SXMElections.com

MPs question Dennis on Zebec settlement at Port

~ Sarah’s call for more speaker’s time voted down ~

PHILIPSBURG--Members of Parliament (MPs) fired off numerous questions seeking clarity on the Harbour’s settlement with Zebec Development during an emergency meeting on Monday.

The meeting was adjourned after the first round of questions to give Deputy Prime Minister Dennis Richardson a chance to obtain answers. The meeting will continue at 2:00pm today, Tuesday.

A proposal by Democratic Party (DP) MP Sarah Wescot-Williams at the start of the meeting for the speaking time to be increased to 30 minutes in the first round and 20 minutes in the second round was voted down with eight MPs voting against the proposal and six voting for it.

The vote was called after United People’s (UP) party MP Franklin Meyers said he opposed Wescot-Williams’ proposal Read more

Court to decide on SHHC appeal against Dock Maarten in October

POINT BLANCHE--After a failed attempt in Civil Court in December to halt Dock Maarten N.V. construction plans, St. Maarten Harbour Holding Company (SHHC) N.V. filed an appeal centred on a building permit and was heard in administrative court on Monday. The Court will give its decision October 19.

The Harbour is against a building permit for expansion issued by the Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI on July 21, 2014. The Harbour argues that the construction forms both a hindrance to vessels and a danger.

Attorney Marcha Woudstra also argued that the decision by the ministry to issue the permit had not taken into careful consideration previous reports made, and that the decision was at odds with the law Read more

Technical Services to start work for Blue Zone parking

MARIGOT--The Collectivité’s Technical Services will begin installing infrastructure and informative signs to indicate Blue Zone parking areas in downtown Marigot as of this Thursday, September 24.

This first phase requires a month-and-a-half of work, the Collectivité noted in a release. Commissioning of the Blue Zone is scheduled for mid-November, just before the start of the new tourist season.

The creation of a Blue Zone was initiated by President Aline Hanson’s majority party in the context of the revitalization of Marigot’s town centre Read more

NATO say Russia must withdraw heavy weapons from Ukraine

LVIV, Ukraine--NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday an ebb in violence in eastern Ukraine was not enough to bring peace and demanded Russia withdraw heavy weapons the alliance accuses it of providing in support of separatists.
  Ukrainian diplomats said Stoltenberg's two-day visit, his first to Ukraine as NATO Secretary-General, held strong symbolic importance for the country in its drive for Western integration in the face of a pro-Russian rebellion in eastern territories.
  With a troubled peace plan for the Ukrainian conflict nearing its year-end deadline, Stoltenberg said the drop in fighting since the start of September was encouraging but called it fragile and far from sufficient Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---- Last Friday, Posh Productions hosted its first Corporate Cocktail Pageant Presentation for Corporate St. Maarten. This very “posh” evening was hosted at Princess Port de Plaisance and was well attended by the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, the Honorable Rita Bourne-Gumbs and representatives of various businesses on the island.
Posh Productions recognizes the general perceptions and reservations many institutions and individuals have about pageantry. Often times, pageantry is perceived as not serving much purpose or holding any value, but quite to the contrary, pageantry has significant importance for our community and serves as a pillar for growth throughout the world Read more

Members of Parliament wanted more speaking time in Zebec/Harbor debate.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Members of Parliament were called to vote on Monday when a member of the opposition asked for speakers time to be extended and a member of the coalition opposed the extension. MP Frans Richardson who supports the government voted in favor of the extension citing that he believes that Members of Parliament should be given extra time if they need when debating certain topics Read more

Press Core Boycott Parliament Meetings due to specific dress code.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- On Monday members of the media on St. Maarten boycotted the meetings of parliament due to a press release sent out last week informing members of media the dress code of parliament. In that press release its states that members of the media should wear a “jacket” in order for them to access the press-room in parliament. The press release further states that those members of the media who does not abide with the dress code will have to sit in the public tribune.
While parliament sent out a press release to say how members of the media to dress in order for them to attend parliament meetings, so far parliament have not taken the initiative to keep Members of Parliament out of the press room while meetings are taking place Read more

Statia takes its cause to the UN

THE HAGUE/ORANJESTAD--A four-member Statia delegation will be meeting with the United Nations’ Decolonisation Committee this week in an effort to seek the support of international organisations such as the UN to intervene on the island’s behalf in the struggle with the Dutch Government for more autonomy and the right of self-determination.

Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs Reginald Zaandam was very clear as he was about to leave for New York on Saturday: The Netherlands, as Statia’s mother country has a responsibility and duty to work with St Read more

Wescot-Williams: Connor ‘intimidated’ by coalition

PHILIPSBURG--Recently appointed Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Development and Infrastructure VROMI Claret Connor “seemed intimidated” by the coalition partners who appointed him in the post when he appeared before Parliament on Friday to answer questions from, in particular, opposition National Alliance and Democratic Party Members of Parliament about tackling the country’s garbage mountain Read more

Pope meets Fidel Castro, warns against ideology on Cuba trip

HAVANA--Pope Francis met Cuba's revolutionary leader Fidel Castro on Sunday hours after warning Cubans to beware the dangers of ideology and the lure of selfishness as their country enters a new era of closer ties with the United States.
  Latin America's first pope and Castro, the region's last surviving leftist icon of the 20th century, discussed religion and world affairs at the home of the 89-year-old retired president for about 40 minutes Read more

It’s time to move on

Dear Editor,

If government officials cannot address the public in a sober and civil manner, then they need to reconsider their position and move on. It is totally unacceptable for representatives of the people to express themselves in ways that are substandard to effective leadership. This pattern of behaviour seems to be a developing trend - a style that exposes their state of mind – a mind that is overruled by frustration, which has lead them to the point where they are unable to guide their thoughts.

Politicians, who are called to lead, would be cognizant of their choice of words and actions Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Postal Services St. Maarten (PSS) attended the Caribbean Postal Union (CPU) and Universal Postal Union (UPU) 18th annual Postal Conference in the British Virgin island of Tortola.

The St. Maarten delegation arrived on Sunday in Tortola comprised of Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Directors (SBD) Stuart Johnson and interim-Managing Director Antonia Wilson Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  University of St. Martin (USM) announced on Friday that it received accreditation of its Hospitality and Tourism Management programme by Business and Technology Education Council in the United Kingdom (BTEC).

BTEC accredited degrees are recognized in the US and in Europe. This is the first programme under the USM to be accredited.

USM also received "recognition" from American Hotel and Lodging Association, and that USM will be the third institution in the Caribbean to offer courses from American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute, especially in the North Eastern Caribbean where personnel from American hotels can come to upgrade their skills.

“It's high time that our Government recognize USM in writing based on our Government Program Read more

Pss Attends Caribbean Postal Conference In Bvi

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Postal Services St. Maarten (PSS) attended the Caribbean Postal Union (CPU) and Universal Postal Union (UPU) 18th annual Postal Conference in the British Virgin island of Tortola.The St. Maarten delegation arrived on Sunday in Tortola comprised of Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Directors (SBD) Stuart Johnson and interim-Managing Director Antonia Wilson Read more

Mp Lake Commends Usm Management And Board On Reaching Milestone With First Accredited Program. Wants Governments Recognition

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – University of St. Martin (USM) announced on Friday that it received accreditation of its Hospitality and Tourism Management programme by Business and Technology Education Council in the United Kingdom (BTEC).

BTEC accredited degrees are recognized in the US and in Europe. This is the first programme under the USM to be accredited.

USM also received "recognition" from American Hotel and Lodging Association, and that USM will be the third institution in the Caribbean to offer courses from American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute, especially in the North Eastern Caribbean where personnel from American hotels can come to upgrade their skills.

“It's high time that our Government recognize USM in writing based on our Government Program Read more

GEBE marks its 55th anniversary

PHILIPSBURG--Utilities company GEBE marked its 55th anniversary on Friday with a celebration that included the unveiling of a portrait of long-time GEBE Managing Director the late Julius Lambert painted by artist Ruby Bute and the rewarding of five youngsters for their outstanding performance at the high school entrance exams.

