SXMElections.com

Nagico Backs Education With Donation To Hype Agenda

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - NAGICO Insurances continues to invest in the community by supporting educational ventures, the latest being a financial donation to the 2015-2016 HYPE Agenda for high school students.

The donation will go towards printing costs for the Agenda.  

NAGICO Marketing Assistant Jamie-Lee Peterson presented the cheque to HYPE at NAGICO’s head office in Philipsburg on Friday, August 14 Read more

Only National Alliance Votes Against Ordinance: Parliament Establishes Integrity Chamber

St. Maarten – After everything was said and done yesterday, only the opposition faction of the National Alliance voted against the establishment of the Integrity Chamber. The United People’s party faction, having voiced serious opposition against the Dutch pressure on St. Maarten, withdrew all of the amendments it proposed to the law in June, and went along with a strategic proposal from opposition MP Sarah Wescot-Williams to accept the proposal the government put on the table Read more

Seventy Ideas To Enhance Fight Against Crime: Parliament Sends Money To Justice Ministry

President of Parliament Dr. Lloyd Richardson. Photo contributed

St. Maarten – The parliament will transfer 300,000 guilders of its travel budget to the Ministry of Justice as one of the measures to enhance the security and safety of the country, President of Parliament Dr. Lloyd Richardson says.

The parliament discussed close to 70 points with the Council of Ministers in its closed-door meetings last week, following the killing of Police Officer Gamali Benjamin Read more

Man Shot On Front Street

A police officer searches for bullets and other evidence at the crime scene on Sunday evening. Photo Today / Andrew Dick

St. Maarten – Donavan McCardy (45) arrived at the police station after 8 p.m. on Sunday evening with six gunshot wounds. Police tended to the victim while the ambulance was called for assistance. The shooting took place close to the Klass Electronics alley on Front Street.

The victim is presently at the St. Maarten Medical Center in critical condition. The investigation has started and investigators are waiting for the victim to stabilize in order to question him Read more

Mp Marlin-Romeo Initiates Small Claims Court Proposal

St. Maarten – Independent MP Leona Marlin-Romeo has requested a meeting to discuss the establishment of a small claims court. Attorney Reynold Groeneveldt has prepared a proposal to this end. Marlin-Romeo supports this initiative that allows this court to handle claims up to 5,000 guilders.

“In every community there are persons who have claims for relatively small amounts of money Read more

US Senate Democrats stake out both sides of Iran deal

WASHINGTON--Senator Robert Menendez blasted the U.S.-led international nuclear deal with Iran on Tuesday, vowing to oppose it in defiance of President Barack Obama, who picked up much-needed support for the deal from two other Senate Democrats.
  As September voting on the agreement in the U.S. Congress neared, Menendez, a former Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, became the second senior lawmaker from Obama's own party to announce he would vote to kill the pact with Tehran.
  "I will vote to disapprove the agreement and, if called upon, would vote to override a veto" by the president, Menendez said in a speech in his home state of New Jersey.
  Shortly later, Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, both of Rhode Island, announced that they would support the agreement Read more

Sport Federation gearing up for Pan-Am Games

PHILIPSBURG--The St. Maarten Sports Federation has launched the St. Maarten Promising Athletes (SPA) 2015 – 2020 project. The program calls for the identification of talented athletes from the various sport disciplines, the implementation of a special support for Sport scholarship to prepare and develop high-performance athletes, with the goal of leading St. Maarten into qualification for the Youth, CAC and Pan-American Games starting in 2018.

Over the past months the Sports federation studies organizes sports on the island.

"Based on our assessments it was concluded that sports is suffering due to the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles," explained federation president Aartwichgt Bell.

" Knowing this, country St Read more

Editorial - Well-intended gesture

The decision in principle to transfer 300,000 guilders of Parliament’s travel budget to the Justice Ministry for the fight against crime (see Tuesday paper) is certainly a sympathetic move in light of two recent shootings in Philipsburg, one of which resulted in the death of a police officer. On the other hand, it also sounds familiar.

In January 2014 the legislature passed a motion to slice its NAf Read more

Fifth member of Corporate Governance Council soon

PHILIPSBURG--The fifth member of the Corporate Governance Council (CGC) is expected to be appointed by the Council of Ministers next week.

Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs told Parliament on Monday, the CGC headed by Chairman banker Perry Wilson, is "up and functioning." The council recently received some NAf Read more

Over a dozen candidates disqualified, charged over voting day violence in Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti--Fourteen candidates in Haiti’s legislative elections – including four from President Michel Martelly’s PHTK party – have been disqualified and are now facing several charges over their alleged involvement in violence during the first round of voting earlier this month.

