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Helligar Says Some Progress Being Made In Pension Battle

Former President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams gives her input at a meeting on the ongoing negotiations to obtain pensions for seniors who worked on the Dutch side in the 1970s.

MARIGOT--Raymond Helligar, the man who is spearheading the fight on behalf of the now so called “border workers” from the French side who are fighting to get their full pensions paid for the years they worked on the Dutch side in the 1970s, said he found a recent meeting with SZV and a mixed commission from the Ministry of Social Development and Labour “very encouraging.”

  To be better armed for negotiating, Helligar formed the Collectif des Anciens Travailleurs Francais de St Read more

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Helligar Says Some Progress Being Made In Pension Battle

MARIGOT--Raymond Helligar, the man who is spearheading the fight on behalf of the now so called “border workers” from the French side who are fighting to get their full pensions paid for the years they worked on the Dutch side in the 1970s, said he found a recent meeting with SZV and a mixed commission from the Ministry of Social Development and Labour “very encouraging.”

  To be better armed for negotiating, Helligar formed the Collectif des Anciens Travailleurs Francais de St Read more

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French-Side, Dutch-Side Hospitals Discuss Sharing Skills, Resources

MARIGOT--The health authorities of both sides of the island met Saturday in the Louis-Constant Fleming Hospital to further discuss cooperation and the sharing of skills and resources between the two hospitals, the main ingredients for a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

Those taking part in the meeting from the French side included Director of the Louis-Constant Fleming Hospital Roland Toussaint, Director of Agence Regional de la Santé (ARS) Patrice Richard, Territorial Délégué for the ARS Pascal Godefroy, President of the Health Observatory Dr Read more

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Dutch & French Side Hospital Cooperation Steadily Increasing

Dr. Felix Holiday (general surgeon), Drs. Fenna Arnell( head of the Dept. of Public Health), Mr. Antonio Pantophlet (Manager of patient care, SMMC),Emil Lee (Minister of VSA), Kees Klarenbeek (Director of SMMC), Read more

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Orient Beach Tenants Mull Legal Action If Satisfaction Not Obtained

~ Architect insists project has ‘been done by the book ~

ORIENT BAY--Three local proprietors of the new restaurant units on Orient Beach who have not signed contracts with the Collectivité based on their claims the buildings have not been constructed to French code in addition to contesting what they view as prohibitively high rent said Monday this was their “final stand.”

They alluded to a legal action if satisfaction is not obtained from the Collectivité. Meanwhile, other restaurants and boutiques in the new complex have signed contracts and opened, giving the project a half-opened look Read more

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Manzoni officially installed as Gendarmerie Commandant

MARIGOT--Sébastien Manzoni was officially installed as Commandant of the Gendarmerie for St. Martin and St. Barths on Thursday in a ceremony at the La Savane compound.

Manzoni took up his post in St. Martin on August 1, however, the ceremony was delayed due to a similar ceremony for his superior, Colonel Jean-Marc Descoux, which had to take place first in Guadeloupe.

The ceremony on Thursday was presided over by Colonel Descoux who wished Manzoni success, noting the post of a Commandant is a difficult job that rarely allows time off due to the level of crime manifesting itself on a daily basis Read more

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French Quarter residents block main road over lack of security

~ Nerves frayed after district suffers 13 fires in two months ~

MARIGOT--The main RN7 road just outside French Quarter at Angel's Insurance was blocked for nearly five hours Wednesday morning as residents demanded accountability from authorities over lack of security in the district following a series of 13 fires in the span of less than two months.

Long lines of cars built up as motorists from both directions were forced to turn around.

A phantom arsonist appears to be at work and the fact that no suspects have been positively identified as perpetrators of the crimes has left residents on tenterhooks, wondering who will be the next victim.

Tensions boiled over after a wooden house on Route de La Saline burnt down Tuesday afternoon, destroying three cars and leaving a family of six homeless Read more

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Chinese delegation impressed with island’s ‘beauty, ethnicity’

MARIGOT--“The competitive nature of the global market place demands that we act global and think global. We must sell our assets of stability, ease of access and ease of doing business.”

Those were some of the remarks made by Founder and CEO of Invest Caribbean Now (ICN), Felicia Persaud, in her keynote address at Friday’s exclusive invitation-only conference in the Chamber of Commerce on the theme “Investing in St. Martin’s Tourism Product”.

“Partnerships, collaborations, linkages, networking…that’s the key to the success of businesses, economies, governments, because from where I sit there is no way that any government on any island is smart enough to do it alone,” she added Read more

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Eviction drama exposes failings in French law to protect landlords

MARIGOT--French Quarter resident Daniella Chance Glasgow and her brother Marcel never could have imagined six years ago how difficult it would be to evict a tenant from one of their properties. If they had, they undoubtedly would have changed their minds.

