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The Up-Coalition Governing Program 2014-2018 Is Definitely Not A Program For The People Of St. Maarten, So Who Is The Government Really Working For?

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Opposition parties National Alliance and Democratic Party met recently to discuss the governing program presented to parliament by the current United People's Party-led coalition.

The first impressions of this program leave a lot to be desired and much more was expected, not only after the long wait, but especially after the many promises that were made by the United People's Party, leading up to and during the 2014 electoral campaign.

However, more disturbing than that is the fact that the program as presented provides no basis for a constructive discussion in Parliament about government's plans, its priorities, available and needed resources.

The people of St Read more

Dp Leader; Sta, On/Off

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Something is NOT right again with the latest face-off between government and the private sector, now on the St. Maarten Tourism Authority (STA).

The matter of the St. Maarten Tourism Authority (STA) has been one of ongoing concern for the faction of the Democratic Party.

This has been so, because there is no tourism plan currently in place and the lack of such a plan has been always put as due to the incomplete progress to come to a STA.

This process has been ongoing for at least 10 years, some even say 15 years.

From " commissioners' time to consecutive ministers, there have been constant differing visions for this authority, with as result that nothing happened.

Agree with the current proposed organization or not, it did bring the establishment of this badly needed "authority" a step closer to realization.

It was therefore noted with much concern, that not yet one month in office, the Minister of TEATT, Claret Conner's tongue slipped it appeared, and he divulged that he intended to (re)evaluate the STA.

This prompted several questions from the DP faction, verbally and subsequently in writing Read more

Officer Benjamin's sacrifice

Dear Editor,

Last week's shooting of a police officer by a coward with a gun has brought our once- tranquil "Friendly" island to an all time new low in societal behaviour. Killing any human being is bad; however, being mentally capable, and physically prepared and able to actually shoot a police officer, a representative of the law, is a whole other matter! In the rawness of such a tragedy we, (the collective we), seem to be seeking serious debate on this "national" issue.

The evidence can be found in both traditional print and social media that has been "lit up"! We are learning that compassion is alive and well in our society Read more

Notices August 10

Kickboxing Classes

Kickboxing is offered for Adults (Age 15+) Tuesday and Thursday 7:00-8:15pm at Renzo Gracie St Maarten. For more information call 559-7852 or email \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots Read more

Benjamin will be buried with ‘official honours’

PHILIPSBURG--A large section of the country was plunged into mourning on Saturday when bike patrol Police Officer Gamali “Benji” Benjamin succumbed to injuries he sustained when he was shot while responding to an armed robbery at Oro Diamante on Front Street on Wednesday, August 5.

He passed away peacefully at St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC). Justice Minister Dennis Richardson said on Sunday that Benjamin would be buried with “official honours.”

As word spread of Benjamin’s passing, some persons visited SMMC, while scores of others turned to social media to express their sadness Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs announces flags at half-mast for Police Officer Benjamin

PHILIPSBURG – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs in solidarity with the nation instructed according to protocol to have flags flown at half-mast out of respect after a law enforcement official was killed in the line of duty. 

Police Officer G. Benjamin from the Sint Maarten Police Force was seriously wounded on Wednesday, August 5 wh Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---- “As Prime Minister it’s my distinct honor to extend my support to the staff of the Department of Labor Affairs and Social Services for the upcoming Start Here Campaign, which as I understand aims to boost the jobseekers database to meet the very diverse needs of the local labor market,” Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs pointed out recently.
“It is an initiative that I fully encourage as we have made tackling employment challenges an important part of the governing program ‘Ready to Work for You’ Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- United People’s (UP) Party Member of Parliament (MP) Maurice Lake wrote a letter to the Acting Minister of the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Marcel Gumbs, addressing the concerns of residents of Marigot Hill regarding the placement of a NV GEBE street light at Soursop Road #42.

