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Prime Minister Lights Fireworks At Court House Tuesday

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Prime Minister of Sint Maarten the Honorable Marcel Gumbs was invited on Tuesday by the staff of the Court House, to symbolically resume a tradition that has been put aside over the last few years.

This was the lighting of a string of fireworks to close off the working year.

Court House staff welcomed the Prime Minister with snacks and hugs and said the two-minute fireworks presentation was simply the resumption of something many businesses on Frontstreet used to do.

With all safety precautions in place, the Prime Minister lit the string of fireworks Read more

Lenny Preist Says Up Leader Bends Under Dutch Pressure

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The leader of the UP, MP Theodore Heyliger succumb to the pressure of the Dutch government by first withdrawing his name as a candidate for Prime Minister of St. Maarten, a position that he stated during the campaign that he was ready and able to take on.

The fact that he has not made himself available to assume the leadership of this country and to lead the government we consider this an act of treason Read more

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Parliament In Recess Until January 1St. Meetings Resume In The Week Of January 12

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – President of Parliament, Hon. Lloyd Richardson, MD informed Members of Parliament that the House as of December 22 is in Christmas holiday recess until January 1st.

Parliamentary sessions are to resume in the weeks of January 12 and January 26.

A parliamentary delegation will be traveling to Ar Read more

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Up Leader Mp Hon. Theo Heyliger On The Eve Of Christmas Message

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – My Fellow Sint Maarteners,

I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and best wishes for the season. This is a period of giving, sharing, and taking care of those less fortunate.

The weeks leading up to the eve of Christmas has seen various organizations and companies within our community giving back; sharing, and leaving behind goods and other items that they can use, the true values of good will to all men.

I praise those who would be working through the holiday season to serve and protect others, our Police, Fire Services and the Emergency Medical Services.

I praise those working around the clock at the St Read more

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President Of Parliament Hon. Dr. Lloyd Richardson Christmas Message

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – President of Parliament, Hon. Lloyd Richardson, MD released the following Christmas Message for the nation.

Fellow St. Maarteners, citizens and residents. On behalf of the members of Parliament of St. Maarten and my family I would like to extend our warmest greetings to you during this festive season.

We've been blessed during this year to have been spared serious natural disasters Read more

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Urgent Plenary Session Of Parliament Scheduled For Monday About Housing Foundation

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – A plenary session of the House of Parliament is scheduled for December 22nd regarding the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation (SMHDF).

The plenary session is set for Monday at 10.00am in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelmina Straat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda is concerning the request made to the Governments Accounting Bureau SOAB to carry out a forensic investigation in to the operations of the SMHDF; the decision of the board of the SMHDF to suspend several members of the management team and the request of the former Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) Hon Read more

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Outgoing Minister Lake Has Christmas Lunch With Senior Citizens Organized By Home Away From Home

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Outgoing Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake in one of his final activities on Friday prior to the swearing in of the new Council of Ministers, enjoyed Christmas lunch with senior citizens organized by Home Away from Home Foundation at the John Larmonie Center.

"The seniors are very close to my heart Read more

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Nagico Food Drive Brings Christmas Cheer To St. Maarten

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - NAGICO Insurances through their NAGICO Lend a Hand project executed a massive Food Drive, in which 21 boxes of non-perishable food items were collected, packaged and donated to various members of the community.

The initiative which was spearheaded by the NAGICO Marketing Department and kicked off in September, with collection bins and baskets placed at all NAGICO locations throughout the island and individuals were encouraged to donate whatever non-perishable food item they could spare.

"We wanted this to be a hands-on project where our staff, management, agents and brokers came together to contribute to the community in a tangible way," Paul Dijkhoffz; Executive Marketing Manager of NAGICO said Read more

Statement From The Honorable Prime Minister Marcel F.A. Gumbs

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with a great sense of pride and honor that I sit before you as Prime Minister of this greatest little country in the world. My entire life has been dedicated to service in one form or the other to St. Maarten. This latest chapter is just a continuation of that service. And now, it's time to work!

We hold no illusions of the task before us. St. Maarten is at a critical stage in its development and growth as a nation.

Our mission is clear: To ensure that St Read more

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Speech Of The Governor Given At The Appointment And Swearing-In Ceremony Of The New Cabinet Of Ministers

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten - Chairman of Parliament, Prime-Minister, President of the Collectivity of Saint Martin,
Parliamentarians, Ministers Invited Guests, My fellow Sint Maarteners Good Afternoon.

The August 29, 2014, parliamentary elections set the stage for the transfer of executive responsibility for the governance of our beautiful country from one team of ministers to a new team of ministers. Today, 3 months and three weeks, later we have before us a new team of ministers.