Despite landlord Marcel Glasgow following procedures under French law to evict tenant Daphne Doyle (38), a Trinidad national, her companion and eight children from a two-bedroom house at #62 Around the Pond after the landlord/tenant relationship deteriorated three years ago, it took a mobilisation of neighbours, a blocked road and the intervention of Gendarmes to finally remove Doyle on Friday.

Frustration and concern for the property boiled over after a series of fires were lit over the space of a few days, allegedly by the tenant’s 14-year-old son, causing extensive damage Read more

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VP Arnell to seek advice from Préfète on homeless situation

MARIGOT--The 72-hour deadline to prevent a protest action over the homeless situation at the Marina Royale car park was extended by District Five Wednesday to give First Vice-President Guillaume Arnell a chance to discuss the situation with Préfète Anne Laubies and get back to the district with answers.

Arnell was at the district headquarters Wednesday attending a presentation of their projects, unrelated to the marina car park problem, but nevertheless was questioned on what the Collectivité is doing, or can do, about the homeless situation and other matters related to the car park Read more

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Homeless situation at marina has reached crisis point, says district

~ Authorities given 72 hours to take action ~

MARIGOT--Representatives of District Five and the marina and merchants associations of Marigot have warned they will take matters into their own hands unless authorities take action on the homeless persons’ situation and overall sanitation of the Marina Royale parking area, once and for all.

The merchants association says it is imperative that the situation is dealt with now in low season before the high season starts. Businesses or restaurants have closed in the marina due to the unresolved situation that is negatively impacting tourism and the island’s image.

A press conference at the Marina Royale parking area on the St Read more

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Laws Commission gives green light to reform RSA

~ Collectivité owes CAF 1.3M euros per month for RSA benefit ~

MARIGOT--The Laws Commission verbally approved reform of the social benefit Revenu Solidarité Active (RSA) presented by the Overseas Ministry for St. Martin in the National Assembly on July 17 and written confirmation should be received from Parliament in due course, Second Vice-President Ramona Connor said Wednesday.

With President François Hollande endorsing its reform during his official visit here in May, the Collectivité is already proceeding with adapting RSA to the fiscal revenues of the Collectivité and modifying the criteria to apply for it.

As it stands, RSA is based on fiscal law and revenues of France but the Collectivité argues it cannot realistically apply figures used in France for St Read more

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‘Musical Chairs’ movie sends powerful message

MARIGOT--St. Maarten/St. Martin Alliance for Equality (SAFE) hosted a successful screening of the very entertaining movie “Musical Chairs” at the Cultural Center in Sandy Ground on Wednesday evening.

The event produced a good turnout from a diverse public representing both French and Dutch sides. Elected officials present included First Vice-President and Senator of the Collectivité of St. Martin Guillaume Arnell, Second Vice-President of the Collectivité Ramona Connor and Territorial Councillor René-Jean Duret Read more

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Parliament committees to look into French/Dutch joint issues

Representatives of the French side Territorial Council with Members of Parliament in Parliament House on Tuesday.

PHILIPSBURG--A meeting between the French side Territorial Council and Members of Parliament (MPs) in Parliament House on Tuesday resulted in various topics discussed being sent to Parliament’s permanent committees for further deliberation and solution seeking.

Among the topics discussed was pensioners living on the French side, but who have contributed to the Dutch side’s General Pension Fund by working on the southern side of the island accessing their benefits Read more

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Collectivité honours six for Father’s Day

MARIGOT--The Collectivité held its traditional Father's Day ceremony on Friday to honour six. As usual the chosen fathers were nominated by the representatives of each district council and a biography of each nominee was presented.

The six were Joseph Liburd from French Quarter, Bruno Burnett from Grand Case, Clement Gumbs from Cripple Gate, Jocelyn Jermin from Morne Valois, Charles Richardson from Marigot, and Fernand Sylvestre from Sandy Ground.

Vice-President for Solidarity and Families Ramona Connor in her address noted celebration of fathers has existed in France since 1952.

"Today we are going to celebrate the very good fathers you are," she said Read more

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Fire at eco-landfill site brought under control

MARIGOT--An extensive fire that started in the interior of the eco-landfill site in Grand Cayes, Cul-de-Sac, on Tuesday at 9:00pm was finally contained late Wednesday afternoon after reinforcements were brought in, the Préfecture disclosed.

Fanned by a strong easterly wind the fire began to spread towards the residential areas of Cul-de-Sac and Anse Marcel. Despite the efforts of the French side firemen during the night the fire could not be extinguished and focus was put on protecting houses closest to the fire Read more

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Six honoured in annual Mother’s Day ceremony

MARIGOT--The Collectivité honoured six worthy women in its annual Mother's Day ceremony on Friday.

In keeping with tradition, the representatives of the six different councils had the difficult task of choosing someone from their district. Mother's Day on the French side is celebrated annually on the last Sunday of May.

