I don't know, the news story said that more than 500 'residents' had signed it, but if you go to the petition, it asks you to click on your country of 'origin'. Don't know if that means that you are supposed to be a resident of SXM to sign it or not.

Sorry to say, I agree completely, JD. And if they don't care about the opinions of the people who live there, chances are the few signers of an on-line petition won't get much more attention. They are talking millions of visitors if their plans go through, as opposed to perhaps a few hundred on-line petitioners if there should be one? Usually I get on board with most petitions for the good of the island, but this one, should it actually happen? Probably not...... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

My wife and I are US residents, but we have a villa on the Belair hillside. We signed the petition.The more people signing it, the better. Even if you aren't a "resident", but travel extensively to SXM, your voice should be heard.
Gregg

Done..signed and registered

Maybe, we will now get an upscale Chinese restaurant in Grande Case.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" />

If this is what is needed to get a decent Chinese restaurant I will pass

When we purchased at Divi in 1988 island "ownership" was a huge selling point. Owners supposedly had more value to the island than other tourists. Sign the petition and let them verify the signatures they want to keep.

654 signatures

Daily Herald story Somehow this person thinks that makes this monstrosity sound better.

A project of this size and the secrecy associated with its planning, has me convinced that it will happen. All the public relations hype such as in this article, tell me that they (the supporters, both SXM and China)knew that regular SXM vacationers and environmentalists would strongly oppose it. Yes, we signed the petition but are realistic about the power of $.

hate so say it.......but, we can sign petitions.....protest any way we want.....BUT...it is the people of SXM, the residents, and the government that will make all the decisions. We, for the most part, are just ''visitors'' of THEIR homeland, and it has been obvious for years, that they really don't care a hell of a lot of what we ''tourists'' feel. I am sure there are quite a few ''hidden deals'' going on....but is anyone really surprised?? Over the years, we have all complained about numerous construction and congestion on the island....we have all seen our quaint island become more and more a concrete jungle and our beaches becomre more crowded...we have seen the local shops and some restaurants be ''mcdonaldized", we saw what happened to Orient Beach last year, and with all the complaining, the project went forward, and now finished. We have seen PBurg go from a smaller stop, with just a few ships, to one of the busiest ports for cruise ships in the Caribbean. We all long for the ''old days''.....but while we wanted it to stay the same as it was, the people and government of SXM had other plans. I, for one, will continue to visit my ''second home'' for as long as i can....and hope all the fear will eventually, maybe, make it better?? We can only hope. Sorry for the rant...but my two cents.

I heartily agree, Ed. We will still continue to visit for as long as we're of a mind to, but I really don't think these changes can be stopped or even impacted by the thoughts of the 'visitors' who have brought the island to its current state of desirability for proposed expansion. There are people at work who are far more powerful than a few hundred (may end up thousand - who's to say?) signers of an on line petition. There's only one group who could remotely have a say here and that's the residents of the island itself and if the plans are already set in stone, I doubt even they can stop it. And that's my rant for the day....... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

yep....agree 100 percent!

I would be curious to know how much information and knowledge local residents, especially those living nearby, had of this project. I would also wonder how much input they would actually have and if there is anything they could do about it anyhow.

Peaceful protest/demonstration requested against Chinese project groundbreaking this Saturday.

http://www.sxm-talks.com/local-news/peaceful-protest-requested-for-chinese-project-groundbreaking/

Does anyone on island know if the official groundbreaking is really taking place today?
Thanks

that would be very interesting to know

Smn-news.com
Happened. Picture of orientals digging a shovelful of beach sand shown. Separate article also issued.

Here's the link. http://smn-news.com/st-maarten-st-martin...-available.html

Sounds like the local politicians are VERY happy!

I have several thoughts.
1. The developers and supporters of this project have all the answers to questions asked as we would expect. Kind of like the politicians who always promise the world.
2. Those SXM tourists not staying in Belair area may think they have dodged a bullet but will have a wake-up call when the air and car traffic explosions impact their vacations.
3. I am grateful that we have had so many wonderful years (30+) vacationing in SXM. We chose Belair Beach Hotel because it is small, safe, quiet, and generally friendly. We may just have to find those qualities elsewhere in the future.

Not a SINGLE comment below that article on the newspaper's website. Might be time to fill up that comment section...

I will now show my ignorance. SO what exactly is it? 400 jobs doing what? 100,000 visitors/year but it is not a hotel or resort....???

Since SXMScubaman provided a link the the groundbreaking article, I am going to lock this discussion and start a new once since this is rather lengthy. Please continue any further discussion in the new thread.

Thank you.