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HELPING OUR PEOPLE EXCEL ASSOCIATION [HOPE] In The News DEC 2016

helping our people excel association [hope]

Party details:

Year2016
Candidate on list

3

PPA
HOPE
Source: SMN-News
31 Mar 2016 06:56 PM

On the occasion of the first CBCS Central Banking Conference Caribbean Central Banking since the Financial Crisis

Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Sint Maarten
March 31st, 2016

Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good evening.

It gives me great pleasure to join you this evening at the welcome dinner for the first central banking conference of the Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten.

Firstly, on behalf of the government of Sint Maarten, allow me to extend a warm welcome to all the speakers and participants who have travelled to Sint Maarten for this conference Read more


Candidates in this article:
HOPE
Source: 721 News
28 Mar 2016 11:52 PM

Karaoke With Your Carnival Queen

PHILIPSBURG – Posh Productions in collaboration with Cactus Diner in Sucker Garden, will be hosting a Karaoke evening on March 31.

Anna Rabbess-Richardson and Martha Thewet have partnered and hope to make this a memorable event for everyone who attends.

“The idea came out of brain storming with different partners in the private sector business, where we all thought it would be a great idea to provide these ladies with an event that will add some fun ambience. It goes without saying that pageantry comes with a level of stress as these courageous ladies prepare themselves to give it their best performance during the upcoming carnival season,” said the partners in a statement.

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Up next!!!!!!!!!!??????????????????

Posted by Anna Rabess-Richardson on Monday, March 28, 2016

“We are happy to have partnered up with local companies like Medicosmetics, Manrique Capriles & Sons, T’s Closet, Eagle Tours, Purrfect Bath & Body Essentials, and of course the hosting venue: Cactus Bar & Restaurant Read more


Candidates in this article:
HOPE
Source: 721 News
21 Mar 2016 11:13 PM

Mp Marlin-Romeo Gives Back To St. Maarten Foundation For Psychologists & Orthopedagogen

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – “There are many organizations on the island that are actively trying to make a difference for the overall improvement of Sint Maarten.  Each has their own specialization, and objectives, many however go unrecognized and or get discouraged because of the lack of support,” Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo said on Monday.

The St Read more


Candidates in this article:
HOPE
Source: SMN-News
21 Mar 2016 07:31 PM

PHILIPSBURG:---  â€œThere are many organizations on the island that are actively trying to make a difference for the overall improvement of Sint Maarten. Each has their own specialization, and objectives, many however go unrecognized and or get discouraged because of the lack of support,” Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo said on Monday.

The St Read more


Candidates in this article:
HOPE
Source: The Daily Herald
13 Mar 2016 06:03 PM

 It felt like a party walking into Educare’s SXMDOET project. Volunteers assisted in making the foundations playground child friendly, safe, fun and colorful. (Photo credit: Claudia Vingatama-Arrindell)

(more pictures below)

PHILIPSBURG – Sint Maarten’s community came out in full force for the second annual SXM DOET event held on March 11th and 12th. Around 1000 volunteers successfully completed 43 projects registered by 30 various organizations from all around the Dutch side of the island Read more


Candidates in this article:
HOPE
Source: SMN-News
13 Mar 2016 03:49 PM

PHILIPSBURG:----  Sint Maarten’s community came out in full force for the second annual SXM DOET event held on March 11th and 12th. Around 1000 volunteers successfully completed 43 projects registered by 30 various organizations from all around the Dutch side of the island. The SXM DOET team was thrilled to see that so many organizations and volunteers that participated last year signed up for SXM DOET 2016. A number of new organizations joined in on the cause, which the team had hoped for, increasing the number of projects and thus the positive effects of SXM DOET on the community at large.

SXM DOET is part of the largest volunteer initiative ever launched in the Dutch Kingdom and Sint Maarten Read more


Candidates in this article:
HOPE
Source: SXMIslandTime
13 Mar 2016 10:36 AM

No Date Set Yet For Continuation Of Budget Dabate

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Chair-lady of Parliament the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams told our news room on Sunday that the extension of the MP’s detention is not compliant with the rules for dismissal or suspension from Parliament.

She is however hoping that this problem will be rectified possibly by this week.

A Read more


Candidates in this article:
HOPE
Source: The Daily Herald
12 Mar 2016 06:32 AM

Paines: ‘We Want St. Martiners To Be Taken Into Consideration’

MARIGOT--Assurance was given on Friday by protest organisers that there will be no further actions or civil unrest between now and Tuesday, March 15, the date protestors meet again with the Collectivité and Préfète Anne Laubies to hopefully hammer out an agreement acceptable to both the Orient Beach tenants and the Collectivité.

Calm descended on French Quarter after two days of unrest marked by blocked roads culminating Thursday night with a brief episode of violence as Gendarmes forcibly removed barricades.

