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Mp Lake: Taking The Issues Affecting The People In 2016 To Another Level

ST. PETERS, St. Maarten - “I would like to wish the people of St. Maarten a Happy New Year.  I have to say 2015 was a good learning experience for St. Maarten. St. Maarten is at a crossroad, so the decisions we make today will affect the next generation of tomorrow. 

“That's why I am looking to 2016 to take the issues affecting our local people to another level in an open and transparent manner to better serve the people of St. Maarten. I know it's going to be a short challenging year with a lot of manmade obstacles to keep me back from achieving for the people, but that won't keep a good man down,” Member of Parliament Maurice Lake said."Once I give it my best for 2016, and work along with the people, I believe the LORD will do the rest for his people. I am a firm believer in my principles of Philippians Chapter 4:13, ‘I can do all things with Christ which strengthen me.’ I have set some goals and I can't wait to execute them in the general interest of the people.“I am not going to get in the old way of politics with tic for tac, planning against each other, or predicting like some of our leaders that I would never be elected again, but I am going to focus on the issues and come with a plan of action in an open and transparent manner. Last election, some of our leaders within taught the same that my team was all rookies and I wasn't going to get elected. I would like the people to judge me on the upcoming election in September 2016 based on my work, performance and accomplishments for the people.“It's high time we stop saying or working behind the scenes in self-interest and start being open with the people’s business and focus on providing a stable economy and putting our people first and creating work for them. Parliament and Government needs to start putting our people first, and focus and communicate better with our local people and bring priority projects, quick wins or laws that are going to empower our people for the betterment of the island.“The Coalition of Eight main focus should be reform, balancing the draft Budget 2016, stimulating the Economy, creating jobs and developing a plan of action for the Crime situation.“As an Independent MP, my main focus would be in 2016 on passing the amended initiative law to make the processing or application fee for residence permits non-refundable; recognizing the University of St Read more

Academy Closes Year By Graduating 81

CUL DE SAC, St. Maarten - St. Maarten Academy’s academic campus closed the calendar year with a bang by graduating 81 of its students who successfully completed their CSEC examinations, offered by the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) in May/June.

The ceremony was held on December 16, 2015 at the Belair Community Centre under the theme, “Education: The Passport to Our Future”.

Clifford Francois emerged as valedictorian and recapped the years of hard work that brought him and his fellow graduates the successes they have achieved Read more

Christmas Village Can Now Be Viewed At Starz City & Casino

CUPECOY, St. Maarten – The Island’s Christmas activities and decorations this year have really been amplified versus the previous years in St. Maarten.

The Starz City & Casino did not hesitate to partner with the Dominican Roots Foundation to add their magic touch to the Island’s Christmas Spirit.

The Christmas Village became a reality and in order to give back to the community, various groups of less privileged children were invited free of charge to the event Read more

Minister Of Education Jacobs Tells St. Dominic’S High School Graduates That Sint Maarten Needs Them In Order To Grow

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Honorable Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs Silveria Jacobs, was recently present for the graduation ceremony at the St. Dominic’s High School (SDHS).

The theme of the SDHS graduation was: “Some people drink from the fountain of knowledge, while others just gargle” - Robert Anthony.

Minister Jacobs during her speech congratulated the graduates on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports which continuously strives to meet the needs of the youth in these very important areas Read more

Mp Lake Wants Update On Emilio Wilson Estate

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Maurice Lake has sent a letter to Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI Angel Meyers, via the President of Parliament seeking an update about plans for Emilio Wilson Estate. 
 â€œThe Estate is of invaluable natural, cultural, historical and social significance Read more

Carpha Continues To Battle Dengue And Chikungunya And Prepares For Zika

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago - Vector borne diseases, such as Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika, continue to emerge in the Caribbean, threatening health, tourism, social and economic development. 

According to Dr. Joy St. John, Director of Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control at CARPHA “in the last decade, the Caribbean has been wrestling with wave after wave of vector borne diseases Read more

Mp Lake Says Gebe Must Play Vital Role In Renewable Energy For St. Maarten

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Independent Member of Parliament Maurice Lake says he foresees GEBE playing a vital role in renewable energy in St. Maarten. â€œBased on the Coalition of Eight’s Governing Program, we will be continuing with where the Steering Committee within Government left off with the Waste to Energy Plant discussions and review the latest draft agreement,” he said. Government is continuous and the previous Government should never have attempted changing plans which was in the best interest of the people.  Based on the upcoming Shareholder’s meeting on December 15th, GEBE Management and Supervisory Board will inform the Council of Ministers about its current state of affairs.  The Minister of VROMI, who is Shareholder representative of GEBE, needs to put as an agenda point the historical and current status of renewable energy.  We need to work towards the future by starting investments into renewable energy and alternative sources of energy through LPG/ LNG, also by promoting solar energy to the community in addition to having the necessary policies in place, pointed out Lake.
 
“Those who have invested in solar energy production in our community should be commended for taking the initiative on their own.  All stakeholders, GEBE and Government, need to put in place what is necessary for local solar energy producers to receive back what they contribute on a daily basis based on their solar energy investment and contribution to the electricity grid.  GEBE needs to adjust their meters to accommodate solar energy to residential homes Read more

Upnext Starts To Give Back

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - UPNext, the youth wing of the United People (UP) party, have begun their annual holiday tradition of giving back to the less fortunate children in the community.

This past weekend the group visited Antonia Hodge and the Hope Outreach Home in St. Peters to deliver gifts, setup and decorate a Christmas tree, also provided by UPNext.

The group will visit a number of children's homes in the coming days.

The expressed thanks to the businesses and individuals who continue to work with them as they try to give St Read more

Scell & Women’S Island Network Set Big Enrollment Goal For Usm/Uvi

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - On Friday, December 4, 2016 SCELL, The University of St. Martin’s School of Continuing Education and Life-Long Learning, appointed the Women’s Island Network Board and Honorable Board Members.

