Sandy Ground: --- Students of Sandy Ground Maternal and Primary School is without toilet paper, napkins and soap for a sometime now. However, to the surprise of the principal and other workers a number of prickly pear trees were planted in the schoolyard. SMN News understands that certain workers at the school protested when the trees were planted since there are small children attending Sandy Ground Maternal and Primary School.
However, those that were instructed to plant the trees said they are only following instructions. SMN News understands that even the director of that school who was on the opposition list felt those in power were trying to get to her by planting those types of trees in the schoolyard.
COM Finances
The source said the COM only has about Euros 220 in its accounts and to date they have not paid their suppliers for materials. The source explained that the schools on the French side do not have basic supplies even though they are asked to beef up hygiene due to the constant fear of H1N1 virus.
It is further understood each time the schools check with the purchasing department they are told that the “container” has not arrived yet. They said some schools have been waiting for over three months now and the excuse remains the same. In the meantime, our sources say the suppliers have refused the give the COM any more supplies unless they are paid. It is said there is Euros 220 in the COM account and so far, there is no more monies to meet the day-to-day expenditures of the Collectivity. SMN News further learnt that the Union Pour le Progres is contemplating to file bankruptcy (cessation de paiement) to avoid embarrassment. It is not clear if an overseas territory within the French Republic has ever filed bankruptcy but if St. Martin does, they would again be making history with what is considered a political move.
Several accountants and business people when contacted to voice their concern on this issue said the politicians when negotiating the status did not think about the consequences a new status had for St. Martin, instead they all wanted to become the first president, senator, and deputy.
One businessman said, in the past the State had the responsibility of collecting the taxes and when they had that responsibility, whether or not it was collected St. Martin was getting its monies for example the Octroi de Mer funds they never contributed to. “Today St. Martin has to collect its own taxes and pay its bills and with the economic crisis no one can pay their taxes.
Another reasons given for the financial squeeze is that the UPP led government has hired a number or foreign employees who have salaries as high as Euros 6,000 monthly, along with additional benefits such as housing, vehicle and travelling. The source said the pole social has the most foreign employees and amazingly these people who are receiving high salaries have to be trained by the locals, as well as attending formation, all of which is burdening the COM coffers.
General Director Soon to Leave
SMN News also learnt that the DGS of the COM Pascal Avern is planning to leave his post very soon, especially now that the COM is facing this financial predicament. Sources say Avern was supposed to be appointed Director of SEMSAMAR but somehow he lost the opportunity. The source further explained that Avern might become the assistant director of SEMSAMAR. It is said that if he does not manage to secure that job then he would go back to his native island Guadeloupe.