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Through this communication the undersigned Mr. Benjamin Ortega hereby informs you that as of the 5th of January, 2018 until 26th of February 2018 a leave of absence from his duties as general member and Vice President of the Board of The St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
This leave of absence is in regard to his intended postulation as a candidate for the upcoming Parliamentary Elections 2018 slated to be held on February 26th, 2018.
“The above stated, although is not a mandatory part of the articles of incorporation of COCI, or whether noted in the bylaws of the Chamber functioning handbook, I see it fit to ensure that the integrity of the Chamber by my postulation is not brought into question at no given moment.”
Benjamin Ortega was elected on the board as of April 21st, 2017 Read more

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I, Hasani Ellis Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary, on Friday, December 22nd, had the privilege to attend the launch of The Netherland’s membership on the UN Security Council at the Peace Palace in The Hague. It was truly a humbling moment for me to return to the library where I sought insight on international dispute regulations as a student.
This year, 2017 has truly been a year that has tested the fortitude of St Read more

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New Year’S Message From President Of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams

PHILIPSBURG – Leader of the Democratic Party (DP) and President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams said in her New Year’s Day message: ‘Don’t let the disaster that befell us get the better of us.’ “It would take more than a few words to adequately describe the year which has become last year and a year we have put behind us Read more

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New Year’S Message From Ms. Silveria Jacobs, Minister Of Education, Culture, Youth And Sport

With a new year, we are granted new opportunities and chances to make a difference, give our life a different course, or just continue to do as we have been doing. A new year for the people of St. Maarten, however, brings forth opportunities for us to rebuild better and stronger than we once were. After the passing of Hurricane Irma, the morale and energy of the people were shattered, however, soon after our people have shown that their strength and perseverance comes from within. The people of St Read more

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End Of Year Address Of Former Prime Minister William Marlin

Fellow St. Maarteners and residents of our beautiful Island,

For many of us, 2017 could not end fast enough. It has been a year of unprecedented disaster in the form of Hurricanes Irma and Maria; a year in which many of our plans and even successes were blown away in six hours of pounding by a monster storm the likes of which have never been recorded in the history of the Atlantic Hurricane Season. But we are alive, by the sheer grace of God, and we hold on tenaciously to that saying that as long as there is life, there is hope.

Hope indeed is what we cling on to in these last days of 2017, as we welcome the New Year with renewed faith, and prayers that God would shower us with His mercies and spare us the nightmare of another hurricane strike in 2018.

For me, personally, it is with heavy heart that I remember all those who we lost not only as a result of the hurricanes, but also the many others who have transitioned to meet their Maker in the course of the year Read more

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Fellow St. Maarteners,
Residents of our beautiful Island,

For many of us, 2017 could not end fast enough. It has been a year of unprecedented disaster in the form of Hurricanes Irma and Maria; a year in which many of our plans and even successes were blown away in six hours of pounding by a monster storm the likes of which have never been recorded in the history of the Atlantic Hurricane Season. But we are alive, by the sheer grace of God, and we hold on tenaciously to that saying that as long as there is life, there is hope.
Hope indeed is what we cling on to in these last days of 2017, as we welcome the New Year with renewed faith, and prayers that God would shower us with His mercies and spare us the nightmare of another hurricane strike in 2018.
For me, personally, it is with heavy heart that I remember all those who we lost not only as a result of the hurricanes but also the many others who have transitioned to meet their Maker in the course of the year Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Leader of the One St. Maarten People Party Lenny Priest, says he will be contesting the coming elections on the ballot of the National Alliance.
Priest has over the years been very vocal about issues he deems pertinent to the St. Maarten community including the introduction of a loan guarantee program for local entrepreneurs which would allow them the funds for start-up while stimulating the economy and a scheme to help low-income families own their own homes.
“If ever there was a time to put our differences aside and work together in the interest of rebuilding our island home it is now and I am dedicated to working with all who have the same goal and are willing to put egos and personal interests aside to do what is best for St Read more

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That the financial state of the country is worrisome is a no-brainer. But we all should be alarmed.
This dismal picture is all the more clear with the presentation of the amendments to the 2017 budget by the Minister of Finance. These amendments have been in the make for some time, but the format had to be changed from one that amended a proposed pre-hurricane Irma amendment, to one that amended the approved budget 2017. At least, this is what government says.
However, Government’s tardiness with the 2017 budget amendment has more to do with government’s reluctance to concede
that while they engaged in a shouting match of “over my dead body”, the country financially was bleeding to death Read more

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Sarah: “The Fall Of The Marlin Cabinet Justified By The Horrific Financial And Economic Outlook Of St. Maarten”

PHILIPSBURG - That the financial state of the country is worrisome is a no-brainer. But we all should be alarmed, Leader of the Democratic Party (DP), Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams said on Friday.

