Island Government of Saba

Subject: Commissioner Zagers discusses landfill issues

November 17, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

During the Director of USONA’s visit, Mr. R. Doran, Commissioner Bruce Zagers discussed the processes involved in obtaining funding for the landfill project on Saba. The SEI has approximately 400,000 NAF available for waste management. Zagers along with Mr. Wim Hofman (Kwartiermaker VROM) and local stakeholders stated, “We are busy putting together a master plan for the landfill. The money available in the SEI should be enough to start the project, but the continuation of the project is the main concern.” Zagers went on to elaborate, “I had a very promising discussion with Mr. Doran as to how we will proceed with this project and I look forward to a solution to this important issue soon.”

In 2008 the Island Government started a project to remove the scrap metal from the landfill. This project was successful being that it reduced the volume of waste at the landfill. However, due to a lack of funding the project could not continue.

“The Executive Council understands the severity of this environmental and health issue, especially for the people living in St. Johns and the Bottom. The burning of the landfill is not a problem which just started; it has been one that has been ongoing for many decades. There are no clear cut solutions which are feasible for Saba to solve this problem from one day to the next. This is not the only government that has had to deal with this issue. However, this government has it as a high priority and will do its utmost to find a solution.”, stated Commissioner Zagers.

Commissioner Zagers told GIS that he hopes to have the plan finalized before the end of the year. Once this plan is finalized it will go to the Executive Council for approval and then to USONA for processing of funds. Zagers went on to elaborate that the draft budget for 2010 has a considerable amount budgeted for maintenance of the landfill. “It is important to realize however, that whatever we decide to do will only be successful if it is properly maintained”, elicited Zagers.

Zagers affirmed that he shares the same concerns with the community and stated that he is available to discuss these important issues anytime. “I have an open door policy and everyone is welcome to come and share their concerns about the landfill or any issue. Through the grape vine we hear that there is unrest in the community about the landfill, which is understandable. However, those that choose to make threats or remarks through anonymous or unsubstantiated mediums such as Facebook or Myspace, will not solve the problems of the landfill. This will only add fuel to the fire and stir up heated emotions. I am open to suggestions and sharing ideas about the future of waste management here on Saba. It is important to know that whatever solution we develop, that the community endorses it as well.”

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Photo caption:

Environmental Affairs, General

Subject: Harbor Financing agreement signed

November 17, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

Recently, the Commissioner of Harbor Affairs, Bruce Zagers along with Director of USONA, Mr. R Doran, signed a Financing Agreement for the first of many projects towards the Harbor. The financing agreement was for a total of approximately 140,000 NAF.

This agreement will finance two separate projects, the first being to hire a consultant to develop the plans for building a retaining wall near the rock slide area. Zagers stated, “This was an urgent project from the very beginning and ensuring safe harbor facilities is a major priority of the Government.”

The consultant for this job will also be responsible for drafting other plans which will result in major improvements for the Harbor. For instance, the road where the new retaining wall will be built will have to be widened to accommodate the free flow of traffic. Furthermore, below the road will be transformed into extra dock space. This will be a new improvement and upgrade to approximately 175 feet of docking space. The consultant will also be in charge of finding a solution for the boat ramp. Zagers stated that he hopes the plans are finalized and the actual project can begin during the first quarter of 2010.

The second part of the project will be to research a solution for the end of the Captain Leo Chance Pier. The end of the pier was damaged during the passing of Hurricane Omar. The study will be made by Delft University. Depending on the outcome of the study, Zagers and his project team will make a recommendation to the Executive Council in the form of an action plan on how to proceed.

Approximately 7 million guilders have been made available within the SEI for improvements to the Harbor. Zagers and his Project Team have composed a plan encompassing several different projects which will total 4 million guilders. Once the report from Delft University is submitted, the Project team will be in a better position to allocate the remaining funding appropriately.

