SXMElections.com

Ruling Jlp Wins Parish Council Elections

KINGSTON, Jamaica  – The Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) won yesterday’s Local Government Elections, taking eight of the country’s 13 parish councils, including the prized Kingston and St Andrew Corporation, in a poll marked by extremely low voter turnout, signalling widespread disinterest in a governance system hobbled by poor credibility.

Preliminary results at press time last night showed that the JLP had also taken the parish councils in Clarendon, Portland, St Ann, St Elizabeth, St James, St Mary, and Trelawny.

Ties reported in St Thomas and St Catherine will likely be resolved by the official count which could be completed today.

The voter turnout of 30 percent was said to be the lowest in the country’s local government election history.

Last night, Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who is also the JLP leader, welcomed the party’s second victory at the polls in nine months as a positive response to the JLP’s performance in Government.

However, he warned supporters celebrating the victory at the party’s Belmont Road headquarters in Kingston that the real work to turn around the economy must start today.

“This victory can almost be seen as a referendum on our performance for the last nine months, and Jamaica is saying, you have performed,” Holness told the huge crowd.

He noted that the JLP has moved from controlling none of the island’s municipal corporations (parish councils) to taking charge of at least eight of those councils.

He also pointed out that in the Westmoreland Council, in which there was no JLP representation up to yesterday, the party had improved its position to hold five of the 14 divisions.

He thanked the “very hard-working team of councillors and councillor/caretakers” who represented the party in the election.

“We celebrate tonight as we should, because we deserve this victory,” Holness encouraged the jubilant supporters Read more

Jamaicans Are Voting In Local Government Elections

KINGSTON, Jamaica  –  A total of 489 candidates are competing for 228 divisions, plus the mayoralty of the Portmore community in today’s Local Government Elections.

The battle is really on between the two major political parties, although active independents in St Ann, Westmoreland, St Mary, St James and Hanover could decide the majority in the councils (municipal corporations) in those parishes.

While the weather could have a minor impact on voting today, violence is not expected to play any major part in the electorate’s decision.

From all appearances, the generally high level of crime and violence affecting the country has not interfered with the campaigning by the candidates leading up to today.

“We had a very peaceful campaign right across the country,” Minister of Local Government and Community Development Desmond McKenzie, who has been leading the ruling Jamaica Labour Party’s (JLP) campaign, said last night.

“Everywhere we went the reception was excellent Read more

Minister Jacobs Attends Rights Of The Child Commemoration Ceremony

MARIGOT, Saint Martin - The International Rights of the Child Day 2016 ceremony, hosted this year by the Collectivité de Saint-Martin, under the theme “Educate me Right so my Future is Bright,” was held on November 21st 2016, at the Hotel de la Collectivité in Marigot. The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sports, the Honorable Silveria Jacobs was in attendance Read more

Social Activist Mr. Quincy Gario Gives Keynote At The Usm

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Faced with what many consider the worldwide resurgence of virulent forms of ethnic chauvinism and xenophobia, fear and urban uprisings as Donald J Trump prepares to inhabit the White House, and, the PVV, the Dutch rightwing party, becoming the major vote getter in the upcoming elections in the Netherlands, The University of St. Martin (USM) has teamed up with the Eastern Caribbean Public Health Foundation (ECPHF) of Sint Eustatius, and the National Archaeological and Anthropological Memory Management (NAAM) on Curacao, to organize a 2 day Conference entitled: Raising the Curtain on Race.

To start off the discussion and offer useful input, Mr Read more

Complacency, Accountability And Incompetence A Recipe For Disaster.

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The St. Maarten Hospitality &Trade Association (SHTA) took note of the recent arrest in the Immigration Department and applauds this step toward improved accountability. As a young nation, we must find the way to uphold ethics and accountability in ourselves and our fellow citizens. Unfortunately, there are far too few shining examples of proper accountability. This month in particular we are overwhelmed with just the opposite.

Simpson Bay Parking

The soft opening of a parking lot that rumors have cost an extraordinary amount of tax dollars; which seemingly has been built solely for the betterment of a lolo that operates illegally Read more

Upp Deputy Leader Denies Failing Screening

PHILLIPSBURG, St. Maarten -  Deputy leader of the United People’s Party, Member of Parliament Frankie Meyers has refuted reports that he failed the screening process paving the path for him to become a Minister in the next government.

As a result of the alleged failed screening of candidate Ministers of the UP, the National Alliance has shifted from the September 27th signed agreement between the political parties to form the next government, opting to work instead with the Democratic Party and the United St Read more

Prime Minister William Marlin Temporarily Suspends The Council Of Ministers Press Briefing For Two Weeks

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten — As of this week, Prime Minister William Marlin via the Department of Communication (DCOMM) has suspended the Live Weekly Council of Ministers Press Briefing for the period of November 23rd through the 30th.

