and here they are:
maybe not so funny
refreshing your memory:
the conscience many political clowns lack
a selection of acts in Curaçao's political circus, starting with the most recent ones.
alphabetical searchable list—at page bottom are links to years past.
Politicians are the Nuts and Dolts of Society
come-back of
Statuut-Dag
well, no...
in
to December 2010 or 2011, but to
2012, or maybe 2013?
so don't blame me for not adjusting that clock once again - I give up
Former Politicians' Promise:
1 July 2007
Politicians can survive sex scandals or fiscal mismanagement,
but they cannot survive being laughed at
Voodoo Science - Robert Park
Maritime flags stand for (from left to right:)
D - keep clear, manoevering with difficulty.
G - require a pilot.
K - stop vessel instantly.
"Only a nation which is ill at ease with itself, or uncertain of its own identity,
needs to parade its national flag at every opportunity."
EU Referendum
This July, for the first time in what's (for the Internet) a long history,
over 5% of our visitors came from the Netherlands Antilles
This button really was successful:
Literally overnight percentage grew to 7%, then to 11.6%.
Welcome!
Because there's some illegal building going on at Caracasbaai, which MAN Cooper considers to be 'his baby', he has been calling all official authorities to stop this; and getting no action. Now, maybe, he knows how we feel all the time.
Doctors Detest Demands
The MDs of the Windward Islands vehemently protest the SVB (health insurance) demand that they take refresher courses of 40 hours per year - sounds like a bare minimum to us - or they lose their license.
2008-08-25
Up to Date
Just a minute ago, somebody passed by (in a car) to deliver the tax sticker for my car license plate. I was supposed to have stuck it on almost two months ago, July 1st, and I paid for it in December or January. Millions have been lost because of crazy malversations here.
While I appreciate the service (beats waiting in a queue for hours), I'd rather have paid less and gotten it at once.
2008-08-25
Olympic Nationalism
We had occasion to see that all the bragging about how the most corrupted games in the world, the Olympics, are supposed to improve "international brotherhood", resulted in a surge of strong nationalism here when 'our' athlete Churandy won silver in some race. PM de Jongh-Elhage emotionally speeched he was "the figure-head, the symbol of success for the Antillean people." Then he was disqualified...
Didn't stop cars showing the Curaçao flag (not Antillean, naturally); UTS communication company gave out 100% extra yacking time free on phone cards bought that day. (They can afford it - wonder it it still counts? I bought some.)
2008-08-21
Teacher Democracy
Sitek teachers' trade union held a meeting. They did not invite all of their members, and others they did invite, only 1 day in advance (rules stipulate 7). No head count was done, but estimates are only 100 of 1500 members were present (to evaluate 2007-2008 and preparing new board elections.) When one member protested, they were shouted down by other members and the president who said it was quite legal, they "had done the same thing in the past." Quite in style for these guys who seem to have the same weird ideas about democracy as some of our politicians.
2008-08-19
Wised Up, a Bit Late
Aliansa Patriótiko has been left by parties MAN, FK and NPA, who all realized that they had lost voters' support because of AP's tactics - to note, inciting race riots and starting fist fights (which caused DP to quit first). The only AP parties now are PLKP (no seat) and PS (one seat). But PS Wiels cries out they're growing!
2008-08-16
There's Oil Below Them Thar Waves!
It's rumored that reports strongly indicate that there may be oil around the island. However, those are kept carefully out of sight. PAR Jamaloodin drops the pearl that "government transparency isn't always possible, circumstances may preclude it." Like when there's money on the horizon for those in the know. We should give the government the benefit of the doubt, she adds, not giving us a reason. I may be a dumb voter, but not that big a sucker - I prefer to doubt the government.
PM de Jongh-Elhage explains that there's a clause in the agreements stipulating secrecy (omitting to say who put that in there.) But as the country parliament Staten will get a peek, no doubt there'll be a leak.
Meanwhile, Isla workers agitate to keep the refinery open. People die all over the island, they 'reason', who is to say Isla causes deaths? Edgar Leito should shut up and pay his Shell-pension to ten downwind families. (There's a contradiction there.) It is claimed Leito has sent a letter to Venezuela Chavez to please dismantle the refinery and shove... no, not that: To take it to Venezuela. Too bad it won't work.
But you can hardly blame the (~900) Isla workers for getting paranoid: They are afraid that, just like in 1985 when Shell decided to close, they will be the last to hear about it.
2008-08-15
Olympic Delegation
We do have some guys participating in the Beijing games, but from what we hear they and their entourage form a much smaller group than the (you guessed it) government reps who made the trip to support them. Says minister Leeflang 'she needs to hold their hands' (not an exact quote, but close enough to make her think twice before suing for defamation.) How unselfish of her! We'd like to know how many times she's actually met them over there. One thing you have to admit, our sporters had great training for the Beijing pollution!
2008-08-15
Tula Nationalized
Tula, one of the leaders of the 1795 slave revolution, has a yearly remembrance day. Until last year, that was organized by a private committee, but minister Alcalá-Wallé found the ceremonies too "superficial" and stopped the subsidies (reason: application was one week late), long after she had already instructed island government organization Kas di Kultura to present their version. Opponents protest that this is only because the former organizers are strong sympathizers of the "complete autonomy" movement. So this August 17, we will have two Tula ceremonies! Ain't solidarity great?
2008-08-12
Now They Tell Us
Not so long ago, CTB came out with their yearly misleading cooked-up statistical report on how well tourism was doing. But CHATA hotel association complains that tourism from the USA has gone down with 3%, while prognosis was 15% up. (Who does these prognoses, and how? Cut open a chicken and watch the entrails twist? Or a spreadsheet - yeah, that must be it!) Nou doubt it will get worse with the fuel prices, CHATA prognoses.
In Aruba, June cruise tourism has gone down with 82% - there's only one cruise-ship still coming there (Adventure of the Seas - better avoid it). We would really like to know about those cruise-ships coming here, as we don't remember getting statistics on that; a bad omen. (USA tourism throughout the Caribbean has gone down.)
2008-08-11
Troubled Waters
Soab government accounting once more repeats their regular complaints that all govermnent accounting is a mess. It figures, because as those "working" there know, that makes for great fishing. No wonder that Soab feels the present financial problems are caused by bad administration.
Soab just now checked the Curaçao 2001 report without according it, and hopes to deal with 2002-2004 this year.
Compare this with the fines the taxman will give you when, for example, you're one day late with your monthly OB sales tax return. One more proof that "our" government works for itself as a separate entity in the country - not for the country. It's not unique, of course - you can say that about Hitler Germany, Stalin Russia, Castro Cuba and Chavez Venezuela. To name but a few.
Last joke is, the government hasn't paid Soab to the tune of ANG2.4M.
2008-08-03
A Heave of Relief
As from next year, the catholic schools will go back to teaching pupils reading and arithmetic in Dutch, not Papiamentu, at a cost of ANG2M/year. Reason is that the government never came through with teaching materials, teaching the teachers or delivering the promised assistance. Típiko!
The teachers' union didn't like it one bit and will "support 8 catholic schools to prove Papiamentu is the best choice once again." Their words. Scientific, it ain't.
2008-08-03
even the abandoned Snip
had a more graceful ending
The End of a Sordid Affair
The last DCA MD82, which had been sitting on Hato airport since 2004 when the company went bankrupt, has been towed to the western end of the airport to be demolished there by heavy machinery. It seems obvious no real effort has been made to sell this still very populair type; which exemplifies the disgracious way the affair has been handled ever since government took over from Dutch airline KLM.
2008-08-02
Asjes' Future Threatened
Arsjes, who has gone to court again to fight the judge's last judgment (ending his Selikor job) now's mad because Selikor has scratched his former function there just so "he can't come back there in the future" if and when he wins his case.
While I feel Asjes sheds mere crocodile tears when he goes on about how Selikor has spent over ANG50M in the past twelve years without public tender, even if he's only jealous his point still is well taken. (I suppose they can miss the ANG132K salary of which we haven't been told if he's paying it back.)
Arsjes threatened he will hold everybody who cooperates with scratching the function "personally responsible." I cooperate! FOØL gang member Rojer supports his boss (Godett, who helped Arsjes to the job) by asking his coalition partner PNP Davelaar nasty questions.
By the way, Schotte is still warming his comfy DROV-seat as far as we all know.
2008-08-01
Feeling the Heat
MAN wants to get wider support for Aliansa Patriótiko. They're looking for 'social organizations', not political parties; let's face it, those are abandoning AP one by one.
2008-08-01
Inflation Record - Gas Price Stays High (Here)
While in the USA and Canada gas prices are falling again after the first scare (and while the price of crude has gone down again with 16% from $145 to 125/barrel - was $100 end 2007) here they remain at the same exorbitant level. Shows once more how much Our Leaders really care about the people's problems. (Inflation over the past 12 months was a whopping 4.6%.)
But in Aruba, inflation was 8.4%.
2008-07-31
Maal Has Had It, Lets Them Have It
After eight years of waiting and getting nothing but promises and committees [not] to negotiate with, Willy Maal is taking the Oostpunt affair to court again. Another instance where we will pay unnecessarily for the incompetence of those in charge.
Maal's views (in Dutch)
2008-07-31
Gesundes Volksempfinden Backfires
Some years ago, Pietermaai was renamed after "Papa" Godett, notorious daddy of the present FOØL party-boss. (Everybody keeps calling it Pietermaai regardless.) Now, the streetname-sign has been renewed after some "ruffians" had damaged it. Renewal went a lot faster than much harder needed repairs elsewhere.
Letter-writer Baselmans proposes to name all roads after that guy, so they'll be maintained.
2008-07-31
Ominous
Utility Aqualectra has been working on a Utility Plan 2020. That now has now been changed to Utility Plan 2030. No Comment (nor is any needed.)
2008-07-30
Always Hard Up?
While the government keeps borrowing money, you can't pay your car tax for the second half of the year before August 8. Reason is, the license plate stickers will not have arrived before then.
