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>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake recently received a token of appreciation from senior citizens for his contribution.

Senior citizens representative Patsy Flanders thanked the Minister for assisting the seniors especially with the GEBE relief on utility bills, and also facilitating a donation for the placement of a railing and repairs to the kitchen at the John Larmonie Recreational Center on the Pondfill.

Flanders told the gathering that this was not about politics, but about recognizing this individual who had made a difference within the little amount of time he had in Government thereby accomplishing a lot for the country's seniors.

Minister Lake thanked the seniors for the token and told them that he will take his back to basics approach to Parliament and come with legislative initiatives that will benefit the country's seniors.

"During my tenure I worked in the interests of the people Read more

>GUANA BAY:--- On Tuesday September 9th, 2014, the police were called to the residence of leader of the United Peoples Party Theo Heyliger where unknown persons took several items from the MP's home Read more

Governor Holiday At Opening Parliamentary Year: “There Are Real Opportunities For Economic Growth”

St. Maarten – Ravel’s Bolero was once more floating through the parliament building yesterday morning ahead of the official opening of the parliamentary year 2014-2015. What stood out apart from the music was the absence of United People’s party leader Theo Heyliger – who had sent notice – and of Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams who was for undisclosed reasons off island.

Other Members of Parliament who passed on the festive occasions were Jules James, who missed his re-election by a mere three votes, Dr Read more

Apple unveils watch, larger iPhones in bid to retake innovation crown

CUPERTINO, California--Apple Inc unveiled a watch, two larger iPhones and a mobile payments service on Tuesday as Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook seeks to revive the technology company's reputation as a wellspring of innovation.

The first new product to be developed and introduced under Cook's reign is a timepiece tethered to the iPhone that will combine health and fitness tracking with communications Read more

U.S. and Lithuania storm into World Cup semi-finals

BARCELONA, Spain-- Holders the United States ran riot in a 119-76 win over Slovenia while Lithuania beat Turkey 73-61 on Tuesday to set up a mouth-watering basketball World Cup semi-final.

Hosts Spain take on European champions France and Brazil clash with dark horses Serbia in the other two quarter-finals in Madrid on Wednesday.

The Slovenians held their own valiantly in the opening half against the Americans and were only 49-42 down at the interval as forward Domen Lorbek produced a superb performance.

The champions at times looked pedestrian in the first half as their captain James Harden missed his first seven shots, with fellow guard Klay Thompson and athletic centre Anthony Davis pulling the strings to keep them in the driving seat.

But the second period produced one-way traffic as the U.S Read more

Editorial - It can’t hurt

The motion passed during yesterday's Parliament meeting to close the legislative year (see related story) may have surprised some. After all, the new cabinet being formed won't start until October 10, so the incoming NA/DP/US coalition just has to wait its turn.

Having said that, it's not the first time such action has been taken to prevent outgoing public administrators from making decisions that could commit the country financially or legally and hamper the next government Read more

St. Martin’s GDP per inhabitant lowest of all French territories

MARIGOT--Estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per inhabitant in French St. Martin is 14,700 euros, the lowest of all French territories with the exception of Mayotte (6,575 euros), and less than Dutch St. Maarten where the equivalent GDP is estimated at 16,018 euros per inhabitant.

The above was just one of the findings in the 98-page 2013 report on the French-side economy presented Monday by officials from Institut d'Émission des Départments d'Outre Mer (IEDOM) Read more

Notices September 10

Thursday, September 11

DYSLEXIA STRATEGY

WORKSHOP

For for Secondary (High School) Educators. Love of Kids Foundation's follow-up workshop from its Dyslexia for a Day programme. Hands on classroom strategies to assist with struggling teen students. Parents and other caregivers are welcome. Space is limited. Instructor: Lorraine Leacock

Place: University of St. Martin campus

Time: 7:00-8:30pm

Cost: NAf Read more

Governor: Economic growth has not resolved social issues

PHILIPSBURG--While the country has seen and continues to expect economic growth, this has "not resulted in greater fiscal space nor resolved all the prevailing socio-economic issues," Governor Eugene Holiday said in his traditional opening of the fifth Parliamentary Year on Tuesday.

