Dear Editor,
There is much talk about the need to revitalize our economy and all hope for economic development is on the upcoming season that has a positive outlook. However, little is done in order to guarantee for the island to remain a sought-after destination. Tourism industry is highly profitable. Nevertheless, the focus in St. Maarten is mostly on heads in beds, restaurants, and night clubs. And not necessarily on quality entertainment and added value shopping opportunities.
It is self-evident that destinations that offer various attractions draw more visitors than those that offer less or no form of entertainment and/or attractions. To truly benefit from the tourism industry that St. Maarten is experiencing we must capitalize on providing additional, valuable reasons for our guests to spend more money while here. As per an article in The Daily Herald of October 9, 2021, a resort in Anguilla is capitalizing on offering attractions to its guests that include two golf courses. The resort will also construct a family entertainment area that will include a waterpark, a lazy river, tropical parks, and a 500-seat live entertainment stadium, which will feature both local and international talent. We must also focus on attractions in order to remain on the destination demand list of vacation travelers.
Government mentioned plans for paving of the road(s) in Philipsburg. This is necessary and most welcome. But let us not stop there and let us capitalize on making Front and Back Streets as attractive as possible. This means adding streetlamps that luminate, but also decorate the town with flowerpots hanging from the streetlamps. For additional lighting, strings of decorative lightbulbs can be placed over the streets in a crisscross design. Paving of the roads should be made smooth. This means that asphalt is a preference. However, for a diverse and attractive look, bricks can be placed where the side-ways meet the roads.
Business in Philipsburg is mono and saturated. A temporary solution for the abandoned buildings on Front, and Back Streets is for the government to provide a facelift at minimal cost, which will be reimbursed to the government when an investor decides to utilize that unit. The present infrastructure of Philipsburg does not lend itself, nor is it suitable for shopping, or safe for night-time entertainment. The main reasons are saturation of this area by numerous stores offering a limited variety of products for sale, as well as the roads and sidewalks that leave visitors vulnerable to accidents. Not to mention the numerous empty store units that are deterrent, while the total aspect of Philipsburg paints an unsavory and unsafe picture.
Throughout the 70s, 80s and early 90s, Philipsburg was bustling because of a balance in fun-filled spending opportunities and activities. High-end boutiques, the Guavaberry Emporium, and a healthy number of restaurants, happy-hour bars, pool bars, and discotheques built and maintained the day- and night-time economic development particularly on Front Street. Today, saturation, lack of variety, early store closures, and unattractive infrastructure, are the principal choke holders of Philipsburg commercial center.
Converting Philipsburg’s present commercial composition to a mechanism system where a supplemental variety of businesses complement each other is key to revitalization of Philipsburg. The conversion of Philipsburg into an attraction center will provide fun-filled options for locals and visitors alike. But more importantly, the careful and successful transformation to a new and revitalized business model provides additional foreign capital income, which translates into sustainable income for businesses, and new job opportunities.
Attractions for Philipsburg must include free and paid attractions. Free attractions can include marching drum bands, Chinese dragon dance, Indian dance performances, and Limbo dancing performances, and opportunities on Front Street and on the Boardwalk. These attractions represent the nations living on, and symbolically sharing St. Maarten. Also included in the free attractions are a large Dutch shoe (Klomp) and a windmill for picture opportunities.
The main picture opportunity is a life-size, hollowed out sculpture of One Tȇté Lohkay with the cut-out face for a picture opportunity. In her hands, One Tȇté Lohkay is holding a sign that says, “I am One Tȇté Lohkay – Freedom Fighter.”
Proposals for paid attractions include a ferris wheel, a roller coaster that is partially submerged under the ocean in Philipsburg Harbour, and horse carriage rides. Ferris wheels are found in major capitals around the world, and they attract large crowds. Having a ferris wheel in Philipsburg will attract crowds from near and far. The ideal location for a ferris wheel would be downtown Philipsburg between the Boardwalk and Front Street. This feature attraction will give a tremendous facelift to Philipsburg and will be the center of attraction. Placing the ferris wheel in downtown Philipsburg will contribute enormously towards reviving this section of Philipsburg.
