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Police announce road closures Carnival Grand, Junior Parade

PHILIPSBURG--In connection with the upcoming Junior and Grand Parade scheduled for Thursday, April 30, St. Maarten Police Force, via a press release, has announced a number of road closures.

The gathering point for the Grand Parade is at the entrance of St. Johns Estate on L.B. Scot Road. The gathering time is at 10:00am. Front Street including all streets and alleys leading to it will be closed from 7:00am.

At 9:00am, L.B. Scot road will be closed at Gladiola road. No traffic will be allowed towards the St Read more

Connor, bus drivers meet to discuss public transportation

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Claret Connor held a meeting with Dutch St. Maarten United Bus Drivers Association last week, where a number of issues and topics related to public transportation were discussed.

Association President William Alexis told The Daily Herald that he appreciates the Minister sitting down to speak to the group as soon as he got the chance to – some two weeks after a request, which included time off-island – and said that Minister Connor showed a "good vision" and that he wanted to work towards continuity Read more

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Cohen, Just win damages after court annuls Sindextour AOTs

MARIGOT--The former tenants of the original Bikini and Kon Tiki Restaurants on Orient Beach, Elisa Cohen and Philippe Just, have been awarded unspecified damages by the Collectivité and Sindextour, represented by Norbert Luftman, following an administrative court ruling in St. Martin on Friday that cancelled the temporary occupation permits (AOTs) for parcel AW33 issued by the Collectivité to Sindextour.

The long-running case against Sindextour saw both Cohen and Just evicted from the two restaurants by bailiffs in September 2013.

The AOTs were issued to Sindextour following a second vote by the Executive Council on September 4, 2012, following a vote on the issue in July of that year Read more

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Nepal quake victims still stranded, PM says toll could be 10,000

JHARIBAR/SINDHUPALCHOWK, Nepal--People stranded in remote villages and towns across Nepal were still waiting for aid and relief to arrive on Tuesday, four days after a devastating earthquake destroyed buildings and roads and killed more than 4,600 people.

The government has yet to assess the full scale of the damage wrought by Saturday's 7.9 magnitude quake, unable to reach many mountainous areas despite aid supplies and personnel pouring in from around the world.

Prime Minister Sushil Koirala told Reuters the death toll could reach 10,000, as information on damage from far-flung villages and towns has yet to come in Read more

Annual Fish Day

~ From the Sea to the Pot ~

A huge turnout is expected once again on Sunday, May 3, for the extremely popular Fish Day cultural extravaganza, now in its 13th year at French Cul-de-Sac Bay. The day-long schedule of activities, starting at 7am with the fish and conch sale and ending at 10pm, promises to be a fun-filled family occasion, reminiscent of days gone by. Everyone is welcome to spend the day, meet up with friends and family, enjoy the music, food and drinks; become a part of the village community and be entertained by the island's talented artistes.

The official opening commences at 9:30am with a tribute to St Read more

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WWII victims to be remembered May 4

CYRUS WATHEY SQUARE--Those who fought and gave their lives in World War II (WWII) so we may live free will be remembered in a solemn ceremony on Captain Hodge Wharf on Monday, May 4, starting at 9:00am. The wreath-laying ceremony is open to the public.

Slated to attend the observance are Governor Eugene Holiday, Parliament Chairman Dr. Lloyd Richardson and other Members of Parliament, Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs and other ministers.

An honour guard comprising uniformed officials from various parts of the justice chain will be inspected at the wharf by Governor Holiday, Dr Read more

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Progress Committee to give report to Parliament

PHILIPSBURG--The Progress Committee, monitoring St. Maarten’s development since it became a country within the Dutch Kingdom, is keen to present its report to Parliament. Parliament Chairman Dr. Lloyd Richardson (United People’s party) is “very pleased” about this request of the Progress Committee Read more

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Fish Da Megaboss is new Calypso Monarch

CARNIVAL VILLAGE--Fish Da Megaboss was crowned the new Calypso Monarch after ten contestants challenged the reign of 2014 Calypso Monarch Ruminni "The Protége" Rogers in a busy Carnival Village on Saturday night. This is the fourth time Fish Da Megaboss has walked away with this crown. He also went home with the prize money of US $10,000 courtesy of sponsor NAGICO.