Capitaine Emmanuel Maignan confirmed that the operation to clear the streets and remove barricades had lasted from 5:00pm to 7:30pm Read more


Candidates in this article:
HOPE
Source: SXMIslandTime
11 Mar 2016 07:50 PM

Antigua & Barbuda’S Journey To The Ccj

ST JOHN’S, Antigua – A three-month public education campaign was launched on Thursday in Antigua & Barbuda as the government prepares to hold a referendum to determine whether to replace the London based Privy Council as its apex court with the Trinidad based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

The campaign, which has bi-partisan support, will span three months on a budget which government said will exceed two million dollars.

Demonstrating a united front, Prime Minister Gaston Browne and Leader of the Opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) Baldwin Spencer who were both at the head table at the launch, urged the electorate to choose the CCJ, contending it will provide easier access to justice.

Spencer noted that “true freedom” will only come when the country and region move from a position “where colonialism and imperialism controlled our decision making processes to a position where we are not only a free people, but we have to make sure we form a society in which our decision making processes are ours.”

Supporting Spencer, PM Browne made “a clarion call for all registered voters in Antigua and Barbuda to support this important institution of regional Governance and sovereignty.”

He said the current final appellate court “is clearly an outmoded colonial construct that was designed exclusively for the wealthy few and has failed to provide broad-based accessibility and dispensation of justice to the masses.”

Elaborating on Spencer’s point on access to justice, PM Browne said justice is not only delayed because of the remoteness of the Privy Council but, in many instances was denied because of inaccessibility associated with the prohibitively high costs.

“Even today, justice is being denied to the majority of our people who find it cost-prohibitive to take their case to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council,” he said.

“Having the CCJ as an all-inclusive final appellate court, will cure this egregious injustice of exclusivity that has plagued us since 1834,” Browne said, while adding that the fact that the CCJ is an itinerant court (travelling court) will help offset costs for litigants.

Former attorney general Justin Simon QC noted that between 2007 and 2014 about a dozen cases from Antigua and Barbuda were taken before the Privy Council, while over 30 cases were taken before the CCJ which was inaugurated in 2005 and which also serves as an international tribunal interpreting the Revised treaty of Chaguaramas.

Simon said the statistics suggest there is a serious problem of a lack of access to justice as he pointed to two cases where litigants spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to cover legal expenses before the Privy Council.

In a video message, Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque also expressed support from the proposed move, stressing it will “complete the country’s circle of independence.”

He said the court was set up with the highest levels of international standards and steps were taken, and remain in place to ensure there’s no political interference in the management and operations of the court.

According to him, the CCJ is also staffed with some of the “highest intellectual minds” and “there’s no other court in the world as independent” as the CCJ since it is funded under a unique trust fund arrangement and does not have to rely on governments for money.

Another point noted was that the judges are not appointed by the heads of government.

CCJ President Sir Dennis Byron, who applauded the main opposition UPP and the ruling administration for dealing with this issue with “political maturity”, said there’s no evidence justifying public concern of political interference, while he highlighted that the “high quality” judgments of the court are readily available for public perusal.

Explaining the system used to ensure the financial independence of the institution, he said, “The financial arrangements of the court included the establishment of a trust fund where member states invested US$100 million with the expectation that the interest of that investment would fund the court in perpetuity.”

Meanwhile, head of the education campaign mission, Ambassador Dr Clarence Henry said in order for the national referendum to be executed, elections rules must be drafted and that is currently being done by Dr Francis Alexis, a constitutional lawyer based in Grenada.

“He has been provided with all necessary legislation from which draft rules for the referendum will be drawn, in consultation with the Antigua and Barbuda Electoral Commission and there’s also a parliamentary process to be followed,” he reported.

On Friday morning, there will be another session which will be led by youth Read more


Candidates in this article:
HOPE
Source: SMN-News
11 Mar 2016 02:26 PM

PHILIPSBURG:--- The government of St. Maarten who did not have a balanced budget over the past five years have paid Clean St. Maarten a total of NAF. 55,857,649.66 for the collection of garbage and other cleaning.

SMN News managed to obtain the figures from the department of finance now that garbage contracts are being issued to various companies.
While Clean St. Maarten is only one of the four companies that were awarded with garbage collection contracts and cleaning contracts  for the the Dutch side of the island, there is always overflowing garbage bins since garbage sometimes are not picked up for weeks Read more


Candidates in this article:
DP
HOPE
Source: 721 News
10 Mar 2016 04:01 AM

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


Candidates in this article:
DP
HOPE
Source: SMN-News
09 Mar 2016 04:44 PM

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


Candidates in this article:
OSPP
HOPE
Source: 721 News
07 Mar 2016 12:04 AM

We Aren’T Taking It Anymore, We Are Mad As Hell!