2008-07-30
Godett's Bonus
FOØL Godett, while deputy of infrastructure, also is president of UTS telecom (for which he gets a yearly salary of ANG45K.) UTS trade union protests, saying this is illegal and asks gezaghebber to take steps to stop it. Godett, not that this is a big surprise, thinks it's quite all right; "his predecessors also got it" and, which is unexpected, "he even paid income tax on it."
2008-07-30
FK Wises up
FK Navarro, back here after a month, is disgusted with Aliansa Patriótiko's mongering; first NPA Pierrot hit DP George; then PS Wiels incited race riots. FK now considers leaving AP, which DP did already.
2008-07-30
Willem Wised up! Blow Me down
PAR Willem figured it out: You might get a credit from Venezuela to get oil products on the cuff, sooner or later you're gonna have to pay anyway. He thinks it's better not to. We wholeheartedly agree.
2008-07-29
Banana Oil
Some, no doubt well meaning, people in Holland are collecting money to send a tractor to Curaçao, so we can start growing you-know-what to prove our "republic"'s name. First, we have at least one tractor, which you can order from LVV agricultural dept. for a nominal fee. Second, as Duke Ellington used to cry out, "Don't waste it!"
2008-07-29
Close the Refinery - When the Contract Expires
A new Movementu Solushon Isla proposes to close the refinery - in 2019. Not to worry folks, it will then be closed no matter what, and you can quote me: No more oil left to process.
Amazingly, other groups want to keep it going after then! Processing hot air, no doubt.
2008-07-29
Bad Bag Blues
This keeps popping up: Paper versus plastic bags. While everybody agrees white bags blowing about landscapes are a pest and an eyesore, they are not more polluting, no matter how you look at it. So we can stop worrying about that and concentrate on more important subjects.
Check out this article; but to put it in a nutshell:-
Making a paper bag uses 5 times as much energy than plastic; 20 times as much water; it weighs 10 times as much and takes up 7 times the space in transport. In a landfill (where neither will decompose) they use up more space as well. Recycling paper takes 10 times as much energy per bag, or 100 times as much per pound. "Increased use of paper bags means an increase in environmental ills including air and water pollution, greater energy and water use and higher greenhouse gas emissions."
And remember, it's you who'll pay for all that.
2008-07-29
Pink Paradise Lost
PAR Minister Leeflang published a letter in which she fulminated against the Dutch for imposing their pro-gay laws, like marriage, on us. Fair warning: If you happen to be gay, don't go for that tourist propaganda that this island is soooo gay-friendly.
2008-07-29
Corruption? "Internal Affairs."
NL PVV Brinkman has asked some questions about corruption in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.
About the Antilles, staatssecretaris Bijleveld said she was discussing it with the Antillean government, but she had no formal power to intercede in "internal affairs". She did promise to come with more facts in October on nepotism and conflicts of interest, and that the financial aid would be on condition of several criteria connected with "proper governance". But she wouldn't have an idea on how many cases had recently been in court - those were "internal affairs". She did confirm "corruption is a punishable offence" here. (That's good to know - they had me worried there.)
Dutch minister Hirsch Ballin said about Aruba, there had been several corruption cases in court but he wouldn't know how much money was involved, that was Aruba's "internal affair". Same for public contracts, hiring personnel and working of department of justice: All Aruba's (you guessed it) "internal affairs".
Of course both know damn well all those "internal affairs" are public, and public knowledge.
2008-07-26
Corruption? It's Endemic.
Two guys (Roberto Maldonado and Jason Debrot) working for Curoil, local distribution company for Isla products, took their leave when it became known they had set up their own company to sell products they bought on foreign markets to Curoil. Curoil said they knew all about it, but this was a quite usual way for them to do business - which explains a lot. They only got disgusted with the guys when a Panamá dealer seized two cars and one yacht belonging to them, because they omitted to pay his $1.4M invoice. Curoil first did not want to prosecute the guys and says they 'didn't lose any money' because of this; after all, they sold (to us) with a profit; no matter that it could have been higher.
After DP George started asking nasty questions about what's now called 'Curoilgate', Curoil fired director Capella and may sue for unrealized profits estimated at $287K.
Next thing you knew, Joost Pronk announced that, after all, there is clean (low sulfur) diesel fuel available on the island! One of the fired duo "told him so himself." I guess that makes it true. Seriously, last year Curoil promised they'd start selling clean diesel early this year. As it turns out now, they do sell clean diesel to Santo Domingo - and they buy it in Panamá cheaper (including transport) than from PdVSA/Isla.
2008-07-26
Hurt Them Where They Feel It
Again, RD Lampe's car has been damaged on the parking place of the Aruba parliament, where he's a not very popular opposition member. Lampe "suspects" governing party MEP is involved; he feels the money now spent on luxurious interior decorating might better be applied to protecting the premises.
2008-07-26
Dead Dolphin
Another Seaquarium dolphin died, Nemo, # 7 in what's promising to be a long list. Not to worry, though, the remaining lot will make more hours to ensure therapy will go on as usual.
It's a never-ending source of wonder to me that the same people who rave about dolphins being so smart and almost-human tend to be the very ones that love to keep them as slaves.
2008-07-24
Guess Who Pays for Tourism!
It turns out that the airlines flying to Curaçao all get guarantees if they are not full to 60% capacity. Lion's Dive hotel manager Will Vogel figures it all out in a letter to Amigoe editor:
| airline | flights/week | seats | à USD | Total |
| American | 7 | 1036 | 52 | 53,872 |
| Continental | 1 | 124 | 52 | 6,448 |
| Delta | 1 | 154 | 52 | 8,008 |
| Total per week: | 68,328 | |||
| Air Jamaica | 4 | 500 | (estimate) | 20,800 |
| InselAir | 4 | 800 | (planned) | 39,736 |
| JetBlue | 3 | 800 | (invited) | 15,600 |
| total capacity | 139,464 | |||
| total guarantee | 83,928 | |||
| yearly | capacity | 177,528 | guarantee | 4,364,256 |
| US visitors | maximum ever | 45,000 |
A pity Vogel doesn't make clear if this is paid by CTB (or, island government). I'm pretty sure that it is not paid by CHATA.
Meanwhile, CTB is also insisting we need more hotel capacity...
2008-07-24
Very Ironic
One day after the USA court session on CDM slavery became public, MAN Eisden thought it opportune to blame the Dutch government once again for the slavery in the past, claiming it had to do with "bagatellising Curaçao people's right of self-determination" and referring to "UN-treaties accorded by Holland."
First, her own party was a government member while those Cuban slaves worked here for a government-owned company (which Holland ended effectively); second, the UN has let it known repeatedly that the treaties are respected by Holland.
After having seen the trailer (!) for a documentary on the affair, newspaper Amigoe judges it is more anti-Castro (than anti-CDM?) and seems to agree with CDM management that the trio was just "looking for a way to escape from Cuba." We, only now, at least know 100 Cubans were at work at CDM.
The judge explicitely said that one of the reasons CDM will have to pay heavy fines is that the management has not deigned to appear at the sittings.
2008-07-24
CDM Slave Case in Miami Court - Management Manages Not to Show up
Now it's coming out in the wash. Cubans sent over to work at Curaçao Dock (under the supervision of Castro's wife's nephew) were supposed to get $1500/month for 112 hours/week, but instead received 12/day - as a food allotment - plus $18 month in wages. Normal wages would have been $6.90/hour. They also got board and lodging - where they were forced to stay all the time.
The balance was used to allow Cuba to pay off its debts to the Curaçao government; the very same guys who now are complaining about neo-colonialism and the return of slavery. This cosy affair was broken up in July 2007 after Holland stopped giving Cubans visa to work at CDM. Yet another colonial intervention in our internal affairs! Castro's nephew, bomba Manuel de Jesus Bequer Soto Del Valle, "a Nazi", then sued CDM (he'd probably become superfluous) and was recompensed with $125,000 in damages. I guess [NOT] it was used to pay off Cuba's debt.
The management of CDM declined to show up in court and their attorneys have asked the court to allow them to be removed from the case, citing "irreconcilable differences" - a very rare thing for attorneys to do. The workers' attorneys assert Curacao Dry Dock is trying to dodge the case -- and a financial judgment against the firm -- by not cooperating in the suit.
After the USA court pronounces judgment, the case will probably move to Curaçao court, as the USA have no jurisdiction here. That could be fun!
Nice tidbit: Cuban government and the Curacao Dry Dock company may have formed the joint venture to skirt the U.S. trade embargo against Cuba. Final sordid detail: the escaped Cuban's attorneys claim revenge is taken on those families remaining in Cuba by refusing their children access to day care and higher education. ¡Viva la Revolución!
Our information comes from The Miami Herald who gave it much more attention than our own newspapers.
Verdict (August 7): CDM, after having 'conspired' with the Cuban government, will be held responsible for the Cuban workers' damages. May well result in CDM having to pay millions of dollars. Like the Dutch are wont to say, "count out your profit."
2008-07-23
Godett at Statistical Loss
FO
Farmers who work hard for a living should be exempt from taxes, he feels. Well, we all work hard for a living, Godett; then we pay taxes to support all those politicians who (he got that one right) do not do any real work.
2008-07-23
Not Wanted by Police
The Customs Dept., always on the alert for cocaine smugglers, would not mind use of a helicopter to intercept beach landings, but doesn't want to pay for it alone. But minister of justice Dick is not enthusiastic at all. Maybe because his department has had experience with helicopters in the past.
2008-07-23
Jolly Good Idea!
"The Ivory Coast government is halving the salaries of its ministers to pay for a reduction in the price of fuel" and "the managers of state-owned companies would also have their pay cut in half, to pay for a 10% cut in fuel prices." "Overseas trips by government members would be reduced to a 'bare minimum'" (all our country government trips are overseas) - "running costs and investments in government departments would also be cut."
"Having heard the people's cry from the heart, the government has decided to cut the price of fuel," PM Guillaume Soro said. (BBC 2008-07-21) Which explains why it won't happen here. Just like this.