To tackle that lack of results, it is "essential" for unemployment, poverty, increasing healthcare cost and increasing shortage in affordable housing to "continue to receive the necessary attention," he said.

The policy challenges through existing plans and/or development and implementation of new policy plans will come "at a cost." That cost will "have to be managed efficiently and effectively" in view of the "limited fiscal space" in which government will be operating.

His speech focused on "policy challenges and opportunities" awaiting the new government coalition to take office on October 10, rather than government's plans for the new political year.

According to Holiday, initial indications show that an increase in tourism can be seen already in the recent figures Read more

Notices September 9

Tuesday, September 9

DYSLEXIA STRATEGY

WORKSHOP

For Elementary Educators. Love of Kids Foundation's follow-up workshop from its Dyslexia for a Day programme. Hands on classroom strategies to assist younger struggling students. Parents and other caregivers are welcome. Space is extremely limited. Instructor: Lorraine Leacock

Place: University of St. Martin campus

Time: 7:00-8:30pm

Cost: NAf Read more

MP Theo Heyliger’s property burglarised

GUANA BAY--"I'm just happy my mother was not at home, but of course she's very afraid now," said Member of Parliament Theo Heyliger about a break-in at his mother's home located on his Guana Bay property on Tuesday afternoon.

His mother Aggie Wathey, who lives on the same property with him, was not at home at the time Read more

MPs close off fourth year of Parliament

PHILIPSBURG--The 2013-2014 parliamentary year closed on Monday with several Members of Parliament (MPs) taking the opportunity to give a farewell speech outlining their accomplishments, hopes for the new parliamentary year and for the incoming government.

Based on the Constitution, the parliamentary year must close before the second Tuesday in September – the official opening of the new parliamentary year. The opening will take place today, Tuesday, at Parliament House, with Governor Eugene Holiday delivering the traditional governor's speech containing government's plans for the coming year.

At Monday's session, outgoing independent MP Romain Laville said being an MP has been "one of the greatest experiences" he has had in life Read more

Motion passed to restrict outgoing ministers’ actions

PHILIPSBURG--A motion calling on Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams to inform individual ministers of the Wescot-Williams III Cabinet "to not make any long-term policy, financial and/or decisions of such a nature as granting lands in long lease, bus and taxi licences, concessions, hiring and placement of personnel in crucial functions" was adopted by a majority of Members of Parliament (MPs) in the closing meeting of the 2013-2014 parliamentary year on Monday.

The motion was presented by MP Roy Marlin (Democratic Party (DP)) and also signed by six other MPs.

The motion further called on the ministers to refrain from making any decision on the waste-to-energy concession or any other decision "that may obstruct or encumber the incoming government from functioning adequately during the next governing term."

The motion also requested the prime minister to inform the individual ministers who are shareholder's representatives of government-owned companies "to instruct management and boards of these companies to refrain from entering into long-term agreements and sign contracts that may negatively affect or bind these companies for a long term."

The motion was presented by MP Roy Marlin after he requested an addition to an agenda of the plenary session of Parliament Read more

Gracita Arrindell Closes Parliamentary Year

St. Maarten – Parliament President Gracita Arrindell closed off the parliamentary year 2013-2014 yesterday morning in a meeting MPs used to express countless thank you’s and also to express their respect for each other. Highlight of the meeting was an initiative by the departing MP Roy Marlin, who tabled a motion that asks the prime minister to “inform” the ministers of her cabinet not to enter into any long-term commitments during their last weeks in office Read more

Statia's First Mp Laid To Rest, Being Remembered As A Generous Man

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Former leader of the Democratic Party and Commissioner on St. Eustatius, Kenneth van Putten was laid to rest on Tuesday.

Mr. van Putten died at his home in Statia last week at the age of 77.

He also served as the first Senator from his island of Sint Eustatius in the then Netherlands Antilles.

He is being remembered by many in the Statia commu Read more

Home Of Mp Heyliger Ransacked Tuesday

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Although he is the most popular man on the island, the home of MP Theo Heyliger became the target of burglarson Tuesday afternoon.

The popular leader of the UP political party have always stated that he faces the same threats from crime as everyone else in the St Read more

New Parliamentary Year Opens Tuesday, Governor Outlines Possibilities

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The new parliamentary year 2014/2015 was officially declared open during a solemn ceremony held at the House of Parliament Tuesday morning.

