SXMElections.com

~ Irma and Maria showed the vulnerabilities of Caribbean Islands ~

ST. MAARTEN/ST. MARTIN:--- The 2017 hurricane season was undoubtedly the worst season in decades, especially since the monster hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated several Caribbean Islands that depend solely on tourism. Some of the islands/ countries that were crushed are Barbuda, St. Martin/St. Maarten, Dominica, Martinique, Guadeloupe, and Puerto Rico.
When it comes to St. Maarten/St. Martin hurricane Irma showed how important it is to not place all of one's eggs in one basket, and even though an eye opener for many, politicians on St Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

~ A waste of time and focus on country ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Leader of the United St. Maarten (US) party MP Frans Richardson on Thursday asked the people of St. Maarten to remember who manipulated the country into the chaos and instability that it is currently in, with a DP/UP/Brownbill coalition unable to form a government Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

~ Starts investigation to recoup funds ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher disclosed on Thursday that government has no clear indication where or to whom tax-payer money designated for a boxing event in 2015 ended up. “The people’s money is basically missing and for almost three years nobody has been held accountable. I will not end my tenure with this issue lingering and not make a serious effort to secure the funds and seek appropriate recourse if a criminal act was committed here,” the Minister said.

As such, an advice has been prepared for the St Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Exclusive: Emil Lee, Leona Marlin, And Claret Conner Failed Screening.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of VSA Emil Lee has failed the screening process due to the complaint filed by Minister Christopher Emmanuel. Emmanuel filed a complaint against Lee after SMN News released photographs showing that Lee had removed the government license plate from his vehicle and placed it on his personal vehicle Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

POND ISLAND - In light of the holidays, Labriska Courtar organized a Christmas Lunch for the Shelterees living in the Festival Village and the Little League Ball Park who lost their homes due to the major hurricanes Maria and Irma.

A lunch was catered for approximately 100 shelterees which consisted of turkey, ham, lasagna, Journey cakes and much more.

“It has always been a plan of mine, to give back to those in need. Hosting this event with my support team was amazing. It was a good feeling to contribute this Christmas season.

“This Christmas season instead of making it just about receiving and giving gifts, I dedicated my time, with my friends and family to putting this charitable event together Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG:--- In light of the holidays, Labriska Courtar organized a Christmas Lunch for the Shelterees living in the Festival Village and the Little League Ball Park who lost their homes due to the major hurricanes Maria and Irma.

A lunch was catered for approximately 100 shelterees which consisted of turkey, ham, lasagna, Journey cakes and much more.

“It has always been a plan of mine, to give back to those in need. Hosting this event with my support team was amazing. It was a good feeling to contribute this Christmas season Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Culture Minister Silveria Jacobs Issues Christmas Message

Christmas is a time of joy, peace, family gatherings, food and celebration. Culturally and traditionally we would herald the season with many church services, cantatas, choirs caroling, programs depicting and celebrating the birth of Christ Jesus, who we learned from childhood came into the world to save us all, food, drink and merry making. In thinking of what Christmas truly means, we must reflect on who Jesus is – the son of God, the Messiah, the chosen one, a curious and respectful child, a humble man who showed love and compassion for all, even the ones we would usually turn our backs on.

From the wonderful words of scripture, we learn that his birth heralded a new beginning of Peace, of the one who came to save the world Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Mensaje De Navidad 2017 De La Ministra De Cultura, Silveria Jacobs

FOTO: Ministra de Educación, Cultura, Juventud y Deporte, Silveria Jacbos

Traducido por Máximo Castro

La Navidad es un momento de alegría, paz, reuniones familiares, comida y celebración. Culturalmente y tradicionalmente anunciamos la temporada con muchos servicios religiosos, cantatas, coros villancicos, programas que representan y celebran el nacimiento de Cristo Jesús, enseñanza que aprendimos desde la infancia, el niño Dios que vino al mundo para salvarnos a todos, comida, bebida y celebración Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG:--- The CFT advised the Kingdom Council of Ministers to issue an instruction to the government of St. Maarten for the 2018 budget. A letter dated December 22nd, 2017 was sent to the chairlady of Parliament regarding the advice given by the CFT to the Kingdom Council of Ministers.
Even though the CFT gave the advice to the Kingdom Council of Ministers up to the time this article was written no instruction has been issued.
SMN News contacted Minister of Finance Richard Gibson Sr Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

HARBOUR VIEW:--- On December 22, 2017, the Governor of Sint Maarten, His Excellency drs. E.B. Holiday, requested the fraction leader of the Democratic Party, Mrs. Sarah Wescot-Williams, to finalize the formation of an interim government as formateur.
After Mr Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Christmas is a time of joy, peace, family gatherings, food, and celebration. Culturally and traditionally we would herald the season with many church services, cantatas, choirs caroling, programs depicting and celebrating the birth of Christ Jesus, who we learned from childhood came into the world to save us all, food, drink, and merrymaking. In thinking of what Christmas truly means, we must reflect on who Jesus is - the son of God, the Messiah, the chosen one, a curious and respectful child, a humble man who showed love and compassion for all, even the ones we would usually turn our backs on.
From the wonderful words of scripture, we learn that his birth heralded a new beginning of Peace, of the one who came to save the world Read more

Sint Maarten Deserves A Stable Coalition Government

After the new interim UP/DP/Brownbill government is sworn in, Sint Maarten would have had seven coalition governments in seven years. This is an average of one government per year. If we also count the number of elections since 2010, including the upcoming February 2018, Sint Maarteners would have gone to the polls four times which boils down to an average of one election every two years.