2008-07-22
That Might Explain It
PAR Deputy Jesus-Leito complains that the opposition is never present at the meetings of the Committee for Political Structure [staatkundige structuur]. But DP George says they never get the information they request, so what's the use of sitting there as a dummy?
George gives PAR PM de Jongh-Elhage one week to explain why the advice by Raad van State (on financial supervision) leaves out fundamental and politically sensitive matters from the concept. He joins many of us when he says he's disgusted with the 'mendacious, manipulative and intimidating actions' of island and country government. Finally, he feels that there is a conflict of interests by having Frank Kunneman as a committee member. De Jong-Elhage denies all this and gives George one week to show proof, but fails to show that concept-advice.
George's reaction was to request governor Goedgedrag to take steps for guaranteeing Raad van Advies' integrity. PAR Willem says George doesn't get it, "it doesn't matter how many functions you have, but how you handle them."
2008-07-22
"The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed - and hence clamorous to be led to safety -
by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary."
(H.L. Mencken)
Wiels Shows How Much He Knows
Wiels is against the governor, as the queen's rep., being a member of the Antillean Raad van Advies [advise council). Says Wiels that in Holland the queen may well be a member of the Raad van State, but Holland "has a monarchy for which it chose itself" - showing once again that most of the time he doesn't know what he's talking about. Not that we needed more proof.
2008-07-21
This Is Getting Boring
Of the 539 job appointments by bestuurscollege [island government] between 2003-2007, there is hardly a single one that conforms to correct procedures. Anyway, theoretically there was a personnel hiring stop in force during that time. Just like now. Present BC has decided it will stop the practice of helping ex-members to lucrative jobs. O Yeah?
2008-07-20
Tourism: What's in It for Us?
Building of that giant Renaissance hotel on the Otrabanda Rif is a year behind schedule, because of delays by Manhattan (USA) building contractor. Not only does Manhattan have a tax holiday, they thought they'd make some extra money by selling those import-duty free materials to a local contractor, Betonbouw, raided by Customs officials to check this. Again we ask bewilderedly, why are we supposed to pay all those taxes, but not the tourists? Aren't we supposed to make money on them?
2008-07-18
Space Sickness
Some bright guys from Holland want to start a Caribbean spaceport here, where they plan to offer trips in space. I am sure that the well-known risks to your health will not stop them from getting some foolish customers; on the other hand, the price may pose a limit.
Let's look at this in detail, lifted from their web site and a presentation held here to crimp investors.
Space travel could "possibly be possible" two years from now.The trip would go up for one hundred kilometers (just fine to get a massive dose of cosmic radiation) and return after 4-8 minutes of weightlessness. Total time 3 hours (about 1/30th of this spent up there, vomiting: "Also known as 'the vomit comet,' KC-135's are used to simulate weightlessness. The plane soars to high altitudes, then falls back toward the ground, giving passengers a few seconds of zero-G experience" - 911 myths. What fun!) Price $150K-$250K - who knows; anyway, surely stems from before the recent energy price problem. Don't forget either, all space travel turns out to be at least 4-10 times as expensive as originally
First phase investment $150M. "Aw, that's peanuts for some people" the promoters wishfully think; makes one wonder why they come search over here with things so tight. (Nobody shared their fresh enthousiasm.)
They want to use Hato airport with its long runway and other facilities, "which are not present at other locations." Huh? The space craft does not make much more noise than a Boeing 747, they claim, conveniently forgetting to mention how much more and which 747 (the 1970 models were well over twice as noisy than the latest).
TU-Delft has done feasibility studies; it's technically possible and there are sufficient potential customers. These at least have to be millionaires or have a yearly income of $250K. There are 9.5M of that species all over the world, and 12% of those may well be interested ["is wel geïnteresseerd"]. That's 100,000 potential customers (we figured that out, they somehow forgot to mention it - but, realistically, how many millionaires would spend one quarter of their possessions on this? and how many guys a year's income?); this total clientèle has to be shared with similar projects in Dubai, Sweden and California USA. Hmmm...
I have given this fruit of the loop more attention than it deserves, as it's a hobby of mine: There's no place for humans in space. Much to my regret, in more ways than one; but not surprising at all seeing where we evolved.
2008-07-16
Come Home, Kids... Please?
Remigration is a subject that has been popular for many years (except with remigrators); now MAN Eisden brought it back up. Many subsidies have been spent on it (I did sound engineering for at least one tv-movie on it myself) without any business resulting. Small wonder; after those Antilleans got out and wised up they prefer to stay out. For some reason (hint: read on).
2008-07-16
Is That News?
Newspapers published that in May island government has spent 13.7M more than budgetted for (18.3% over - compare with next item), which was ANG80M in the red already; so now that's over 94M as 0.5M less came in. Total debt grew to 2,9G. It may not be new news, but it is bad news.
2008-07-16
No More Eggs... No More Nuffin'
The government in all its imposing wisdom has decreed that the profit margin of sellers to the public is reduced from 11% to 5%. (How they will control this isn't very clear). The supermarkets do not like it and will, in protest, stop selling "fresh" eggs. They call 'em fresh; it's hard to find one that won't stand upright in a pan of water (a stance to jump out?) when you boil it. The price of eggs went up from 2.95 to 4.95 a dozen, just like that, about a year ago. This more or less coincided with a lower feed price as agents were allowed to import foreign chicken feed, with the final demise of Continental Milling. The story is that government economic affairs does now allow a higher margin on egg production. Result is that about half (30,000/day) of produced eggs remain unsold. Egg producers are pushing for a retail price of ANG6.95/dozen (plus 5% sales tax) - USA retail is the equivalent of 6.66, but quality there tends to be appreciably higher. Egg producers complain imports are sales-tax free.
Meanwhile, a group of well-meaning but badly-thinking guys wants to stimulate our agriculture: "We must produce more food of our own." Please. What a waste of effort and energy.
2008-07-16
Ready, Five Years Late - Now, Start All Over Again?
The Isla Refinery Upgrading Program is finally (almost) finished, five years late. Too bad they will now only fulfill stipulations that are 25 years old; times have changed and requirements have become rather more stringent. Then, the amounts of sulfur could still be much too high anyway acoording to those old stipulations; the judge is looking at this.
All this has cost ANG560M. If you figure that, as it seems, the refinery could save 6M a year by not having to burn all that sulfur in their crummy installations, if they had been on time 30M would have been earned back already. It has been paid by the island and Isla, read: Us.
2008-07-13
Copppal: Questionmark
We have been wondering before what Aliansa Patriótiko thought to achieve with enlisting Coppal's aid in their intrepid struggle against colonialism. Dutch foreign minister Verhagen agrees with us here. The UN decolonization commission only considers correspondence by governments (tough if that is a - legal - colonial government, of course), so there's not much Copppal can do. I thought so all the time.
Apart from this, did Coppal listen to anybody else but those Aliansa Patriótiko hotheads before deciding to storm the UN building?
2008-07-13
This Can't Go On
Even the eternally optimistic tourist bureau CTB warns that the 40% higher number of visitors this year viz. last won't grow much higher. They even foresee lower number later this year, as well they might - what with oil prices boiling over out of the barrel. They try to get more Brazilians over here. Most visitors now are from Holland and Venezuela. Not many words about those USA-visitors staying away in droves, even if the Miami tourist office is the most expensive CTB has - for all we know, which isn't very much.
By the way, a week later we read cruise passengers rate Curaçao 16 on a list of 18. Efforts to build another cruise terminal in Caracasbaai will not be stopped by such facts.
2008-07-13
Wiels Won't Shut Up
They took his radio program away after the race riots, because he was calling the coalition partners "thieves and prostitutes" (not puta=whore), so now he's going on with them on his PS party website.
FOL Adriaensz regretted that our judges held up the freedom of expression guaranteed in our constitution; 'they judge according to European standards' (read: not following politicians' whims as is more usual around here), so the only way to shut up Wiels was to threaten taking away the station's license.
2008-07-08
About Time, Too - Two
The coalition, in power for over a year now (equals 1/4 of their total period) has finally seem fit to present their program. No, that's wrong - they say it's ready, but it has not been sent to eilandsraad.
2008-07-08
About Those Prices
All over the world, all sorts of prices are going up. Unavoidably, here as well. But look at this: A supermarket reprices obviously old stock, making it 6.5% more expensive. It's worth their while because they underpay their personnel: That good old mining town island economy.
To mention in passing, the can was marked 2006 as last year of consumption.
2008-07-06
Wiels Rocks the Boat
That nobody is all bad was shown by PS Wiels' proposal that all deputies who are members of eilandsraad [island parliament] as well, must relinquish their functions as chairman or director of government-owned companies. This because they cannot lawfully vote on those companies' budgets. Four deputies are in this position, and the coalition would be in trouble if they had to go. Good thinking, Wiels! Surprising! (Or did somebody whisper in your ear?)
This should have been obvious years ago, but who would rock the boat then?
2008-07-05
Megalomania Up in the Air
While Curaçao had a police helicopter for some years and got rid of it (they couldn't settle the bill) there is talk again of renting a thing like that from Blue Skies, driven by Rob Tielen. He also had the luminous idea of going up every morning and giving traffic reports - as he said, Caracasbaaiweg and Gosieweg are congested each and every morning. Sure, we all know that. A fat lot of good (except to his wallet) it will do to have him report on it - where else can the poor
Times are hard, sure. For us all, so consider. In Chicago, "David Bayless, spokesman for the 13,600-officer Chicago Police Department, said [...] helicopters wouldn't pay off." (Chicago city has 20 times our inhabitants on 1.5 times the area). I rest my case.
2008-07-04
Great Public Circus Performance, "Free"!
Yes, all celebrations on the "Day of the Hymn and Flag" were free (not counting the tax payers' contribution, but nothing special about that.) In contrast to years past very few cars were adorned with a flag. People are wising up? All politicians held speeches spouting their particular hobbies; only DP George (continuing a growing tradition) wasn't there because 'he didn't want to affront the public by playing the hypocrite.' Regular letter-to-the-editor writer Donker next day called PLKP Bakoba, PS Wiels, MAN Cooper and FK Navarro 'The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse' and pointed out their racism (he forgot fifth wheel NPA Pierrot). Stanley Brown who has been promoting a part-of-Holland status for Curaçao (after being involved in the 30 May 1969 riots) writes it's all racism - just like in 1969; which, oddly, he then pronounces to be a good thing, still!