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Photo caption: (back) Chris Johnson, Jonathan Johnson, Bobby Zagers (front) R. Doran and Bruce Zagers

Environmental Affairs, General

Subject: Granger to represent Saba on Winair Board

November 17, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

Recently, Ms. Urla Granger was appointed as a new member of the Winair Board to represent the Island Territory of Saba. Granger was born on Saba and went away to school starting at the age of 12. In her time abroad, she obtained a Bachelors and Masters in Accounting. Upon finishing school she worked in Accounting for 12 years in the United States. Granger was offered a position at GeBe in 2006 and has worked there since as Project and Inventory Control Supervisor.

Granger replaces the previous Saba Winair Board member, Mr. Theodore Johnson whom served on the Board for several years. After the Mr. Theodore Johnson resigned, the Executive Council was given the opportunity to recommend a replacement. The Executive Council made the recommendation for Ms. Granger based on her background on finance and accounting. A few weeks ago the Council of Ministers approved the Island Government of Saba’s recommendation to appoint Urla Granger.

“I look forward to having someone on the Board who can see from the outside in and to see what is working and not working within Winair”, stated Commissioner Chris Johnson.

Ms Granger stated to GIS, “Saba is home and when it comes to transportation we have one choice. It is important that we protect that and see it is not interrupted for locals and tourists. For me, this experience is coming full circle being that Winair allowed some of us to leave Saba to get our education, and now return. Given this experience I can assist with further opening up the world to this small island called Saba.”

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Photo caption: Urla Granger and Comm. Chris Johnson

General, Tourism

We have issued the official program for Saba Day Dec 4th, 2009 by the Island Government.  Please download below.

DOWNLOAD – Dec 4th Program

We have also issued the official Saba Day Weekend Festivities 2009 Schedule. Please download below.

DOWNLOAD – Weekend Schedule

Please feel free to redistribute and re-share this link to whomever you feel necessary!

Culture, General Saba Day 2009

Subject: Saba to be part of advertising Pilot Program

November 3, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

Approximately twelve years ago at a Vacation Fair in Holland, Director of Tourism Glenn Holm had the opportunity to meet Mr. Cees Timmes of TVC advertising. Holm stated that he was familiar with Timmes work on both Curacao and St. Eustatius. Realizing the potential of TVC and Saba as a market, Mr. Holm stated that he’d like to have some promotional materials made up by TVC some day in the future.

This wish for promotional items materialized a couple years ago with some Dutch funding (quickwins) to produce a first image brochure as well as some banners and tradeshow materials. Recently, more funding has become available through the SEI and it was decided to continue the promotional possibilities previously laid down.

The finished projects are now a more detailed and informative brochure as well as island maps. An image bank has also become available to all tour operators, magazines, and promotional materials for Saba. This image bank can be found at www.saba-pictures.com

Today, Holm and Timmes had the opportunity to meet with the Executive Council and present the new materials. An idea was put forth for an advertising pilot program featuring souvenir items using the same general branding.  The proposal given to the Government was to include the new brochures and maps with the agreement that TVC will absorb the costs of the project. If the project is successful, then the private sector will be given the opportunity to invest in new and future promotional materials developed by TVC advertising. Overall, these promotional materials will be approved and controlled by the Saba Tourist Bureau.

Commissioner Zagers stated, “I am very impressed with the quality of these materials. Living here you sometimes take for granted the beauty of this island. Seeing the presented materials in these brochures makes you realize that we all live in a lush paradise. This is something that we as Saba people should remind ourselves of daily.”

Following the meeting with the Executive Council, Holm and Timmes will hold a meeting with the private sector to display the new items and pilot program proposal.

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Photo caption: Cees Timmes, Glenn Holm, Bruce Zagers, Jonathan Johnson

General, Tourism

Subject: Zagers returns from Holland satisfied with meeting

Commissioner of Finance, Bruce Zagers, returned on Wednesday after his recent visit to the Netherlands. Zagers elicited that he landed back on his home island of Saba with a sense of satisfaction regarding the short-notice meeting in The Netherlands. Island Secretary, Menno van der Velde was also part of the delegation who requested the urgent meeting with State Secretary Jan Kees de Jager.

