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Former MP De Weever stands trial for stealing blogger’s tablet

PHILIPSBURG--Former Member of Parliament (MP) Petrus Leroy de Weever (61) stood trial Wednesday on allegations he had stolen blogger J.R.’s tablet during an altercation on Front Street on January 11, 2014.

The Prosecutor’s Office considers the case proven and requested that the Court sentence the senior politician to payment of a NAf Read more

Protest against ministers draws only small crowd

PHILIPSBURG--The angry sentiments expressed on radio and in some quarters of the community against the Marcel Gumbs Cabinet for not resigning in the face of the September 30 motion of no confidence passed by the new National Alliance (NA)-led coalition did not translate into a big turnout for the protest in front of the Government Administration Building on Wednesday morning Read more

Do we serve democracy by not holding new elections?

Dear Editor,

Much has been said about the matter of a motion of no confidence in the members of the Gumbs I cabinet by the Parliament of St. Maarten. There has also been much said about that same cabinet's choice not to resign and call for new elections. The prevailing question is "Even if there is an election, what fundamental difference will it make, especially in the light of the fact that the laws relating to the exact process after such a motion of no confidence is passed have yet to be created, and the fact that there will still be no rules to prevent the ship jumping that has led to this point and preceded other changes in government?" This letter seeks to advance two arguments in favor of these new elections Read more

First opening games tied as football season starts

MARIGOT—In an unusual start to the new football season Champ of Champs competition on the French side, the first two “curtain raiser” games on Sunday at the Alberic Richards Stadium both finished in draws.
  The U15 match between 2014-2015 champions Juventus against Flamingo and the Seniors match with champions Junior Stars versus President’s Cup winners Attackers both ended in a 2-2 draw.
  Préfète Anne Laubies attended the opening ceremony wishing St. Martin Football Association (SMFA) and players much success for the season before symbolically kicking the ball to initiate the start of the first match between Juventus and Flamingo.
  Opening remarks were also made by SMFA President Fabrice Baly and former Sports Commissioner (2007-2011), Jean-David Richardson, a former player with Black Stars.
  Richardson praised the parents for keeping their children focused on sports when there are so many other distractions, not all healthy, and congratulated the referees, coaches, trainers for their contribution to football.
  Fabrice Baly in his address, said: “My wish for players is to remain respectful and humble; my wish for you is to be proud of your identity and flag/country you are representing; my wish for you is to never give up, to excel and be ambitious, and never to forget that football can make you a better person.
  Lou Baly of the Arbitration Commission noted the 2014-2015 competition had eight teams in the U13 division, eight teams in the U15, five teams in the U17, and six senior teams Read more

Editorial - Something has to give

The latest news last night in the ongoing constitutional saga was that the “new majority” has organised a Parliament meeting of its own to elect a new president, vice-president and second vice-president in place of those of the former UP-led coalition. This obviously will not be a “regular” meeting called by the secretariat on the instruction of the current chairperson and the legality of any decisions taken consequently will no doubt be questioned by those who favour dissolving the legislature and going back to the polls.

When the same thing happened in Curaçao in 2012, the new majority’s gatherings created a situation where at one point there were two different persons claiming to be President of Parliament Read more

New coalition calls Parliament meeting for today at 6:00pm

PHILIPSBURG--The new National Alliance (NA)-led coalition has decided to bypass submitting a request for a meeting of Parliament to Second Deputy Parliament Chairman Cornelius de Weever, and instead has sent out a convocation letter directly to all Members of Parliament (MPs) to attend an “urgent meeting” today, Thursday, in Parliament House, starting at 6:00pm.

The meeting has as its main agenda point the appointment of a chairperson and a second vice-chairperson Read more

Protest against Ministers draws only a small crowd

PHILIPSBURG--The angry sentiments expressed on radio and in some quarters of the community against the Marcel Gumbs Cabinet for not resigning in the face of the September 30 motion of no confidence passed by the new National Alliance (NA)-led coalition did not translate into a large turnout for the protest in front of the Government Administration Building on Wednesday morning.

Some people on the scene are planning to return to the site again today, Thursday, for similar action Read more

Gendarmerie stands guard as burglary gang appears in court

MARIGOT--The Gendarmerie flexed its muscles as a precaution against any trouble as six burglary suspects, all adults ages nineteen to 25, appeared together in court on Wednesday to hear charges against them for a series of burglaries committed from May to July this year.

Five of the suspects implicated in the burglaries were arrested on Monday along with a sixth individual who was not involved in the burglaries, but was known to the other five and arrested for weapons possession.

