TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Dutch government firm on conditions

If thumbing your nose at the only conceivable source of significant funding desperately needed to restore the island (half) to any semblance of normality won't cause the government to fall, what would? Particularly if it happens often, over other (less important) stuff.

It is one thing for one person to ignore the plight of the citizens. For him to remain in office will require a majority of the members of Parliament to do so. Could become a very different dynamic.

Sounds like Congress. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Has there been any news from the 4:00 meeting?

It was stopped with walk outs .

Sorry, what does that mean?

Are you saying the SXM government officials walked out?! OMG! Is it time to recall them all?

The only way the Government can fall is if the partners in Government quit.

Who are the partners? Is it a coalition?

The coalition partners have to quit.

Lesley--again, what did your statement about people walking out, what does that mean??

Are they all behind Marlin, and they think they should not agree to the Integrity Chamber?

Or can they get rid of him?

I'm so confused.

Do you suppose Marlin and his followers have a back up plan ? Or r they willing to crash ?

Carol,I didn't follow the details simply because they are playing games, which we all hate period.

Both Theodore Heyliger, leader of United Peoples party, and Sarah Wescot-Williams, leader of Democratic Party, both support accepting the conditions set forth by the Netherlands. Not sure about the others.

Daily Herald story Looks like Parliament is fiddling while Rome burns..

Yes and you are correct on this , hence the reason not to literally follow their details. Me ,Wife , Daughter and Son have our work to do and handle. We never voted for the current PM but the tough part is that if he survives it will be for four more years in power . Really hope that this does not happen.

Must be something they are drinking . This group of elected officials can’t even organize a meeting !

You are assuming that they WANT to hold a meeting. They have been doing this stuff for years. Someone doesn't show up so they don't have a quorum, so they can have an excuse not to do anything. As I said, 'fiddling while Rome burns'..

“They” could mean “One” wanted to hold a meeting . Where we live that is normal but as we all know , Sxm operates beyond the norm.

For well over thirty years I’ve been trying to understand how the government operates here, and why the people keep electing the same ilk of officials election after election. To this day I still don’t get it.

But I do get ‘the people’ are currently getting screwed. They need help and they need it now and the government seems to be going out of its way to see that help doesn’t come.

What a shame the higher powers in control of the purse strings should ask for transparency and accountability with regard to the millions of Euros involved here, (she says with tongue firmly planted in cheek!) .........

God help the people of SXM. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Those elected officals must live on a private island somewhere .

I am confused with all these political posts here. I thought politics was not tolerated on the forum.In the past, posts have been shut down because of this, but somehow SXM politics seems to be different.

Yes, SXM politics are different.

Sarah says enough is enough. Daily Herald story

My Wife just showed me the video and now I'm feeling much better. Please look at how the MPS are nervous and shaking. Harsh reality has finally kicked in.

It’s high time.

Being uneducated on St. Maarten/St. Martin's governmental structure (even though having been there 6 times) this is actually interesting. Could someone explain who all these names, groups, etc. are?

I dont know sxm government structure at all. But I did here Marlin speak manyntimes on the radio after the storm. Seems very bright. It cant be easy governing any Caribbean island. Look at PR if you dont like GEBE.

As for the oversight, there has to be some, the question is how much.

I do know many countries of the world get handcuffed when the IMF comes in to “help” with loans and all during financial crises.

That may not apply here as might just be aid coming that does not require strings or repayment and dutch just want to make sure not squandered orr corrupted, how will the dutch hand out the cash? Is it aid or a loan? Who decides amounts?

Anyway, like i said, dont understand govt structure or what the dutch are giving and demanding exactly.

New Dutch official still wants to help SXM and work it out. Daily Herald story Come on eggheads, get this done, for the good of the people!!

Marlin is playing a very dangerous poker game and the odds are not good .

The Islands Govt. corruption has been well documented...... they don't sign the deal as is......no $$$$. Where is the SXM $$$ for the rebuild???

Does anyone know what Marlin's problem is with the Integrity Chamber and/or the better border control?

My understanding is that he feels it is a violation of SXM's independent status as a country. .....meanwhile, there will be no country left, as a result of his hubris..

this government is very corrupt... Many residents are aware of this. Marlin has taken money from investers, and put it in his pocket...this is what I have been told. Why this continues??? Not sure... It kind of reminds me of Puerto rico, they want to be independent, but want the U.S. to pour money in... Hope this does not offend anyone, but this is a reality... Your either independent or not... St.M. with this government can not survive... Marlin should give up all the money he received from Chinese investers to rebuild the Island My opinion, and that of many that live on Island

Strong statements and a common thread on this site . Where is the money trail ?

Lots of allegations. Where is the documented proof?

Interesting facts and probable motivation for the Dutch Govt. insistence to rules regarding the bailout $$$$

From Wikipedia:

"Debt

On November 2, 2006, the Dutch government set aside 65 million guilders (NAF) to pay off St. Maarten's debts. The Dutch portion of the island became a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 2010. While this was beneficial in some ways, the decision has shifted more responsibilities over to the island and with those, more debt.[5] Since St. Maarten became an autonomous country in 2010, it has never had a balanced budget and it has accumulated a debt of 200 million guilders (NAF) according to a statement by the Minister of Finance in December 2015.[20][21]"

This is a country of less than 40,000 citizens........do the math folks. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Doing the math- updated with new starting numbers
200,000,000 NAF divided by 40,000 people = 5000 NAF per person.
5000 NAF per person equals about $2850 USD.

In the US our national debt is about $60,000 per person.
That equals about $106,0000 in NAF.

If the SXM debt was at the same rate as here in the US per person then they would be at $4,240,000,000 NAF or about $2,400,000,000 USD.

Spin this what ever way you want and have a great morning. Feel free to correct any math errors, still early here on the West Coast.
Cheers,
Todd

There was no intent to make a comparison between a country of 250+ million people.....1/2 of which pay no taxes, and are taken care of cradle to grave by the government and a COUNTRYwith a population (~40K) that would be representative in size of a small U.S CITY. That comparison would be foolish.
A couple a hundred Million $$$$ are generated yearly as a direct result of tourism taxes alone, T/S.....airport, cruise ships. They obviously don't spend diddly on infrastructure,military or entitlements......so tell us where the money goes????

Take a look at the roads!!!Nothing ever done to repair. Very dangerous . we have been going to sxm for many years, and have heard that anyone that want to start a business on Island, just has to shell our money to government officials. This is going on for years... Hand over the cash and things get done. Proof???? Everyone that lives on Island knows how crooked this government is... They put cash in there pocket, and the Island gets nothing done... marlin is a crooked . Period...