Zagers stated to GIS, “The delegation in Bonaire did not have the liberty to answer many questions posed by the BES islands. It was obvious during the session that the issues needed to be discussed further on a political level. The delegation was instrumental in assisting the islands with the arranging of the meeting with the State Secretary in Holland”

“I am very grateful for the hospitality and the acceptance that the State Secretary has shown the delegation during our short visit. Although we had little time to sufficiently peruse all the underlying documentation in the fourth draft tax law, together with Statia we were able to bring forward the main issues. These main points were debated between the two islands, Saba and Statia, and at the end one document was created which was discussed with the State Secretary and his delegation.” stated Zagers

Currently, the proposed fourth draft tax laws are still of a confidential nature which means that specific details of the meeting were not given to GIS during the interview. Zagers elicited that he did not want to compromise the process, as significant improvements of the proposed tax law have recently been achieved during the meeting in Holland. “In the future when the documentation is somewhat finalized, information campaigns by both the Island Government and the Dutch Ministry of Finance will be launched to inform the citizens of the Island. I can say however, that the new proposal has an obvious shift in direct taxes to indirect taxes, meaning that tax burden would be shared.”

The fourth draft tax proposal is based on four main principles. The new system should generate sufficient revenues, but should be more or less equal to what is currently being collected. The new system should be simplified thus making it easier to implement and execute on all levels. There should also be a broad based level of acceptance of the new tax system. This system should stimulate economic activities on the BES islands. The foremost points which were brought up were centered on the four principles. It was in this manner that the delegation members were able to substantiate their arguments about their various concerns.

While in Holland, Zagers held a brief meeting with Mr. M.A.F Groenen who is a senior policy maker who is focusing on the dollarization process on the islands. Groenen, whom recently visited the islands, was unable to meet all the Government representatives due to the tax presentation on Bonaire. This provided a good opportunity to meet while in Den Haag, as both Commissioners of Finance were present. Zagers stated to GIS, “Different scenarios were discussed as to how we would proceed during the transition period before 2011 when the US Dollar would become our official currency. Mr. Groenen assured us that ample time will be given and information will be distributed to the population in as early as 1^st Quarter of 2010.”

Const. Affairs, Finance, General

Commissioner Zagers

SUBJECT: Zagers attends urgent meeting in Holland regarding new tax draft

Date: Sunday, October 25, 2009

On Saturday, October 24, Commissioner of Finance Bruce Zagers left Saba to urgently travel to Holland for a meeting with State Secretary of Finance, Jan Kees de Jager. This unanticipated visit to the Netherlands was deemed necessary by both Saba and Statia after an attending a presentation on Bonaire by Dutch Civil Servants regarding the fourth draft tax laws.

Zagers initially was hesitant to travel to the Netherlands on short notice, however, he stated that he felt a “sense of urgency” to meet with the State Secretary and that this was his deciding factor for the working visit. Commissioner Zagers informed GIS that, “A window of opportunity was made available by the State Secretary and we felt it necessary to take advantage of the opportunity to express the islands concerns about the proposed draft laws.”

Zagers stressed his dissatisfaction on how the process was handled. Proposals made in the third draft tax laws had been previously discussed at length and several agreements had been made. However, now being several months later, the Islands are presented with a new proposal which has been drafted unilaterally by the Dutch representatives. This new proposal varies significantly from the third proposal.

“The meeting in Bonaire was definitely an eye opener for the Islands”, stated Zagers. The meeting was adjourned on a few occasions making it necessary for the islands as well as the Dutch Delegation to hold private discussions. It was determined by the representatives of the BES islands that a letter would be send to the State Secretary voicing the BES islands concerns. This letter will be sent to the Ministry of Finance before the actual meeting with Saba and Statia.

The BES islands received the new draft approximately one week before the presentations on Bonaire. Recently, it was also learnt that this proposal would be sent to the second chamber for approval on Wednesday, October 28^th; just a few days after the islands only received the opportunity to get a brief explanation on the proposed tax laws.