For a small young country such as ours, having on average, a change of government every year and elections every two years is unacceptable Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

MADAME ESTATE:--- Reports reaching SMN News state that well known Erno Labega Jr. was shot multiple times around 2am Thursday morning in Madame Estate. Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson confirmed that a victim identified as E.L was shot in the Madame Estate area. Henson said the victim is in stable condition at the St. Maarten Medical Center Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Meyers Withdraws As Formateur

Harbour View – On Wednesday, December 20, 2017, the Governor of Sint Maarten, His Excellency drs. E.B. Holiday, met with from formateur Mr. Franklin Meyers.

The formateur based on a progress review of the formation process has decided to withdraw himself as formateur and return the commission to form a new government.

Governor Holiday has accepted the decision of Mr Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

F. Meyers Withdraws As Formateur.

HARBOUR VIEW:--– On Wednesday, December 20, 2017, the Governor of Sint Maarten, His Excellency drs. E.B. Holiday, met with from formateur Mr. Franklin Meyers. The formateur based on a progress review of the formation process has decided to withdraw himself as formateur and return the commission to form a new government.
Governor Holiday has accepted the decision of Mr Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

THE HAGUE, Netherlands:--- Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten, H.E. Henrietta Doran-York, together with her staff, hosted the Sint Maarten students at her Cabinet in The Hague on Friday December 15th 2017, for an end of year "unification", which was the first of what will continue to be an annual event.
Minister Doran-York said that she organized this event for the students, as she was aware that the majority of the students would not be able to return home for the Holiday season, and therefore offering them the opportunity to come together, will give them the chance to unite with especially their peers.
The event, which was attended by students from all Cities in the Netherlands, served as an encouragement for some of Sint Maarten's brightest and best in The Netherlands, as for in particular the first year arrival students, this is a very difficult time of year, where they often times can become discouraged due to the missing their family that they recently left.
The Minister reminded the students to continue to make use of the Cabinet, in the event that the assistance of the Minister or the staff was needed, as the Sint Maarten House, is their house.
Minister Doran-York encouraged the students to work hard always and in the end, they will reach their desired goals.
Special thanks also to the Staff at the Cabinet, in particular, Kelly Busby, Guidance Councilor Xaviera Mc Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Monday, December 18th, 2017 representatives of the University of St. Martin and the Ministry of Education finally arrived at an agreement and signed the MOU securing the continuity of education for students of the USM. This, after the representatives of the University of St. Martin had not seen it possible to sign the proposed MOU on December 11th, 2017. However, after hearing an interview by the Minister on the topic on December 12th, the University promptly contacted the Department of Education with a willingness to resume talks, which commenced on Wednesday, December 13th.

The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport was happy to do so and met with the Board of the University of St Maarten Foundation to revisit and discuss the MOU that had been presented to the Board by the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

THE HAGUE, Netherlands:--- The Minister Plenipotentiary, the Honorable Henrietta Doran-York, received a courtesy call at her Cabinet, from Mrs. Jose Verschueren-Sommers of Sint Maarten.
Mrs. Sommers, a well-known school teacher and former principal of the St. Dominic High School on the island and the founder of the 4C (Foresee) Foundation and astound advocate for digital education systems and innovation, is in the Netherlands meeting with organizations linked with St Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

THE HAGUE, Netherlands:--- The Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten, H.E. Mrs. Henrietta Doran York, recently welcomed the newly appointed Minister Plenipotentiary of Aruba, H. E. Mr. Guilfred Besaril, for the first time to her Cabinet in The Hague.
Although haven met before during work, this time the 2 ministers had the o Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG:--- The latest spiritual child of author Loekie Morales, ‘Chella and the Weird Woman/Chella en het vreemde vrouwtje’, was distributed last week to ALL the primary schools on Sint Maarten. ‘It was a great pleasure to donate a box of 27 books for comprehensive reading to the schools. Each one of them has received a visit from the Beyond Kultura Foundation’s representative/project leader Ingrid Holaman, who sometimes was accompanied by some sponsors Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

“ST MAARTEN, like you, I share the same sentiments time and time again. We are continuously being begged for our support during elections and once given the opportunity to represent us in government, our elected officials create amongst themselves a state of chaos and demonstrate incompetence. We, the people, suffer the consequences”.

This opening statement, written by Christian President, characterizes him as a man passionate about his country and explains his reason for entering politics and making himself the alternative candidate for the true leadership that St Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher on Sunday welcomed Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (RCCL) and its ship Grandeur of the Seas back to the shores of St. Maarten calling the occasion a “great early Christmas gift for St. Maarten.”

The Minister was joined aboard the ship by almost 100 persons selected as hurricane heroes by her cabinet. The hurricane heroes initiative came from RCCL executives who wanted to make the company’s return to the island a memorable one and an occasion that showed that RCCL stands with St Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

First Rci Cruise Grandeur Of The Seas In Port On Sunday.

~ Kick-off to weekly port calls from RCI vessels  ~

PORT ST. MAARTEN – Royal Caribbean International (RCI) Grandeur of the Seas will be RCI’s first ship to return to the destination on a commercial cruise visit on Sunday.  A hosts of welcome activities have been planned by stakeholders to welcome the near 2000 guests.

The first RCI vessel on Sunday will kick-off weekly port calls from RCI cruise ships.  Port St. Maarten Management would like to remind all stakeholders and the populace to continue to welcome our cruise passengers with a warm St Read more

PORT ST. MAARTEN:--- Royal Caribbean International (RCI) Grandeur of the Seas will be RCI’s first ship to return to the destination on a commercial cruise visit on Sunday. A host of welcome activities has been planned by stakeholders to welcome the near 2000 guests.
The first RCI vessel on Sunday will kick-off weekly port calls from RCI cruise ships. Port St. Maarten Management would like to remind all stakeholders and the populace to continue to welcome our cruise passengers with a warm St Read more