The cancellation of the Live Weekly Council of Ministers Press Briefing is for DCOMM to facilitate the move of the existing television production equipment to the New Government Administration building, on Pond Island Read more

Electric Cars A Cheaper And Cleaner Alternative

PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic – St. Vincent and the Grenadines continues to test an electric vehicle from Barbados-based Megapower, as the Dr. Ralph Gonslaves administration seeks to develop a policy aimed at weaning the country off total dependence on fossil fuel.

Director of the Energy Unit in the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Government Ellsworth Dacon said testing commenced earlier this year is now at an advanced stage.

“We have had some data from Barbados but Barbados is flat Read more

St Vincent Opposition Party Selects New Leader

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent  –  Lawyer and four-time Member of Parliament, Dr. Godwin Friday, was elected to lead the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), when he garnered the support of his colleagues in a vote on Thursday.

This paves the way for him to be sworn in as leader of the opposition.

This development comes just two days after Arnhim Eustace, who led the NDP since October 2000 and became opposition leader in March 2001, told the NDP’s central committee that he is stepping down from both posts.

Following Friday’s selection, a letter was sent to Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne informing him of the development as well as a communiqué stating that Arnhim Eustace had formally resigned as leader of the opposition.

It was widely speculated that Friday, who along with MP for the Southern Grenadines, Terrance Ollivierre, were elected in March 2001, making them the longest-serving opposition MP’s after Eustace, would have defeated the other two contenders for the position – the MP for Central Kingstown and fellow NPD vice president, St Read more

Arnhim Eustace To Step Down As Opposition Leader

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent  – Leader of the main opposition New Democratic Party (NDP), Arnhim Eustace, has announced his resignation from that post and as Leader of the Opposition.

The NDP made the announcement in a press release on Wednesday, following Eustace’s announcement to the party’s central committee late Tuesday

“…  the Honourable Arnhim U Read more

Minister Jacobs Attends The St. Maarten Brown Pelican Sports Awards Ceremony

PORT-DE-PLASAINCE, St. Maarten – The Second Annual Sint Maarten Brown Pelican Sports Awards ceremony, honoring local athletes and sporting legends was held on November 13th, at Princess Port de Plaisance under the tent. The SBPSA was the initiative of the Sports Department and hosted by the Minister of Sports, Silveria Jacobs. Other invited guests in attendance were His Exellency Governor E Read more

St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (Scdf) Outlines Activities For Carnival Season 2017 And Also Introduces Local Promoters

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - On Saturday, November 12th, 2016, the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) held their first press conference, as part of their preparations for the 2017 festivities. During the media information session held at Sheers Restaurant on Front Street, the SCDF outlined some of the many planed activities for the upcoming carnival season for next year.  Some of the local promoters were also introduced to the press as well. Next year’s festival will comprise of some thirty (30) days of activities, which will commence from April 17th 2017 through to May 4th, stated president of the SCDF, Alston Lourens Read more

Minister Jacobs Attends The Annual Unity Ceremony And Parade

PONDFILL St. Maarten – Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, the Honorable Silveria Jacobs, attended the 5th annual Pre- St. Maarten’s Day Unity ceremony and parade at the L.B. Scot Sports Auditorium on Thursday, November 10th. Every year the Division of Public Education arranges for a public elementary school to host the event Read more

Minister Jacobs Attends Various High Schools Pre- St. Maarten’S Day Events

SOUTH REWARD , St. Maarten – the Honorable Minister of Education Silveria Jacobs attended two high schools Pre- St. Maarten’s Day celebrations on November 10th, namely, the St. Maarten Academy PSVE and the Sundial School.

At the St. Maarten Academy PSVE School, the Minister addressed the students and teachers. The Minister informed the student that whether they were born on or born to be on St Read more

Pm William Marlin St Martin Day Address

PHILIPSBURG St. Maarten - Fellow St. Maarteners, Brothers and sisters, Family all. Many rains ago, when I was a teacher, I asked my class to write about what St. Martin Day meant to them. One shy, little boy, whose name I can’t remember now, wrote in his assignment the following: “St. Martin Day is the day for the people of this island to come together as family and enjoy each other and remember those who have gone before us.”

