~ SCDF office open every Saturday ~
The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) is reminding all booth holders that complete payment for their booths must be made by or before March 31, 2012. Additionally, Booth holders should also start going to the Economic Affairs Department/Licenses to obtain their licenses to operate for Carnival 2012.
The SCDF had already outlined these steps in its first general meeting of booth holders some weeks ago but urges all booths holders not to wait until the last minute to get their affairs in order. Booth holders also have until March 31 to submit all photos for the persons who will be working in their booth for the Carnival season.
There is a US $50 penalty fee for booth holders who do not submit all of their pictures as well as total payment for their booth by March 31. In such a case, booth holders will have only three days after March 31 to make payment including the penalty fee. SCDF board members are available to accept payment and answer any questions every Saturday from 10:00am until 2:00pm in their temporary office.
The office is located in the parking lot at the rear of the Government Administration Building in Philipsburg (blue containers). "We urge all booth holders to adhere to the deadline of March 31. The SCDF has a waiting list of over 30 people who want a booth. Unfortunately if any booth holder fails to make payment, they run the risk of losing their booth," the SCDF said.
All booths in Carnival Village have been allotted for Carnival 2012. The SCDF has been operating at its temporary office for the past three weeks. A number of booth holders have already started making payment, some in installments.