SXMElections.com

I voted for improvement yet nothing has changed

Dear Editor,

Please allow me some space in your newspaper to address the United People’s party.

UP party, as a supporter of the united people’s party, I have a request in return for all my hard work and efforts in getting votes for the current government body.

It is only fair and understandable that while some other supporters/campaigners are benefitting from their input; Erno York has only received small but appreciated donations Read more

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Editorial - Same criteria

Sometimes a point made in this column can lead to misunderstanding. One hardly can be against expanding the number of cabinet members from the current five to the normal seven mentioned in the Constitution, but the fact is that it really would be worthwhile only if the persons involved prove an added value.

Moreover, no obvious objection exists to reappointing parliamentarian Maurice Lake – who apparently is very interested – as VROMI minister, especially as he has held the position before Read more

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We are missing the point

Dear Editor,

I was shocked to read in the editorial of The Daily Herald on Saturday, May 23, 2015 that it will better serve St. Maarten maybe to have five ministers as a matter of cutting the expenses for the Country.

You know what, the editor may well be right in his assumption from the point of departure that they are even with the five not achieving any noteworthy improvement or should I say changes that serve this Community as a whole and his experience with the present ministers.

However, with all that said, our constitution explicitly says what constitutes an Executive Government for this Country and it also provides directives if and when we see the need to carry out any changes.

Mr Read more

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Ministers of government do not make mistakes

Dear Editor,

I read an article on MP Maurice Lake and wanted to compare reports, but that was not possible. Mr. Lake stated that he had made mistakes in the past, but that people learn from their mistakes. The term that is used in this case is cliché. Ministers of government do not make mistakes. They accept to do whatever is done in the way that it is done and not in the way that it should be done Read more

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Charlotte Brookson Academy to relocate from USM year end

~ LaBega saddened by MP's remarks ~

PHILIPSBURG--Charlotte Brookson Academy (CBA) of the Performance Arts will be relocating from its current home at the University of St. Martin (USM) to another location at the end of the year.

USM Dean of Academics and Interim President Dr. Francio Guadeloupe said the contract between CBA and USM ends in June and the tertiary institution has given CBA until December to find another suitable location.

CBA has been occupying classrooms at USM since it first opened its doors almost three years ago to provide education for students with a strong interest in the arts and with a strong focus on academics.

A source close to CBA said the intention was never for the school to be permanently housed at USM Read more

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Pure rhetoric

Dear Editor,

Please allow me some space in your newspaper to address Member of Parliament Maurice Lake.

MP Lake, with interest I read your latest releases concerning making the University of St. Maarten the key institution in forming our young St. Maarteners to be the future leaders of our nation. Also, your recent statements about moving our country forward by executing projects, which will create jobs for our people who are struggling and suffering because of lack of financial income; nothing wrong about this.

But from my point of view I classify your remarks as pure political rhetoric and I will explain you why.

During our discussions concerning the sale of the Emilio Wilson estates we discussed the transfer of the 5000 M2 setback, situated behind the Emilio Wilson Park, to the board of the Charlotte Brookson Academy to build their new facilities there Read more

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Lake: ‘High time’ for two missing ministers

PHILIPSBURG--United People's (UP) party Member of Parliament (MP) Maurice Lake has issued a call to his coalition partners that it is "high time" the two missing ministers be appointed to the Marcel Gumbs Cabinet "to get this country moving."

The Gumbs Cabinet, sworn in in December 2014, has had two ministers carrying double portfolios Read more

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Editorial - Less is more?

Parliamentarian Maurice Lake has a point (see related story). The Gumbs cabinet has been short of two members for more than five months now.

Along with the lack of a governing programme, missing two ministers of what would normally be seven conceivably hampers the functioning of this government backed by a UP-led coalition Read more

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USM in dire financial straits, suggests education surcharge

~ Govt to raise subsidy in 2016 ~

PHILIPSBURG--University of St. Martin (USM) outlined its dire financial situation on Wednesday, showing that the institution has been operating at an average deficit of some US $159,000 per annum over the past five years.

USM Manager of Finances and Operations Robert Budike painted the grim picture during a meeting of Parliament’s Permanent Committee on Education and Youth.

Budike suggested that an education surcharge similar to the St Read more

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88 kids under court mandated protection

PHILIPSBURG--There are 88 minor children under court-mandated protection as of this month, according to the Court of Guardianship.

Of those 88 children, 34 are still living at home with their parents, but will receive regular protection checkups. Seven children are with foster families and 47 are in foster homes operated by a number of foundations.

Court of Guardianship head Richelda Emmanuel told Parliament’s Justice Committee on Tuesday afternoon that Government was responsible only for the upkeep of children under court-mandated protection.

Children placed in foster homes by parents or guardians are not covered and their upkeep remains the responsibility of their parent or legal guardian as outlined in the Civil Code of the country Read more

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Management of SMHDF fights suspension, seeks compensation

PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation's (SMHDF's) Finance Manager Emilio Kalmera and Executive Assistant Miurica Williams challenged their suspensions by the foundation's Supervisory Board in the Court of First Instance on Wednesday.

Managing Director Henry Lynch saw his service agreement with SMHDF end on February 4, based on a host of allegations concerning financial mismanagement and embezzlement.

Representing Kalmera and Williams, attorney Cindy Marica called her clients' suspension invalid and illegitimate, as only the Board of Directors, not the Supervisory Board, would be entitled to make such a decision.

Marica said furthermore that SMHDF had not worked diligently in dealing with the cases against her clients Read more

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MPs review options for new building

PHILIPSBURG--The creation of a building team and deciding on whether to opt for government lease land or to purchase a parcel for the construction of a new Parliament Building were among the topic Members of Parliament (MPs) dealt with in a meeting of Ad Hoc Committee for the New Parliament Building on Friday morning.

The meeting, chaired by United People's (UP) party MP Franklin Meyers, was originally opened to the public, but was closed after committee members decided "due to the sensitivity" of the subject that the meeting should be closed.

Independent MP Cornelius de Weever has suggested before the closure for the committee to get a list of available land from government that is suitable for the building MPs want to have constructed.

Meyers said a list of possible locations was on hand as well as some possible options of private land for purchase.

United St Read more

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