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French St. Martin: Protest Against Plan Local D’Urbanisme (Plu) Yields Results

A roadblock in St. James. Photo Today / Leo Brown

Arnell: “We’ll go back to the drawing board”

MARIGOT, St. Martin — The Second Vice President of the Collectivité Guillaume Arnell has agreed to revisit the Plan Local d’Urbanisme (PLU) after a meeting with the different social organizations and communities at the Hotel de la Collectivité on Thursday evening Read more

>MARIGOT:--- Residents, business owners, school children and visitors to the island were left in a state of disarray on Thursday when they found themselves trapped on the French side of the island. During the morning hours’ protestors and the 15 member committee members that are protesting the PLU law that is to be implemented on St. Martin blocked all entrances leading to Marigot.
The committee members are demanding that elected officials scrap the current PLU law and start over, but first they must properly inform the community of St Read more

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

Invest Caribbean Now 2015 Makes Splashy Opening In Terres Basses, St. Martin

NEW YORK, NY - Invest Caribbean Now 2015 entered its fifth year last night with a splashy opening ceremony at the prestigious Villa Mes Aimes in Terres Basses area of Saint Martin, West Indies.

Top government and local VIPS joined 41 Chinese delegates and several other overseas delegates for the opening reception and dinner which also included the presentation of the ICN 2015 Leadership Award.

A St. Martin tourism pioneer who was attracted to the sector at age 12 and went on to serve the island as a deputy mayor and creator of the Syndicat d’Initiatives, the precursor to the current Saint Martin Office of Tourism, was the ICN 2015 Leadership Award winner.
Romeo Fleming, head of the Romeo Fleming Group of Companies, which includes the current Hertz Rent a Car on St Read more

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

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

>PHILIPSBURG:---- Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, on Friday afternoon met with the Prefete of St. Martin and St. Barths Anne Laubies and Vice President Guillaume Arnell regarding preparations for Hurricane Danny.
The Prefet and the Prime Minister briefed each other on the preparations that have been taken so far in preparation for Hurricane Danny.
A number of points were agreed upon with respect to the coordination and synchronization of certain activities in times of pre- and post-natural disaster events.
After each Emergency Operations Center or Disaster Committee meeting, the government representatives will exchange decisions that have come out of those meetings.
The closure of businesses was also another point to be coordinated between both sides of the island; closure of airports will also be coordinated; and both sides will also exchange communications that are disseminated to the public with respect to information and actions that need to be taken.
“The meeting with the Prefet was very informative Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs Meets With St. Martin Prefete Laubies Regarding Preparations For Hurricane Danny

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, on Friday afternoon met with the Prefete of St. Martin and St. Barths Anne Laubies and Vice President Guillaume Arnell regarding preparations for Hurricane Danny.

The Prefet and the Prime Minister briefed each other on the preparations that have been taken so far in preparation for Hurricane Danny.

A number of points were agreed upon with respect to the coordination and synchronization of certain activities in times of pre- and post-natural disaster events.

After each Emergency Operations Center or Disaster Committee meeting, the government representatives will exchange decisions that have come out of those meetings.

The closure of businesses was also another point to be coordinated between both sides of the island; closure of airports will also be coordinated; and both sides will also exchange communications that are disseminated to the public with respect to information and actions that need to be taken.

“The meeting with the Prefet was very informative.  As one island there should be some coordination at the disaster management level and this was what this meeting was about,” Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs said on Friday.

In Photo: Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs (left), Paul Martens, Office of Disaster Management, and Prefete Anne Laubies (right), Chef Cabinet Emmanuel Effantin and Vice President Guillaume Arnell Read more

‘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

Gendarmes, Firemen, honoured in Bastille Day pinning ceremonies

MARIGOT--The usually predictable format of the Bastille Day programme took on a different twist Tuesday when military medals were bestowed on six Gendarmes and, in a separate ceremony, three professional firemen promoted in rank received their stripes.

The medal ceremony for the Gendarmes of St. Martin and St. Barths conducted by Colonel Thiriot, second in command of the Guadeloupe Gendarmerie, preceded the wreath-laying ceremony at the war memorial in the garden of Hotel de la Collectivité.

Dignitaries from both sides of the island and Anguilla had attended a service in the Catholic Church just earlier.

The Military Medal, France’s third highest military distinction, was pinned on the lapels of Adjudant-Chef Nicolas Heslon (48) of the St Read more

Island Gems Assists With Sessad New Playground

MARIGOT, St. Martin - With children and education at the core of its criteria for grants, Island Gems Charity Foundation recently play a part in the acquisition of a specialized playground for the Service d'Education Speciale et de Soins a Domicile SESSAD.

The organization, located in the heart of Marigot offers special education with care at home for some 50 children, age five to 15.

Island Gems, the island's oldest and all-women charity, was approached via its Vice President Karine Fleming to be participate in the project to acquire a new playground Read more

Island Gems assists with SESSAD new playground

MARIGOT--With children and education at the core of its criteria for grants, Island Gems Charity Foundation recently played a part in the acquisition of a specialised playground for the Service d'Education Speciale et de Soins a Domicile SESSAD. The organisation, located in the heart of Marigot offers special education with care at home for some fifty children, ages five to 15.

Island Gems, the island's oldest and all-women charity, was approached via its Vice President Karine Fleming to participate in the project to acquire a new playground Read more

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

EU Funding Available to Construct Waste Management Plant at Bellevue Border --- Deadline to Obtain EU Funds has to be completed by December 2015.

style="text-align: center;">What will this do to the MOU signed with GB Energy and GEBE?

