SXMElections.com

Democratic Party Extends Condolences To The People Of Orlando.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Democratic Party, like most of the world, is shocked and immensely saddened by the horrendous carnage that took place in a nightclub in the city of Orlando. Words cannot describe the feelings that the terrible scenes and heart wrenching accounts by survivors continue to evoke daily. Regardless of the motives, it is terribly, terribly wrong and must be condemned.

" It is unimaginable that a fellow human being could be so callous and without regard for the lives of others, in fact taking pleasure in the wanton destruction of human life ", said DP Leader Wescot-Williams.

We pray and hope for the full recovery of those persons who are injured and for peace and strength for the families, friends and the entire community affected by this senseless act.

May we also on St Read more

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The Checkered Past Of Ava Airways Chairman Arrindell

Hallucination airline or the next big thing?

St. Maarten News / By Hilbert Haar – Is Olivier Arrindell at it again? The controversy about his ghost airline AVA Airways is gaining momentum with the bitter exchange of opinions with businessman Michael Ferrier.

It all started with Arrindell’s claim that he had obtained a business economic permit from the government of St Read more

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‘Statia Must First Do Its Homework’

~ DP cites critical CFT report ~

THE HAGUE--Members of the St. Eustatius Government should not complain about unfair treatment by the Dutch Government, but instead should first do their homework and get the island’s financial management in order, stated Democratic Party (DP) Island Council Members Adelka Spanner and Koos Sneek during their visit to the Netherlands.

Dispute Regulation’S Legal Format Still Under Discussion

THE HAGUE--Deliberations of the four Parliaments on Thursday to arrive at a common proposition for the Kingdom Law to establish a Dispute Regulation (“geschillenregeling”) for the Kingdom didn’t yield concrete results, other than the fact that parties decided to further explore the options, with the possibility of appointing the Council of State as the body to handle disputes.

Much to the chagrin of the Dutch Caribbean Parliamentary delegations, the Dutch delegation didn’t feel compelled to indicate during the Inter-Parliamentary Consultation for the Kingdom IPKO where it stood on the two law proposals that are now on the table for a Dispute Regulation ahead of the actual handling in the Second and First Chambers.

Establishing a position of the IPKO at this point was important, said Chairperson of the St Read more

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Parliaments Have Candid Debate On Integrity Issue

THE HAGUE--Members of the St. Maarten Parliament, Chairperson Sarah Wescot-Williams (Democratic Party DP) and Read more

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Dp Statia Slams Dutch Govt. Reaction To Evaluation Report

THE HAGUE/STATIA--The formal response of the Dutch Government to the Caribbean Netherlands constitutional evaluation report was met with criticism by the St. Eustatius Democratic Party (DP).

Hirsch Ballin Defends Kingdom Parliament

~ Former Minister at first George Maduro lecture ~

LEIDSCHENDAM--Former Dutch Minister of Antillean and Aruban Affairs for the Christian Democratic Party CDA Professor Ernst Hirsch Ballin made a case on Tuesday for the introduction of a Kingdom Parliament in which the Dutch Caribbean countries are duly represented, as well as a Dispute Regulation (“geschillenregeling”). “Havi Read more

Sarah Concerned About Shrinking Middle Class

PHILIPSBURG--The country’s “shrinking middle class” is cause for concern, says Democratic Party (DP) leader Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams.

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Dominican Election Campaign Enters Countdown

~ Political parties have only five days of campaigning left ~

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – Monday, May 9, began the last week of waiting for elections in which Dominicans will select 4,106 public positions. With just five days left, politicians must finish their promotion and electoral offers.

This is a decisive week for the fate of the country for the next four years, with a renewal of all political power, which in turn holds in its hands the appointment of those who manage other state institutions.

Dominicans have eight presidential options to choose from: Danilo Medina of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD); Luis Abinader, the Revolutionary Modern Party (PRM); Guillermo Moreno of Country Alliance Party; Minou Tavarez, Alliance for Democracy Party (APD); Soraya Aquino, the National Unity Party (PUN); Hatuey de Camps, Revolutionary Social Democratic Party (PRSD); Elias Wessin Chavez, the PQDC, Christian Democracy Quisqueyano Party; and Pelegrin Castillo of the National Progressive Force.

This will be the week for campaign closures of the candidates and their parties in a last attempt to win the favor of the citizenship for the electoral process, which will take place Sunday, May 15 Read more

Mps Discuss Country’S Financial Outlook Today

PHILIPSBURG--Members of Parliament (MPs) will discuss the financial outlook of St. Maarten in an urgent plenary session today, Monday, April 25, at 11:00am.
Finance Minister Richard Gibson will be present for the public plenary session. MPs will discuss the short, medium and long term financial outlook of St. Maarten.
Independent MP Frans Richardson; National Alliance (NA) MP George Pantophlet and Democratic Party (DP) MP Sarah Wescot-Williams requested the meeting.
The MPs who requested the meeting had said earlier that there is much public discussion regarding the international rating of St Read more

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D66: Island Inmates Could Help Fill Empty Dutch Cells

THE HAGUE--The Democratic Party D66 in the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament asked Dutch State Secretary of Security and Justice Klaas Dijkhoff on Wednesday to look at the possibility to house inmates from Dutch Caribbean prisons in the many vacant jail cells in the Netherlands. Dijkhoff said this option was highly unlikely.

