Once again, for this new year, I would like to reaffirm my most fervent commitment to what we hold dear: entrepreneurship in St. Martin. We were able to spend the first year after Hurricane Irma with resilience and faith in our ability to bounce back. 2018 was rich in movements, challenges, difficulties and emotions. We will also be able to approach 2019 with serenity and perseverance, as we continue to build our future, and our success will be collective.
Our Chamber is the link between the reality of our territory and public decision-makers, and it is in this sense that I want to continue to wear the colours of our uniqueness and continue the battles of this new year which will bring, I am sure, its fair share of challenges in the face of the upcoming deadlines. Our Chamber is unique, it is up to us to make it essential!
On the strength of our commitments and convictions, the President, elected representatives and staff of the Chamber extend to you their warmest and most sincere wishes for this new year. For you, for us, for St. Martin. Happy New Year 2019!
President Angèle Dormoy
The whole government is in turmoil because a smart businessman has imported a load of cheap diesel. They spoke to everybody in the media, sent MEO on them and a minister DEMANDED even that the cargo of diesel had to be off the island within two weeks and of course the people of Curoil claimed that the diesel was of lesser quality and did not meet the standard standards of their company.
The nice thing is that the same laboratory that tested the diesel from Curoil also tested it and gave it its approval. So, what is it that the government is panicking so much?
The importer has met all the requirements and regulations that the same government demands and pays all import duties, excise taxes, etc., and now seems not to be good and they come with all kinds of excuses and fabrications to prevent this cheap cargo on the market.
Now, Mrs. Camelia Romer suddenly claims that because the trucks leaked some oil, they did not meet environmental standards. I was on the floor laughing when I read that, the hypocrite! If you do go “cherry picking” as it is called, then do it across the board. For example, plunging down black water in the sea for years, not forgetting the asbestos mountain on the refinery site, dumping sewage water at Jan Thiel, name it, many examples.
Why defend Curoil so fanatically now? Because for years all those government companies have been social parking places for incompetent political friends who were able to thank us for a generous salary.
And now there is LEGAL competition, which they cannot stop, and now they see their paradise collapse. So, Mrs. Camelia-Romer, come with a better excuse because what you have come up with is a pathetic excuse to defend your political friends.
I can still remember that Paul Wederfoort fought against the refinery years ago because the fuel they delivered was far below the expected quality and was not on an international level and the drivers suffered from it! Then the government also took everything out of the closet only to later accept that Paul was right.
Suddenly we lean heavily on the environment and quality while 20,000 people breathe deadly smoke from the chimneys for years and no one dares to point their finger to that, not even Mrs. Camelia-Romer.
I’m really laughing on this little rock.
Arthur Donker
Curaçao
I knew Ms Natasha Schmidt for many years and whether she saw me at the government building or on the street she was always polite. More importantly, she was a trainee at the NIPA/MIC construction course and was doing well.
Dear Editor,
On Thursday, November 15, 2018, while I am praying around 12:08 midnight, I heard the Lord saying to me He is getting ready to shake this place. Haggai chapter 2:6-7:21
Dear Editor,
First let me wish all people living in St. Maarten health, prosperity, wealth and peace for this New year 2019.
