SXMElections.com

Witu Submits A Letter To Pm Outlining Expectations

WITU membership in a meeting on February 9.

~ Says theres no political agenda ~

PHILIPSBURG--Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) submitted a letter to Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs and the Council of Ministers on Friday, February 10, outlining several areas of concern and the unions expectations, according to a WITU press Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

At Least 136 People Waiting To Serve Their Time In Prison

The Pointe Blanche Prison.

~ 24 sitting inmates undocumented ~

PHILIPSBURG--As of October 2022, based on information provided by the Prosecutors Office, at least 136 people are waiting to serve their time in prison, Justice Minister Anna Richardson informed Members of Parliament (MPs) during a meeting last week Thursda Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

William Passes Mantle To His Son Cloyd Ohndhae Marlin

NA MP William Marlin, Cloyd Ohndhae Marlin and Terry Peterson.

~ Ohndhae to vie for Parliamentary seat, endorsed by Laveist ~

PHILIPSBURG--National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) William Marlin, whose political career spans almost 50 years, on Sunday passed the mantle to his son Cloyd Ohndhae Marlin with a promise to passionately support his impending bid for a seat in the countrys legislature.

  William shared his full confidence in his sons leadership qualities and capabilities to direct a successful campaign to resounding victory and St Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG:--- A core group of community leaders came together on Sunday, February 12, to form a powerful 'Committee to Elect Cloyd Ohndhae Marlin to the Parliament of St. Maarten.'

The atmosphere was filled with excitement as cheers were heard from a distance.
Ohndhae Marlin opened the meeting with a word of welcome, followed by Benjamin Bell former St Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

-- No political agenda --  

PHILIPSBURG:---  The  President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) Stuart Johnson stated, We want to see a genuine effort to truly ensure one of our nations greatest assets, teachers and staff in education are properly taken care of.

Johnson minced no words in expressing that the WITU is not being political, "I understand with our Country seemingly heading into yet another election, I expect some level of rhetoric, but I had hoped that there would be some improvements to the level of discourse and the rhetoric would be less especially from a Member of Parliament."

The Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) submitted a letter to Honorable Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs and the Council of Ministers on Friday, February 10th, 2023.

In the letter, the WITU stated, The Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) board attended a meeting with you and the Ministers of ECYS, TEATT, and Finance on Wednesday, February 8th, 2023 Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG:--- A new board game will teach children about hurricane preparedness and safety through fun scenarios and questions. The game 'HURRYcane Run has been developed by the Student Support Services Division (SSSD) and UNICEF the Netherlands (UNICEF NL).

Representatives Ernika van Putten (SSSD) and Laura Bijnsdorp (UNICEF NL) tested the game with students, teachers, and administrators at Asha Stevens Christian Hillside School in 2022 Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---   Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA), the Honorable Omar Ottley, has dispelled the politically motivated contrast attempted by some who recently criticized the pace of constructing the new General Hospital in Sint Maarten as "the politricks of misinformation in an election year." Minister Ottley stated, While I share the same sentiments as the general public concerning the pace  of the new hospital, the issues with the hospital started way before my political journey.

Minister Ottley, said on Sunday, "As elections draw closer, it will become increasingly difficult to distinguish between genuine concerns and fraudulent misrepresentations of the truth by those who seek to manipulate the public's perception of reality."

In 2019, members of parliament passed a vote of no confidence firing the then Minister of VSA Emil Lee, with one of the main points of the motion being his inability to start construction for the new general hospital, two and a half years after the contract was signed Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Island Gems Donates Copies Of Stories Of St. Martin To Schools

CUL DE SAC Island Gems Charity Foundation donated copies of the locally published Stories of St. Martinbook to schools on the Dutch side of the island. The book, produced by Association Les Fruits de Mer, tells the story of twelve St. Martiners, the collective name for people on both sides of the island, in their own words.

These stories were recorded on St. Martin between 2016 and 2021. They tell us about salt and salt harvesting, storms and renewal, work and service, and local traditions Read more

Tri-Partite Agreement Signed For Clean-Up Of Grand let

President Louis Mussington (centre), Nature is Key President Juliette Irish (left) and Conservatoire du Littoral representative Anne-Marie Bouill (right) during the signing. Looking on is Collectivit second Vice President Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG:--- Last year on August 2nd at 14:00 hrs. a public tender for the reconstruction of the roofs at Martin Luther King Jr. Primary School was opened by the Minister of Education Hon. Rodolphe Samuel.

The bid had three (3) participating companies; Winward Roads, LICCOM NV, and Omega construction. After the bids were evaluated, the bidder with the best price and performance ratio was Windward Roads.

