Cole Bay:--- Close to 100 persons who received their Brooks Tower Permit have submitted the necessary documents to have their BTA permits extended for the next three years. Project leader on St. Maarten Valerie van Velzen told SMN News that even though they saw a lot more people over the past four days just about 100 of them had all the required documents for the extension. Van Velzen said the current registration process is for those persons in possession of a BTA permit and not those persons whose applications are still pending in the 'steering group." Van Velzen is also urging BTA permit holders to make sure they follow the guide lines as to what are the documents needed for the extension.On Tuesday a Haitian national was arrested by police at the Salvation Army building after she was caught with a false passport, while on Thursday police escorted a man to the police station because he apparently did not have his BTA permit. SMN News further learnt that the man applied for a BTA permit and was rejected but he later appealed to the steering group. It is not clear up to press time if the man will be deported or if the BTA steering group would issue the permit as promised. The BTA extension registration began on August 2nd and it is expected to end on September 18th. During this first week the BTA team is accepting applications from persons holding a BTA Category 1 (A). Category 1 (A) are persons working for a company or someone. Persons falling under category 1 (B) would be able to submit their application after August 9th. After that period persons holding the BTA category two permits would be able to submit their application for extension.
