Jadira Veen of SXM PRIDE sent me this information and asked me to post it.
This is a sign from a street in Ft. Lauderdale and the lights on that stretch of beach are off from March to October. They are doing this to help protect the sea turtles and their babies when they nest.. Sint Maarten PRIDE foundation will be trying to get some signs made just like the one pictured above. PRIDE has already received a donation from a very concerned American beach resident to help with the turtle signs.
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Environment | barcann's blog | login or register to post comments | read more
Submitted by barcann on Thu, 2008-05-08 08:50.
So many things going on that don't get blogged about. Feel free to bring them up for discussion below. - Flipper
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Open Threads | Flipper's blog | 5 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Mon, 2008-04-28 07:45.
Again, in no way is it my intention to discredit or cast Millicent De Weever in a bad light, but I do feel a little bit vindicated after raising questions about her appointment as Acting Lt. Governor back in February. This matter should not reflect badly upon her, it's a good job to be offered. But those who made the appointment must clearly have a poor understanding of the rules and principles of governing and good governance.
Editorial: Proper governance - 25th April 2008
De Weever appointment was illegal, say experts - 25th April 2008
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Island Politics | Local Hero's blog | 5 comments | read more
Submitted by Local Hero on Mon, 2008-04-28 07:27.
A Police Crime Report with a twist. Marcel Loor gets a huge reduction on his sentence, Holiday gets charged with defrauding the Antilles and we are still waiting for Marsden to 'Bus the Pot' on all the fraud and theft crimes he claimed to have evidence about.
And then, there is the Head of Police Finance who has been suspended for revealing financial information about Lt. Gov Richards, information that perhaps ought to be public record anyway. Perhaps now is a time to bring up that old chestnut the Code of Conduct and ask Mr. Richards if he is willing to set an example by following it.
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Justice Police Crime | Dr. Voodoo's blog | 7 comments | read more
Submitted by Dr. Voodoo on Mon, 2008-04-28 07:10.
The St. Maarten Science Fair Foundation is pleased to host its 14th annual Science Fair at the Belair Community Center from Thursday 17 to Saturday 19 april 2008 with a total of 22 projects. The Fair is open to the public on Saturday 19 April 2008.
The setting up and judging of projects will take place on Thursday and on Friday, the 6th graders of the primary schools on the island will visit from 10:00 – 13:00.
Science Fair 2008 will close off on Saturday evening with the award ceremony for the following participating schools: Milton Peters College, Sundial, St. Dominic High, the Learning unlimited Preparatory and the St. Maarten Academy.
New video - Great Bay Water testing - Louise & Roxanne (Learning Unlimited)
New Video - St.Maarten Science fair 2008-too little too late
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Environment | Tourism | Flipper's blog | 16 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Thu, 2008-04-17 02:36.
Please use this thread for comments or questions about issues that have not been blogged about recently, or to raise attention to issues you feel or would like to see discussed.Have a browse down the front page to check for a relevant posting first though :) - Flipper
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Open Threads | Flipper's blog | 13 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Mon, 2008-04-14 03:36.
Island Vision long ago lost my respect and I don't plan to be sending in nominations this year for their enviro awards, I just can't be bothered, sorry. It's not that I can't think of people to nominate, the usual crowd spring to mind along with a few newcomers like Laura Bijnsdorp and her team. There are people out there who deserve to be recognized for sure.
It's not the lack of transparency with the nominations or votes, nor is it the plagiarizing. No, it's more to do with the people he invites to present awards and make speeches, it's partly to do with Stephane's desire to 'be Someone" and his enabling politicians, officials and businesses to fraudulently portray an environmental image when they have none. I cringe and feel ill just being in the same room as some of the people he invites. No thanks.
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Climate Change | Energy and Water | Environment | Local Hero's blog | 18 comments | read more
Submitted by Local Hero on Sun, 2008-04-13 21:49.
When it comes to smoking up the an issue and rewriting history, Roy Marlin is the boss. In an article this past week reporting the 'official' opening of Air-Fin's water plant in Cupecoy, he had me in tears with tales of his sleepless nights during his fight to award them the contract and save St. Maarten from having dry taps. According to Roy, he is not to blame for months of shortages and the huge financial losses incurred by GEBE from purchasing water from the French Side, it was the opposition's fault for demanding transparency and asking questions.
Poor Roy, suddenly overwhelmed by an urgent situation that no one could have seen coming, not even the Commissioner signing off on all the development that contributed greatly to that urgency and whom had also been in charge of GEBE for many years preceding the shortage. And then, having to suffer the public and their elected representatives asking questions and wanting details about the urgent deals he was having to make on our behalf. Honestly, there were tears!
