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The Much Anticipated Dp Meeting Has Been Postponed Until Further Notice

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Democratic Party (DP) leader MP Sarah Wescot on Friday informed the general public that the much anticipated DP meeting this Saturday has been postponed until further notice.

However, the DP leader explained the postponement is only for a short period, as we allow the many events scheduled for the same date to take precedence and truth be told, t Read more

Mp George Pantophlet: Irresponsible Behavior

There is no plausible argument for the irresponsible behavior displayed on Monday November 7, 2022 by the so called representatives of the people of St. Maarten who were present but did not sign in to allow the meeting to discuss the Unity Flag to be held. It is an insult to the persons who were present and more so an act of self above country when it comes to the people of St. Maarten both North and Southern side.

To add insult to injury, when it was decided to hold an informal meeting or gathering these perpetrators decided to attend and some even took pictures which is total hypocrisy Read more

Pfp, Pantophlet & Wescot-Williams Request Urgent Cc On Cybersecurity

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Party for Progress (PFP) Members of Parliament (MPs) Melissa Gumbs and Raeyhon Peterson – along with MPs George Pantophlet of National Alliance (NA) and Sarah Wescot-Williams of United Democrats (UD) – have requested an urgent central committee meeting of Parliament, following last weeks cybersecurity attack at government-owned company N.V Read more

Pantophlet Lauds Van Huffelen ForHonouring Her Word, Giving Hope

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) George Pantophlet on Sunday lauded the new Dutch government and in particular State Secretary for Home Affairs and Digitization Alexandra van Huffelen for keeping her promise giving the people of St Read more

The Opposition Factions Emmanuel, Pfp And Ud Called A Press Conference Today

In a somewhat unprecedented move, 3 opposition factions have called a joint press conference for Thursday, January 27that 2 pm.

It has been stated that these factions are totally upset by the arrogance of the government of Sint Maarten and its supporting factions in parliament. This is a new level of disregard for the minority in parliament.

While the factions of Emmanuel, UD and PFP have voiced their discontent throughout the budgetary proceedings, their arguments fell on deaf ears and all kind of childish arguments continue to be thrown at the MPs who question this modus operandi of the coalition.

It is beyond comprehension that not only was there no consideration for the arguments brought forward by the opposition members, but the warnings against passing the budget at this juncture from the legal sector were also callously brushed aside.

The advice by the Council of Advice from December 2021 had the same observation Read more

Unilateral Decision By Presidium Of Parliament Not Condoned By The Ud

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The UD party is not amused by the latest stunt by the presidium of parliament, so-called to improve the viewing quality of meetings of parliament. By removing the live stream from the Facebook platform, the president of Parliament is taking away the opportunity for the population at large to interact real time with the members of parliament and with one another. “This type of censorship is simply undemocratic and infringes on the fundamental right of freedom of expression.” The ire of the UD is the result ofa decision communicated to members of parliament by letter dated June 25, 2021, informing them of a change to the broadcasting of Parliamentary meetings. “Was this abrupt change necessary?,” questioned the UD Read more

Ud To The Shareholder Of Nv Gebe: Act Now!

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Was last Fridays meeting of parliament regarding GEBE a foreboding of things to come? is what the UD faction is wondering. That meeting was one requested 7 months ago and questions asked nearly 2 months ago. More answers are still to come, but in the meantime, another government-owned company drama seems to be unfolding.

UD MP Wescot elucidates: Not quite the same, but these developments at GEBE are reminiscent of the PJIA saga that played out over a period of several months, without the shareholder exerting its authority to bring the matter under control.

The consequences of that inaction by the government of St Read more

Relationship With Saint Martin AtAn All-Time Low,Says The Ud Party

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — In a press release, the UD questions the seemingly nonexistence relationship between the Government of St.Maarten and the Collectivity of St.Martin. “Have the respective Ministers met with their French-Side counterparts since taking office over a year ago?” the party questions.

The UD is on record for standing up for this relationship, as the party is convinced that the future of this island is one of togetherness, not separation.Other than lofty words at commemorative events, there is lately very little to show for the one-islandness many like to profess.

We are still in a pandemic as Covid-19 continues to affect us economically and has basically crippled our tourism product Read more

Sarah: The Prime MinisterS Refusal To Discuss Implementation OfThe Country Package Of St. Maarten Is Unacceptable

Philipsburg, St. Maarten,Members of Parliament have received yet another postponement of a meeting to discuss the St. Maarten country package, the implementation agenda and the Caribbean Body for Reform and Development (COHO). From the latest response by the Prime Minister to discuss the COHO and the so-called country package, it is evident that the Government has no intention to discuss this very important program with the Parliament or the population at large, expressed United Democrats Member of Parliament, Sarah A Read more

The Parliament Of Sint Maarten Missed The Opportunity To Tell The WorldWhere It Stood On The Constitutional Future Of This Country.

