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PHILIPSBURG:--- On Thursday, February 3, 2022, a Steering Committee Meeting, chaired by St. Maarten {SG AZ, supported by BAK}, with representatives from the European Union (EU) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Ministry of VSA and the Ministry of VROMI, will take place. The focus of the steering committee meeting is to discuss the strategic focus for the coming year(s), share best practices, provide updates on all elements of the project and if necessary, suggest modifications based on lessons learned from the past year or other programs.

A large milestone has been achieved in March 2021, when the 11th European Development Fund B-Envelop Shelters project was launched for St Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Wescot explained that she has recapped the sequence of events leading up to the passing of the budget on January 24th and has asked the Ombudsman to consider and use her lawful discretion to review the budget process and the constitutionality thereof.

As Ombudsman, I am sure you have followed these proceedings, as the budget is an instrument of importance for every citizen of the country and the most important management tool for the public service, the MP stated in her letter to Ombudsman Mossel.

Let it be recalled that the initial draft budget, sent to parliament by the government, contained no reference to article 127 of the constitution, as is required by law Read more

Pfp: Passing Of 2022 Budget Marks A Low Point In Modern Sint Maarten History

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Despite having independent legal advice demonstrating that the countrys draft 2022 budget is in contravention of Sint Maartens Constitution, a majority of Members of Parliament (MPs) on Monday night still passed the draft legislation.

Party for Progress (PFP) MPs Melissa Gumbs and Raeyhon Peterson were among the four (4) MPs who voted against the draft legislation.

The legal advice – which was discussed by MPs during Mondays public meeting of Parliament – was compiled and signed by former Secretary-General of Parliament Nancy Joubert, LL.M, on January 7, 2022 Read more

Pfp: Passing Of 2022 Budget Marks A Low Point In Modern Sint Maarten History

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten Despite having independent legal advice demonstrating that the countrys draft 2022 budget is in contravention of Sint Maartens Constitution, a majority of Members of Parliament (MPs) on Monday night still passed the draft legislation.

Party for Progress (PFP) MPs Melissa Gumbs and Raeyhon Peterson were among the four (4) MPs who voted against the draft legislation. 

The legal advice – which was discussed by MPs during Mondays public meeting of Parliament – was compiled and signed by former Secretary-General of Parliament Nancy Joubert, LL.M, on January 7, 2022 Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- From the appearance of it, the draft budget 2022 for the country is set to be approved by Parliament this week, notwithstanding the blatant violations of the constitution. To add insult to injury, the constitutional obligation to allow the ombudsman time to assess the constitutionality of this ordinance is not specifically included in the enforcement article of the ordinance, MP Wescot stated over the weekend. And for her, the question remains why not.
The UP and NA factions act as if there is nothing wrong under the sun with approving a budget that is not ready for passing by parliament or do they care that this reflects negatively on parliament.
I get the distinct feeling that the rush is to get the budget over with and back to business as usual; we will cross the next bridge when we get there.
For unknown reasons, except maybe egocentric ones, the majority refused to even consider a postponement of the passing (voting) on the budget Read more

Mp Arrindell Expresses Concerns Regarding The Deplorable Road Conditions On The Island.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — In recent weeks there has been much publicity on social media, and throughout the communities regarding the deplorable road conditions on the island. After careful review of the Budget 2022, I observed that reservations were not made, thus not budgeted for repairs/resurfacing of existing hard surfaced roads on the island and several other major existing problems. Due to my concerns thereof, I have voiced my concern to the Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure, the Honorable Egbert J Read more

Our Budget, Our Reality

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – When 2022 was brought in with many fireworks and festive activities all around the island I wondered if this would be the year of recovery or if this would be another year of drama for the country.Will we allow our future to determine our presentdecisions and actions, or must our present time take precedenceat the expense ofour future?Based on our experience it would seem as though we as a country are incapable of creating a situation in which we do not suffer at present while actively enhancing the prospective future.

I believe some good news thus far for the Caribbean islands was the departure of State Secretary Raymond Knops whose own party told him there was no place for him in the new government moving forward Read more

Our Budget, Our Reality.

PHILIPSBURG:--- When 2022 was brought in with many fireworks and festive activities all around the island I wondered if this would be the year of recovery or if this would be another year of drama for the country. Will we allow our future to determine our present decisions and actions, or must our present time take precedence at the expense of our future? Based on our experience it would seem as though we as a country are incapable of creating a situation in which we do not suffer at present while actively enhancing the prospective future.