It is the culmination of the official formation process amidst complex and tensed domestic and Kingdom circumstances.

During the formation which concluded today I consulted with various persons and named and worked with formateur Mr Read more

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Ospp Leader Sends Letter To President Of Parliament Seeking Meeting To Discuss Gebe Fuel Clause

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – The cost of living on St. Maarten is amongst one of the highest within the region and the cost of energy is one of the main proponents of that cost.

A reduction of the cost of energy will result in food prices as well as many other prices on the island to drop, and thus providing the consumers a much needed relief.

Every political party and all the candidates during the last campaign have promised the people some type of relief. Today, we have a golden opportunity to make good use on at least one of those promises and that should be by reducing the fuel clause on our energy bills Read more

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Chamber Election Results

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The results of the Chamber elections for the period 2015-2017 are as follows:

Kleinbedrijf: (Small Business)

Ajay Rawtani................................65 (due to a three way tie, a pulling of a lot by the election committee chair was done* see excerpt of law below)

Ann Meyers .................................46

Anna Rabess-Richardson...........65

Basil Richardson..........................15

Keoma Hamer..............................33

Nkomo Lake.................................65

Pamela Annuska Illis-Friday......122

Vinod Kotai...................................57

Grootbedrijf: (Large Business)

Ann Meyers..................................5

Anna Rabess-Richardson...........3

Louis Bute....................................15

Nkomo Lake.................................2

Pamela Annuska Illis-Friday......6

*Election Regulations for the Chambers of Commerce and Industry

Artikel 56

· 2 Read more

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Preventing Holiday Tree Fires This Season

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – Many homes on the inside and outside have been decorated with Christmas lights, stockings, banners, wreaths and the most popular of these decorations is the Christmas tree.

As part of Ministry of Public Health's Collective Prevention Services (CPS) Safe Holiday Season Observances, in collaboration with the Department of Communication, residents are advised to keep the season safe by following a few helpful tips.

Minister of Public Health Hon. Cornelius de Weever as part of his 'Get Checked' campaign, is calling on the community to check their Christmas tree lighting to make sure is operating safely in order in order to avoid any hazards this holiday season.

These are some life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happy holiday:

Preventing Holiday Tree Fires

* Holiday tree fire hazards

Special fire safety precautions need to be taken when keeping a live tree in the house Read more

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Nagico Sponsors Brochures To Police Safety Awareness Project

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - NAGICO sponsored 10,000 brochures to the Community Police Officers of Sint Maarten on Thursday morning, to assist with their crime prevention efforts.

CEO of NAGICO Insurances N.V; Dwayne Elgin made the presentation to representatives of the Police Force; Community Police Officers; Inspectors Steven Carty and Arcella Leonard.

"We at NAGICO are pleased to be able to assist the Community Police Officers (CPOs) in this initiative and we remain committed to our community as the repercussions and ripple effect from increased crime rate can be severe."

The brochures which will be distributed by the police officers to the general public contain safety tips on how to minimize the risk of theft, robberies and burglary Read more

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Traffic Measure Implemented

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - On Thursday December 18th a press briefing was organized between the Department of VROMI and the Police Department regarding traffic measures that will take place during the busy Christmas Holiday Season.

The press briefing was held at the Philipsburg Police Station.

These measures are to alleviate the serious traffic congestion that occurs during this period by creating better traffic circulation throughout the Philipsburg area.

Later during that evening between 05.00 p.m Read more

Governor Receives Final Formation Report Theodore Heyliger

HARBOUR VIEW, Sint Maarten – On December 17, 2014, His Excellency the Governor of Sint Maarten, drs. E.B. Holiday, received the final report of formateur Theodore Heyliger.

The formateur has accepted the commission to form a new government that has a majority in Parliament and that consists of Ministers who are committed to the promotion of the wellbeing of Sint Maarten and dedicated to jointly execute the UP/I-2 Governing Accord, agreed upon by the coalition partners United People's Party, independent Member of Parliament Van Hugh C Read more

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Chamber Election Set For December 18

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry would like to inform the members that during the nomination period that ended on Tuesday December 16th, 2014, thirteen (13) persons were nominated for the three (3) vacancies on its Board of Directors.

For the Large Business Sector, five (5) person postulated themselves, and for the Small Business Sector, eight (8) persons postulated themselves.

For the Large Business Sector, there is one (1) vacancy, and for the Small Business Sector, there are two (2) vacancies on its Board of Directors.

