PHILIPSBURG:--- A resident of Ocean Front Street identified as Ankie Nieuwenhoven has been protesting against the parking of cars on Great Bay beach for months now, but despite her protest actions the Ministry of VROMI have decided that they utilize a part of Great Bay beach for further development such as creating a parking lot, and having business establishment on the beach. Nieuwenhoven wrote letters to KPSM and the Ombudsman seeking help to have the cars that are parked on Great Bay Beach removed.
In an email SMN News Nieuwenhoven provided the letters she sent to the police and the Ombudsman along with the response she got from the Ministry of VROMI after the Ombudsman intervened in the case.
In a response sent to both the Ombudsman and Nieuwenhoven the Ministry of VROMI stated that they have taken the necessary steps to prevent vehicles from driving and parking on Great Bay beach. The works and plans are to begin in January 2016. However, they also stated that they have intentions to create a parking lot on the beach for Walter Plantz Square in partnership with the Port of St Maarten, using the entrance through Schrijnwerkers steeg and not Great Bay Beach park lot. The most shocking part in VROMI’s response where they indicated that there are plans to develop Great Bay Beach parking lot in a restaurant with beach chairs on the beach making it a no traffic zone controlled by security. That there will be no more access through that land parcel.
Below this article are the letters sent to the Ombudsman, Police Department and the response the Ministry of VROMI sent to the Ombudsman and Ms. Nieuwenhoven.