Capitaine Emmanuel Maignan said the robust Gendarmerie presence outside and inside the courthouse was due to the number of supporters and friends of the suspects who had gathered at the café opposite the courthouse an hour before the court appearance and had been seeking information since Monday on why the arrests had been made.

Rue Palais de Justice was closed and occupied by Gendarmerie vehicles while the hearing was in progress inside the courthouse Read more

style="text-align: center;">“I was thrown under the roller by the UPP”

PHILIPSBURG:---- Member of Parliament Silvio Matser who left the United Peoples Party also showed up in front of the Government Administration Building on Wednesday to show his support to the people whom he said elected him Read more

style="text-align: center;">Uninsured Police Officers called to protect Ousted Council of Ministers

PHILIPSBURG:--- Heavy equipment’s were used early Wednesday morning to block the entrance of the Government Administration Building. The drivers of three heavy equipment arrived in the area of the Government Administration Building shortly before 5am where they parked their vehicles blocking the entrance towards the Government Administration Building and left.
Around 6:30 am the night watch- commander Officer Gomes along with some police officers walked towards the Government Administration and began questioning bystanders and the security guards as to who parked the heavy equipment’s that were blocking the streets Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The eight seat majority in the Parliament of St. Maarten has called for an urgent meeting of Parliament to be held on Thursday October 15th 2015 at 6pm in the legislative hall of Parliament.
The agenda point for the meeting called on Thursday is to appoint the new chairperson of parliament along with the vice chairpersons.
A letter which is signed by the majority states that in view of the meetings held the past two days the current majority have agreed to have the mee Read more

Extraordinary Meeting Of Parliament Called

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - A majority of 8 in parliament has convened a public meeting of parliament for Thursday, October 15, 2015 at 6 pm.

This invitation has been sent to all members of parliament with the appointment of a chairperson and vice chairpersons being the main agenda point.

In an elucidation to the invitation, the members constituting the majority outline the reasons for this extraordinary meeting, going from the premise of the "majority-rule".

While the Rules of Order of Parliament provide for a change in chairmanship at any time, no further procedures are in place in the event the sitting presidium members take on a hostile attitude and refuse to accommodate the change-over.

This could make a lame duck of the parliament.

Below is the motivation as provided.

Ref: urgent meeting of Parliament on Thursday, October 15, 2015 at 18.00 hours.

Agenda point: Appointment of a chairperson, a first deputy chairperson and a second deputy chairperson.

Motivation:

On September 30, 2015, a majority in Parliament informed   H Read more

Emergency Meeting Of The Parliament Called For 6Pm Thursday

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Eight members of Parliament signed a letter Thursday which calls for an Emergency meeting of Parliament to handle a few appointment matters.

The main agenda point for the meeting is the appointment of a Chairperson, a First Deputy Chairperson and a Second Deputy.

The letter which was addressed to all members of Parliament also states that in view of recent developments during meetings of Parliament including the Central Committee which was held on Wednes Read more

Pm Gumbs Invites Faction Leaders

St. Maarten – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, announced on Tuesday that he has extended an invitation to all parliamentary faction leaders for today at the Government Administration Building.

The agenda point for the meeting is seeking support for solutions for stability in government.

The first meeting between the Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, along with his advisors from his Cabinet is slated for 9.00 a.m.  Subsequent thereto, meetings will continue with the faction leaders throughout the day.

As indicated in his first meeting with the Parliament of Sint Maarten, the Prime Minister stressed the need for stability, civility and tranquility in the country.  Prime Minister Gumbs has requested the various faction leaders to meet in order to discuss solutions for stability in government. 

Invitations from Prime Minister Gumbs to faction leaders were issued on Tuesday, October 13.

The members of the Council of Ministers decided on Tuesday to explore this avenue in seeking a solution to the current impasse that would be in the long-term interests of the country and its people.

“This approach being offered brings parliament and government together to work in the interests of the people Read more

Marlin-Romeo resigns as Vice-Chair of Parliament

PHILIPSBURG--Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo has notified current Chairman of Parliament Dr. Lloyd Richardson and Secretaries-General (SGs) that effective immediately, the position she held as Vice-Chairperson is being made available.

Marlin-Romeo “duly notes that there is a new majority in Parliament and therefore, the appointment of the new chairmanship must transpire,” a press release said Read more

New coalition says De Weever acted illegally, calls for urgent meeting

PHILIPSBURG--Second Vice-Chairman of Parliament Cornelius de Weever performed an “illegal act” when he chaired Tuesday’s plenary session of Parliament and closed it swiftly without giving Members of Parliament (MPs) the possibility to react, say representatives of the new coalition in Parliament.