“In that specific area at night it’s very dark and is well-known for car stripping by criminal elements Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- While reading the government program 2014 -2018 the section dealing with the adoption of a school program did catch my attention. It was very vague and I was hoping to acquire some more information on this adopt a school program. Both MP’s Marlin-Romeo and Lake came out strong defending this program and while I believe there is nothing wrong with such a program but are they planning to make this mandatory that the business community must adopt these schools. In one scenario MP Marlin-Romeo is talking about the tax breaks that many companies are receiving and that one of the condition to receive such a break is that they must adopt one of the public schools Read more

>SIMPSON BAY:----- The group of international aviation and travel writers that will be arriving here Monday, August 10 for a three-day media tour organized by the Princess Juliana International Airport, SXM, are drawn from nine different destinations in four countries.
The writers will be submitting their stories to more than 30 international media outlets, both print and electronic and should therefore offer an unprecedented exposure for the airport, the entire island, and the hub partners Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  On Saturday August 8th, 2015 the Minister of Justice the Honorable Dennis Richardson received the disheartening news that Officer Benjamin had passed away at the Sint Maarten Medical Center as a direct result of the severe gunshot injuries he sustained while exercising his duties and protecting the residents and visitors of Sint Maarten. Minister Richardson and Prime Minister Mr. Marcel Gumbs immediately visited the Medical Center to pay their respects to Officer Benjamin and tried to comfort the many family members and colleagues who were clearly in soul wrenching pain from the passing of Benjamin.

The Minister and the entire Ministry of Justice extend their deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Officer Benjamin Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs on Sunday, August 9th issued the following statement with respect to the passing of Police Officer Gamali Benjamin.
My fellow St. Maarteners,
“My heart is heavy as I offer, my family’s and Government’s deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Officer Gamali Benjamin. Officer Benjamin was firstly a son, a father and a husband to those who loved and knew him best, and this is a profound loss that no parent, child or spouse should have to suffer.
“Government has sworn that everything within our power will be done to bring those who have perpetrated these crimes to justice.
“I would be remiss, however, if I did not also offer condolences to Officer Benjamin’s colleagues, his second family, at the KPSM (Police Force Sint Maarten) Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- On behalf of the National Alliance family I taken the time to extend deepest sympathy and condolences to the family, colleagues, loved ones and friends of our brave fallen Officer Gamali Benjamin, who was tragically and mercilessly cut down in the prime of his life. Officer Benjamin epitomised the model of the respectable, humble, hardworking and respected officer of the law.
He executed his duty in protecting us and upholding the laws of the land with integrity, passion and compassion for his fellow man, woman and children; therefore Officer Benjamin stands tall in our hearts, minds and the Nation as a Hero.
The loss of such a great person will take a toll on especially his young family and the colleagues with whom he worked daily Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs announces flags at half-mast for Police Officer Benjamin

>PHILIPSBURG:---- Prime Minister Hon. Marcel Gumbs in solidarity with the nation instructed according to protocol to have flags flown at half-mast out of respect after a law enforcement official was killed in the line of duty.
Police Officer G. Benjamin from the Sint Maarten Police Force was seriously wounded on Wednesday, August 5 while attending to a call of a robbery on Front Street Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:----“The Public Service Center (PSC) at Simpson Bay and the one to be established in the New Government Building, is a representation of promoting better service to the community. Strong public services are often society’s most powerful development resource,” Prime Minister/Minister of General Affairs Marcel Gumbs said on Thursday.
Gumbs adds that a strong public service can build institutions that play a huge role in enabling people to fulfil their potential within an environment where their ideas, actions and society as a whole can flourish.
The PSC which falls under the Ministry of General Affairs, should be seen in the light of Government’s first steps in becoming a leader in public service excellence based on the one-stop service provider concept.

“We are in the process of building a professional public service with integrity, diversity and a focus on clients and result oriented Read more

>PHILIPSBURG/MARIGOT:---- The Sint Maarten Sickle Cell Foundation represented by Vanessa Mathew, Kurt Sprott, Leona Marlin-Romeo, and Richard Marlin, all joined the Northern side Sickle Cell Association in its first walk-a-thon to bring about the awareness of the disease on Sunday August 9th.
Over 100 supporters participated in the event which made it quite a success Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs: Strong Public Services Are A Powerful Development Resource

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – "The Public Service Center (PSC) at Simpson Bay and the one to be established in the New Government Building, is a representation of promoting better service to the community.

