2007 island budget approved,
tourism cutbacks under fire
PHILIPSBURG--The 2007 Island Government budget was approved by the Island Council at 12:10am Thursday with six votes in favour from the Democratic Party and five votes against from National Alliance (NA) and Peoples’ Progressive Alliance (PPA).
Dominating the second day of debate were cutbacks to the tourism marketing budget, whether the budget is really balanced, and the beautification of Philipsburg. The budget debate began on Monday and was adjourned by Chairman Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards after the first round. The meeting resumed at 11:00am Wednesday and concluded right after the budget was approved.
Tourism
The Executive Council came under fire for the decrease in the tourism marketing budget especially for promotion in Canada, Europe, South America and the Caribbean.
National Alliance (NA) leader Island Councilman William Marlin questioned why funding for Caribbean marketing was slashed by some 43 per cent. Of all the cutbacks, Marlin said this hits the small businesses such as the guesthouses catering to Caribbean visitors the hardest. Caribbean visitors spend a significant amount while here especially on shopping. Marlin did not support the budget because “it does not reflect the needs of the people.”
Beautification
Beautification of Philipsburg was also hit during the debate. Council members queried whether the tourism allocations were now only focused on beautification.
Heyliger said the budget only allocated NAf. 200,000 for tourism-related beautification projects.
The Tourism Master Plan TourMap is reflected throughout the budget, he said, answering questioned posed on this issue.
Promotion
It is difficult to target where in the Caribbean to market, Heyliger said. Most of the money is focused on Puerto Rico, as this is a major source market in the region. Additionally, support of programmes such as SummerFest and Miss Hibiscus, which receive subsidies, helps to promote the island in the Caribbean region.
The island was promoted at 26 tradeshows in 2006 and has only opted out of Vacantiebeurs in the Netherlands this year because of government’s liquidity position, he said.
DP Leader Commissioner Sarah Wescot-Williams, who was the final speaker in the debate, wrapped up the session by saying that no matter what explanation was given, the island’s debt position would not be acceptable to the opposition. She chided NA and PPA for politicking instead of working in favour of the island’s people especially because an election was in the offing.
Peoples’ Progressive Alliance (PPA) leader Island Councilwoman Gracita Arrindell said she didn’t consider the budget balanced and suggested that government would be better off presenting a cash budget that dealt with government expenditure, revenues and outstanding amounts. This type of budget would be more clear-cut and easily understandable for people, she said.
She pointed out that her presentation on issues related to the budget had been delivered without the benefit of several documents requested from the Executive Council. These documents, Arrindell added, were vital to proper governance and handling the people’s business in a correct way.
Arrindell said the budget was full of discrepancies and had a deficit, and therefore voted against it. “The budget is a hoax and we will wait the audit chamber’s report on the budget.”
NA Councilman Frans Richardson stated that despite the Integrated Youth Policy the island’s youngsters had to be better taken care of. He praised the new Melford Hazel Sport Complex in Sucker Garden, but commented that the location left much to be desired, as it was surrounded by “clubs” at which the major attraction was scantly clad women, and other similar establishments.
Richardson chided government for not supporting small businesses opened by residents. He said photos were taken with big businesses and continued promotion was made for these companies.
DP Island Councilwoman Marie Buncamper-Molanus outlined in her presentation the number of new sole proprietorships and limited liability companies that had been registered at the Chamber of Commerce in 2006. The growth in businesses registered shows that there is faith in the economy and they are contributing to the island’s continued growth, she said.
Commissioner Louie Laveist defended the Integrated Youth Policy, which was touched on by several members. Laveist said government fully intended to implement the policy and to set up a Youth Authority that would oversee projects that arose from the policy that had been developed “by the youths for the youths.”
NA Island Councilman Hyacinth Richardson voiced his concerns about the growing sewage problem on the island. He said this issue needed attention immediately before a severe health issue takes hold.
Commissioner Roy Marlin dealt with questions posed by the opposition on the collection of garbage and sewage, amongst other issues.
Based on questions, Health Affairs Commissioner Franklin Meyers outlined for the council two of government’s major policies: Building a Healthy Island and Health Care Services St. Maarten.
The Economic Affairs sector should be generating more income for government, NA Island Councilman George Pantophlet said. He said the millions of guilders were being lost due to the lack of proper control being carried out on businesses to ensure that licences were up to date, opening times were adhered to and all other fees were collected.
On closing the meeting Lt. Governor Richards thanked Island Secretary Joan Dovale-Meit for coordinating the sector directors, department heads and other consultants who had researched and prepared answers for the Executive Council.
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