The ceremony began with an opening address by Vice-President Ramona Connor recalling the important role of the mother in society before each district representative announced their candidate with a biography.

The chosen six included Alberta Leblanc from district one, Jocelyne Illidge for district two, Marguerite Bryan from district three, and Tamika Meyers from district four, Louisita Fleming Richardson from district five and Mercedes Thomas from district six.

The ladies were chosen for their strong family values, raising many children, and contributing much to the community Read more

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SNSM sea rescue RIB christened at marina

MARIGOT--The volunteers of French-side sea rescue service SNSM savoured an uplifting moment Friday evening when their second-hand semi-rigid inflatable boat (RIB) was christened officially at a ceremony on the shore next to Marina Fort Louis in front of elected officials and many invited guests.

The yellow RIB came into view with its crew just before the ceremony began, followed by the lifeboats SNSM 269 from St. Barths and Rescue 2 from the St. Maarten Sea Rescue Foundation, both vessels sounding their horns for the celebratory occasion before tying up to the entrance dock.

The 12-metre-long 3.62-metre-wide RIB named Rescue Star is powered by two 275-horsepower outboard engines and in calm sea conditions can reach speeds of 35-40 knots Read more

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Local Audi branch inaugurated Friday

COLE BAY--World-renowned German car brand Audi inaugurated its St. Maarten establishment amongst business partners, dignitaries and invited guests Friday night with a formal gathering culminating in the unveiling of five luxury cars, one of which was custom-made for company Chairman Imran Mcsood Amjad.

Audi set up the new location in collaboration with Caribbean Auto in Cole Bay. Latin American Sales Manager Martin Port welcomed it to the Audi family. Imran and Managing Director Tariq Amjad shared the unique selling points of Audi and some of the history making the launch possible.

Customisation, down to the colour of the threading of the leather seats, was just one of the possibilities Tariq described Read more

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Social services taking Vrolijk case in hand

MARIGOT-- Vice-President Ramona Connor confirmed the Collectivité's social services has refocused attention on the case of the elderly man Placido Vrolijk to evaluate the situation of the family, following the alarm raised by concerned citizens and neighbours earlier this week.

Social workers of the Collectivité and also from the Dutch side have visited the house on Rue de Pic Paradis.

Vrolijk (83) was born in Aruba, has Dutch nationality and is currently in poor health, but receives a pension from the Dutch side Read more

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Neighbours alarmed over health of elderly man, state of his house

MARIGOT--Neighbours and concerned citizens have raised the alarm over what they believe is a failure of social services to address adequately the situation of a family living in deplorable conditions at 43 Rue de Pic Paradis.

The primary concern is over the health of the senior member of the household, Placido Vrolijk (83), born in Aruba on September 25, 1932. He is currently bedridden and in poor health, and the family is trying to have him moved into a senior citizens home on either the French or Dutch side of the island.

"I've seen how his health is deteriorating on a daily basis," worries neighbour Alan Conner Read more

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Mayotte Delegation on visit to Collectivité

MARIGOT--A delegation of high-ranking technicians from the island of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean has been on a three-day visit to St. Martin to discuss issues common to both territories as well as issues related to Europe, Ultra Peripheral Regions RUP and to exchange information.

The delegation comprised Jacques Toto, Secretary-General in charge of General and Human Resources, Assistant Cabinet Director for European Affairs Dayane Saïd Mohamed, and Chargé de Mission RUP and European Affairs, Adrachi Velou.

President of the Conseil Général was not able to make the trip due to other commitments.

The delegation arrived Saturday from Guadeloupe where they attended the 20th conference of RUP territories Read more

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Biodiversity Institute planned for Réserve Naturelle in 2017

MARIGOT--A 1.5 million-euro Institute of Biodiversity is one of the exciting future projects Réserve Naturelle is engaged in as part of the development contract between Collectivité and State, it was disclosed at a press conference hosted by Réserve Naturelle on Thursday in Anse Marcel.

Feasibility studies are close to completion for the project and State representative Romain Perreau confirmed that 1.5 million euros has been set aside for its creation. The Institute, however, is not expected to be inaugurated before 2017.

Réserve Naturelle Director Nicolas Maslach said the institute will combine elements of research institute, environmental awareness and eco-tourism while its objective will be to improve the knowledge of ecosystems in St Read more

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Ribbon cutting launches new season of Tuesday Nights

MARIGOT--The 13th edition of "Les Mardis de Grand Case" kicked off Tuesday evening with a ribbon cutting outside the Lolos at 6:00 where scores of tourists had already descended on the main boulevard, making sure to come early to secure a parking spot for the first of what will be eight weekly events every Tuesday night in season.

Organized each year by Calypso Events, Tuesday Nights has become one of the most successful events in the calendar drawing tourists and locals alike to the boulevard that is transformed into a pedestrian-only street market Read more

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