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Gus chairs and drinks back at Baie Rouge
#180603
01/13/2019 10:52 PM
01/13/2019 10:52 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 102 Virginia
dfmsml
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 102
Virginia
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Just spent a delightful afternoon at Baie Rouge....Gus started up again last Saturday with beach lounge chair/umbrella/drinks operation....he said he plans to be there daily and may add a grill later....his house was part wood and part cement.and they survived the hurricane in the cement part but the rest is gone....he’s a trooper and was glad to see him back....Dave
dfmsml
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Re: Gus chairs and drinks back at Baie Rouge
[Re: dfmsml]
#180616
01/14/2019 09:55 AM
01/14/2019 09:55 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,729 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,729
Central Florida!
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Is this the same person who got a jail sentence recently for operating an unlicensed restaurant?
Carol Hill
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Re: Gus chairs and drinks back at Baie Rouge
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#180620
01/14/2019 10:44 AM
01/14/2019 10:44 AM
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,526 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,526
Ohio
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Is this the same person who got a jail sentence recently for operating an unlicensed restaurant? I think that was Chez Raymond. LINK to previous discussion.
J.D.
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Re: Gus chairs and drinks back at Baie Rouge
[Re: DICKG]
#180628
01/14/2019 11:33 AM
01/14/2019 11:33 AM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,646 Brookfield, CT.
pat
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,646
Brookfield, CT.
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Great to hear to nice a beach not to have people on it Many years ago, “ back in the day.....” and long before Gus or any other island entrepreneurs came to this beach and set up their operations, we used to spend lovely days there. We’d pack a small cooler with a few drinks and snacks and toss our towels onto the sand and enjoy the moments. You did have to deal with the coarse and grainy sand and you needed to be aware of the undertow but it was paradise found to so many, and so it is today to those who appreciate the services offered there now.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
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Re: Gus chairs and drinks back at Baie Rouge
[Re: dfmsml]
#180629
01/14/2019 12:03 PM
01/14/2019 12:03 PM
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 643
foreversxm
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 643
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Mixed feelings about that news. I doubt it is legal since it was not legal for many years and the GOV went in and tore it down. Like many beaches on the Island they become very overrun with people and cars that pour onto private property and crowd the roads. I think a few beaches that are NOT commercialized would be a good thing.
Last edited by foreversxm; 01/14/2019 12:05 PM. Reason: typo
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Re: Gus chairs and drinks back at Baie Rouge
[Re: Islandercpl]
#180637
01/14/2019 02:00 PM
01/14/2019 02:00 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,729 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,729
Central Florida!
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It appears it was the owner of Chez Raymond who received a suspended jail sentence. However, it appears to be that this can hardly be a long term operation, since Gus acknowledges he doesn't have a permit and won't get one..
Carol Hill
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Re: Gus chairs and drinks back at Baie Rouge
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#180643
01/14/2019 02:39 PM
01/14/2019 02:39 PM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,491 Vermont
sxmmartini
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 7,491
Vermont
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I disagree with you. Take Colin and Cedric on Club Orient. They both are bringing a service to tourists and making money.
Last edited by sxmmartini; 01/14/2019 02:41 PM. Reason: Grammar
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Re: Gus chairs and drinks back at Baie Rouge
[Re: Islandercpl]
#180649
01/14/2019 03:02 PM
01/14/2019 03:02 PM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,194 Virginia
Snorkeller
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,194
Virginia
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The legal entity is the Association Syndicale des Propriétaires des Terres Basses; the formal English translation is the Landowners Association Terres Basses, Inc. The Association claims to own or at least have extraordinary legal rights to the lowland beaches because of the fact that Erik Lawaetz, with the assistance of the then Mayor, in 1959, obtained a deed from some governmental authority in Paris to the domain land (i.e., the beaches) of the lowlands. (Erik Lawaetz is a huge name in the history of the island's tourism - he died in 2010 at the age of 96.) The Association always claimed that no one had the right to operate any commercial operation of any kind on the lowland beaches, unless authorized by the Association - Raymond and Gus were never so authorized. Over the years since they set up their operations, the Association has made efforts to get them off Baie Rouge, but never was able to get it done until post-Irma. The Association is legally obligated and committed to leave open at least one access path to the three lowland beaches and to permit people to enjoy the beaches. But, the Association always has taken the position, and it seems that the Collectivitie now definitely agrees as a legal matter, that no one can have a commercial operation on the beaches. I suppose the Association could make a deal and permit a commercial operation, but I do not think that ever will happen.