Roller coasters are a famous form of paid attraction with immense profitability possibilities. Having the first partially submerged roller coaster in the world will place St. Maarten in the top-ranking tourist destinations of the world. Adding horse carriage rides as an attraction will help grant opportunity to taxi drivers wishing to diversify from their saturated market share.
A proposal for the Philipsburg Revitalization and Economic Development Plan is sent to the Philipsburg Promotional Board for their consideration. The proposal composes day- and night-time entertainment, extended opening hours for retail stores, themed shopping and dining, bi-monthly open-air concerts, and performances, as well as paid and free activities and attractions. The proposal for the bi-monthly open-air concert is to honor the late Mr. Gregory Arrindell for his trendsetting work in this area. Given the support of other/additional attractions in Philipsburg, this project would have been successful.
We must also consider rebranding our welcome monument. ITSXME is a monument that brings a new and unique face to the traditional I SXM monument. The proposed monument derives from a project titled Sint Maarten Awareness Program 2014, presented by Mr. Danny Hassell. The purpose of the project was for product development, and the concept was for identity awareness.
It is my opinion that this concept is still relevant, and out-of-the-box thinking when compared with the traditional I SXM monument. Except for the name of the country that changes on the monument, the present form of the I SXM identity awareness concept is standard and found in many destinations. The ITSXME monument brings personality, creativity, and uniqueness to our identity awareness. A totally new and fresh look. According to Mr. Hassell, “The definition for ITSXME is, ‘We all are St. Maarten’ and serves as a logo/slogan for St. Maarten. A logo suitable for merchandising and nation-building.”
It is my opinion that if diversification of business is introduced, Philipsburg can become bigger than Bourbon Street in French Quarter, New Orleans. Let us consider business diversification from, for example, an existing jewelry store to a bar with a mechanical bull, and introducing themes in restaurants, to mention some ideas.
In order to successfully realize this, we must consider four cardinal points. 1. Front Street, Back Street, and downtown Cannegieter Street, road infrastructural repairs, 2. Philipsburg experience diversification, 3. Retail stores extended operating hours, and 4. Police presence. All these points are elaborated on in the proposal to the PPB.
St. Maarten can be revitalized and brought back as a tourist destination of high demand. All it takes is creativity, and willingness to unbiasedly work together.
Louis R. Engel
Dear Editor,
Given our location, shared culture, history, and blood ties, St. Maarten like other Caribbean territories was deeply disturbed by the sad and traumatic incident that took place in Jamaica – what the news termed as “a cult religious leader involved in ritualistic murder of parishioners.” History has shown us that these sad realities are all part of our lived experience; therefore, it is my firm belief that as a growing community the time is right and ripe to have serious ongoing conversations and dialogues about faith-based organizations, their doctrines and leadership models.
If truth be told, faith-based organizations are creeping up in every “nook and cranny” on St. Maarten. Questions must be raised about motivation; for example – is it a case where “many hands make light work” or are they just income-generating streams and schemes for individuals and their families? While we would all concur that the times in which we live call for spiritual and mental resilience, it is, however, incumbent on members of all organizations to ensure that the organizations to which we belong have consistent critical conversations and dialogues about the following questions (not limited to):
- Organizational leadership – are they grounded in concrete genuine work, vocation, and ongoing academic and spiritual formation?
- Ministry endeavors and ventures – are they solely for personal gain (extravagant lifestyles)? Are you engendering a culture of stewardship, dignity and respect for all resources of God (human and material)? We must embrace and appreciate the God-given gifts of integrous financial experts, and value and practice the virtues of accountability and transparency.
- Leadership models, are they inclusive and guided by servant/leadership principles? Are they despotic or unilateral? Are members of your faith communities free to be critical in constructive ways about leadership qualities and behaviors? Are there systems of oversight to manage areas of accountability, integrity, and professionality? Our leaders, regardless of their religious or ecclesiastical authority, are only human. No leader knows it all and there is no such thing as human perfection. Members of faith communities must be fully cognizant that leaders did not descend from heaven or utopia and are subject to sicknesses, temptations, weaknesses, and corruption.
