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PHILIPSBURG:--- It is with a great feeling of satisfaction that I took note of the publication regarding Winair’s performance for the fiscal year 2016 and I wish to add my words of congratulations to the board of supervisory directors, the management and staff for this accomplishment.
What a turnaround, if one looks back just a few years to the then outlook for this airline company.
Over the past few years, achievements by our national airline Winair have been steadily coming in and time and time again, I had to think of those early days when Winair was inherited from the Netherlands Antilles, bruised and in serious debt Read more

Regional Laboratories Prepare To Detect And Respond To New And Emerging Diseases

KINGSTON, Jamaica - “Public health laboratories play a critical role in the fight against communicable diseases, specifically vector-borne diseases, to better prepare the Region to detect and respond to new and emerging threats,” stated Dr Karen Polson-Edwards, Acting Director, Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control at CARPHA.

Dr Polson-Edwards was speaking at the opening of a two-day technical and policy forum for laboratory directors from 19 English and Dutch speaking public health laboratories across the Region Read more

Open Letter To The Democratic Party

Dear editor,

Albert Claudius Wathey is rightly considered the Father of the Nation by many in Sint Maarten. He was also the co founder of the Democratic Party of Sint Maarten (DP). Not too long ago, however, the current government, of which the DP is a coalition partner, revealed that it wants to demolish the old government administration building Read more

New Uwi Chancellor Takes Office

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The University of the West Indies (The UWI) marks a change in its leadership, as it welcomes a new Chancellor, the highest office-holder in The UWI system.

Trinidad and Tobago national, Robert Bermudez assumes duties as the 6th Chancellor of the University, having been appointed at the University Council’s annual business meeting on April 27, 2017 to succeed Sir George Alleyne.

According to the University’s Statutes and Ordinances, “the Chancellor shall preside at meetings of the Council [the highest governing body of the regional university] and any Convocation and shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be conferred upon the holder of the office of Chancellor by The UWI Charter or any Statute, Ordinance or Regulation.”

Chancellor Bermudez—as he will be called—has been an entrepreneur for over 40 years.  He led the growth of his family-owned firm, to a regional business throughout the Caribbean and Latin America and has enjoyed a distinguished career in business, serving as either Chairman or Board Director for several corporate bodies in Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean Read more

Cal Dedicates Jet To Honour Calypsonian

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – Calypsonian Dr McCartha Linda Sandy Lewis, better known as Calypso Rose, was hailed for her contribution to Caribbean culture when Caribbean Airlines (CAL) dedicated one of its 737 jets in her honour.

The formal commissioning of the aircraft took place on Friday when the signage on the nose of the aircraft was unveiled by three ministers: Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly; Minister of Tourism Shamfa Cudjoe and Minister of Trade and Industry Paula Gopee-Scoon.

In addition, chairman of Caribbean Airlines Sameer Ronnie Mohammed and Rose’s international manager, Jean Michel Gilbert were present.

Rose was absent from the function but watched live from Lyon in France where she was scheduled to perform.

The decision to name the aircraft in her honour was made by Cabinet for her becoming the first Soca artiste to win the World Music Album of the Year for her latest album “Far From Home” at the French Victories de la Musique award ceremony in Paris on February 10.

Gadsby-Dolly said another of Rose’s many ground breaking achievements was when she won the title Calypso King in 1978, with her renditions “I Thank Thee” and “Her Majesty”, forcing organisers of the competition to change the name of the show to Calypso Monarch, the name it still carries today.

She said her list of achievements testifies to her unwavering spirit as an exemplar for all Trinidadians to follow.

She said Rose was not a case of overnight success but one of perseverance as she began writing songs when she was 15 and has so far penned more than 800 tunes.

The music video to the song “Far From Home”, which was shown on board the aircraft, features Rose at the controls of a vintage aircraft and many scenes of her native Tobago.

