islander
Reged: 05/13/05
Posts: 185
Loc: St.Barths, FWI
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I don't want to sound too "political" as this forum is used mostly by/for visitors to the island and very little by locals (except maybe for a few of us like Tim, Didier, Rosita, sometimes Andy (long time tough), Jim and myself.... sorry if I miss some).
If we look at public expenses on the island in the last years, we can clearly blame some investments:
-new Capitainerie
-new airport terminal and runway
-new port facilities
-new "hotel de ville"
......etc...
One can estimate if this was all necessary and most importantly if this money was well spent in building more infrastructure?
Why our local government did not use part of this money to upgrade the much-needed medical equipment in Hopital De Bruyn?
Another question comes to my mind: now that our dear President and fellow councelors have recently decided to ask the visitors a 5% accomodation tax on all hotel and villa rentals, is it fair here to ask for more money from non-residents?
I know this is about charity and not tax (or public) money but I think that this is a local issue and should be sorted out locally. Even if the help of the good people on here is much appreciated.
I just want to mention one figure: the island authorities have raised 580,000 euros in January 2008 by collecting the new accommodation tax. This is just in one month. Why not use this money to buy the CT Scanner?
If charity does not help, sooner or later the local Governement will be forced to invest in medical facilities.
I had to go through a small surgery two years ago and like everybody else I couldn't do it on the island. I just took an appointment with one of the St Martin surgeons (one of them comes twice a month in St Barths) and set up a date for the surgery in St Martin. What's the big deal? This is no different from living in a small village or town in mainland France and have to drive 100 miles to reach the first hospital. Just like many places in the US or other places in the world, I guess.
Again: local issue, local solution, local funding.
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georgedp
Reged: 06/22/04
Posts: 2760
Loc: Beautiful hunterdon county new...
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Why don't they finance the purchase and amortize the cost of the CT scanner over 5 years or so - 120,000 euros per year plus financing costs. Surely they can handle that.
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toothman
Reged: 03/26/08
Posts: 7
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Dear George,
Femur has been in existance for 25 years. We have purchased a tremendous amount of equipment for the hospital. We can buty stuff because it is done privately. If the island government wanted to buy it; Government approval would be needed from the Department of Outre Mer. They use the same certificate of need policies as the US. They look at the numbers. The St.Martin Scanner is supported by the 250-300b scans every year for St.Barth residents and visitors.
We buy the equipment because we can cut thru the red tape and because we can raise the money.
This is the week-end of the St.Barth Bucket Races. Tonight at 7:00pm; we members of Femur will be on the stage on the wharf in Gustavia. We will be given a check for $50,000 by the race organizers. We appeal to lovers of our island like you because many of you want to contribute in either a small or large way to St.Barth.We do not need to amortize if a large enough percentage of the people that we are contacting; will contribute.
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georgedp
Reged: 06/22/04
Posts: 2760
Loc: Beautiful hunterdon county new...
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Dear toothman
How admirable for them, the owners of those big and beautiful yachts to contribute usd 50,000. Let me make some simple calculations.
The net worth of those boat owners is several billion dollars. Compared to my net worth vs their collective net worth, I figure my "obligation" to the St. Barths CT Scanner fund is about 5 euros - but as I err on the side of charity, let me please contribute twice my obligation - so, praytell, where should I send my 10 euros (based on the most recent exchange about usd 16.00). Never mind the fact that I've not been able to afford to visit my favorite island since November 2003 , but God forbid that my lack of contribution denies the wealthy residents of St.Barths their precious CT Scanner or anything else they require from us non-residents.
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toothman
Reged: 03/26/08
Posts: 7
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George,
You are right. And the yacht owners did their duty last night. Instead of the promised check for $50,000; we received a great surprise. The total was $175,000. And the money is still coming in. This is about 1/6th of our goal. If regular people like us do what we can; then we will reach our goal. A year from now, seriously injured people will be scanned in our little hospital. They will avoid the torture of being stuffed onto a plane to St.Martin.
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didier
Reged: 10/05/05
Posts: 46
Loc: flamands
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Hi george,
sorry you haven't been here since 2003, wish I could offer you a better place to stay. I live in a one bedroom, but I do have a gabezo that i would more than gladly offer you. It has a very large sofa that you could sleep on and is adjacent to the bathroom with a nice shower. pm me if you get an airline ticket and I'll give you my address and phone.
As for the scanner, I'm so glad the boat owners gave such a generous donation for the purchase of a scanner. I have a friend that had a stroke(he's american) a few weeks ago and he had to make the trip to St. Martin for the ct scan, and was very weak, wish he could have avoided the trip in his condition.
americans are the most generous people I've ever known, they always help when and if they can. By the way I am an american imported from Tennessee, I'm just a lucky blonde that fell in love with a St. barth's fellow (his family has been here for generations) and I have lived on this beautiful island since 2003.
So, I want to personally thank all from this forum that have contributed to this much needed machine. And for the ones who prefer not to, thats okay, I still hope to meet you on the island someday.
Never give up your illusions, because once they're gone, you may still exist, but will cease to live............Mark Twain
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toothman
Reged: 03/26/08
Posts: 7
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Dear gorgeous Blonde,
Thank you for your kindest words. Yes, Americans are very generous. Some of the boat owners are not Americans. But, they act like them. Your favorite photographer, with the same family name as yours was on the Quay last night and took some great photos.
We had dinner at our Au Regal Saturday night and missed the Jimmy Buffet concert. We return to the US on Wednesday and will see you in August.
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JEK
Moderator
Reged: 01/20/04
Posts: 10372
Loc: Northern Virginia
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Carnaval 2009: Mardi 24 Février 2009!!!!
JEK
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