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>PHILIPSBURG:---- Last Friday, Posh Productions hosted its first Corporate Cocktail Pageant Presentation for Corporate St. Maarten. This very “posh” evening was hosted at Princess Port de Plaisance and was well attended by the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, the Honorable Rita Bourne-Gumbs and representatives of various businesses on the island.
Posh Productions recognizes the general perceptions and reservations many institutions and individuals have about pageantry. Often times, pageantry is perceived as not serving much purpose or holding any value, but quite to the contrary, pageantry has significant importance for our community and serves as a pillar for growth throughout the world Read more

Members of Parliament wanted more speaking time in Zebec/Harbor debate.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Members of Parliament were called to vote on Monday when a member of the opposition asked for speakers time to be extended and a member of the coalition opposed the extension. MP Frans Richardson who supports the government voted in favor of the extension citing that he believes that Members of Parliament should be given extra time if they need when debating certain topics Read more

Press Core Boycott Parliament Meetings due to specific dress code.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- On Monday members of the media on St. Maarten boycotted the meetings of parliament due to a press release sent out last week informing members of media the dress code of parliament. In that press release its states that members of the media should wear a “jacket” in order for them to access the press-room in parliament. The press release further states that those members of the media who does not abide with the dress code will have to sit in the public tribune.
While parliament sent out a press release to say how members of the media to dress in order for them to attend parliament meetings, so far parliament have not taken the initiative to keep Members of Parliament out of the press room while meetings are taking place Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Postal Services St. Maarten (PSS) attended the Caribbean Postal Union (CPU) and Universal Postal Union (UPU) 18th annual Postal Conference in the British Virgin island of Tortola.

The St. Maarten delegation arrived on Sunday in Tortola comprised of Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Directors (SBD) Stuart Johnson and interim-Managing Director Antonia Wilson Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  University of St. Martin (USM) announced on Friday that it received accreditation of its Hospitality and Tourism Management programme by Business and Technology Education Council in the United Kingdom (BTEC).

BTEC accredited degrees are recognized in the US and in Europe. This is the first programme under the USM to be accredited.

USM also received "recognition" from American Hotel and Lodging Association, and that USM will be the third institution in the Caribbean to offer courses from American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute, especially in the North Eastern Caribbean where personnel from American hotels can come to upgrade their skills.

“It's high time that our Government recognize USM in writing based on our Government Program Read more

Urgent Plenary Session of Parliament scheduled for Monday about Settlement Agreement between Port St. Maarten and Zebec

>PHILIPSBURG:----  An urgent public Plenary sitting of the House of Parliament will take place on September 21.

The plenary session is set for Monday, at 2.00pm in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelmina Straat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda point is the settlement between the Harbour Group of Companies and Zebec.

This parliamentary meeting was requested by the Democratic Party faction and the National Alliance, Members of Parliament (MP) Hon Read more

Disaster waiting to happen at Landfill --- MP’s express outrage at the current situation regarding Waste to Energy Plant and statements made by Prime Minister.

style="text-align: center;">MP Meyers and MP Marlin engaged in verbal war during live meeting of Parliament

PHILIPSBURG:--- Several Members of Parliament expressed outrage on Friday morning in Parliament while posing several questions regarding the dumpsite in the middle of Philipsburg. Recently Member of Parliament Christopher Emmanuel posted a video on Facebook on the current situation at the Landfill Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo on Thursday said that three public schools namely the Genieve De Weever School, Martin Luther King School, and Charles Leopold Bell School, were asked what they were in need of for their sports activities.

The schools indicated that sports materials such as baseballs, and bats, soccer balls, and shin guards were a necessity and these were donated by Independent Member of Parliament Leona Marlin-Romeo on Thursday, September 10th 2015.

This is a mere fraction of the bigger picture on the adopting a school program where, certain needs of schools are met through donations from the private sector.

This is part of promoting social and community responsibility and is part of the MP’s give back to the community program Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Members of Parliament from the National Alliance Faction and Democratic Party dispatched a letter to the Chairman of Parliament requesting an urgent meeting to debate the statements made by Attorney General of St. Maarten Guus Schram on September 11th 2015.
The le Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---- The Democratic Party said in a press release that the buzz word independence has been carried and dropped many times during parliamentary debates recently. The Faction of the Democratic Party considers it opportune at this time to reiterate its stance on the political future of our country.

Politically going forward, in our opinion there is only one way, as going back is not an option.
Our faction has remained steadfast over the years about the political future of our island.

Back in 1994, it was our belief that the Netherlands Antilles had served its time Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- International Peace Day in Sint Maarten will be commemorated on September 21st. The Rotary Club of Saint Martin Sunrise invites the general public to a Peace Declaration Event at the Peace Monument located at the Philipsburg Jubilee Library on Monday, September 21st , 2015 at 8:45 a.m sharp.
September 21st is designated as International Peace Day through United Nations General Assembly resolutions 36/67 of 1981 and 55/282 of 2001. It is a Day established for an annual commemoration of non-violence and ceasefire Read more

Buncamper Court Case to continue January 13th 2016 --- Three more witnesses have to be heard.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The Buncamper family still has wait a few more months before they know whether or not the case brought against them by the Prosecutor’s Office will be thrown out or not. The Court of First Instance ruled on Wednesday that three more witnesses have to be heard by the Judge of Instruction and continuation of the management hearing will take place on January 13th 2016.
Last week Wednesday the Prosecutor’s Office willingly dropped the second charge they brought against the Buncamper’s due to prosecutorial misconduct by the prosecutor that was handling the case Read more

Urgent Plenary Session about Landfill scheduled for Friday with Minister of VROMI.

