St. Maarten Private Eye - Tourism

Jet Set Roy

Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:08:45 -0700

Poor Roy again displays his ignorance when it comes to the definition of proper governance, accountability and public service. It matters not a bit if Roy has been traveling on private jet on govt business or not, certainly if on govt business then it's a disgrace, but hardly surprising from 'The Man' if true. More importantly though, if he has been taking private jet trips then there needs to be some accountability and public information about who paid for such trips, or who the jets belong to.

Roy is quite wrong, as an elected public servant his private life is not private, having come into office with very little, Roy is now suspected of involvement in numerous business interests and property ownerships. Healthy democracy requires safeguards against big money being able to influence and buy political favor, for example, giving a company permits and exemptions in exchange for work on your house. Roy needs to account for his 'private life', it's part of being a public servant.

Frans: Roy flying private jet while island in dire straits - 29th July 2008

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The Economy, Energy and Development

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:11:42 -0700

It was just over a year ago that I wrote a blog about the SXM condo market being past it's prime. Less than two weeks afterwards the island's Economic Affairs Dept reported a positive assessment of the real estate market with a nice big bold headline. Remarkable coincidence eh?

Just like in the US, where Dubya and McSame are trying to convince the public that everything is just fine and that really, it's mainly psychological and people whinging, if only people would think positive then things would look better, we have the same here. Only problem is, the facts keep intruding.

SXM economy to be stable next 2 years - 24th May 2008

Maria: Island's economy successful and resilient - 25th March 2008

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Carnival 'not fine' for 2009

Mon, 28 Jul 2008 01:28:10 -0700

The discussion and comments about the Carnival stakeholders and Foundation has crept into the Maria Telem post, so here is a roundup of the news gathered on this story. Please use this thread to continue the discussion. :)

I don't have a lot to say on it myself, not knowing all the details and issues behind it. What I will say is that like public companies, foundations that work directly for and receive large amounts of public money should be publicly accountable and open to scrutiny. There is absolutely no reason why the financial statements for the SMCF should not be publicly available online, along with open elections and the nominations for the board open to public discussion. This is how is should be.

What we have instead is the 'semblance' of cronyism and a 'good ol boys/girls' club with a revolving door for more than a few. While there are certainly many members and past members who have worked hard and dedicated themselves to Carnival, there are also most certainly members who have been appointed based on their political affiliations and connections. This is the case also with Govt companies, with the same crowd of faces wearing many hats and swapping them around with each other now and then. Accountability and public information is a key component of the solution to these 'semblances'.

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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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Tourism, Education and Economic Justice

Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:52:17 -0800

By Terry J. Peterson

"Anyone who votes against this budget, would be voting against the future of SXM"
-Roy Marlin, 2008 Draft Budget, Island Council Meeting, Dec 2007.

"The Island Council missed a golden opportunity"
-Sarah Wescott Williams, 2008 Draft Budget, Island Council Meeting, Dec 2007

The 2008 draft budget approved by the present administration is another bikini budget in which the more significant parts are concealed and the less significant parts are revealed. It is unfortunate that the current government would justify allocations to Tourism by suggesting that it is the future of Country St. Martin. It is alarming to think that school children, policy makers and many others may believe this hollow proposition. It would seem that this is the reason why our government finds it necessary to use tax payers’ money to train young St. Martiners to become dishwashers, bellboys and housekeepers in brand name hotels. What golden opportunity? The future of St. Martin is not tourism. The future of St. Martin is education! We need to build an educational system so that we could transact in knowledge production and knowledge export.
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See No Evil, Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil- Ignorance is Bliss?

Wed, 14 Nov 2007 11:54:00 -0800

Who gives a damn what we say? Are they listening to us? Do they really care?
Who will they blame next when SXM becomes a country?

It was a pitiful sight to see how our Commissioners behaved before the Dutch? Like the picture above, Roy had his hand over his mouth, Louie had the SXM flag over his eyes and Theo became deaf after he fell in a pothole. The others suffered immediate amnesia.

The headlines below confirm that we are doomed under the Democratic Party.
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St. Maarten - In need of Love.

Sun, 11 Nov 2007 03:36:01 -0800

Today is November 11th, St. Maarten/Martin´s Day, I have no doubt that all the local power and money hungry politicians, from both sides of the island, will be out and about giving speaches, stoking the ol fire of national pride. Reinforcing the delusion many seem to have, that because they are local we must be proud of them too.

Every local, and by local I include those who have emigrated here, who love the island and call it home, should avoid the ´political´events today and do something else instead. I have some suggestions.

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Thinking outside the box

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:19:09 -0700

Flipper, thanks for scanning and posting the the clip "Flemming on economy" . Scanning articles is a tedious and time consuming job and much appreciated by us all.

Fleming seems to be a man of action. I am sure there are so many issues with the new constitution that it must be overwhelming, and I am sure Fleming is doing a good job.

The only sad think with the current political situtation is so filled with urgent practical issues so no one really has the time to be visionary. Unfortunately I believe that when the practical issues will eventually be resolved, the basic problem will still remain, namely that St Martin is putting all the eggs in the same nest.

Immigration creatively trying to slow SXM growth

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:56:47 -0700

At the same time the IMF reports lower overall growth in the Caribbean, the St Maarten Immigration is working overtime in trying to find more ways to slow the economy.

Immigration to be enforced - 24th October 2007

Immigration procedures - 24nd October 2007

I'd say: "French side is a bunch of whiners"

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 19:30:50 -0700

The Daily Heralds editorial suggests a more relaxed attitude towards drinking and driving as a way for the French side to regain business. The French Chamber of Commerce President suggests (more) tax breaks for failing businesses. Here's why both ideas are terribly, terribly bad.

"French side is hurting"

Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:29:55 -0700

"If you did not know it yet, the French side is hurting. The economy is not doing well and Chamber of Commerce President Raymond Helligar is sounding the alarm and calling the elected officials to action."

FS economy worries - 22nd October 2007

Clic

St Maarten could attract another US low cost carrier

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 06:37:21 -0700

St Maarten might add another low-cost carrier service between St. Maarten and the United States, JetBlue Airways. According to sources of the Daily Herald, negotiations about the daily service from New York are in the final stages.

Update: JetBlue expands in the Caribbean