On hand for the occasion were among other invited guests, representatives of the Collectivite, the Judiciary as well as the Council of Ministers.

Speaking on the floor of parliament, and in delivering his traditional speech, His Excellency Governor Eugene Holiday, presented the policy plans of government for the coming year.

Since 10-10-10, it was the 5th time that the Governor was presenting such a map Read more

It’s just a matter of time!

Dear Editor,

I have lived on St. Maarten since October 1963; that is, for the past 51 years. Needless to say I have been through lots and lots of elections. The very first time I voted was on St. Maarten. It was also here that I had my very first lesson about the way politics works.

When I first came to St. Maarten, there were still dirt roads in the heart of Philipsburg leading from Front to Back Street. One such dirt road, just a few steps from where I lived with my parents, suddenly and unexpectedly got paved Read more

Three Friendly Island ballplayers help France beat the Netherlands

SENART, FRANCE--Rene Leveret hit his fifth home run in three days as Friendly Island players helped propel France over the Netherlands in the run up to the European Championship. For only the second time in their 22 international meetings, France defeated the Netherlands in baseball. France won 12-8.

Leveret went four for five with one four-bagger and five runs batted in. Fellow Island teammate Felix Brown came through with a triple and two runs batted in Read more

Island Hoops Youth Basketball Camp attracts 130 participants

OVER THE POND--Some 130 young basketball players took part in the second annual Island Hoops Youth Basketball Camp over the weekend, having done exceptionally well according to Island Hoops founder Paul Bell.

Celebrity basketball players Iman Shumpert, Chris Copeland and Corey Williams, together with NBA analyst Jeff Lenchiner of InsideHoops.com, came to the island to host the free camp, for amateur players of all ages, held at a jam-packed Melford Hazel Sports Complex Saturday and Sunday.

"There was an energy on the court that I have never seen on a St Read more

Minister Lake Thanked By Seniors

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake recently received a token of appreciation from senior citizens for his contribution.

Senior citizens representative Patsy Flanders thanked the Minister for assisting the seniors especially with the GEBE relief on utility bills, and also facilitating a donation for the placement of a railing and repairs to the kitchen at the John Larmonie Recreational Center on the Pondfill.

Flanders told the gathering that this was not about politics, but about recognizing this individual who had made a difference within the little amount of time he had in Government thereby accomplishing a lot for the country's seniors.

Minister Lake thanked the seniors for the token and told them that he will take his back to basics approach to Parliament and come with legislative initiatives that will benefit the country's seniors.

"During my tenure I worked in the interests of the people Read more

New Mps Officially Formalized By Central Voting Bureau, Names Of Mps To Be Published

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten -The results of the 2014 Parliamentary election which was held on August 29th, have been formalized.

In adherence with the Electoral Law, the results will now have to be published in the National Gazette and the elected members of Parliament officially informed.

The elected MPs will also have to advise the Central Voting Bureau if they will accept the position of member of Parliament for St. Maarten.

This was announced on Monday afternoon during a public meeting of the Central Voting Bureau which is chaired by Attorney Jason Rogers.

Fifteen (15) members of Parliament were elected on Friday August 29th from four political parties Read more

Police Gives Info On How To Detect Possible Stolen Cars

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - On August 21st 2014 the Police Department published some very important information regarding the purchasing of used or second hand vehicles.

These vehicles are most probably stolen.

The information also included what the buyer should request from the owner and what he or she should look-out for to detect if the vehicle they intend to purchase is stolen or not.

Attached is a document called FOTOMAP VIN.. Read more

Parliamentary Year Concludes On Monday With Traditional Speeches

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The parliamentary year for 2013-2014 ended on Monday during a session of the House of Assembly.

The session was carried out by the chairlady of parliament of the United People's Party, the Honorable Gracita Arrindell.

During the parliamentary meeting, parliamentarians took some time to reflect on the last four years, while they took the opportunity to say farewell to their colleagues.

One of those MPs looking back at the four years served was out going Independent Member of Parliament, the Honorable Romain Laville who can now be heard via PodCast.

Leader of the United St Read more