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Jamaica government says tackling crime not only a matter for law enforcement

KINGSTON, Jamaica--The Jamaica government is calling on nationals to re-think their position that the solution to crime and violence is a matter only for law enforcement.

"Law enforcement has an important role to play, but if we think it is only law enforcement that is going to fix our crime problem, then we are seriously mistaken. The truth of the matter is...when you look at the root causes of crime, it starts with the family," said National Security Minister, Peter Bunting, who said there needed to be a deepened understanding among Jamaicans of the causes of crime and violence affecting the island.

Bunting, addressing the launch of a Unite for Change forum and First Responders and Violence Interrupters training, said the understanding is needed in order to identify and put in place strategies aimed at fighting the scourge.

He said it is hoped that through the Unite for Change programme, the quest for a better understanding of the issues surrounding crime and violence will be achieved and a number of misconceptions will be removed from the thinking of Jamaicans.

"A part of the Unite for Change initiative is really working to deepen our understanding of the causes of violence, because if you don't understand what is causing it...you will end up just treating the symptoms and not curing the disease."

Bunting said one of the strategies being employed by his Ministry in curbing crime and violence is the use of "softer policing," where members of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) are dressed in a more civilian-friendly manner, instead of looking as if they are on a mission to confront.

"When we talk about changing culture, we recognize that the first place we have to start is with the Police Read more

UP answers Dutch MPs’ statements, claims would infringe on democracy

~ Calls statements rhetoric~

PHILIPSBURG--The board of the United Peoples (UP) party says it "strongly believes" that the recent statements made by members of the liberal democratic VVD party and Socialist Party (SP) in the Netherlands is "rhetoric," and it "infringes on the fundamentals of St. Maarten's Parliamentary democracy."

The VVD and SP had been very critical of in particular UP leader Theo Heyliger, with both saying they would be calling for an instruction to have a criminal investigation focusing on Heyliger, during the handling of the draft 2015 budget of Kingdom Relations in the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament on Wednesday.

UP said in a press release on Wednesday that St Read more

Policy expanded to grant four new casino licences

~ Airport and Harbour to get licences ~

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Ted Richardson has expanded the casino policy to grant four additional casino licences – two for land-based casinos and two for vessels, the minister's Chef de Cabinet Ludwig Ouenniche told The Daily Herald last night.

The Harbour Group of Companies and Princess Juliana International Airport SXM already have submitted applications for casino licences, according to a press release from the minister's cabinet Read more

Plasterk wants intervention in St. Maarten justice system

THE HAGUE--A special white-collar crime unit from the Netherlands at the Philipsburg Prosecutor's Office, an Integrity Officer appointed by the Dutch Government, more direct supervision of The Hague on immigration and border protection through the strengthening of the Royal Dutch Marechaussee, National Detectives/RST, Customs Department, the Royal Dutch Navy and the St. Maarten Police Force.

These are the measures that Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk will be proposing for St Read more

PvdA suggests broad-based business Cabinet St. Maarten

THE HAGUE--A national unity government or a broadly carried business Cabinet serving the best interest of the St. Maarten people while at the same time allowing an in-depth criminal investigation into the vote-buying and the process of the recent Parliamentary elections – that is what Member of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament Roelof van Laar of the Labour Party PvdA will be bringing forward during the handling of the draft 2015 budget of Kingdom Relations in the Second Chamber today, Wednesday.

Van Laar's suggestion is a more moderate solution to the integrity problems in the St Read more

Minister de Weever Attended Council of Ministers Meeting on Tuesday --- Ministry fully functional.

style="text-align: center;">No political talks took place

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Health, Labor and Social Affairs Cornelius de Weever attended the Council of Ministers meeting on Tuesday, confirmed Prime Minister of St. Maarten Sarah Wescot Williams Read more

Minister of TEATT Broadens Casino License Policy – PM.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams confirmed on Wednesday when she was asked if the current caretaker government made changes to the casino license policy in order to grant three more stand-alone casino licenses. Wescot Williams told reporters she did hear something to that effect on the streets and she asked the Minister of TEATT about it and he told her that the casino licensing policy has been expanded Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The task ahead for St. Maarten is daunting said Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams when addressing the media on Wednesday during the Council of Ministers weekly press briefing. She said St. Maarten will do what is necessary to implement the recommendations given in the PWC integrity report which the Kingdom Council mandated the Governor of St Read more

Mobile Health Services Bus Has Arrived

St. Maarten – A mobile health bus service has been introduced on the island and Health Minister Cornelius de Weever notes that the introduction of this service brings the island one step closer to a healthier St. Maarten through increased access to health care services.