Gadsby-Dolly said the video showed that the sky is the limit for Rose Read more

Cal Pilots Raise Safety Concern Over Atr Planes

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad – On the heels of an emergency landing in St Lucia by an ATR aircraft belonging to Caribbean Airlines (CAL), pilots yesterday held a “critical” meeting to discuss safety concerns over the aircraft.

The T&T Guardian was told by a source that the pilots are threatening to ground all flights until CAL rectifies all issues raised by them, including recurring technical problems on aircraft.

Contacted about the meeting held by the T&T Airline Pilots Association (TTALPA) yesterday, CAL communications manager Dionne Ligoure said she was aware but could not comment further on it.

On Sunday, Flight BW434 was forced to make an emergency landing at Hewanorra International Airport in St Lucia after a warning light came on in the aircraft’s cockpit Read more

Extreme Weather Wiping Out Hard-Won Gdp Gains In Hours

BRUSSELS, Belgium – With Antigua and Barbuda joining St. Kitts and Nevis as the two eastern Caribbean nations to attain middle-income country status, a senior diplomat has identified climate change as a major factor preventing other nations in the grouping from taking the same step forward.

According to the World Bank, a middle-income economy is one with a gross national income per capita of between 1,026 and 12,475 dollars in 2016, calculated according to the Atlas method — a formula used by the World Bank to estimate the size of economies in terms of gross national income in U.S Read more

Acm President To Be Recognised By Nabj

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – President of the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM), Wesley Gibbings will receive the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Percy Qoboza Foreign Journalist Award at the NABJ Convention and Career Fair in New Orleans next month.

Gib Read more

The Qualifications Of A Parliamentarian

Why even bother at this time to write about the qualifications of a parliamentarian when the next parliamentary election is all the way in 2020? Sadly, this has been the mentality in the past that has led us to vote for persons based, on friendship, family ties and family tradition, instead of looking at the qualifications, qualities and experience of the candidates.

One of the reasons why we have not paid much attention to the qualifications of parliamentarians is, because during election time, our politicians campaign as if they were running to become ministers in government Read more

Pm Confident Of Victory In Upcoming General Election

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada – Prime Minister Dr Keith Mitchell says he is confident that the ruling New National Party (NNP) will be returned to power in the upcoming general election.

Mitchell, who is also the current chairman of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) urged Grenadians to return the party to power to ensure that there is a smooth transition from one chairman of the CDB to another next year.

He said that in May 2018, Grenada will be hosting the annual CDB meeting and hopes that Grenadians will understand why his Government needs to be the one handing over to the new chairman.

“No changes should take place,” Mitchell said.

No date has been announced for the general election that is constitutionally due by March 2018.

The Parliamentary Elections Office, which is responsible for executing a general election, recently disclosed that it’s ready to ensure free and fear general elections Read more

Government Senator Resigns

CASTRIES, St Lucia – Jimmy Henry has resigned with immediate effect as a senator and as the Minister in the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries, Physical Planning, Natural Resources and Co-operatives.

Henry announced his resignation in a prepared video statement sent to the media just after 11 a.m. today, Wednesday, July 12, 2017.

In the one-minute-and-26-second video, Henry said “for reasons altogether personal” he has tendered his resignation with “immediate effect” from the Senate and as a minister.

He said due to “these personal matters at this time” he is unable to give the “attention necessary” to his ministerial duties.

Henry expressed his “deepest gratitude to the government of Saint Lucia, particularly Prime Minister Allen Chastanet, for having afforded him the “highest honour” to serve the country.

He also thanked his Dennery North supporters for sticking with him through “thick and thin”.

This news comes one day after both Minister for Home Affairs, Justice and National Security Hermangild Francis and Acting Commissioner of Police Milton Desir denied any knowledge of or refuted allegations of a recent police investigation into Senator Henry.

On his live television talk show last Thursday, July 6, former government minister Richard Frederick alleged that Henry was stopped by police at the George F.L Read more

Pm Orders Audit After One Minister Racks Up $8 Million Cell Phone Bill

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Prime Minister Andrew Holness has ordered an audit of all cell phone bills of Cabinet Ministers.