Speaking about tax, to celebrate the occasion last year,
By the way, what happened to all those flags that we were supposed to get free four years ago? Well, free... they had been paid for with .6M of tax payers' money. They were later sold in hardwares and supermarkets - can't help wondering who raked in those proceeds.
2008-07-04
Talk about Chutzpah
Alianso Patriótiko published an article in which they blamed all race riots not on Wiels' inciting speeches; no, on the coalition, because they had accorded financial supervision for the government. (See Wiels' style for yourself).
PLKP Bakoba (after announcing his retirement years ago, since then voted out by the people) advised us to fly the flags at half-mast on today's "Hymn and Flag" day. Not because it's so sad these riots broke out; no, because the coalition accorded government supervision. All very promising.
When will those asinine politicians finally wake up to the hard fact that it's exactly fascist Vollkslied und Fahne worshipping that stimulates racist feelings? Not to mention the Volkssprache.
Remember Wilhelm Tell where the people had to salute some guy's hat?
2008-07-02
A Little Pollution - Who Cares?
The case of inhabitants breathing the pollution from Isla refinery came in court again yesterday. This time, Isla claimed that SO2 pollution wasn't so bad, really; they supported this by quoting wind factors different from those published by the Meteo service.Isla then asked for yet another report.
SMOC lawyer In 't Veldt felt time for reports was over and it was now a matter of conforming to requirements.
Isla would make $500K/year if they took the trouble to implement a Sulfur Recovery Unit (takes 10 weeks) improving efficiency from 65 to 68%; just never took the trouble even if it would result in acceptable figures. Same for the Sour Water Stripper, but extra profits there "only" $300K/year; makes their attitude very hard to understand.
Isla claims they couldn't use higher grade fuel, nor an additive to the cat cracker costing $2 or 3M/year (not very precise, that), 1% of their yearly profits.
The judge found Isla might have come a bit sooner with some proposals, than on the last afternoon of an 18-month procedure. He will pronounce judgement on August 11 (after getting more meteo-info), without waiting for yet another proposal to be presented on August 30. Isla also refused to answer several pointed questions on their former explicit statements that they would be forced to close down when they would have to clean up their act.
2008-07-01
"Some of Our Best Friends Are White"
After the race riots, gezaghebber (technically chief of police) Lindial held a speech about what a shame it all was. Among the pearls that sprang, toad-like, from her lips was the remark that we all had some white friend; and that (are you ready?) even some white Curazoleños now are afraid to go out on the streets.
Being curious, I checked. The city of New York has 1 (one) police commissioner - we have 6 (count 'em: six); that's almost 55 times as many per head.
2008-06-30
Race Riots Bring Back Fond Memories of May 1969
Before the Algemene Maatregel van Rijksbestuur [for financial supervision of our government] was accorded by the coalition, the opposition had its say, supported by an angry mob of supporters outside the building. They were against, making clear that their beloved autonomy wants to go on spending. Champ was PS Wiels, who not only loudly called for civil disobedience but proceeded to predict "war in this country if this goes through." He managed to make a nice start the same day:-
After newspapers first wrote that the riots at island goverment building had fudzed out, next day it turned out that later in the day the mob started throwing stones, bottles, traffic signs and even a molotov-cocktail (which failed to explode), while traffic was molested, cars turned over, power cables cut. As always, mobbers tried to seduce police into hard action to show that footage all over the world. It didn't work.
All very much like the muslim riots in France, which have just been getting underway for the season.
Later at night a group of (Dutch, white - yes, that's important in this context) students gathering in a bar was attacked by a mob of about 60 throwing stones, firecrackers and "liquids from jerrycans". (The same happened in another bar fairly far away from there. One male suffered a fractured skull.) When it was all over, police turned up to write out reports. The mob's slogan was "Nos ke saka tur makamba for di Kòrsou" [we want to kick all (Dutch) honkies off]. At least it made clear what Wiels' and consorts' real problem is, completely refuting his protestations. One does wonder if this gang of ruffians will, yes, 'discriminate' between Dutch and tourist honkies.
It took a month for the police to arrest one (1) of the stone-throwers.
Several deputies and counsellors went to the police and denounced Wiels for 'insults, intimidation and threats.'
2008-06-28
Please Reverse Charges
The EU wants all inhabitants of the Netherlands Antilles to vote for Dutch parliament (in Holland). Fine. How about giving the inhabitants of Holland the same rights here? After all, Our Leaders insist on everybody having the same rights all over the kingdom, and fair's fair.
2008-06-26
Brinkman Confirmed
Once POK was safely over and done with, Bijleveld confirmed (in Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant) that Brinkman was quite right: Corruption is rife in the Antilles and the St. Maarten situation is "precarious".
Friday - Robert Heinlein
Keep on Trying
Not so many years ago, island government accorded the EOP [island development plan] in which, among other things, a number of terrains were set apart for conservation.
(One of those was Oostpunt, owned by the Maal family, which was declared out-of-bounds for development; next thing the government started charging property tax for something that had become valueless in commercial terms. But that's another story.)
Time and time again, when a developer casts his beady eye on some property, conservation turns out to be less desirable then cash money is, and politicians will eagerly aid and abet so the area will be developed; especially if their name is Godett. Like the Aqualectra wind mills producing energy. Now, it's at the Jan Thiel tourist developments, which feel they need still more built-up areas. As always all over the world, once some real estate has been declared a natural conservation area, the struggle is not over by a long way; the efforts by project developers to nibble away at them will never stop.
Looking at the drawings presented by Halabi, it seems pretty obvious that he instructed his architects not to bother with EOP restrictions - he'd fix that.
Amigu di Tera [Friends of the earth] has started a protest against this, which you can join by sending them an e-mail at amiguditera@gmail.com with the subject "Jan Thiel". Sorry, only in Dutch.
You can also sign a petition on-line (English).
Almost 5000 petitions were signed and presented to gezaghebber on July 25. This is an extremely high number for Curaçao.
As it turns out, the civil servants pension fund APNA was owner of the terrain involved, but Halabi sold his option to Dutch developer Breevast. Development costs >200M and will be financed, in part, by Korpodeko (set up to finance small business) and other government money. A heavy smell of fish permeates this project.
2008-06-25
SMOC Starts Suing in EEC
SMOC is now suing PAR minister of health Leeflang at the European Court of Human Rights for not having taken action to protect children against the deadly pollution by Isla refinery. SMOC's George says they do no wish to wait until all court delaying actions have been exhausted by country and island government, Isla and PdVSA.
2008-06-25
Rats Come Back on Ship
Another ex-con and deputy, MAN Benny Demei (as far as I know, no relation - certainly not in spirit) wants to come back to restart fishing in our waters, as those may be getting troubled enough for him. Demei is bragging he will stimulate our economy; he "brought sports betting to Curaçao which resulted in 2000 jobs" - an insolent lie: It resulted in him losing his deputy-ship and doing time in jail.
Demei also was the man who took along a director of Aqualectra to a USA conference on "zero energy"; a wild perpetuum mobile like idea to produce free energy at no cost with no input, based on quantum physics theories which he could not understand.
Trash Megalomania
Our trash utility has published a book on its extensive history: They are fully 12.5 years old.
There must be pots o' money in the trash business.
2008-06-24
Minetown Economy
Elsewhere, you can find my reports on the soft-drink battle. Here's an update: Until last week, a Venezuelan 2 liter bottle of Coca-Cola cost ANG3.25; it has now gone up to 3.95/$2.17). Don't try to explain to me that the Venezuela Bolivar exchange rate or transport costs have gone up - some supermarket owners had a friendly get-together at the Portuguese Club over the week-end and figured the market would bear it. Of course: where else can you go?
A Curaçao-made bottle, which used to be what a Venezuela bottle costs now, "coincidentally" simultaneously, went up to ANG4.95/$2.89. Meanwhile, inflation in Venezuela is over 30%, so for us the price should have gone down to about ANG2.17.
This morning, I shipped some negatives over by UPS to the USA for scanning. I had to pay a fuel surcharge of ANG23.60/$13.11. The US company will now refund what I prepaid for shipping from Hoboken NJ: $9.17. Total.
There is a lot to be said in favor of price controls; which doesn't mean government costs don't need some reigning in. Whoa!
2008-06-23
Refinery Free to Pollute
In the latest round in court, island government had a rather original argument: The Nuisance Act can never be applied to Isla refinery as regards SO2 output, because everybody knew damn well all the time that it was impossible for them to comply. (Too bad they forgot to put that in writing.)
Meanwhile, the situation has changed because bestuurscollege [island government] has signed the SEI, promising to make Isla comply. Why they should have committed such a rash act may be as much a question to themselves as to us.
MAN Cooper has been rebuked by PAR because, as an Isla worker and a people's rep, he is not allowed to go about making propaganda to sell the refinery to PdVSA - lock, stock and barrel or otherwise.
2008-06-23
My Chance to Make Some Money?
Is what I thought when I read there'll be yet another commission, now on the so-called "democratic deficit" - after all, you only have to read these pages to see why I would be a real expert there!
But alas, it's not on the deficit I keep going on about (that the government does what they want without caring one bit what we want;) nooooh, the deficit is that the island politicians feel there is no control of the kingdom's ministers by chosen people's representatives.
Too bad - no easy money will be coming this way. Gee, I keep wondering what they pay those commissions.
2008-06-23
Another Way of Looking at it
DP George, long since having stepped out (or having been kicked out) of Alianso Patriótiko has his own view on the Slotverklaring (under POK discussions) that same AP is so strongly against: If the situation here indeed is so bad, according to the Statuut Holland is obligated to do something about it. On the other hand, the Antilles have no guarantee that Holland will keep its promises as those have to ratified by Dutch parliament in which we have no say.
2008-06-23
They Never Told Me That!
