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PHILIPSBURG:--- On July 2nd, Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs Silveria Jacobs was presented with the St. Maarten Development Funds (SMDF) Audited Annual Report and Financial Statements for 2020 by Managing Director Makhicia Brooks and Program and Development Manager Melanie Choisy. SMDF being one of the self-governing organizations that receive funds from the Government of Sint Maarten submits an Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements each year by the end of the second quarter.

Prime Minister Jacobs stated, Id like to thank the SMDFs team for the work that they have been carrying out on behalf of the government of Sint Maarten Read more

SABA/THE HAGUE:--- The delegation of the Saba Island Council during the meetings in the Netherlands was able to point out the matters that are important to Saba, such as increasing the structural funding, establishing a social minimum, a better banking system, investments in education, social development and infrastructure.

Island Council Members Esmeralda Johnson, Carl Buncamper, Vito Charles, Eviton Heyliger and Hemmie van Xanten, and Island Council Registrar Akilah Levenstone visited the Netherlands from June 24 to July 2 during which the delegation attended two pieces of training and had a number of meetings with various organizations and members of the Permanent Committee for Kingdom Relations of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament.

It was a successful visit and the general conclusion was that overall, the support for Saba is growing Read more

Mps Urge Govt. To Request Debt Cancellation In Unanimous Motion

Author of the motion NA MP George Pantophlet. File photo.

PHILIPSBURG--Encouraging the government of St. Maarten to prioritise requesting debt cancellation from the Dutch government is the premise of a motion passed unanimous Read more

Apologies A Start, Says Jacobs During Emancipation Day 2021

Rudolph Davis Dance Company performing the Ponum dance during celebration of the 158th anniversary of emancipation from slavery at Watkins House on Boardwalk Boulevard on Thursday, July 1.

PHILIPSBURG--The apologies offered by Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema on behalf of the Dutch capitals administration for the active involvement of the Amsterdam city council in the commercial system of colonial slavery and the worldwide trade in enslaved people are a start said Prime Minister of St. Maa Read more

Local Islander Leads Caribbean Toastmasters Clubs To Highest Award

PHILIPSBURG:--- Local islander Distinguished Toastmaster Brenda Maynard has led the Toastmasters Clubs of the Caribbean to achieve the highest award recognized by Toastmasters International Smedley Distinguished. This is the first time in history that District 81 Caribbean Toastmasters has achieved this status.

DD Maynard ran her year under the theme, Breaking Barriers Now and Beyond Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament George Pantophlet has tabled a motion during the 2021 budget debate that aims at offering considerable relief for the Country of Sint Maarten in the form of debt cancellation. The Motion calls on the Government of Sint Maarten in their discussions with the Dutch Government to make it a priority to request debt cancellation as this is the only recourse that will help Country Sint Maarten to get out of this debt and to execute its social and economic duties as it relates to the citizens of the country Read more

Mp Pantophlet Tables Motion On Debt Cancellation During Budget Debate

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Member of Parliament George Pantophlet has tabled a motion during the 2021 budget debate that aims at offering considerable relief for the Country of Sint Maarten in the form of debt cancellation. The Motion calls on the Government of Sint Maarten in their discussions with the Dutch Government to make it priority to request debt cancellation as this is the only recourse that will help Country Sint Maarten to get out of this debt and to execute its social and economic duties as it relates to the citizens of the country.

The factors on which the Motion was presented includes the fact that St Read more

Government Meets With The Unions Over Vacation Allowance

~ To await Constitutional Court decision ~

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten — On Tuesday, June 29th, the Honorable Ministers of General Affairs Silveria Jacobs; Justice, Anna Richardson; Finance, Ardwell Irion; Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, drs Read more

Unilateral Decision By Presidium Of Parliament Not Condoned By The Ud

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The UD party is not amused by the latest stunt by the presidium of parliament, so-called to improve the viewing quality of meetings of parliament. By removing the live stream from the Facebook platform, the president of Parliament is taking away the opportunity for the population at large to interact real time with the members of parliament and with one another. “This type of censorship is simply undemocratic and infringes on the fundamental right of freedom of expression.” The ire of the UD is the result ofa decision communicated to members of parliament by letter dated June 25, 2021, informing them of a change to the broadcasting of Parliamentary meetings. “Was this abrupt change necessary?,” questioned the UD Read more

Mp Pantophlet Tables Motion On Debt Cancellation During Budget Debate

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Member of Parliament George Pantophlet has tabled a motion during the 2021 budget debate that aims at offering considerable relief for the Countryof Sint Maartenin the form of debt cancellation. The Motioncalls on theGovernment of Sint Maarten in their discussions with the Dutch Government to make it priorityto request debt cancellation as this is the only recourse that will helpCountrySint Maartento get out of this debt and to execute its social and economic duties as it relates to the citizens of the country.

The factors on which the Motion was presented includes the fact that St Read more

~ To await Constitutional Court decision ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Tuesday, June 29th, the Honorable Ministers of General Affairs Silveria Jacobs; Justice, Anna Richardson; Finance, Ardwell Irion; Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, drs Read more

Steven Patrick Resigns As 4Th Vice-President

Steven Patrick announcing his resignation as 4th Vice President of the Collectivit at a press conference. (Le Plican photo)

MARIGOT--Steven Patrick has submitted his resignation as fourth Vice-President of the Collectivit, following the decision taken by President Daniel Gibbs last Thursday to remove him from his role at the head of Del Read more

5Th Tranche Received, Govt. Will Still Be In Deficit After June Expenses

Finance Minister Ardwell Irion in Parliament on Monday.

PHILIPSBURG--Although government has received the fifth tranche of NAf. 39 million liquidity support loan from the government of the Netherlands, the administration still faces a deficit of more than NAf. 20 million after its June expenses.

