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Theo Seeks Meeting With Integrity Quartermaster

PHILIPSBURG--United People’s (UP) party Member of Parliament (MP) Theo Heyliger wants to meet with the Dutch Government-appointed quartermaster for the integrity chamber. He has submitted his request via the Office of the Dutch Representative in Philipsburg for a sit down with the quartermaster the next time he is in St Read more

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Parliament Meets Today On 3 Draft Ordinances

PHILIPSBURG--Three draft national ordinances will be before Parliament today, Monday, in a public session starting at 3:30pm. Prime Minister/General Affairs Minister William Marlin will table the ordinances.

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Library Board Seeks Termination Of Monique Alberts

~ In the meantime, she is suspended as Library Director ~

PHILIPSBURG – Last week the news broke in the media that the board of the library had suspended Monique Alberts as Director of the Library. She has held that position for over 7 years.

Alberts has been employed by the Philipsburg Jubilee Library (PJL) since August 2006, and has held the position of Director of PJL since February 2008.

According to information reaching 721news, in a meeting that took place on January 4, 2017 between Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Silveria Jacobs, the PJL Board, Alberts and several civil servants, Minister Jacobs implored those members of the Board who had exceeded their maximum tenure of eight years (Clayton Holiday and Udo Aron, among them) – as stipulated in PJL’s bylaws – to step down and start recruiting new board members.

According to reliable information obtained by 721news newsroom, in that same meeting on January 4, Minister Jacobs addressed the persons, who were representing board members, and informed them that they were illegally executing orders Read more

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Voting Papers Arrive Late Abroad, On Time On Islands

THE HAGUE--The late or non-arrival of voting papers of Dutch voters abroad has raised concerns. Democratic Party D66 candidate Eelco Keij is taking action and D66 Member of the Second Chamber Sjoerd Sjoerdsma is seeking clarity from the Dutch Government. The voting papers arrived timely in the Dutch Caribbean.

721News General Notification

Due to the moving from the previous company to the new company server, which is handling our website at this moment, we have encountered some minor technical issues resulting in some of our readers being unable to access our website via a mobile device (phone or tablet). Accessing via laptop and PC was never an issue. This minor problem has now been resolved.

The decision for us to move to a different company was to get better service, and most importantly to secure our website against hackers, who do not have anything to do than to attack people’s websites on a daily basis Read more

Aline Hanson Extends Condolences

SAINT MARTIN — I was very sorry to learn of the death of Mr. Boniface Hodge, whom we all knew as Titan. Originally from Grand Case, he was much appreciated for his kindness, generosity and availability.

Titan had worked in the neighborhood council No. 2, where he had given his time and where he had invested himself for the good of the community. He liked to get involved in the life of the city. He had also worked in neighborhood associations, always eager to make his contribution to the territory.

Titan left too early Read more

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Condoléances

« J’ai été très peinée d’apprendre le décès de monsieur Boniface HODGE, que nous connaissions tous sous le nom de Titan. Originaire de Grand Case, il était très apprécié pour sa gentillesse, sa générosité et sa disponibilité.

Titan avait œuvré au sein du Conseil de quartier n°2, où il avait donné de son temps et où il s’était investi pour le bien de la communauté. Il aimait s’impliquer dans la vie de la cité, il avait aussi œuvré dans des associations de quartier, toujours désireux d’apporter sa contribution au territoire Read more

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Exclusive:--- Minister Of Vromi Requested The Resignation Of Smhdf Board Members.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of VROMI Christopher Emmanuel dispatched a letter to the board St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation (SMHD) requesting that the three government-appointed board to members tender their resignation. The names of the government appointees are Anthony Brown, Jason Peterson, and Roxanne Howell.
SMN News learned that several residents living in the Belvedere homes have filed complaints to SMHDF that their homes are filled with mold, there are leakage and other damages to the homes and SMHDF has refused to do anything about the dilapidated homes Read more

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Board Members outlived their time-span.

PHILIPSBURG: --- The outlived board members of the Philipsburg Jubilee Library chose to suspend the Director of the Library as of February 1st, 2017 after the board members were advised by the Minister of Education Silveria Jacobs to go home and that new members be appointed to the board.
According to information SMN News obtained the Minister of Education Silveria Jacobs called a meeting with the board members, the director and some civil servants during the month of January since government subsidizes the Philipsburg Jubilee Library and it was in that meeting she learned that the board members have been sitting for 10 years instead of 8 Read more

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Minister Jacobs: Not Just A Marketing Issue, Not Just A Culture Issue, It’S A St. Maarten Issue

PHILIPSBURG – Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Silveria Jacobs in Wednesday’s, March 1, Council of Ministers Press Briefing, updated on issues within Division of Public Education.

After having received a list of grievances last year 2016, from the various public schools, meetings were held with both management and teachers, and those grievances were brought forward to the ministry, Minister Jacobs informed.

Areas of complaint covered, lack of a discipline policy; serious issues with discipline within schools; children with learning disabilities; adherents to the school curriculum; lack of parental involvement; day to day maintenance of school premises, among others.

The Department of Education, Department of Youth Affairs, Head of the Division Inspection and Exams Head of the Division Public Education, and the Secretary General hosted a meeting where these concerns were brought forward and brainstorming and action planning took place on how to facilitate solving some of these grievances.