- Are members free to imbibe different kinds of materials of their choosing that would lead to robust faith and spirituality? No single human being or religious organization has the whole truth in their literature or body of work. On that note avoid self-limitations when it comes to knowledge and enlightenment. Reading more, expands your thinking and fosters critical thinking and reflection skills.
- Is attention given or are members learning to recognize manipulative gestures, spiritual abuse, and forms of psychological, spiritual, and physical controls of your personhood and/or your resources (if they do exist)? Leaders cannot and should not think for you. Their role is to raise your level of thinking, your faith and spiritual awareness.
- Is your organization open for dialogue with government with regard to religious regulations (guided by human rights laws as it relates to religion)?
The times in which we live dictate that religious conversations and dialogues are important for the health of our country. It is my hope that faith-based organizations will implement preventative and proactive measures to prevent sad and horrific incidents from occurring in St. Maarten. Healthy spirituality and wholesome values should always be our ambition in our role and contribution towards development.
Dennis Baptiste
Dear Editor,
On behalf of the Belair community, in July 2021 we did urge Minister Ottley by letter to investigate the recurrent burning activities at the Emerald Funeral Home in Cay Hill, because there are several complaints from residents about heavy smoke and an awful stench coming from this establishment on a regular basis.
Although his ministry replied that the minister is going to look into this, up to now no answers were provided and the stench is going on and on and on up ’til this day, day and night.
Once again, we want to bring this under his attention, and this time by approaching the media.
Can we get answers as to what is going on, since we are worried about our health?
What is the cause of this recurring smoke and stench?
What kind of hazardous toxins are being released in the air by this smoke?
Is a crematorium presently being operated at this location?
If so, were all the correct procedures followed prior to its initiation?
Does it meet the required environmental standards for operation in a residential area?
If so, is there documentation available to verify this?
What will be done to eliminate this major health hazard?
We trust our Minister of Health will do what is necessary to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the residents in Belair and surroundings and start to investigate this matter real seriously by holding Emerald Funeral Home accountable.
The Board of the Hillside Foundation
Dear Editor,
The following is a factual summary of what took place during the construction of Rollocks Sr. and Rollocks Jr. house in Pointe Blanche, born St. Maarteners.
445m2 of Government land was issued to the Rollocks family 2012. To note is that all the people in the area have lots over 1,000m2 that was issued by government.
Fact: From the very first day we broke ground for construction, one of the female neighbors of the opposite side of the road came to me (Rollocks Jr) and asked “what am I doing here”. This same lady called the police on several occasions against our legal activity.
Fact: We have a legal government resolution for the land.
Fact: We have a legal notarial deed for the property.
Fact: We have a legal approved building permit.
Fact: Not withstanding having a legal building permit, this lady went to the Prosecutor’s Office to have me jailed for building our home.
Fact: It is recorded on video on the 7th of April 2021, time 12:30pm, this lady crossed the road, started an argument and kicked me because I would not stop constructing our home. My response was not to hurt an elderly lady but to go to the police station, show them the video and made a report.
Fact: We had a mortgage at Banco de Caribe with whom we did a successful construction before.
One of the gentlemen from the same street got our personal letter illegally leaked out from the Ministry of VROMI.
Fact: This gentleman took our personal letter to Banco de Caribe. A Banco de Caribe employee sat down and discussed our private business with this gentleman.
Fact: As a result of this discussion Banco de Caribe stopped our financing.
We are thankful to another financial institution that granted us a mortgage.
Fact: Banco de Caribe unjustifiably charged us all fees and fines for this transfer mounting to almost $ 30,000.
Fact: We are not blocking no one’s view, we have no neighbors in our immediate surrounding while one of the objectors lives far from us but close to the water just like us.
