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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

GREAT BAY:--- On Tuesday, NAGICO Insurances; awarded six (6) students with a one year scholarship, from the Methodist Agogic Center MAC (Reverend John A Gumbs Campus located in Betty's Estate) under the NAGICO Little Stars Educational Program.
The students were the top achievers and overall the most outstanding students in their respective groups, ranging from groups 1-6 and were rewarded with a full scholarship for the next school year to cover their tuition, book list and school uniforms."We are very proud at NAGICO to be able to reward these students for their hard work throughout the school year," Lisa Brown; Marketing Manager of NAGICO Insurances said Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---- Candidate on the SMCP list Claude Chacho Peterson shared his views on his person in the article below is the full text from Peterson.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone so far that have sent there best wishes via Facebook, whatsapp, cell and in person. This will not be an easy journey, but I am ENERGIZED by the positive support and the Prayers for my candidacy.
A few weeks ago I was approached by Pastor Wycliffe Smith and Mr Read more

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Candidates in this article:

PHILPSBURG:---, St. Maarten (June 23, 2016) – Member of Parliament Maurice Lake and his appointed VROMI Minister were left totally out in the cold on Thursday afternoon when the majority of Lake’s coalition members failed to show up for a parliament meeting to pass a law brought by the MP’s minister, says United People’s (UP) party deputy leader MP Franklin Meyers.
“This is a very clear case of actions speak louder than words and the action in this case is a resounding vote of no confidence in MP Lake’s minister and a total lack of support for the MP himself Read more

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Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG:--- According to Fifteen-year-old Learning Unlimited student Ki-Mani Olivacce, Minister of Education and Youth Affairs Silveria Jacobs has endorsed his school supplies drive for students in need on St. Maarten. Olivacce and his team met with the Minister last week to brief her on the project at which time they received her encouragement and support.
Assisted by Jodecia Lamonte and Kendecia David, Olivacce says he is simply trying to apply what his parents have always taught him; to share and help whenever he can.
The back to school drive seeks to inspire the private sector and individual citizens to donate the most necessary and useful school items Read more

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Candidates in this article:

Netherlands/ PHILIPSBURG:--- As part of his working visit to the Netherlands, Minister Lee paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the permanent committee Kingdom Relations of Parliament, Mr. Jeroen Recourt. Minister Lee also met separately with a member of this committee, MP Andre Bosman.
"As we investigate opportunities for possible cooperation on Health care between different countries within members of the kingdom, I felt it would be helpful to visit members of the second chamber (Parliament) to brief them on our discussions, vision and plans Read more

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Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Education Culture Youth & Sports Silveria Jacobs was on hand at the Marie Genevieve de Weever School on Monday morning to witness the finalized works to the Playground / Basketball Court and addressed the students as well as management and staff.

The Minister Jacobs officially thanked the young, local contractor Mr Read more

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Candidates in this article:

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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Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of VSA, Emil Lee, headed a delegation, including Mr. Kees Klarenbeek, Director of SMMC, Mr. Henk de Zeeuw, Managing Director of corporate finance KPMG St Maarten, and Mr. Perry Geerlings, Director of the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary to meet with Minister of Interior and Kingdom Relations, Ronald Plasterk, Erwin Arkenbout, Director of Kingdom Relations at the Ministry of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations and Dr Read more

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Candidates in this article:

PHIIPSBURG:---- Fifteen-year-old Learning Unlimited student Ki-Mani Olivacce is calling on his community to contribute to a worthy cause as he kicks off a school supplies drive for students in need on St. Maarten. Assisted by Jodecia Lamonte and Kendecia David, Ki-Mani says he is simply trying to apply what his parents have always taught him; to share and help whenever he can.

