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11 Pm Business Closure To Be Extended.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministerial Regulation to scale back the hours of nightlife, which was signed by the Ministries of TEATT and VSA, will be extended. Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Mr. Omar Ottley stated that the announcement of an October 1st reopening was an optimistic one, as he hoped that St. Maarten would have been able to contain the deadly COVID-19 Delta variant Read more

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Minister Richardson Asks Minister Grapperhaus To Expand Cooperation Beyond Kpsm.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Monday, September 27, 2021, Minister of Justice Anna E. Richardson, accompanied by Minister Plenipotentiary Rene Violenus visited Minister of Justice and Security in the Netherlands Mr. Ferdinand Grapperhaus.
In closing of her meetings with her Dutch counterparts, Minister Richardson paid a visit to Minister Grapperhaus Read more

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~Busy season projected.~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Labor Omar Ottley said on Wednesday that the 11 pm business closure will remain in effect for a bit longer as the amount of active COVID-19 cases is still high.
The Minister did not say when the business closure curfew will be lifted but promised that it will be sooner rather than later Read more

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Employer Council Shares Concerns Re Zv/Ov.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Employer Council St Maarten, the platform of ILO recognized St Maarten employer associations (SHTA, IMA, SMMTA, and SMTA), objects to both the proposal and process of the changes the Minister of Health, Social Development and Labor wants to apply to the ZV/OV regulations.

In a letter dated September 7th, the associations have addressed some of the points arising from the presentation of the draft ZV/OV regulations (letter attached). The effects of adjusting the ZV/OV regulation will have a profound effect on our labor market in particular and our economy in general and should not be made lightly.

With this, the Employer Council echoes the statement of concern by the St Maarten Insurance Association and the St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Health and Labor Omar Ottley confirmed on Wednesday at the Council of Minister's weekly press briefing that We Lounge night club will be closed for one week for several violations such as opening after the 11 pm curfew that remains in place while they will receive a maximum fine for the violations.
Ottley said that when the government implemented the 11 pm curfew for business closures certain penalties were put in place but there is a process in which these penalties will be implemented, one being warnings either verbal or written before being fined or imprisonment Read more

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~ PM did not see the letter before it was dispatched, meetings planned with Ombudsman and COM.~

PHILIPSBURG: --- Prime Minister of St Maarten Silveria Jacobs announced at the Council of Minister's press briefing on Wednesday that the Minister of VROMI Egbert Jurendy Doran has officially retracted the letter he sent to the Ombudsman of St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Christophe Emmanuel on Tuesday said the fact that Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs has not uttered a single word publicly about the offensive comments made by the Minister of VROMI Egbert Doran towards the Ombudsman is a shame and apparently indicates that she condones the comments. And you are what you condone, the MP said.
Emmanuel pointed out that several Members of Parliament stated that it behooves the Prime Minister to state her position on or give a reaction to Dorans offensive comments towards the Ombudsman Read more

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Is Possibly Ethically Unacceptable Behavior A New Norm?

PHILIPSBURG:---  The behavioral ethics of our appointed and elected officials have come under questionable circumstances lately.

While there is no regulation against gifts for government officials neither has the code of conduct been passed, which includes a gift registration for Members of Parliament (MPs).

Back on December 13th, 2018, former Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications (TEATT) Stuart Johnson highlighted an embarrassing case our country faced.

Johnson in The Daily Herald newspaper article stated, Government was notified on November 28 of a 451-day past-due bill for training attended by Member of Parliament Rolando Brison during his stint as St Read more

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CAY HILL:--- On Saturday, September 25th, SMMC, the Positive Foundation, and the Elektralytes Foundation hosted their annual Prostate Cancer Screening featuring a health check corner and a COVID-19 vaccination pop-up by CPS.
The event, which saw a total of 64 men over the age of 45 being screened for prostate cancer, was a collaborative effort between SMMC, the Positive and Elektralytes Foundation, and CPS. The event was supported by FLOW who offered free top-ups for persons receiving their COVID-19 vaccinations and Prime Distributors who provided refreshments for volunteers and attendees Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley extends his heartfelt sympathy to the families and friends of the three (3) victims who passed away due to COVID-19. Strength and prayers go out to the families during this time.

As of September 27th, there were twenty-two (22) persons who tested positive for COVID-19; however, twenty-eight (28) persons have recovered; bringing the total active cases to one hundred fifty-seven (157) Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Omar Ottley extends sympathy to the family and friends of Sint Maartens 63rd COVID-19 victim, who has passed away. He wishes the family comfort and strength during their time of grief.

As of September 25th, there were sixteen (16) persons who tested positive for COVID-19; however, fourteen (14) persons have recovered; bringing the total active cases to one hundred sixty-six (166) Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Omar Ottley extends his heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of Sint Maartens 62nd COVID-19 victim, who has passed away. He wishes the family strength during this time.

As of September 24th, there were nineteen (19) persons who tested positive for COVID-19; however, eighteen (18) persons have recovered; bringing the total active cases to one hundred sixty-five (165) Read more

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Prime Minister Jacobs Attends Disaster Management Meeting Regarding Preparations For Hurricane Sam.

