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Inselair Relaunches Flights To Suriname

Willemstad, Curacao — Inselair will resume its service between Curacao and Paramaribo starting Monday November 20th 2017 with two flights per week. Paramaribo is the first destination to be re-launched as part of the restructuring plan put forward by the management of the airline, this indicating the importance of the Surinam market for Inselair International. The service is being relaunched with the MD 83 aircraft that is well familiar to the Surinamese market.

On Mondays the flight will leave from Curacao at 14:15 and arrive in Paramaribo at 17:45 local time Read more

“Road To St. Martin Day 2017” Events Continue This Weekend

PHILIPSBURG – The events leading up to St. Martin Day 2017 continues this weekend with the continuation of the Hurricane Heroes Social – Happy Hour edition in honor of G.E.B.E . Last Saturday, The Hurricane Heroes Social kicked off at Laser 101 where the Laser Storm Watch team was honored and uplifted during the event. This week, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport in collaboration with Fred York will be honoring NV G.E.B.E as their employees have been working around the clock to restore electricity and water to all.

Within a few days after monster Hurricane Irma, NV G.E.B.E was able to begin restoring electricity and water as well as the dispatching of water trucks into the districts Read more

Reabren Centros De Detención De Simpson Bay.

FOTO: Ministro de Justicia Rafael Boasman

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten. – Las instalaciones del Centro de Detención en Simpson Bay, fue reabierta el pasado viernes 27.

El edificio sufrió daños durante del paso del huracán Irma, de antemano ya la edificación necesitaba reparaciones antes de la tormenta, por lo que el ministerio aprovechó la oportunidad para completar las reparaciones necesarias.

Durante una breve ceremonia celebrada en las instalaciones, el Ministro de Justicia, Rafael Boasman, elogió a the Genie (ingenieros del ejército holandés) por su asistencia y cooperación para poner las instalaciones listas para su uso.

The Genie hizo reparaciones en el techo, el sistema de cámaras, los baños y las camas.

El Ministro agradeció the Genie en nombre del gobierno y el pueblo de St Read more

El Ministro Christopher Emmanuel A Los Socios De La Coalición: “Quien Esté En Línea Con La Posición Holandesa No Debería Ser Parte De La Coalición”.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten.- Esta fue la declaración que aparentemente causó que la líder del Partido Demócrata y la Presidenta Sarah Wescot-Williams; detonara la bomba, durante la tensionada reunión parlamentaria del viernes pasado.

Estaba claro incluso antes del “anuncio” de la Presidenta el viernes, que se invocaba la ira del Partido Demócrata, cuando el miembro del DP Perry Geerlings, se mostró en términos inciertos en desacuerdo con el manejo del Primer Ministro, especialmente en el tema de la solicitud de ayuda de los Países Bajos.

Para empeorar las cosas, la declaración del Ministro Emmanuel se reiteró el 26 de octubre de 2017, de la siguiente manera: “Lo he dicho antes y lo diré de nuevo Read more

Minister Christopher Emmanuel To Coalition Partners “Anyone In Line With Dutch Position Should Not Be Part Of The Coalition.”

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — This is the statement that apparently caused the bombshell statement by the leader of the Democratic Party and Chairlady Sarah Wescot-Williams during a tension-filled parliamentary meeting on Friday last.

It was clear even before the Chairlady’s “announcement” on Friday that the ire of Democratic Party was invoked, when DP member Perry Geerlings in no uncertain terms disagreed with the Prime Minister’s handling of especially the request for aid from the Netherlands.

To make matters worse, Minister Emmanuel’s statement was reiterated on October 26, 2017, as follows: “I have said it before and I will say it again anyone agreeing with the conditions should not be part of this government Read more

Simpson Bay Detention Facilities Re-Opened.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — On Friday, October 27th, the detention facilities in Simpson Bay were re-opened for use.

The building suffered damage from Hurricane Irma and was in need of repairs prior to the storm, so the ministry made use of the opportunity to complete the necessary repairs.

During a brief ceremony held at the facilities, Minister of Justice, Rafael Boasman was full of praises to the Genie (engineers from the Dutch army) for their assistance and cooperation in getting the facilities ready for use.

The Genie made repairs to the roof, the camera system, the bathrooms and the beds.

The Minister thanked the Genie on behalf of the government and the people of St Read more

Solutions To Save Our Local University

Dear Editor,

As an Educator teaching 25 years at the University of St. Martin (USM), I would like to humbly give my advice and solution to the Minister of Education on how to save our University of St. Martin. I fully understand the situation our Government is being confronted with. The shortage of income for this year and the coming years for the entire country is something we all have to face and therefore it is impossible at this point and time to commit to any type of monetary assistance to the University, but we need to be creative in seeking a solution.

