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Editorial - Structural approach

Parliament will debate the draft 2015 budget today in an effort to meet the end-of-January deadline set by the Kingdom Council of Ministers. The total amount is 445 million guilders, but the Committee for Financial Supervision CFT still wants this reduced to 426 million due to what it considers realistic income projections based on collections in 2014.

Finance Minister Martin Hassink has maintained up to now that further cuts are hardly possible because it's already a "skeleton budget." He instead wanted to try to convince CFT that the current, higher revenue estimates are legitimate and supported by, for example, findings of the Central Bank.

In that light the recent suggestion of UP leader Theo Heyliger that government should demand that all its companies that are able to pay concession fees do so begs the question whether that's how the 19-million-guilder shortfall, according to CFT, will be covered Read more

A total lack of moral principles

Dear Editor,

The lack of moral principles has changed our political landscape significantly, as politicians continue to gobble from the slop trough, while the rest of society is forced to watch in constant despair. After this recent episode there is nothing left to question anymore, and so our only source of consolation is education and self-reliance.

I like the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who said, "A genuine leader is not a searcher for consensus, but a molder of consensus." This awesome orator and man of principle evoked the thoughts of his followers when he reminded them that, "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at a time of challenge and controversy." To conclude the wise teaching on this honourable man, he challenged them to take life in strides when he said so eloquently, "If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way." These guiding principles were his anchor, which enabled him to make such an impact throughout America and the entire world Read more

US, Cuba clash over immigration at start of historic talks

HAVANA--The United States and Cuba clashed over U.S. immigration policy on Wednesday at the first session of high-level talks seeking to restore diplomatic ties between the Cold War adversaries.
  The Americans vowed to continue granting safe haven to Cubans with special protections denied to other nationalities while Cuba complained the United States encourages Cuban doctors to defect, calling it a "reprehensible brain drain practice."
  The talks will continue on Thursday with the two sides set to discuss restoring diplomatic relations and eventually opening up full trade and travel ties Read more

GEBE: Prices will drop, but slowly

PHILIPSBURG--Rapidly decreasing fuel prices will have their effect on local energy prices, but the general public will have to be patient.

"The trickledown effect of these decreases takes an average 45 days before consumers can enjoy some much-needed relief. This means based on present trends, by February's billing period, consumers will experience further relief," GEBE management stated in a press release on Wednesday.

"The main objective of GEBE is always to ensure that the fuel clause is as low as possible," GEBE Chief Operations Officer and Managing Board President Romelio Maduro said.

According to data provided, prices have dropped and will continue to do so Read more

Best ‘worried’ about situation at SMMC

PHILIPSBURG--Inspector General Dr. Earl Best says he is "worried" about the situation at St. Maarten Medical Center and believes that government and stakeholders should get together to address the issues facing the medical facility sooner rather than later.

SMMC General Director Kees Klarenbeek last week pointed to the dire financial straits affecting SMMC that potentially threaten the future health of the institution if not remedied soon. Klarenbeek had said SMMC was operating in the red, with its accounts some NAf Read more

Country St. Maarten ordered to pay indemnities to lawyer

~ For unreasonable dismissal ~

PHILIPSBURG--The Court of First Instance on Wednesday ordered Country St. Maarten to pay NAf. 25,000 in indemnities to attorney-at-law Ellen Knoppel. The lawyer had filed a lawsuit against her former employer, because she contested her dismissal at the Ministry of Justice, which had caused loss of income.

On May 10, 2013, one week before then Justice Minister Roland Duncan was to leave office, he granted Knoppel a permanent labour agreement with the Justice Ministry Read more

Gumbs: No long-lease granted to Rainforest

PHILIPSBURG--No long-lease has been granted to Rainforest Adventures for Plantation Industry and Golden Rock (commonly called Emilio Wilson Estate). This was confirmed by Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs via the Press Secretariat.

Gumbs has "not signed anything for or granted anything" to Rainforest Adventures, according the statement issued on Wednesday morning Read more

De Weever weighs in on counterpart policy

PHILIPSBURG--Independent Member of Parliament Cornelius de Weever on Wednesday weighed in on the "Counterpart Legislation," which the St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) has warned the government against implementing.

De Weever, who noted that the policy is actually a law, said in a press release that "the ministry" had applied the law in one case Read more

Lunch and concert for seniors a big success

MARIGOT--Organizers declared the lunch and concert for senior citizens at Riviera One on Saturday a resounding success.

An unprecedented number of seniors, family members and caregivers from Bethany Home and St. Martin Home attended the event. With estimates of close to 500 for the lunch, the large hall was filled to capacity with extra tables set up outside.

This was the second edition of the annual lunch and concert organized by Rambaud-St. Louis Fete Association and public works association Batiments Travaux Publiques (BTP).

President Aline Hanson and several elected officials were present for the event Read more

style="text-align: center;">For years many young people that go abroad to further their studies has indicated that they will not be returning to St. Maarten upon their completion of their studies. This has been a torn in my side for I could not understand why anybody upon receiving a scholarship from their government would even think about not returning to serve their country.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Every year our government provides an opportunity for many of our young people with scholarships to be able to further their studies locally or abroad Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The Parliament of St. Maarten on Wednesday granted Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs time to host his informal "Meet & Greet" event at Parliament house, where he stressed to MP's present that civility should be observed despite parties having their roles to play as part of St. Maarten's constitutional democracy.