The only fact of the front page article Thursday, November 18, 2021, contained is the fact that the judge wanted the minister to adequately respond to the objections within 8 weeks.
The rest of that article is pure public relations and advertising for Lexwell law firm.
In a letter of March 3, 2021, Minister Doran stated the following: “I also cannot rule out the possibility that there was not any/or some bias by the chairperson (Mr. Kolthof) of the advisory committee displayed in favor of the persons filing the objections. Important in this regard is the fact that Mr. Rollocks commenced building after receipt of his building permit and that the building permit is for him to build on the property he already has a right of long lease for. I will not be revoking the previously granted building permit to Mr Rollocks.”
Finally: We are happily living in the house as a family for the last months, obstructing nor molesting no one. It is a shame what we as local people have to go through to build our home in our own country, while others from all over the world may come here work, live and do as they please. But we as St. Maarteners must persevere and never give up.
J. Rollocks Jr.
J. Rollocks Sr.
Editor’s note:
The article referred to in this letter was entirely based on a court verdict stemming from a court case by several Goldfinch Road, Pointe Blanche, homeowners against the Ministry of VROMI. The article included arguments presented by the legal teams of all sides of the case as well as the judge’s decision. Mr. Rollocks and his son may question the arguments of the claimants, but the article is a factual representation of what was said in court.
Dear Editor,
Passenger taxation is ‘swamp taxation’ because no one besides the tax receiver wants it, and it sucks. They may opt for visiting a different island destination that doesn’t have the taxes, yet does have the same sun, the beaches and the palm trees. Plus, the new discovery may even have more to offer and worth a repeat visit. ICAO is the International Civil Aviation Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations. For one, it fosters the planning and development of international air transport to ensure safe and orderly growth.
ICAO has clear policies on taxation and Member States are urged to apply ICAO policies on taxation in regulatory practices. ICAO Assembly Resolutions have repeatedly urged Member States to follow the ICAO policies on taxation and not to impose taxes on the sale or use of international air transport. Despite these policies, the past decade has seen an unprecedented proliferation of taxes levied on air passenger tickets in the region. This trend is causing serious concerns and has a negative impact on the sustainable development of air transport, which, ultimately, negatively impacts the tourism industry and the overall national economic development.
At a CARIBAVIA conference, Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, former Minister of Aviation and Tourism of the Bahamas and former executive of Caribbean Tourism Organization, highlighted what he called the “madness” of some leaders, who “shoot themselves in the head” by trying to implement airport fees that actually become counterproductive to the economy as a whole. He used the example of the Bahamas that at one point was so affordable to travel to, Casinos would fly in patrons for as little as $99 knowing they would spend more. However, with the introduction of many airport fees and related taxes, the $99 ticket now costs more like $249, making it much less affordable to implement such incentives. He added that taxes inflate the prices and tourists will think twice before travelling to the destination. He cautioned governments against introducing fees that would figuratively be equivalent to “shooting themselves in the head.”
In a recent comment, he asserted that there is strong evidence that we have managed to convert some "hotel visitors" to cruise passengers by raising taxes on air tickets substantially and leaving taxes on cruises the same. It is now less expensive to take a short cruise than the cost of a round-trip airline ticket for that short trip. In essence, it means that passengers would leave more money on the cruise ships benefitting the cruise operators, rather than spending it on shore at destinations.
Caribbean governments are well advised that before making a decision, an independent evaluation should be made on the impact of passenger or airport taxation. A ‘neat’ idea to get some extra money in the coffers, may turn out to be monkeynomics. What plays a crucial role and contributes significantly to an economy must not be hindered by ineffective government taxation.
Commander Bud Slabbaert
Cdr. Bud Slabbaert is the Chairman and Coordinator of CARIBAVIA, the Caribbean Aviation Meetup, an annual result and solution-oriented conference for stakeholders of ‘airlift’ in the Caribbean. Mr. Slabbaert’s background is accentuated by aviation business development, strategic communication, and journalism. In accordance with his study of Economy in his younger years in Germany, he is authorized to carry the title of ‘State Certified Economist’