Philipsburg, St. Maarten,During the opening session of therecently concludedIPKO meetings held on January 6thand 7th,St. Maarten wasunable to articulateaposition on the decolonization trajectorythat a majorityof Parliament has decided toundertake and so, opines United Democrats (UD) Member of Parliament, Wescot-Williams, the Parliament of Sint Maarten has missed the opportunity to tell the world where it stood on the constitutional future of this country.

Thiswas not surprising because this articulation and defendingthe stanceon decolonization has not been forthcoming on St Read more

Mp Wescot-Williams: Pm Jacobs Cautions Parliament About Decolonization Chatter; Barking Up The Wrong Tree

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — In a letter dated November, the Prime Minister of St. Maarten apprised parliament of her most recent contact with State Secretary Knops regarding the continued liquidity support in the form of a third tranche. This interaction took place on November 11TH, as per the prime ministers letter.

I was pleasantly surprised to receive this update, given governments lackluster performance in keeping parliament timely informed. However, the conclusion of the letter gives away the true reason behind this letter to parliament Read more

Mp Heyliger-Marten Clarifies ParliamentS Approach Towards Decolonization

Understanding the process requires extensive reading and understanding of international law

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — In a statement issued on November 9th, the Faction Leader of the UPP and Second Vice-Chair of Parliament, MP Grisha Heyliger-Marten responded to statements from the opposition parties in Parliament regarding the decolonization process.

In the first place, MP Heyliger-Marten stated, I would like to point out that, to a certain extent, I can understand the confusion that the UD and PFP factions are referring to Read more

Ud Extends Us Election Congratulatory Message

Philipsburg — The United Democratic Party of Sint Maarten extends congratulations to President-Elect, Joe Biden and Vice President Elect Kamalah Harris of the United States of America. To all the American people for massively exercising their fundamental democratic right to elect their President and Senate and House representatives: You have demonstrated that the power of the people is by the ballot. History has been made showing that regardless of age, race, gender, ethnicity, barriers have been broken Read more

Governor Holiday Holds Consultations Regarding The Election Results

Harbour View Today, January 10, 2020, the Governor of Sint Maarten, His Excellency drs. E.B. Holiday was informed by the chairman of the Central Voting Bureau about the proceedings of the January 9, parliamentary elections. Governor Holiday also received the preliminary results of the January 9, 2020, parliamentary elections.

Interim Prime Minister Ms. S. Jacobs has, in view of the elections, made the portfolios of the Ministers and the Minister Plenipotentiary available. The Governor informed the Prime Minister that he will take the resignation into consideration and requested the Ministers and the Minister Plenipotentiary to continue to handle the daily operations of government and to continue working with him in the interest of Sint Maarten until a decision has been taken concerning the request for resignation.

Based on the preliminary results the Governor decided to start consultations today with various persons to gather information to decide on the process for the formation of a new government Read more

Seven Political Leaders In The Political Debate 2020 Organized By Pjd-2 Radio & Sxm Daily News

PHILIPSBURG, ST. MAARTEN — PJD-2 Radio & SXM Daily News is hosting a Political Debate 2020 to introduce and present the parties Leaders who are contesting the upcoming Island/Parliamentary election on Sunday, January 5, 2020 which will allow them to give the general public their party’s ideologies and views on the relevant issues.

The debate will broadcast live via St. Maarten Cable TV channel 115 and via www.stmaartenmediacenter.com and facebook.

Doors open at 7pm and everyone should be seated at 7.30pm because the live broadcast will start promptly at 8pm and end at 11pm.

The debate will be at the Musical Institute Building on Backstreet next to the alley leading to A.C Read more

Government Saves Millions Of Naf On Water Purchase.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — “The amount of water that has to be purchased under the current ‘take or pay’ clauses of the purchasing agreements have resulted in substantial financial losses for the country. Seven Seas Water was approached to see if Sint Maarten could get some relief from the minimum take or pay clause and their response was both immediate and positive.” – Emil Lee, Minister VSA.

Emil Lee as the Minister of VSA, who is responsible for the supply of safe drinking water, began an investigation into the financial situation of the government’s position as owner of the public water supply as part of the post-Irma assessments Read more

New General Hospital Will Come With International Quality Standards.

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten —  With the financing agreements for the new general hospital signed on Friday February 23rd, it is important for the general public to understand how health care will be improved. Although the new hospital is critical for the country, the agreement by all parties to work towards JCI or Joint Commission International Accreditation is also an important milestone accomplishment.