The back to school drive seeks to inspire the private sector and individual citizens to donate the most necessary and useful school items Read more

Nature Foundation and Dutch Universities Cooperate to Learn More about Endangered Sint Maarten Sea Turtle Population

PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Nature Foundation is collaborating with the University of Groningen (NL) and IMARES Wageningen UR (NL) on a Dutch Caribbean sea turtle project funded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO). Green and hawksbill turtles are observed feeding in the waters of St. Maarten with both species also nesting on St. Maarten along with the leatherback turtle Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- During his recent trip to Curacao, Minister of Public Health, Social Development & Labor Emil Lee met with the Minister of Public Health, Environment & Nature in Curacao Siegfried Victorina to understand what lessons had been learned in regards to the construction of their new hospital and health care cooperation within the Kingdom
“In our desire to spend the people’s money wisely, we should learn from others what they did right and what they did wrong Read more

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Candidates in this article:

Studying in the USA shows more returns on government investments.

PHILIPSBURG: --- Minister of Education Silveria Jacobs told members of the media on Wednesday that government is not phasing out study financing for the Netherlands as perceived by several persons. The Minister said that over the years and based on data collected it has proven that students who studied in the United States of America have excelled far more than those that chose to study in the Netherlands Read more

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Candidates in this article:

GEBE  Supervisory Board of Directors lost court case.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Shareholder representatives of GEBE will be holding their shareholders meeting on Thursday morning May 26th 2016 as ordered by the Court of First Instance and they will dismiss the three remaining members of the supervisory board of directors namely, Rene Richardson, Ed Gumbs, and Zylena Barry. The shareholder will then appoint the seven new members of the board namely:-

1. Oral Gibbes
2. Tazio Bervoets
3 Read more

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Candidates in this article:

South Reward:--- Many of our students in high school in the exam classes are busy with their final exams. We have wished all of them on our radio program “Another View” and via the media much success. Some of our students have applied for study financing and hoping to receive it upon successfully completing their final exams. This means that many of them will be leaving to go abroad to further their studies or to attend the University of St. Maarten and the NIPA. However, the majority of those graduates will remain on the island seeking employment for a year, some until they decide to further their studies Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Maurice Lake has put all rumors to rest at a press conference on Sunday when he joined the leader and members of the United People’s Party (USP) and announced that he will be contesting the September 26th elections on the USP slate Read more

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Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG:--- The recent fire at the French side hospital which caused four wards to be evacuated , is a validation that the French and Dutch side hospitals need to work together, and increase their level of cooperation in healthcare.
Minister of Public health, Social Development & Labor Emil Lee stated: “The recent fire at the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital in Marigot has made a number of beds unavailable Read more

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Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Health, Social Development & Labor Emil Lee, would like to encourage parents to take their kids for free eye testing and glasses at the white & Yellow cross located in St. Johns Estate.
In support of the Volunteer Optometric Service to Humanity (VOSH),the Rotary club of St.Maarten organized an eye examination program to support their initiative on Sint Maarten which Is to provide free eye exams and eyeglasses to those who cannot afford it Read more

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Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG – A letter was sent to the president of Parliament on Monday, April 26th, 2016 by the Member of Parliament Leona Marlin-Romeo querying the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (Ministry TEATT), as stakeholder and contributor on the postponement of the SMART annual trade show.

The trade show attracts major wholesalers whose jobs are to sell the destination Read more

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Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG:--- Honorable Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Silveria Jacobs congratulates Oranje School on its 29th annual book-week. Pupils of the Oranje School showed their newly gained knowledge of this year’s theme ‘The Body System” all week through readings, demonstrations, songs, dances and various arts and crafts.
The book-week culminated with a parade that started at the Oranje School, led by two youth drum bands, progressed down Frontstreet, made its way in front the Government Administration Building, where several classes displayed their dances, songs and posters before turning back towards Backstreet and back to Oranje School.
Minister Jacobs expressed that this is a great example of Education on the Move initiated by a school which she is proud to highlight and hereby encourages all schools to take the initiative to show correlation between learning and the curriculum while demonstrating learning in creative ways Read more

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Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG:---  Every budget over the last ten years and beyond shows that education consumes the greatest part of it. But instead of things getting better our education product is lagging far behind. We have been reading about so many problems within our public educational system that it makes us hold our head and bawl. All indications are that our private schools are being better managed. We are therefore; somewhat surprised that after so many years of talking about it no decision has been made to date to privatize public education Read more