St. Martin News Network

Philipsburg: --- Council lady Sarah Wescot-Williams on behalf of the Democratic Party faction in the island council requested the Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards to provide her with all objections filed against the ring road project in Philipsburg. The request was made on Monday June 22 2009, a press release from Wescot Williams stated.

Recently, it was reported that an environmental organization had filed a 5-page objection against this project and seemingly there are several other objections against this project as well. In order to take a well balanced position on this matter, the people’s representatives and the general public deserve all the information, including the reaction by government as to how they plan to address the concerns expressed by the different organizations. “Openness and Transparency!”

The island council woman and former leader of government also wants to know if the present government held any meetings with those persons who in one way or another will be affected by this project?

She said she wants to know how the people can be assured that in addition to the arguments of beautification and traffic improvements, St. Maarteners have a fair chance where contract work and employment is concerned.

How will the outstanding land issues of businesses and individuals in this area be resolved? Where can these persons turn to? When will they be provided with information regarding same?

As government boasts that (young) people are involved in these major construction projects, we need to be provided with numbers of such to determine the employment impact for the local labor force of St Maarten, consisting of nationals and those already on St Maarten for the purpose of employment. These must be our first concern when speaking of employment opportunities.

5 Comments

Local girl June 23, 2009 72.252.9.58 Votes: +0	You can't be serious!!! report abuse vote down vote up
Serious June 23, 2009 190.102.14.219 Votes: +0	Yes Our council lady is very serious. I know you will do your job regardless of your position. Big up Sarah! Hold tight. report abuse vote down vote up
Shame June 23, 2009 62.108.26.205 Votes: +0	Shame on you Sarah! report abuse vote down vote up
Well well June 24, 2009 72.252.9.55 Votes: +0	As far as I can recall, this project was in the works during the period that S.W.W. was in power. As far as I can recall, S.W.W. was commissioner of Labor after it was stripped from L.L. Why didn't you produce the figures at that time in order for us to see the impact on the local labor market? Maybe I should look at it from a different angle. Isn't an in-law of S.W.W. the owner of a major construction company that hires predominantly foreign labor? Isn't that same person in business with the now leader of government's son? Stop trying to fool the people with nonsense. Yes you have a job to do as the opposition and request info. I'm in full agreement. But don't go as far as to ask things that were obviously not important to you just a few months ago! report abuse vote down vote up
marlou June 24, 2009 72.252.9.36 Votes: +0	Sarah get help. All these projects were born under "your watch", is this a joke otherwise honestly get help. I sincerely wish you well and hope you try getting a grip on reality. report abuse vote down vote up