SXMElections.com

Rita supports decriminalisation of marijuana for medicinal use

PHILIPSBURG--Acting Minister of Public Health Social Development and Labour Rita Bourne-Gumbs said on Tuesday that she "is completely for the decriminalization of marijuana and cannabis-related products for medicinal use."

She was at the time responding to several questions posed by this newspaper on the subject via the Press Secretariat. In her brief response, the Minister said as well that she "is completely against the decriminalization of marijuana for personal abuse." She said however, that the actual decriminalisation or changing of the law must happen in Parliament.

When asked to weigh in on the issue, Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson said he was unable to comment at this time as this topic needed careful consideration and consultation with all persons and organisations involved.

There have been some talks about the subject lately Read more

>POINTE BLANCHE:---- Port St. Maarten – In order to enhance port operations and have a seamless operation that operates as efficient and as effective as possible, five department heads at Port St. Maarten completed a four-day PFSO (Port Facility Security Officer) course related to the International Ship and Port Facility (ISPS) Code.
The department heads expressed enthusiasm for the training and now they possess renewed understanding of the ISPS Code and its applicability, and pledged their continued support to compliance efforts in ensuring that the country's seaport meets all international requirements and obligations therefore ensuring the safety of all those who use the nation's port and at the same time protecting the populace of the country where it relates to border security.
Maritime security in the Caribbean is taking on a new shape Read more

style="text-align: center;">New Building Expected to Create 115 jobs.

Airport:--- The Managing Director and other staff of the management team of the Princess Juliana International Airport held the ground breaking ceremony on Tuesday to commence the building of the Cargo Building. While the project is deemed as facelift for the cargo building, Managing Director of PJIAE Regina Labega said that the project is a multi-million dollar project that will create about 115 jobs which will cost the PJIAE $4.6M Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  Hon. Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs led a delegation to Anguilla on Monday to attend the 1st Meeting of the First Session of the 11th Anguilla House of Assembly on Monday afternoon at the Atlin Noraldo Harrigan Parliamentary Building. Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications Hon. Claret Connor and Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports Hon Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  President of Parliament Hon. Dr. Lloyd Richardson, Vice President and Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Leona Marlin-Romeo, and Vice President MP Hon. Cornelius de Weever, who form the Presidium of Parliament, met with Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon Read more

style="text-align: center;">Where is the Management Team that was appointed by Former Minister Roland Duncan?

PHILIPSBURG: --- Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson said in an invited comment that the Council of Ministers recently approved an organization structure (plan) for the Pointe Blanche Prison and the Police Department of St Read more

style="text-align: center;">Five Years After St. Maarten Acquired Its' Separate Status On October 10, 2010 And Nothing Has Changed. After The 2014 Election We Have Changed A Few Of The Players In Parliament But The Leadership Remained The Same, Therefore We Should Not Expect Anything Different. This Brings Us To The Meeting Of Parliament Where The Checkmate Contract Should Have Been Debated.

PHILIPSBURG:---– Never have I witnessed such a degrading meeting of the people business in parliament as that meeting held last week regarding the Checkmate Security contract at the St Read more

style="text-align: center;">New comers cannot move WICSU forward.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Denisio Conner a senior civil servant for the Government of St. Maarten for the past 20 years has decided to postulate himself for the Presidency of the Windward Islands Civil Servants and Private Sector Union (WICSU/PSU). The election is slated for Friday May 29th 2015 at the WICSU/PSU head office on Walter Nisbeth Road from 7am to 4 pm.
Running alongside Conner is Henrietta Doran York, someone that has been in the political arena for years and has even served as deputy Minister of Plenipotentiary Read more

Five Department Heads Receive Isps Training For Security Of Ships And Port Facilities At Port St. Maarten

POINT BLANCHE, St. Maarten – In order to enhance port operations and have a seamless operation that operates as efficient and as effective as possible, five department heads at Port St. Maarten completed a four-day PFSO (Port Facility Security Officer) course related to the International Ship and Port Facility (ISPS) Code.

