Minister Lake happy Rotary Club of Sint Maarten to beautify and maintain Simpson Bay Village Round-a-bout

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry of VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake, on Friday morning was thanked by President of Rotary Club Sint Maarten Danny Ramchandani for his role in allowing the service club to have the responsibility of beautifying and maintaining the Simpson Bay Village Round-a-bout.

On Friday, Rotarian Ramchandani said: "On behalf of the Rotary Club of Sint Maarten I want to thank the ‘back to basics’ Honorable Minister Lake for believing in the Rotary Club of Sint Maarten and the service projects that Rotarians do on behalf of the community.  

“We are very proud to display the Rotary International marquee on the roundabout. We look forward to displaying the Rotary 4 Way Test and to further beautifying the roundabout. Thank you."

Minister Lake said that it was part of his back to basics approach where well-grounded Sint Maarten community organizations can assist with maintaining some of the public infrastructure. 

“Service clubs are already playing a very important role in our community by organizing various activities in order to donate to different causes.

“I commend the Rotary Club of Sint Maarten for wanting to adopt the Simpson Bay Village Round-a-bout where the service club would be able to beautify and maintain the area around it.  It is in key location where tourists who arrive by plane will see it on their way to their hotel. 

“Cruise passengers also pass there as well during their tour, so beautification and keeping it well maintained will further add to the improvement in our tourism product,” Minister Hon. Maurice Lake said on Friday.

The Rotary Club of St. Maarten was chartered on March 17, 1972 as result of a September 1970 meeting to form a club on the island.  

Since its formation, the Rotary Club of St. Maarten has grown in membership and has assisted in the formation of new clubs in the District, including Anguilla (1978), St. Martin Nord (1988), St. Martin Mid-Isle (1997) and St. Martin Sunrise (2004).  For more information, visit the club website at www.rotarysxm.org.