SXMElections.com

Prime Ministers Of Barbados & Jamaica Hold Talks

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados – Prime Minister of Barbados, Freundel Stuart and Prime Minister of Jamaica, Andrew Holness today discussed the state of bilateral relations between the two countries via telephone.

The discussions took place against the background of two recent incidents related to Jamaican travellers to Barbados and came a day after Prime Minister Stuart received the Letter of Introduction of the new non-resident High Commissioner of Jamaica to Barbados, His Excellency David Prendergast, at his Ilaro Court residence Read more

Tzu Chi Continues Rice Relief, 611 Bags Of Rice Given To 605 Families

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The St. Maarten Tzu Chi Foundation continued its massive “love rice” relief distribution programme in August donating 611 bags of rice to 605 families around the island in that month.

The foundation estimates that the number of family members that will benefit from last month’s relief is almost doubled at 1,735. Each bag of rice weighs 10 kilograms. August rice distribution brings the total amount of rice Tzu Chi has distributed since the programme started just over two months ago to1,141 bags of rice to 1,084 families.

  The relief effort in August was possible thanks to the participation of the foundation’s committed volunteers who set aside time to visit families in the various districts to make the distribution Read more

Freedom Of The Seas Cancels Due To Anticipated Inclement Weather In The North Eastern Caribbean

PORT ST. MAARTEN – Port St. Maarten has been informed that the scheduled visit of Freedom of the Season on Thursday, August 25 has been cancelled due to the anticipation of inclement weather expected in the North Eastern Caribbean in the coming days.

The measure was taken out of abundance of safety by the cruise line Royal Caribbean for their passengers, crew and the vessel.

Port St Read more

Regional Media Group Urges St Vincent To Rethink Cybercrime Legislation

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad – The regional umbrella media group — the Association of Caribbean Media Workers (ACM) — yesterday expressed concern about a push by St Vincent and the Grenadines to address legitimate issues associated with harmful online content through legislation.

The ACM said that such a move “tramples on important principles associated with freedom of expression and freedom of the press”.

It noted that some of its international partners, including the International Press Institute (IPI), Reporters Without Borders, and the Centre for Law and Democracy (CLD), have recently addressed in fair detail offending sections of the Cybercrime Bill of St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“We endorse their positions on such matters Read more

Alexander, Usp To Distribute Constitution To Population

~ Education is Emancipation ~

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Lisa Alexander, who will be contesting the upcoming September 26 Parliamentary Elections with the United St. Maarten Party (USP), has committed herself to distributing printed copies of the Constitution of St Read more

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Alexander, Usp To Distribute Constitution To Population

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Lisa Alexander, who will be contesting the upcoming September 26 Parliamentary Elections with the United St. Maarten Party (USP), has committed herself to distributing printed copies of the Constitution of St Read more

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Education is Emancipation 

Lisa Alexander, who will be contesting the upcoming September 26 Parliamentary Elections with the United St. Maarten Party (USP), has committed herself to distributing printed copies of the Constitution of St Read more

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Hanson Recaps On Collectivité Projects In Bastille Day Speech

MARIGOT--Security, rehabilitation of Marigot town centre, the waterfront development project and other improvements formed part of President Aline Hanson’s general speech during the official Bastille Day ceremony on Thursday.

  She said the beautification of Marigot included opening up the alley next to the Methodist Church on Rue de la Liberté that leads to the waterfront, renovating the square outside the Post Office and demolishing the former Gendarmerie building on Rue de la Liberté, projects that will improve the circulation of pedestrians and open up better views to the waterfront.

  On the waterfront development, she said she was convinced St Read more

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The Silver Lining Of A Disastrous Six Years Of Country Status!

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Today, after I washed towels, cleaned my fan, made milk pops for the kids (well, actually I fight for them also) and cooked lunch for my family, of course I started reflecting on St. Maarten and the problems facing us as a people. These thoughts are ever present in my mind.

In the past 6 years, we had 5 governments, which included various combinations of the same groups of persons, which have failed to demonstrate the moral fortitude and maturity required to run this new status.

Initially everyone, including myself, saw this as a ridiculous situation and a political nightmare, but I think we need to start to see it as a “blessing” in disguise Read more

Dp Leader Calls On St. Maarten'ers To Get The Emancipation Spirit

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - On Friday, July 1st, Emancipation Day was celebrated for the 5th consecutive year on the island with a host of activities at the Emilio Wilson Park.

