FYI

I will no longer be posting here.
It's been nice knowing most of you.

Thanks for all your great and valuable info, Barbara.

We will miss your posts.

Thanks Barbara I'll miss your posts.

Do you still have a blog? What is it.

I will truly miss your voice and valuable insights on this board. But I completely understand and respect your decision to move on.

That is your decision, but local input is always invaluable.

Hope you continue to post on the other site.

Barbara,, I certainly will miss your posts. I especially miss your blog postings, too. I know it has been a rough time for you and the"Gardener" and wish you all the best. Maybe eventually you will post again. You will be missed.

Thank you

Sorry to hear that. Always love to hear the local perspective on what is happening on our favourite island. All the best to you.

Barbara, will sincerely miss your local coverage of news and events.
Sure do hope that you might reconsider your decision......
With all respects, BobD <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Kiss.gif" alt="" />

When I see a post on this forum with opinions about the island and things that happen on the island, I check to see if it is someone that lives there or visits. I so appreciate the comments by the residents as it puts gives me the perspective of one who has to deal with everything on the island and not only the touristy parts. I don't post a whole lot, but I have seen your posts as well as others that are on the island and appreciate all of them.

I would wish to see some of your posts in the future, but understand and respect a person's decision not to. Best of wishes for you as you and others try to make the island a better place for you and, as a result, a better place to those of us who visit.

Barbara, will miss your posts and the great perspective you've given us as a resident. Thank you!

Barbara, without your input on this board there are several perspectives and causes that I fear would not have received attention or crowd fundraising. You brought them to a wider audience by your participation here.. Perhaps you may not be aware of the impact you have had, but quietly and behind the scenes we often do further research on our own about the things you bring up related to the island environment, etc.

Scholarships.

Be The Change

Nature Foundation

And most recently the Officer Benjamin fund coordinated with Soc.

Island landmarks and artwork, such as One-Tété Lohkay at the circle, I explored the history because of you.

It may feel good to make a dramatic statement and do a "mike drop". But please realize that not all of us can be painted with such a broad brush. You know that you have many supporters here. Take some deep breaths, step away.....and hopefully you will realize that "yes"....there are ugly, ignorant, and selfish people in this world. But not all of us are.

Bravo! I couldn't agree more!

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

Our first visit was 2008, the 1st site we found for island info was your blog, which we have greatly appreciated over the years. Enjoyed you let us "peek" into your life while giving some insight to the island

J&B

We hope you will return and share your wisdom and perspective. Those of us who have grown to appreciate you ignore the ones who haven't. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

As you can see by the number of posts I make, I am a very infrequent poster although I have been reading TTOL for many years. I felt I had to post now to say thank you for all the information you have passed along. Many of us who have been coming to SXM consider the island to be our second home and look for ways to help the island we love. Having a full time resident like you passing along the information has been invaluable. So again, many thanks and best wishes.

It is always a shame when feelings get hurt on Forums. It happens all the time unfortunately.

People come and go. I have been member here for a very long time....and i have always appreciated Barbara's contributions.

I hope you take a short break...and return.

I echo the thoughts of others. Your insights have been invaluable and appreciated. I hope you will reconsider and return.

I sympathise with Barbara. A person can only take so much self centered self absorbed comments directed at the people of the island she lives on and loves.
I too will miss her but I also understand her dissision.

Scubaman--PLEASE do not disparage other members of the board.

I too hope you will reconsider. It has been a pleasure reading your posts and your perspective is truly unique since you are not only a long time resident but also a US expat. Your stories and insight has been invaluable.

It's not easy to deal with such a large group of very different people. We all love the island (although sometimes it doesn't seem that way) and sometimes that love makes us react strongly without thinking. It's very hard to interpret what people actually mean or feel by just reading what is written in a post. So much of what we mean can't be conveyed because you can't see expressions. There's also no way to have a quiet give and take discussion since there is a lag between what is written and a response. As has been very obvious here, we don't know the background or history behind most of what goes on on the island.
I hope you will reconsider and help us mere visitors understand what it is that make the island the place we love so much.
Respectfully (thank you Pat, I love that all of your posts are signed this way),
Kathleen

I also would agree with BeachKitten.

Barbara, you and your family have done great things with others in mind.

Take care, hope to see you on island.
Todd

Barbara - I can easily understand your frustration and have been in the "same boat" as you. I have 28,000 posts on the message board I visit the most and in the past swore it off due to postings that upset me. However, I did go back and now do not post as much, but still visit it almost every day.

Hope that down the road you reconsider. TTOL is a big asset to Carib travelers, and your input is definitely helpful.

Although I understand why you are leaving, beating your head against a brick wall is not fun, I hope you will reconsider. This forum has lost too many contributors that live on SXM. (Bill and Elaine come immediately to mind). Loosing you will create a big gap in the knowledge about the island that we need. Instead of getting the facts and corrections that we need, we will be stuck with the speculation on some. yours is a voice in the darkness that will be missed.
Again let me hope that you will reconsider. You have many supporters on this forum. But if you don't, my hope is that you continue to have a happy, productive life. All you have to do now is say "Goodbye, and thanks for all the fishes."

Barbra
Sorry to see it come to this. Have enjoyed your input, it will be missed, as was the input of the other local's that no longer post here.
Hope to follow your post's on other sites.
Best wishes.

My dear Barbara and her wonderful "Gardener",
You have no idea the joy you have brought me and other people on TTOL over the years. Your insight and love for St. Maarten shines through in every informative post you make. Your pictures of the island the way it used to be are amazing. I studied every photo you posted and relished each and every one. Every time you posted about an issue on the island I took notice and learned as much as I could so I could be an informed and helpful visitor.

As in life, there are people who may hurt us with their words and actions. I am only guessing what may have caused you to back away from TTOL...but like my fellow posters above me, please know how much you and your insights into island life are loved and respected. Reconsider and come back soon...

TTOL needs your Voice, information and opinions.

Respectfully,
Teresa

Well said!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

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