PHILIPSBURG:--- Members of the French Executive Council met with members of Members of Parliament on Tuesday to discuss the usage of European funding that are available to both sides of the island.
Both President Aline Hanson and Vice President Guillaume Arnell told the Members of Parliament that the two sides of the island have to take matters seriously and work efficiently in order for the island to obtain the funding to construct some main projects, one being a waste management plant in the vicinity of Bellevue border Read more

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

Betaille: ‘Outlook bleak for solving juvenile delinquency in St. Martin’

MARIGOT--Commandant of the Gendarmerie in St. Martin and St. Barths Paul Betaille said Tuesday that French St. Martin is blighted by delinquency despite a number of Collectivité training programmes and incentive schemes aimed at the youth. He noted the situation could only improve with dedicated political will and deep analysis of the situation.

Speaking at a gathering and cocktail party in La Savane to mark his departure in August for a new posting, Betaille remarked that "delinquency is ingrained in the local culture," adding young St Read more

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

Hanson re-confirms decisions of President Hollande during visit

MARIGOT--In her first reaction to President François Hollande's official visit on Friday, President Aline Hanson first thanked the population for giving the Head of State a cordial welcome. Many people had lined the roads from Grand Case, La Savane, Rambaud and Cripple Gate to wave to the motorcade as it passed.

The President in turn reciprocated by chatting with well-wishers on his arrival at Hotel de la Collectivité.

Hanson said she was pleased with the outcome of the Presidential visit Read more

Unprecedented security in place for President François Hollande

MARIGOT--Practically the entire law enforcement detachment of the French side will be on duty for President François Hollande's very brief official visit today, the first for a French President since Jacque Chirac's visit in 2000.

According to reports, 198 Gendarmes will be assuring security assisted by the Territorial Police and officers from Police aux Frontières (PAF). The President will also no doubt have his own security detail close to him.

The Presidential plane is due to touch down at Princess Juliana International Airport at 3:30pm where President Hollande will be welcomed by Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, Governor Eugene Holiday and Chairman of Parliament Dr Read more

Grégoire Ratchel honoured in traditional Fish Day ceremony

MARIGOT--Retired fisherman Grégoire Ratchel was honoured by the Collectivité for his lifelong contribution to the community at the opening of the 13th Annual Fish Day celebration in French Cul-de-Sac on Sunday.

He was presented with a plaque by First Vice-President Guillaume Arnell and Vice-President Wendel Cocks Read more

Cohen, Just win damages after court annuls Sindextour AOTs

MARIGOT--The former tenants of the original Bikini and Kon Tiki Restaurants on Orient Beach, Elisa Cohen and Philippe Just, have been awarded unspecified damages by the Collectivité and Sindextour, represented by Norbert Luftman, following an administrative court ruling in St. Martin on Friday that cancelled the temporary occupation permits (AOTs) for parcel AW33 issued by the Collectivité to Sindextour.

The long-running case against Sindextour saw both Cohen and Just evicted from the two restaurants by bailiffs in September 2013.

The AOTs were issued to Sindextour following a second vote by the Executive Council on September 4, 2012, following a vote on the issue in July of that year Read more

First of the new St. Martin driving licences delivered

 MARIGOT--The first batch of the new credit card-type St. Martin driving licences have arrived and are ready to be distributed as of today, it was announced at a press conference on Friday.

The batch of 475 licences include 149 that are first time issues for new drivers, 93 that are duplicates, 114 that have been exchanged i.e. residents of St. Martin who were issued with a St. Maarten licence, and 119 that fall into a conversion category (changing from military licence to civil licence etc.) Read more

Arnell: ‘Collectivité can only act as a mediator in Minville case’

MARIGOT--First Vice-President Guillaume Arnell said Monday the Collectivité cannot intervene in the Minville family land dispute as the land falls under private ownership and not under domain land that has been handed over to the Collectivité by the State.

"If it was Collectivité land this case would have already been sorted out by now," he said.

Given the recent court ruling and heavy fines, Arnell added the only option left for the family is to try and come to a "friendly agreement" with Société des Hôtels Caraïbes for a compromise on division of the land, acceptable to both parties, that would give the Minville family some peace of mind at least and in this regard he is willing to act as a mediator.

The land in question is that of Morne Rond, an area starting at the St Read more

Car recycling station inaugurated at landfill

MARIGOT--A presentation of a new 450,000-euro car recycling station was made Thursday, at the eco-landfill site in Grande Cayes where demonstrations were given of stripping down and de-polluting car wrecks with special equipment for parts that can be recycled.

Previously the landfill had no facility to deconstruct a car wreck from start to finish for recycling. In the past car wrecks were only crushed by independent contractors and shipped off-island.

The deconstruction process has now been made possible by the company Indra SAS Re-source Engineering Solutions, a pioneer in automobile recycling, which partners with car manufacturers Renault, Nissan etc.

Ten million cars reach the end of their lives in Europe and the new European Union (EU) target as of January, 2016, is 95 per cent of the car to be recycled, up from presently 82-85 per cent.

Managing Director of Verde SXM Patrick Villemin, the company that manages the landfill introduced the President of Indra SAS, Olivier Guadeau, who gave an overview of how “end of life vehicle” (ELV) centres operate; the company has 400 of them.

Inside the hangar, there are two independent work stations with special equipment, one to de-pollute the vehicle of oils and fuels, batteries and other hazardous waste, and the other station to remove the engine, transmission or other parts of the car that are difficult to remove Read more