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Re: Gus chairs and drinks back at Baie Rouge
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#180656
01/14/2019 03:23 PM
01/14/2019 03:23 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 81 Brunswick - Upstate NY
Islandercpl
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 81
Brunswick - Upstate NY
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He does have a license/permit to sell, but not a permit to rebuild his beach bar. I asked him if his license was taken away after the hurricane, but he said no. Being that he is of the "older generation" of islanders he is having difficulty with the new ideas/rules/regulations. Over the years[since mid 80's] of having his establishment on the beach he didn't encounter much problems with the government except for them making sure that locals were working for him. Until recently has there been any problem with the building itself. Some sort of officials would come down and say this needs to be done, or that needs to be done. He would comply and they would be satisfied for a bit then come back with demands again.
I'm not going to say who is wrong or who is right......but my heart feels for Gus [he's our SXM family] and every other person on the island that has had their livelihood, home, employment, family taken away by mother nature and governments new rules. I understand the permit thing......safety, hygiene, order, etc. But, put yourself in this mans shoes......put yourself in the situation of this life is the only life you know. His business is gone, his home almost completely destroyed, his vehicles - one gone, one totaled. This past March we visited Gus in what was left of his house.....just a small one room concrete structure with whatever of his possessions survived.....it was so sad, I had to do all I could not to cry in front of him. So if the government won't give people like Gus a new building permit, but will let him have a license to sell, what is the answer? He unlike Chez Raymond did not just go back to the beach and rebuild without a permit....hence the jail sentence. He has met with, as he says " the big government people" a few times, but no permit is given. I really don't see them budging.
I don't know about the rest of you on this board, but to us why not grant these people that have been selling/renting most of their lives on all the beaches the proper permits. The small locally owned beach bars and other establishments is what drew us to keep coming back to the island since 1987. Not trying to start a right/wrong heated debate, but what is wrong with having a few palm covered beach bars on a beautiful beach for all to enjoy.
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Re: Gus chairs and drinks back at Baie Rouge
[Re: pburke40]
#180694
01/14/2019 07:32 PM
01/14/2019 07:32 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,303 Vancouver, WA
Todd
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,303
Vancouver, WA
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I for one would support Gus on all of this and I hope he wins in the end, they either are going to take away his ability to operate in a location they have allowed for a couple decades or get rid of a ruling that is not consistent with either side of the island. I hope he gets island support, let me know where to donate to and I will!
No Private Beaches - Gus should stay !
I prefer the Isle seat
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Re: Gus chairs and drinks back at Baie Rouge
[Re: dfmsml]
#180715
01/14/2019 10:38 PM
01/14/2019 10:38 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 102 Virginia
dfmsml
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 102
Virginia
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Since I started this post and have read the comments so far, I offer these two observations....one ....owners of the Baie Rouge association properties probably would like to see “their beach” private and none of us would enjoy it....and two....thankfully, so far both the French and Dutch governments have held fast on assuring that “ all beaches are public” and must have public access. If that ever changes we can all, as the Eagles Don Henley song “The Last Resort” states ...call it paradise...kiss it goodbye....Dave
dfmsml
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Re: Gus chairs and drinks back at Baie Rouge
[Re: dfmsml]
#180750
01/15/2019 10:18 AM
01/15/2019 10:18 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,729 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,729
Central Florida!
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Especially on the Dutch side, it almost seems like the idea of a public beach is honored more in the breach than observance thereof, but having a commercial establishment on a beach is a different question. Which is not to say that I agree with the landowners, but it appears to be a different question, especially with regard to Baie Rouge.
Last edited by Carol_Hill; 01/15/2019 10:25 AM.
Carol Hill
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