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Hanson Recaps On Collectivité Projects In Bastille Day Speech

MARIGOT--Security, rehabilitation of Marigot town centre, the waterfront development project and other improvements formed part of President Aline Hanson’s general speech during the official Bastille Day ceremony on Thursday.

  She said the beautification of Marigot included opening up the alley next to the Methodist Church on Rue de la Liberté that leads to the waterfront, renovating the square outside the Post Office and demolishing the former Gendarmerie building on Rue de la Liberté, projects that will improve the circulation of pedestrians and open up better views to the waterfront.

  On the waterfront development, she said she was convinced St Read more

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Pray For Peace In These Difficult Times

On Thursday evening, we were shocked to hear that a truck struck more than 75 people killing them during Bastille Day celebrations in Nice, France, and injuring dozens more.

I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the bereaved. Many innocent people have been killed during the past weeks throughout the world due to hate.

We need to respect each other, respect all people and live together in harmony.  I pray for peace as we go through these difficult times Read more

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Coci To Community Of St. Maarten: Submit Damage Claims Due To Gebe Outages

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce is cognizant of the fact that the performance (failure in performance) of NV GEBE requires actions to be undertaken.

No business can survive with poor service performance, unless you have a monopoly and your customers have no choice. In St. Maarten, we have, through the years, been faced with the erratic, unsound, and unreliable utility provisioning by NV GEBE. This company has never provided a valid explanation for its failures, nor has its advertisements of better service ever resulted in such Read more

*Video* Detective Dept. Busy Investigating Two Cases

PHILIPSBURG – The Detective Department is busy investigating two cases of destruction of a vehicle. One case involved two vehicles that were totally burnt in the South Reward area on Tuesday afternoon, July 12.

The vehicles in question were both extinguished by the Fire Department. One of the vehicles was a gold colored Jeep, owned by parliamentarian Christopher Emmanuel, which was not in regular use.

After the first fire was extinguished and the firemen, detectives and forensic detectives left the scene, the owner called detectives and forensics back to the scene, and informed them that a burned firearm had been discovered in the this vehicle Read more

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Sdm Announces Its First 5 Candidates

PHILIPSBURG – The St. Maarten Development Movement (SDM) Leader Benjamin Ortega, proudly presented the first 5 candidates, who are eager to contest the elections of September 26.

Although the hurdle of postulation is still around the corner, SDM is confident that the people of St. Maarten, their members and future members will give the movement the needed support through votes to obtain the chance of being elected representatives of St Read more

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Priest Calls Marlin’S Statement Unprofessional And Disrespectful

PHILIPSBURG – Statements from GEBE’S top superior to the effect that clients should wait until problems are resolved, as opposed to contacting the company for details, have been classed as disrespectful and unprofessional by leader of the One St. Maarten People Party (OSPP) Lenny Priest.

An article in the Thursday, July 14, issue of The Daily Herald quoted Chairman of the supervisory board of GEBE Roy Marlin as saying, “There is no need for GEBE to come out and say, we’re having problems because the people see it and feel it,” in response to a question regarding why the company does not inform the public of what the situation is as it occurs Read more

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Priest Calls Marlin’S Statement Unprofessional And Disrespectful.

PHILIPSBURG:--- atements from Gebe’s top boss to the effect that clients should wait until problems are resolved as opposed to contacting the company for details, have been classed as disrespectful and unprofessional by leader of the One St. Maarten People Party Lenny Priest.
An article in the Thursday July 14th issue of The Daily Herald quoted Roy Marlin—chairman of the supervisory board of Gebe—as saying “there is no need for Gebe to come out and say, we’re having problems because the people see it and feel it” in response to a question regarding why the company does not inform the public of what the situation is as it occurs Read more

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Smcp Leader To Stand Firm Behind Christian Principles

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Marriage, according to the civil code is a union between a man and a woman, stated leader of the St. Maarten Christian Party, Pastor Wycliffe Smith.

In responding to a question put to him during the programme “In the View” with Wendell Moore on Wednesday the leader of the SMCP noted that Holland cannot impose such a law on St Read more

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Council Of Ministers Will Be The First To Occupy New Govt Building

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - As per August 31st, the lease agreement with buildings housing General Affairs Departments will be terminated.

This is as a result of the government moving to occupy the New Government Administration Building.

Speaking at the Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday and in providing an update, Prime Minister with the responsibility for General Affairs, the Honorable William Marlin told journalists that the Landlords for the various buildings housing General Affairs Departments have been notified that those offices will be moving out by August 31st.

However, the Council of Ministers will be the first to occupy the New Administration Building Read more

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Gun Discovered In Mp Burnt Out Jeep, Investigation On Going

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The St. Maarten Police Force is conducting an in-depth investigation into a jeep and truck fire in South Reward this past Tuesday.

After the flames were put out by the St. Maarten Fire Department, an investigation was started after a gas bum was discovered inside of the Jeep which for which the owner of the jeep MP Christopher Emmanuel said he had no knowledge of Read more

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Priest Calls Marlin’S Statement Unprofessional And Disrespectful

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten—Statements from Gebe’s top boss to the effect that clients should wait until problems are resolved as opposed to contacting the company for details, have been classed as disrespectful and unprofessional by leader of the One St. Maarten People Party Lenny Priest.