“This dismal picture is all the more clear with the presentation of the amendments to the 2017 budget by the minister of Finance Read more

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~ Irma and Maria showed the vulnerabilities of Caribbean Islands ~

ST. MAARTEN/ST. MARTIN:--- The 2017 hurricane season was undoubtedly the worst season in decades, especially since the monster hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated several Caribbean Islands that depend solely on tourism. Some of the islands/ countries that were crushed are Barbuda, St. Martin/St. Maarten, Dominica, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Puerto Rico.
When it comes to St. Maarten/St. Martin hurricane Irma showed how important it is to not place all of one's eggs in one basket, and even though an eye opener for many, politicians on St Read more

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Culture Minister Silveria Jacobs Issues Christmas Message

Christmas is a time of joy, peace, family gatherings, food and celebration. Culturally and traditionally we would herald the season with many church services, cantatas, choirs caroling, programs depicting and celebrating the birth of Christ Jesus, who we learned from childhood came into the world to save us all, food, drink and merry making. In thinking of what Christmas truly means, we must reflect on who Jesus is – the son of God, the Messiah, the chosen one, a curious and respectful child, a humble man who showed love and compassion for all, even the ones we would usually turn our backs on.

From the wonderful words of scripture, we learn that his birth heralded a new beginning of Peace, of the one who came to save the world Read more

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Christmas is a time of joy, peace, family gatherings, food, and celebration. Culturally and traditionally we would herald the season with many church services, cantatas, choirs caroling, programs depicting and celebrating the birth of Christ Jesus, who we learned from childhood came into the world to save us all, food, drink, and merrymaking. In thinking of what Christmas truly means, we must reflect on who Jesus is - the son of God, the Messiah, the chosen one, a curious and respectful child, a humble man who showed love and compassion for all, even the ones we would usually turn our backs on.
From the wonderful words of scripture, we learn that his birth heralded a new beginning of Peace, of the one who came to save the world Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The latest spiritual child of author Loekie Morales, ‘Chella and the Weird Woman/Chella en het vreemde vrouwtje’, was distributed last week to ALL the primary schools on Sint Maarten. ‘It was a great pleasure to donate a box of 27 books for comprehensive reading to the schools. Each one of them has received a visit from the Beyond Kultura Foundation’s representative/project leader Ingrid Holaman, who sometimes was accompanied by some sponsors Read more

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Minister Jacobs Hosts Attitude Of Gratitude Thanksgiving & Tree Lighting Ceremony

Philipsburg – Today Dec 3rd, the Government of St. Maarten in collaboration with the St. Maarten United Ministerial Foundation (SMUMF), Christian Council (CC) successfully hosted and celebrated the annual Thanksgiving Service and Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony heralding the end of the Hurricane Season 2017. His Excellency Governor E.B. Holiday and Mrs. Holiday, Chairlady of Parliament S. Wescott-Williams, Honorable Prime Minister R Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Today Dec 3rd, the Government of St. Maarten in collaboration with the St. Maarten United Ministerial Foundation (SMUMF), Christian Council (CC) successfully hosted and celebrated the annual Thanksgiving Service and Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony heralding the end of the Hurricane Season 2017. His Excellency Governor E.B. Holiday and Mrs. Holiday, Chairlady of Parliament S. Wescott-Williams, Honorable Prime Minister R Read more

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Minister Jacobs Presents Proposal To Usm To Provide Financial Injection To Prevent Closure

~ Minister Jacobs; Awaits decision of the Board ~

PHILIPSBURG — On Tuesday November 28th, the Council of Ministers (CoM) gave the go ahead to the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, to meet with the University of St. Martin Foundation (USMF) to propose a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to grant incidental subsidy (amounting to NAF. 690K- 920K over three/four months) in the interest of preventing the closure of the USM as well as preparing for the continuity of the institution in a transparent, accountable, efficient and effective manner Read more

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Awaits decision of the Board

