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Judge Finds Justice Minister Actions Pitiful.

~ there is no strike by KPSM .~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The judge in the Court of First Instance finds the actions of the Minister of Justice Anna Richardson pitiful says Attorney at Law Cor Merx. Merx told reporters that the court finds that the justice workers especially KPSM are hard workers.
The Presidents of NAPB and ABVO and KPSM workers are not on strike, instead they have been servicing the community in a slower way since they are on go slow.
The Union Presidents said that the police officers have a right to service the community, while they are within their rights to attend to their own concerns.
At the Courthouse, hundreds of justice workers, civil servants, and union representatives, and members of Parliament were all present Read more

MARIGOT:--- Following the incident that took place at the Cit administrative, located in Concordia, on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, and given the seriousness of the facts, Vice-President Steven Patrick was removed from his Cadre de Vie delegation. However, he retains his function of vice-president and member of the Executive Council.
Due to a sufficiently serious incident, which occurred on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in the premises of the Cit administrative de la Collectivit, rue Jean-Jacques Fayel, I decided to remove my vice-president Steven Patrick from his delegation in terms of the living environment Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Thursday, June 24th, The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Omar Ottley donated 300 children and young adults' face masks to the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset and Lions Club International.

The face masks for children and young adults were donated to the Ministry by Mr. Myles Christian Turner of the Indiana Pacers Basketball team earlier this month, through his foundation W.A.R.M.

Fundraising Chair, Tamara Wilson- Leito, Rotarians Fabiana Richardson, and Lucrecia Lake collected the masks on behalf of the Rotary Club of St Read more

Justice Minister Files Injunction To Get Workers Back On The Job

Justice Minister Anna Richardson in Parliament on Thursday.

~ Feels betrayed ~

PHILIPSBURG--Justice Minister Anna Richardson, with the support of the Council of Ministers, has filed an injunction with the Court of First Instance requesting that justice workers be instructed to discontinue their demonstrations and allow discussions about their grievances to be had around the table Read more

Dcomm Airs Shipwreck Recovery & Salvaging Project.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Department of Communication will air on cable tv and post a special video program on the current Shipwreck Recovery & Salvaging project that is currently ongoing in and around the Simpson Bay lagoon and the Mullet Bay pond.

The Shipwreck Recovery & Salvaging project was initiated through the Government of St. Maartens efforts to build back better after the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma, on September 6, 2017.

DCOMM spoke to several stakeholders involved in the project to get an insight into what the project is and how it was progressing.

In the SRS Special, the Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment & Infrastructure (VROMI), Egbert J Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Omar Ottley extends his deepest sympathy and prayers to the family and friends of Sint Maartens 33rd COVID-19 victim, who has passed away. He wishes the family much strength during this time.

As of June 24th, there were nine (9) persons who tested positive for COVID-19; however, ten (10) persons have recovered; bringing the total active cases to fifty-two (52) Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Rafel Skeete Caribbean Baseball Invitational (RSCBI) is taking place here this weekend, June 25 27, at the Little League Stadium on Soualiga Road.
The well-known St. Martin veteran baseball player Rafel Skeete is on the island with his team from the USA. Skeete is a board member of the Piper Davis baseball group in Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
Rafel has been focusing on Caribbean baseball games, creating a team to work on the local tournament. He also provides a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents in front of US college recruiters and scouts, said Dr Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Honorable Minister Omar Ottley conducted an exploratory visit to the NIPA National Institute for Professional Advancement on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. His Cabinet Officers, the NIPA Supervisory Board of Directors, and the Central Management team of the NIPA, accompanied him.
The Minister emphasized the objective of the visit to be exploratory as it relates to his understanding of NIPAs role in the scope of Labor, and the extended national role for the preparation of all students and job seekers.
Minister Ottley enjoyed a tour of the facility, including the School of Nursing, the Technical Skills Labs, the Culinary and Hospitality unit, and the Learning Center Read more

Business Can Open Until 2:00Am Once 50 Per Cent Vaccination Rate Achieved

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Omar Ottley said during Parliaments Central Committee meeting Tuesday evening that businesses will be allowed to remain open until 2:00am once the countrys vaccination rate reaches 50 per cent.