An article in the Thursday July 14th issue of The Daily Herald quoted Roy Marlin—chairman of the supervisory board of Gebe—as saying “there is no need for Gebe to come out and say, we’re having problems because the people see it and feel it” in response to a question regarding why the company does not inform the public of what the situation is as it occurs Read more

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Update: Arrest Of Wendy Montulet’S Killer Aided By ‘Precise’ Witness Testimony

MARIGOT--A 22-year-old St. Martiner has been arrested in connection with the murder of Belgian tourist Wendy Montulet on July 9 and is due to be transferred to Guadeloupe for trial today.

Wendy’s body was found in the bushes in Baie Nettle on Sunday after she failed to return to her hotel after a morning run on Saturday. The autopsy of the body is due to be performed today, Thursday, by medical technicians from Guadeloupe.

Guadeloupe Prosecutor Samuel Finielz confirmed the arrest at a press conference Wednesday afternoon by video link, adding the swift arrest had been thanks largely to “precise” descriptions of the suspect from the public responding to the appeal for information combined with a diligent investigation and massive mobilisation of resources by the Gendarmerie.

Finielz said the first three witness testimonies already gave the Gendarmerie very good leads and in all some 10 to 15 persons had provided valuable information to help the investigation Read more

Gebe Power Fully Restored For Now

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 PHILIPSBURG--Utilities company GEBE says power has been restored in all districts and hopes that there will be no more mechanical issues with GEBE generators, the Supervisory Board announced during a press conference Wednesday morning.

  Board Chairman Roy Marlin thanked the public for their patience during these past days with several outages.

  Three engines started to malfunction on Friday while two others were being overhauled.

  Cay Bay power plant Manager Kenrick Chittick gave a lengthy presentation about the number of generators GEBE has and the challenges it has faced over the year Read more

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William Happy With Verdict On Integrity Chamber Law

PHILIPSBURG--Prime Minister William Marlin is “happy” with the tossing out of the national ordinance establishing an integrity chamber by the Constitutional Court last week. Government’s Legal Affairs Department is reviewing the verdict to render an advice to the Council of Ministers on the way for forward.

Marlin told the press on Wednesday, a week after the verdict was rendered, the law “criminalized” the entire community, would have left people “guilty until proven innocent” and gave “far-reaching powers” to the people related to the chamber.

“We have to say ‘Thank God for the Constitutional Court,’” Marlin said Read more

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Suspect Arrested In Wendy Montulet’S Killing

MARIGOT, Saint Martin –

Gendarmes Captaine Emmanuel Maignan and Prosecutor Samuel Finielz, during a press conference Wednesday afternoon, July 13, explained that they received information from several witnesses on the description of the culprit, which led to his arrest.

The suspect apparently had black and blonde hair, and allegedly stabbed and sexually assaulted Wendy Montulet last week.

While conducting investigations, detectives saw the man, who is from French St Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister William Marlin confirmed that there are persons out in the community dumping garbage in St. Peters/ South Reward area. He said every night when going home he would drive through certain areas to see if the garbage was picked up but there are things he personally noticed that causes concern. The Prime Minister said if the garbage is collected at 10pm at night by midnight the garbage bins are overflowing again.
The Prime Minister said that persons are even dumping commercial garbage in the area Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Christian Party (SMCP) is pleased to announce the candidacy of Ms. Beverley Gibbs on the SMCP slate for the upcoming Parliamentary elections.
Born in Aruba of a Sint Maarten father and a Saban mother Beverley is no stranger to politics and to Government. While living and working in the Netherlands she joined the Dutch Labor Party and ran on its list as a candidate for the Municipal Council elections in Amstelveen Read more

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Hiv Infections On The Rise In The Caribbean

GENEVA – The United Nations says HIV infections among adults in the Caribbean has risen, warning also that the decline globally among adults has stalled for at least five years.

The Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Prevention Gap Report, issued here on Wednesday, reveals that “after years of steady decline, the Caribbean saw a nine per cent rise among adults.”

In launching the report, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé told reporters that, globally, new HIV infections among adults and children have been reduced by 40 percent since the peak in 1997,but lamented that the decline among adults has stalled for at least five years.

The report reveals that an estimated 1.9 million adults have become infected with HIV every year for at least the past five years and that new HIV infections among adults are rising in some regions.

The UN said the Caribbean is second to sub-Saharan Africa for the prevalence of HIV infections.

“We are sounding the alarm Read more

Former Police Chief Being Investigated

NETHERLANDS--Former Police Chief Gerard Bouman will be heard by a police integrity committee regarding his role in the “geldsmijtrel” with the Central Works Council (CWC). The scandal is being investigated as a fraud case.

Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf’s website reported this week that Bouman will be heard within two weeks by a team from the Safety Department, Integrity and Complaints VIK which examines Police Force spending.