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Tuesday, November 28th, the Council of Ministers (CoM) gave the go ahead to the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, to meet with the University of St. Martin Foundation (USMF) to propose a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to grant incidental subsidy (amounting to NAF. 690K- 920K over three/four months) in the interest of preventing the closure of the USM as well as preparing for the continuity of the institution in a transparent, accountable, efficient and effective manner Read more

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~ Man of Integrity and Transparency fleeced government to keep his hotel open ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of VSA Emil Lee who refused to take responsibility for not providing assistance to the people of St. Maarten after the passing of hurricane Irma has to explain the people of St. Maarten how it was possible for him to take off the MR.4 license plate from government vehicle and place it on his private pick-up truck that he used along with government bonds to purchase diesel at the Bush Road Gas station on September 12th, 2017.
Minister Lee was caught at the gas station where he filled two large drums almost every day with government bonds and he took the much-needed fuel to his Princess Heights hotel to run his generator.
Diesel was supposed to be used for government operations and for the vehicles that were busy providing emergency operations as well as cleaning up the debris left behind by Irma.
SMN News managed to secure photographs with the Minister in his pick-up truck that had a large black drum that was filled twice the morning of September 12th, 2017.
Persons who witnessed the Minister use government bonds for the purchase of the diesel once confronted the Minister since they believe that the Minister was abusing government while the country was devastated by hurricane Irma.
Several Ministers and other civil servants openly stated that Minister Lee did not even check in on the civil servants that work in his Ministry and had the responsibility to provide social assistance and aid Read more

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St. Martin Day Celebrations In Recap.

‘St. Martin Day for the People by the People’

POND ISLAND:--- The St. Martin Day events began with the traditional ecumenical church service at the New Government Administration Building. The church service was filled with praise, worship, dance, poetry and a thought-provoking sermon was delivered by Rev. Brissett. The official ceremony began thereafter with speeches from his Excellency Governor E. Holiday, Prefet Anne Laubies, Chairlady of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams, President du Collectivité Daniel Gibbes, Prime Minister William Marlin, 1st Vice President Madame Valerie Damaseau and Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Silveria Jacobs.
Minister Jacobs and 1stVice President Madame Damaseau, addressed the attendees with a joint speech, as a symbol of their collaboration and unity in planning and execution of the St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- On Saturday, November 4th, the Philipsburg Jubilee Library had an amazing book sale. Your local library was able to raise NAF 733.62 throughout the day during its annual book sale. The funds raised will be used for new materials and activities hosted by the library.
This special book sale was intended to bring back some normalcy to the library and her fateful patrons Read more

Stressed "Unity"

THE HAGUE, Netherlands:--- On Friday November 10th 2017, the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten, was the venue of the annual Sint Maarten Day Celebration, hosted by Minister Henrietta Doran-York.
The theme this year, was centered around Unity. This was evident in the turnout as Sint Maarteners of all age groups, traveled from the various major cities to The Hague to join in commemorating this special day.
Among the many guests were the Minister Plenipotentiary of Curacao, His Excellency, Mr Read more

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Prime Minister William Marlin Said That He Spoke To State Secretary Of Kingdom Relations, Mr. Knops Rearding The Recovery Fund And Aid

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Prime Minister William Marlin said that the first thing he did on Friday morning was call State Secretary of Kingdom Relations, Mr. Knops after receiving news that the Dutch government had taken a decision on the Recovery Fund and on the amount of 550 million Euros in recovery aid to Sint Maarten.

This is great news, he said, and he expressed a big Thank You to the government and people of the Netherlands for the relief aid received so far, amounting to over 50 million Euros and now the decision to establish the Recovery Fund with no less than 550 million Euros Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister William Marlin said that the first thing he did on Friday morning was call State Secretary of Kingdom Relations, Mr. Knops after receiving news that the Dutch government had taken a decision on the Recovery Fund and on the amount of 550 million Euros in recovery aid to Sint Maarten.
This is great news, he said, and he expressed a big Thank You to the government and people of the Netherlands for the relief aid received so far, amounting to over 50 million Euros and now the decision to establish the Recovery Fund with no less than 550 million Euros Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- “As a minister that believes in being accountable to the people and based on recent accusations by the Prime Minister, I am in the process of requesting that SOAB, Government’s Accounting Bureau, perform an audit of the receipt and distribution of relief goods by Government and in particular the Ministry of VSA,” stated Minister Lee.
“I am truly disheartened. It is so sad that in a time when the people need help and hope, politicians would fabricate stories for political gain Read more

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