Taking time, living at a leisurely pace, these could be the mottoes that govern life in the French West Indies. The island's tourists are pleased to find the lazy Caribbean pace that still presides here, to revel in the relaxing, soothing, safe atmosphere. Tourists like our West Indian pace, as long as the foie gras and grilled lobster don't take too much time getting to their tables. Happily, when it comes to service, St. Barth fares well. There are other domains, however, where the Antillean pace can turn into a series of meaningless mananas, and waiting periods that can stretch into years. Re-examining some of the principal dossiers that have been treated in this column over the past year, it becomes evident that the time lines set down for the completion of many municipal projects have become completely fictitious.
Take the deviation of the airport road, a project originally conceived for reasons of public safety. For over a decade, the departmental authorities shelved the project. Last year, the project was suddenly resurrected. Construction work began last September, and advanced at a furious clip until February. That's when things came to a screeching halt. Officials promised that the road would be built in time for the approaching season. Miracles can happen, but don't bank on this one. Two critical problems-faulty engineering and a rather sizable lack of funds-have kept any work from continuing on the half-blasted road. Some people feel that it would be better to abandon the project altogether and take the losses which result now than to pursue a dead-end that will only compound the damage.
Immediately to the left (when leaving the airport) lies the former Gustavia access road. It collapsed in the landslides caused by a particularly nasty hurricane nearly three years ago. Its repairs are still pending. In all, this involves re-paving 220 meters of road, not such a daunting task. Before the first stone could be moved, there were a slew of experts, counter-experts, surveyors, government people who all had to come to the site and make sure that all of the administrative and bureaucratic formalities that go with working on a departmental road were duly respected. The construction site is progressing, but no one dares to give a completion date anymore, especially given that the repairs on the Gustavia road are dependent on the airport road project.
Last year, at about this same time, a local newspaper hailed the major victory that had just been won in health care. The journalist went on to report that by the following year (2002), Gustavia's hospital would be doted with a small functioning surgical unit. The project entailed opening a surgical unit composed of two operating blocks in order to perform certain types of pre-scheduled, outpatient surgery once a week. What the journalist didn't mention is that what the island had been striving to achieve was the re-opening of the maternity ward. Since the publication of that news, delivered with such pomp and circumstance, the hospital has been waiting for a green light from the regional authorities to begin the construction work, approval that was finally delivered on May 28, 2002. Now the next phase can get underway: opening up the bidding process to architects and builders and establishing the financial dossier. With any luck, the recently-announced start-up date of 2004 may actually be met. Then again, two factors dampen any rampant enthusiasm. When the administration gave its approval to the dossier, it did so for a 3-year period only. After that time, the project must be re-submitted for approval. Moreover, Marie-Francoise Leduc, the hospital's nursing director, has been transferred and will leave St. Barthélemy at the end of September. It is she who has been at the helm of the hospital dossier for the past 4 years. But she is not alone. There is a string of municipal leaders who for the past 25 years have made efforts to improve the island's hospital facilities and the services it is legally able to offer. They know what an uphill battle it is to make changes in that domain, a process that can try even the most patient of souls.
Nevertheless, it can be argued, that patience is rewarded in the end. It is only fitting to talk about the much-debated issue of the evolution of the island's status now that the dossier is heading into the final home stretch. After his recent meeting in Paris with the minister of French overseas departments, the mayor returned to St. Barth to assure constituents that the newly elected federal government, led by Chirac, saw things eye-to-eye with the local municipal government. Magras even hinted that the new status could go into effect as early as next year. Maybe, it's the long-awaited finality to a complex political process, where the required doses of perseverance and patience were offered to the sacrificial fire. After all, the statute has been on the negotiating table for more than 40 years.
Yves Bourel
Beyonce and Jay-Z have taken their daughter on her first vacation. The couple, who celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary last week, have been enjoying the sunshine on the Caribbean island of St. Barts with three-month-old Blue Ivy over the weekend, and took the tot for a day trip on a yacht.
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Kick-off Les Voiles de Saint Barth 2012 Caribbean regatta in the magical French West Indies sailing paradise!
Today the prestigious and top-class Caribbean sailing regatta Les Voiles de St. Barth 2012 with Gaastra Sportswear as the official partner starts: At the third edition run...
Inside the Bucket.
This video features the 2012 St Barths Bucket Regatta and music by the Evan Goodrow Band. Special thanks to the entire crew of the Rebecca, Baz Bar, St Barths Online and the guys from the Evan Goodrow Band for putting on a fantastic show. The song from the Evan Goodrow Band is c...
