LEE RESPONDS TO MP Richardson.

Thursday, 12 July 2012 01:09 SMN NEWS TEAM

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I am saddened and disappointed by the recent defamation of my personal integrity and honor. Normallly, I would refrain from responding to such comments but I find the comments very destructive and warrant a response. The ONLY point of the recent press release that was issued by SHTA was to explain the importance of incorporating the Tourism Authority as quickly as possible, because it brings continuity and stability to the Tourism industry. Nowhere in the press release did SHTA criticize the hard working tourism department staff – all of which we have worked side by side for many constructive years.

Westin

I lament the fact that the personal dispute between the Westin and myself has been made public. The Westin is currently running their generator 24/7 which is against the law and in violation of their hinderance permit. (Court case pending as well as official complaint to Public Prosecutor's office) Due to the failure of government to enforce their own laws, I have been forced to take the Westin to court to defend my rights and the peacefulness that my hotel guests expect during their stay . For this reason Westin banned me from their property. (This case is also currently in court as to the legal validity of my expulsion ) During my tenure as president of SHTA, due to my obligations to promote the island, I have refrained from making public statements about the court cases in the interests of the greater good of the island and for that reason I have never mentioned the ongoing dispute with the Westin.

Conflict of Interest.

During the time of the lawsuits, the Westin has even had their former General Manager, Mr. Larry Cooper on the board on the SHTA. During which time, the Westin has received all communications and opportunites that every other member of SHTA has received. In my role as President of SHTA, I have always promoted ALL of St. Maarten with unbiased vigor because it is the best thing for the island

St. Maarten Tourism Authority or STA.

It has been and will continue to be SHTA's belief that establishing the STA is essential in moving the tourism industry in St. Maaten forward. It is sad that we have been able to dismantle the Netherland Antilles and build Country St. Maarten in less time than incorporating a Tourism Authority. I have volunteered my time, talents and heart to promote St. Maarten for more than 10 years. I have recently been elected to position of First Vice President of the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association. During my tenure as Chairman of the board of the St. Maarten Medical Center or SMMC together with other members of the board and staff, I helped to turn around a near bankrupt institution.

I find it hard to believe that my involvement in the STA would be anything but positive.

Last Updated ( Thursday, 12 July 2012 01:09 )

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Comments (10)

11-07-2012 19:10 |Unregistered| Dotman

Frans Richardson is already on the campaign trail. 2014 is closer than you all think !!!!!
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12-07-2012 02:55 |Unregistered| WISE OR WACKY

THE SHTA NEEDS A NEW FACE AWAY FROM THIS ANTI-STMAARTENER WHO IS HELL BENT ON:

A) MAINTAINING THE ABUSIVE SIX MONTHS LABOUR CONTRACTS,

MAINTAINING THE MEASLY MINIMUM WAGES,

C) FLOODING OUR COUNTRY WITH UN EDUCATED FOREIGN LABOUR IMMIGRANTS TO WORK AS SLAVES IN EVERY SECTOR OF OUR LABOUR MARKET.

YES WE WILL START TARGETTING YOU ON YOUR BIZARRE LABOUR POLICY AND EVERY WRONG AND ABUSIVE THINGS YOU STAND FOR ON COUNTRY ST.MAARTEN.

YES BECAUSE OF YOUR UNWANTED MENTALITY WE WILL PUT PRESSURE ON SHTA TO REALLY START LOOKING FOR A REAL ST.MAARTEN FACE.

THANK YOU.
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12-07-2012 05:42 |Unregistered| tourism

It is no secrete that tourism is our mainstay industry. We can't afford to have someone in an influencial sector discredit our ladies and gentlemen who work on the making the product a competitive one or maintianing our edge or position. Mr. Lee should have inquired about the way forward after the interim director refuse the new arrangment and her interim position at the Tourism department. He could have simply picked up the phone an ask- who will the SHTA be working with or who will replace Ms. Chun. Followed by a meeting and verify the way forwarded. We have too much to accomplish in making St.Maarten a good place to visit and spend money.
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12-07-2012 07:05 |Unregistered| WORRIED

@ WISE AND WACKY

CAN YOU PUT YOURSELF FORWARD?