The deliverables for the project are The removal of the existing roof construction and to replace  the existing roofs with concrete roofing.

As the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport, I am happy to inform the public that the repairs of the Martin Luther King school roof reconstruction are ready to start.

We know that the Management, Staff, Teachers, Parents, and students would certainly like to see their school repaired so that the students can get back into their own environment.

This is also the wish of the entire community Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

How realistic are these motions in the view of the CBCS?, the MP questions in a letter to the Central Bank.~

PHILIPSBURG:--- I did this via the Minister of Finance, Mr. Ardwell Irion, just to make sure that the bank does not deny me a response, based on formalities.
It is now more than 3 weeks since 2 motions were tabled in parliament regarding the Mullet Bay property Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG:---Honourable Member of Parliament and Leader of the United People's Party Rolando Brison says Government and Government Owned Companies must consider out-of-court settlements as a preferred option in legal disputes to avoid high costs and significant loss of production time.
Brison referred to recent developments relating to NV GEBE and one of its former employees who took the Company to Court and reportedly had to put a lien on the Company's accounts to support his position Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

More Than 90 Stakeholders Share Their Ideas About Sint MaartenS Solid Waste Future

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten More than 90 stakeholders came out and shared their ideas about Sint Maartens solid waste future during a consultation meeting on Wednesday, February 1.

The meeting presented the draft vision for Integrated Solid Waste Management on Sint Maarten by 2030. Based on previous discussions within government, this document outlines a future in which persons act responsibly and the country is greener and more sustainable. It also sketches a future in which solid waste materials are reduced, reused, and recycled, and where waste management is funded through structural means and executed by a Waste Authority.

After the presentation of the draft vision, attendees participated in a public roundtable discussion Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Trust FundS School Repair Program Completes 3 More Schools

EBENEZER, Sint Maarten With work completed at Milton Peters College (MPC), Methodist Agogic Centre (MAC) Comprehensive Secondary Education, and St. Dominic High School, a total of six (6) schools have now been repaired through the Sint Maarten Trust Fund.

The programs scope of work includes fixing roofs, doors, and windows, as well as mold remediation, plumbing, and minor electrical work. The contractor also installed new aluminum shutters on doors and windows where necessary.

In the case of MAC, additional structural interventions had to be done to improve the schools resilience to natural disasters Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Ambulance Workers Complete Operational And Maintenance Training For New Ambulances

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten Personnel of the Sint Maarten Ambulance Department have successfully completed a five-day training course to familiarize themselves with the four (4) brand new ambulance vehicles that were delivered in late December 2022.

Conducted by ambulance manufacturer REV Group and Zoll, the training sessions focused on the use and maintenance of the ambulances and their operating systems. It also included a train-the-trainer” component to enable local ambulance workers to provide these operational and maintenance training courses in the future.

At a combined cost of approximately US $1.2 million, the new ambulances were procured through the Sint Maarten Trust Fund, which is financed by the Government of the Netherlands, managed by the World Bank, and implemented by the National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten.

Since 2018, the Sint Maarten Trust Fund has invested in equipment for Sint Maartens firefighters and ambulance workers, as well as in repair work to the Philipsburg and Simpson Bay police stations and Fire and Ambulance building to fix damage caused by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG:---  More than 90 stakeholders came out and shared their ideas about Sint Maartens solid waste future during a consultation meeting on Wednesday, February 1.
The meeting presented the draft vision for Integrated Solid Waste Management in Sint Maarten by 2030. Based on previous discussions within the government, this document outlines a future in which persons act responsibly and the country is greener and more sustainable. It also sketches a future in which solid waste materials are reduced, reused, and recycled, and where waste management is funded through structural means and executed by a Waste Authority Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

~Discussions still on-going~

PHILIPSBURG, Sint MaartenPrime Minister and Minister of General Affairs Ms. Silveria Jacobs invited the Windward Island Teachers Union (WITU) to meet with the Ministers of Education Culture Youth and Sport (ECYS); Finance; and Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic, Telecommunication (TEATT). The meeting with the relevant Ministers was approved for 3:00 pm, yesterday, Wednesday, February 8, and was also attended by the Committee for Civil Servants Unions (CCSU) Chairman Boasman and Secretary General Suenah Laville Martes, as observers.

Though Prime Minister Jacobs initially requested the WITU to postpone further meetings with members until their grievances had been heard, the membership meetings continued as planned Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  The disruption in education on Tuesday and Wednesday Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports Hon. Rodolphe Samuel said on Wednesday, is very unfortunate.

The Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) called its members for meetings during school hours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Minister Samuel pointed out that he is always open to dialogue where it concerns issues that impact educators and pupils adding that it was very important to keep working together to resolve matters.

Minister Samuel explained on Wednesday morning during the Council of Ministers (COM) press briefing that he received correspondence from WITU of January 11 and 13 about meeting on January 20 Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Continuation Urgent Public Meeting Of Parliament With The Minister Of Justice Regarding The Flow And Managing Of The Inmates At The Point Blanche Prison.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in the continuation of urgent Public meeting no. 12 on February 9, 2023.

The Public meeting, which was adjourned on January 25, 2023, will be reconvened on Thursday at 10.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of Justice will return to Parliament to provide answers to the questions posed by Members of Parliament in the first round.

The agenda point is:
Discussion regarding the flow and managing of the inmates at the Point Blanch Prison (IS/363/2022-2023 dated January 19, 2023)
This meeting was requested by MP G.S Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Public School Teachers On Day Two Of Industrial Actions.

~Minister not aware of all issues raised by teachers. ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Teachers of all public schools downed their tools for the past two days as they said that have been in meetings with their union representatives the Windward Islands Teachers Union during school hours.
In an interview with SMN News, the teachers said the Government of St. Maarten have disrespected them in many ways one being they were not paid their vacation allowances, and their salaries have not been indexed for a number of years Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Witu Membership Down Tools Until Their Concerns Are Heard

WITU President Stuart Johnson addressing the members.

PHILIPSBURG--Many Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) members skipped the classroom and gathered at John Larmonie Center on Tuesday from 7:30am to 1:30pm.

---

Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Saturday evening February 4th, 2023, the Cay Hill Community Council hosted a town hall meeting for the residents of the Cay Hill, Little Bay districts in particular, and the general public.
After the opening remarks of the Cay Hill Community Council president, Ms. Angelique Romou, several speakers shared information with the audience. Among the approximately 50 persons attending was the Minister of VSA, Mr. Omar Ottley, the Minister of ECYS, Mr Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Royal Visit At Princess Juliana International Airport

Simpson Bay, St. Maarten His Majesty King Willem Alexander, Her Majesty Queen Mxima, and Princess Amalia visited Princess Juliana International Airport today as part of Princess Amalia’s introductory trip to the Caribbean of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The airport CEO, Brian Mingo, Project Director, Mirto Breell and Manager of Operations Zharia Richardson, gave the Royals a tour of the construction area and the existing operations of the terminal building.

Currently, Ballast Nedam International Projects is rebuilding the new Departure hall, which is set to open before the peak season of 2023.

The new terminal building is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2024.

During the visit, the Royals saw the impressive progress that has been made since the start of the rebuilding of the airport terminal which started in 2021.

The new terminal building is vital to the economy of the island, making it a source of pride for the airport and the entire team involved in its reconstruction.

Brian Mingo, CEO of Princess Juliana International Airport, said, “I am extremely proud to show the Royal family around the project and share the progress that has been made by the entire team Read more

Visita De La Familia Real En El Aeropuerto Internacional Princess Juliana

Simpson Bay, St. Maarten Su Majestad el Rey Willem Alexander, Su Majestad la Reina Mxima y la Princesa Amalia visitaron hoy el Aeropuerto Internacional Princess Juliana como parte del viaje de presentacin de la Princesa Amalia al Caribe del Reino de los Pases Bajos.

El CEO del aeropuerto, Brian Mingo, el Director de Proyectos, Mirto Breell y el Gerente de Operaciones Z’haria Richardson, dieron a los Royal un recorrido por el rea de construccin y las operaciones existentes del edificio de la terminal.

Actualmente, Ballast Nedam International Projects est reconstruyendo la nueva sala de salidas, que se inaugurar antes de la temporada alta de 2023.

Se espera que el nuevo edificio de la terminal est terminado en el segundo trimestre de 2024.

Durante la visita, la Familia Real vieron el impresionante progreso que se ha logrado desde el inicio de la reconstruccin de la terminal del aeropuerto que comenz en 2021.

El nuevo edificio de la terminal es vital para la economa de la isla, lo que lo convierte en un motivo de orgullo para el aeropuerto y todo el equipo involucrado en su reconstruccin.

Brian Mingo, director ejecutivo del Aeropuerto Internacional Princess Juliana, dijo: “Estoy muy orgulloso de mostrarle a la familia real el proyecto y compartir el progreso que ha logrado todo el equipo Read more