The new Monarch had a total of 489 points, with first runner-up and winner of $5,000 King Beau Beau scoring a total of 462 Read more

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MNO Spartanz top Prime Pepsi table

CUL DE SAC--MNO Spartanz continued their dominance of the Prime Pepsi Cup with a well-calculated eight wicket win over KFC Twisters at Caribe Lumber Ballpark on Sunday.

The win placed the Spartanz in an unconquerable first place of the PRIME PEPSI cup table with 18 points and still one more match to play. NAGICO United Cricket Club, which has completed the preliminary round, is in second place with 17 points.

The Spartanz convincingly chased 119 for the loss of only two wickets with seven balls to spare against the Twists Read more

The Evolving View of Cannabis

~ Many opinions expressed at St. Maarten’s first open forum ~

By Lisa Davis-Burnett

Marijuana is seen as a gateway drug, partly because it is illegal, meaning that in order to get it, one must go into situations, where other illegal activities are taking place and associate with dealers of various illegal substances. “If it was structurally controlled and properly distributed, we would eliminate this discussion about it being a gateway to harder drugs.” This opinion was expressed by Dr Read more

President Aline Hanson hurt in assault by well-known musician

President Aline Hanson

~ Security for government officials thrown into question ~

 MARIGOT--President of the Territorial Council Aline Hanson was assaulted by a man brandishing a frying pan moments after she arrived for work at Hotel de la Collectivité Friday morning.

The bizarre incident occurred at 8:30am when the President, who was not with her usual driver, got out of the car and was chatting with a couple of women when the man suddenly appeared and started to inflict blows on her with the pan as she turned to close her car door Read more

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Sarah: Coalition ‘suddenly lost interest’ in Integrity Chamber

PHILIPSBURG--It appears, said Democratic Party (DP) leader Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams, that the Marcel Gumbs Cabinet and by extension the governing coalition have "suddenly lost interest" in the establishment of an integrity chamber for the country.

"It is revealing that suddenly the urgency is no longer there for our own 'thing,'" the MP said.

She has drawn this conclusion from the response of Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs to her inquiry Thursday about the timeframe for the tabling of the draft national law to establish the integrity chamber in Parliament.

Gumbs, in an immediate response on Thursday to Parliament President Dr Read more

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French side President Hanson attacked with a frypan

MARIGOT--French side President Aline Hanson has allegedly been attacked this morning by man with a frying pan in front of her office in Marigot. She was rapidly transported to the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital for treatment Read more

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The Evolving View of Cannabis

~ Many opinions expressed at St. Maarten’s first open forum ~

By Lisa Davis-Burnett

Marijuana is seen as a gateway drug, partly because it is illegal, meaning that in order to get it, one must go into situations, where other illegal activities are taking place and associate with dealers of various illegal substances. “If it was structurally controlled and properly distributed, we would eliminate this discussion about it being a gateway to harder drugs.” This opinion was expressed by Dr Read more

Chamber lends helping hand to entrepreneurs with Business Centre

PHILIPSBURG--The St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry (COCI) has set out to lend a helping hand to entrepreneurs with its new Business Centre, which was officially opened on Friday.

The Centre is located adjacent to the Chamber's office on Cannegieter Street and has opened with two staffers, Tytania Archangel and another person. Archangel told The Daily Herald after the opening that the intention is to eventually strengthen the staffing capacity with a receptionist, a marketing manager, finance and budget manager and economist.

The Business Centre is a service centre for business development for entrepreneurs living in St Read more

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Appeals filed in Bada Bing case

PHILIPSBURG--All suspects in the Bada Bing case, involving bribery, trafficking of women, tax evasion, money-laundering and forgery, have filed for appeal.