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640 Jobs Created In St Maarten, Saba, Statia Due To Qredits Loans

CEO Elwin Groenevelt presents the first St. Maarten Social Impact Report to Finance Minister Ardwell Irion.

PHILIPSBURG--A total of 640 new jobs have been created in St. Maarten, Saba and St. Eustatius thanks to small business loans from Qredits.

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By Kelly Murphy, Washington, DC, USA.

PHILIPSBURG:---Ludmila de Weever, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications of St. Maarten, opened the 5th Annual CaribAvia Summit & Retreat last week underlining the importance of having sustained airlift and reliable aviation partners to aid in economic recovery in the post-pandemic era.

St Read more

~ Says budget full of vanity projects ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Independent Member of Parliament Christophe Emmanuel and MP Claudius Buncamper of the USP faction on Tuesday were critical of the 2021 budget presented by the UP/NA Coalition government, condemning it as a roadmap of vanity projects with no realistic options to solve the issues that matter to people most.

"On top of being nine months late, this budget is remarkable for what it doesn't mention, the MPs said Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Eight students at the MAC-CSE were among the top Regional Merit candidates during the CXC-CCSLC Examinations in 2020. The eight candidates are Tianna Bellot (Integrated Science), Deavolon Nixon (Spanish), Rebecca Tellusma (Social Studies), Cassandra Ramzan (Spanish), Zoey Maloon (Integrated Science), Keldikah Richardson (English), Benoit Cairo (French), Chad Samuel (Integrated Science). Deavolon Nixon was the top candidate in the region for Spanish. The Chairman, Executive Director, and Head of the MAC-CSE congratulates the students and the CXC-CCSLC teachers Mr Read more

Pm Jacobs Can Understand Workers Frustration, Wants Chance To Dialogue

PHILIPSBURG--Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs says she can understand the frustration of workers and would like a chance to engage in dialogue with the Committee for Civil Servants Union (CCSU) and mediator if necessary.

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Witu To Sxm Government: Time To Think Creatively! Stop Going After Teachers And Civil Servants.

Why is it that every time the SXM Government finds itself in financial difficulties, that the first set of people to be affected are teachers and civil servants?

How many times has WITU given you alternatives to touching our members monies?

How can you touch the peoples pockets, yet not touch yours? Set the example! You want us to tighten our belts, then you tighten yours! Show your care for your essential workers by regulating their salaries, regulating food prices and doing whatever is necessary to make your Country people comfortable and happy to come to work.
How can you increase the workload of your most important people, people who kept the Country running during a pandemic, then as a thank you - take food from their families mouths by reducing their vacation pay?

The implications of civil servants and teachers not receiving these monies is that additional financial strain, on top of the workload, is placed on them.

Do you think its right that we depend so much on a vacation allowance that is never used for actual vacation? Do you think it is correct to use that extra money to make sure our children are fed and clothed for the new school year? School fees and insurance are paid? Sadly, we depend so much on this extra income Read more

Jacobs: GovT Looks Forward To Receiving Liquidity Support

Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs.

~ Has not yet received official decision ~

PHILIPSBURG--The government of St. Maarten looks forward to receiving the much-needed NAf. 39 million liquidity support which the Netherlands has agreed to disburse to St. Maarten as soon as possible.

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Lack Of Funds A Handicap For The Ministry Of Teatt

TEATT Minister Ludmila de Weever addressing MPs.

PHILIPSBURG--The lack of funds is a serious handicap for the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT).

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Government of St. Maarten has learned via the media that the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK) of the Netherlands will be paying the much-needed NAf 39 million of liquidity support to St. Maarten as soon as possible. Government has taken note of a letter sent on June 17, by caretaker State Secretary Knops to the Chairlady of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament of his intentions to pay out the 5th tranche of liquidity support.

Though government has not received this decision via official channels, the letter stated that Sint Maarten had worked diligently to restore good governance and acted decisively enough to ensure the successful progress of the reconstruction project within recent weeks Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Omar Ottley has recently signed off on draft legislation that will allow for measures to be taken by Social & Health Insurances SZV to improve the quality and minimize stock issues of prescribed medication, in addition to reducing the purchasing costs.

