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Acha Symposium

First Anniversary of ACHA

Acha will be holding another interesting and informative program at Philipsburg Jubilee Library this evening, April 9, at 7:00-9:00.

The program includes the singing of the St. Maarten song by Ifelola Badejo before the welcome introduction to ACHA where Drs. Okama Ekpe Brook will speak about positively reconnecting the Caribbean with Africa and the vision of ACHA.

There will be a summary of activities and upcoming events throughout the year as well as a poem by Julie Alcin Read more

MPs share concerns on integrity chamber, but open to discussion

~ Expect more answers on Friday ~

PHILIPSBURG--"Looking forward to further discussion" was the point Members of Parliament (MPs) reached on Wednesday night after hearing answers to shared main points of concern given by Justice Minister Dennis Richardson during a public meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament on the draft National Ordinance for the establishment of an Integrity Chamber for St. Maarten.

Although many individual questions had been posed, paired with statements of concern about what the Ordinance will mean for St Read more

St. Maarten Quarter master plan approved by Ministers

POINTE BLANCHE--The Master Plan for St. Maarten Quarter, a US $120 million mixed-use waterfront development project by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL), officially received approval by the Council of Ministers (COM) on March 26, which RCCL Vice President of Commercial Development John Tercek described as the last step needed before the project can "go full steam" ahead.

Tercek was notified officially by a letter signed by Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs on behalf of COM, although government previously had expressed satisfaction after a well-received presentation in early March.

During the presentation, the group urged swift approval so that the project could be announced at the global Seatrade Cruise Shipping Conference in Miami in the week of March 17, amongst international industry players and travel and trade media.

The project still was announced at Seatrade in the presence of Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Claret Connor.

Prime Minister Gumbs called the proposed project something that, in COM's opinion, would enhance the tourism product "tremendously."

According to the presentation, the next steps entail commencing detailed design and attaining relevant permits Read more

Voting Bureau petitioned court twice to allow inmates to vote

~ Says it's up to MPs to amend laws ~

PHILIPSBURG--The Central Voting Bureau petitioned the court twice prior to the August 29, 2014, parliamentary election to legally allow inmates who were registered to vote in another district to cast their ballot at the polling station at the prison and to allow a prison official to vouch for the identity of inmates who did not have identification cards.

The issues at the polling station at the prison were amongst several electoral concerns broached during a meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament on Wednesday.

Central Voting Bureau Chairman Jason Rogers told Members of Parliament (MPs) that it was up to them to change the legislation to rectify this issue in future elections.

Rogers said "a number" of inmates initially had not been allowed to vote because, although they were in possession of their voting cards, they were assigned to vote in another district Read more

Minister TEATT Connor briefed about process to catalog country’s Intangible Cultural Heritage

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor along with members of his Cabinet and representatives from the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, were informed recently about the Sint Maarten National Consultation on Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Minister received a presentation from UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Secretary General for Sint Maarten Marcellia Henry.

The Sint Maarten National Commission for UNESCO vision is to contribute to the building of peace, sustainable development, and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information.
The Commission has undertaken to catalog St Read more

Prime Minister says draft law to Establish Integrity Chamber is not to please the Dutch Government.

style="text-align: center;">Parliament voted on a motion for Government to establish the recommendations in Integrity Reports --- PM

PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs made clear to Parliament on Wednesday that the draft ordinance to establish the integrity chamber on St. Maarten is not to please the Dutch Government. Prime Minister Gumbs reminded the members of parliament that the parliament of St Read more

Marijuana, Subject Of Panel Discussion Next Saturday

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Marijuana will be the focus of a panel discussion organized by the Freedom Freighters Musical and Cultural Foundation.

The event, which will have as panelists among others, Dr. Ruth, Dr. Don Johnson of the USA and Jay Haviser is scheduled to be held at the Belair Community Center on Saturday, April 18th and will start at 7 pm.

According to the organ Read more

Mp Lake As Minister Gave Advise To Soab On Smhdf Confirms Pm Gumbs In Parliament

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The House of Parliament met in a public plenary session on Tuesday afternoon.

