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CAY HILL:--- Students and faculty of the Learning Unlimited (LU) Preparatory School paid tribute to the late Neville York on Friday, November 10th with a St. Maarten’s day celebration in his honor and by unveiling his memorial portrait in the school’s performance arts room.

The program was held as part of a special assembly entitled “LU Strong, SXM Strong” and featured several musical and dance performances by the students and teachers. The students used every opportunity to express how much York meant to them and the school, wishing “the man, with the pan, in his hand” was still with them.

Coordinator of the program and Head of the Primary School Amissa President described York as a person and artist who gave his all to LU and its students Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Saturday, November 4th, the Philipsburg Jubilee Library had an amazing book sale. Your local library was able to raise NAF 733.62 throughout the day during its annual book sale. The funds raised will be used for new materials and activities hosted by the library.
This special book sale was intended to bring back some normalcy to the library and her fateful patrons Read more

Stressed "Unity"

THE HAGUE, Netherlands:--- On Friday November 10th 2017, the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten, was the venue of the annual Sint Maarten Day Celebration, hosted by Minister Henrietta Doran-York.
The theme this year, was centered around Unity. This was evident in the turnout as Sint Maarteners of all age groups, traveled from the various major cities to The Hague to join in commemorating this special day.
Among the many guests were the Minister Plenipotentiary of Curacao, His Excellency, Mr Read more

Prime Minister William Marlin Said That He Spoke To State Secretary Of Kingdom Relations, Mr. Knops Rearding The Recovery Fund And Aid

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Prime Minister William Marlin said that the first thing he did on Friday morning was call State Secretary of Kingdom Relations, Mr. Knops after receiving news that the Dutch government had taken a decision on the Recovery Fund and on the amount of 550 million Euros in recovery aid to Sint Maarten.

This is great news, he said, and he expressed a big Thank You to the government and people of the Netherlands for the relief aid received so far, amounting to over 50 million Euros and now the decision to establish the Recovery Fund with no less than 550 million Euros Read more

Fellow St. Martiners,

This St. Martin Day is like no other that we have celebrated since this holiday was established jointly by two St. Martin patriots in 1959, the late Dr. Hubert Petit and Dr. Claude Wathey. Their intention, as I understand it, was to bring all the people of the island together, from Great Bay to Marigot, from Middle Region to Hameau du Pont, from French Quarter to Dutch Quarter, and from Simpson Bay to Galisbay, St. Martin people from all four corners of the island, to join hands and hearts together to celebrate our St Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister William Marlin said that the first thing he did on Friday morning was call State Secretary of Kingdom Relations, Mr. Knops after receiving news that the Dutch government had taken a decision on the Recovery Fund and on the amount of 550 million Euros in recovery aid to Sint Maarten.
This is great news, he said, and he expressed a big Thank You to the government and people of the Netherlands for the relief aid received so far, amounting to over 50 million Euros and now the decision to establish the Recovery Fund with no less than 550 million Euros Read more

Prime Minister William Marlin Leaves Parliament Meeting To Meet With The Governor

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Prime Minister William Marlin said on Thursday afternoon that he had to suddenly leave the meeting of parliament for an urgent meeting with the Governor, his Excellency Drs. Eugene Holiday. The meeting had been adjourned for 30 minutes and as the meeting lasted much longer, the Prime Minister informed the Chairlady of Parliament that he could not return to the meeting until late in the evening.

Without consulting the Prime Minister, the Chairlady then adjourned the meeting to 10:00 am Friday morning Read more

The Minister Of General Affairs, Prime Minister William Marlin, Hereby Makes The Following Known.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Minister of General Affairs is responsible for designating a location where meetings of the Main Voting Bureau are held, this in accordance with article 12 sub 6 of the Voting Ordinance.

The meeting to allow political parties to submit their slate of candidates will be held on November 13, 2017 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the New Government Building at Soualiga Road Pond Island. Endorsing of the slates of candidates will take place on Tuesday November 14, 2017 from 9 :00 am to 4:00 pm in the building where the Census Office was previously housed across from the New Government Building at Soualiga Road 6 Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of General Affairs, Prime Minister William Marlin, hereby makes the following known.
The Minister of General Affairs is responsible for designating a location where meetings of the Main Voting Bureau are held, this in accordance with article 12 sub 6 of the Voting Ordinance.

The meeting to allow political parties to submit their slate of candidates will be held on November 13, 2017 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the New Government Building at Soualiga Road Pond Island.Endorsing of the slates of candidates will take place on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 from 9 :00 am to 4:00 pm in the building where the Census Office was previously housed across from the New Government Building at Soualiga Road 6 Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister William Marlin said on Thursday afternoon that he had to suddenly leave the meeting of parliament for an urgent meeting with the Governor, his Excellency Drs. Eugene Holiday. The meeting had been adjourned for 30 minutes and as the meeting lasted much longer, the Prime Minister informed the Chairlady of Parliament that he could not return to the meeting until late in the evening Read more

