SXMElections.com

Mingo refuses to disclose details of Checkmate security contract

~ Owner's identity not provided ~

PHILIPSBURG--Questions relating to the Harbour Group of Companies' contract with Checkmate Security Services and the status of security at the port, as well as the Group's "clandestine attitude" were amongst the hot-button issues discussed in Thursday's presentation to Parliament's Permanent Committee for Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT) at Parliament House.

Committee Chairman United St. Maarten (US) party leader MP Frans Richardson organised the meeting, which was broadcast live, with the expressed goal of hearing directly from Harbour Group Chief Executive Officer Mark Mingo and his team about a number of pressing issues.

Mingo remained mum on most questions relating to security, citing competition and safety-related concerns, as well as contractual obligations.

He did not present any "information and documentation regarding the security contract with Checkmate Security Company" as formally requested by Democratic Party (DP) MP Sarah Wescot-Williams through MP Richardson Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---- Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams who is representing the Democratic Party in Parliament dispatched a letter to griffier of Parliament and copied to MP Frans Richardson to request the representatives of the St Read more

New Harbour security contract raises questions

~ Checkmate gets $2.2 million increase ~

PHILIPSBURG--The Harbour Group of Companies is expected to finalise a new agreement with Checkmate Security Services this week that will see the security company earn three times as much in 2015 as it did over the last year for services rendered at the port.

The Daily Herald understands that the Harbour subsidiary St. Maarten Ports Authority has budgeted US $3,138,300 for 2015 to spend on outside security services (Checkmate Security), up from $963,715 spent in 2014.

According to the Harbour's 2015 budget, a copy of which this newspaper has in its possession, the hourly rate charged by the security company increased in September 2013 from $6.75 to $7.07, a hike of roughly 5 per cent Read more

Marlin-Romeo requests meeting on beach policy

PHILIPSBURG--The beach policy and maintaining public access to the beaches are the bases for independent Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo's request for a meeting of Parliament's Permanent Committee for Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication.

The MP seeks "immediate change" to the policy to include and clearly stipulate that natural and manmade beaches are public domain, are not owned by any establishment or vendor, and beaches must have proper road access for emergency vehicles.

All vendors or establishments providing beach services should stack their beach chairs and umbrellas and "provide them only on a needed basis" to guests and non-guests of establishments, she said in a press statement Sunday.

Chairs and umbrellas should be picked up after use and restacked.

Non-guests should be charged a fee.

The MP wants it stipulated in business licences that not all beach chairs must be placed on the beach at the same time.

Her call for the meeting stems from the public outcry about beachfront property owners restricting access to some beaches via their private property.

Committee Chairman United St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo has sent a request on Friday February 13th to the Chairman of the Committee Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport &Telecommuncation Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Frans Richardson for a meeting to be held on the current Beach policy of Sint Maarten, and having public access to the beaches.

"The growing disputes between hotel owners and beach vendors, and citizen's frustration to access the beaches on Sint Maarten have my attention Read more

Govt losing head tax on inter-island vessels

PHILIPSBURG--Government is losing an estimated US $600,000 annually from non-collection of the US $6 head tax from inter-island vessels. This figure was shared in Parliament on Tuesday, by United St. Maarten (US) Party Member of Parliament (MP) Frans Richardson. He gathered that figure from the industry.

Vessels operating especially ferry services to the neighbouring islands are getting away "scot-free" from making the payment of US $6 a person, because government does not have any collection mechanism in place to monitor and collect the fee.

This collection, in particular for Simpson Bay Lagoon where most of the traffic originates, should be carried out by Simpson Bay Lagoon Authority Corporation (SLAC), an entity of St Read more

Parliament establishes an ad hoc Integrity Committee

PHILIPSBURG--With integrity continuing to be the buzz word in St. Maarten, Parliament established its ad hoc committee on integrity Tuesday, but not without much discussion on the membership.

The establishment of the committee was recommended by Democratic Party (DP) leader Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams in a written proposal in January Read more

Justice Minister Has No Knowledge Of Possible Replacement

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - According to reports on The Voice of St. Maarten News has learnt that Former head of the Coastguard Edson "Eddy" Kirindongo is tipped to be the next Justice Minister.

He will be replacing the current Justice Minister, the Honorable Dennis Richardson.

Although, it is still not clear as to when Kirindongo will take up the position, according to reports, he is currently being vetted, as the choice of Member of Parliament and leader of the United St. Maarten Read more