PHILIPSBURG(DCOMM):--- On Friday afternoon, Prime Minister Hon. Silveria Jacobs attended a disaster management meeting convened by National Disaster Coordinator Clive Richardson in connection with the approach of Hurricane Sam.

Hurricane Sam is over 1200 miles from the northern Leeward Islands. Sam is expected to become a major hurricane in the coming days before it nears the Leeward Islands.

The 10-Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) gave an update pertaining to national preparations for the approach of Hurricane Sam Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- A moment of curiosity captured Giovanni Johnson, who went from a delivery driver at SXM beer to now being in the final steps of becoming the first local brewmaster for SXM beer. Giovanni shared his story; One day, I stopped behind the brewery and saw the brewmaster standing on a platform throwing something inside a big stainless-steel barrel. A stomach-teasing aroma, with a smell like when you pour a warm cup of milk onto cereal or cornflakes. When this aroma filled the air, I asked, what he was doing, he replied, using the brewers term, Im mashing in, which in other words means to extract starch and sugars from grain that will be your potential beer wort Read more

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Erfpact Land Distribution A Known Taboo For Politicians On St. Maarten.

~ A policy is like placing a band-aid over a life sore.~

PHILIPSBURG: --- The distribution of long lease land to voters during an election is a known taboo for politicians on St. Maarten, it is one of the reasons why the Ministry of VROMI is fought for during coalition negotiations. In most cases, the best negotiator wins.

Members of Parliament that were either commissioners or ministers are guilty of receiving parcels of land for themselves their family members, close friends, and party supporters Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The main items on the agenda of the meeting between Minister Richardson and State Secretary Knops on Thursday, September 23, 2021, were the status of the discussions with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in connection with building a new prison, the Plan of Approach for the Pointe Blanche prison, measure H.11 of the Country package for Sint Maarten which concerns the further strengthening of Sint Maartens border control agencies with the assistance of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, and the status of the Function Book for KPSM Read more

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~ there is no single list on Vineyard Heights.~

 PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of VROMI Egbert Jurendy Doran said in his brief response to parliament that the 54 persons that received draft decree in 2014 from former Ministers of VROMI were plain out fooled or duped. Doran showed a draft decree that lacked basic information while laying out the steps that have to be taken before a decree is issued Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Faction leader of the National Alliance William Marlin posed several questions to the Minister of VROMI Egbert Jurendy Doran regarding the Vineyard Heights land allotment.
Marlin asked the Minister if it is the government's intention to create a gated community at the Vineyard Heights location Read more

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~ Never meant to disrespect the office of the high council of state, Doran~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of VROMI Egbert Jurendy Doran apologized to the Ombudsman of St. Maarten Gwendolien Mossel after writing a letter to her posing several questions regarding her relationships and possible conflict of interest.
Doran said he never intended to disrespect the Ombudsman, he also pointed out that he voted to appoint the Ombudsman to the office while being a Member of Parliament Read more

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Urgent Public Meeting Of Parliament Regarding The Management Of Government Long Lease Land By The Government Of Sint Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in an urgent Public meeting on Thursday, September 23, 2021.

The Public meeting is scheduled for 14.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure, and the Minister of Finance will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:
Management of government (long lease) land by the government of Sint Maarten (IS/016/2021-2022 dated September 15, 2021)
This meeting was requested by MP S.A Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Omar Ottley extends his sympathy to the family and friends of Sint Maartens 61st COVID-19 victim, who has passed away. Minister Ottley wishes the family peace during their time of loss.

As of September 21st, there were twenty-nine (29) persons who tested positive for COVID-19; however, seventeen (17) persons have recovered; bringing the total active cases to one hundred sixty-three (163) Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Omar Ottley extends his condolences to the family and friends of Sint Maartens 60th COVID-19 victim, who has passed away. Minister Ottley wishes the family much strength during this time.

As of September 20th, there were twenty-six (26) persons who tested positive for COVID-19; however, forty-eight (48) persons have recovered; bringing the total active cases to one hundred fifty-two (152) Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Independent MP Christophe Emmanuel on Monday said the statement by the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation (SMHDF) about raising the rent of its tenants feels like there is more to the story than the foundation is saying and questioned governments role.
SMHDF General Director Helen Salomons informed the media that the World Bank (WB) Trust Fund Steering Committee has denied SMHDFs request for the US $45 million in funding. She said that the rejection is for reasons unknown Read more

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Minister Ottley Invited To Serve As Member Of The Committee On Credentials At Paho/Who Directing Council.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Directing Council of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), 73rd Session of the Regional Committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) for the Americas, has invited the Honorable Omar Ottley, Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour to serve as a member of the Committee on Credentials of the 59th Session, from September 20th- 24th, 2021.
The PAHO Directing Council meets annually to discuss constitutional, program policy, administrative and financial matters, elect the Member States to serve on Boards and Committees, and present awards.

As a member of the Committee on Credentials, Minister Ottley will work with representatives of two other Member States to evaluate all the Delegations' credentials Read more

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