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DP requests meeting on housing, ‘to get answers’
PHILIPSBURG--Opposition Democratic Party (DP), keen on getting answers to questions posed in last week's Central Committee (CC) meeting on Government's position on subsidies and investments, has requested another meeting with a slightly adjusted topic. This time, DP has asked Committee Chairman George Pantophlet to convene a meeting on "answers" from Government about subsidies and investments.[More....]
Belvedere receiving its first ever face-lift
The Daily Herald - BELVEDERE--Their complaints were mounting. Their hands were tied. They are aware that their district is sometimes called unkempt and "ghetto-like." Some do their best to properly maintain their immediate area. Others can do better.
So it was no surprise that the residents of Belvedere hurled statements like, "It's about time" towards St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation (SMHDF) when it kicked off its first ever general maintenance and repair programme in late 2009.
Island Government signs off on 9M guilders worth of contracts with USONA
SXM Island Times - PHILIPSBURG - Leader of Government Commissioner William Marlin, fresh back from formation talks in Curacao, Wednesday signed contracts with USONA for financing totaling, 9 million guilders.
The contracts were signed in the presence of finance Commissioner Xavier Blackman, Director of USONA Reginaldo Doran, other governmental officials as well as heads of departments that the financing will cover.
USONA Released 9 million for St. Maarten Projects ---More Low Income Homes on the Way.
SMNN - Philipsburg: --- Director of USONA Reginaldo Doran and leader of government William Marlin signed off four projects on Wednesday. Marlin in his opening statements said all four of the projects are being financed by the Dutch Government through USONA. He said the total costs for all four projects are to the tune of nine million guilders. Parties signed off the project that is geared at enhancing legal affairs department. Marlin said this department needs strengthening since they are the ones responsible for working and giving advice on the legislations for country St. Maarten.
More Social Homes to be Built—3 bedrooms on the way.
SMNN - Philipsburg:--- Commissioner of housing William Marlin said the island government is planning to submit a dossier for funding to build some more social homes. Marlin said the department of new works is currently working on the plans which is aimed at building at least 30 three bedroom homes for families that needs them most. These homes will be rented at affordable prices.
Sun Resorts and Mullet Bay
Mullet Bay has been in the news recently with a petition being organized to demand Government do something about the state of the place. I want to share my thoughts on the matter.
First of all, I quite like the place as it is, reclaimed by nature and peaceful. The argument that the area is crime infested is really quite false, the muggings and robberies that occur there occur EVERYWHERE on the island, and like everywhere it could be resolved with more police patrols and security personnel.
Secondly, we need to be careful what we wish for. Rumors have been around for a while that redevelopment might well include a megayacht marina, (thus destroying the last really healthy and pristine part of the lagoon), a block style hotel right on the beach and a new road bypassing the whole area around from the Airport to Cupecoy. If we have learned anything over the years and are recently reminded by Divi Hotel, these hotels do not want locals on 'their' beaches. When development does happen at Mullet Bay, you can be sure that the public access we now enjoy will be severely curtailed.
Last of all, I don't often agree with Michael Ferrier, but on Mullet Bay the man is spot on target. The only thing I might add to his letter today to Sun Resorts would be to tell Ansary to go screw himself.
Draft MOU sent to SHDF on Partnership.
SMNN - Philipsburg: ----- The Executive Council has sent the draft memorandum of understanding (MOU) to the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation (SHDF) on the joint development on the Hope Estate Project. Leader of government and commissioner of Housing William Marlin said the executive council has taken a decision financially supporting the St. Maarten Development Foundation in the purchase of 80, 000 square meters of land in Hope Estate.
Marlin said the houses that will be built on the property are for persons with middle income while they are also looking at standard homes, which will be sold to those persons that are granted 100% financing. He said government is already in discussion with the financial institution that would grant applicants 100% finance to the prospective buyers.
Councilman Marlin request information on Hope Estate land purchase
PHILIPSBURG - Former Commissioner Roy Marlin, Tuesday submitted a letter to the Chairman of the Island Council, Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards, seeking answers to a number of questions on the purchase of land in Hope Estate. In his letter, cCouncilman Roy Marlin states that from newspaper reports dated August 27, 2009, the Commissioner of Housing indicated that the Executive Council made a decision to purchase land in Hope Estate whereby the land will be purchased by the Sint Maarten Housing Development Foundation and government will provide a yearly subsidy to cover the loan repayments.[More....]
Marlin Wants to know if the purchase of Hope Estate is a Hoax.
SMNN -
Philipsburg: --- Island Councilman Roy Marlin has sent a letter to the leader of government and commissioner of housing William Marlin asking several key questions pertaining to the purchase of Hope Estate. The island councilman said even though the island leader made the announcement on the purchase of the land his sources told him no decision was taken in the island council. He said based on newspaper reports the commissioner said the land would be purchased by the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation whereby government would be providing a subsidy to the latter.[More....]
Hope Estate apartments on schedule for February 2010
SXM Island Times - PHILIPSBURG - The construction of the 72 social apartments in Hope Estate is progressing well and on schedule to be completed in February 2010. The apartments are being constructed to address part of the urgent need to low cots housing on St. Maarten.
To compliment these apartments, Commissioner in charge of Public Housing William Marlin announced recently that government would be seeking ways to facilitate the construction of homes and/or apartments, also in Hope Estate. The Commissioner has said that details are still being worked out.