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Energy and Water | Island Politics | Hady Nufyet's blog | login or register to post comments | read more
Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Sun, 2008-04-13 11:28.
When I started SXM PE almost 3 years ago I knew that the concept of blogs and blogging was new to most people here on the island, that to some it would be controversial and scandalous, perhaps even scary. After all, St. Maarten's political history doesn't really tell a tale of harmonious and free political discourse, nor does it tell a tale of open transparent information and inclusion.
Freedom of speech and an independent media are fundamental to the success of a healthy democracy. The internet and blog sites like SXM PE have rejuvenated freedom of speech around the world, allowing ordinary citizens to voice opinions and ideas with little fear for their livelihood or lives. The internet and blogs have also rejuvenated independent media and information, allowing you, the user, to not only be a reporter and share your opinions easily and immediately, but also giving you much more information with which to make up your own mind on an issue or story.
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Media | Flipper's blog | 2 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Sat, 2008-04-12 13:10.
Cooking over a wood fire used to be traditional and cultural, but progress bought us alternatives. Jumping off boats to catch coins tossed by cruise ship passengers at the harbor used to be traditional and some might say almost because cultural, until it was decided that it's not only dangerous, but also gave an impression of an island of beggars. Until recently we didn't have to wear seat belts, could those who get fined (are any?) not claim that their right not to wear one is traditional or cultural?
I suspect some of those who fought against emancipation and the end of slavery claimed that their right to own slaves was traditional and cultural, thankfully there were others who were brave enough to fight and struggle and as a result, move the human race and it's moral zeitgeist forward.
Today O & C - Cockfighting - 11th April 2008
Laveist opposes cockfighting ban - 11th April 2008
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Animal Welfare | Heritage and Culture | Fuzz Buzz's blog | 15 comments | read more
Submitted by Fuzz Buzz on Fri, 2008-04-11 14:51.
In a previous edition of the “Today” newspaper of March 29, 2008, a headline read “Verdonk: The Netherlands also responsible for bankruptcy Antilles”. But it is clear from the date of the Dutch document that follows, that the contents were forwarded to the local politicians and even some politicians on federal level. In 1990, the Netherlands amended their tax legislation to bring it more in line with the realities of the time. The present bankruptcy ordinance was written in 1931. The collection laws were written in the 1940’s. In spite of the booming economy, most businesses have their assets registered in offshore companies in other territories. The present collection legislature is not geared toward reality. The local government has not seen it fit for the last 25 years to invest in personnel, training and systems. The Island Council has not seen it fit to rewrite the Collection ordinance of 1970 in spite of the difficulties faced by the Receiver’s Office. The inability to ammend or lack of interest to rewrite the Collection ordinance of 1970, has cost the society immensely. There is no money to pay for infrastructural improvements, the environment is being destroyed, poverty and crime is on the rise. See below:
Business and Labor | Constitutional Change | Dutch Politics | Federal Politics | Island Politics | sybille's blog | 11 comments | read more
Submitted by sybille on Mon, 2008-04-07 22:15.
Not really sure what to say about this. All news clippings posted below, feel free to make a comment.
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Hady Nufyet's blog | login or register to post comments | read more
Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Mon, 2008-04-07 06:55.
This week we got confirmation about just how successful Sarah's recent trip to Holland really was. It's funny how those headlines can be misleading eh?
So, December 15th gets axed and the change to New Status gets moved back a couple of years. On the one hand many will want to let out a big sigh of relief, on the other hand it means at least another 2 1/2 years of this Exco and IC. Sheeesh...
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Local Hero's blog | 21 comments | read more
Submitted by Local Hero on Fri, 2008-04-04 08:21.
Government today announced that a new Cargo Harbor will be built in Cay Bay next to the GEBE power plant. Speaking at a press briefing, Commissioner Theo Heyliger announced plans for the new cargo facilty, justifying the hugely expensive decision to move all of Point Blanche's cargo traffic to this new location as plain old 'common sense'.
"For years I have worked to build up the cruise visitor traffic to our paradise in the sun and the first thing they are confronted with is boxy container ships unloading and big trucks roaring past them on the road to town. It's ugly and dangerous, not the sort of image we want to be presenting to our visitors if we want then to come back again. This is just an extension of my ongoing beautification plans for the island.
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Development and Construction | Hady Nufyet's blog | 7 comments | read more
Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Tue, 2008-04-01 01:11.