Brinkman's blog on the present POK talks is replete with interest, even if you don't agree with him. For regular Circus visitors, not much news there, but this was news to me: Pensioned Antilleans can get rid of all future income tax payments by paying 10% of their income in one year - that's it. Normal income tax itself is well over 10% of your income. Makes one wonder what one, or Brinkman, knows.
2008-06-20
Racism
PAR Education minister Leeflang, in a letter to Amigoe editor, points at the racism spread by Aliansa Patriótiko, a combination of opposition parties whose main common characteristic is they want to be free of Holland; thankfully, they can't agree on very much else. This is worth delving into in some more detail.
Dirty pink to light brown, depending, myself, I was born here and in my school years thus was considered to be a yu'i Korsou; then in Dutch a landskind [child of the country]. Now, you have to be koló skur [dark colored] to be one, even if no politician as yet dares to come right out and say so; after all, many members of their own parties look white to the casual observer. With the fine disregard for history you'd expect from those guys, they say that the island belongs to "them" because "they" were here first. Firstly, they were not - the Europeans took 'em here much against their wishes; secondly, since when has this been an historical "right"?
2008-06-20
Schooling Stupidity
Now that youngsters must be at school until they're 18 years old, parents find out there are not enough schools to absorb their children. Another proof that many of our 'policy makers' didn't pick up much when they were in school.
2008-06-20
Now, It Can Be Done?!
All of a sudden, an island delegation has hurriedly departed for Caracas to meet with oil bosses and discuss the refinery problems. Until a short while ago, we were told it was impossible to execute those necessary improvements; but now it gets serious, so maybe it is possible after all. Not that this lowers Isla's credibility: It was zero long since.
2008-06-18
The 2 Rs
Yes, only 2, because NPA R. Rooijer shows once again he doesn't have an inkling of Arithmetic. The supermarkets must lower their prices to help the poor poulation out: "Their profits increase when prices go up." Renfred must be too dumb to realize that the same goes for the 5% sales tax, import duties, profit taxes and... you know, all those things that result in more government money.
Not to mention that it's impossible to have the supermarkets lower their prices, as RR seems to ask, for only the poor sector of the population.
2008-06-18
Transparent Discussions in Private
In the new meetings on future politics between the Antilles and Holland, the Antillean politicians insist on private discussions with no press present. I suppose this is all in the interest of the "transparency" they like so much (to talk about). They, for once as one person, say they won't pay attention to Brinkman's list, but the chairman has announced this will be not be so easy; he can't guarantee that the Antilleans won't get involved (like earlier this year) in such heavy quarreling that they can only save their face by leaving the meeting in protest - a regular habit for our so-called politicians. But, contrary to their act, they have read Brinkman's document and harbor (and stevedore company) director Lopez Ramirez is suing him. And at least one newspaper gives extensive daily quotations of Brinkman's column.
These meetings are titled POK, Parlementair Overleg Koninkrijksrelaties [parliamentary discussions on kingdom relations]. So now you know.
2008-06-18
Boring Old Story: Incompetence and Worse
While the container harbor should be one of the pillars of our economy, most ships now prefer to use Aruba. Firstly, our harbor workers have an 8 hour workday, so ships have to spend valuable time in harbor overnight. (Those workers are united in a trade union inherited from Godett's father, a guy even more notorious than his kids.) Then, most of the cranes are out of order - just like at CDM Curaçao Dock shipbuilding yard.
2008-06-18
Commission Controversy
DP George counts 14 permanent commissions in eilandsraad [island parliament]. Of these, only four have been meeting at all during the past year, of which one has had only one (1) meeting. George feels they should be abolished.
What! And give up that extra recompensation? As I remarked before, and again, "Gee, I wonder how much those commission members get paid?"
2008-06-16
Economy Not So Great?
This came earlier than we figured, but Rhuggenaath's optimism about the growing economy turns out to have been premature: Inflation over May was 0.8% compared with April, bringing the yearly figure to 4.2%.
2008-06-16
Now, Experts Agree
Papiamentu's phonetic spelling is complicated, clumsy and a handicap in using it in education (and, I may add, anywhere else) say the people who publish Papiamentu-Dutch dictionaries: It should be discarded in favor of an etymological spelling.
The only problem I have with this is that those guys seem to think inconsistencies in spelling systems are avoidable. They're not.
2008-06-16
Rèspèt-Me-Not
Our Leaders must have heaved a sigh of elation when Dutch parliament decided not to follow up on Brinkman's motion. They announced the report was, after all, no reason not to enter into the POK discussions. Before, they threatened not to because Brinkman showed "no respect" for them and was always insulting them. Now read what minister Dick says: "Brinkman is derailed [...] unbalanced [...] I'm not going to a psychiatric ward for discussions with patients either." Not a legal expert (by the way, just like Dick) I educatedly guess Brinkman has ample grounds to sue our minister of justice for defamation here.
Meanwhile, as is only to be expected, the politicians have no inkling of how many voters here agree with Brinkman. E-mails referring to the list on Dutch PVV party site are making the rounds. And Dick's traffic bust isn't even on Brinkman's list!
2008-06-14
Brinkman's Checklist of Corruption Cases
Judge for yourself if NL politician Brinkman is really all bad. "Our" politicians resent him, but that's only natural: As far as I can see, his cases are all correct; matter of fact, many of them have been listed on these pages. Check out the PDF version.
Amigoe newspaper comments it's all old hat, and chooses to refer to a letter of (you'll never guess) Asjes in support. Now, really! Is Amigoe now in league with the Bad Boys? Many of Brinkman's cases have been lifted from Amigoe's pages, but they also come from web site Korompi [corruption] for anonymous power abuse reporting.
Dutch parliament voted down Brinkman's motion to investigate Antillean corruption. No doubt they have their reasons.
The day before, it was announced that Marchena, first member of PLKP, then FOL and finally MSL, has been made Godett's agriculture advisor. Marchena is an aircraft mechanic who for a year has been "working" for government Stafburo without having any function there.
2008-06-13
Ombudsman Out
Island government tries everything in their means to stop ombudsman Wiels from investigating gezaghebber having given a job to an intimate friend (as the saying goes) as a member of a public commission. DP George concludes that Wiels is within his rights as stipulated in island law. His function is completely independent to guarantee nobody can stop his investigations.
2008-06-10
The Boob Tube
Telecuraçao, a stronghold of Godett's FOL, only wanted to transmit a world championship football match NL-Italy when commentary was in Papiamentu. Holland gave in; with the result that there was a Dutch, English and Papiamentu commentary - but no stadium audience sound (admittedly, no great miss).
2008-06-10
Godett's Schlägergruppe
PS opposition member Wiels lodged a complaint against deputy Godett ordering his brother to teach Wiels a little lesson by knocking him around a bit. Godett denies this, adding "he didn't do a good job, I would have finished it." He took exception to Wiels' repeated statements Godett is a convicted thief, which (even while it's true) he thought offensive; he then offensively proceeded to insinuate once again Wiels is a homosexual.
Shades of Hitler and his gangs of ruffians roaming München.
2008-06-07
Waiting for Godett
United groups representing Otrabanda interests have been waiting for an island government reaction to their proposals since July 2007. But politicians prefer the large-scale approach, where, might be not incidentally, there's more money to be made.
The Otrabanda proposal is more on Small is Beautiful lines, going for a participative economy, a healthy environment, human diversity and an open city, for a change accessible to everybody.
The Otrabanda groups lodged a complaint with ombudsman Wiels 3 weeks later.
2008-06-01
Cooper's Advise
The guy has been helped to a, no doubt lucrative, job as advisor to the refinery, and he now advises to sell it lock, stock and barrel to PdVSA. He pooh-poohs the "so-called" health problems and thinks that then we will get a discount, so future oil price jumps can just be disregarded. He claims the refinery is "easily" worth 3G guilders (.5G up from what he said last week). That last amount can be used for environmental improvements (needed are at least 1.5G-1.9G), and finally we'll have 1G left to pay our collective debts.
Meanwhile, island government, Isla and PdVSA have been trying for years to find a
2008-05-31
We Are Not Terrorists
The mini-bus drivers seem to have taken hints from Jihad and Fitna: When you call them terrorists, they protest terroristically. Rhuggenaath did so, and they went out in a violent mob, disrupting traffic (and leaving their esteemed clientèle in the lurch), puncturing tires of large buses, even slashing and burning tires of those colleagues who didn't join them. Quod Erat Demonstrandum.
They want ANG25/day fuel subsidy. CHORUS: "Me too! Me too!"
Now that they asked for it, I can confirm this is a Wild Bunch in the first place. No road-rules seem to apply to them: They stop everywhere, even blocking crossings, to pick up passengers. I avoid riding them as a passenger - your heart jumps to your throat when they overtake in road bends.
2008-05-30
Isla Closing Down This Year!
According to their own statements (but these have not always been completely truthful). What happened is, the SEI Social Economic Initiative signed last week decrees among many other things (under pressure of Holland) that "Isla must comply with nuisance act demands before the end of this year." As Isla has always claimed that's out of the question, this should mean they will have to shut down. But don't count on it.
Even then, SEI stipulates that in the long-term vision the desirability of having a refinery should be evaluated. Having it stay entails defining conditions, ownership structure, refinery life as related to international energy developments, and investments needed to reduce pollution and to keep Isla competitive. Finally, it's hinted that there is some hurry.
Isla should comply in this year's last quarter - that's three months from now.
Bijleveld strongly confirmed all this in a latter to Dutch parliament some ten days later.
2008-05-29
Economy Going Great
Well, it's a relief to know. Rhuggenaath himself told us so; he has high expectations and expects the 3.8% growth of 2007 to continue.
Maybe he doesn't read newspapers, or at the very least watch television. We'll see about that optimism.
2008-05-29
Slave Driver Sought
A lot has been going on about the new director needed for CDM Curaçao Dockyard. Requisites are a blameless past and shipbuilding experience. Franklin Sluis, who has neither, is the best candidate according to Soab government accounting. What he can claim is a sentence for forgery. Maybe PAR Rhuggenaath figures that's a great background to run notorious CDM.