Holness, who issued the order ahead of Tuesday’s sitting of Parliament, said the issue of communication costs and high cellular phone bills being incurred for roaming and data charges, had to be addressed.

This comes in the wake of a recent report that Finance Minister Audley Shaw had cell phone bills amounting to J$8.3 million.

Coming from the meeting, it was acknowledged that there was no standard, clear and consistent policy being applied across government regarding the treatment of communication expenses for Ministers and Ministers of State.

According to Holness, the situation is unacceptable and must be addressed immediately in order to confirm the accuracy of information in the public domain.

He has also directed the Ministry of Finance to review and report on the respective policies for the provision of communication services including cell phones, operating in the various Ministries.

The Prime Minister added that this will allow Cabinet to make a comprehensive decision on how communication services and expenses for Ministers are treated.

He also directed that cellular phone expenses be capped.

The Ministry of Finance has been tasked to advise the Prime Minister, within a week, on the appropriate amount for the cap to be paid by each ministry for the Minister’s cellular phone bills Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Why even bother at this time to write about the qualifications of a parliamentarian when the next parliamentary election is all the way in 2020? Sadly, this has been the mentality in the past that has led us to vote for persons based, on friendship, family ties, and family tradition, instead of looking at the qualifications, qualities, and experience of the candidates.

One of the reasons why we have not paid much attention to the qualifications of parliamentarians is because, during election time, our politicians campaign as if they were running to become ministers in government Read more

Premiums will increase which the private sector has problems with --- Finance Minister --- SHTA objecting to high cost.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Health Emil Lee reacted to the statements made by the SHTA on the implementation of the National Health Insurance ( NHI) which they also requested be postponed. Minister Lee made clear that he do believe the discussion on the NHI is a good discussion because everyone deserves to have quality healthcare Read more

Sewage Truck Driver Demanding Apology, Possible Court Case Pending.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of VROMI Christopher Emmanuel shed some light on the video and photograph that was taken of a sewage truck driver that was seen dumping on the landfill. Emmanuel said after conducting an investigation it turned out that the truck driver in question was not dumping raw sewage on the dump but in fact, the driver was working for government who contracted him to clean drainage pit in the Dutch Quarter/ Belvedere area in preparation for the 2017 hurricane season.
The Minister said that the driver was dumping on the landfill legally because he pays to sludge in a specific area Read more

The project will take 18 months to construct--- Agreement with Synergy annulled.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of VROMI has made some headway in getting a waste to energy plant on St. Maarten which would probably eliminate the fires at the dumpsite and also decrease the size of the ‘hill’ on Pond Island. The Minister announced on Wednesday that he signed an MOU (memorandum of understanding) with a company to deal with the garbage situation on St. Maarten. In a separate interview with SMN News Minister Emmanuel said that some 17/18 companies submitted proposals to the Department of VROMI but only four of them really mentioned the landfill (dump) in their proposals in terms of remediating and taking care of the landfill Read more

[Video] Speech Of Prime Minister Marlin At The United Nations

Below is the speech of Prime Minister William Marlin at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in New York.

Mr. Chairman,

Ladies and gentlemen

I bring you greetings from Sint Maarten one of the 4 autonomous countries of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

Each of the four countries wholeheartedly embraces the Agenda 2030 and has its own political reality and therefore faces its own peculiar challenges, but we all share the belief that the key to success in attaining the SDGs lies in our willingness to form partnerships at the national, regional and international levels.

We have just presented our Voluntary National Review to the United Nations, which outlines the steps we have taken in implementing the SDG’s.