During the celebration and in observation, many of the speakers spoke of the importance of the day for St. Maarten and its people, and for leader of the Democratic Party, Chairlady of Parliament, the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams, this was no exception.

In echoing this sentiment, she spoke of the need for the entire community of St Read more

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Up Elects New Board Members For 2016-2018

St. Maarten News —The United People’s Party (UP) Congress elected a new board for the party board period 2016-2018 on June 25 at the Belair Community Center.

The persons who have been appointed to the board positions are: President Silvia Meyers-Olivacee; Vice President Tatiana Arrindell; Treasurer Earl Wyatt; Assistance Treasurer Armand Meda; Secretary General Kenneth Serrant; Secretary Gina Illidge; and Assistant Secretary Solange Apon.

“We had a very good turnout at the party congress and everybody in attendance was upbeat and ready for the September 2016 parliamentary polls.  I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Leader of the UP Party Member of Parliament Theodore Heyliger to thank all members and new members who came out to this very important congress,” UP President Silvia Meyers-Olivacee said on Sunday.

“The UP Party Board has a lot of planning and preparations to carry out in the coming weeks with parliamentary elections a little over three months away.  Thanks once again for everybody’s support,” The UP Party in a press release said it will continue to be the visionary party, placing special emphasis on the social and economic development of the country.

“The objective is to ensure that all people in our society feel a part of our community where there are ample opportunities to sustain our families and live comfortably and happily Read more

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Dp Condemns ‘Racial Antics’ In Parliament

St. Maarten News – Leader of the Democratic Party (DP) Sarah Wescot-Williams has condoned racial comments in parliament and is calling for leaders of political parties to speak out. “Call it whatever you want, but I cringe every time I hear Members of Parliament (MPs), who think it’s the popular thing to do, in parliament express the kind of exclusionary language we are hearing from these MPs more and more,” Wescot-Williams said in a press statement issued Sunday Read more

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Up Membership Elects New Board Members For 2016-2018. Upbeat And Ready

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The United People’s Party (UP) Congress elected a board for the party board period 2016-2018 on June 25 at the Belair Community Center.

The persons who have been appointed to the board positions are as follows: President Silvia Meyers-Olivacee; Vice President Tatiana Arrindell; Treasurer Read more

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Is Sint Maarten Legalizing Prostitution?

On January 28, 2016, an article in The Daily Herald reported that effective immediately and due to a court ruling, which stated that the old resident and work permits issued to exotic dancers by the St. Maarten Government amounted to “conspiracy in human slavery,” according to international standards, no new permits would be issued to club owners.

The ruling basically says that the St. Maarten government for decades has been involved as a conspirator in committing crimes in the area of human slavery Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- On January 28, 2016 an article in the Daily Herald reported that effective immediately and due to a court ruling, which stated that the old resident and work permit issued to Exotic Dancers by the Sint Maarten Government amounted to “conspiracy in human slavery” according to international standards, no new permits would be issued to club owners.
The ruling basically says that the Sint Maarten government for decades has been involved as a conspirator in committing crimes in the area of human slavery Read more

Remember Emancipation,
When, Where and Why?
by His Excellency Governor E.B. Holiday
Delivered on the Occasion of the Observance of the
153rd anniversary of Emancipation Day

July 1, 2016
Emilio Wilson Estate,
Sint Maarten

My Fellow Sint Maarteners,
Good Afternoon,
And happy Emancipation Day. I say happy because today we celebrate a triumph of freedom, symbolizing an end of an unpleasant and the beginning of a new promising chapter in our history.
Since 2012, I have talked to you on various topics for Emancipation Day Read more

Fellow St. Maarteners,
Residents of our beloved island,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen.

Good afternoon.
As we gather here once again on these haloed grounds of the Emilio Wilson Park, with the flamboyant tree or July tree in full bloom, we should remember when this place was a plantation where, according to some accounts, One Tete Lokhay, that female freedom fighter of immortal memory, came ransacking for food to feed some of our enslaved ancestors she had helped escape into freedom.

We all know the price she had to pay for her courage and bravery: they cut off one of her breasts to deter others from following in her footsteps.