The 14 were among 1,800 candidates who were seeking election to the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. Thirteen of them were running for seats in the lower chamber while the other was trying to win a seat in the Senate.

Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council CEP said the candidates are accused of voting violations, removal of ballot boxes, armed aggression against an election officer and firing an automatic weapon near a polling station, among other offences.

The violence that occurred during the August 9 voting resulted in the deaths of two people.

Preliminary results from the voting are expected to be published today, August 19.

The second round of legislative elections is set for October 25, which will also be the date of the first round of presidential elections.

The disqualified candidates and the accusations against them are below, as released by the CEP:

* Francois Tony Antonelly Claude, candidate for deputy, Port-de-Paix (North West), PHTK – ransacking of the voting centre Ecole Nationale de Fatima, destruction of ballots and disturbance of the conduct of elections.

* Dorleus Gergot, candidate for deputy, Savanette (Centre), RENMEN AYITl – armed burst in the voting centre Savanette removing ballots.

* Moise Frantz, candidate for deputy, Marigot (Sud-Est), ADRENA – election violation, ransacking of voting centre, destruction of electoral materials.

* Lubin Jean-Claude, candidate for deputy, Mirebalais (Centre), PITIT DESSALINES –  burst into the Mirebalais Parquet and breaking of materials.

* Desgrotes Jean Franchi, candidate for deputy, Mirebalais (Centre), VERITE – burst into the Mirebalais Parquet and breaking of materials.

* Dorelien Fantal, candidate for deputy, Mirebalais (Centre), FANMI LAVALAS – burst into the Mirebalais Parquet and breaking of materials.

* Jean-Pierre Jephté, candidate for deputy, Chardonnière/les Anglais, FUSION – armed burst in the local of BED and ransacking of polling stations.

* Belizaire Arnel, Senate candidate, West Department, APLA – shooting with automatic weapons near the Drouillard voting centre, widespread panic, disrupting polling.

* Previlon Lionel, candidate for deputy, Desdunes (Artibonite), PHTK – violation of the election and removal of ballot boxes.

* Altenor John, candidate for deputy, Grande Saline (Artibonite), AAA – shooting with automatic weapons, ransacking of the voting center Ecole nationale Chevreau Lombard.

* Frederic Ozite, candidate for deputy, Grande Saline, PHTK – violation of the vote and destruction of electoral materials.

* Deshommes Wilbert Joseph, candidat à la deputation, Grande Saline (Rossignol) Artibonite, VERITE – violation of the vote, ransacking of voting stations, shooting with automatic weapons.

* Gamaniel Placius, candidate for deputy, Grande Saline (Artibonite), KID – ransacking of the voting centre Ecole Nationale Rossignol, violation of vote, shooting with automatic weapons.

* Romulus Marc Faublas, candidate for deputy, Saut d’eau (Centre), PHTK – armed attack on the President of BEC and ransacking of several voting centres, including that of the Ecole ECOSA de Dalaise Read more

>PHILIPSBURG (PARLIAMENT/Independent Faction):--- Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo will be requesting a meeting of Parliament to discuss and mandate the Minister of Finance to implore upon the Central Bank to take up their responsibility and assume the tasks of receiving and resolving complaints brought by consumers and, in some cases, small businesses against banks, insurers and/or other financial services providers.

“In our system the Central Bank is supposed to regulate and supervise institutions that offer financial services Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  Prime Minister/Acting Minister of the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Marcel Gumbs is inviting the residents of Middle Region to a town hall meeting on Wednesday, August 19 regarding sewage connections.
Several notices have been placed in the Government Information Page already appealing to residents to attend this very important meeting.
The town hall meeting is about the sewage project in Middle Region where the various homes will be connected to the sewage system of the Government Read more

Will the UP Faction die standing or will they live on their knees? Coalition buckled to the Dutch instead of safeguarding country’s autonomy.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The United Peoples Party, who has the majority in Parliament seem to have wasted their summer recess to put together some 16 amendments they wanted the Minister of Justice to change in the protocol he signed on June 2nd 2015 to avoid the Kingdom from placing St. Maarten under higher supervision. Based on what transpired in the Parliament of St. Maarten on Monday it is clear that the coalition including the faction leader of the UPP Franklin Meyers chose to live on his knees rather than dying standing when he opted to vote in favor of the draft law that was signed by Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson early June.
SMN News got hold of the draft document containing the amendments the UPP wanted before they vote in favor of the protocol, which they put aside on Monday simply to appease the Dutch Read more

style="text-align: center;">Attorney General gain the support of the Dutch to annul guideline issued by St. Maarten Minister of Justice.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Attorney General of the countries St. Maarten, Curacao, Guus Schram has gained the support of the Dutch politicians who intend to annul a decision taken by St. Maarten’s Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson. According to a letter sent by Minister of Home and Kingdom Affairs Ronald Plasterk it states that the Attorney General of the countries Curacao and St Read more

Mp Leona Marlin-Romeo Wants Minister Of Finance To Get Central Bank Involved In Receiving And Resolving Complaints

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo will be requesting a meeting of Parliament to discuss and mandate the Minister of Finance to implore upon the Central Bank to take up their responsibility and assume the tasks of receiving and resolving complaints brought by consumers and, in some cases, small businesses against banks, insurers and/or other financial services providers.

“In our system the Central Bank is supposed to regulate and supervise institutions that offer financial services Read more

Sxm Parliament Approves Integrity Chamber

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Parliament of St. Maarten has given the green light for the establishment of an Integrity Chamber for St. Maarten.

The National Ordinance to establish the Integrity Chamber was approved by the majority of Parliament on Monday.

In the podcast below you will hear not only the vote, but the motivation of the vote by many members of Parliament noting that the opposition Read more

Leona requests meeting to move forward with Small Claims Court

PHILIPSBURG--Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo has requested a Parliament meeting to discuss the introduction of a Small Claims Court for the country based on Article 862 of the Code of Civil Procedures. The framework proposal for this court was presented to Parliament by Attorney Reynold Groeneveldt earlier this year.

The Small Claims Court will handle claims up to NAf Read more

NAf. 300,000 of MPs’ travel budget to be reallocated to fighting crime

PHILIPSBURG--Members of Parliament (MPs) are prepared to travel less to allow the Justice Ministry more funds to fight crime in the country.

Parliament has agreed in principle to cut NAf. 300,000 from its travel budget and reallocate it to the cash strapped ministry. The shifting of the funds will only become reality after Parliament adopts a motion making the change to its budget.

Parliament Chairman Dr Read more

Liberty of the Seas cancels port visit due to medical emergency and returns to Bermuda

PORT ST. MAARTEN – On Monday the cruise ship Liberty of the Seas canceled its port call due to a medical emergency. The vessel had to divert back to Bermuda where the person disembarked.

The newly renovated Liberty of the Seas is packed with all the phenomenal onboard experiences you’d expect from the innovative class type of vessel besides new offerings that would add to the cruising experience.

The vessel belongs to Royal Caribbean International and is part of the Freedom Class which also includes Freedom of the Seas and Independence of the Seas.

Liberty of the Seas carries over 3600 passengers’ double occupancy, and 1360 crew Read more

Who is really destroying the country?

Dear Editor,

Government officials are transferring their guilt to the population, which speaks volumes to their insecurity and inability to lead effectively. They have assassinated our hopes, and so the ludicrousness of the idea that individuals, and the media, are destroying the country, is an accusation that cannot be further away from the truth. The blistering message to government is a demand to do things differently, because its approval rating is almost zero.    Therefore, this bleak situation should be a wake-up call for the authorities to acknowledge that the most important element in communication is having the ability to listen; and that real leaders stay connected to the inhabitants, in order to provide the best service possible Read more

Bilbao hold off Barcelona to claim Spanish Super Cup

BARCELONA-- Athletic Bilbao claimed their first silverware in more than three decades when they wrapped up a 5-1 aggregate win over 10-man Barcelona to win the Spanish Super Cup on Monday and unleash ecstatic celebrations in the Basque city.

Bilbao, who only field players of Basque origin, last secured a major trophy when they won Spain's traditional season opener in 1984 and Frida Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The President of Parliament Hon. Dr. Lloyd Richardson disclosed on Sunday that one of the measures to enhance the security and safety of the country will be a transfer of Naf.300,000 from the parliament travel budget to the Ministry of Justice.
Close to 70 points were discussed with respect to how to fight crime, and Read more

Dutch Government wants to impose instruction on St. Maarten when it comes to establishing an Integrity Chamber --- Kingdom Council of State now has to decide.

style="text-align: center;">Ten MPs voted in favor of draft law to establish Integrity Chamber --- DP Faction Leader spearheaded the drafting and finalizing of law

PHILIPSBURG:--- St. Maarten has to brace itself for a possible instruction in order to establish an integrity chamber on St. Maarten. Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson submitted the document to the Parliament of St. Maarten on Monday where the Dutch Government want Kingdom Council of State to grant them permission to impose a Kingdom measure on St Read more

MP Leona Marlin-Romeo request a meeting about moving forward on Small Claims Court for the Country.

>PHILIPSBURG (PARLIAMENT/Independent Faction):---  Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo is requesting a meeting to discuss a proposal prepared by attorney Reynold Groeneveldt to introduce a Small Claims Court for Sint Maarten according to article 862 of the Code of Civil Procedures.

The MP is supporting this initiative as it allows claims up to ANG Read more