Sarah Seeks Clarity On Application Of Law On Prosecution Of Politicians

PHILIPSBURG--Democratic Party (DP) leader Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams has set out to get clarity on whether the law on the prosecution of politicians “needs more fleshing out.” She intends to write to Read more

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President Gumbs: “It Is On”~

PHILIPSBURGl:---- On Saturday March 5, 2016 the Democratic Party of St. Maarten continues to renew itself with a new board. Solution minded and ready to build upon the DP's proven track record of transparency and the solid principles of Open Government. Headed by new President Marinka Gumbs; Secretary Jude Piper, Treasurer Giselle York, and members Jim Rosen, Vida Boyrard, Juliette Piper, Michelle Martina and Quinton Marlin Read more

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Dp Calls Out The Opposition Of Seven On Its Stance On The 2016 Budget.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Democratic Party (DP) stand solidly with the coalition in leaving no stone unturned to get the budget of the country passed in Parliament. Because if we think the current situation is murky, imagine the following which is a very real possibility. The big difference being, that the wellbeing and livelihood of practically the entire community can be at stake in the following scenario.

The budget remains in limbo, because a 7-7 tie vote goes nowhere!

This means this budget goes nowhere and eventually the CFT will report to the Kingdom Government that St Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Democratic Party (DP) stand solidly with the coalition in leaving no stone unturned to get the budget of the country passed in Parliament. Because if we think the current situation is murky, imagine the following which is a very real possibility. The big difference being, that the wellbeing and livelihood of practically the entire community can be at stake in the following scenario.
The budget remains in limbo, because a 7-7 tie vote goes nowhere!
This means this budget goes nowhere and eventually the CFT will report to the Kingdom Government that St Read more

A National Bank For St. Maarten: An Asset Or A Liability?

As a party that believes in and supports the creation of our state institutions, our first reaction to the prospects of a national bank was, “Oh good, our own.”

The DP sees our own state institutions as a deliberate part of nation building, which we believe is an indispensable path to our future development.

In fact, it can be stated here that the aspect of nation building for the Democratic Party following the transition to country in 2010, is Priority #1 Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---- As a party that believes in and supports the creation of our state institutions, our first reaction to the prospects of a national bank was, "Oh, good, our own".
The DP sees our own state institutions as a deliberate part of nation building, which we believe is an indispensable path to our future development.
In fact, it can be stated here that the aspect of nation building for the Democratic Party following the transition to country in 2010, is Priority # 1 Read more

Dp Puts Fatca Back On The Agenda

St. Maarten News – It is not the first time that the faction of the Democratic Party wants to discuss the Fatca – the American Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act – and its consequences for local businesses and banks (see related story on page 3). In February 2013, there was a similar request by then MPs Roy Marlin and Leroy de Weever Read more

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Dp Wants Meeting About Us Tax Compliance Act

St. Maarten News: The Democratic Party faction in parliament has requested the Finance Committee of Parliament to examine and discuss the execution of the FATCA by the local banks on St. Maarten.

To this end, the DP has proposed that the Bankers Association be invited to apprise parliament of their experiences with this Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA), which is a United States law that introduces a “reporting regime for financial institutions with respect to certain accounts”.

Under this law, Foreign Financial Institutions (FFIs), such as banks are required to report about certain foreign financial accounts and offshore assets of US taxpayers. 

Another way to ensure compliance with the FATCA in foreign jurisdictions, has been with the so-called Intergovernmental Agreements.

“If a jurisdiction enters into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) to implement FATCA, the reporting and other compliance burdens on the financial institutions in the jurisdiction may be simplified Read more

“Moment Of Immense Pride” Dp Says About Keacy Carty

St. Maarten News – “It was an immense moment of pride for all who came out to welcome our young sports hero Keacy Carty back home on Wednesday evening. The story of his performance during the finals of the  U19 World Cup Cricket cannot be retold often enough,” the Democratic Party said in a press release. 

The party joined the rest of St. Maarten in congratulating Keacy and his parents, Keith and Angela.

“Keacy’s accomplishment is the coronation of years of hard work, put in by the young athlete himself and all those persons who nurtured and continue to nurture the sport of cricket on St Read more

Dp Requests Meeting Of Parliamentary Finance Committee To Discuss Execution Of Fatca

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten –-The Democratic Party (DP) faction has requested the Finance Committee of Parliament to examine and discuss execution of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) by local banks in St. Maarten.

DP has proposed that the Bankers Association be invited to apprise Parliament of their experiences with this FATCA, which is a United States law that introduces a “reporting regime for financial institutions with respect to certain accounts.” Under this law, Foreign Financial Institutions (FFIs), such as banks, are required to report about certain foreign financial accounts and offshore assets of US taxpayers.

Another way to ensure compliance with the FATCA in foreign jurisdictions, has been with the so-called Intergovernmental Agreements.

“If a jurisdiction enters into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) to implement FATCA, the reporting and other compliance burdens on the financial institutions in the jurisdiction may be simplified Read more

Telegraaf “Uncovers” Hachchi On Front Page

THE HAGUE--The Dutch Telegraaf newspaper blasted resigned Member of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament Wassila Hachchi of the Democratic Party D66 on its front page Thursday morning with the headlines “Hachchi uncovered” and “Distributing flyers for 6.800 Euros.”       

  The newspaper article starts off with: “The career of Wassila Hachchi in the Hillary Clinton team doesn’t go further than distributing flyers on a voluntary basis Read more

Sarah Calls On Gebe Board To Make Positions Available

PHILIPSBURG--The relationship between the supervisory board of utilities company GEBE and (past and present) Government is enough for reason for the board “to make positions available” to Government, said Democratic Party (DP) leader, Parliament Chairwoman Sarah Wescot-Williams on Thursday Read more

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Hachchi Says She Regrets Commotion

THE HAGUE--The sudden departure of Member of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament Wassila Hachchi of the Democratic Party D66 last week continued to be a source of discussion in the Netherlands. Hachchi stated on Monday she was sorry about the commotion.