Once the draft legislation is officially approved by Parliament, the necessary projects can be implemented later this year by SZV, together with the Pharmacists Association Sint Maarten (PAS) and the Department of Public Health Read more

First Flights To And From New Passenger Terminal

St. Maartens Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Rodolphe Samuel was the first passenger to step outside the new terminal at F.D. Roosevelt Airport in St. Eustatius on Saturday, June 19.

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No Sixth Tranche Liquidity Support

Curaaos new Minister Plenipotentiary Carlson Manuel attended the Kingdom Council of Ministers meeting for the first time on Friday. Afterwards, he spoke to the media. Passing behind him is St. Maartens Minister Plenipotentiary Rene Violenus. (Suzanne Koelega photo)

THE HAGUE--Because Curaao and St. Maarten for the most part are not complying with the conditions of the sixth tranche of liquidity support, the Kingdom Council of Ministers on Friday decided to hold off on the allocation of this funding (see related story) Read more

Mp Rolando Brison On Behalf Of The Up Faction Questions Minister Of Finance

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – To the Minister of the Finance:

Income of the National Budget, we are seeing an increase.

In terms of the collection efforts to help strengthen the Receiver to collect, please provide an insight as to what efforts are being 2021 to achieve the goals listed within the income.Are there any plans to continue to strengthen and improve the efforts of the Receivers dept and other departments?

Contracting of Country Loans

Please explain what prevents you to go on the open market and try to attract reasonable competitive loans to help pay civil servants, pay vacation salaries etc. If you were able to contract on the local market, what would be some of the favorable conditions, interest rates, etc you as Minister Finance would look at, for example, loan repay terms for liquidity.

Please explain?

Are interest rates measured? And by who if judge is a loan favorable or not?  Please explain.

UTS Funds

Please provide an update.

There were still other strategic assets to be sold after the sale of UTS.

Is Country SXM expecting any additional funds as result of the sale of UTS?

Airport

Can the actual concession agreement between the government and the airport be shared with Parliament?Please list all fees/ taxes that are due to Country SXM, that the airport is actually collecting because of the concession.

Budget post van Deskundige

Please indicate what happened to this budget post, as it is no longer listed in the 2021 budget.Is there any initiative from the Ministry of Finance to create a pool of experts or fund to pay experts that would assist the various Ministries especially with legislative support?What is the funding for this?

Belastingdienst der Inspectie

ATS is actively reviewing and auditing.

Will the minister consider synchronizing the efforts of the Inspection service together with the SZV?What should be done on the Minister of Finance end to integrate ATS into the tax inspection/tax auditing system that we have in St Read more

Minister Of Vromi Quizzed By Chairman Of Parliament During Draft National Ordinance Establishing The Budget Of Sint Maarten

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Questions posed by MP Rolando Brison on behalf of the UP Faction to the Honorable Minister of VROMI, Egbert J. Doran.

Environmental Levy

Was he able to examine the way the Aruba legislation is put up in terms of how tourist and the tourism industry is directly contributing to the cleanliness, environmental protection of the country?And if the Minister is also in line with that and if he looks forward to implementing such levies or be it if it comes as an initiative as we have planned from the UP party in parliament or in conjunction with the general ordinance?

Windward Roads

Would it not be preferable for the Ministry of VROMI to have received via the crime fund this money in cash and then be able to contract whoever they want to be able to conduct the works at a value of $2 million dollars rather than them be able to mark up the project or do whichever project how they want?What control would the minister have in terms of price control, how do we know that Windward roads wont just charge fls10 a meter instead of fls2 a meter in order to actually make this $2 million project cost them $200,000?What safe guards are in place in that regard? And why is not handled that way?

Long Lease Land

Can information be provided as to how much long lease land has been given to marinas and or maritime purposes(marinas, boat yards, any such structures) ?The Harbor itself, is that long lease? Can we get an indication of how many total square meters of land has been given out for those maritime purposes and how many lease holders there are?

Wrecks in the lagoon

Were there challenges getting the owners of the wrecks in the Lagoon to respond to the ministry in regards to their responsibility to these wrecks? What are your thoughts on mandating a mandatory insurance on all vessels parked in St.Maarten waters?