I can't believe it's been 5 months since I posted a WWW blog entry here, but now that I look through my packed bookmarks in my browser it makes sense. I've got a ton of stuff saved up in there and I'll share a bunch of it with you all below. Hopefully you will all find something of interest, and there's no rush to look through all the links in one sitting, this post will be here tomorrow too :)
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Environment | World News | Caribdude's blog | 1 comment | read more
Submitted by Caribdude on Mon, 2008-03-31 13:10.
Please use this thread for comments or questions about issues that have not been blogged about recently, or to raise attention to issues you feel or would like to see discussed. Have a browse down the front page to check for a relevant posting first though :) - Flipper
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Flipper's blog | 17 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Mon, 2008-03-31 08:37.
A short movie to promote the importance of throwing away your own trash. Everywhere along the St. Maarten beaches, hillsides & roads there is trash. People do not seem to see the importance of cleaning up their own mess. This lazy and irresponsible attitude has to change.
YouTube Video - Clean St. Maarten
Hats off to Laura Bijnsdorp and the gang, good job. I hope going off to college won't mean the end of your videos!
Update - Laura's video a hit - 12th April 2008
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Environment | Flipper's blog | 4 comments | read more
Submitted by Flipper on Fri, 2008-03-28 16:40.
Jadira Veen reports from the scene....
YouTube Video - Nature destruction at Over the Bank in St. Maarten
NAf. 7,000 fine suggested for destruction of old trees - 27th March 2008
According to reports I have, interest was expressed by the Emilio Wilson Park Foundation via Wilhelm Patrick to save the old house and move it to the park. I am also hearing that what is left may be mostly salvaged. Perhaps the fines can cover this?
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Development and Construction | Environment | Heritage and Culture | SXM Pride Foundation | Local Hero's blog | 6 comments | read more
Submitted by Local Hero on Fri, 2008-03-28 16:12.
Did anyone else notice the front page of the Daily Herald today? The top headline reported a 4th armed daylight robbery in Philipsburg and directly below it was a headline reporting how the police had fined 140 and towed 45 cars in road controls. Is it just me that sees something wrong with the priorities here?
I took a walk down Front Street and the Boardwalk today, I was in town about 3 hours and in that time II did not see one police or VKS officer. I visited a few store owners that i have known a few years and asked them about the situation.....
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Justice Police Crime | Caribdude's blog | 3 comments | read more
Submitted by Caribdude on Fri, 2008-03-28 13:40.
Sarah's trip last week to Holland was hailed with a front page headline by the Today as a success, unfortunately neither the article or the editorial that went with it could tell us what the success was.
I can see two things that could be reported as a success, the first being that Sarah was able to meet with lots of important people, the second being the photo op mileage gained from the trip.
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Constitutional Change | Dutch Politics | Island Politics | Local Hero's blog | login or register to post comments | read more
Submitted by Local Hero on Sun, 2008-03-23 13:04.
And so NOVA came, with less of a bang than some of us expected considering their name, but then, were we wrong to expect too much from them? SXM PE made a request to them to add subtitles to the shows when Dutch is spoken, their response was "It's expensive and our show is for a Dutch audience". Say's it all really doesn't it?
Although they are right, it is expensive and their audience is largely Dutch, SXM Maarten is part of the Dutch Kingdom in the midst of a very important decision making time, and, as they point out themselves in their show, English is the main language here. I've always thought that talking about someone in a language they don't understand in front of them is rude. Maybe it's just me, expecting too much.
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Dutch Politics | Federal Politics | Island Politics | Justice Police Crime | Media | Local Hero's blog | 10 comments | read more
Submitted by Local Hero on Sun, 2008-03-23 11:22.
There is a video on youtube about global climate change and why we should take measures to fight it. It is a must see for everybody especially for those still in doubt or denial. Take a couple of minutes and watch this guy explain his argument to you. It is solid as a rock. Forward the video to others. It is time well spent. Click here to go to the video.
SXM PE's blog | 2 comments | read more
Submitted by SXM PE on Sat, 2008-03-22 12:50.
By Rueben J Thompson
Love the Lagoon, Environmental Protection In the Caribbean
During the week of the Heineken Regatta, EPIC staff witnessed an interesting occurrence at a Lagoon side Bar; Dozens of smokers walked right by numerous ashtrays and garbage bins only to throw their cigarette filters into the Simpson Bay Lagoon, one after the other.
Cigarette filters are not made of paper or cotton as is commonly thought, they are composed of plasticized cellulose acetate and can persist in the environment for years. These filters are designed to absorb some of the metals and chemicals found in cigarettes such as arsenic, lead or cadmium and when filters enter the marine environment many of these toxic substances leach out.
