~ Further blockades not planned while talks continue ~
MARIGOT--Reactions to the outcome of Tuesday’s meeting on the Orient Beach tenant’s situation among other agenda points were positive and said to be moving forward, in the right direction, yesterday after the delegation raising the complaints met with President Aline Hanson, Vice-President Wendel Cocks, Préfète Anne Laubies and her staff and other Collectivité technicians.
What was expected to be a crucial meeting over the crisis began at 9:30am in the Préfecture and ended at 2:15pm. The Préfecture, however, indicated there will be many more meetings to address the extensive issues brought up by Saint Martin Wake-Up collective. Préfète Laubies when exiting the meeting said it had “gone well.”
The Collectivité, in its release on the meeting with representatives from District Council One, said discussions started on general issues regarding economic development, employment, youth and the environment; that was followed by addressing the demands of the Orient Beach local proprietors.
President Hanson and Vice-President Cocks said they had no objection to extending the temporary occupation authorisation permit AOT, for operators on parcel AW34, from three years to five years. The Collectivité has also agreed to regularly grade the dirt road leading past Club Orient to the new restaurants and boutiques to prevent potholes forming, and will clean the beach using its regular cleaner and pick up Sargassum weed.
Regarding a water sports operator who needs to be relocated due to his location being too small, the Collectivité will make a decision on this in 15 days. Concerning covering the decks outside the restaurants, it will also study this in the next two weeks. Security measures relating to the gas installations in the kitchens will be verified.
The Collectivité has also produced a document from the State’s veterinary services giving a favourable opinion on hygiene norms in the kitchens; this was asked for by the tenants.
Regarding the demolition of the old restaurants, the Collectivité indicated there can be no compensation given.
Hanson and Cocks stressed at the end of the meeting their objective is to work for the general interest of St. Martin and its population, and in this sense everything thing is being done to achieve that.
The next meeting to address other outstanding complaints has been set for Thursday, March 24.
Asked if he was satisfied with how the meeting went, District One representative Steven Patrick said: “We did get some commitments from the Collectivité so in that sense yes, however, some of these commitments still have to be brought before the Executive Council to be validated. We were heard and everyone expressed their opinions, but it was all in a good atmosphere – no temper, no heated arguments; that was thanks to the Préfète who set the tone before the meeting started.
“The meeting wasn’t just about the situation of the three tenants; it was also about the whole economic and social environment. With regard to reducing the rent more that was a sticking point, but we will have to see how the follow up meetings go. So, the situation is the same with no contracts signed yet.”