The Prosecutor's Office confirmed that former Member of Parliament (MP) Patrick Illidge (49), Bada Bing brothel owner Jaap van den Heuvel (49), his manager Krijn van der Brug (42) and his company Lunteren NV have all launched appeals against their convictions by the Court of First Instance Read more

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Lake calling for MPs to ‘get on board’ with integrity chamber

PHILIPSBURG--"Get on-board" to approve the "home-grown" draft ordinance to establish an integrity chamber for St. Maarten "after certain changes are made." This was the call issued by United People's (UP) party Member of Parliament (MP) Maurice Lake to his "fellow colleagues" in Parliament.

He said in a press statement if the ordinance is left hanging ".. Read more

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Chamber opens Business Centre

PHILIPSBURG--The St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry will officially open its Business Centre during a ceremony today, Friday.

The Business Centre will be the service centre for business development for entrepreneurs living in St. Maarten and business representatives seeking to do business with local entrepreneurs.

The Business Centre will offer use of facilities, guidance, administrative assistance support, consultation and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services to entrepreneurs seeking to start, expand or strengthen their business or business endeavours.

Scheduled to speak at the opening ceremony are Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications TEATT Claret Connor and Chamber Vice President Stanley Lint Read more

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Sarah: Bringing ordinance in line with civil code can be done ‘rather quickly’

PHILIPSBURG--Democratic Party (DP) Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams says bringing the National Ordinance in line with the Civil Code to increase the legal drinking age from 16 to 18 can be done "rather quickly."

Independent MP Cornelius de Weever suggested that the legal age for cigarettes should also be addressed and not just that of alcohol.

The MPs were speaking during a session of Parliament's Permanent Committee of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs (CECYSA) on Thursday Read more

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Talent Show

Sister Borgia Elementary School

~ Annual Talent Show~

It's almost that time of year again! Mark your calendars and save the date – you won't want to miss the Annual Talent Show at Sister Borgia Elementary School on Saturday, May 30, from 7:00pm–10:00pm. This special evening, now in its sixth year, promises to be a fun and lively event.

Come out and support the students, who have been practicing hard, as they take the stage to showcase their talents, and entertain you with their singing and dancing Read more

Editorial - Deadline looms

That Social and Health Insurances SZV remains positive about reaching agreement on what it is owed by government (see Wednesday paper) can be considered good news. The Committee for Financial Supervision CFT last month had set an end-of-May deadline for making arrangements with both SZV and the general pension fund APS on arrears totalling respectively 87 and 70 million guilders, with 75 million still in dispute back then.

In addition, the Gumbs cabinet was to substantiate an extra 15 million guilders in revenues to achieve the income of NAf Read more

Procedure started to hear VDC informants

THE HAGUE--Member of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament Ronald van Raak of the Socialist Party (SP) wants to start the procedure to get informants of the Curaçao Security and Intelligence Service VDC to The Hague for a closed-door hearing.

Van Raak submitted a request on Wednesday during a procedural meeting of the Second Chamber’s Permanent Committee for Kingdom Relations to start a written procedure to get the input of other committee members on his proposal.

Van Raak wants the support of the Second Chamber to send a request to Curaçao Prime Minister Ivar Asjes, under whose authority VDC resorts Read more

Foundation plans scholarship for highest scoring FBE pupil

PHILIPSBURG--Together We Can Foundation announced on Wednesday that it plans to grant a full highschool scholarship to the highest-scoring pupil of the 2015 foundation based education (FBE) exams.

This, the Foundation said via press release, is the mere reason of holding the Battle of The Fittest Tournament, amongst other types of fundraisers. “This tournament will take place in the month of July and we are encouraging companies to make a donation. Proceeds of these events will go towards the scholarship fund and other social projects we intend on executing in the near future.”

The foundation said that it hoped to be able to assist many more pupils in the future, possibly all who score a certain grade point average (GPA), if the foundation manages to raise sufficient funds Read more

Dutch-side French-side governments discuss topics during ‘meet and greet’

MARIGOT--Harmonisation of taxes, rooting out abusers of social benefits, and controlling immigration were among topics marked for high importance at a meeting between the two island governments in Hotel de La Collectivité on Wednesday morning.

It was the first courtesy visit organised between the two administrations since Marcel Gumbs became Prime Minister of Country St Read more

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