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Submitted by Revolutionary on Thu, 2008-03-20 18:02.
Reports are circulating that we may be in for some spectacular 16ft killer waves in the coming days. Be very careful out there and take precaution. Surfer dudes: While you may think this is a great opportunity, waves this size are powerful and can be extremely dangerous. Check here and here.
Red Alert continues, extreme caution - 20th March 2008
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Environment | 1 comment | read more
Submitted by SXM PE on Tue, 2008-03-18 21:38.
The Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms of the Council of Europe says (art. 6.2): "Everyone charged with a criminal offence shall be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law". This convention has been adopted by treaty and is also binding in Saint Maarten.
Many judges in the court of public opinion apply the rule when friends are involved. We heard it a good bit when Marcel Loor, Derrick Holiday and Churchill Marsdin were arrested. It was inhumane and unjust to lock them up, according to some. What happened to the presumption of innocence, asked others. When the animals that attacked Ryan Smith and Tom Jefferson were arrested, nobody asked a thing.
Why is that?
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Justice Police Crime | Calico Jack's blog | 1 comment | read more
Submitted by Calico Jack on Fri, 2008-03-14 22:39.
Reported today on Radio Soualiga, Alfred 'Churchill' Marsden, aka 'Chico' Marsden, cockfighting and poker affectionado, former head of Julianna Airport Immigration until June last year and National Alliance 2007 election list member. was arrested this morning at the prosecutors office.
Marsden's arrest is likely connected with the previous arrests of Marcel Loor and that of Chief Commissioner Derrick Holiday. More below.
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Justice Police Crime | Dr. Voodoo's blog | 4 comments | read more
Submitted by Dr. Voodoo on Wed, 2008-03-12 12:38.
I remember sometime back that it was announced, by Maria I think, that the draft Constitution for SXM was available online, we looked but couldn't find it at the time. SXM PE posted a 2005 draft copy back in September 2006.
Last week it was announced that a new updated draft was now available in English as well as Dutch, on a website set up for the Country Sint Maarten. I hope there are some legal and educated minds out there who are willing to share their views and observations about it. I have a few to share below.
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Dr. Voodoo's blog | 6 comments | read more
Submitted by Dr. Voodoo on Sun, 2008-03-09 12:14.
For over a week I've been thinking about how to tackle this story and issue, an issue which has been blogged about many times here on SXM PE by various writers, and which I have been delegated to take on this time. It is an issue that the solution decided upon by our Exco will have a major impact on the future of the island, it's people and their health.
It's a vitally important issue, which since the govt advertisement placed in the papers (the DH at least) on the 28th February, nothing has been reported on since. If you missed the ad then you probably know nothing about it, fortunately for you, us 'Treehugger Types" notice these things :)
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Environment | Caribdude's blog | 9 comments | read more
Submitted by Caribdude on Sat, 2008-03-08 11:40.
Recently we were told that the Today Newspaper lauded an article in the Teen Times of February 27, 2008, entitled "Is Low Teacher pay a myth?" in order for it (Today) to continue its mission of demonizing the protest actions of the teachers. However, we have found that the only thing mythical is the scenario created by the TeenTimes writer.
The writer claims that the article arose out of "a simple debate between two of our writers," and that, "one of the conclusions by one of our writers was something many people only whisper: is low teacher pay a myth? In other words, are teachers getting exactly the amount of pay they deserve and are they simply over-dramatizing this 'where is our money' issue?"
The majority of this article is plagarized and taken out of context. If the Today indeed praised this article, then Shame on the Today newspaper for supporting the Myth of Plagarism!
One can also access the real article online here.
Or read the highlighted plagarized parts for yourself below.
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Education and Youth | Media | sybille's blog | 13 comments | read more
Submitted by sybille on Fri, 2008-03-07 17:46.
Maria and many others seems to the problems the Dutch have with the island and Separate Status is all down to the WODC Report.
There is much more going unmentioned. The problems and concerns raised in the WODC report are the result of poor and inadequate govt policies and decision making. St. Maarten has no Code of Conduct or Ombudsman or other body to enforce govt transparency or accountability, in fact this govt has done everything it can to resist, delay or resist such changes. For me there is much more than just corruption at play, there is also incompetence and generally lousy stupid policies to consider too. They will blame Curacao and the Dutch, but our local govt has much more responsibility than it wants you to believe.
World Bank Governance Indicators
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Hady Nufyet's blog | 16 comments | read more
Submitted by Hady Nufyet on Fri, 2008-03-07 17:18.
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