The department heads expressed enthusiasm for the training and now they possess renewed understanding of the ISPS Code and its applicability, and pledged their continued support to compliance efforts in ensuring that the country's seaport meets all international requirements and obligations therefore ensuring the safety of all those who use the nation's port and at the same time protecting the populace of the country where it relates to border security.

Maritime security in the Caribbean is taking on a new shape Read more

Students Welcome End To S4 (St. Maarten Student Support Services)

St. Maarten -Students generally were satisfied with the news that the St. Maarten Government will be terminating the service level agreement with St. Maarten Student Support Services S4 in the Netherlands effective July 1, 2015. Students contacted the Today Newspaper this weekend and expressed “joy and relief” at the news. Student Timothy Colli told this newspaper that “you work with S4 in the beginning of your studies to get to Holland, when you arrive, be ready to fend for yourself.” Colli is in his second year of studies in the Netherlands.

Two student guidance counselors will be put in charge of the students Read more

Caribbean Looks To Paris Climate Summit For Its Very Survival

St. Maarten/THE CARIBBEAN—Caribbean leaders on Saturday further advanced their policy position on climate change ahead of the 21st Conference of Parties, also known as COP 21, scheduled for Paris during November and December of this year.

The position of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), 14 independent countries, was put forward by the group’s chairman, Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie, during a meeting here with French President François Hollande. “For the Bahamas, which has 80 percent of its land mass within one metre of mean sea level, climate change is an existential threat.” — Bahamas Prime Minister Perry Christie

“The evidence of the impact of climate change within our region is very evident Read more

Minister Teatt And Council Of Advice Forge Closer Ties

St. Maarten -A working and cooperation methodology where feedback and input would be sought from the Council of Advice on initiative laws thereby foregoing a long tedious process to get legislation approved, is the result of a recent meeting between Minister of TEATT Claret Connor and members of the High Council of State, the Council of Advice led by Vice Chairlady Mavis Brooks-Salmon Read more

Carnival Foundation “Fires” 6 Volunteers

GREAT BAY – St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) fired six volunteers last week, days after the carnival season concluded.  According to one of the volunteers who asked to remain unknown, years ago, the volunteer started assisting the SCDF with the expectation to serve the community in what they called the islands biggest cultural festival. Six letters were sent personally to the volunteers stating that the foundation thanks them for their service however due to downsizing and restructuring of the board, the foundation can no longer allow them to be volunteers in the foundation.

Six members including a board member were sent the following dismissal letter, by President of the SCDF Michael Granger last week Thursday Read more

Mp's Commit To Ensuring Matter Of Increasing Legal Drinking Age Is Handled

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Back on April 7th 2015, the Permanent Committee of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs (CECYSA) of Parliament, met with the St. Maarten Lions Club on where a presentation was made regarding underage drinking and parental responsibility.

The club started their awareness programme in March of last year.

During their presentation to Parliament in April, the club requested that MP's make amendments to the law in its current form that allows youngste Read more

Minister Teatt Meets With Council Of Advice

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor earlier in the week met with members of the High Council of State, the Council of Advice led by Vice Chairlady Mavis Brooks-Salmon.

There was a very good and extensive discussion that took place on a number of issues resulting in a working and cooperation methodology where feedback and input would be sought from the Council of Advice on initiative laws thereby foregoing a long tedious process to get legislation approved.

Minister Connor presented his vision and plans related to his ministry Read more

20-Odd Writers From India To Brazil To St. Lucia, Heading For The 13Th Annual St. Martin Book Fair 2015

GREAT BAY/MARIGOT, St. Martin — The 13th annual St. Martin Book Fair is set for June 4 - 6, 2015, said Shujah Reiph, book fair coordinator and president of Conscious Lyrics Foundation (CLF).

Novelists, poets, historians, scholars, drama and performance word artists from India, UK, Brazil, St. Lucia, the USA, to name a few places, "are heading our way," said Reiph.

Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs has already extended a welcoming hand to book fair guests and is encouraging the island's people to, "Have a very successful St Read more

Hollande declares Court of First Instance will open January 2016

MARIGOT--President of the French Republic François Hollande made a number of sweeping announcements in his speech to the population of St. Martin at the end of his whirlwind visit to St. Martin last night. Among them were assurances that the social benefit (RSA) would be reformed to be more adaptable for St. Martin with help given to pay off the Collectivité's debt.