Rhuggenaath, after all, is not happy at all with Sluis and has asked CDM to "thank" him (realizing Sluis may go to court as he has been appointed.) Rhuggenaath wants a replacement found in four months.
2008-05-28
That Would Be a Miracle for Sure
The year is not even half over, but the 2008 budget is ready for discussing in island government. Now, it's 67.9M in the red (originally 66M). FOL Rojer was disappointed it wasn't balanced yet, "but you can't expect miracles just like that".
Only two weeks ago, it was announced the deficit had grown from 66M to 103M; now it appears to have shrunk back? It's a Miracle!
No doubt they just cut some posts out for the occasion, figuring Rekenkamer accounting bureau will tell us many years from now what the real deficit was. Which they will; it's a tradition.
2008-05-28
Sabotage!
When the PA system in eilandsraad fudzed out, opposition members were quick with allegations of sabotage: Just while they were discussing FOL! Very suspicious, that. For a guy who travels so much as NPA Pierrot, it was rather surprising to hear him say that Hato was the only airport in the world with a military base (actually, two bases). But many more exist; I just mention Frankfurt Germany and, closer by, Bogotá Colombia or Zanderij Suriname. Venezuela itself has many, starting with Barcelona.
Last week, a FOL Hato-based S3 aircraft happened to get lost over small Venezuelan island La Orchila, where socialist dictator Chavez has one of his many bits of real estate, and where there is supposed to be an army detachment (probably consisting of like two sleeping guards). Worse, it may also serve as a hide-out for Colombian FARC Commander Ivan Marquez, by courtesy of Chavez.
2008-05-28
Integrity? They Don't Know What That Means
Peter Verton has been evaluating a process started in 2004, supposed to awaken civil servants and governants to the idea of integrity, and to ensure integrity is part of politics and of management of island services.
Putting it in a nutshell, they need not have bothered: There is no such thing as "integrity" in our government.
Tip to save money: You could have asked anybody and they could have told you, gratis and free. Just read on... But Verton is working on a new approach. Lots of luck, Peter!
2008-05-28
Whatever Gave Her That Idea?
After fifteen hours of negotiations, NL Bijleveld said it took so long because it looked like St. Maarten's politicians had been speculating that Holland would retreat on the subject of corporate governance; the agreements "to stop political appointments in governmental companies." (They were mistaken.)
2008-05-27
Whatever Gave Them That Idea?
Moproko [Movimentu Pro Kòrsou] complains about the level of discussion in island parliament.
Hear, hear: "Extremely disgusting behavior" and "verbal intimidation." Meant was ex-con Godett.
2008-05-27
George Does Some Figuring
DP George comments on the 2007 Isla profit of ANG241M (as stated by PdVSA without any accounting shown - why should they?) is a measly 2.7% of that year's turnover of 8900M. Reading between the lines, George mistrusts that profit figure. He also mentions in passing that there is an international transport rate on gasoline and diesel of some 12%, which we have to pay as well, while there really isn't any transport at all between refinery and consumers.
2008-05-25
Exactly What We Figured
Buletín # 3 on the future development of País Kòrsow has been distributed. What a waste of money - a fair guess is that not 10% of the population is interested enough to finish reading it in this form. It's all about the Social Economic Initiative that's supposed to reduce youth unemployment, the number of drop-outs and the number of households under poverty level. All very necessary, to be sure.
How this will be achieved is another matter. For example, I can't help always being very skeptical on the good more sports centra will do; to me, mere superstition. The (national curse, this) "preaching" illustrations tend to foster my feelings, with hollow cries like "Faith, Perseverance, Love, Responsibility, Respect." Such objectives which are not maddeningly vague tend, when they get more exact, to promise much more than seems humanly possible.
This culminated on the last page which announced yet another bureau to manage S.E.I. All alarms went off: Yet another handy excuse to hire more government personnel. As it turns out, accountants Deloitte will get more than their present 1.2M yearly fee to manage all this (paid by island government, who have denied it before), aided by island civil servants. All without any voting or discussion in island parliament.
2008-05-25
They Can't Agree
Our Leaders are making many gestures to combat the hardships caused by higher oil prices, but those gestures are empty and exclude the one that would really help: Lower government costs.
There are three proposals to raise the minimum wage. Naturally, the Chamber of Commerce and entrepreneurs club VBC are firmly against any such measure: It will only cause inflation (and take money out of their pockets.) Anyway, the Staten [country parliament] want a 15% raise; the country government, 18%; and island government 5%. It's hard to find out what these percentages are based on - if on anything at all.
Present minimum is ANG6.35/hour (US$3.53); many people have to take 4 bus rides to go to their daily work and back at 2.80/ride, 22% of their earnings. (On which they also pay 12.5% old age pension fees.)
PAR Rhuggenaath wants a commission look into the results on the economy of such a generous 5% gesture. Gee, I wonder how much those commission members will get paid?
Next thing we know, the civil servants insist that their salaries, car expenses and all that will be adapted to higher levels. Only, they want it starting as from January this year! They also insist the government will control prices for consumers... I suppose that's what's meant with "budget-neutral".
2008-05-24
Still Can't Make Ends Meet
It has long been clear to all of us, but we're mere voting cattle. Now, even those in charge are noticing: Even with Holland taking over our debts, there will still not be enough money to balance the island budget; in 2011 it will be 15.7M in the red. You'd do well not to trust this figure; after all, they even have not the vaguest idea how much they have spent until Rekenkamer tells 'em years later.
Good thing about this, it just might make that bore Cooper shut up for once; but that's wishful thinking. They're so desperate, they'll even introduce 'players' tax' for casinos - but not desperate enough to make those mafiosi pay profit tax or sales tax.
2008-05-24
Hold Your Breath
The refinery catcracker is starting up again; after several subsequent BOO disasters it has been down and out since April 21. (Actually, April 15 comes closer.) Soot will be spewed out, and hidden in it many much worse things.
2008-05-24
Dolphin Academy Gets Environmental!
No, they have not released the dumb brutes, nor do they plan to. But as they exist for six years, every child who visits them during that week will get a free 'durable canvas bag' so less plastic supermarkets bags have to be used. No doubt there's a captive dolphin prisoner logo on each of them.
They will also clean up three beaches - that is to say, schools will do the job, and the first nine schools to apply will get a tree planted - free! All primary schools will get an educative dolphin game; nice to drum up future customers.
Re those supermarket bags, it seems that problem is as good as solved (16-year Daniel Burd found a way to decompose them in 3 months: Chop 'em up, add water, dirt and yeast and let 'em stew.) So, shortly, we can go on using those extremely practical things - and save all trees we'd have to cut down for making brown paper bags. That is to say, if we could ever get Selikor to adopt such a cheap and simple method.
2008-05-23
It Stinks More, Not Less
While Milieudienst has announced that Isla refinery performed better in 2007, a Dutch report gives this the lie: SO2 was on a yearly average of 156µg/m3, 13% up over 2006 (which was 60% up over 2005.) The 2007 result is almost twice the in itself unsatisfactory norm of 80µg/m3.
SMOC's Peter van Leeuwen reminded us once again that the refinery doesn't pay taxes, next to nothing for rent, and only last week had the chutzpah to announce a profit of hundreds of millions. He once again asked NL Bijleveld to take measures.
Rather nasty stuff, this SO2; it converts to vitriolic and sulfuric acid just like that, and is one cause of what's commonly, if not popularly called "bad breath".
2008-05-21
No Need to Wonder
DP George has some pretty final comments on the energy commission. First, he wonders why
"we pay for Aqualectra's leaks (97%!); why energy is so expensive when BOO uses refinery residues; why the grid does not accept overcapacity of privately owned generators; why we pay international prices for inferior Curoil products; why Curoil's purchase bills are not made public."
He proceeds to give the answers himself:
"Aqualectra and Curoil are boss and for years have been taking care energy policy does not change, consolidating their power without opening their accounts. We have the highest water and electricity prices around; our gasoline and diesel fuel quality is inferior. And as long there's a refinery here, no related interested parties will allow a switch to alternative energy."
Says George, giving the final answer, "Aqualectra and Curoil are partners in that tripartite commission".
The Aliansa Patriótiko prefers the populist approach to have people come to island government building and have them protest (a fat lot of good that will do - ask the minibus drivers, who've tried it.)
2008-05-18
Opaque Transparency
In the continued effort to reduce their beloved transparency still further, island government has sent a letter to all Heads of government services forbidding them to talk with the press without previous clearance.
2008-05-13
That, at Least, Is True Enough.
Students have informed police of an alleged swindle by Caribbean Medical University, where they paid money without getting any lessons.
There was trouble a while ago with this and other "universities". Photographs and more information shown on the web had nothing to do with Curaçao. Comments CMU lawyer that this is quite usual on the internet. That, at least, is true enough.
2008-05-12
I Know How to Sponsor Him
Arsjes is looking for sponsors for a radio program. A swift kick where it does most good is what I'd suggest. (He is now preparing for the third round in court to get his Selikor job back. No news about paying his salary back.)
2008-05-09
It's Possible, All Right
The Aruba ministry of justice has spent .4M florins more than its 2006 allowance. Of course, as the Aruba government is just as transparent as ours, minister Croes wanted to keep this a secret; after all, he's been convicted before for the very same thing. Croes now wonders how it's possible this leaked out. Shows how smart he is.
Later, Croes claimed that they hadn't gone over budget at all - it merely seemed so because of bureacratic procedures, where personnel that had left the ministry 1.5 years before were still on the salary list. Ah, quite, that explains it! (Then-director Hoveling comments that an accountant report was 'not feasible'. No doubt. What a bloody mess.)
2008-05-08
Report Ready
The energy commission has finished mulling it over (only two weeks late). As the 5% sales tax on fuel will pay more when the price is raised, that extra money can be used to subsidize public transport. They expect that to be half a million guilders per month, and figure sales volume will go up with prices. Don't ask.
They also want to limit supermarkets to their present margin; not percentage-wise but absolute. Again the typical contrast with their own tax margin. Besides, those price controls never seem to work and, if they chance to do, sellers just opt out by simply stopping to carry the product.
