SXMElections.com

Between a rock & a hard place

Dear Editor,

Once again we are blowing our own horn claiming to have reached a win-win agreement for the establishment of the dispute arrangement. As most people know, including the Dutch, we are easy to please and after all the grand-standing only want to be able to go back home and white wash a sell out as an achievement.

The euphoria experienced today seems a lot like what we saw after the signing of their now infamous “ Separate Status just like Aruba” only for the ugly truth to be shown later that it was nothing but a vehicle set up to let the Dutch easily impose what they wish on our people and country Read more

Lee midway through CHTA tenure, outlines changes

DAWN BEACH--The first St. Maarten person to be elected to Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association's (CHTA's) highest post of President Emil Lee is approaching the halfway-mark of his two-year tenure, and says that he is happy to see the association moving in the right direction on a number of fronts.

In an interview with The Daily Herald he outlined both recent and on-going changes within the CHTA at varying stages of implementation, marking its move towards becoming more efficient and a transparent facilitator and thought leader, as well as his hopes for the future.

Lee first shared that what many people don't realise is that he had been elected for the post a year before starting in July 2014 Read more

Champions crowned in School Soccer Tourney

BELVEDERE—Champions were crowned as the 23rd edition of the Interscholastic Soccer Tournament closed at the Cruyff Court in Belvedere, Saturday.  
  The tournament was organised by the St. Maarten Soccer Educational Foundation (SMSEF) and sponsored by the TelEm Group of Companies. The competition featured 44 teams representing 10 elementary schools plus five more schools feed into the combined teams.

11+Under
  Learning Unlimited Goal Machines were crowned the 11 and Under Division champions.  They defeated Sister  Regina Goal Getters 7 – 2.  Noah Ledee led Learning Unlimited with four goals and one assist.  Jan Lucas van der Plaas netted two and Oliver Hobgood one.  Devin Liao supported the strikers with two assists.
  William Mulder and Reshawn Eustase scored for Sister Regina.
   Leonald Connor bested Sister  Magda FC 5 – 1 to take third place.  Philando Parchment led the winning offence with three  goals and one assist Read more

Doran-York wants to strengthen link between WICSU, members

PHILIPSBURG--Newly elected President of the Windward Islands Civil Servants Union/Private Sector Union (WICSU/PSU) Henrietta Doran-York wants to focus on strengthening the relationship between the union and its membership.

The new board elected Friday will sit for three years. In a press release on Sunday, the new president said the union will be announcing "a special day in the week" where members and prospective members will be able to make appointments to meet with the board at the union's office on the Walter Nisbeth Road (Pondfill).

At these meetings, members will get a chance to voice their concerns Read more

Editorial - Final obstacles

What was billed as the first-ever budgetary retreat in St. Maarten (see Saturday paper) seems like a good idea. Synchronisation among the seven ministries in that sense is certainly always desirable for obvious reasons.

Recent experience has shown it's also good to begin preparations well ahead of time and the meeting was about the 2016 budget. However, taking into account that the draft is supposed to be presented to Parliament at the start of September, it's actually not so early.

Of course, there are more immediate concerns, including remaining issues with the 2015 version, almost halfway into the year Read more

Six honoured in annual Mother’s Day ceremony

MARIGOT--The Collectivité honoured six worthy women in its annual Mother's Day ceremony on Friday.

In keeping with tradition, the representatives of the six different councils had the difficult task of choosing someone from their district. Mother's Day on the French side is celebrated annually on the last Sunday of May.

The ceremony began with an opening address by Vice-President Ramona Connor recalling the important role of the mother in society before each district representative announced their candidate with a biography.

The chosen six included Alberta Leblanc from district one, Jocelyne Illidge for district two, Marguerite Bryan from district three, and Tamika Meyers from district four, Louisita Fleming Richardson from district five and Mercedes Thomas from district six.

