05/12/2015
Why is it so hard for locals to chase our dreams in creating our own local businesses? Why is it that the foreign businessman still has such leverage over us? Is it that we should remain working for others to build their dreams? Is it that we could go no further than being small roadside vendors? Why is it so hard?
WHY WAS La Pinta Floating Bar & Grill FORCED TO HALT IT’S PROGRESS? This is why. We received claims that (1) we were infringing on land owned by Christoph Harbor, (2) we are threats to the environment in endangering turtles.
In response to the first claim, is it not stated by law that beaches are public and cannot be claimed? La Pinta Floating Bar & Grill is a boat floating on the water, docked next to the old abandoned badge at Major’s Bay. Hence, it is on the sea. Does the sea belong to Christoph Harbor? The only construction done was a pier for patrons to board our vessel (of no damage/danger to sea creatures), which could be easily removed. Less than a foot of the pier is untouched by the sea. So does the sand/beach belong to Christoph Harbor?
We have absolutely no plans of building any permanent structures on the beach. We are simply trying to create a space and experience for both locals and tourists to enjoy our beach freely. Major’s Bay is one of very few beaches on the South East Peninsular yet to be claimed by foreign “investors.” Let’s take a look at Sandy Bank beach, when is the last time you’ve been to that beach? Though beaches cannot be legally claimed, obstacles are placed in the way making the beaches difficult to access thus deterring our people from enjoying our beaches. We refuse to let Major’s Bay be another example.
In response to claim number two (2), we are all fond of nature, especially our nature and aim to be nothing but ecofriendly. Without any questions asked, St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network has recently posted pictures of our staff at work on their page insinuating that we are destroying the beach. There is absolutely no truth to this propaganda being spread. Though we had no contact with the head of St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network, we communicated/worked with Mr. Taylor, the guy responsible for checking the area for their organization. While conducting his routine checkups on the beach he guided us as we cleared what we locally call “casha trees” (depicted in the image provided) so as to avoid endangering any wildlife, especially not the turtles. He even informed us during a conversation with him on the 4th of December, 2015 that we had done no damage to the turtles and their existence as we did not interfere with the sand nor any trees besides the dried “casha trees.” Yet, we have been wrongfully labeled as criminals to the environment.
Instead of carelessly spreading propaganda, we invite you to take a look at Major’s Bay for yourself to see how beautiful and clean it is as we work tirelessly to clean and remove rubbish and seaweed from the beach on a daily basis. We love our beautiful island and would do nothing to harm our environment. We have even recently tried reaching out to St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network to clear all suspicions and to create a relationship to help their cause. However, we are still unsuccessful in our efforts.
Locally owned, La Pinta Floating Bar & Grill is simply a boat docked next to the old abandoned badge at Major’s Bay (causing no sea pollution as the motors are always off) aiming to provide its patrons with a taste of paradise. Tourism is our main industry, we are simply trying to boost our economy by increasing our tourist attractions, keeping the environment clean and providing employment for a staff of thirty (30) locals; not to mention creating an opportunity for the many taxi drivers. We simply aim to create a space and experience for both locals and tourists to freely enjoy our natural beaches. We aim to be as ecofriendly as possible and to maintain our beaches. Please give our local businessman a try.
