Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
MARIGOT--Prefet Philippe Chopin delivered the traditional New Year's address at a large gathering in the Prefecture on Wednesday evening covering a range of topics that included youth, unemployment, crime and delinquency, cooperation and finances.
Dutch-side Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs and Governor Eugene Holiday were in attendance.
It was not unexpected that the Prefet would begin with crime and delinquency, prefacing his address with an homage to the 17 persons who died in the terrible events of January 7 and 8 in Paris.
Noting a drop in general delinquency in St. Martin he nevertheless acknowledged the increase in physical violence, homicides, and armed robberies of which there were 137 in 2014.
"The number of homicides and attempted homicides as well as the increase in armed robberies has got our attention," he said, adding a territorial plan to fight crime had been launched although he did not elaborate. "Law enforcement will not drop its guard in continuing to work tirelessly to stem this phenomenon. It requires a strong response from the services of the State to reverse this perceived negative image of our touristic island and the general feeling of insecurity felt by citizens."
Addressing the Collectivité officials present he called on them to probe deeper into the problems of the youth, to create employment and to work on social integration.
"For our part the State will engage in actions to help Sandy Ground and French Quarter, two districts that have the most problems, defined as priority areas in the decree of December 30, 2014," he said. "A subvention of 175,000 euros will finance a number of projects to benefit the youth. For the first time St. Martin can take advantage of cultural exchange and sporting funds to the amount of 51,700 euros and 66,000 euros from Plan de Reussite Educative (PRE).
Commenting on unemployment he noted there were 4,313 job seekers in November 2014. This figure is less than that of 2013. He applauded the "contrats d' avenir" that have enabled 100 young people to find temporary work and the programme will continue.
"It's necessary that companies assist the State in reducing unemployment," he added. "Even though there is a delicate economic situation it requires the effort of everyone."
On the subject of investment he noted the Collectivité will be benefitting of some 59 million euros for various projects in the scope of the 2014-2020 operational programme adding that a combined State and Collectivité steering commission to manage the five European programmes envisaged will be installed.
He also disclosed an observatory on prices and revenues will be created in 2015 to permit an analysis of the structure of pricing on goods for the public's information. A meeting about this was held on Tuesday.
Chopin reminded that the major supermarket chains had cooperated in November to make 40 essential goods available at reduced prices for a limited period.
With regard to applying for disaster funds to the Interior Ministry following Hurricane Gonzalo and the following floods in November he indicated a decision should be made in February when the inter-ministerial commission next meets.
"In any event if this commission does not recognize the need for re-building funds, the Overseas Ministry will still mobilize funds to show solidarity with St. Martin," the Prefet stated.