I AM A ST.MAARTENER, SO DON'T EVEN QUESTION IT.

BUT WE TALK MORE $HIT THAN WE STEP UP TO THE PLATE TO DO.
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12-07-2012 07:23 |Unregistered| NOISES ON THE ISLAND

I CAN FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT MR LEE IS FED UP WITH.

WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM ON KIM SHA BEACH, WITH A BUNCH OF
NONE ST.MAARTENERS DOING WHAT THEY WANT, AND BLASTING MUSIC WAY PAST THE TIME THAT IS STIPULATED IN THE CONSTITUTION.

BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE BACKED BY CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS, THEY THINK THEY CAN DO WHAT THEY WANT, AND DO NOT RESPECT THE LAW.

WE HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THEM HAVING NOTHING, SELLING "WHATEVER"
BUT 10 O'CLOCK, IT HAS TO BE AT A STATUS THAT PEOPLE CAN LIVE, AND SCHOOL CHILDREN CAN GET UP FRESH AND GO TO SCHOOL..

AND I AGREE WITH LEE, WESTIN ACCORDING TO LAW CANNOT BE RUNNING
A GENERATOR, 24/7, IT IS AGAINST THE LAW, AND IT IS DISTURBING.

SOONER OR LATER PEOPLE WILL TAKE THE LAW IN THEIR OWN HANDS.
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12-07-2012 08:08 |Unregistered| whats up Pantop

I keep on smiling, just looking at how Pantop[hlet and consorts are going to destroy our mainstay. He doesn't care about it anyway, Arubiano. He has somewhere to go to spend out the rest of his over 60 years of age. If I am not mistaken he born in 1950, so it is Aruba, here yu of Aruba comes to spend the rest of my years.
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12-07-2012 08:59 |Unregistered| Check this out!

Hold up on these Pantophlets, they are hard working people who help build this island with their bare hands. Very proud of my father who worked building the roads usine wheel barrows. So you Johnny come latelies, watch where you step. :o
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12-07-2012 09:02 |Unregistered| Check this out!

using the famous wheel barrows, not the concrete trucks of today.
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12-07-2012 13:31 |Unregistered| @ WHATS UP PANTOPHLET

YOU SHOULD READ WHAT YOU WRITE, AND DON'T MAKE YOURSELF A JACKA$$

GEORGE PANTOPHLET IS A ST.MAARTENER TO HIS BACKBONE, AND HE IS A DECENT, EXTREMELY DECENT PERSON.

GEORGE, WE ST.MAARTENERS LOVE YOU.
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13-07-2012 11:30 |Unregistered| WISE OR WACKY

TO "WORRIED",

THE ONLY THING WISE OR WACKY HAS COMMON WITH YOU THAT WE MAY BE ST.MAARTENERS TO OUR BACK BONE.

BUT THE CARDINAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BOTH OF US ARE:

A) THAT YOU ARE JUST TALKING THRASH WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THE SLIGHTEST IDEA WHAT REALLY MR.EMILY LEE STANDS FOR,OK.

THIS ABUSER DOES NOT SHIRK OR SHY AWAY FROM PUBLICLY GOING AGAINST:
1) THE ABOLISHING OF THE 6 MONTHS LABOUR CONTRACTS.

2) THE INCREASING OF THE SHAMEFUL MINIMUM WAGES.

3) HAVING LOCALS IN KEY POSITIONS IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY.

WOW WHAT A GREAT WAY TO EXPRESS YOUR LOVE FOR THE PEOPLE IN THEIR OWN COUNTRY.

CONCLUSION: YES MORE THAN EVER THE SHTA REALLY NEEDS A ST.MAARTEN FACE OTHER THAN MR.EMIL LEE,OK.
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