Finally, they want to ask dictator Chavez for a discount on fuel. Again.
The preceding day, opposition parties had moved to get rid of one link in the cumulative sales tax chain on gas and diesel, to declare an emergency with government control over utility prices, and to raise welfare, pensions and minimum wages parallel with inflation - no doubt resulting in a vicous circle. Motion was labelled "populistic, unsympathetic and rash" and defeated with 10 against 9 votes (coalition disregarding the hard fact that pretending to be able to control all this is as "populistic" as politics can get; which is saying much indeed.)
We still don't know who was in the commission and how much they were paid; we only know it will be followed up by a new commission. One thing's for sure, entrepreneurs' club VBC was part of the commission and is now using our very "populist" term. It gets muddier and muddier.
The minibus drivers are not content with the higher fares they must charge. Instead, they want a subsidy on their diesel fuel. (Why not give everybody who wants one a minibus, then give 'em all a salary and make all public transport free.) When PAR Rhuggenaath labeled their blackmailing tactics "terrorism" they got very angry. Rhuggenaath wanted to see their union's statutes and membership number, but that seemed too much to ask.
2008-05-07
Aruba Way of Looking at It
Aruba tourism minister Briesen is sued by opposition members Hessels and Lampe. Now he threatens to sue them for slander - based on the proof they submitted to court.
You know, I don't think that'd work.
2008-05-06
Cooper Explains
When ex-PM Maria Liberia Peters wondered what Bakoba, whose PLKP party has not a single seat in island and country government, was doing in a delegation to a Copppal reunion, Cooper explained they were just concerned with patriotism, not with power relations. (I guess, to Cooper, that's democracy.) Cooper also bragged they had started a U.N anti-colonialism procedure for Curaçao and (surprise!) Bonaire - where the population is getting exactly what they overwhelmingly voted for. (I guess, to Cooper, that's democracy.) Keep trying, Cooper! It won't work.
2008-05-06
Deputy Davelaar Disaster
PNP deputy (energy-companies and health) Davelaar resents Dutch parliament instructing Bijleveld to interfere in Isla pollution. His main argument seems to be that many people in Holland get lung cancer by smoking, and that many Dutch parliament members are chain smokers (Humphrey Dumphrey himself is overweight). He repeats "there's no scientific proof whatsoever for those 18 yearly deaths caused by the refinery."
It gets more interesting when he starts ranting against 'so-called local' newspapers who use the internet "to spread information internationally about our problems and internal discord, that we can't agree on a policy. Via internet they give negative information and keep silent on positive developments."
Gee, he should have a look here! Really spoil his appetite... Seems to me almost the only 'positive developments' come from non-politicians standing up against Davelaar and his likes, who would much prefer to keep it a cozy entre-nous.
Next day, SMOC's van Leeuwen reminded him that the numbers of deaths, denied by Davelaar, were based on research ordered by island government, and were probably higher by now as the situation has worsened.
2008-05-06
Budget: Teetering Toppling Towers
It will have to be balanced (again); unlike the tower of Pisa it doesn't lean - there's nothing to lean on. Deficit grew from 66M tot 103M in four months! That's the island budget - the country budget, which was announced as having a positive balance, is in similar dear straits now.
They all blame Holland delaying the debt take-over for it - and whose fault is that? (One of Holland's conditions is a balanced budget - no deficits.) Says PAR Willems: "The policy followed for years had to be changed." But it hasn't.
2008-05-05
"Bunch of Scoundrels" Refuses Negotiations
PAR Atacho has announced the Antillians will not participate in the next POK talks on kingdom relations if there will be no rules on partner behavior. They are all quite mad because Dutch MP Brinkman called them a "bunch of scoundrels" recently, but the Dutch refuse to accept such rules. No matter who's right here (there's at least one certified scoundrel in Our Gang) it seems to guarantee we'll have to adjust that clock once again, while Brinkman has announced that he doesn't need POK to insult the easily offended Antillian politicians further (he'll be introducing their corruption in Dutch parliament later this month): "Cancelling POK would save much time and tax money."
Final outcome: The Antillians accept "POK talks will be held conform the rules of Dutch parliament". Once again, much ado about nothing, as long as they remain seated when someone like Brinkman opens his mouth - as he's sure to do.
2008-05-04
Don't Blame Papiamentu
Sitek teachers' union, predictably, is outraged because Papiamentu has been kicked out of (most) schools. The people responsible should find solutions for the problems with it. (Seems to us they did just that.) Re-introduction of Dutch will be a catastrophe, Sitek warns. (Seems to us the schooling system is a catastrophe compared with when it was all Dutch.)
2008-05-04
Looking at Energy
In a special reunion, our island government has been looking at energy: High prices, coupled with high food prices, in combination with Isla refinery (still no final report from the commission?) Some good laughs, some wiser remarks.
FOL Rojer thinks everybody should start a vegetable garden. MAN Cooper estimates the refinery is worth US$2.5G "at least" - difficult to see what's that based on, if anything at all. PAR Jackson agrees there's not too much we can do about all this.
Which means all discussions on upgrading are just empty talk, as that will not show any results before 2015 (assuming upgrading starts this year.)
2008-05-01
It Still Stands
Aruba has shown before that they figured it had gone away; and they certainly acted that way. But Holland remembers the 1993 protocol all right, and since 2006 has been prodding. It all sounds very familiar: Sound financial management, good public governance, responsible accounting, restoring the financial-economic balance, and normalizing budgets. What harm for a politician to say he agrees with all that?
2008-04-30
Isla: Holland Gets Involved
After, finally, some serious questions were asked in Dutch Tweede Kamer on Isla refinery pollution, our leaders are getting nervous. They do not have very good answers to Dutch journalists who ask nasty questions of their own, something our politicians have very little experience with.
Meanwhile, demonstrations are starting in (downwind of Isla) Wishi and Marchena, where inhabitants are waking up from their lethargy now they are getting some hope that, finally, after years of pressure by SMOC, government and refinery may be forced to do something about what is becoming an international scandal.
We have added a new chapter to our ongoing saga on all this. Wish we could close it!
2008-04-29
Stinker
In Court
Holland Gets Involved
Crime Study Kept Secret
Justice minister Dick promised, over a year ago, to send the Staten country government a 400-page report on crime in the N.A. For some reason, he never did. Now MAN has been allowed to catch a glimpse and, to my surprise, acknowledges it gives good reasons for Holland to take responsibility on judicial matters. Dick's Department is also working on a "Criminality Image Analysis." (Sounds fine, don't you agree?) It will enable a structural tackling of organized criminality (still better) on condition the work can be carried out by having access to financing (best of all!) and people (I volunteer!)
2008-04-29
Surprised? Schotte Swindled!
According to newspapers Bala [Bullet] and La Prensa, Schotte had a burglary a few months ago, but his insurance doesn't pay because "the burglary has been staged." (All this is merely alleged, wink wink.) Both newspapers won't retract a thing; La Prensa editor Heyden says "our information is correct," and Bala editor Constancia says that Schotte can't be injured in his name and honor, because he knows "Schotte has a name, but certainly no honor." Schotte's lawyer announced he will sue the newspapers and, for good measure, Fatum insurances as well for not honoring the claim. A fine brouhaha promising much future entertainment.
It only took two weeks for the judge to decide both newspapers were quite entitled to have published this. Schotte had to pay for the costs, which were very low because he was the only one who'd troubled to hire a lawyer.
2008-04-29
Clown Begs Crook: Come Back to Our Gang
NPA Pierrot has written FOL Godett a letter begging him to leave the PAR-PNP coalition and join the opposition, as the present government's course "can only lead to the gallows." Wishful thinking - in which we wholeheartedly join him.
Godett may be much less smart then he thinks he is, but with all the shady deals going for him he'd be crazy to take this up.
2008-04-28
Scientology Ship Sealed
The Freewind, proud flagship of the criminal church of Scientology organization, is in drydock for the first time in twenty years. Might just be because guests at Tom Cruise's birthday party publicly complained what a crummy worn-out decor it had to offer.
Anyway, after their own crew had started renovations (a penny saved is a penny earned) the Good Shippe was taken to CDM for work on the engine room and hull, where it turned out the ventilation system is riddled with blue asbestos, a heavy carcinogen which is distributed freely through the ship. The ship has now been sealed off and CDM personnel has stopped working on it.
Tough if you've been a guest on the ship. A comfort to remember that "God Cures All" (except a belief in scientology - and then some.)
Unsurprisingly, Scientology denied anything was wrong, after taking an awfully long time on preparing a public statement. By then, CDM had already decided to stop work by their personnel. Truckloads of blue asbestos were later removed by Scientology's own "SeaOrg", which deserves some looking into as well. These guys should feel right at home among their fellow CDM slaves.
2008-04-27
We're Still Waiting
The opposition asks when that "energy committee" will publish its report, and takes note BC hasn't done a thing yet. (Report should have been ready on April 23.) Not that BC, nor the opposition, can change one single thing thing about a global food and energy price inflation.
2008-04-25
Still Surprising
We didn't know it would be that bad! The national debt as per 31 December 2005 has grown somewhat bigger than it seemed previously, nothing new there. But that the national assets would turn out to be a mere 1.4G guilders against a debt of 2.8G is news to everybody. Besides, there's a debt of 1.3G obligations which do "not appear on the balance." This is provisional - betcha they'll turn out higher. So much for that "alternative" plan MAN Cooper still has the chutzpah to go on about.
Extremely small consolation to be able to say: "I told you so!" I told you so!" "I told you so!" And they still go on acquiring new debts.
2008-04-24
Papiamentu Kicked out of Class!
The catholic schools will go back to Dutch as language of instruction next year. After six years of trying with an excessive number of civil servants working on just that, the government has not been able to produce a sufficient supply of Papiamentu teaching materials.
This while you can still see stickers on cars "Papiamentu ta bai skol!" [Papiamentu goes to school].
