Marigot: -- The Organizing committee of the Caribbean Festival has decided to respond to an article SMN News published regarding the amount of monies that was spent on organizing the first ever Caribbean Festival organized on the French side.
The committee responded to parts of the article but at no time did they address how the funds were spent. Instead of reporting a profit during these economic times we now learnt that the committee has deficit instead of a profit.
SMN News further understand the local company that first got the contract to organize the festival has taken the Collectivity to court because somehow the contract was taken away and awarded to CTC.
Sources also informed this media house that the CTC has some sort of conflict of interest on their board since the contract that was given to a Security company belonging to one of the board members of CTC and her father.
The source further explained that the even the Sous Prefet got involved questioning how come the contract for the security was granted to that company who did not supply all the necessary documents and since the security company is under investigation for not having the necessary administrative papers in order. Some weeks ago the gendarmes conducted a control and several security companies and seized a number of weapons. These companies are scheduled to appear in court for not following the administrative system when hiring security guards.
It is further understood that a huge sum of monies was paid the security company prior to the beginning of the festival. SMN News further understands that another security company was called in to rescue the security company that was awarded the contract. Another concern of the State is why this particular company is the one that is granted most of the contracts from the Collectivity even though other firms are following the bidding process.
Below is the full statement sent by someone representing CTC. The writer of the email conveniently did not mention his last name. The following statement was signed by Patrice who this reporter understands is an employee of the Collectivity of St. Martin.
“From: Organizing committee of the first edition of Saint-Martin Caribbean Festival (CTC Comité Tradition et Culture)
First, we would like to thank the 5000 persons that give their support and all others that contributed in one way or another in the success of the first edition Saint-Martin Caribbean Festival.
We understand the jealousy that can be inspired towards this first success. we are not here to make any conflicts with no one thus; we would like to bring forward a certain amount of precisions:
-The 350 000 euros mentioned in your statement do not represent the deficit of the festival but its budget.
-Concerning the boat or costumes, the organizing committee was not the ones that had these in charge so could not be held liable for payments.
-In this period of crisis, the merchants, the hoteliers, the car rental companies, the restaurants applauded this after season initiative brought forward by CTC. This first festival like all other festivals in the world calls for improvements, with the input from each and every individual.
-Concerning the display of artist, it was done in a manner to bring together in one place all different generations.
-Concerning the disposition of the bars, WE WILL NEVER PLAY WITH THE SECURITY OF THE CHILDREN NOR THEIR FAMILY.
-Concerning putting the entrance free the day of parade we did so to satisfy the public demand and we are very happy for our contribution in the success of the 14 of July manifestations.
We hope that local promoters will be inspired of the quality of the organization of this first festival witch everyone say that this is the first time on the French side that they have seen a festival so well put together.
Finally, concerning the consultant we can only applaud him for his collaboration and work well done, he is someone that his reputation precedes him since he is at the head of most big manifestations organize by government and local organizations through out the French Antilles for the last twenty five years and he will be happy to learn that we have doubled his cost for five months of work.”