I believe some good news thus far for the Caribbean islands was the departure of State Secretary Raymond Knops whose own party told him there was no place for him in the new government moving forward Read more

~ Emergency Crew manning ATC~

AIRPORT:--- The Princess Juliana Airport Air Traffic Controllers are currently on strike as they protest various grievances, one being the 12.5% cuts in their salaries.
SMN News learned that the air traffic controllers are being supported by their unions the Windward Island Civil Servants Union (WICSU) as they continue to protest the way their Collective Labor Agreement goes.

In a letter to the CEO Brian Mingo, the Union WICSU/ PSU informs Mingo that their members from the Air Traffic Control Department requested an urgent meeting with them on Saturday, January 15th which will begin from 7 am to 5 pm to discuss the frustration being experienced due to the indecisive communication that has been going back and forth between management and the union regarding the way forward.
"The union is hoping management and the board of PJIAE understand the serious effects their decisions are having on their members.
This should not be taken lightly as our members carry the title of Air Traffic Controllers and if they are frustrated they will not be able to perform their duties optimally Read more

Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs delivering her remarks during Sundays service.

PHILIPSBURG--The government of St. Maarten in collaboration with St. Maarten Christian Council, St. Maarten United Ministerial Foundation and the Seventh-Day Adventist Church hosted the seventeenth annual National Day of Prayer at the Government Administration Building on Sunday.

  This years theme was Almighty God, Let Your Culture of Divine Unity Rule.

  The service opened with praise and worship led by the Victory Temple praise team, followed by the opening prayer delivered by Joan Berkel and a rendition of the St Read more

Pfp Questions Government About Ongoing Gebe Leadership Saga

PHILIPSBURG, Simt Maarten – Party for Progress (PFP) Members of Parliament (MPs) Melissa Gumbs and Raeyhon Peterson have sent questions to Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs and Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) Egbert J Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The honor has been bestowed upon me to bring you wishes for a Blessed, Prosperous, and Healthy New Year on behalf of the URSM.
This Holiday Season is always a Happy time for us all because we get the opportunity to close an old chapter and open a new one. A new Chapter that in spite of all adversaries that have gone before, gives the opportunity and privilege to offer people new Hope, new Expectations, and renewed Confidence!
URSM will approach 2022, taking another path, a different approach, a new attitude, to ensure that we capture and focus on what counts and is important in building a future for the next generation, and the generations to come Read more

Pm Jacobs Sees 2022 As Year Of Hope, Continued Progress

Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs

PHILIPSBURG--A year of hope and continued progress was the description used by Prime Minister (PM) Silveria Jacobs to describe 2022.

Read more

Pm: There Is Willingness To Discuss Way Forward

PHILIPSBURG--Prime Minister (PM) Silveria Jacobs said on Wednesday that there is willingness by caretaker Dutch State Secretary of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Raymond Knops to discuss the way forward on the current impasse. 

  St. Maarten had requested a postponement of the Kingdom Council of Ministers RMR decision that was scheduled to be taken on Friday last week to approve the deviation from the budgetary norms of Article 15 of the Kingdom Act Financial Supervision RFT.

  The Netherlands made the granting of the deviation conditional on St.  Maartens political approval of the Note of Amendment to the Consensus Kingdom Law on the Caribbean Body for Reform and Development COHO, in an effort to force consensus, Jacobs had said last week.

  Knops also included excerpts of said amendment as decision points for the RMR, thereby circumventing the Parliaments of the Kingdom from debating this aspect of the law, Jacobs had said in a statement last week.

  Furthermore, decision points were included that would give the government of the Netherlands carte blanche to impose further unrelated conditions for future liquidity support.

  While speaking to the media during the live Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday this week, Jacobs reported on recent communication from Knops.

  I must say that in recent, lets call it, communication received from the state secretary, there is a willingness to discuss the way forward and we hope that through these discussions, negotiations, that we receive as a country what we deserve, Jacobs told reporters.

  She said there has been quite some uproar about what has been going on in the relations with the Kingdom government.

  Yes, we have been having better relations Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- "We respectfully disagree with the verdict by the Court and appealed. The 68 pages of the verdict barely give any material consideration to the vast core arguments presented. Instead, matters are brushed off with the Court using the well-known language of not sufficiently stated, not sufficiently explained, not argued, and so forth. One had to be there to know different.

These type of generic statements does not suffice and the Court simply neglected to respond to arguments presented, thereby implicitly ignoring these same arguments Read more

Minister Ottley And Simpson Bay Resort Signs Off On Food And Beverages Training Center

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — On Monday December 13th, the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley was invited to deliver a speech at the launching of the Simpson Bay Resort’s food and beverages training center. Minister Ottley signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with the Simpson Bay resort on Friday December 10th, which branches off of the Ministers incidental work policy with the aim to strengthen the local work force.