The ladies were chosen for their strong family values, raising many children, and contributing much to the community Read more

Gumbs calls residents to prepare as season starts

PHILIPSBURG--“Be vigilant and be prepared. This is a call to action,” said Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs in his message to residents about preparedness as the annual Atlantic Hurricane Season starts today, Monday. The season continues until November 30.

“Do not be lulled into a sense of false security. At the beginning of every hurricane season, prepare yourself and your family,” Gumbs said in a message issued on Sunday.

“We must always remain mindful that for six months out of the year, we live in the hurricane season Read more

Govt rejects board’s request to not extend Maduro’s contract

~ Approves two year extension ~

PHILIPSBURG--Government, as shareholder of water and electricity company GEBE, has rejected a request of the GEBE board not to extend the contract of Romelio Maduro as Chief Operations Officer (COO) and Chairman of the Managing Board of the utilities company.

The board's request was to reverse the shareholder's earlier decision to extend Maduro's contract. Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs said in a letter to GEBE board Chairman Rene Richardson dated Friday, May 29, that the shareholder was not in a position to decide positively on the board's request.

Gumbs said Richardson should submit all documents that had led to the board's decision in this matter, to assist the shareholder to reach to an informed decision whereby all facets of good corporate governance are upheld.

Gumbs requested a copy of the "expiring" contract with Maduro, audit reports and all other reports pertaining to this matter, the minutes of the meeting of the Supervisory Board of Directors dealing with this subject matter and the minutes of the meeting of the Supervisory Board of Directors in which Maduro had been heard.

Gumbs also requested all written correspondence between the Supervisory Board and Maduro, establishing that Maduro had been given the opportunity to react regarding the issues mentioned against him.

"Once in possession of the relevant documents, the shareholder will have an independent investigation carried out, whereby the commissioning of an Operational Forensic Audit cannot be ruled out," Gumbs said in the letter, which he signed as Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment VROMI.

"Based on the urgency and circumstances surrounding these matters, these decisions have been taken in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation of GEBE and in particular the article affording the shareholder the possibility to make decisions outside of an ordinary Meeting of Shareholders."

He said Maduro would continue in his function as COO and continue carrying out the tasks of Chairman of the Managing Board pending the outcome of the investigation, to prevent any major disruption in the functioning of GEBE.

In a second letter to Richardson also dated May 29, Gumbs said the shareholder had decided to extend Maduro's contract as COO and Chairman of the Managing

Board for two years.

"In this regard, you are hereby requested to prepare the draft contract extension agreement and submit same to the Shareholder for ratification and or approval," the letter reads.

"The Shareholder has not come to a decision regarding the proposal to grant Mr Read more

Electoral Council imposes daily penalty of NAf. 1,000 on USP

~ Several parties to return excess donations ~

PHILIPSBURG--The United St. Maarten Party (USP), led by Member of Parliament Frans Richardson, has already incurred NAf 2,000 in penalties as of Sunday from the Electoral Council for failing to submit its annual report and financial statements.

The party failed to comply with the National Ordinance on the registration and financing of political parties despite numerous reminders from the council before and after the deadline of April 1, for registered political parties to submit their annual reports.

“Therefore, USP has not complied with one of the most important legal obligations of political parties stipulated in the National Ordinance on Registration and Finances of Political Parties,” said the Electoral Council in a statement Sunday night.

On May 19, the Electoral Council sent a letter to USP leader MP Richardson and its board informing them that the council was considering issuing an order under penalty as is stipulated in Article 44 of the National Ordinance.

USP was granted the opportunity to respond to the Council’s impending order no later than Wednesday, May 27, as well as the opportunity to submit its annual report no later than Friday, May 29 Read more

style="text-align: center;">Several parties to return excess donations to donors.

