Miss B’s licence renewed,
but Friday’s march still on
~ Duck, Verwoord signed MOU in January ~
OYSTER BAY/St. Maarten--Reliable reports reaching The Daily Herald Wednesday state that the Island Government has renewed the licence permitting Joan Verwoord, proprietor of Ms. B’s Island Spot, to continue operating at her Oyster Bay beach location.
And, according to copies of documents seen by this newspaper, Verwoord signed a letter of intent and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on January 4 with Duck International, developer of Coral Beach Resort, under which she will be provided with a restaurant and storage area for beach chairs and umbrellas, with an option to buy the space.
Word that the licence had been renewed came on the virtual eve of a peaceful march being planned by Verwoord for Friday to lobby government to renew it.
Told Wednesday about reliable reports reaching The Daily Herald that her licence has been renewed by the government, Verwoord said she had not yet received any formal notice from government about the renewal.
She said she would enquire about the renewal of the licence, but the peaceful march would continue as planned.
Asked about the MOU and the letter of intent Wednesday, Verwoord said she had only initialled those documents that grant her a commercial space of 2,500 square metres with an outside patio seating for the use as a restaurant and mini market store.
The space is offered for US $200,000 and is payable in three years or less based on the letter of intent. Once the formal agreement is signed by both parties and the Island Government, the keys will be given to Verwoord and she will also have the right to provide room service to Coral Beach Resort guests.
Verwoord has been involved in a lengthy court battle with Duck International to keep her restaurant that is on the beach in front of the development. She has always maintained that she has a right to be on the beach and operate her business.
She said the march being organised for tomorrow, Friday, from 9:00am to 12:00 noon, was intended to emphasise this right, to encourage government to protect citizens and to protect and safeguard beaches.
Another reason for the march was to lobby government to renew her business licence to operate at her beach location.
The march will move off from John Larmonie Centre, onto Front Street and end at the parking lot outside Government Administration Building where there will be a programme of speeches by concerned citizens and organisations.
“You are welcome to share with us your personal problems or if you may have some kind of supporting words or opinion to support Joan in her battle,” Verwoord stated in a press release.
Persons interested in delivering a speech at the end of the march can contact Verwoord by calling 522-8833.
Persons supporting the march have been asked to be on time and not to wear any “political T-shirts” or carry any political campaign material.
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