"Says concerns to be brought forward during official public review period"
PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake on Wednesday met with representatives from the St. Maarten Marine Trades Association (SMMTA) with respect to the draft development plans for the Simpson Bay area.
"It was a pleasure for me to meet with the SMMTA and to hear about their concerns related to the preliminary draft development plans for the Simpson Bay area. The SMMTA also stated that they met with other Simpson Bay stakeholders which are very important for me.
"The representatives also enlightened me about the challenges the marine sector is experiencing and have been having for a number of years. I informed them that I will speak with other entities with respect to their areas of concern.
"I told them that it is very important that you have to get to know your community. This is part of my back to basics approach. You work from the ground up and not the other way around. It's the people that you have to communicate with in an open and transparent manner in order to deal with their issues. We had a very productive two-hour discussion," Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said on Wednesday.
Some of the concerns brought forward by the SMMTA were about the filling of part of the lagoon for the airport expansion; the proposed pier at the old BBW property; as well as a proposed boardwalk along the lagoon in Simpson Bay; the lack of parking in Simpson Bay; and environmental matters.
Minister Lake informed the SMMTA reps that he will be contacting the management of the airport to get information about their plans.
SMMTA brought forward their concerns about the lack of sidewalks and proper lighting in certain areas frequented by residents and tourists.
Minister Lake said that these he will address where possible in his capital investment budget and will discuss further with other stakeholders to see what role they can play.
"I need to sit down with several stakeholders to draft a plan of action based on a public-private partnership approach. When we talk about the lack of proper street lighting, what comes into play is a lack of security and safety for residents and visitors, and this has to be addressed, and I will be looking into this post haste," Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said on Wednesday.
The Head of the Department VROMI Hans Sellink was also present for the meeting, and he elucidated on the public review process for the Simpson Bay area draft development plans which will start in May.