“The plans are currently underway, some of them in the beginning phases, others as they are long-term still need to begin Read more

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Meyers Calls On Govt. To Explain How Shortfalls Will Be Addressed

PHILIPSBURG--Government needs to explain to Parliament as soon as possible how it intends to cover the shortfalls in revenue from dwindling cruise ship calls, said United People’s (UP) party deputy leader Member of Parliament (MP) Franklin Meyers< Read more

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Prime Minister Marlin Leads High Powered Delegation To Aruba

ARUBA — Last week, Prime Minister of St. Maarten, Mr. William Marlin, the Minister Plenipotentiary, Mrs. Henrietta Doran-York, the Secretary General of the Ministry of General Affairs, Mr Read more

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Application Period For Carnival Vending Now Open

PHILIPSBURG – The Department of Economic Licenses announced that persons interested in vending food, beverages, helium balloons and other typical items associated with Carnival can now apply for these licenses at the aforementioned department located at Zoutsteeg 3, Philipsburg.

The deadline for these applications to be submitted is Friday, April 14. Furthermore, due to safety concerns, the no-vending zones of past years will be strictly applied for Carnival 2017. As a result of this, lots will be given out to applicants on a first come, first serve basis.

The department stressed that persons interested in street vending in the Philipsburg area submit their applications (and choose their vending location) early as space is limited Read more

We, The People And Our Representatives In Parliament

Last week, the Office of the Ombudsman held a very successful Open House, with the aim to inform the public of its functioning.

For me, the highlight of the Open house was the very simple, yet profound, presentation given by the Ombudsman herself, Dr. Nilda Arduin. The presentation centered on the topic “We, the People.”

Dr. Arduin pointed out that in a democracy the people rule. She went on to compare a country to a house. As the owners of the house are working people and therefore unable to do their own house chores, they hire a domestic aid or servant to handle the chores and to run the household on their behalf Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Last week, Prime Minister of St. Maarten, Mr. William Marlin, the Minister Plenipotentiary, Mrs. Henrietta Doran-York, the Secretary General of the Ministry of General Affairs, Mr Read more

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Wiclu Reps, Lee Discuss Range Of Issues At Meeting

PHILIPSBURG--Labour Day celebrations, being represented on the board of Social and Health Insurances SZV, International Labour Conference, changes to the civil code, improved compliance and concerns regarding businesses encountering financial difficulties were amongst the issues representatives of the Windward Islands Chamber of Labour Unions (WICLU) discussed when they met with Labour Minister Emil Lee recently Read more

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Telem Group Technicians Training On Use Of Newly Purchased Fiber-Blowing Tools

 

Pond Island – TelEm Group recently took delivery of state-of-the-art fiber-blowing tools that technicians are now learning to use in the field with the help of the equipment manufacturer.

The equipment is part of the arsenal of tools that TelEm Group workers themselves will be mobilizing in the coming months, when the company begins a massive Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) rollout.

According to Manager, Outside Plant, Mr. Marco London, Tools expert, Jesper Damtoft, and FTTH Engineer, Rune Hausvik, have been made available by the manufacturing company in Norway, to train TelEm Group staff on the use of the new equipment Read more

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Pond Island:----  TelEm Group recently took delivery of state-of-the-art fiber-blowing tools that technicians are now learning to use in the field with the help of the equipment manufacturer.

The equipment is part of the arsenal of tools that TelEm Group workers themselves will be mobilizing in the coming months when the company begins a massive Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) rollout.

According to Manager, Outside Plant, Mr. Marco London, Tools expert, Jesper Damtoft, and FTTH Engineer, Rune Hausvik, have been made available by the manufacturing company in Norway, to train TelEm Group staff on the use of the new equipment Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Today, two months after the new Council of Ministers was sworn in, we still do not have a Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT). The blame for this has been placed on the vetting or screening process. However, in truth and in fact, the blame lies squarely on the shoulders of our parliament.

Now, the USP will have to present another candidate minister and the screening process will start all over again Read more

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Carty, Williams To Run Pointe Blanche Prison

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Justice Raphael Boasman has appointed acting police spokesman Inspector Steven Carty and former prison guard Wilfred Williams to run the day-to-day operations at the Pointe Blanche prison on a short-term basis.

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*** Breaking News *** Two Arrests In Fatal Shooting At Hope Estate

UPDATE Prosecutor’s Office Bulletin:

OVER THE BANK, Sint Maarten — Members of the St. Maarten Police Force and the Kingdom Detectives Cooperation Team (RST) led by the Prosecutor’s Office and in the presence of the investigative judge held two house searches in Pointe Blanche and in Belvedere on Tuesday afternoon, February 21, 2017.

Two suspects H.H.M. (22) and H.F.M Read more

Plenary Session Of Parliament About Draft Initiative National Ordinances Concerning Timeshare On Wednesday.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in a plenary public session on February 22, 2017. The initiative taken of these two drafts, Member of Parliament Sarah A. Wescot-Williams will be answering and queries from Members of Parliament on these two drafts.
The plenary public meeting has been set for Wednesday at 2.00 pm in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.
The agenda points are:

1 Read more

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Plenary Session Of Parliament About Draft Initiative National Ordinances Concerning Timeshare On Wednesday

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The House of Parliament will sit in a plenary public session on February 22, 2017. The initiative taker of these two drafts, Member of Parliament Sarah A. Wescot-Williams will be answering and queries from Members of Parliament on these two drafts.

The plenary public meeting has been set for Wednesday at 2.00 pm in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda points are:

1.  Incoming documents

2.  Draft initiative national ordinance to revise the rules pertaining timeshare

3.  Draft initiative national ordinance to establish a Timeshare Authority

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary session will be carried live on St Read more

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Szv Hosts Info Session: Sickness Insurance Ordinance

PHILIPSBURG – On Thursday, February 23, Social & Health Insurances SZV will host an information session at the University of St. Martin (USM) from 6:30pm-8:00pm on the Sickness Insurance Ordinance.

The general public, but especially employed persons are invited to attend the information session. SZV will highlight the rights and obligations as it pertains to those who qualify; employed persons working 5 or 6 days in the private sector, earning less than the maximum wage limit, NAf Read more