Marigot/Philipsburg:--- Local musicians on the French side stood up to a band that was brought to St. Maarten by one Sharon Peterson who obtained a visa waiver from the Justice Ministry for the group. The band consisting of ten musicians known to some persons in the community as "Silver Stars" came to St. Maarten three times during the year 2012 through visa waivers which were issued by the Minister of Justice Roland Duncan.
On Wednesday, the band obtained permission from the French Culture Department to play on the waterfront for three nights free of cost. Public Relations Officer of the Gunslingers Band Aldrick Benjamin said the local musicians on both French and Dutch St. Maarten were not able to obtain any type on information on the foreign group who has been doing business on St. Maarten but claims they are working for free. Benjamin said that they started negotiations with the Culture Department of the Collectivity of St. Martin on Wednesday afternoon and managed to stop the band from performing on the French side since they lacked the necessary paperwork that is required by law. Benjamin further explained that the band is on St. Maarten for about five months operating at different locations. Benjamin said based on the information he gathered, Peterson spoke with Alex Piper from Youth Waves and asked that the band be allowed to perform on the French side for three nights for free. Benjamin said that is "prospecting" in the music industry and while they are not against foreign bands, these bands need to correspond with the local artists that have to comply with the various requirements before they can perform their art and conduct business on the island. "We have no problem with anyone but since there is no clarity on this group (band) we have been collecting information as to where they have been playing since they are on the island. What I know is that they have been playing for Maho Group of Companies and other areas on St. Maarten. This band was scheduled to play from 10 to 4 for three days on the Waterfront even though there is no particular occasion at this time of the year on the French side." Benjamin said he had no problem if the band had intended to play for a few hours but playing for hours for three days in row for free is prospecting so that businesses and other people would hire them. Benjamin said since July last year this band has been telling people they just want to play for a few hours and they are leaving but to date they are still here. "As far as I am concerned there is something fishy going on; we as business people on St. Martin/St. Maarten need to know what is happening. I want to make clear that the Department of Culture on the French side cooperated well with the local artists and they stopped the mission Silver Stars had planned on Thursday. Unless Silver Stars has the proper documentation they will not play on the French side of the island." Benjamin said. "I am not here to drag anyone down, I met with those working in the Culture Department and they acted according to the rules and regulations."
Sir Isidore York (The Mighty Dow) told SMN News in a telephone interview that he has been asking questions about this band for quite some time now and no one is able to tell him anything. Sir York said one night he showed up at the Sonesta Great Bay Resort to play and management of the resort asked him not to play but he stood up for his rights and both bands were allowed to play. Sir York said he even asked a certain Minister how it is possible for a foreign band to play on St. Maarten and the Minister basically told him that nothing could be done unless the laws are changed. The Mighty Dow said that he is not against improving steel pan music on St. Maarten but in his opinion things have to be done properly. "These people have been saying they are playing at various locations for free. The question now remains how are these people eating and who is paying for their housing and other needs. Who pays for their airline tickets multiple times per year?"
In an invited comment, Minister of Justice Roland Duncan admitted in an interview with SMN News that his Ministry granted the band permission to enter St. Maarten to play for Maho Group of Companies. The person who obtained the permit from the Justice Ministry Minister Duncan said was one Sharon Peterson whom he believes has a company registered on St. Maarten. Minister Duncan said that he remembered the last time Peterson received permission from his Ministry was sometime in November 2012. Minister Duncan made clear that his Ministry did not grant anyone a permit to play on St. Maarten for free. The band was granted permission to play for Maho Group of Companies and if they are saying they are playing for free this is where the water gets muddy.
The Justice Minister said that on the permits there are specific guidelines and if they are broken then there are enough reasons for the permit to be retracted. Minister Duncan said the Silver Stars received permission (visa waiver) to play for Maho Group of Companies and if they went to the French side they broke the rules and that is enough grounds for him to retract the permit. The Justice Minister made clear he has no authority to grant anyone permits to work on the French side. He said visa waivers are issued for a period of three months and persons can receive multiple visa waivers in one year. As for Silver Stars they got permission at least three times in 2012. The Minister said prior to the issuance of the permission they looked at all aspects especially since St. Maarten is a tourism destination and as such they need to have a variety of entertainment for the island's visitors. "We looked at how this would affect our local artists and we also looked at the Resort who can be considered local as well." Minister Duncan said that what happened now is sufficient reason for him to refuse the person requesting the permit in the future or retract the permit they have currently.
When SMN News asked if the band is paying its dues such as taxes, the Justice Minister said he cannot say because that falls directly under the Minister of Finance.