She may not have saved as many enslaved ancestors as Harriet Tubman did with the Underground Railroad, however, I'm sure like Tubman, she could have saved many more had they realized they were enslaved.

Emancipation is about freedom and freedom is the birthright of every human being Read more

Minister Silveria Jacobs Emancipation Day Address

Black National Anthem
"Lift every voice and sing Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise, High as the list'ning skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us,
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet Come to the place for which our fathers died

We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou who has by Thy might Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee, Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forgot Thee, Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand, True to our God, true to our native land."
- James Weldon Johnson

Having learned this song as a young adult during Caribbean History, it touches my soul every time I hear it and I am reminded of the battle that was fought for freedom.
Today July 1st 2016 as we celebrate Emancipation Day for only the 5th time- I call on all people to remember the atrocities of the past, of how a people were enslaved and fought to be free, declared themselves free and today can say we have achieved what our ancestors have dreamed, prayed and fought for Read more

Minister Silveria Jacobs Emancipation Day Address

Black National Anthem
"Lift every voice and sing Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise, High as the list'ning skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us,
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet Come to the place for which our fathers died

We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou who has by Thy might Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee, Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forgot Thee, Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand, True to our God, true to our native land."
- James Weldon Johnson

Having learned this song as a young adult during Caribbean History, it touches my soul every time I hear it and I am reminded of the battle that was fought for freedom.
Today July 1st 2016 as we celebrate Emancipation Day for only the 5th time- I call on all people to remember the atrocities of the past, of how a people were enslaved and fought to be free, declared themselves free and today can say we have achieved what our ancestors have dreamed, prayed and fought for Read more

Minister Invites All To Celebrate Emancipation Day

PHILIPSBURG – Minister of Culture Silveria Jacobs urged residents and citizens to celebrate the significance of Emancipation Day by inviting them to Emancipation Day celebrations.

The celebrations begin from June 30, with a re-enactment of the Freedom Run hosted by NIA Read more

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Electoral Reform Debate: Revisited

By Julio R. Romney, Political Analyst

Julio R. Romney, Political Analyst

Hidden under the wing of autocracy, cut off from the people of St. Maarten by non-transparence and promised participation in the process, Electoral Reform in time for the September 26, 2016 Parliamentary election appears likely to be out of reach now or any time in the near future.

With the fall of the UP/USP/DeWeever/Marlin coalition and the postponement of Parliamentary elections from February 9, to September 26, 2016 facilitated by National Decree, an Electoral Reform Committee was established to research and formulate electoral reform recommendations to “eliminate ship-jumping” ahead of the September 26, Parliamentary Elections Read more

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Electoral Reform Debate: Revisited.

Hidden under the wing of autocracy, cut off from the people of St. Maarten by non-transparence and promised participation in the process, Electoral Reform in time for the September 26, 2016 Parliamentary election appears likely to be out of reach now or any time in the near future.

With the fall of the UP/USP/DeWeever/Marlin coalition and the postponement of Parliamentary elections from February 9th to September 26, 2016 facilitated by National Decree, an Electoral Reform Committee was established to research and formulate electoral reform recommendations to "eliminate "ship-jumping"" ahead of the September 26, Parliamentary Elections Read more

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Say It Loud! Racism In The Dutch Kingdom Is Unacceptable.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Earlier this week we read that a young man of 21 years was gunned down in the city of Schiedam in the Netherlands. The fact that he was dark complexioned, and ethno-racial profiling among Dutch police officers in the Netherlands is condoned as an unfortunate security measure. It have caused many activists throughout the Kingdom of the Netherlands to argue that this is one of the outcomes of a situation where, it has become politically suspect to say that racism within the Dutch Kingdom is unacceptable!
In this contribution, we seek to say the new politically suspect as loud as possible: Dutch racism is unacceptable! “Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words can never hurt us.” Whoever wholeheartedly believes that this saying holds all the time, and in every occasion, is either lying to themselves or not part of the human species Read more

Szv Launches New Website Www.Szv.Sx

PHILIPSBURG – Social and Health Insurances SZV launched its new website www.szv.sx on June 1.

The website is designed to offer customers and the general public a digital portal to the organization and its services. Minister of Public Health Emil Lee was present for the occasion, encouraging customers to make use of this new information resource and cutting the ribbon together with SZV staff to officially launch the website.

Customers present at the offices of SZV were the first to view and navigate the website Read more

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