>PHILIPSBURG:----  An urgent Plenary Session of the House of Parliament that was scheduled for September 9 will take place on September 18.

Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Claret Connor will be present for the public sitting of the House.

The public Plenary Session is set for Friday, at 10.30am in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelmina Straat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda point is the dumpsite (landfill) in Philipsburg and the plans for a waste to energy system for the country’s garbage problems.

This urgent plenary session of the House was initially requested by the National Alliance (NA) faction Members of Parliament (MPs) Hon Read more

style="text-align: center;">Involved in Sabotage with new airline --- Three Wise Men Fired.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Three senior employees of WINAIR namely its chief pilot Jeff Oliver, Chief of Operations Elvis Quealy and Chief of Security Michel Carter were suspended last week after management of WINAIR found out that they have been consulting with the persons that are involved in establishing a new Airline called St Read more

EXCLUSIVE: Three of WINAIR Senior Employees Suspended.

style="text-align: center;">Involved in Sabotage with new airline.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Three senior employees of WINAIR namely its chief pilot Jeff Oliver, Chief of Operations Elvis Quealy and Chief of Security Michel Carter were suspended last week after management of WINAIR found out that they have been consulting with the persons that are involved in establishing a new Airline called St Read more

style="text-align: center;">Landfill and Harbor and Zebec meetings will not be held this week.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams representing the Democratic Party faction in parliament told reporters during their bi-monthly press conference on Monday that they are pleased with the acknowledgement of the Governor who mentioned the progress the former government had with the OCTA regional meetings and the preparation on obtaining EU funding along with the French side Read more

Collectivite invests 2 million Euros for unemployment training

>MARIGOT:---- As part of its dedicated Youth policy, the Collectivite of St. Martin has organized two days of information for its 2015-2016 territorial job training program, supported by the Human Development department under the portfolio of President Aline Hanson.

French Quarter and Sandy Ground, both considered priority areas in the new City contract, have successfully hosted the two days of information with record attendance.

The Collectivite agreed to invest 2 million euros this year in which the European Social Fund (ESF) in vocational training funds 85% Read more

Cay Hill Community Council invites Community to Meeting on Wednesday.

>GREAT BAY:--- The Cay Hill Community Council (CHCC) invites Cay Hill residents and other interested persons to a public meeting on Wednesday, September 16 at 7.30pm at the Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School.

The CHCC would like to discuss a number of issues relevant to the Cay Hill Community, and all residents and other stakeholder Read more

Minister Connor and others thanked by Dominica Coach of the Senior Female Soccer Team for Assisting Stranded Group

>PHILIPSBURG:---- Minister Hon. Claret Connor has been thanked by Dominica Coach of the Senior Female Soccer Team Kenneth Esprit, for the hospitality rendered by the community of Sint Maarten to the group who got stuck in transit from the Dominican Republic to the Commonwealth of Dominica on the day that Tropical Storm Erika passed near the country.
One of the team members lost five family members.
Coach Esprit in his email message to Minister Connor states: “Allow me therefore, to express my deepest gratitude to the various persons and institutions who played their parts in ensuring that we were cared for and able to ensure we reunited with our families in this time of crises.
“First and foremost, allow me to five thanks to Almighty Yahweh for his continued blessings, strength and protection during this time Read more

Minister of Education could not make full discloser to Parliament on NIPA saga due to meeting she has scheduled with NIPA board.

style="text-align: center;">Ministry is at its last straw --- Wednesday meeting Government will give NIPA Board ultimatum, situation gotten worst.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Education Rita Bourne Gumbs told Members of Parliament on Monday afternoon that her hands are tied while her lips have to remain sealed until Wednesday since she has a meeting scheduled with the board members of NIPA. The National Alliance Faction of Parliament called the Minister of Education to Parliament in an urgent meeting to get further information on what is happening at NIPA.
Minister Bourne Gumbs told Parliament that it is not ethical for her to divulge information to the public prior to sharing the Ministry’s decision on how they intend to move forward with NIPA Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:----  Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams in a press release questions the motives of the Parliament of St. Maarten. MP Wescot Williams was referring to meetings the oppositon factions of parliament requested and are not being called on a timely basis.  Wescot  Williams said if any-one is holding his or her breath for answers regarding the harbor's pay-out to the Zebec company, these answers will not be forthcoming any time soon.

"At least not in a meeting of Parliament Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Telecommunications & Transport (TEATT), Honorable Mr. Claret Connor, singed off on Quality of Service (QoS) documents that sets clear guidelines and standards for St. Maarten Telecommunication providers to comply with, for the further enhancement of Telecommunication services in St Read more

style="text-align: center;"> Rene Gartner trying to get his subordinates to cover up for him with the SAP Deal.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of GEBE Rene Gartner has suspended the Financial Auditor of GEBE Sharine Daniel on Wednesday claiming that she went out of line when she conducted a forensic audit at the company and it is there she found out he was misusing his rights on the operational cost for management employees. According to information reaching SMN News Gartner claimed that the financial auditor of GEBE has no authority to conduct such audits without his consent Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---The Government of St. Maarten “quietly” via the Department of Communication made known the postponement of the Miami 2 St. Maarten Showdown Roy Jones Jr. and Danny Santiago fight, to which fight the government said “it contributed”.
The Government went on to say that the postponement had to do with hurricane Danny etc. etc.
What government did not say was that it entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the foreign Keaton Corporation to organize this event to the tune of $ 185.000,--.
By letter of September 2nd, 2015 Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams said she requested from Ministers Connor and Hassink, a copy of this MOU.
MP Wescot Williams said they learned from news reports of alleged legal woes Roy Jones Jr Read more