TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin New Orient problem explained

Makes sense to me. Always two sides to a conflict.
https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/55...KSKS9w.facebook

Maybe the officials have a good point, but they are mighty condescending towards the local operators. Not a good approach to issue resolution.

The fact that they urge "no conflict" seems to me that they should stage a major protest. Sounds like that's just what the government fears.

OK, so here's the problem with the government's position--it is about 9 months too late to make such an announcement.

Let's say, back in June when the government kicked all the tenants out, they made such an announcement, complete with an announcement that the rent was going to be 2500 E per month. People would have been very upset at the time, but it would have been much kinder than this BS.

At that point, back in June, probably a lot of them would have said, "Wow, that stinks, but it's time to move on, let's go somewhere else. We cannot afford that rent, no way, no how, especially in June through October." They didn't have that choice. They had to just WAIT and HOPE that the government would treat them fairly. That clearly did not happen.

They were repeatedly told that the old tenants would get first dibs on the new spots and the amount of the new rent wasn't even announced until when? Sometime in January?? Can't remember. Now the businesses have been totally shut down with zero income for over 6 month ASSUMING that the rent would be reasonable, based on the previous rent. And don't forget, they made people state they would take the space without even knowing what the rent was supposed to be!!

I don't know what the truth is of the health code violations. I do know that there is NO WAY that anyone could operate a restaurant at those locations without a HARD ROOF. That BS sail structure would not work for 10 minutes. Designed by some 'architect' who builds things that may look pretty but they don't work. So in essence the government's position is full of you-know-what, in my book.

Hysterical. Reminds me of my years in Canada. I try not to worry so much about things that really don't concern me. They will sort it all out eventually. In just a few days we get to see what they have done to the place. The pics look great. Gonna miss the old Baywatch crew though. Cheers <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />

Carol:
You are exactly right. No one could have said it better. The government had the plans and published them as soon as they announced the project so they had to have a good idea of what the rents would be. It seems that they just kept everyone in the dark and the old owners would be over a barrel and cave in to what ever was forced on them.

Wow, I'm thinking that could be the first time you've ever agreed with me on here.... But I honestly do think that, if that is the government's position, that's fine, but announce it nine months ago and then people could move on with their lives..

We are at 8 days and counting and not really sure where we are going to plant out butt for 10 days. If any restaurants want to make us an offer please PM us. We have been a loyal Bikini follower for years and she always took care of us.

There are 4 of us and we are not CO as it's my wife and me and kids. We have no problem being next to but we are from Chicago and look like snow.

We'ree staying in Orient near the village.

Thanks.

Mbrott!!!!

I hope rental prices are based on similar rents in the Village or down the beach. I know one past renter said he had always paid rent but knew some had not. Lack of revenue in off-season has to be offset by profits in high season. To say a jet ski rental is so much per hour--some days I have seen no one on jet skis when I pass. The cost of kitchen and interior infrastructure has to be high for start-up, I think someone estimated $50K for kitchen, venting, etc. The lack of info early-on for potential renters in my opinion is the worst part--I am surprised anyone trusts these folks to be fair and forth-coming in the future. If I were the protesting people, I would show my profit margin and books to an impartial judge to show the reality of a yearly earnings on a property. Maybe the rents are high, maybe they aren't, but proof should be comparisons on paper.

The jet ski rental guys are somewhat different, to me. Their costs are really pretty low, compared to the restaurants. No electric, no water, most likely only one employee, much different than running a restaurant, with all the associated costs.

Liability insurance and wear and tear of the equipment adds up some. Those jet skies don't last forever especially in a marine environment.