PHILIPSBURG--The merchants and businesses of "Down Street" have taken their complaints and grievances about the "unfair distribution" of cruise passengers and by extension the economic pie in Philipsburg to government.
A letter addressed to Deputy Prime Minister/Harbour Affairs Minister Theo Heyliger, Tourism and Economic Affairs Minister Franklin Meyers and Finance Minister Hiro Shigemoto was delivered with 60 signatures from merchants and other business owners on Friday. The signatures are from business owners whose establishments are located from the L'Escargot restaurant to Alberto's boutique on Front Street and Boardwalk Boulevard.
The businesses have been complaining for some time now about water taxis not using the Walter Plantz Pier next to Sea Palace to drop off and collect cruise passengers visiting the country. Cruise passengers are primarily dropped off at Bobby's Marina and Captain Hodge Wharf by water taxi operators St. Maarten Tender Services and Connecting Waves.
The business owners want to discuss with the ministers at their "earliest convenience" – the fair distribution of the water taxis, the barriers placed at the L'Escargot alleyway and the consequence this has on stores after the barrier, the harbour group's property in the area, temporary parking and local booths.
"As the season is moving along very fast, we are hoping your prompt attention to this matter would be considered," the business owners said in the letter.
Michel Hodge, owner of Coconut Cove restaurant, an affected business, is the spokesman for the group. He is also a former St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies board member. He said the letter did not include signatures from landlords who represent more than ten closed businesses in the area. "Two of our oldest businesses in this area will be closing in May."
Hodge said many more people wanted to sign in solidarity including some "Up Street" businesses. "There are some, however, that are scared to put down their names or business names. Again, I will stress, all we want is an equal share. We have lots of ideas, so I am hoping that the ministers see it fit to sit with us."
Hodge said this week starts off with seven ships in port and would like the Harbour Group to address concerns promptly about temporary bathrooms on the harbour's property in front of the Walter Plantz Pier.
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