St Read more

New York/ PHILIPSBURG:--- Madam Chair, Your Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
I bring you greetings from the Kingdom of the Netherlands and particularly from Sint Maarten one of the 4 autonomous countries of the Kingdom.
Each of the four countries wholeheartedly embraces the Agenda 2030 and has its own political reality and therefore faces its own peculiar challenges, but we all share the belief that the key to success in attaining the SDGs lies in our willingness to form partnerships at the national, regional and international levels.
We have just presented our Voluntary National Review to the United Nations, which outlines the steps we have taken in implementing the SDG’s.
St Read more

The St. Maarten Community Collective Signs Agreement With Mpc For The Use Of The Outdoor Basketball Court

SOUTH REWARD – The St. Maarten Community Collective, South Reward celebrated another milestone event for the community on Sunday afternoon when the MOU between the community association and the Milton Peters College was finally signed for the use of the outdoor basketball court. Speeches were done by Community Collective South Reward’s President Mrs. Zahira Hilliman-Marmar, facility manager Mr Richard Woods, Professional basketball player Mr. Patrick Hilliman and community collective treasurer Ms Read more

SOUTH REWARD:----The St. Maarten Community Collective, South Reward celebrated another milestone event for the community on Sunday afternoon when the MOU between the community association and the Milton Peters College was finally signed for the use of the outdoor basketball court.

Speeches were done by Community Collective South Reward's President Mrs. Zahira Hilliman-Marmar, facility manager Mr. Richard Woods, Professional basketball player Mr. Patrick Hilliman and community collective treasurer Ms Read more

MULLET BAY:--- Marc van Iersel has won the 2017 Club Champion Match Play competition of the St. Maarten Golf Association SMGA. This annual tournament, better known as the ‘Thomas R. Smith Challenge Cup’ is named after one of its founders and honorable member Tom Smith.

During a very exciting final between Marc Van Iersel and Jan Peter Holtland, Van Iersel was able to clinch the title and go 2UP with one hole to play after winning both holes 16 and 17 Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Philipsburg - The Ministers of Finance of Curaçao and Sint Maarten, as representatives of the Entitled Asset holders, as well as the other ministers of the government and the members of the parliament of Sint Maarten, were offered a walkthrough of the Central Bank’s office in Sint Maarten, which is currently being renovated.

With the introduction of the monetary union of Curaçao and Sint Maarten on October 10, 2010, the CBCS office on Sint Maarten was established to carry out the tasks specified in the Central Bank Charter for Curaçao and Sint Maarten Read more

History Of The Concrete Road Divider At Maho Beach

Firstly, my deepest condolences to the family of the lady that tragically lost her life last week attempting to “surf the jet blast.” It is hoped that their loss will serve as a reminder to all who HAVE ventured and to those who undoubtedly WILL venture to participate in this dangerous “sport,” that this can be deadly!

Standing on the actual beach sand West of the road according to me, will give you the same “rush” and if you get “blown,” you will fall on sand. In a worst case scenario, you may get blown into the Caribbean Sea.

So all you Jet Blast Surfers that cannot swim, WEAR A WATER LIFE JACKET before attempting the jet blast thrill.

I am not a lawyer (obviously) and certainly not an “ambulance chaser,” but for the life of me I cannot understand how anybody else except the adult that engages in the “sport “ is responsible for such an accident, taking into consideration all the signs and precautions put in place by the SXM Airport PJIA Read more

Marcellia Henry, New Rotary Assistant Governor For St. Maarten, St. Martin, St, Barth And Anguilla

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Marcellia Henry, a two time President of the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise, is the new the Assistant Governor for St. Maarten, St. Martin, St, Barth and Anguilla Areas.

Ms. Henry who has been a Rotarian since July 2008, is a recipient of the Paul Harris Fellow Award, and was honored by her club with the Rising Star Award in 2008 and Rotarian of the Year in 2010, will be functioning in this capacity for the Rotary year 2017-2018.

As Assistant Governor some of her responsibilities will include: visiting each club regularly, and meeting with the club president and club leadership to discuss the business of the club and resources available to them; assisting club leaders in scheduling and planning for the governor’s official visit; keeping the governor informed on progress of the clubs and suggesting ways to enhance Rotary development and address concerns/problems; monitoring each club’s performance with respect to service projects; and identifying and encouraging the development of future district leaders.

As Assistant Governor, Marcellia Henry will support District  Governor Dr Read more