PHILIPSBURG:---  Despite numerous reminders before and after the deadline for registered political parties to submit their annual reports before April 1, 2015 the United St. Maarten Party (USP) failed to submit its annual report and financial statements. Therefore, USP has not complied with one of the most important legal obligations of political parties stipulated in the National Ordinance on Registration and Finances of Political Parties.
On May 19, 2015, the Electoral Council sent a letter to USP leader, Frans Richardson and its board informing them that the Electoral Council was considering to issue an order under penalty as is stipulated in Article 44 of the aforementioned National Ordinance Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- On Friday May 29th 2015 during a well attended ceremony at the Philipsburg Police Station in the presence of the Chief Commissioner Peter de Witte and Acting Chief of Police Commissioner Carl John after quite some delay the Inspectors Carlyle Rogers, Head of the Simpson Bay district and Ricardo Henson Head of the Public Relation and Communication Department received their promotions in the rank of Chief Inspector Read more

style="text-align: center;">Mr. Imran Amjad inspires close to 100 aspiring leaders to be leaders first and then be innovative!!

Great Bay:---- Close to 100 aspiring leaders came to the POWER HOUR: Boss Edition on May 27, 2015. Held at the University of St. Martin for the first time, the quarterly networking event for entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial professionals, attracted a variety of participants at different stages of their career. In the accompanied booklet for the evening, INFOBIZZ defined BOSS to mean Building Others' Success Stories and encouraged all participants to help others to achieve success by becoming extraordinary leaders and by staying innovative.
With a focus on innovative leadership, the program of Boss Edition of POWER HOUR consisted of three main activities: 1) a networking activity facilitated by the founder and director of INFOBIZZ, Ms Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The National Alliance family hereby congratulates the newly elected board of the WICSU/PSU, Mrs. Henrietta Doran-York (President), Mr. Francisco Mariana (Treasurer) and Mr. Riegnald "Bakari" Arrindell (General Secretary) as you take up this most important task of regulating and protecting the rights of the civil servants and workers in the private sector of St Read more

style="text-align: center;">Will he be used to execute MOU signed with GB Energy?

PHILIPSBURG: ---- Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs reversed the decision taken by the Supervisory Board of GEBE to fire its COO Romelio Maduro. The decision was taken on Friday after Maduro's lawyer Peggy Ann Brandon intervened and threatened to file an injunction against GEBE and government.
SMN News learnt that the Prime Minister reversed the decision seemingly because the shareholder representative (government) was not consulted prior to them taking the decision not to renew Mauro's contract and to give him up to Friday (yesterday) to vacate his office and be off the premises Read more

St. Maarten’s International Airport (PJIAE) stands to lose Financial Credibility if Building Permits not Issued by June 15th.

style="text-align: center;">PJIAE placed in a precarious position due to lack of Building Permit for FBO, and Fire Station.

AIRPORT:--- Management of the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE) stands to lose its financial credibility if Prime Minister and Acting Minister of VROMI Marcel Gumbs along with the leader of the UPP Theodore Heyliger continues to stagnate the issuance of the building permits that were requested by PJIAE since November 2014.
Management of PJIAE signed agreements with Signature a multi-national FBO agency and locally based company TLC that is also an FBO professional Read more

Police Officers Receives Promotions

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - On Friday May 29th 2015 during a well attended ceremony at the Philipsburg Police Station in the presence of the Chief Commissioner Peter de Witte and Acting Chief of Police Commissioner Carl John after quite some delay the Inspectors Carlyle Rogers, Head of the Simpson Bay district and Ricardo Henson Head of t Read more

Power Hour: Boss Edition A Huge Success! Mr. Imran Amjad Inspires Close To 100 Aspiring Leaders To Be Leaders First And Then Be Innovative

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten – Close to 100 aspiring leaders came to the POWER HOUR: Boss Edition on May 27, 2015. Held at the University of St. Martin for the first time, the quarterly networking event for entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial professionals, attracted a variety of participants at different stages of their career.

