Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
MARIGOT--A contract signed recently in the Préfecture between President of the Territorial Council Aline Hanson and Préfète Anne Laubies will see the districts of Sandy Ground and French Quarter benefit from 400,000 euros this year under the scope of credits available in the annual programme Politique de la Ville 2015-2020.
The decree of December 30, 2014, redefined geographical areas to focus on poorer districts and established a priority list in the overseas territories, in which Sandy Ground and French Quarter in St. Martin were included. Both districts combined have a population of around 10,000 inhabitants.
In St. Martin’s case the inclusion was based on factors such as the number of unemployed persons of ages 15 to 64 years in the districts, the number of inactive youths ages 18 to 25 not in school, the number of young people over 15 years without any diplomas, the number of insanitary lodgings, and number of overcrowded habitations etc.
The credits amount to 250,000 euros from the State – 9,000 euros more than the year before – and an additional 150,000 euros from the Collectivité. The amount granted is not necessarily the same each year but has to be negotiated.
Préfète Laubies indicated the fundamental objective of Politique de la Ville is access to employment. Other objectives in the programme include social cohesion, educational success, parental assistance, access to rights, access to culture, sports, health, activities, beautification of districts, security, economic development, and social and professional insertion.
The services of the Collectivité and the Préfecture have been working on a plan of action in collaboration with consulting firm Urbis to evaluate both districts. Already in May technicians from the Collectivité and Préfecture have been identifying problems based on five themes: education, lodgings, delinquency prevention, social services and health.
In June and July both districts were asked to submit projects on the subjects of youth, equality of men and women, and prevention of all forms of discrimination. August will see a second appeal for projects.
Other themes can include fighting illiteracy, or projects for sports and culture, social harmony etc.