The MOU documents the collaboration agreement between the Simpson Bay Resort and VSA’s National Employment Service Center (NESC), to facilitate the proper training for St Read more

Minister Ottley And Simpson Bay Resort Signs Off On Food And Beverages Training Center

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – On Monday December 13th, the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley was invited to deliver a speech at the launching of the SimpsonBay resorts food and beverages training center. Minister Ottley signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with the Simpson Bay Resort on Friday December 10th, which branches off of the Ministers incidental work policy with the aim to strengthen the local work force.

The MOU documents the collaboration agreement between the SimpsonBayResort and VSA’s National Employment Service Center (NESC), to facilitate the proper training for St Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Monday, December 13th, the Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Omar Ottley was invited to deliver a speech at the launching of the Simpson Bay Resort's food and beverages training center. Minister Ottley signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), with the Simpson Bay Resort on Friday, December 10th, which branches off of the Ministers incidental work policy with the aim to strengthen the local workforce.

The MOU documents the collaboration agreement between the Simpson Bay Resort and VSA's National Employment Service Center (NESC), to facilitate the proper training for St Read more

King T-Mo, Benjamin Bell To Highlight Philipsburg Becomes Magical Event

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten — Philipsburg will come alive this upcoming weekend when the Philipsburg Becomes Magical holiday event is expected to instill special seasonal energy in the capital of St. Maarten. With legendary singer King T-MO highlighting Saturday, December 18 and St. Maarten s crooner Benjamin Bell highlighting the activities on Sunday, December 19, the event is being billed as a come one, come all family event Read more

King T-Mo, Benjamin Bell To Highlight Philipsburg Becomes Magical Event

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The g Philipsburg will come alive this upcoming weekend when the Philipsburg Becomes Magical holiday event is expected to instill special seasonal energy in the capital of St. Maarten. With legendary singer King T-MO highlighting Saturday, December 18 and St. Maarten s crooner Benjamin Bell highlighting the activities on Sunday, December 19, the event is being billed as a come one, come all family event. The event runs from 1pm to 8pm on both days.

Organised by Xtratight Entertainment of Bertaux Fleming, Philipsburg Becomes Magical will give entrepreneurs, local vendors and entertainers the opportunity to display their talent and sell their products to the community. Vending stalls will adorned with Christmas dcor, stores will remain open to the public, entertainment will be constant and the atmosphere will be electric.

Adding to all of this cheer, King T-MO will take the stage on Saturday to perform his famous local Christmas tunes to which residents like to sing along Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Philipsburg will come alive this upcoming weekend when the Philipsburg Becomes Magical holiday event is expected to instill special seasonal energy in the capital of St. Maarten. With legendary singer King T-MO highlighting Saturday, December 18, and St. Maartens crooner Benjamin Bell highlighting the activities on Sunday, December 19, the event is being billed as a come one, come to all family event Read more

Domestic Violence Awareness Month

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2021 is here. Womens desk in its role to empower women and by extension the family is embarking on Teen Dating Violence (TDV) awareness sessions under the theme: Behind the Mask targeting high school students. This initiative commenced with a kick-off session at the MAC- CSE with the 3rd and 4th form students.

As a result of stress arising by the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a global increase of relational violence Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2021 is here. Womens desk in its role to empower women and by extension the family is embarking on Teen Dating Violence (TDV) awareness sessions under the theme: Behind the Mask targeting high school students. This initiative commenced with a kick-off session at the MAC- CSE with the 3rd and 4th form students.
As a result of stress arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a global increase in relational violence. This campaign aims to prevent relational violence among teens by bringing awareness on the prevalence of TDV, warning signs, healthy ways to cope and respond.
Even as the world has become more virtual, digital abuse has also increased dramatically Read more

Mp Emmanuel: Prime Minister Celebrates While People Suffer

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The lack of empathy knows no boundaries with this Prime Minister, said Independent MP Christophe Emmanuel in reaction to Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs celebratory claim of vindication after the Constitutional Court upheld three income cutting laws that her government imposed on the people of St. Maarten.
The Prime Minister is celebrating being wrong and making people lives harder, the MP said.

MP Emmanuel said it should surprise no one that the Prime Minister would have that sort of reaction considering that her government did not consider the immediate and long term suffering workers would have to endure as a result of the cuts Read more