This is where creative financing comes into the picture within Government Read more

President Of Parliament Convenes Meeting On Integrity Chamber And Border Control

Philipsburg, St.Maarten, –– The President of Parliament, Sarah Wescot -Williams has convened a public meeting of Parliament, to which the honorable Prime Minister, William Marlin has been invited, with the agenda points; Integrity Chamber and Border Control. 

“ As president of Parliament I may convene meetings of Parliament as often as deemed   necessary Read more

Pm Harris Cancels Trip To Attend Cannes International Emigration & Luxury Property Expo In France

Basseterre, St. Kitts,  – Questions have been raised about the last minute cancellation of travel arrangements by St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris to Cannes, France via London on Monday.

Dr. Harris was scheduled to leave Antigua for France on a British Airways flight via London to attend the Cannes      International Emigration & Luxury Property Expo from 26 – 27 October at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes.

Leader of the Opposition, the Right Hon Read more

Informative Briefing Held With Top Civil Servants

  

PHILIPSBURG –  The position of the Dutch Government not to grant aid for the recovery of Sint Maarten following the devastation caused by hurricane Irma if the Government of Sint Maarten doesn’t accept the two conditions, was the topic of a briefing conducted by Prime Minister, Mr. William Marlin, and Minister of Justice, Mr Read more

The Ministry Of Education, Culture, Youth And Sport Holds A Consultation Meeting.

~ Meeting was for the Mid-term Resilience Plan with critical stakeholders as part of the National Recovery Plan 2017-2019 ~

PHILIPSBURG — On October 23rd, 2017, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) held a consultation meeting for the Midterm Resilience Plan. The aim of the meeting was to contribute to the National Recovery Plan (NRP) of St. Maarten in the area of education, culture, youth and sport. Participating stakeholders included schoolboards, UNICEF, sporting organizations, culture and heritage foundations, day care centers, youth organizations and representatives from the Ministry ECYS and other Ministries Read more

The Ministry Of Vromi Flagpole Project Today, Post Irma???

A few months before Irma, I got a request from the VROMI Minister on his official VROMI Government letterhead (with what appears to be a Black Power fist as part of that official letterhead??), requesting a donation of FLS. 5,000.00 towards a plan to put two very tall flagpoles with huge Miami- dealership-style SXM flags in strategic locations: one on the Bell property above what was once Harold Jack’s  look-out stand and one in the (now not so) Great Salt Pond, at the combined cost of well over US$ 150,000.00.

The idea was to before November 11, 2017, have a prominent display of our National Flag in places where if people took selfies, the flag would proudly be displayed in the back ground, in an effort to increase National Pride awareness Read more

Parliament Is To Blame For Delay In Hurricane Aid

While most people blame our honourable Prime Minister and the Government for delaying Dutch hurricane financial aid, the hold-up really lies with Parliament. The Prime Minister is only acting on a mandate, received from Parliament on January 30th 2017, which instructed Government to block the establishing of the Integrity Chamber.

In the corporate world when the Board of Directors instructs Management to carry out an order, it is executed until the Board cancels the instruction. Likewise, in the public sector when Parliament passes a motion, instructing government to execute an order, government is expected to carry out the instruction until Parliament decides otherwise.

Let me spare the reader the history and intrigues related to the Integrity Chamber and fast forward to January 30th 2017 when the Integrity Chamber was once again the topic of discussion on the floor of Parliament Read more

Prime Minister Marlin Response To Conditions

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — On October 20, 2017, the Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, Mr. William Marlin, issued a letter to the Dutch caretaker Minister of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations, Mr. Ronald Plasterk, in response to his letter dated October 13, in which the conditions of the Dutch Government to make the recovery funds available were stipulated.

While amidst the urgency of managing the impact of the hurricane, the Government of Sint Maarten has sent various letters to the Dutch Government in which several topics were raised to keep the Dutch Government aligned and give the possibility to comment and complement Read more

Frans: Shta Should Guard Its Tone In Addressing Its Government Partner

~ Govt. will not be irresponsible in talks with Dutch ~

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Leader of the United St. Maarten (US) party MP Frans Richardson believes the St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) should guard its tone and refrain from levying insults towards Parliament and the government of St. Maarten. Richardson’s US party holds the political responsibility for the Ministry of Tourism and Economic Affairs and that of Justice.

He said St Read more

Office World Donates Supplies To The Ministry Ecys

PHILIPSBURG —  As a way to commemorate the 28th Anniversary, Office World donated 1000 composition books and other school supplies to the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Silveria Jacobs. The books are welcomed at an ideal time, especially after the passing of Hurricane Irma whereby many children may have lost their books and/or school supplies.

