In a recent post, Tim brought up an interesting idea, which, I think, deserves revisiting. While I am not one who believes the apocalypse has come to

[Eddie]

Charity

In a recent post, Tim brought up an interesting idea, which, I think, deserves revisiting. While I am not one who believes the apocalypse has come to St. Barth, it seems there are many who do. We can let the business owners know that we're not happy with the cruise ship/ day-tripper crowd but, the fact is, their euros are worth the same as ours. It will take more to distinguish our money from the money left behind by day-trippers.

Tim mentioned getting involved in a local charity of some sort. I think this is a great idea. It may be the perfect way to show the islanders how we feel about the island and separate us from the cruisers.
Perhaps we could form a group called "The Friends of St. Barth". I don't know about the needs of the island but, to paraphrase, "no good deed goes unnoticed". If there is a need, we could adopt a school and raise money for books, or computers. Maybe there's an environmental concern our money can address. Even a local youth sports league/team.
I think our actions will say more to the people than any letter writing campaign ever could, while informing the islanders that it is us (the over-nighters) who are most commited to their well being.
Any thoughts?
Eddie

 

[Island Visitor]

Re: Charity

L'adresse?

Pour mon checque.

 

[onebigdawg53]

Re: Charity

Hi Eddie
One thought for a charity concerns the lack of a real hospital in SBH. I hear complaints regularly from island residents about having to take off to St. Maarten or Guadeloupe for medical services - including having babies. We are talking big bucks but you have to start somewhere so perhaps charitable contributions from the friends of St. Barths for a hospital? And, in order to get the daytrippers and cruiseboat visitors to help pay the way, how about a ''tax'' of say 3-5 euros per daytripping visitor to contribute to this new hospital?
take care
georgedp

 

[Lauren]

Re: Charity

Charity is always a wonderful concept.
Letter writing is interesting but unnecessary.

The issue is simple and will resolve itself no matter what occurs. The fact is that expensive villas have created the economy. This thread is generally the musings of forum contributors and visitors to the island re: what could happen in the future if economic facts are ignored.

The people who rent/own these villas and/or stay in hotels are the ones that already seriously contribute to the restaurants/merchants/stores.

When you pay very high rates for occupancy and visitation of SBH comparable to other islands, you are already providing the basis of the economy and government costs.

My visits over the years have contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to the island. I could have visited Aruba and paid probably one sixth of that for vacations, but instead, I chose SBH. visiting SBH does not take a smidgen of tourist cash, it takes a great deal especially if one is leasing a large villa for an extended period.

If the citizens or merchants or owners or property in SBH are interested in bringing in other types of economic activity that do not mesh with my desires or the desires of others that spend thousands of dollars in one fell swoop, then we have many other choices, as Miker and others have already noted.

 

[Eddie]

Re: Charity

George,
I think contributing to a hospital, or for improvements to the clinic, would be a wonderful idea. My previously posted suggestions were only meant to get the ball rolling. Perhaps someday there will be a new MRI machine on the island with a plaque stating, " a gift to the people of St. Barthelemy from The Friends of St. Barthelemy Coalition." I like the sound of that and, more importantly, I think the people there would too.
If we could just identify their needs, I know that we could accomplish a lot. My enjoyment of my visits would be enhanced, knowing that I've contributed to more than just the economy. I'd also feel more justified in belittling the white pantsed day-trippers
Eddie

 

[noel]

Re: Charity

We agree with the ideas about charity -- shouldn't we have an event too? We need just a little more push to get back soon!

 

[onebigdawg53]

Re: Charity

We agree with the ideas about charity -- shouldn't we have an event too? We need just a little more push to get back soon!

Good idea. How about The first annual Friends of St. Barths Decrapitation Elimination Tournament?

 

[robert3]

Re: Charity

The issue is simple and will resolve itself no matter what occurs. The fact is that expensive villas have created the economy. This thread is generally the musings of forum contributors and visitors to the island re: what could happen in the future if economic facts are ignored.

You are profoundly correct. Issues do always resolve themselves, no matter what the outcome. My fear here is the last line in the quote above: "what could happen in the future if economic facts are ignored."

The French do have a history of ignoring economic facts.

I think the charity idea is a great one from a "giving-back" perspective and I'm interested in exploring it further, but I'm not sure how anyone is going to use it as leverage to change the island

 

[Brian]

Re: Charity

And, in order to get the daytrippers and cruiseboat visitors to help pay the way, how about a ''tax'' of say 3-5 euros per daytripping visitor to contribute to this new hospital?

Ha! It could be the opposite of SXM's departure tax -- you only pay it if you're there LESS than 24 hours.

 

[tim]

Re: Charity

L'adresse?

Pour mon checque.

Seek and ye shall find. I just got off the phone with the head of the St. Barth Medical Equipment Foundation, and he gave me permission to publish infomation for contributions that are used to purchase new medical equipment for the local hospital. According to Larry, the Foundation has IRS 501C3 tax status in the U.S., so contributions would be tax deductible. They have almost no administrative expense, so all contributions go towards the equipment. Checks can be sent as follows:

St. Barth Medical Equipment Foundation
%Larry O'Donnell
32 South Church St.
West Chester, Pa. 19382

Larry can be reached for additional information at 610-430-6080 or gcbod@aol.com. There is currently no web site for the Foundation. Larry has a home on St. Barth. The Foundation has a local french sister organization but uses the U.S. organization to accept tax deductible contributions from Americans. They have been in existence for quite some time and have been succesful in purchasing many items of much needed equipment.

Larry was already aware of SBHonline, so I hope he will join us in future discussions.

 

[Island Visitor]

Re: Charity

And I believe that I shall continue to peg this thread to the top for a few days. Anyone wanting to donate to the hospital on St Barts should do so. Just make sure you put the obligatory Overnight Visitor on your check somewhere.

 

[JackS2]

Re: Charity

A great idea, but one which even the residents could not advance through the bureaucracy. The late Stephan Ledee, a resident physician and former owner of Les Ilets de la Plage, campaigned for years to upgrade the clinic to a hospital with trauma, OBGYN, etc., services, but to no avail. I never really understood the government's explanation of why it repeatedly denied the proposal, except that it was obviously related to competition with medical facilities in Guadeloupe. Ironic, since most St. Barthians, then and now, go to Martinique for skilled medical care. If Dr. Ledee couldn't move the bureaucrats, I doubt that we can.

How about building a high school so the kids don't have to commute to other islands every week? Whatever you do, be sure to vet it first with Bruno, Le Maire!

 

[robert3]

Re: Charity

Wow, ask and you shall receive. Thank you very much, Tim.

 

[onebigdawg53]

Re: Charity

Ha! It could be the opposite of SXM's departure tax -- you only pay it if you're there LESS than 24 hours.

[/quote]

Hi Brian
Great idea. Take it one step further - a graduated tax.
The less hours you spend on SBH the more you pay. So, two hours costs you 20 euros, three hours costs you 18 euros and so on. It could also have the desired effect of keeping the cheapstakes off the island completely (like the guy we saw a few years ago, went into Le Repaire for lunch and brought his own beers with him ''cause he wasn't going to pay these ridiculous prices'' - the gall).

 

[davesmom]

Re: Charity

Well, now I've heard it all. Maybe he came from one of those states where you have to 'brown bag' your liquor refreshments..LOL but not really funny...
DM