WIN was founded by Dr. Natasha J. Gittens, Ph.d., CHE, SCELL’s Director.

The Women’s Island Network Board consists of women of power, professionalism and all who share the desire and conviction to support other women embrace educational opportunities.

The Board and Honorary board were hand selected based on their commitment to the St Read more

Universal Health Coverage Saves Lives, Alleviates Poverty And Boosts Growth Message By Guy Ryder, Ilo Director-General On The Occasion Of Universal Health Coverage Day 12 December 2015

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago - On Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day we acknowledge that more needs to be done to ensure that every person, everywhere, has access to quality health care without suffering financial hardship.

The ILO estimates that in 2015 more than 90 per cent of the global population living in low-income countries has no health protection and that more than half of the global rural population does not have access to needed health care Read more

Mp Leona Marlin-Romeo Queries Mp Wescot-Williams On Climate Change And Sint Maarten’S Role

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo, has sent a letter to the President of Parliament requesting answers to the statement/comment made by MP Sarah Wescot Williams in her capacity as member of the CKAIR committee Read more

International Launch ‘Welkom Op Sint Maarten!’ In The Sint Maartenhuis, The Hague, The Netherlands

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The launch of the second edition of ‘Welkom op Sint Maarten! The Friendly Island’ edition 2016-2017, took place on the 17-th of November in the Sint Maartenhuis in the Hague, the Netherlands. Mr Perry F.M. Geerlings, Director of the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten, received the first copy of this second edition.

In 2014 the international launch took place at Sint Maarten when former Minister President Mrs. S. Wescot-Williams received the first copy of the first edition (edition 2014-2015).

Meanwhile ‘Welkom!’ has become a standard book for newcomers and travellers from the Netherlands who want to come to Sint Maarten for a short or longer period, and who want to know all kinds of practical information about the island, like moving, finding a place to stay, electricity, finding a car, telecom providers, insurances, health care issues, leisure activities, etc Read more

Up Leader And Board Congratulates Saba On 40Th National Day

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – The United People's Party (UP) family, Leader and board extends congratulations to the people of Saba and the Government on their national ‘Saba Day’ celebration which is being celebrated today, Friday, December 4th, and over the Saba Day weekend, the UP Party Board President Sylvia Meyers said on Friday.

Leader of the UP Party and Member of Parliament Theodore Heyliger, has strong family ties with Saba.

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the people and Government of Saba on their 40th Saba Day celebration.  This is indeed a milestone for the little five square mile which is the highest point in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

“There are strong family bonds that exist between Saba and Sint Maarten.  Those bonds could never be broken because of the aforementioned.  The islands should continue to work together and develop.

“Sint Maarten already works closely together in the tourism field with the smaller islands such as Anguilla, St Read more

Un Strategic Planning Retreat

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago - On the 3th of December the Strategic Planning Retreat (SPR) for the UN Multi Country Sustainable Development Framework (UN MSDF) for the Caribbean was held in Trinidad and Tobago.

The event brought together UN senior officials and representative from the government across the region.

The SPR was held on the 3rd of December under the theme “leave no one behind”, underlining the importance of inclusion in all the priorities for the Caribbean region Read more

U.S. Ambassador To The Kingdom Of The Netherlands Visits The Dutch Caribbean

WILLEMSTAD, Curacao - U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of the Netherlands Timothy M. Broas, accompanied by Acting U.S. Consul General Hormazd Kanga, visited Curac¸ao, Sint Maarten, Saba, and Bonaire this week.

In Curac¸ao, Ambassador Broas met with Prime Minister Bernard “Ben” Whiteman and other government officials. His visit coincided with Curac¸ao Baseball Week, an event that brings local superstars of America’s national pastime back to Curac¸ao to inspire and train young baseball players on the island Read more

2015 Thanks Giving Day Service Themed “Give Thanks At All Times!"

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Under the theme, “Give Thanks At All Times!,” the 17th Annual Thanksgiving Service will be held Sunday, December 6, 2015 in front of the Government Administration Building.

The ecumenical service will begin at 4:30 PM with Praise and Worship led by the New Testament Baptist Church.

The Honorable Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs Read more

Caribbean Hotel And Tourism Association Urges United Nations Conference To Support Caricom Position On Climate Change

THE CARIBBEAN - The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is calling on the global community to support CARICOM's position advocating for a cap on the world's temperature rise at 1.5 degrees Centigrade as part of their deliberations during the United Nations Climate Change Conference, taking place in Paris from Nov. 30 - Dec. 11, 2015.

In a letter to the Hon. Dr. James Fletcher, Chairman of CARICOM Task Force on Climate Change, CHTA Acting President Karolin Troubetzkoy strongly supported CARICOM's call for a binding agreement on climate change.

"Considering the significant research conducted to demonstrate trend lines and forecasted impact of climate change on the world's most vulnerable countries, CHTA fully supports the position being advanced by the CARICOM Task Force," Troubetzkoy said.

Many developed and newly industrialized countries are prepared to settle for a 2025 climate change of a two-degree increase which would negatively impact CARICOM countries and the broader Caribbean basin.

CHTA cites research that points to the devastating consequences for the Caribbean from a two-degree rise in temperature Read more

Cutting Edge Therapy For Psoriasis Patients Now Available In The Caribbean

PANAMA CITY - Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that affects around 140 million people worldwide.  It's more frequent between the ages of 15 and 25, but may develop at any age and highly impacts the quality of life.

Several types of psoriasis exist, which range from mild to severe and disabling. Plaque psoriasis is the most common form and is known for producing inflammation and scaly patches of thickened skin called "plaques" Read more