Strong public services are often society's most powerful development resource," Prime Minister/Minister of General Affairs Marcel Gumbs said on Thursday.

Gumbs adds that a strong public service can build institutions that play a huge role in enabling people to fulfil their potential within an environment where their ideas, actions and society as a whole can flourish.

The PSC which falls under the Ministry of General Affairs, should be seen in the light of Government's first steps in becoming a leader in public service excellence based on the one-stop service provider concept.

"We are in the process of building a professional public service with integrity, diversity and a focus on clients and result oriented Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs Endorses The Start Here Campaign To Tackle Employment Challenges

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – "As Prime Minister it's my distinct honor to extend my support to the staff of the Department of Labor Affairs and Social Services for the upcoming Start Here Campaign, which as I understand aims to boost the jobseekers database to meet the very diverse needs of the local labor market," Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs pointed out recently.

"It is an initiative that I fully encourage as we have made tackling employment challenges an important part of the governing program 'Ready to Work for You' Read more

Mp Tamara Leonard Calls For 'Straight Outta Compton' To Not Be Screened Here

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Do not screen the biopic "Straight Outta Compton" in St. Maarten. This was the message communicated to Caribbean Cinemas and the Censorship Committee of St. Maarten by United People's (UP) party Member of Parliament (MP) Tamara Leonard Read more

Up Mp Lake Commends Act. Minister Of Vromi Gumbs And Gebe For Quick Action In St. Peters Community

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – United People's (UP) Party Member of Parliament (MP) Maurice Lake wrote a letter to the Acting Minister of the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Marcel Gumbs, addressing the concerns of residents of Marigot Hill regarding the placement of a NV GEBE street light at Soursop Road #42.

"In that specific area at night it's very dark and is well-known for car stripping by criminal elements Read more

Na Extends Condolences

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - On behalf of the National Alliance family I taken the time to extend deepest sympathy and condolences to the family, colleagues, loved ones and friends of our brave fallen Officer Gamali Benjamin, who was tragically and mercilessly cut down in the prime of his life.

Officer Benjamin epitomised the model of the respectable, humble, hardworking and respected officer of the law.

He executed his duty in protecting us and upholding the laws of the land with integrity, passion and compassion for his fellow man, woman and children; therefore Officer Benjamin stands tall in our hearts, minds and the Nation as a Hero.

The loss of such a great person will take a toll on especially his young family and the colleagues with whom he worked daily Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs Announces Flags At Half-Mast For Police Officer Benjamin

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Prime Minister Hon. Marcel Gumbs in solidarity with the nation instructed according to protocol to have flags flown at half-mast out of respect after a law enforcement official was killed in the line of duty.

Police Officer G. Benjamin from the Sint Maarten Police Force was seriously wounded on Wednesday, Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs Statement On The Passing Of Police Officer Gamali Benjamin

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs on Sunday, August 9th issued the following statement with respect to the passing of Police Officer Gamali Benjamin.

My fellow St. Maarteners,

"My heart is heavy as I offer, my family's and Government's deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Officer Gamali Benjamin Read more

Minister Offers Condolences, Mourns Passing Of Officer Benjamin

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - On Saturday August 8th, 2015 the Minister of Justice the Honorable Dennis Richardson received the disheartening news that Officer Benjamin had passed away at the Sint Maarten Medical Center as a direct result of the severe gunshot injuries he sustained while exercising his duties and protecting the residents and visitors of Sint Maarten.

Minister Richardson and Prime Minister Mr. Marcel Gumbs immediately visited the Medical Center to pay their respects to Officer Benjamin and tried to comfort the many family members and colleagues who were clearly in soul wrenching pain from the passing of Benjamin.

The Minister and the entire Ministry of Justice extend their deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Officer Benjamin.

Officer Benjamin's shooting and his subsequent passing have come as a severe shock to his family, the Sint Maarten Police Force and the Community at large and will undoubtedly have an effect on many lives for a very long time to come Read more