The Election Committee consisted of the following members, Messer: Franklin Brison, Cleophas Richardson, Myrna Lynch, and Charles Benders.

For the Large Business Sector there were five (5) candidates who were approved for the one (1) position Read more

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Sxm Mp's To Meet On Upcoming Ipko Meeting Which Is Set For January

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Committee of Kingdom Affairs and Interparliamentary Relations (CKAIR) of the St. Maarten Parliament will be meeting again on Thursday, December 18th to discuss the upcoming IPKO (Meeting of Kingdom Parliaments) on Aruba in the first week of January 2015.

This committee of Parliament met for the first time on December 8th to elect its chairperson and vice chairperson. MP Sarah Wescot-Williams was elected to chair this committee.

On December 9th, by means of a video conference the chairpersons of the Parliaments and the parliamentary Kingdom Committees of Aruba, Curacao and St Read more

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Sxm Students Attending Intercontinental University Of The Caribbean Sit Thesis Defence Exam

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - On Saturday Dec 13, 2014 the ICUC, the Intercontinental University of the Caribbean, held a thesis defence exam for its St. Maarten based students in their Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Management program.

Six students earned their bachelors degree on Saturday and have joined their seven predecessors making the total graduates 13.

The International Hospitality & Tourism Management (IHTM) program of ICUC was founded on The World Bank's recommendation.

In 2001 The World Bank recommended to establish "a good quality hotel and restaurant school in Curaçao that could also attract students from elsewhere in the Caribbean" as an integral part of the overall economic reform and recover strategy of the island.

In accordance with the World Bank's view that the school should be "undertaken by the private sector, with the Government playing a suitable catalytic and supporting role", the IHTM program has been developed and initiated in 2003 in a strategic alliance with the Government – the Hospitality Industry – and the Tourism Sector.

In 2006 a second campus of the school was opened on St Read more

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President Richardson Attends Kingdom Day Celebration In The Netherlands

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – President of Parliament, Hon. Lloyd Richardson, MD attended the 60th anniversary ceremony of the Kingdom Charter which was celebrated on Kingdom Day, December 15th.

At the ceremony on Monday, President Richardson met several Sint Maarten students who are studying in the Netherlands.

Queen Juliana signed the Kingdom Charter 60-years ago on December 15th Read more

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Minister Of Culture Lourens-Philip Says Thank You For A Great Traditions Of Christmas Celebration

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports Hon. Patricia Lourens-Philip would like to say thank you to the people of Sint Maarten and all participating groups for bringing the true spirit of Christmas to Philipsburg on Sunday, December 14th.

Philipsburg will come alive with sounds of music, laughter, joy, hope and good will to all mankind.

"They brought joy, peace and showed the love one to another and for the traditions of this country by making such a tremendous effort to portray the true meaning of Christmas such as togetherness, family and gratitude.

"The Department of Culture and the Caribbean Professionals in Intangible and Tangible Cultural Heritage PITCH - IT Foundation, must be applauded for putting this together.

"I will encourage them to establish it in our intangible heritage profile and have it become a tradition that will continue for many years to come," Minister Hon Read more

Minister Lake Visits Down Street Cruise Heritage Development. Impressed With Emphasis On Cultural Heritage And Local Entrepreneurship

POINT BLANCHE, St. Maarten – Last week Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake, did a walk-through of the Down Street Cruise Heritage Development.

Port St. Maarten Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Mingo as well as other port officials was on hand to provide information to Minister Lake with respect to how the project is progressing.

Minister Lake was very pleased with the traditional local architecture that is being used to build the cabanas that depicts the ginger bread houses which are part of the national heritage.

"The project had some delays due to the shipping of materials and then the inclement weather that the country experienced Read more

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Mp Wescot-Williams Seeking To Make Public Official Information On Smhdf Saga

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Member of Parliament and Leader of the Democratic Party, the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams Monday sent a letter to the President of Parliament the Honorable Dr. Lloyd Richardson seeking answers to a number of questions surrounding developments at the St Read more

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Lenny Preist Questions Impact Of Gas Price Reduction On Electricity Bills

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – According to all media reports, the international energy agency (IEA) has announced that oil prices have fallen to an all-time low with a barrel of crude oil going at the rate of U.S. $ 58.00 a barrel.

Governments and energy companies all over the world have passed on this savings to their consumers.

What will it take for St. Maarten government and NV GEBE to provide relief to the people in the form of a 40% to 50% reduction in the fuel clause on our electricity bills? afterall, our monthly electricity bill is made up of energy consumption and the fuel clause.

The fuel clause in most cases makes up approximately 60% of the monthly bill.

The people of St Read more