Turning Point/Mental Health Foundation

What is the status of Turning Point to get land from Government in order to do their necessary expansion? In regards to the Mental Health Foundation, what is the status for their request for land to be able to expand their facilities?

Planet Hollywood and Kimpton

With regards to Plant Hollywood and the Kimpton who filed requests, can the Minister update us on the status of those requests? What is the relationship like with the Ministry of VROMI and the Government by extension with these developers are they motivated and interested in continuing these projects despite the delays that COVID 19 might have caused for them?

Hospital

Can the Minister clarify if there are any requests at the Ministry of VROMI that the hospital is waiting on in order to continue their work and what the progress is in that regard?

Provisional Permit

Is there any sort of provision that the Minister could create or consider where there is a provisional permit granted? Is that even legally possible, is that something that the Minister could consider?

Housing Foundation

Can the Minister update us on what is the status, what is the interactions like with this foundation? Is he satisfied with the functioning of the Housing Foundation? Can he tell us anything about the Housing Foundation and what his plans are to improve it?Would the Minister if not satisfied consider the establishment of a new entity  to manage this?

Condo Levy

Would the Minister welcome a condo levy?

WorldBank

What projects are related to VROMI that funding is already moving? IF we can get an indication of what those figures are?

Alegria

In terms of Alegria, we saw that the appeal was won by the Minister, is that from a legal perspective in terms the legal discussion with Alegria is that over or is there any other cases that are pending right now?Has the Minister investigated this further from an internal perspective as to what led to these mistakes happening?Have the legal fees incurred by the Government been recovered as per the Judgement?Has an internal investigation been conducted to declare who it was responsible for giving the developer the feeling that he was entitled? And also in terms of it being entitled to the price, how did the developer feel that the price that was promised within meetings, letters, or papers was absolutely his entitlement and how do we prevent that from happening in the future? What is being done to prevent that from happening again?

Motion #1: Parliament year 2018/2019

Has the Minister had any opportunity to fulfill the positions of this motion?Can he please give the Parliament an update as to the amounts that are stated in this motion that are NAF1,250,700 ? Has interest been accumulated, have more fees been accumulated?What is the debt now and when are we going to collect this money?If one removes themselves as a director and shareholder of a company,  the company does not adhere and that company then declares bankrupt, I then remove myself Read more

Chairman Of Parliament Poses Several Questions To Minister Of Justice, During Draft National Ordinance Establishing The Budget Of Sint Maarten

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Questions posed by MP Rolando Brison to the Minister of Justice Anna Richardson During the Central Committee meeting handling of the draft National Ordinance establishing the Budget 2021

Function Book

What are the financial implications, if everyone was to be place in their proper function with their increase in pay in the next 2 months, is this accounted for in this 2021 budget?If not, how will the Government afford to pay these increases?Or is this more anticipated for future budget 2022?

CFATF

When is the next meeting of the CFATF and report to the membership?What is the expectation that the Minister would have to be faced with?Are there any implementation costs for the remainder of 2021 that the Ministry of Justice expects to incur, within the MOTT and/or other aspects within Justice?

Challenges faced with the Prosecutor office

Please provide an update on the challenges the Minister faces with the fines from Prosecutor office in their role and lack of action with the collection to the tune of 1mil guilders in fines.

Referring to the National ordinance Bestuurlijkehandhaving Jan 25, 2018 was passed in Parliament. 

Is this law fully ratified and implemented?If yes, is this assisting with the collections?If not, what would be the plan for the ratification and full implementation and use of Bestuurlijkehandhaving?Would this law help the Minister in terms of collections and if not having to be done via the Criminal code as was done in the past?

Income of the issuance of Gun licenses

What is the status for issuance of gun licenses?What is the status of the new gun policy?Is there a projected increase as a result of the efforts to create a proper policy for the issuance of gun licenses?Will there be a fee increase and can we expect additional funds in Government koffers?

Police records

What is the status of the new reform of police records that were expected to come, and what are the projected revenues to be achieved from this?

MOT  (Meldpunt Ongebrijkelijke)

There is an ongoing concern with the legislation passed in Parliament Read more