In the accompanied booklet for the evening, INFOBIZZ defined BOSS to mean Building Others' Success Stories and encouraged all participants to help others to achieve success by becoming extraordinary leaders and by staying innovative.
With a focus on innovative leadership, the program of Boss Edition of POWER HOUR consisted of three main activities: 1) a networking activity facilitated by the founder and director of INFOBIZZ, Ms Read more

Na Congratulates Newly Elected Wicsu/Psu Board

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The National Alliance family hereby congratulates the newly elected board of the WICSU/PSU, Mrs. Henrietta Doran-York (President), Mr. Francisco Mariana (Treasurer) and Mr. Riegnald "Bakari" Arrindell (General Secretary) as you take up this most important task of regulating and protecting the rights of the civil servants and workers in the private sector of St Read more

I voted for improvement yet nothing has changed

Dear Editor,

Please allow me some space in your newspaper to address the United People’s party.

UP party, as a supporter of the united people’s party, I have a request in return for all my hard work and efforts in getting votes for the current government body.

It is only fair and understandable that while some other supporters/campaigners are benefitting from their input; Erno York has only received small but appreciated donations Read more

Editorial - The last say

While concerns remain over the recent sudden announcement that St. Maarten Student Support Services S4 would be discontinued effective July 1, discussions on the move by Education Minister Rita-Bourne Gumbs with a group of those directly impacted and Members of Parliament (MPs) in the Netherlands (see related article) probably will have been at least somewhat reassuring. The intention apparently is to continue the adjustments as planned, so it's good that the person politically responsible for the decision was able to provide an explanation.

Perhaps it was the air in The Hague, because the Inter-Parliamentary Kingdom Consultation IPKO turned out to be a positive encounter as well, leading to consensus among the four delegations on the framework for a kingdom dispute regulation Read more

St. Dominic High School winner Moot Court 2015

PHILIPSBURG--After a Friday afternoon filled with pleadings, arguments and rebuttals in a high-profile and legally highly complicated case involving crimes against humanity and human rights violations, the legal team of St. Dominic High School emerged as winners in the first SXM Moot Court Competition for high school students. They received a trophy from Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs.

Against the opposition of students of Learning Unlimited (LU) Preparatory School, Caribbean International Academy (CIA), St Read more

Henrietta Doran-York elected new WICSU/PSU President

PHILIPSBURG--Seasoned civil servant Henrietta Doran-York was elected as new President of Windward Islands Civil Servants Union/Private Sector Union (WICSU/PSU) on Friday.

Doran-York won with 133 votes, while the other candidate Denisio Conner secured 71 votes. Doran-York, who succeeds Dearie Leonard to take over the helm of the union, declined to comment on winning the presidency on Friday evening, saying she would issue a statement over the weekend.

Also elected to the executive board were new treasurer Francisco Mariana and new General Secretary Riegnald Arrindell, each of whom secured 140 votes.

St Read more

No final agreement yet with SZV or APS

PHILIPSBURG--Government has not yet reached a final agreement with Social and Health Insurance SZV and General Pension Fund APS over outstanding arrears owed.

Finance Minister Martin Hassink told The Daily Herald on Friday that agreements have not yet been sealed. "We did not reach a final agreement yet, but [we are – Ed.] still talking in good cooperation," he said. "We are evaluating the proposals now on the table."

When asked about the approaching Committee for Financial Supervision CFT deadline for these matters to be finalised, Hassink said "I have no deadlines with APS or SZV Read more

Highly successful IPKO closed off

THE HAGUE--A great success, probably the most constructive ever. That is how the leaders of the delegations of Aruba, Curaçao, St. Maarten and the Netherlands perceived the Inter-Parliamentary Kingdom Consultations IPKO, which was closed off in The Hague on Friday, with one major triumph: a dispute regulation for the Kingdom.

Reaching an agreement on the format of a dispute regulation, a higher body where the partners can seek a binding ruling on "strictly legal differences of stipulations of the Kingdom Charter," took years, because the Netherlands was never in favour of a binding dispute arrangement.

"We reached an agreement which I am very proud of Read more