The police executive committee spent about two million euros on outside experts, expensive parties and dinners between January 2015 and April 2016 Read more

Trustfull Joins Up As New Candidate

CAY HILL--Healthcare professional Dione Trustfull has joined the United People’s (UP) party as a new candidate for the September 26 Parliamentary Elections. This is her first-ever bid for a parliamentary seat.

Trustfull (45) is Case Manager and Coordinator of the Ambulant Care Team of the Mental Health Foundation Read more

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Gebe Outages Cause Spike In Telem Customer Calls

PHILIPSBURG--TelEm Group is registering an increase in customer calls about interrupted voice and data services following electricity outages by public utilities company GEBE. The calls relate to Internet services not working and/or mobile services not being available.

“We want customers to know that we are doing all that we can to monitor GEBE outages and ensure that all our backup power units and generators are ready to take over when GEBE load-sheds,” said TelEm Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Helma Etnel in an invited comment Tuesday.

Etnel said many challenges were faced in keeping the network up and running during a power outage, especially when equipment in a power outage area can adversely affect the operation of the entire mobile and data network.

“Our backup equipment is designed to take over from GEBE to maintain power for a short while until they can restore power to our many facilities, equipment and networks,” said Etnel.

She said TelEm was concerned that with the constant shutting down and powering up of its own generators and backup power supplies, the likelihood of damage to sensitive equipment and interruptions to mobile and data services would be greater.

“We are advising customers to protect their equipment, especially their modems, as best they can by connecting to their own UPS and surge protectors,” continued Etnel.

She said customers should also unplug their modems from the mains during a power outage and only reconnect to the mains once power had been restored.

As a further precaution, customers should unplug their modems when leaving home for work in anticipation of load-shedding in their area at any time, at least while GEBE is carrying out repairs to its own equipment.

Etnel advises customers to unplug and reconnect their modem after an outage several times before contacting the TelEm Group Helpdesk for assistance.

“During the past week and usually after an outage the Helpdesk receives an increased number of calls from customers seeking to get reconnected to the Internet Read more

Telem: Gebe Outages Causing Spike In Calls About Service Interruptions

POND ISLAND – TelEm Group is registering an increase in customer calls about interrupted voice and data services following outages by public utilities company GEBE.

The calls relate to internet services not working and/or mobile services not being available.

“We want customers to know that we are doing all that we can to monitor GEBE outages and ensure that all our backup power units and generators are ready to take over when GEBE load sheds,” said Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Helma Etnel in an invited comment Tuesday, July 12.

Etnel said there are many challenges faced in keeping the network up and running during a power outage, especially when equipment in a power outage area can adversely affect the operation of the entire mobile and data network.

“Our backup equipment is designed to take over from GEBE to maintain power for a short while until they can restore power to our many facilities, equipment and networks,” said Etnel.

She said the company is concerned that with the constant shutting down and powering up of the company’s own generators and backup power supplies, the likelihood of damage to sensitive equipment and interruptions to mobile and data services will be greater.

“We are advising customers to protect their equipment, especially their modems, as best they can by connecting them to their own UPS and surge protectors,” continued Etnel Read more

Priest Condemns Tourist Murder

 ~ Suggests tougher punishment as deterrent ~

PHILIPSBURG – The murder of Belgium tourist Wendy Mountulet is being condemned by the One St. Maarten People Party (OSPP), who offered condolences to the family of the 22-year-old.

Party Leader Lenny Priest noted that in this critical time when Caribbean tourism is already under the microscope, the island cannot afford to be tarred with the same brush as countries like the Bahamas, where according to a recent report in the Nassau Guardian, “an executive with Carnival Cruise Line reportedly warned a Bahamas tourism official that Carnival is so worried about crime in Nassau, it’s considering issuing crime warnings to the passengers it brings there.”

Priest stressed that the OSPP advocates protection for all people and believes in equality and justice for all, but opined that more must be done to safeguard the island’s tourism product, beginning with joint task forces from both sides of the island working to solve crimes against tourists and imposing maximum penalties to offenders as a deterrent against such behavior.

“We also support more social programs and opportunities for those who feel they have been left behind,” he added, explaining that this is also important in regard to deterring criminal behavior.

The OSPP leader pointed out that some Caribbean islands are already under the microscope and cited a recent article in the Saint Lucia Times, in which the president of the Saint Lucia Venders Association publicly accused the Minister of Tourism of ignoring the island nation’s crime problem.

The association’s president noted that crime in Saint Lucia has gotten so bad that cruise lines might consider dropping that popular Caribbean port stop from their itineraries, as Norwegian Cruise Line did in the 2010-2012 season because of reported crimes against passengers.

According to Priest, St Read more

“Gebe Is A Rudderless Ship”

PHILIPSBURG – The current issues being experienced with GEBE’S much criticized load shedding are because the company is now “a rudderless ship,” according to leader of the One St. Maarten People Party (OSPP) Lenny Priest, who opined that government needs to step in and tackle these issues head on in the interest of the populace.

Electricity consumers on Dutch St. Maarten have been blighted with power outages over the past few days, which are reportedly part of scheduled load shedding to accommodate repair of equipment Read more