Minister Jacobs expressed her congratulations and gratitude to the management and staff of Office World for serving the community and businesses with supplies for the last 28 years Read more

Motorworld Group Hurricane Car Sale Offers Once In A Lifetime Deals With Up To 70% Discounts On All Brands

COLEBAY, Sint Maarten — In the wave of the aftermath of the recent hurricanes and storms, Motorworld Group of Companies has launched the ‘Hurricane Car Sale’ with up to 70% discount on new and used vehicles from all brands that are available at Motorworld, Caribbean Auto and Audi. This major sale begins today, and is valid for a limited time only, whilst stocks last. “Businesses and residents are working diligently to rebuild and survive beyond the damages and destruction throughout the community of St Read more

Sarah Makes Passionate Plea To The Kingdom Government.

Philipsburg, St.Maarten, October 14, 2017 – In a rare move, Member of Parliament, Chairlady Sarah Wescot-Williams, directed a personal and passionate letter to the Kingdom government, asking Prime Minister Rutte to consider separating the much anticipated reconstruction aid from the Netherlands from the conditions imposed by the Kingdom government.

These conditions have been spelled out in a letter from the Minister of Kingdom Relations, R Read more

Upg Reflexiona Sobre El Discurso Del Primer Ministro

Como el Unleashed Potential Group (UPG), sentimos la necesidad de reflexionar sobre el discurso de nuestro primer ministro, William Marlin.

La terrible devastación infligida por el huracán Irma ya tiene más de un mes. Ya hace más de un mes Irma develó el manto de los problemas importantes ya existentes en nuestra isla Read more

Deadline For Use Of Szv Card In Curacao, Aruba And Bonaire

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten (Thursday October 12th, 2017) — The Executive Agency Social and Health Insurance (SZV) of Sint Maarten hereby makes the following known to all SZV insured persons currently staying on Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.

The SZV card does not entitle you to free medical treatment outside Sint Maarten unless you have been referred abroad for specific medical treatment by SZV.

Due to the state of emergency after Hurricane Irma, a temporary provision was established for those insured persons that needed doctor consult or medication while staying on Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao.

Now that the state of emergency has been lifted and airlift with Sint Maarten will resume, this temporary provision ends on October 22nd, 2017 at 24:00h.

Insured persons who need medical treatment or medication abroad after October 22nd, 2017 have to bear the cost and may request a reimbursement of cost upon return to Sint Maarten Read more

Upg Reflects On Prime Minister’S Address

As the Unleashed Potential Group (UPG) we felt the urge to reflect on the address by our Prime Minister, Mr. William Marlin.

The terrible devastation inflicted by Hurricane Irma has been already more than a month ago. Already more than a month ago Irma took away the blanket of already existing major issues on our island Read more

Youngest Parliamentary Representative Calls On Pm Harris To “Do What Is Right And Honourable”

Basseterre, St. Kitts,  –West Basseterre Member of Parliament and the youngest parliamentary representative in the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly, Hon. Konris Maynard has called on Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris “to do what is right and honourable.”

He called on Dr. Harris to provide former prime minister and current Leader of the Opposition, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas a diplomatic passport and the release of the necessary financing approved by the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly for the operation of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition.

“Why in God’s name after two and a half years of a government, which claims to be a new government, with a new paradigm claiming to be an all-inclusive fair share government, why on earth would they withhold resources from the Leader of the Opposition? Why is it that the most distinguished prime minister in the Caribbean, cannot be given a Diplomatic Passport, by his own country?” asked Maynard during Wednesday’s “Issues” programme on Freedom 106.5 FM Read more

Prime Minister & Minister Of Tourism Welcome Back 1St Commercial Flights To Sint Maarten

SIMPSON BAY  –  On Tuesday 10-10-17, Prime Minister William Marlin and Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication Melissa Arrindell Doncher welcomed the 1st commercial flights to Sint Maarten marking the re-opening of PJIAE / SXM Airport.

The two Ministers were present 7:50 am in the morning to welcome the first flight, WINAIR that arrived from Saba beginning the historic day that saw 6 flights land with one cancellation.

Around midday a festive welcome ceremony was organized that included live music, ladies in beautiful carnival costumes, give away items, finger food snacks & cold beverages Read more

Final Emergency Operations Meeting Held At Fire & Ambulance Building

CAY HILL –  On Friday October 6th the final Emergency Operations Center (EOC) meeting was held at the Fire & Ambulance Building, marking the end of the emergency response to Hurricane Irma. The next phase will be the road to recovery, which entails the rebuilding of Sint Maarten.

The EOC was called in to action on September 1st in preparation for the approaching Hurricane Irma. Since that time the EOC has met regularly and at the peak of the response at least once daily. Th Read more