The St. Maarten Monument Council represented by Mrs. Leona Marlin-Romeo and Ms. Marla Chemont traveled to Curacao on Feb. 4-6, 2014, on fact finding mission. "The purpose of the visit was to network and build a closer working relationship with the experts in that field as well as to learn from our Curacao counterparts the processes and procedures involved in preserving, restoring and managing our history, culture and heritage", said Mrs. Marlin-Romeo. Curacao has over 860 monuments, therefore the knowledge is extensive.
The St. Maarten Monument Council representatives met with Mr. Richenel Ansano, & Drs. Claudia Kraan of the National Archeological & Anthropological Memory Management (NAAM), "Monumenten beleid". The discussion centered around the policies and guidelines of preserving and restoring monument structures as well as the importance and significance of recording the oral and traditional culture and history of our people. "The St. Maarten representatives were also pleased to learn that a number of artifacts belonging to St. Maarten were returned (DATE) and now housed at SIMARC. There are a number of pieces that still have to be inventoried, once done they will be sent to St. Maarten.
A meeting was also convened with a representative of the Monumentenzorg (Stichting) Drs. Mr. Marcel van der Plank. This non-profit organization manages the 860 Monument buildings that they have restored/refurbished and these are now rented out to businesses and others are rented as homes. The Monumentzorg collects monthly rents for these monuments ranging from 35 guilders to 22,000 guilders. The St. Maarten Monument Council was given a brief tour of several of the restored and renovated monuments in the Skalo Area.
Talks were also held with a representative of the Ministry of VVRP. The Monumentenraad Secretary, Ms. Gerda Gehlen provided several reports with data on the structure and guidelines, as well as policies relating to monument development on the island. Ms. Gehlen is very familiar with St. Maarten as she worked with the former council representatives’ in the past. Mr. Francois van der Hoeven, the Martine and Fieldworker Inspectorate for the Ministry, also sat in this meeting.
The meetings were very productive and informative. The Monument entities will continue to work closer together in fostering a better working relationship. The visit was organized by the Chairman of the Monumentraad Drs. Charles do Rego.