Receiving laptops and praises were Collin Shigemoto and Jaidev Nainani of St. Dominic High School, Eshita Wadhwa and Oluwatoyin Aladejana of Methodist Agogic Centre (MAC) Browlia Maillard Campus and Sean Mitchell of MAC Rev Read more

Democratic donors call on Biden to challenge Clinton

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON--A group of prominent Democratic Party fundraisers on Friday began circulating a letter to encourage a hesitant Vice President Joe Biden to enter the 2016 race for U.S. president.
  The letter, signed by nearly 50 people, calls the Obama-Biden administration a "spectacular success." It cites job creation, a lower unemployment rate, new health insurance policies for nearly 9 million Americans and the end of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
  "To finish the job, America needs a leader who is respected both home and abroad, and who understands the real challenges facing American families Read more

Urgent Plenary Session of Parliament scheduled for Monday about Settlement Agreement between Port St. Maarten and Zebec

>PHILIPSBURG:----  An urgent public Plenary sitting of the House of Parliament will take place on September 21.

The plenary session is set for Monday, at 2.00pm in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelmina Straat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda point is the settlement between the Harbour Group of Companies and Zebec.

This parliamentary meeting was requested by the Democratic Party faction and the National Alliance, Members of Parliament (MP) Hon Read more

Disaster waiting to happen at Landfill --- MP’s express outrage at the current situation regarding Waste to Energy Plant and statements made by Prime Minister.

style="text-align: center;">MP Meyers and MP Marlin engaged in verbal war during live meeting of Parliament

PHILIPSBURG:--- Several Members of Parliament expressed outrage on Friday morning in Parliament while posing several questions regarding the dumpsite in the middle of Philipsburg. Recently Member of Parliament Christopher Emmanuel posted a video on Facebook on the current situation at the Landfill Read more

Ombudsman Ducks Question About Uncaring Civil Servants

St. Maarten – “There is a group of civil servants that feels that the LMA protects them and that it is difficult to dismiss them. Is that part of the problem? Is there a sentiment that some civil servants just don’t care and that they don’t have to follow recommendations?” with that remark, independent MP Leona Marlin-Romeo, who worked as a civil servant at the census office, seemed to give a spark to a meeting of parliament where Ombudsman Dr Read more

Dutch Representative Screens Troonrede In Holland House: “We Have Shared Interests”

Dutch representative Gert Versluis (left) and Milton Peters College Director Wim de Visser at the presentation of the Troonrede by King Willem Alexander at Holland House. Photo Today / Hilbert Haar

St. Maarten – The instruction of the Kingdom government to amend the 2015 budget is a “mega-challenge,” Dutch representative Gert Versluis said yesterday at an informal gathering at Holland House where his office screened the Troonrede of King Willem Alexander. “It is good that we have a very good minister of finance here who is qualified to tackle that problem Read more

Minister Richardson Criticizes Attorney-General Schram: “Justify Your Claims Or Shut The Hell Up”

Justice Minister Richardson is tired of accusations about corruption. Photo Today / Milton Pieters

St. Maarten – “My position has changed: it is put up or shut up. Justify your claims or shut the hell up. This has to stop,” Justice Minister Dennis Richardson said yesterday afternoon in parliament about the statements Attorney-General Guus Schram made last Friday about the interconnection between the underworld and the legitimate part of St. Maarten’s society.

“There are numerous indications showing that the underworld and the legitimate society in St Read more

Mp Leona Marlin-Romeo Donates To Primary Schools Sports Equipment As Part Of Give Back To The Community Program

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo on Thursday said that three public schools namely the Genieve De Weever School, Martin Luther King School, and Charles Leopold Bell School, were asked what they were in need of for their sports activities.

The schools indicated that sports ma Read more

Trinidad attorney general asks for more time for Warner extradition

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad--Trinidad and Tobago’s newly sworn-in attorney general, Faris Al-Rawi, has asked for more time to consider the United States’ extradition case against former FIFA vice-president Jack Warner to face multiple racketeering, corruption and money laundering charges in New York.

Shortly before an initial deadline expired at 4 pm on Wednesday, in a letter to Chief Magistrate Marcia Ayers Caesar, counsel for the attorney general stated that Al-Rawi, who took up duties this week after being sworn in last Wednesday, needed additional time to consider a request from Warner’s attorneys that was refused by his predecessor Garvin Nicholas.

Ayers-Caesar was asked to extend the deadline to Monday morning, when Warner is scheduled to reappear before her Read more