. And then, having to suffer the public and their elected representatives asking questions and wanting details about the urgent deals he was having to make on our behalf. Honestly, there were tears!

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Blogs and Blogging

Sun, 13 Apr 2008 22:19:28 -0700

When I started SXM PE almost 3 years ago I knew that the concept of blogs and blogging was new to most people here on the island, that to some it would be controversial and scandalous, perhaps even scary. After all, St. Maarten's political history doesn't really tell a tale of harmonious and free political discourse, nor does it tell a tale of open transparent information and inclusion.

Freedom of speech and an independent media are fundamental to the success of a healthy democracy. The internet and blog sites like SXM PE have rejuvenated freedom of speech around the world, allowing ordinary citizens to voice opinions and ideas with little fear for their livelihood or lives. The internet and blogs have also rejuvenated independent media and information, allowing you, the user, to not only be a reporter and share your opinions easily and immediately, but also giving you much more information with which to make up your own mind on an issue or story.

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Laviest - Cockfighting is Cultural.

Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:46:05 -0700

Cooking over a wood fire used to be traditional and cultural, but progress bought us alternatives. Jumping off boats to catch coins tossed by cruise ship passengers at the harbor used to be traditional and some might say almost because cultural, until it was decided that it's not only dangerous, but also gave an impression of an island of beggars. Until recently we didn't have to wear seat belts, could those who get fined (are any?) not claim that their right not to wear one is traditional or cultural?

I suspect some of those who fought against emancipation and the end of slavery claimed that their right to own slaves was traditional and cultural, thankfully there were others who were brave enough to fight and struggle and as a result, move the human race and it's moral zeitgeist forward.

Today O & C - Cockfighting - 11th April 2008
Laveist opposes cockfighting ban - 11th April 2008

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Tax Talk

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 08:47:32 -0700

In a previous edition of the “Today” newspaper of March 29, 2008, a headline read “Verdonk: The Netherlands also responsible for bankruptcy Antilles”. But it is clear from the date of the Dutch document that follows, that the contents were forwarded to the local politicians and even some politicians on federal level. In 1990, the Netherlands amended their tax legislation to bring it more in line with the realities of the time. The present bankruptcy ordinance was written in 1931. The collection laws were written in the 1940’s. In spite of the booming economy, most businesses have their assets registered in offshore companies in other territories. The present collection legislature is not geared toward reality. The local government has not seen it fit for the last 25 years to invest in personnel, training and systems. The Island Council has not seen it fit to rewrite the Collection ordinance of 1970 in spite of the difficulties faced by the Receiver’s Office. The inability to ammend or lack of interest to rewrite the Collection ordinance of 1970, has cost the society immensely. There is no money to pay for infrastructural improvements, the environment is being destroyed, poverty and crime is on the rise. See below:

Loor gets reduced sentence in appeal

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:57:22 -0700

Not really sure what to say about this. All news clippings posted below, feel free to make a comment.

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