Most heads of schools have already indicated their approval. Two good guesses: Many, maybe most parents will heave a sigh of relief; and teachers' club SITEK will protest vehemently, just like they did when the protestant schools decided the same thing last September. Only schools run by the government and Frank Martinus' so-called humanist Colegio Erasmo use Papiamentu now.
2008-04-24
Bribes Next Door
On that Happy Island (Aruba) the opposition is not so happy. RED Lampe has gone to court, charging PM Oduber and minister of tourism Briesen, both MEP, with "breaking compatibility law and forgery" in connection with Aruba Ports Authority, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and the Spanish Trusam group. The whole affair started with the 2000 Namdar letter, in which 1M guilders were offered as bribes. After the letter was published, RCCL moved its attention to Curaçao Caracasbaai.
Oduber and Briesen will be defended by ex-minister of justice Croes, who was convicted himself last year.
2008-04-23
You Can Always Try...
Veilig Verkeer [Traffic Safety] advises anyone whose car is damaged by road conditions, a not at all imaginary occurrence as Godett heads the responsible department, to have the gendarmerie write an official report. You can take that and shove... oops, you can take that and go to Godett's department with a damage claim (where they will shove it for you - perfect service.)
But the police are known to be unwilling to write such a report, probably wisely figuring "What's the use, anyway?"
2008-04-23
Flying in the Face of Facts
Just when things were looking up, the tourist industry is faced with the nasty fact that fuel prices inhibit tourism. Now they are extra mad because air traffic control fees have gone up with 50%.
I guess they feel we should pay those. But like I say elsewhere, "what's in it for us?" The tourists don't even pay sales tax for their rooms, while we have to pay our own - on exports! Maybe this will make the Sacred Cow drown.
2008-04-23
Throng of Trade Unions
There are now four (4) trade unions exclusively for Aqualectra personnel. Count 'em: Production - Production Staff - Distribution - Distribution Staff. Confirms there are far too many "workers" there; small wonder the rates are so high.
2008-04-23
Energetic about Energy
SCPOSI (Concentrated Solar Power Open Source Initiative - not what you'd call snappy) has opened a "Showcase Curaçao" page on renewable power generation here. There's a forum as well. With Isla refinery and our present Aqualectra utility to contend with, they need all the help they can get. Have a look, by all means; but be warned, this is not entertainment.
2008-04-21
Camelia Questions
FK Camelia is worried because he's read in the newspapers (just like us) that the Kingdom [read: Holland] may get involved in the future of "our" proud Isla refinery. That's transparency for you, Camelia! He says 400-1000 people are working for the refinery (not very precise, that; and it's not clear how many of those are from Curaçao), 1000 more are dependent on it, and that it pays 8% of our national budget. (According to Edgar Leito's Gachitu blog site, it's only 5%.)
If Camelia is completely and absolutely right, this means that for every 100 workers there's at least 1 death per year. That's six times as many as deathly road accidents in the USA, per vehicle. But Camelia is more worried about erosion of our precious independency.
2008-04-21
Higher Phone Bill
While government is telling us we (not they) should spend less money to make ends meet, the UTS national phone company announces a price hike for a subscription from 18 to 30 guilders/month, with a later further raise to 38. Even while it's true that this tariff dates from the 1980s, 211% is rather exorbitant, and more than undoes the announced lowering of what feels like the slowest-in-the-world ADSL (with 26 guilders; nett result: +11 guilders.).
2008-04-19
test your own speed now
a later test at 05:00 local (09:00 GMT)
resulted in eight (8) times the speed:
upload 1040 - download 395
| World-Wide Scientology Picket - May 10! This will be the fourth picket in a successful series, and we have an ideal object: The infamous Freewind ship of that criminal organization, used to indoctrinate cult members, rumored to serve as a kick-the-habit center for junkie cult members. A national disgrace! Recently scene of Tom Cruise's secret $100,000 birthday party - while many of us wonder where to get money for food. Accepted by most of our politicians who happily go to shipboard parties or on free cruises (makes one wonder if they declare those for their income tax). And by our 3-no-evil press - never a cross word. Don't count on me being there, though - four's a crowd - even if I might well be the only one there. |
He Might Well Wonder
NPA Rooijer wonders, just like us, about several things: "When was this 'energy committee' installed, who are the members, how much do they get paid, how many meetings do they have, when will they be ready?" But PNP Davelaar conveniently wasn't there and nobody else seems to know the answers.
2008-04-17
What Were They Doing in There?
Another cop car damaged! This one contained a cop and female friend, when his ex (also female) friend knocked out the back window with a concrete building block.
Amigoe newspaper considerately omitted to mention if the cop, complete with car, was on duty.
2008-04-17
Harbor Strike
The port stevedores of CPS (owned by Curaçao government) are on strike because, illegally, they have to pay a 3% old-age premium raise. As one result, many ships can be seen waiting outside the harbor, which is just about the only national endeavor thing that brings in money, what with tankers and cruise-ships.
2008-04-16
More Delay, As Expected
The national debt sanitization, expected to commence in June/July, has to be postponed. One comment: This was confidently expected, by all of us. However, as it turns out, this will only cover the debts as per end 2005; it was also stipulated there would be no new debts. I'm just an amateur, but what is a bond issue (I count at least two since then) but a new debt? FK Damoen claims the island deficit is now ANG103M (was 66 last November), the country's 130 (claimed to be balanced at that same time).
2008-04-16
Aruba Adventure
Let us not forget to mention that in the Happy Island of Aruba civil servants have been striking for some weeks now. Things must be really bad... It took a judge to confirm those cops, firefighters and teachers (naming but a few) had a right to strike. It got so the airport had top close down, causing American Airlines to defer a flight to Curaçao and to threaten to stop all flights. The Aruba government, though, steadfastly stands firm. After all, who's whose Boss?
2008-04-16
The First Man
While island government BC - bestuurscollege wants to extend business relations with (originally Aruban) de Veer, who are now building a giant hotel next to the Riffort (a project they saved in the process) FOL Godett would rather go ahead with a Venezuelan developer, or a Curaçao group. No doubt he has his reasons.
Incredibly, de Veer's proposal to invest about USD1G has been delayed for six months now. While PAR and PNP seem to prefer de Veer, fractious 1-man faction Godett has already publicly declared BC will accept his point of view (and he never lies.)
Joost Pronk, in a letter to Amigoe newspaper, claims Godett and his likes are planning a "little Amsterdam", complete with fake canals and kitschy windmills, and advises not to forget the red-light Walletjes. But that's what you get when you promote tourism, let us face it.
2008-04-16
But Someone Must Pay...
The 5% sales tax introduced by that old tax poison, then PM Pourrier, has one problem. For the government, that is; for us there are plenty more. For those meager exports we do have (meager except for PdVSA who are exempt from all taxes anyway) you can't force a foreign customer to pay sales tax; even the European VAT recognizes this problem that financial genius Marchena ran into some years ago; in the US there's no sales tax in New York if you have the stuff sent to the state of NJ across the river, which often comes out cheaper.
Well, the solution is easy (for them): If you happen to sell something to a foreign customer, like we do with our Werbata CDs, you're supposed to pay that sales tax yourself! I can assure you I will appeal in court.
2008-04-15
You're Lucky
Well, after a fashion: If you are reading this, it means I've been able to upload it. I have to tell you, if I worked for our UTS internet (and phone) company I'd be ashamed to tell anybody. All day long you're annoyed by a window popping up: "A network cable is unplugged." It's not your cable - it's UTS! Then, at night when they've gone home to enjoy their well-deserved rest, things get to work again.
We were recently treated to the news that price of our ADSL line would go down from 120 to 100 guilders/month. They had to make some profit on their contracts, which they stated was 20%. So until then, they'll have been making an outrageous 33.3%.
2008-04-15
Booh! BOO Breakdown [BIS]
After last week's breakdown BOO power plant was back on the job, so Isla refinery began a start-up. Which was aborted in a matter of days when BOO broke down again. Result: Yet another environmental disaster. (We're told the damage for Isla was 10M guilders; that is, before the re-run started.)
2008-04-15
Lower Taxes!
Well, I'm all for it to lower energy costs (OB [sales tax] and regular fuel taxes.) But what will our poor government do with less money? Especially when, another proposal, the population should be taught to use less. Not to worry about the government: PNP minister de Lannooy was quick to state that lowering sales tax should be "budget-neutral". Whatever that means, it means that we will have to pay it somehow else. So we have to adjust the life-style we are accustomed to, as PNP Davelaar has it - but the government can go on as usual.
For once, the committee was ready in half the time. They also propose approaching Venezuela with yet another committee, to ask for lower prices for Aqualectra and Curoil. Good luck!
2008-04-14
HEY! What's Going On Here!
We receive the second bulletin to inform us about the new Nation we're Building. Now they tell us Holland will "largely" take over our debts - existing on 31 December 2005.
So who will pay for our nice, fat, new debts, built up since then? Don't have to tell me, I can figure it out: You + Me = We.
2008-04-13
that if you're not spending, you're not working"
The Manhunter - John Pascucci and Cameron Stauth
Who Said Isla Should Close Down?
It was a civil servant working for the government, head of health department GGD Bodok, referring to the last environmental disaster: "If Isla cannot end its pollution now, closing it down becomes a real alternative."
2008-04-13
Pierrot Hits George, But Does Not Beat Him
During recess of an eilandsraad meeting, NPA Pierrot hit DP George; I don't know where. He then apologized to George "and the community", only to lose it again on a radio interview, where he compared George with Hitler, who seemed so peaceful until he gathered power.
It's not the first time Pierrot makes it obvious he'd do well to study some history. Besides, what is he doing in eilandsraad, anyway? Besides, it's Pierrot who wears a moustache.
On April 21, when opposition union Aliansa Patriótiko had not taken any action to discipline Pierrot, George announced he was getting out of it without withdrawing his party's support for independence. Which shows who's the fastest mover.
2008-04-13
Notorious power plant BOO is down again; so Isla refinery is down, too, with even more smoke and soot than usual. Isla claims every BOO breakdown results in 'many millions' of damage, while BOO has never bothered to pay the standard claim of 500K Isl