THE HAGUE:--- Honourable Minister Plenipotentiary, Mrs. Henrietta Doran-York, hosted Honourable Ministers Plenipotentiary of Curacao and Aruba, Mr. Anthony Begina and Mr. Juan David Yruasquin, and Honourable Minister of Education of Curacao, Mrs. Marilyn Alcalá-Wallé, who is currently on a working visit in the Netherlands, at the Cabinet of Sint Maarten on Wednesday November 8th, in order to through them, formally thank the governments of Curacao and Aruba, on behalf of the Prime Minister and government of Sint Maarten, for their joint efforts in assisting and coordinating emergency aid to Sint Maarten prior to, during, and in the aftermath of the passing of hurricane Irma.
In particular, she thanked the governments for their immediate support to strengthen the capacities on Sint Maarten by sending personnel that crossed various fields of expertise.
With regards to the Government of Aruba, Minister Doran-York extended her gratitude for the Aruban government’s emergency medical response to, and the housing of persons in dire need of medical treatment Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The board of the United People’s Party (UP) has condemned the call by the Prime Minister and Leader of the National Alliance, William Marlin, to call an election on January 8th, 2018.
“An election now on St Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten government received a cheque in the amount of USD$105,275 from representatives of The Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Willemstad late last week. Announcing the donation last week was the Vice Consul when making a courtesy visit to our Prime Minister. The funds are earmarked for the reconstruction of schools and homes following the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma. Prime Minister Read more

HARBOUR VIEW:--- On November 7, 2017, the Governor of Sint Maarten, His Excellency drs. E.B. Holiday, requested the fraction leader of the United Peoples Party, Mr. Franklin Meyers, to form an interim government as formateur.
The Governor held consultations between November 3 and 6, 2017 with the leaders of the political parties that hold seats in Parliament, (the United Peoples Party, the National Alliance, the United St Read more

Portraits And Poetry Event Delivers High Caliber Performances.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Patrons attending the Portraits and Poetry event, held on Sunday, November 5th, 2017 at the Marigot Waterfront, left feeling inspired and rejuvenated by the display of art, music, and culture they experienced during the three-hour event. Representing the Collectivite of French St. Martin was Honorable Member of Parliament and Vice President of the Tourist Office, Mr. Alex Pierre, who opened with a short address that emphasized the contentment of the French Side being able to collaborate with their Dutch counterparts and the willingness to continue to work together in the future Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- “As a minister that believes in being accountable to the people and based on recent accusations by the Prime Minister, I am in the process of requesting that SOAB, Government’s Accounting Bureau, perform an audit of the receipt and distribution of relief goods by Government and in particular the Ministry of VSA,” stated Minister Lee.
“I am truly disheartened. It is so sad that in a time when the people need help and hope, politicians would fabricate stories for political gain Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Recent accusations that Minister Lee is delaying the payments to truckers, heavy equipment operators and workers that are cleaning up the island after hurricane Irma, is simply not correct. The accusations are a shameful attempt to look for a scapegoat that allows them to diffuse blame as well as serving a political objective of tarnishing the reputation of Minister Lee. “I have absolutely no problem paying companies or workers that have participated in cleaning up the island Read more

PARIS, France:--- The honourable Minister Plenipotentiary, Mrs. Henrietta Doran-York presented Sint Maarten’s national statement to the 39th session of the UNESCO General Conference on November 4th, 2017 in Paris.
The well-received address, which was presented on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten, and in particular the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, Ms Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Primary School (MLK) receives special educational packages from the Tzu Chi Foundation on Friday morning. "Just a few weeks ago I promised that the foundation would return to our school and support us yet again," remarked Stuart Johnson School Manager of MLK. "I am elated to reaffirm compliments of the foundation that a promise made is a promise kept," Johnson added Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Some 27 employees from Cable TV will be without a job on December 31st, 2017 if the management of TelEm gets their way. The employees who have worked for Cable TV for more than 10 years are not at all satisfied with the information they received from TelEm CEO Kendall Dupersoy. SMN News learned that Cable TV was sold to TelEm for $4.5M since January 2017, but only on October 27th workers learned that management of TelEm does not intend to have them transferred as TelEm workers but would send them home instead with a payout.
On Friday, most of the workers called in sick forcing Cable TV to close its doors while their union has sought legal representation to secure much-needed documents from TelEm management Read more

~ Postulation Day November 13th ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Governor of St. Maarten drs Eugene Holiday signed off the decree for elections to be held on Monday, January 8th, 2018 while postulation day will be on Monday, November 13th, 2017. The Parliament of St. Maarten will be dissolved on January 31st, 2018.
The people of St. Maarten have to go through yet another election because Member of Parliament Chanel Brownbill chose to jump ship and signed an agreement with the United Peoples Party and the Democratic Party Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Leader of the United St. Maarten (US) party MP Frans Richardson on Friday said that his party will not utilize the customary roadside billboards in the run-up to the January Parliamentary elections.

Richardson said that he believes the work put in by the USP in 9 months in office and the clear message that the party will have for the people of St Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister William Marlin tendered the resignation of his cabinet to Governor Eugene Holiday on Thursday afternoon following the motion of no confidence against himself and the other ministers.
Marlin also presented a draft National Decree to the Governor to dissolve Parliament. Once signed, the Parliament of Sint Maarten will be dissolved on January 31, 2018 Read more

POND ISLAND:--- TelEm Group CEO, Kendall Dupersoy, says the company is well on the way to restoring its telecommunication infrastructure to pre Hurricane status thanks to the continued hard work of technical staff and the addition of local contractors and telecommunication experts from Curacao.
According to Mr. Dupersoy, there are now more cell sites (15) in full operation with 10 cell sites providing partial operation.

“This is a vast improvement on the situation just three weeks ago when the last update was given by the technical team,” said Mr Read more