Read more

Law Passed To Up Age Limit Of High Council Members

Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs in Parliament on Monday.

PHILIPSBURG--High councils of state in St. Maarten are now able to recruit members who are up to age 75, thanks to the passing of a law on Monday, which raises the maximum age of members from 70 to 75.

Read more

Unilateral Decision By Presidium Of Parliament Not Condoned By The Ud.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The UD party is not amused by the latest stunt by the presidium of parliament, so-called to improve the viewing quality of meetings of parliament.

By removing the live stream from the Facebook platform, the president of Parliament is taking away the opportunity for the population at large to interact in real-time with the members of parliament and with one another.

 "This type of censorship is simply undemocratic and infringes on the fundamental right of freedom of expression."

The ire of the UD is the result of a decision communicated to members of parliament by letter dated June 25, 2021, informing them of a change to the broadcasting of Parliamentary meetings.

"Was this abrupt change necessary?," questioned the UD Read more

Mp Emmanuel Calls On Govt. To Pay Vacation Pay This Week

~ Why please Knops but not help your people ~

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Independent Member of Parliament Christophe Emmanuel is again calling on government to pay public servants something, anything from their owed vacation pay of 2020 and due vacation pay of 2021. Being more forceful than he has ever been on the subject, the MP said he wants to see something paid before the end of the budget debate this week.

Our people are struggling. I am sure the Minister of Finance has heard the stories of hardships and how anything right now would go a long way to assist with due obligations at this time of year such as school fees, uniforms and hurricane preparations Read more

 ~ Why please Knops but not help your people ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Independent Member of Parliament Christophe Emmanuel is again calling on government to pay public servants something, anything from their owed vacation pay of 2020 and due vacation pay of 2021. Being more forceful than he has ever been on the subject, the MP said he wants to see something paid before the end of the budget debate this week.
Our people are struggling. I am sure the Minister of Finance has heard the stories of hardships and how anything right now would go a long way to assist with due obligations at this time of years such as school fees, uniforms, and hurricane preparations Read more

Harbour View:--- His Excellency, Governor, drs. E.B. Holiday hosted the second annual Governors Youth Awards For Excellence on Thursday, June 24, 2021, at the Belair Community Center.

During the awards ceremony, Governor Holiday presented the 2021 Governors Youth Award For Excellence to:
Faith Peterson, co-recipient in the category Arts;
Tefari Prevoo Francisco, co-recipient in the category Arts; and
Jamie Lynch, recipient in the category Academics;

Faith Peterson and Tefari Prevoo Francisco were selected as co-recipients of the Governors Youth Award For Excellence in arts Read more

Police Actions May Not Hamper Justice Operations, Judge Rules

PHILIPSBURG-- The judge in the Court of First Instance on Friday banned police union NAPB, civil servants union ABVO and NAPB leader Rogerrel Mauricio from organising meetings, work stoppages, parades and public demonstrations, in case these hamper justice operations.

  The court put this ban in place until Friday, July 2, when the court is to rule on the other demands as laid down by country St. Maarten, the unions and their leader in the injunction procedures, which were initiate Read more

Judge Finds Justice Minister Actions Pitiful.

~ there is no strike by KPSM .~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The judge in the Court of First Instance finds the actions of the Minister of Justice Anna Richardson pitiful says Attorney at Law Cor Merx. Merx told reporters that the court finds that the justice workers especially KPSM are hard workers.
The Presidents of NAPB and ABVO and KPSM workers are not on strike, instead they have been servicing the community in a slower way since they are on go slow.
The Union Presidents said that the police officers have a right to service the community, while they are within their rights to attend to their own concerns.
At the Courthouse, hundreds of justice workers, civil servants, and union representatives, and members of Parliament were all present Read more

MARIGOT:--- Following the incident that took place at the Cit administrative, located in Concordia, on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, and given the seriousness of the facts, Vice-President Steven Patrick was removed from his Cadre de Vie delegation. However, he retains his function of vice-president and member of the Executive Council.
Due to a sufficiently serious incident, which occurred on Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in the premises of the Cit administrative de la Collectivit, rue Jean-Jacques Fayel, I decided to remove my vice-president Steven Patrick from his delegation in terms of the living environment Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Thursday, June 24th, The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Omar Ottley donated 300 children and young adults' face masks to the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset and Lions Club International.

The face masks for children and young adults were donated to the Ministry by Mr. Myles Christian Turner of the Indiana Pacers Basketball team earlier this month, through his foundation W.A.R.M.

Fundraising Chair, Tamara Wilson- Leito, Rotarians Fabiana Richardson, and Lucrecia Lake collected the masks on behalf of the Rotary Club of St Read more

Justice Minister Files Injunction To Get Workers Back On The Job

Justice Minister Anna Richardson in Parliament on Thursday.

~ Feels betrayed ~

PHILIPSBURG--Justice Minister Anna Richardson, with the support of the Council of Ministers, has filed an injunction with the Court of First Instance requesting that justice workers be instructed to discontinue their demonstrations and allow discussions about their grievances to be had around the table Read more

Dcomm Airs Shipwreck Recovery & Salvaging Project.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Department of Communication will air on cable tv and post a special video program on the current Shipwreck Recovery & Salvaging project that is currently ongoing in and around the Simpson Bay lagoon and the Mullet Bay pond.

The Shipwreck Recovery & Salvaging project was initiated through the Government of St. Maartens efforts to build back better after the devastation caused by Hurricane Irma, on September 6, 2017.

DCOMM spoke to several stakeholders involved in the project to get an insight into what the project is and how it was progressing.

In the SRS Special, the Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment & Infrastructure (VROMI), Egbert J Read more