“Preventative care is highly important for managing the health of the people of St Read more

Pwc-Integrity Report: Ministers Meddle In Day To Day Operations Of Their Departments

St. Maarten – Senior public officials throughout the government have failed consistently to set the tone that exemplifies the highest standards of personal and professional integrity. This is among the findings PricewaterhouseCoopers researchers have included in their integrity inquiry into the functioning of the Government of St. Maarten.

The report contains a stunning collection of examples that show how ministers and high-ranking civil servants alike use their clout to frustrate the functioning of departments Read more

Editorial - More of that

PvdA member of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament Roelof van Laar has suggested a national unity government or broadly-based business cabinet for St. Maarten, while an in-depth inquiry is conducted into vote-buying and the recent elections (see related article). This is seen as a more moderate alternative to an instruction for a criminal investigation as advocated by VVD and SP.

The reality is that the only known case of reported vote-buying by UP in fact already has gone to court Read more

Olympic swimming champ Phelps arrested on drunken driving charge

WASHINGTON-- American swimmer Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, was arrested for drunken driving early on Tuesday after speeding and then crossing the double-lane lines inside a Baltimore tunnel, police said.

The 18-time Olympic gold medalist later apologized for the incident, saying he was "deeply sorry to everyone I have let down."

Police said Phelps, 29, was clocked by radar around 1:40 a.m. traveling 84 miles per hour (135 kph) in a 45-mph (72-kph) zone Read more

King Yen Tae Kwon Do is moving

Grandmaster Theo Liu has held weekly training sessions at the Prins Willem Alexander School in St. Peters for nearly 15 years. As the school is closing and will be replaced, training will now be held from 5:00 to 8:00pm Thursdays and 4:00 to 7:00pm Sundays at Helmich Snijder Hillside Christian School at the Grape Fruit Road. "It's important Tae kwon do continues in St. Peters especially for those children that don't have transportation," said Liu. The Grandmaster also conducts training sessions in Middle Region at the Sister Marie Laurens School Read more

Integrity report: Transfer SLAC back to government

THE HAGUE/PHILIPSBURG--The regulatory functions of the Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority Corporation (SLAC) should be transferred back to government to create a level playing field for the sector and avoid a distortion of competition.

This is one of the recommendations of the PricewaterhouseCoopers Inquiry Team that scrutinised the functioning of integrity in the St. Maarten government. The inquiry report, ordered by the Kingdom Council of Ministers through St. Maarten Governor Eugene Holiday, was released on Friday.

The Integrity Team observed that the 2009 acquisition of SLAC by the St Read more

VVD, SP to call for probe of Theo in today’s debate

THE HAGUE--The liberal democratic VVD party and Socialist Party (SP) will be calling for an instruction to have a criminal investigation focusing on United People's (UP) party leader Theo Heyliger, during the handling of the draft 2015 budget of Kingdom Relations in the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament today, Wednesday.

If it were up to Second Chamber Member André Bosman of the liberal democratic VVD party, there would be an instruction from the Kingdom government for such an investigation sooner rather than later.

"Everything has to be geared towards realising that Read more

Mobile Health Services bus here

PHILIPSBURG--The Mobile Health Services Bus was transported from the Port of Galisbay to the Fire Department on Monday by representatives of the Health Ministry's Collective Prevention Services (CPS) and Social and Health Care Insurance SZV.

The bus will be stationed at the Fire Department when there is no outreach activity taking place.

The bus is equipped with medical testing and examination facilities that will facilitate the delivery of preventive care. It will be used to strengthen the existing programmes that are executed by CPS and broaden the scope of service delivery, a press release said Read more

Prime Minister Wescot-Williams highlights the Importance of Safety, Security, Efficiency and Growth for the Future of St. Maarten’s Airport.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams in her opening address at the Princess Juliana International Airport Safety and Security Conference highlighted the importance of safety and security for the economic stability on the island; "As you as representatives from the aviation industry have travelled to our shores to attend the Safety and Security Conference at the beautiful Westin Resort it is important for us to realize the importance of safety, security, efficiency and growth for the further development of the ports on our island.