“Although the new proposal seems slightly better than the current tax system, there are still areas that vary tremendously from the third draft tax law proposal. I feel that the private sectors of the islands were not adequately taken into consideration with this new proposal. Any new inclusions in the new tax system will have major consequences for each island territory”.

Zagers concluded by stating,” This visit to the Netherlands will give both Saba and St. Eustatius the opportunity to plea their individual cases to the State Secretary of Finance. This seems to be our only granted opportunity to discuss this proposal before it goes to the Second Chamber. Although there is little time remaining, I look forward to a positive and fruitful meeting with Mr. de Jager.”

SOURCE: Saba Government Information Services

Finance, General

Subject: Amateur Boxing on Saba

October 20, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

Last week, Commissioner of Sports Bruce Zagers met with Mr. Genghis Khan, Dean Johnson, and Milton Ottley and his advisor from the Sint Maarten Amateur Boxing Club Association. This meeting involved promoting the sport of amateur boxing on Saba.

Mr. Khan has been actively involved with this sport on Saba for over a year by starting with a group of three young men. Currently, he has grown his numbers to 10 youths. Khan and his team practice three times a week in the gym. Part of the training involves the boys doing endurance training on their off days.

Last year one the students participated in an event on the French side and did surprisingly well, taking into consideration there was little preparation or experience. This proves that our island has potential in this sport.

Saba will start an amateur boxing club in the near future. An association will be started to further establish amateur boxing on the Island. Once the association has been formed, the Saba group can become affiliated with the Sint Maarten Amateur and Professional Boxing Association. The advantages of joining this association will afford people the opportunity to be part of seminars and invitations to different bouts. The Sint Maarten Association is a member of the IBA (International Boxing Association).

Zagers stated that, “There are plans for an official launch of amateur boxing during the Saba Day celebrations. The Government will financially assist in purchasing a floor ring that can be used for practices and exhibition bouts. “ Zagers went on to say, “I fully support the initiative taken by Mr. Khan and I look forward to hearing more about these kind of positive outlets for our youth.”

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Photo caption:

Culture, General

Subject: Saba Delegation to discuss tax laws on Bonaire

October 20, 2009 (SGIS) – The Bottom, Saba:

On Tuesday, a delegation from Saba consisting of Commissioner Bruce Zagers, Island Secretary Menno van der Velde, and Pro-bono Advisor Will Johnson left Saba to attend tax discussions on Bonaire. The discussions will surround amendments made to the proposed third draft of the tax laws for the BES islands.

Based on very clear instructions from the Ministry of Finance in Holland, this documentation that is being discussed is still of a confidential nature. Being such, it cannot be divulged to the public until there is some certainty of a final draft. Since 2007 there has been three different variations of the tax law which were all different from one another. This variation will be the fourth.

Commissioner Bruce Zagers stated to GIS, “Since my tenure in 2007 as Commissioner of Finance, this is the fourth variation of the proposed tax law presented to the BES islands. I understand the stance of the Ministry of Finance by not divulging this information, because it will only cause undue stress to the community. There are still a lot of options open on the table for discussions so this is by no means a final documentation agreed upon between the BES islands.”

Zagers went on to say that “this delegation brings a wealth of experience to the table and will fight for the best interest of Saba and it’s population. The people of Saba can be rest assured that this delegation will defend the stance of Saba and will do its best to assure that the tax system is fair and realistic for Saba”.

Zagers understands that the people in the community are concerned about the uncertainty of the new tax laws. “The community should also realize that no island or country can function without a well working tax structure. The reality is that the tax Department has not functioned adequately for many years and because of this, many entities have grown used to somewhat of a “tax free land”.”

Over the past few decades some people have gotten away with not paying taxes, however, the proposed system will focus more on indirect taxes rather than direct taxes. Therefore, the tax burden gets shared amongst the community rather than individual entities.

Source: Saba Government Information Services – gis@sabagov.com

Photo caption:

Const. Affairs, General

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