That simple answer stuck in my mind up till now because it captures the essence of what we are supposed to be celebrating today Read more

“Book Presentation Of “Words Of Change: Voices From Soualigan Soil” To The Philipsburg Jubilee Library By Ralph Cantave”

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten -  Author, inspiring politician, university student, history enthusiast, President of Parliament award winner of 2015 Ralph Cantave recently presented his new book entitled: “Words of change: Voices from Soualigan Soil”, which has been dedicated to the people of St. Martin to the Director and her staff at the Philipsburg Jubilee Library to circulate to the public at large.

It was Ralph Cantave’s great pleasure to donate these two copies of his books to the library on Friday November 4th, 2016 Read more

St. Martin Books And Writers At International Literature Conference

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten — Gone are the days when a territorial, regional, or international conference on education, culture, media, tourism or such related subject areas could be held in St. Martin without a single writer or serious book from the island being available for conference-goers to interact with.

At least that’s what it looked like at the recent exhibit of over 40 book titles published in St. Martin and managed by Odele Anderson, a senior member of the St. Martin Book Fair Committee.

The book exhibit was featured at the 16th annual International Conference on Caribbean Literature, November 2 – 4, 2016 Read more

Fête De La Cuisine 2016 Pays Courtesy Visit To Prime Minister William Marlin

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Prime Minister William Marlin received a courtesy visit by Mr. Henri Brookson organizer of Fête de la Cuisine 2016, who is celebrating its 10th Anniversary Read more

Simpson Bay Resort Offers Specials For Dominate 360!

Great Bay, St. Maarten – DOMINATE 360 is a three (3) day experience brings entrepreneurial experts from the US, the Netherlands, around the Caribbean and St. Maarten to equip entrepreneurs and business leaders with best practices and cutting-edge tools to be 21st century entrepreneurial leaders. Simpson Bay Resort and Marina has partnered with INFOBIZZ to ensure that this 2nd Annual DOMINATE 360 to be held on November 17-19, 2016 at the resort is a memorable experience for all Read more

Governor Addresses Winair's 50Th Anniversary

MAHO, St. Maarten - I will like to acknowledge the Management and Board of Supervisory Directors and to extend warm greetings to the former and present employees of WINAIR.

Marie-Louise and I are pleased to join all who make up the Windward Islands International Airways family to celebrate the 55th anniversary. It’s good to see a number of familiar faces ………………

Fifty five years of providing safe airline services to Sint Maarten and surrounding islands is a major feat in the often challenging, complex and competitive aviation business Read more

Sabre Reports Quarterly Financial Results

SOUTHLAKE, TX, USA - Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ: SABR), a global leader in travel technology solutions, reported its third quarter 2016 financial results this week.

The company reports results in two business segments: Travel Network, a global travel marketplace that connects more than 425,000 travel agents in more than 160 countries with airlines, hotels, car hire, cruise lines, tour operators and other travel suppliers across the world, and the Airline and Hospitality Solutions business, which provides technology software solutions and consulting to the global airline and hospitality industries. 

Sabre President and CEO Tom Klein told investors that while consolidated revenue and earnings growth rates did not meet the standards set for the business, most aspects of underlying business performance remained strong. 

For the third quarter 2016, highlights included:

Third quarter revenue increased 6.9 percentAirline and Hospitality Solutions revenue improved 19.8 percent Read more

Historic Film Made In Barbados Will Have World Premiere In Toronto On November 12Th!

TORONTO, Ontario - ERROL BARROW:FREEDOM FIGHTER will screen for the first time on Saturday, November 12 at 8 p.m. at INNIS TOWN HALL CINEMA, University of Toronto, 2 Sussex Ave., Toronto.

This docudrama is a passionate story about the courage of one man who relentlessly preached a gospel of economic self reliance and self respect to the people of his native country Barbados and the Caribbean. He defied the status quo, confronted racism and classicism, fought colonial oppression and selflessly led his people to political and economic freedom Read more

Minister Jacobs Visits Leonard Connor School, School Closed On Wednesday

CAY BAY, St. Maarten - Minister of Education Silveria Jacobs visited the Leonard Connor School Tuesday morning to ascertain how the school was coping with the challenges faced with the noxioux gases which have been negatively affecting the students and staff of the school. The Minister also wanted to make sure that all persons involved knew and understood that the challenges with air pollution negatively affecting the students and staff has the attention of the Ministry Education Culture Youth and Sports Read more

Prime Minister Marlin Requests From Prefet Deleguee Laubies The Removal Of Barricades From Dutch Controlled Territory

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten – Prime Minister William Marlin sent a letter to the Prefete Deleguee of St. Barths and Saint Martin Mme. Anne Laubies, making a clear call for the following to be done post haste.

The removal of all barricades impeding access to Dutch controlled territory as agreed upon by the French authorities, i.e. the status quo Read more