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Integrity Chamber back on agenda Kingdom Govt

~ VVD demands AMvRB measure for St. Maarten ~

THE HAGUE--The establishing of the St. Maarten Integrity Chamber is back on the agenda of the Kingdom Council of Ministers. The next meeting is on July 10 and a General Measure of the Kingdom Government ("Algemene Maatregel van Rijksbestuur" AMvRB) is a real option.

Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk did not state specifically during a debate in the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament on Thursday that a decision would be taken regarding St Read more

Koos Sneek files charges against Clyde van Putten

ST. EUSTATIUS--Island Council member and Director of Norako N.V. Nicolaas "Koos" Sneek of the opposition Democratic Party (DP) of St. Eustatius filed a criminal complaint Tuesday against Island Councilman Clyde van Putten of coalition partner Progressive Labour Party (PLP).

Sneek filed a complaint against Van Putten with Acting Prosecutor Jacques van der Horde in connection with defamation, slander and damage to his reputation.

According to a letter sent by Sneek's attorney to Van Putten, the PLP leader allegedly levelled "evidently incorrect and serious allegations" against Sneek during a meeting of members of the Island Council with members of the Committee for Financial Supervision CFT on Friday, June 26.

Van Putten allegedly accused Sneek during this meeting of having defrauded St Read more

Charville: ‘Bay of Marigot project lacks detail, precise information’

MARIGOT--Independent Councillor Jules Charville said Thursday, disclosure that the main impact studies for the current version of the Bay of Marigot Project will be passed onto the investor throws it into a different light, not least in terms of cost, and is contrary to the belief these studies would have been done before the investor came on board.

As it stands following last Thursday's Territorial Council vote, where the project was presented by Philippe Ricochin from Cabinet Tropisme, the estimated 300-million-euro project now moves from the diagnostic/ preparation phase to a bidding phase Read more

Editorial - Time running out

It appears a General Measure of Kingdom Governance to impose an Integrity Chamber on St. Maarten may have become unavoidable (see related story). The Dutch Government earlier had actually withdrawn this option and the related request for advice from the Council of State.

The latter was done based on a protocol signed between Ministers Ronald Plasterk of the Netherlands and Dennis Richardson of St. Maarten for the passing of a national ordinance to establish such a chamber by the end of June Read more

Notices July 3

Teachers, Volunteers Needed

I Too Can Learn (ITCL) Foundation is seeking teachers (Special Ed) and volunteers for their Center. For more information call 547 0890 or 524 6067. Your resume can be sent to: \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The board of the United People’s (UP) party has taken note of recent comments made by Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams.

"We find it ironic that the former Prime Minister and present opposition MP is able to maintain such a high visibility by questioning so much about government while the same MP led government up until December 2014, less than seven months ago," remarked the UP Party Board on Thursday.

The UP Party Board added, "Now is not the time to play with the emotions of the populous especially when our people require us to band together to deal with the challenges the nation is facing Read more

Up Board Calls Out Mp Wescot-Williams On Past Indecisiveness In Three Cabinets Over Four Years

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The board of the United People's (UP) party has taken note of recent comments made by Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams.

"We find it ironic that the former Prime Minister and present opposition MP is able to maintain such a high visibility by questioning so much about government while the same MP led government up until December 2014, less than seven months ago," remarked the UP Party Board on Thursday.

The UP Party Board added, "Now is not the time to play with the emotions of the populous especially when our people require us to band together to deal with the challenges the nation is facing.

The MP was also given the opportunity to be in government when she joined the coalition, but backed out a few weeks later Read more

Emancipation celebrated at historic Emilio Wilson Estate

CUL DE SAC--St. Maarten's families, dignitaries and artistes gathered for the main Emancipation Day Celebration and Cultural Manifestation, celebrating 152 years since the emancipation proclamation, under the theme “Emancipation from Within-The Voice of Our People” at Emilio Wilson Park on Wednesday, July 1.

The day’s commemorations and celebrations started with an Ecumenical Service at St. Martin of Tours Roman Catholic Church and two Symbolic Wreath Laying Ceremonies by the country’s leaders at the One Tete Lohkay and Freedom Fighters monuments Read more

Sarah calls for urgent filling of open CFT post

PHILIPSBURG--“Government has really dropped the ball,” says Democratic Party (DP) leader Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams about the Marcel Gumbs Cabinet’s failure to find and appoint candidates to represent St Read more

Emotional re-enactment Diamond Estate escape

By John van Kerkhof

COLE BAY--“Early Wednesday, around midnight, a group of people identified as runaway slaves, could be seen crossing the road, hurrying up the slopes of Diamond Hill, rapidly vanishing between the trees and bushes. Only the meagre lights of lanterns assisted them on their way. Shortly after, a man on horseback approached, accompanied by two men with hounds. Several gunshots were fired as the men tried to prevent the group from crossing the border between the Dutch and French sides of the island,” thus could have read the first paragraph of a newspaper report on July 1, 1848, on the escape of 26 slaves from Diamond Estate in Cole Bay running to freedom on the French side.

