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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

Rock-hard Patterson wins Super Heavyweights at Championship

BELAIR--Bodybuilder Desmond Patterson was one of the category winners at St. Maarten Body Building and Fitness Association's (SMBBFA) annual national championship on Saturday night during a show that mixed the sculpted physiques of male bodybuilders with the tantalisingly-toned beauty of the female figure.

Patterson's massive, jaw-dropping physique created an instant uproar in the packed Belair Community Center when he walked on stage for the Super Heavyweight category. Easily in the best competitive shape of his life, it would seem a certainty that he wins a Pro Card at the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) in October, an accolade that eluded him in 2013.

With just three entrants in the Super Heavyweight category, Elias Jones finished in second place and Boland Bert third.

Emmanuel Richardson emerged a popular winner in the Heavyweight category, with Peter Gayle in second place and Delvacio Carty third.

Male Physique was won by Stephan Ellis, with second place going to Irion Ardwell, and third place to Akim Arrendell.

The evening kicked off with the Women's Body Fitness and Bikini Fitness categories, the difference being that Bikini Fitness requires less muscle definition than Body Fitness but still with a physique that is toned and tight.

Christelle Zarovska emerged the winner of Body Fitness with Nicky Kaaij second, Anais Pieters-Kwiers third, and Cleo Carti fourth.

The much appreciated Bikini Fitness category must have been a tough one for judges to decide on with all five ladies showing off beautiful, perfectly toned figures, a commendable effort since all the contestants were beginners Read more

Notices September 8

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

style="text-align: center;">THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

Words cannot begin to express my sincere gratitude to all of you- for your support of me and my election campaign. It was your encouraging words that got me through many long days and nights with minimal sleep. Thank you to the 378 voters who put their faith in me to help build St. Maarten; I assure you that I will continue to work for you. Together NA, DP and USP will work in the interest of the people Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The National Security Service (NSS) Supervisory Committee met last week Thursday at the House of Parliament to discuss a number of pending matters. Members of the Supervisory Committee that were present were: Judge Selma Verheijen, President, Maritza James-Christina, Secretary, President of Parliament Hon. Gracita ArrindellRead more

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Candidates in this article:

National Security Supervisory Committee Meets

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The National Security Service (NSS) Supervisory Committee met last week Thursday at the House of Parliament to discuss a number of pending matters.

Members of the Supervisory Committee that were present were: Judge Selma Verheijen, President, Maritza James-Christina, Secretary, President of Parliament Hon. Gracita Ar Read more

style="text-align: center;">Guarantees that she will stand with the leader of the USp and manage the affairs of the people of St. Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The two candidates that were elected on the United St. Maarten Peoples Party (USp) slate namely its leader Frans Richardson and the number two candidate Leona Romeo Marlin called an urgent press conference on Friday to clear the air on whether or not Romeo Marlin will jump ship to join UPP Read more

Minister Lake says NV GEBE to Provide Relief across the Board.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake says he has taken note of Windward Islands Chamber of Labour Unions (WICLU) stance with respect to a reduction in utility bills.

Minister Lake reiterated on Friday that he informed the community more than once that relief will be provided by NV GEBE to household consumers as well as businesses, and that in the meantime a reduction in the utility bills of senior citizens would be implemented first.

"Relief is not just being provided to a select few Read more

Road closures in connection with Opening of New Parliamentary Year.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The Closure of the parliamentary year 2013-2014 will take place on Monday, September 8 at 10:00am in the House of Parliament.
On Monday, September 8, parts of Front Street and Back Street as well as Cannegieter Street, with street connections to the House of Parliament will be closed to motorized traffic. A dress rehearsal with respect to the official opening on Tuesday, September 9 will be carried out between 4:00pm and 6:00pm.
On Tuesday, September 9 the new parliamentary year 2014-2015 will be opened by the President of Parliament Hon Read more