The Prime Minister was welcomed by the President of Parliament Dr Read more

Member of Parliament De Weever defends Counter Part Policy.

>GREAT BAY:--- Independent Member of Parliament Cornelius de Weever is defending the Counterpart Legislation, which is a law and not just a policy.
MP De Weever explained that the ministry used the law in one case. "The company took us to court and government lost because according to the judge we did not have a policy on how the law would be used so the labor policy department wrote the Counterpart policy in consultation with the Social Economic Council and the Tripartite Committee.
"One business owner of this tri-partite committee volunteered to have this Counterpart Policy applied in his company," said MP De Weever Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Anne Marie Pieterz-Powell, the British Vice Consul for the Dutch and French Caribbean paid courtesy visits to Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs and Minister of Economic Affairs Claret Connor on Tuesday, January 20 Read more

Nothing Granted To Rainforest Adventures Confirms Prime Minister

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - A press release issued on Wednesday states that in response to several questions from several media outlets regarding a media report on Rainforest Adventures, the Prime Minister of St. Maarten, the Honorable Marcel Gumbs, has not signed anything for or granted anything to Rainforest Adventures.

The latter, Read more

British Vice Consul Pays Courtsey Visit To Government

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Anne Marie Pieterz-Powell, the British Vice Consul for the Dutch and French Caribbean paid courtesy visits to Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs and Minister of Economic Affairs Clar Read more

Member Of Parliament De Weever Defends Counter Part Policy

GREAT BAY, St. Martin - Independent Member of Parliament Cornelius de Weever is defending the Counterpart Legislation, which is a law and not just a policy.

MP De Weever explained that the ministry used the law in one case.

"The company took us to court and government lost because according to the judge we did not have a policy on how the law would be used so the labor policy department wrote the Counterpart policy in consultation with the Social Economic Council and the Tripartite Committee.

"One business owner of this tri-partite committee volunteered to have this Counterpart Policy applied in his company," said MP De Weever Read more

Editorial - Help yourself

Today’s report that new Plenipotentiary Minister in The Hague Josianne Artsen attended the first St. Maarten Student Support Services S4 mentors intervention meeting is most welcome. Guidance is obviously very important for the island’s “best and brightest” sent to the Netherlands every year to further their education.

That the request for such a trouble-shooting and networking forum came from the mentors indicates a clear desire to improve Read more

He finally decided

Dear Editor,

I was listening to MP Theo Heyliger's interview on Oral Gibbs and it never stops to amaze me how politicians can be so good in saying what the people want to hear, instead of saying the truth. I had heard a few days before that US and UP were making a deal Read more

Ribbon cutting launches new season of Tuesday Nights

MARIGOT--The 13th edition of "Les Mardis de Grand Case" kicked off Tuesday evening with a ribbon cutting outside the Lolos at 6:00 where scores of tourists had already descended on the main boulevard, making sure to come early to secure a parking spot for the first of what will be eight weekly events every Tuesday night in season.

Organized each year by Calypso Events, Tuesday Nights has become one of the most successful events in the calendar drawing tourists and locals alike to the boulevard that is transformed into a pedestrian-only street market Read more

Sarah: Gumbs twisted truth about screening

PHILIPSBURG--"I had nothing to do with the actual screening of the Gumbs Cabinet ministers, and the Prime Minister knows this full well," stated Democratic Party (DP) Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams in a statement Tuesday.

"After all, he was not only informateur, he himself was candidate minister Read more

Pledges of cooperation to new Dutch Representative

PHILIPSBURG--New Representative of the Netherlands in Curaçao, Aruba and St. Maarten Henk Brons was welcomed with pledges of cooperation and communication during an informal brunch at Sheer Restaurant in Philipsburg on Tuesday morning.

Hosted by acting Dutch Representative in Philipsburg Gert Versluis, the gathering also served to bid farewell to Dutch Representative Gerard van der Wulp, who served the Dutch Government in this capacity during the past three years and six months. He is now going into retirement.

Many dignitaries and government officials sat in on the brunch Read more

St. Maarten to seek inclusion in UNESCO’s World Memory

PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten wants to submit at least two projects for possible nomination in the Memory of the World (MoW) project of United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Project consultant of UNESCO Elizabeth Watson is currently in St. Maarten meeting with organizations to discuss the MoW, and possible nominations and submissions from St. Maarten.

"Documentary heritage reflects the diversity of languages, peoples and cultures. It is the mirror of the world and its memory Read more

St. Maarten Pm Gumbs Calls On Holland To Have Better Relations Within The Dutch Kingdom

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Prime Minister, the Honorable Marcel Gumbs stated during a press conference on Monday that they have expressed to the Minister with the responsibility for Kingdon Relations and Interior Affairs, Ronald Plasterk and the Prime Minister of Holland, the Honorable Mark Rutte the need to have a better working relations Read more

Court Denies Attorney’S Claim For Damages: Departure-Policy Makes Labor Contract Invalid

St. Maarten – Eight days before Justice Minister Roland Duncan left office on May 18, 2013 he granted attorney Ellen Knoppel a permanent labor contract. The incoming government however – Wescot-Williams III – considered the contract invalid, arguing that this was part of so-called departure policy and it fired the attorney Read more