Dear Editor,
I have been at Orient Beach for over 30 years. “Pedro’s” and “The Pirate” were the two original pioneers at Orient Beach. Following Tropical Storm Gonzalo in 2014, the Collectivité came under the guise of wanting to improve the beauty of the beach, and have more uniform structures and better parking.
The current proprietors did not have much choice although we were invited to one of the early meetings with the Collectivité. It appeared that we were there for our input, but in actuality, the decision had already been made to demolish all structures between Kontiki and Pedro’s. It was a crafty way for the Collectivité to acquire complete ownership of Orient Beach, because I have now turned from owner of my establishment to renter with a temporary occupation permit to be renewed annually. The bathrooms that I had constructed and which were used for many years by visitors to the beach were demolished.
My letter dated May 6, 2015 to President Madame Aline Hanson and 3rd Vice President Wendel Cocks went unanswered. My follow-up letter dated July 24, 2015 still received no response. On October 15, 2015, I, along with other proprietors at the beach wrote to the Chamber of Commerce with concerns regarding the present construction; again no reply.
I have just received an email from the Collectivité on November 5, 2015.
The email is actually a general electronic message to all the candidates requesting approximately one dozen pieces of written information to include a police record. I don’t have a problem with that, however, a number of documents requested could not even be obtained because the Chamber of Commerce is asking us for certain information that the Collectivité is still to provide. I would have expected collaboration between the two offices so that we are not shuttled between the two to no avail.
As it is, we are supposed to return all these documents by Friday, November 20, at 12:00 noon, but until today, we do not know our exact numerical location with regard to the new buildings. We do not know what the rent will be among other things, and it is stated in the email that any dossier filed outside the time limits will not be considered.
Imagine, our last general meeting was over 4 months ago. We were told that the delivery date would be the end of October in time for us to benefit from the tourist season. No one has advised what the actual completion date will be. I have to read in The Daily Herald that we are expected to open for Christmas. I have to read that we will only be given yearly, temporary occupation permits. And the biggest fairy-tale is that we now have more beach.
I have less space for rental chairs which affects my bottom line. I have less restaurant space for my patrons, which affects my bottom line. From 30 years to this? And to think, that I voted for the RRR and change.
Lastly, I would like to say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. If you were to “google” some of the most famous beach bars/ restaurants in the world, you would be amazed at the variety of structures you would encounter. Some may refer to what we had before as shacks, but tourists return year after year to experience the heartbeat and the organic flavour of the local people in every corner of the planet. Cookie-cutter, multi-coloured plywood/sheetrock is not the improvement I was anticipating at Orient Beach.
Semsamar, whose bid I am hearing has increased since inception, is the biggest winner in all of this yet again. And St. Martiners continue to hear from their leaders how much our representatives love St. Martin and its people and how they are working hard for the people’s interest. Thank you! Thank you again! We can certainly feel the love!
Since I am now learning that I will only be receiving a temporary permit that must be submitted for renewal each year, I would like the Collectivité to do two things for me:
First, pay me out for my building and bathrooms, septic and cistern that were demolished without my permission. In my letter of May 6, 2015, I specifically told the Collectivité that my buildings were not to be torn down until they provided me with specific information.
Second, I would like the option to purchase the domain where my business was located.
I came from a line of ancestors who taught me the ethic of hard work and perseverance. And I have put in time, sweat and tears at Orient Beach. I deserve greater respect.
Maurice Jermin
Proprietor of 30 years at Orient Beach