Lenny Priest Leader of One St. Maarten People Party

It is unacceptable that we just can’t get anything right since obtaining the status of country within the Dutch Kingdom on October 10, 2010. Over and over we have to repeat the shame that the established parties (UP, NA, DP, US) are putting this country through Read more


Candidates in this article:
OSPP
HOPE
Source: SMN-News
06 Mar 2016 07:26 PM

PHILIPSBURG:--- It is unacceptable that we just can’t get anything right since obtaining the status of country within the Dutch Kingdom on October 10, 2010. Over and over we have to repeat the shame that the established parties (UP, NA, DP, US) are putting this country through Read more


Candidates in this article:
UPP
HOPE
Source: SMN-News
05 Mar 2016 12:47 PM

Mp Lloyd Richardson Doing Everything Possible To Secure His Brother's Garbage Contract Even At The Expense Of His First Cousin.

UPP Leader wants to maintain Port de Plaisance agreement.

PHILIPSBURG:---- While MP Hyacinth Richardson was the first MP to ask MP Lloyd Richardson to support the draft 2016 budget and to stop rejoicing over the arrest of MP Silvio Matser because they are first cousins.
SMN News understands that MP Lloyd Richardson agreed to support the draft 2016 budget if he is given a guarantee that he will get his brother’s garbage collection contract renewed, while the leader of the United Peoples Party Theodore Heyliger wants to maintain the agreement the former government has with Port de Plaisance for land that is zoned for a parking area.
Wanting to control at least three of the government owned companies will also give certain politicians the rights to dictate and spend the monies these companies have aside for projects.
There is a saying if someone does the crime, certainly they should also do the time, another is everyone is innocent until proven guilty Read more


Candidates in this article:
NA
HOPE
Source: The Daily Herald
05 Mar 2016 06:35 AM

Marlin Seeking Support For Budget, Not For New Govt.

 ~ Theo refutes claims of locking out independents ~

PHILIPSBURG--National Alliance (NA) leader Prime Minister William Marlin made it clear on Friday afternoon that he is not seeking to form any new governing coalition, b Read more


Candidates in this article:
HOPE
Source: SXMIslandTime
04 Mar 2016 11:19 AM

Andrew Holness Sworn In As Prime Minister Of Jamaica

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Andrew Michael Holness, a five-term elected Member of Parliament, was Thursday appointed Prime Minister of Jamaica at King’s House in St Andrew.

He was sworn in by Governor-general Sir Patrick Allen.

Holness, having taken the oath of allegiance and oath of office, also signed the instrument of appointment as Prime Minister, much to the delight of those gathered to witness his appointment.

The standard of outgoing prime minister Portia Simpson Miller was then lowered and Holness’ standard broken.

The following is the full text of the inaugural address by Prime Minister Andrew Holness at his swearing-in ceremony.

Partnership for Prosperity

Salutations
Your Excellencies, the Governor General, the Most Honourable Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen

Leader of the Opposition the Most Honorable Portia Simpson Miller

Former Prime Ministers:

The Most Honorable Edward Seaga and Mrs Seaga

The Most Honorable PJ Patterson

The Honorable Bruce Golding and Mrs Golding

My fellow Jamaicans

Good afternoon.

I recognize that I stand here today only by the Grace of God Read more


Candidates in this article:
PPA
HOPE
Source: The Daily Herald
03 Mar 2016 11:31 PM

Dutch Mps Laud Vote Buying Investigation

THE HAGUE--The liberal democratic VVD party, the Labour Party PvdA, Socialist Party (SP) and the Party for Freedom PVV in the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament lauded the move of the St. Maarten Prosecutor’s Office in Wednesday’s arrest of St. Maarten Member of Parliament (MP) Silvio Matser and two others in the vote buying investigation.

Members of the Second Chamber André Bosman (VVD), Roelof van Laar (PvdA) and Ronald van Raak (SP) were especially content that the Prosecutor’s Office and other local law enforcement agencies were moving ahead with the active investigation and prosecution of illicit acts by elected/government officials.

Sietse Fritsma (PVV) stated that Matser’s arrest in connection with election fraud didn’t come as no surprise as “vote buying has been the common practice for many years in the banana republic St Read more


Candidates in this article:
HOPE
Source: 721 News
03 Mar 2016 01:39 AM

Education Minister Congratulates Winners Of 44Th Debating Competition

PHILIPSBURG – Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Silveria Jacobs congratulated team Antigua, who emerged the winners of the 44th annual Leeward Islands Debating Competition, which was held on St. Maarten for the first time.

Minister Jacobs also congratulated team St. Maarten, the sub-champions of the competition who defeated the defending champions from Anguilla to qualify for the final round Read more


Candidates in this article:
HOPE
Source: SMN-News
01 Mar 2016 09:44 PM

PHILIPSBURG:--- Honorable Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Silveria Jacobs congratulates team Antigua, the winners of the 44th Annual Leeward Islands Debating Competition which was held on St. Maarten for the first time.

Minister Jacobs also congratulates team St. Maarten, the sub-champions of competition who defeated the defending champions from Anguilla to qualify for the final round Read more


Candidates in this article:
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