"In recent decades airport safety and security has been one of the most important areas not only to airport administrators and security experts but also especially to the general public Read more

Prime Minister Wescot-Williams at Opening of Computer Courses for the Elderly; “I Am a Firm Believer that as Long as One is Able to One Should Continuously Learn and Develop”

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams attended the opening of the Computer Literacy Courses at the University of St. Maarten on Wednesday. The PM, accompanied by Minister of Education Patricia Lourens, congratulated the participants and stated that she very much looked forward to expanding these courses more in the future; "I feel excited being here and I want to commend all involved, including the University of St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- "We are proud to announce that St. Maarten's Mobile Health Services Bus has arrived bringing us one step closer to a healthier St. Maarten through increased access to health care services. Preventative care is highly important for managing the health of the people of St. Maarten. Many of the top risk factors leading to various illnesses and premature deaths are preventable through early detection and informed healthy lifestyle choices. The bus will be used to increase awareness on the need routine check-ups for all the people residing on St Read more

International Day Of The Elderly Message

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Below is Minister Cornelius de Weever's Message for International Day of the Elderly.

Today, Wednesday October 1 marks the International Day of the Elderly. On this day we celebrate, remember and recognize the role of our elders within our community. "Leaving No One Behind: Promoting a Society for All" is the theme used internationally to commemorate this day.

In recognition of the important issues facing our elders, the Department of Social Development at the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA) in collaboration with Social and Health Insurance (SZV) as well as General Pension Funds (APS) will be hosting the first Symposium on Ageing next week Wednesday October 8th Read more

St. Maarten Hosts Stakeholder Forum For The 10Th European Development Fund Small And Medium Enterprise (Sme)

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Government of St. Maarten in collaboration with the COSME Project Management Unit, PMU, will be hosting the 2nd Stakeholder Forum for the 10th European Development Fund Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Regional Programme from October 2nd – 3rd, 2014 at the Divi Little Bay Beach Resort.

The event kicks off with a welcome cocktail party for the attending delegates of the twelve (12) Caribbean territories and invited guests at the Holland House Beach Hotel on October 1st, 2014.

The COSME Programme funded by the European Union, EU, with 15 million EURO's, has three specific objectives namely, (1) strengthening the capacity of the Governments of the Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories, (OCTs) to service the business sector, (2) improving the capacity of Business Service Organizations (BSOs) to engage in public-/private policy and administrative reform dialogue with Governments and provide services to their constituency of SMEs and (3) promoting stronger collaboration, trade and investment relations among the EU, CARIFORUM and the Caribbean OCTs.

Upon completion of the program, it is expected that there will be improvement of policies and the legislative and administrative framework for SMEs to establish and conduct business in the Caribbean OCTs, improved capacity of business support organizations to deliver the necessary services to their members and engage in dialogue with Government and improved competitiveness of SMEs participating in the programme and improved collaboration, trade and investment relations amongthe EU, CARIFORUM and the Caribbean OCTs.

The Stakeholder's Forum will offer a platform for the participating stakeholders to discuss the proposals presented by the OCTs to the Project Management Unit over the course of the past months and the translation of these in a framework of activities.

In attendance to welcome all delegates from the various OCTs will be the Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams as well as the BVI Financial Secretary and Deputy Regional Authorizing Officer of the 10th EDF, Mr Read more

Speech Of Sxm Managing Director, Regina Labega At The Opening Ceremony Of The Safety And Security Conference And Exhibition, Westin Resort And Spa, Sept. 30, 2014

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Ladies and Gentlemen. Good morning.

"The sky is the limit only for those who aren't afraid to fly..." Thus said Captain Shekhar Gupta of AeroSoftCorp. He certainly was not referring to any of you here today, because I would like to believe that you are not afraid to fly.

You will also recall this other famous saying by an anonymous author: "To most people, the sky is the limit (but) to those who love aviation, the sky is home." I know it is your love for aviation that has brought you here today, so welcome home.

Welcome to our Safety and Security Conference and Exhibition, which we are holding this year as part of the ongoing celebrations of the 70th anniversary of SXM Airport Read more

Mobile Health Services Bus Has Arrived

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - "We are proud to announce that St. Maarten's Mobile Health Services Bus has arrived bringing us one step closer to a healthier St. Maarten through increased access to health care services.

Preventative care is highly important for managing the health of the people of St. Maarten.

Many of the top risk factors leading to various illnesses and premature deaths are preventable through early detection and informed healthy lifestyle choices.

The bus will be used to increase awareness on the need routine check-ups for all the people residing on St Read more

Pm Wescot-Williams At Opening Of Computer Courses For The Elderly; "I Am A Firm Believer That As Long As One Is Able To One Should Continuously Learn And Develop"

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams attended the opening of the Computer Literacy Courses at the University of St. Maarten on Wednesday.

The PM, accompanied by Minister of Education Patricia Lourens, congratulated the participants and stated that she very much looked forward to expanding these courses more in the future; "I feel excited being here and I want to commend all involved, including the University of St Read more