Dear Editor,
One of the departments of the Sint Maarten Government is the Ministry of Economic Affairs (Part of TEATT). Online it is stated that this department has the following Mission:
“Our aim is being the primary institute for delivering policy for the stimulation and facilitating of a sustainable economic development of Sint Maarten, and to provide it in a swift and professional manner to be analytical, objective, thorough and provide reliable information.”
This department has worked for many years on economic models that have been the basis of advice to the executive branch. I was privileged to benefit from an explanation on a sophisticated econometric model that allowed the creation of forecasts of how the economy would be impacted by new injections of all types or changes in service availability. So, I know the expertise was hired and in place. It was impressive, and I expect that it cost taxpayers a considerable sum.
We now find ourselves after Irma wondering how fast this economy could recover. We find ourselves in unique circumstances with the “upstream” services like the airport capacity being highly reduced, as well as the “downstream” services (restaurants, hotels, tours) also being reduced. Clearly, there must be a strategy for a return at all levels. If the upstream does not start up, the downstream is going to be loath to invest. In the meantime, capital investments experience reduced returns and values reduce, banks are put under pressure and the public-sector revenues suffer and will require adjustments in expenditure.
What will increase the chances of breaking out of the hurricane-induced downward spiral? Despite the dramatically changed economic circumstances and the obvious need for the information promised in their mission, I see no reference to any proactive economic planning being executed in these dramatically-changed circumstances that would offer the best route to recovery.
Surely, this is the time for this government department to provide the analysis, use the accumulated statistics and provide an objective case for a strategy for a return to previous economic levels? There has been no publicly-issued evidence that the expenses, which the taxpayer is paying for, are monitoring the Irma economic downturn, nor that they are laying out what strategy would bring us back to pre-Irma economic activity levels. Is it not reasonable to expect such a material to be available?
Robbie Ferron
Dear Editor,
As a concerned citizen of this Island St. Maarten, I would like to address the following in
my opinion. We’ve experienced one of the most devastating hurricanes about 7 months ago and we’re ready to celebrate Carnival.
In my opinion, they could have skipped Carnival this year, and have just 2 weekends of entertainment with our local artistes at the Festival Village and collect a small entrance fee to help those in need.
Some would say by having Carnival, people would be visiting our Island to enjoy our carnival and I agree, but where would the visitors stay while 90% of our mayor hotels are down? Some would say, Government didn’t give any funds, but funds were given by someone to get our Carnival going.
I do believe it is a time when everyone should be saving to help each other instead
of having to support those foreign artistes who will be preforming and collecting their big portions, and not contributing anything back to our Island. No disrespect to the promoters, but there are people who still need help. Remember, we are just about a few steps away from the next hurricane season and it doesn’t look good.
This year the Heineken Regatta contributed to our Island and we do need more people like that who would have this Island at heart. That was a good example.
I agree that we should have a little fun to get some of Hurricane Irma’s stress off our minds. God forbid we get another hurricane this year, what will happen? I’m asking for everyone please to respect my opinion as I respect everyone else’s opinion.
Lemuel Fleming
Dear Editor,
Letters to the Editor are just opinions – some educated, some not, some right, some wrong. The person making their opinion has the sole purpose of stimulating the conversation not taking credit or abuse, which is why I choose to remain anonymous to encourage others that may have something to say on any subject – but The Daily Herald knows who I am, (a nobody, not related in any way to Sunwing or Spadaro).
Now let’s get back to Sunwing. If I follow SJ’s opinion correctly (Tuesday’s Herald) that Sunwing had every intention before Hurricane Irma of knocking down and rebuilding Great Bay, then that’s a good thing right? But, what if their original intention was to wait a few years? Or what if because of Irma, the hotel they want to rebuild is now much more expensive? When you go to a bank or corporate board to finance a project it would be conditional that they had 100 per cent of the government’s support, participation and certain guarantees. So taking their time with a complete redesign and negotiating a package of incentives with government is to be expected and completely normal.
Every investor coming to the island has the same laundry list of tax holiday, long lease and permit requests, show me one that hasn’t. Nobody is blackmailing the government; it is up to the government to negotiate what is acceptable. What do you think the China Pearl Resort has negotiated? Let’s take a look at that agreement – and by the way, where are they? Investors are not lining up on the borders of St. Maarten, so all I am saying is to take care and show respect to the ones that are already here, hotels and timeshares.
The hotel business is an extremely low-profit-margin industry. Why do you think almost all the hotels in St. Maarten have converted to the very-high-profit-margin industry of timeshare, and yet timeshare resorts continue to go bankrupt and charge excessive “special assessments” to their members. Explain that.
As for Maho, have you looked at it recently? They have done an amazing job since the hurricane to get the buildings cleared and ready for the new refurbishment. If (as you stated) you want to “support the do’ers not the talkers”, then Mr. Spadaro has to be at the top of your list.
Anonymous (and proud of it!)
Name withheld at author's request.
Dear Editor,
Why not bulldoze Mount Garbage and fill in the whole of the Great Bay salt pond, creating a proper ring road and storm drainage for Philipsburg. Sell all the newly created property (don’t give it away), and use that money to buy or lease the land in Geneve Bay (between Pointe Blanche and Guana Bay) to build an incinerator-to-energy plant, as well as a secondary dump site for garbage that cannot be incinerated.
Holland has the best civil engineers in the world. Imagine a master plan for a whole new Philipsburg with roadways, drainage, sewage and NO DUMP. No – it’s just a dream!
Anonymous
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