After De Weever closed the session they submitted a request for an urgent meeting of Parliament to talk about his “illegal act” as well as “the consequences for the functioning of Parliament and for the representation of the people of St Read more

President of Parliament Dr. Lloyd Richardson makes position available

President of Parliament Dr. Lloyd Richardson makes position available  

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – On Monday, 12th October, President of Parliament Hon. Dr. Lloyd Richardson, made his position to Parliament by informing the Secretariat of the House of Parliament Read more

New coalition wants ministers to resign before talks on stability

PHILIPSBURG--Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs’ invitation to faction leaders in Parliament to meet separately with him today, Wednesday, in an attempt to get “support for solutions for stability in government” has been rebuffed by members of the new coalition in Parliament.

In response to Gumbs’ invitation to meet, faction leaders Members of Parliament (MPs) William Marlin (National Alliance), Sarah Wescot-Williams (Democratic Party), Frans Richardson (United St Read more

Nobel winner: World must carry out UN slavery pledge

NEW DELHI--The new U.N. global development pact may have been a significant step towards ending human trafficking and slavery, but governments must now follow through on their pledge, Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi said on Tuesday.
  Although slavery is illegal everywhere, almost 36 million people are enslaved worldwide - trafficked to brothels, forced into manual labour or victims of debt bondage, the Walk Free Foundation estimates. Last month, the 193 U.N. member states made ending modern-day slavery one of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which will shape development and poverty eradication efforts for the next 15 years.
  Satyarthi, an Indian whose charity Bachpan Bachao Andolan (Save the Childhood Movement) is credited with rescuing more than 80,000 enslaved children, welcomed adoption of the SDGs but said governments now had a responsibility to allocate adequate budgets and design suitable policies.
  "Freedom has always been considered a matter of human rights, but for the first time it has been acknowledged that without freedom there can be no development Read more

Tourism public relations firm’s contract in limbo

PHILIPSBURG--A tourism public relations (PR) company employed by St. Maarten Tourist Bureau has been caught in technical limbo during the ongoing political uncertainty.

However, despite the unwelcome news, its President Richard Kahn said it was still “actively representing the tourism interests of St. Maarten” and doing its “best to promote the destination.” This is despite also being owed money.

Kahn Travel Communications, or KTCpr, has not had its contract officially signed by Government and was told last week not to spend any money on behalf of the destination Read more

Eight is more than seven

Dear Editor

I read the PM's “weighing in on the political turmoil” and would like to comment.

In 2013, the United People’s (UP) party wanted to come into government and (rightfully so) proclaimed eight parliamentary seats to be more than seven. The battle between proponents of Article 33-2 and Article 59 ensued. Article 59 was invoked by the National Alliance (NA) led Wescot II cabinet, but lost Read more

Parliament wants blueprint for Dispute Regulation by year end

THE HAGUE--The Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament wants the Dutch Government to achieve a blueprint for the Dispute Regulation (“geschillenregeling”) for the Kingdom together with the Dutch Caribbean countries before the end of 2015.

A majority of the Parliament supported the motion of Member of Parliament Roelof van Laar of the Labour Party PvdA urging the Dutch Government to continue efforts to solve the deadlock to establish a Dispute Regulation before the end of this year.

The motion, submitted during the handling of the draft 2016 Kingdom Relations budget last Thursday, called on government to use the May 2015 agreement of the Inter-Parliamentary Consultation for the Kingdom IPKO as a guideline Read more

Editorial - Deadlocked for now

Anybody expecting that the Parliament session on Tuesday to elect a new President and two Vice-Presidents might lead to some breakthrough in the current constitutional impasse between the new majority and the Gumbs cabinet was disappointed. Although both President Dr. Lloyd Richardson and First Vice-President Leona Marlin-Romeo had publicly made their positions available, they were not present and Second Vice-President Cornelius de Weever, part of the same former UP-led coalition, closed the proceedings as soon as they had begun, saying he needed legal clarification due to the Council of Ministers having passed a national decree to dissolve the legislature and hold snap elections.

The incoming NA/DP/UPS/Matser/Lake coalition did not appreciate this and called for an urgent new meeting about De Weever’s “illegal act” and its impact on the country’s democratic representation Read more

PRESS RELEASE Council of Ministers invites Parliamentary Faction Leaders for a Meeting

PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release: Tuesday, October 13, 2015/N163

Council of Ministers invites Parliamentary Faction Leaders for a Meeting on Finding Solutions for Stability in Government

PHILIPSBURG – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, announced on Tuesday that he has extended an invitation to all parliamentary faction leaders for Wednesday, October 14th at the Government Administration Building Read more