Trip Report

[MichaelG]

Vol. 1 No 14: St. Barth on the blade of a razor

Priceless. Overpriced. A Paradise Parable.

thehaves.substack.com

 

[didier]

you do seem to post a lot about your book so perhaps the comments are dead on? no offense intended. why go to page six unless you are trying to sell your book or trying to hurt the island or both.

 

[MichaelG]

you do seem to post a lot about your book so perhaps the comments are dead on? no offense intended. why go to page six unless you are trying to sell your book or trying to hurt the island or both.

The piece says straight out that I’m trying to sell books and my positive POV about the island should be overwhelmingly obvious. But I’m a journalist not a PR person. My job is to say things straight out. Ignoring the truth may be momentarily comforting but it comes at a price.

 

[didier]

I believe the edf situation is a temporary problem on the island. at least I hope so. I clearly don't understand your negative comments about the island for something that is a temporary problem. if its still an ongoing problem in the next few months, perhaps then it is a real story. good luck on your book sales.

 

[dadto6]

MichaelG, As a journalist; simply schedule an appointment and go interview management of EDF and get the facts.
My understanding as a 3rd party is that the 2-large generators are requiring maintenance and the 6-smaller generators are by themselves inadequate to stand alone if peak demand is reached.

 

[cec1]

The real story is this: simply schedule an appointment and go interview management of EDF and get the facts.
My understanding as a 3rd party is that the 2-large generators are requiring maintenance and the 6-smaller generators are by themselves inadequate to stand alone if peak demand is reached.

The real story is this: simply schedule an appointment and go interview management of EDF and get the facts.
My understanding as a 3rd party is that the 2-large generators are requiring maintenance and the 6-smaller generators are by themselves inadequate to stand alone if peak demand is reached.

As another “3rd party,” I also have a similar understanding of the facts. I think, however, that there is — among other things — a need for better PR related to the situation. In this regard, for example, we have been hearing for a number of years about plans to expand electric capacity on the island . . . yet it doesn’t seem to have happened. It also seems that the current breakdown of existing equipment might have been anticipated & better planned for. These & other thoughts undoubtedly are explained in part by budgetary issues beyond control of local EDF managers. Nonetheless, IMO, ignoring obvious issues — as appears to have happened — isn’t a responsible approach by people who should have done better in operating a public-serving agency of the French government, which is explicitly mandated to provide essential public service.

 

[cassidain]

As another “3rd party,” I also have a similar understanding of the facts. I think, however, that there is — among other things — a need for better PR related to the situation. In this regard, for example, we have been hearing for a number of years about plans to expand electric capacity on the island . . . yet it doesn’t seem to have happened. It also seems that the current breakdown of existing equipment might have been anticipated & better planned for. These & other thoughts undoubtedly are explained in part by budgetary issues beyond control of local EDF managers. Nonetheless, IMO, ignoring obvious issues — as appears to have happened — isn’t a responsible approach by people who should have done better in operating a public-serving agency of the French government, which is explicitly mandated to provide essential public service.

À refreshingly objective, non-agenda driven commentary on the subject.

 

[cec1]

À refreshingly objective, non-agenda driven commentary on the subject.

Merci!

 

[Amery]

Well said Dennis!
We all know deep down (though perhaps only admit to varying degrees) the island is not great at showing its vulnerabilities--understandable given the economy runs on tourism. MG has been consistent over the years not only in stating his long-standing love for St Barth but also in reporting island truths, warts and all. I take the above piece as further suggestion of the downside(s) of excess as well as potential near-sightedness in infrastructure planning.
We all love St Barth and love takes many forms. Sometimes telling the hard truth is one of them.
I might add none of this deters us as we arrive in 2 weeks

 

[cec1]

Well said Dennis!
We all know deep down (though perhaps only admit to varying degrees) the island is not great at showing its vulnerabilities--understandable given the economy runs on tourism. MG has been consistent over the years not only in stating his long-standing love for St Barth but also in reporting island truths, warts and all. I take the above piece as further suggestion of the downside(s) of excess as well as potential near-sightedness in infrastructure planning.
We all love St Barth and love takes many forms. Sometimes telling the hard truth is one of them.
I might add none of this deters us as we arrive in 2 weeks

Also very well said!

I’m sorry that we’ll miss crossing paths in a couple of weeks as it sounds like I’ll be leaving about the time you arrive. It won’t be a total loss, however, because your island posts always are fun to read — insightful, colorful, & full of appreciation for all that you do & see on the island! Have a wonderful visit!