He also said a Court of First Instance and a rehabilitation centre for the youth (foyer educatif) would be established, and the number of Gendarmes in the territory would increase this July.

Hollande appeared to be decisive and up to speed on the issues plaguing St Read more

MPs review options for new building

PHILIPSBURG--The creation of a building team and deciding on whether to opt for government lease land or to purchase a parcel for the construction of a new Parliament Building were among the topic Members of Parliament (MPs) dealt with in a meeting of Ad Hoc Committee for the New Parliament Building on Friday morning.

The meeting, chaired by United People's (UP) party MP Franklin Meyers, was originally opened to the public, but was closed after committee members decided "due to the sensitivity" of the subject that the meeting should be closed.

Independent MP Cornelius de Weever has suggested before the closure for the committee to get a list of available land from government that is suitable for the building MPs want to have constructed.

Meyers said a list of possible locations was on hand as well as some possible options of private land for purchase.

United St Read more

Tourism season better, but marketing concerns loom

PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten's accommodation sector enjoyed a positive tourism season, which reportedly measured up to slightly better than last year's. Hotel General Managers (GMs) contacted by The Daily Herald were proud to report the good results, some specifically citing the (now halted) Thomas Cook (TC) charter from Sweden as a positive contribution. However, they also expressed some concern over the lack of destination marketing.

According to St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association's (SHTA's) most recent figures, the first quarter of 2015 saw a total occupancy of 82.1 per cent, of a total of 3,375 rooms belonging to SHTA members Read more

Meeting on Checkmate contract proves fruitless

Various Members of Parliament speak with Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Claret Connor and his support staff.

 

~ ‘Sensitive answers’ to be given in two weeks ~

 PHILIPSBURG--The meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament, which had been called by National Alliance (NA) Members of Parliament (MPs) seeking answers about a hefty rise in pay in a security contract signed between St Read more

>Airport:--- French President Francois Hollande landed on St. Maarten (Princess Juliana International Airport) at 4:30pm on Friday afternoon instead of the scheduled 4.00pm hour. The French President came off an Air France aircraft and was greeted by the Governor of St. Maarten Eugene Holiday, President of Parliament Lloyd Richardson, Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs and Director of PJAIE Regina Labega Read more

>GREAT BAY:---- —Linguist and author Dr. Rhoda Arrindell attended the international "Forum on the Future of the Caribbean" at the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the Hyatt Regency, Trinidad and Tobago, on May 5 – 7, 2015.
"Based on the conference banner of 'Disruptive Thinking. Bold Action. Practical Outcomes,' there were at least six resounding themes from the very beginning," said Dr Read more

ECLAC panel discussion explores innovative financing solutions for the Caribbean

style="text-align: center;">The session took place during the Forum on the Future of the Caribbean, held in Trinidad and Tobago on May 5-7.

The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) celebrated a panel discussion at the Forum on the Future of the Caribbean, in Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday 7 May 2015, to explore innovative financing solutions in the context of the upcoming United Nations Conference on Financing for Development that will be held in Addis Ababa in July.
At the opening of the session, which examined opportunities that exist for domestic and international development financing for Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS), ECLAC's Deputy Executive Secretary Antonio Prado outlined important areas of focus for these countries, like the need to address the issue of debt relief in a sustainable manner and the possibility of mobilizing resources through diaspora bond issue and increased remittances.
The panel included Ms Read more

Unprecedented security in place for President François Hollande

MARIGOT--Practically the entire law enforcement detachment of the French side will be on duty for President François Hollande's very brief official visit today, the first for a French President since Jacque Chirac's visit in 2000.

According to reports, 198 Gendarmes will be assuring security assisted by the Territorial Police and officers from Police aux Frontières (PAF). The President will also no doubt have his own security detail close to him.

The Presidential plane is due to touch down at Princess Juliana International Airport at 3:30pm where President Hollande will be welcomed by Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, Governor Eugene Holiday and Chairman of Parliament Dr Read more