This historic event, known as the Run for Freedom, was re-enacted on this scenario early Wednesday with much passion and enthusiasm by a group of approximately 100 persons, who took on the roles of fleeing Dutch slaves and their freed peers of the French side.

Like the short but perilous journey of the slaves in 1848, when slavery had just been abolished on the French side, but still existed on the Dutch side, the journey of the “runaway slaves” began at midnight at the Caribbean Auto parking lot to usher in Emancipation Day 2015.

The group, costumed in nineteenth-century clothing trekked barefooted or on sandals through the bushes from Diamond Estate to Bellevue.

Coordinator Clara Reyes said this may very well have been the last possibility to organise a re-enactment on this location, as ongoing development in the area may block off access to hillside paths in the future Read more

Government completes purchase of Vorst land

CAY HILL--Government is now the owner of prime real estate in Cay Hill. The final payments for the Vorst land were approved by the Marcel Gumbs Cabinet last week Thursday. The land is being registered by the notary as Government's property.

The land was first negotiated as a lease by former Minister William Marlin Read more

US, Cuba formally restore diplomatic ties

HAVANA/WASHINGTON--The United States and Cuba formally agreed on Wednesday to restore diplomatic relations on July 20, setting up a trip to Havana by John Kerry, who would become the first U.S. secretary of state to visit the country in 70 years.

Sealed by an exchange of letters between U.S. President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro, the deal fulfills a pledge the former Cold War enemies made six months ago Read more

Notices July 2

Teachers, Volunteers Needed

I Too Can Learn (ITCL) Foundation is seeking teachers (Special Ed) and volunteers for their Center. For more information call 547 0890 or 524 6067. Your resume can be sent to: \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots Read more

>PHILIPSBURG: --- Member of Parliament from the Democratic Party faction Sarah Wescot Williams told members of the media that she is quite satisfied with the response she received from government regarding her proposals on what should be changed in the draft law to establish the integrity chamber Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- It was exactly a Cultural Manifestation on Wednesday, July, 1 at the Emancipation day celebrations which started Tuesday evening with the run to freedom at Diamond Hill Estate. A re-enactment of slaves running from the Dutch side of the island towards the French border while being chased by slave masters. It was an emotional evening, poetry and encouraging words portrayed by several speakers.

A cultural Parade started at 2:30pm at the start of Marigot Hill and made its way throughout Sint Peters Read more

Emancipation Day 2015 Celebrated On St. Maarten Wednesday

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Under the theme, "Emancipation from within, the Voice of Our People," Emancipation was observed yesterday, July 1st.

The day started with a reenactment of Diamond Hill Estate run at 12 mid night marking the official of the day. However, the day climaxed with several activities at the Emilio Wilson Park on Wednesday afternoon.

Those activities include among others, speeches by government officials.

Prior to this, several drums bands dressed in their attire, including Generation New Status marched from Marigot Hill to the park.

It was the 4th time that residents had the opportunity to officially observe the day as a holiday.

On hand for the occasion at the Emilio Wilson Park were among others, Members of Parliament, the Prime Minister of St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG: --- Member of Parliament from the Democratic Party faction Sarah Wescot Williams told members of the media that she is quite satisfied with the response she received from government regarding her proposals on what should be changed in the draft law to establish the integrity chamber Read more

style="text-align: center;">AM SXM donates to Island Hoops

PHILIPSBURG:--- I AM SXM Foundation made a donation to Island Hoops “GLOBALL” for both the U20 and U16 excursions. The U20 Selection will travel to Pennsylvania on July 11 for the four-day intensive basketball exposure camp. The U16 selection is scheduled to depart July 31.

I AM SXM, aka “Bush-T” is proud to support this grassroots initiative that provides St. Maarten youngsters with education opportunities and new experiences through travel and the sport of basketball.

Tamara Leonard of I AM SXM says the foundation is extremely proud to be part of furthering the future and broadening the horizons of the country’s youngsters Read more

Answers To Parliamentary Questions On Gebe To Be Sent To Parliament Says Prime Minister

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Prime Minister the Honorable Marcel Gumbs Tuesday made public which he sent to the Chairman of Parliament in his capacity as Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure.

In his letter to the Chairman of Parliament Dr. Read more