On board with Rebecca.
The best event in St Barths took place on March 24 - 27, 2012. This video features the beautiful 141 ft sailing yacht, The Rebecca.
produced by Real Media Travel for St. Barths Online and Baz Bar St Barth.
The age old saying of "I need a holiday to get over my holiday" actually seems applicable if you happen to be Paul McCartney.
The Beatle took wife Nancy Shevell on a romantic break to the Caribbean island of St Barts, just days after the pair visited Paris.
Last week, the lovebirds showed support ...
On the day their pregnancy news was announced, Thor star Chris Hemsworth, 28, and Elsa Pataky, 35, were seen in sunny St. Barts, France on Wednesday (January 18). The Fast Five actress looked lovely in blue, sporting her beautiful baby bump.
Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky
Chris and Elsa - w...
She might be 44, but Tamara Mellon still boasts a figure that women half her age would be proud of.
The Jimmy Choo co-founder showed off her toned figure in a sexy animal-print bikini as she hit the beach with her daughter in St Barts yesterday.
The skimpy string two-piece highlighted Tamara's env...
With almost every other celebrity couple enjoying the New Year in exotic locations, Gary and Danielle Lineker weren't going to be any different.
The married couple were spotted enjoying a romantic walk along a beach in St Barts today - and looked very much in love.
Gary, 51 and his wife, 32, had o...
Which beaches to choose?
The glamorous island of St Barts is one of the Caribbean's top beach destinations. Ringing the island are immaculate strips of sand and ethereal turquoise waters. The shallow reefs that encircle the island help to protect these renowned beaches, and they also provide excell...
St. Barts, Why Not?
Since the wealthy and celebrated frequently visit St. Barts for a tropical vacation, you will find that many plush St. Barts Resorts can be found on this stunning island. For those taking St. Barts holidays, it is simple to find hotels with each luxury available. Frequently thes...
Vacation With the Rich and Famous at St. Barts.
Want to bump into celebrities and be seen hanging out where the rich and famous play? Then the Caribbean island of St. Barts is the place to be.
While warm sand and blue waters do make an ideal vacation location, this destination has that and a whol...
Where to go for one day in Caribbean?
St. Maarten / St. Martin
The half-Dutch, half-French island of St. Maarten/St. Martin, with its many restaurants and hotels, makes a great base for an island-hopping adventure. Graced by the nickname Unspoiled Queen, tiny little Saba is not the kind of Caribbe...
Villa La Plage in St Barts.
The posh French resort isle of St. Barth's was already a prize destination when Roman Abramovich purchased an estate there for $89 million in 2009; since the oligarch arrived it has become even more so.
Now Christie's International Real Estate has listed another impres...
Baywatch in St Barts.
Making it official after five years of engagement, Brooke Burke and beau David Charvet have reportedly tied the knot while yachting in St. Barts.
According to Life & Style, the "Dancing with the Stars" host and the former "Baywatch" hunk, who have been vacationing in the...
St. Barth Summer Sessions Aug. 5-15, 2011
St Barth Summer Sessions 2011 this year will have a focus on artists from Brazil. The festival will take place at a variety of different venues all over the island, and in the end of the festival there will be a big common concert in the Harbor of Gustavia ...
The Eclipse, no ordinary yacht.
It probably hasn't escaped your attention that, with modern methods of transport, measuring and telecommunication, no "terra incognita" is safe from the crazed enthusiasm of certain explorers of scientists. Everything has already been discovered and minutely placed o...
Ashley Rodriguez Trio
Ashley Rodriguez, one of the famous finalist from the American Idol 2010 is back in St Barth between May 5-15. Ashley was participating last summer for the St Barth Summer Session in august 2010 at La Plage and she will now come with her 'All Girls Band', Liz on the guitar ...
The La Plage restaurant introduce :
ST BARTH SUMMER SESSIONS
« 5 to 15 august 2010, 10 days of crazy music ! »
Festival program
La Plage St Jean Tel: 0590 52 81 33 Email: tombeach@wanadoo.fr Site: www.stbarthsummersessions.com
THE GREAT FISH DEBATE There seems to be a bone of contention among a few of my friends. Fine folks who love some of the finer things in life, such as Dover Sole That flat fish floating in butter and capers. Known in French as Sole Meunière, it is made from what is called in European fisherman ver...
