Dear Editor,
It is a fact that joint efforts should be made by the government and private sector to rebuild St. Maarten and bring the tourist economy back up to par. But I fully agree with the contents of the article of Steven Johnson entitled “Insanity and Fairness” in your paper of Monday, April 9. His analysis is perfect and on the button.
Yes, we need to get all businesses, hotels included, quickly up and running again and government surely has a role to play in offering support, but at what cost. One can’t put all the burden on government as these companies are demanding. Doing business can be profitable but also brings risks. What have these companies done e.g. to limit their risks, like having proper insurances and constructing hurricane-proof buildings? In this context I wonder if we shouldn’t review the construction laws for the Maho/Cupecoy area allowing investors to build high-rise buildings like the two towers that is now on the table for the area close to Starz Casino.
In his article Mr. Steven Johnson just ran short of simply labelling the outrageous demands by the Spadaro and Sunwing group as blackmail. They should be ashamed of themselves.
I expect government and parliament to protect the interests of our island and its people and not simply give in to the demands of a multinational like Sunwing/TUI.
Henri Brookson
