SXM govt finally doing something about the outages?

[drpeppir]

St. Maarten - The Daily Herald Newspaper Online | St. Maarten-St. Martin | West Indies - Caribbean News (http://www.thedailyherald.com/news/daily/m136/editm136.html)

Just read this article, hopefully something positive results.

[tegraphile]

It would be nice if they were forced to explain themselves. At least the government is attempting to do something about it.

Now if only they would also look into price gouging, but I guess this is a good start.

[AlanLeeKU]

But what can you do against a company that has a monopoly with no competition? (at least the microsoft anti-trust suit had other companies trying to compete)

[mdpre001]

Class action lawsuit? Sign me up!

[Slaol_121]

At orientation during first semester, we were told that AUC's power plant could supply power to all of cupecoy. My question is, what is keeping them from doing so?

In an ideal world, I would be interested in the school offering people in the area the option of getting their power from the school (of course, I realize the logistics of such a move might be impossible). Perhaps with a little competition, GEBE would shape up...

[ay04]

At orientation during first semester, we were told that AUC's power plant could supply power to all of cupecoy. My question is, what is keeping them from doing so?

In an ideal world, I would be interested in the school offering people in the area the option of getting their power from the school (of course, I realize the logistics of such a move might be impossible). Perhaps with a little competition, GEBE would shape up...
I don't think the local government like the idea of an American company competing against them. I'm sure they get a cut of the GEBE pie.

[Slaol_121]

I don't think the local government like the idea of an American company competing against them. I'm sure they get a cut of the GEBE pie.

I wonder how this will change once St. Maarten breaks away from the Netherlands Antilles to form closer ties with the Netherlands. According to an interesting conversation I had with an older taxi driver yesterday, this will drastically change the way "business as usual" is conducted on the island.

I'm sure SXM's status as a "tax haven" will probably change... but perhaps the utilities will change, as well?

[tegraphile]

The government might actually enforce its laws, but I'm sure the "minimal government" folk won't be happy.

[Slaol_121]

The government might actually enforce its laws, but I'm sure the "minimal government" folk won't be happy.

Even those in favor of "minimum government" believe that a government is supposed to enforce the laws.;)

[tegraphile]

Even those in favor of "minimum government" believe that a government is supposed to enforce the laws.;)

At least can found some common ground. :clapover: