SXMElections.com

Editorial - Something tangible

That the Parliament of St. Maarten has agreed to co-sign a letter to the First and Second Chambers of Parliament in the Netherlands on a kingdom dispute regulation (see related article) is in itself good news. After all, there is strength in numbers, so an initiative in combination with Curaçao and Aruba is bound to make a bigger impression than separate actions by each of the individual countries.

There was a bit of discussion about the letterhead, because the Dutch Caribbean is, of course, not a constitutional entity and has no shared legislature Read more

>PHILIPSBURG: --- The entertainment industry on St. Maarten is surely seeing some movements yet again.

Stuart Johnson has officially taken up the responsibility of being Manager for X-plosion Band. A well known St.Maarten band with endless hits is busy restructuring for a "epic come back."

"I feel humbled and honored to become a manager for a band that is no stranger to St.Maarten, the region and around the world," Johnson stated.

Johnson resigned from his post of Manager of the junior carnival band 4M HD a couple weeks ago.

"In a few days we will be releasing new songs as our commitment to the local music industry which is year round and not only during carnival time," Johnson added.

Johnson's role as manager is further supported by well-known local singer Theo De Weever who will work with him to manage the band.

Johnson added, "Theo is a dynamic singer who knows music first hand from his many performances and I'm glad he accepted the opportunity from me to co-manage the band."

The band is busy with the completion of its next album Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---- United People’s (UP) Party Member of Parliament (MP) Maurice Lake is calling on Government to come up with creative financing ideas and to foster stronger more meaningful public-private partnerships. Such partnerships will increase the development of the economy and improve services for the entire country.
“The private sector has been the driving force for years as an essential pillar of the economy and to the economic achievements of our country Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---- The annual wreath laying ceremony, commemorating the life of the late Dr. A. C Wathey will be held on July 24th at his statue in front of the Government Administration building in Philipsburg at 9.00 a.m.
July 24this the birthdate of the “Old Man”, as Claude was affectionally called.
During the short annual ceremony, wreaths are laid by the Government of St. Maarten, the Democratic Party, which he co-founded, the United People’s Party, the University of St Read more

Transparency International Launches Integrity Report Next Week

St. Maarten – Transparency International will launch St. Maarten’s National Integrity System assessment next week Tuesday at the University of St. Martin.

Alejandro Salas, the regional director for the Americas at Transparency International will speak at this event, as will invited government officials, Transparency International said in a press statement.

The integrity assessment has been long in the making, ever since Kingdom Relations Minister Ronald Plasterk sent the first signals to then Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams in April 2013 that St Read more

Ebenezer Residents Want Clean Trenches

A scene from a trench in Ebenezer on Wednesday. Photo Today / Andrew Dick

St. Maarten – Residents from the Ebenezer District are disappointed that their trenches are filled with bush and debris. Grass and small threes can be seen budding from the bridge close to the Milton Peters College and behind in the trenches at the St. Maarten Academy PSVE. Daniela Richardson expressed her disappointment yesterday about the situation. She calls on public works to do something about it.

It is customary for the public works department to carry out major trench clean ups efforts before the beginning of the hurricane season Read more

Mp Lake Calls On Government To Foster Public-Private Partnership

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – United People's (UP) Party Member of Parliament (MP) Maurice Lake is calling on Government to come up with creative financing ideas and to foster stronger more meaningful public-private partnerships. Such partnerships will increase the development of the economy and improve services for the entire country.

"The private sector has been the driving force for years as an essential pillar of the economy and to the economic achievements of our country Read more

Be The Change Presents Donation To St Maarten Aids Foundation

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Be the Change recently presented a check in the amount $1141.00 to the St Maarten AIDS Foundation.

The Foundation was the spotlighted organization of Be the Change for the month of June.

The funds will be used to continue to offer free HIV testing to the community. Rajesh Chintaman and Rebecca Low accepted the check on behalf of the AIDS Foundation.

Chintaman thanked Be the Change for its support and commitment to community work and awareness.

St Read more

Woman stabs ex at airport

AIRPORT--A woman stabbed her ex-boyfriend during an incident in the vicinity of Princess Juliana International Airport SXM on Tuesday afternoon.

Acting police spokesperson Inspector Steven Carty confirmed that the incident had occurred on Tuesday, but did not have details at the time. Carty said it was believed that the woman had boarded a bus after the incident Read more

Kurd militants kill two Turkish police to avenge Islamic State bombing

ANKARA--Kurdish militants claimed responsibility for the killing of two Turkish police officers on Wednesday in what they said was retaliation for a suspected Islamic State suicide bombing which killed 32 mostly young students.
  The Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) said in a statement on one of its websites that the two police officers were killed at around 6 a.m. in the southeastern town of Ceylanpinar for "collaboration with the Daesh (Islamic State) gangs."
  Security sources earlier told Reuters the officers were found dead with bullet wounds to the head in the house they shared in Ceylanpinar, on the border with Syria about 160 km (100 miles) east of Suruc, the site of Monday's suicide bombing.
  Many of Turkey's Kurds and opposition supporters suspect President Tayyip Erdogan and the ruling AK Party of covertly backing Islamic State against Kurdish fighters in Syria, something the government has repeatedly denied Read more

Notices July 23

First Responder

WIEMS is now registering for the annual First Responder (EMR) course at the Dutch Quarter Community Centre starting Tuesday, September 1, 7:00pm. For more information: www.wiems.org . To register: email \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:----The St. Maarten National Commission for UNESCO is organizing a five (5) day intangible cultural heritage (ICH) field inventory exercise targeting young people from various youth organizations in the community.
Minister Claret Connor, who delivered the welcome remarks on Monday, July 20th thanked the young people for participating in this important and valuable initiative, and for assisting the Sint Maarten National Commission for UNESCO with this project which will assist with preserving and passing on this knowledge about St Read more

Schoelcher Commemoration In Grand Case: Chance-Duzant Wants “Support For The Little Things We Ask”

Attorney Patricia Chance-Duzant is on a roll during her address. Photo Today / Leo Brown

GRAND CASE, St. Martin – Victor Schoelcher, the 19th-century abolitionist writer who had a large influence on the abolition of slavery in the West Indies, leaves his mark every year in Grand Case when a celebration is held to honor his legacy. Also this year there was the traditional church service, the cultural parade and the speeches on the field next to the village’s cultural center. However, by inviting the chair of Grand Case’s community council Patricia Chance-Duzant to speak, the Collectivité called a lot of criticism upon itself, because the speaker did not mince her words.

“We have a lot of work to do in Grand Case,” Chance-Duzant said Read more

Youth Intangible Cultural Heritage Field Inventory Exercise

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - From July 20 – 24, 2015, the Sint Maarten National Commission for UNESCO is organizing a five (5) day intangible cultural heritage (ICH) field inventory exercise targeting young people from various youth organizations in the community.

Minister Claret Connor, who delivered the welcome remarks on Monday, July 20th thanked the young people for participating in this important and valuable initiative, and for assisting the Sint Maarten National Commission for UNESCO with this project which will assist with preserving and passing on this knowledge about St Read more

Notices July 22

First Responder

WIEMS is now registering for the annual First Responder (EMR) course at the Dutch Quarter Community Centre starting Tuesday, September 1, 7:00pm. For more information: www.wiems.org . To register: email \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots Read more

I AM SXM arranges zoo cleaning solution

MADAME ESTATE--Garbage collecting and cleaning companies Leonard Enterprise and Soualiga Waste Management, through the intercession of I AM SXM Foundation, have committed to the bi-weekly cleaning maintenance of St. Maarten Zoo. Crews from both companies will work together on a selected day to ensure the zoo is in tiptop shape.

In addition to the bi-weekly cleaning, the two companies will do general maintenance every month. The combination of the cleaning days is expected to keep the zoo in a manageable and beautiful state for its full-time occupants and its visitors.

The cleaning commitment from the two companies to the zoo is for seven months.

St Read more

American residence ruling being applied

WILLEMSTAD--The same admittance requirements for Dutch Europeans when it comes to living and working in Curaçao are now being applied to US citizens, effective June 1.

This means the latter no longer need an employment or residence permit. They may stay there freely for six months and if they find a job or have another means of existence can request a declaration of lawful admittance.

Pending the processing of such they will be allowed to remain on the island and even work. Also US citizens who have been legal residents for 10 years without interruption can obtain the declaration.

In this way the so-called Admittance Organisation (formerly Immigration Department) is following a decision of the Court of Justice of December last year, stating that US citizens must receive the same treatment as Dutchmen when it comes to working and living within the kingdom Read more

Grand Case holds all-day festivities

~ To commemorate Victor Schoelcher ~

GRAND CASE--St. Martin Territorial Council President Aline Hanson and fellow Territorial Council members led a well-attended festive host of activities for the traditional Victor Schoelcher Celebration, also known as Grand Case Fête, in Grand Case on Tuesday morning.

The celebration commemorates both Grand Case and the contributions of Schoelcher against the institution of slavery and towards liberation of the slaves.

Festivities kicked off with a religious service at St Read more

Multi-Annual Plan underlines importance of development

SABA--The Multi-Annual Programme (MAP) underlines the importance of Saba's further development, the Executive Council indicated during the Caribbean Netherlands (CN) Week held in The Hague in June.

Under the MAP umbrella, projects in the area of economic development, children's rights and the reduction of poverty are either in progress or are yet to be launched Read more

Court Rules Reappointment Rennie Maduro Null And Void (Former Gebe C.O.O.)

St. Maarten – Utilities Company Gebe won its lawsuit against its former Chief Operating Officer Rennie Maduro and by extension against the Council of Ministers (CoM) on Thursday. The Court in First Instance ruled that the CoM’s decision Ministers to extend Maduro’s contract by two years is null and void. It banned Maduro from taking management decisions for the company, barred his access to the Gebe-officers and authorized Gebe to de-register Maduro as a director of the company. Gebe does not have to pay Maduro any more salary.

The court ruling brings the rules for the appointment of directors at government-owned companies sharply into focus and sets a clear limit to the CoM’s authority.

On May 29, the CoM signed a decree to extend Maduro’s contract that formally ended on May 31, by two years Read more

Police Honor Justice Minister Richardson

Justice Minister Richardson receives a badge of honor from Commissioner Carl John. Photo Today / Leo Brown

 

International Justice Day commemorated 

St. Maarten – The uniformed services celebrated International Justice Day yesterday afternoon at the Festival Village. Eighteen men and women who dedicated more than 40 years to the justice system were honored.

The VKS stood out during the marching showcase with creative chants and in synch footwork, earning applause from the attendees Read more

Statia Goes Solar

Back row from left: Stuco’s  supervisory board Chairman Ivan Berkel, Managing Director Fred Cuvalay, and Sunshine Real Estate Director Terence Lacle; front row: Stuco representative Jerome Sardine and legal advisor Roland Duncan. Photo contributed

ORANJESTAD –Statia’s power company Stuco signed a contract on Wednesday for the construction of a 2 Megawatt solar energy park that will provide 20 percent of the island’s power needs and at times have a more than 100 percent renewable energy penetration of the grid.

Stuco signed the contract with Sunshine Real Estate for the engineering, procurement and commissioning of the facility, Sunshine partners for the project with Eco Energy, SMA and Schletter Read more

Dutch Police Now Include Internet In Phone Taps

Whatsapp-messages are protected by privacy rules

St. Maarten – Dutch police now automatically intercept internet traffic when setting up a telephone tap, online magazine Computerworld reported yesterday. The news was buried in the justice ministry’s annual report which was published in May and has only now been made public, the website states.

In St. Maarten tapping IP-addresses, for instance to intercept email traffic, is technically possible, press prosecutor Karola van Nie told this newspaper yesterday Read more

Mp George Pantophlet Questions Relevance Of Integrity Chamber

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Member of Parliament of the National Alliance, the Honorable George Pantophlet is questioning the significance of an Integrity Chamber for St. Maarten.

Speaking to our news department he asked whether or not there was a need for such an institution.

According to the MP, several institutions have already been established on the island, and he did not see the need for another one that will further have financial consequences for the country.

He also spoke of the steps being taken by the prosecutor's office to carry out an investigation into activities at the St Read more