Acquiring the financing for the new hospital was one of the many phases outlined in the business plan that was developed by the Tripartite members; Ministry of VSA, SMMC and SZV Read more

Ministry Of Vsa Offers Persons Impacted By Irma With Temporary Housing Alternative 

 

Minister Lee inspects Temporary Emergency Housing with Dr. J Foundation

PHilipsburg, Sint Maarten –  Last week, the Minister of Public Health, Emil Lee announced the commencement of an Emergency Transitional Housing Program to be managed in by the Dr. J. Foundation. Minister Lee recently took a tour of the facility together with Dr Read more

Jacobs: El Manifiesto De Na Está Orientado A Solucionar Necesidades De La Comunidad

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten.- La líder de la Alianza Nacional (NA) Silveria Jacobs, dijo que el manifiesto del partido es un documento integral orientado a la solución de muchas preocupaciones de la población. Manifestó que su enfoque va desde la recuperación y reconstrucción de St. Maarten en todas las áreas; que incluye techo, programa de reparación de viviendas, el desarrollo de los recursos humanos del país, la creación de empleos, la reactivación y el crecimiento del sector turístico y la economía, entre muchas otras áreas.

Jacobs dijo que está orgullosa de que el manifiesto del NA contenga algo para beneficiar a casi todos, al tiempo que dio una breve visión del manifiesto en un comunicado de prensa publicado el viernes.

El NA había realizado una gira de escucha durante las últimas semanas y había escuchado las preocupaciones de la población Read more

Carty Stepping Down From Szv December 31St, 2018

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — With several systemically vital assigned tasks nearing completion and the SZV 3.0. strategic plan in full execution phase, the Director of SZV Glen Carty sees that his priority task as turnaround specialist is nearing completion. In consultation with Minister Lee, Carty will step down as Director on December 31st, 2018. Carty was appointed by the Governor by National decree on August 1st, 2016, after successfully completing the required Category A screening of the National Security of Sint Maarten.

“Glen’s contributions to the Country and SZV have been tremendous and greatly appreciated.  Both Glen and I agreed that with the hospital entering another phase of its development and the progress made on SZV’s strategic plan, it makes sense to begin the recruitment process for a new General Director.  I have asked that Glen stay on until the end of the year to allow for a proper and transparent transition.” – Emil Lee, Minister VSA

Minister of Public Health, Emil Lee will discuss the recruitment procedures for the new Director of SZV with the Supervisory Board of SZV and support the recruitment process to be carried out by the Supervisory Board Read more

Unesco Donates $50,000 To Public Schools

PHILIPSBURG –  UNESCO has approved $50,000 for the purchasing of learning materials for Public Education that were damaged by Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria.

The learning materials that are being referred to are: textbooks, workbooks, and physical education materials. The learning materials are from the different subject areas from the national curriculum such as: English and Dutch language arts, science, and physical education.

The reasons why the texts books are needed was that the damaged books and materials were in used for over a 12-year period Read more

William: Draft Law Short Term Contracts Watered Down To Primarily Benefit Businesses

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Former Prime Minister William Marlin says the draft national ordinance to amend the civil code to stem the abuse of short term labor contracts has been watered down to such an extent that the original intention of the law is no longer visible.

The current draft on the table, he adds, primarily benefits businesses and seems to make a mockery of the system Read more

Sint Maarten Christian Party Is The Only Party That Published Manifesto In Timely Manner

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten —  The Electoral Council would like to remind all political parties contesting the upcoming parliamentary elections that in accordance with the National Ordinance on Registration and Finances of Political Parties they are required to make their manifestos public in a timely manner.

In order for the public to make well-informed decision, the political program of a party should be published around the date of postulation. To date only one party, the Sint Maarten Christian Party, has presented their manifesto for the 2018 elections to the public.

According to the articles of association of the respective political parties the publication dates of their manifestos are:

–          US Party: latest February 1, 2018

–          NA: around January 5, 2018

–          SDM: latest January 5, 2018

–          SMCP: latest January 27, 2018 Read more

Breaking News: Mp Brownbill’S Attempt To Evade Prosecution Fails

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Member of Parliament Chanel Brownbill has made an attempt to prevent that he would be dragged into court for tax fraud, but a ruling from the Common Court of Justice of December 20 of last year, published on January 15, shows that the case can continue. Brownbill – currently a candidate on the United Democrats Party (UDP) list – will have to appear in court on February 7. 

Brownbill’s attorney Safira Ibrahim told the court in a closed-door hearing in December that her client has filed a tax return in the meantime and that the prosecutor ought to await  a decision from the tax inspectorate before it can prosecute.

The prosecution accuses Brownbill of keeping an amount of $1,261,078 in turnover off the books of his company Country Construction by not reporting it and by not filing a return for his income Read more