This session was the continuation of the initial meeting that was held on December 22nd of last year.

The meeting was at the request of the National Alliance, the Democratic Party and the USP, and dealt with among others, the request to the Governments Accountants Bureau SOAB to carry out a forensic investigation into the operations of the St Read more

Minister Teatt Connor Briefed About Process To Catalog Country's Intangible Cultural Heritage

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor along with members of his Cabinet and representatives from the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, were informed recently about the Sint Maarten National Consultation on Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Minister received a presentation from UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Secretary General for Sint Maarten Marcellia Henry.

The Sint Maarten National Commission for UNESCO vision is to contribute to the building of peace, sustainable development, and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information.

The Commission has undertaken to catalog St Read more

Dollarization – still a discussion point

Dear Editor,

The fact that there is still a discussion on the dollarization issue is somewhat strange to me and not because I think it would the worst thing that can happen to us in St. Maarten, but because of the total lack of actual benefits proposed by those supporting dollarization.

The symposium on dollarization organised by the Council on Advice at the University of St. Martin only confirms what I have believed all along, that dollarization is not a valid option for St. Maarten Read more

Editorial - Missing in action

The Asjes cabinet in Curaçao has decided to stop payment to 16 so-called “ghost civil servants.” Five of them were convicted of crimes and are currently in prison, while the other 11 are at home without a valid reason.

At the moment a total of 81 government employees there don’t show up for work. That also includes 11 suffering from chronic illnesses, three with addiction problems, two with labour conflicts, 33 who have been denied entry pending an investigation, seven subjected to disciplinary measures and five who were suspended.  

Tackling this issue isn’t easy, because there could be many factors involved such as the relationship with superiors, and government must be careful not to violate the rights of its personnel Read more

Lions Club lobby Parliament to hike drinking age from 16 to 18

~ To correct discrepancy in laws ~

PHILIPSBURG--The Lions Club, on Tuesday, called for an increase in the legal drinking age from 16 to 18, to correct a discrepancy in the laws and to curb drinking amongst youngsters.

The call was made during a meeting of Parliament's Permanent Committee of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs of Parliament and was supported by all Members of Parliament (MPs) present.

Melinda Hoeve of the Lions' Youth, Health, and Education (YHE) committee spoke of a discrepancy in the Penal Code and in the Licence Ordinance ("Vergunningslandsverordening"), as it relates to the sale of and serving of alcoholic beverages to minors.

While article 475 of the Penal Code prohibits the sale and serving of alcoholic beverages to minors under age 18 with a maximum prison sentence of six months or a NAf Read more

style="text-align: center;">MP Christopher Emmanuel wants to know how would the change be implemented, says KPSM understaffed.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Members of the Lions Club presented the project they launch late last year to curb under-age drinking on St. Maarten. The members of the Lions Club called on Members of Parliament to amend the legislation to increase drinking age from 16 to 18 Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo said on Monday since December 2014, the airports of Jamaica has introduced kiosks to better accommodate and manage the flow of passengers entering the country.

Independent Member of Parliament Leona Marlin-Romeo (on a private visit to Jamaica) met with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency Jennifer MacDonald and the IT team to discuss the advanced technology Jamaica immigration is using to not only better manage the flow of passengers but to also identify persons that has been placed on a watch list Read more

style="text-align: center;">Several Financial Statements still not available Corporate Governance Council Rejects candidates proposed by government.

PHILIPSBURG: --- Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs informed Parliament on Tuesday that the government of St. Maarten is currently working on taking the supervisory board of the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation (SMHDF) to court in order to obtain two audit reports Read more

Up Mp Lake Addresses Social Media Political Rumours In The House Of Parliament On Tuesday

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – United People's (UP) party Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Maurice Lake addressed on Tuesday in the House of Parliament social media rumours that he was involved in a plot to throw down government and send home the Cabinet of Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs.

"It's good to be back in the House of the People Read more

MPs to discuss ‘alleged’ election discrepancies

PHILIPSBURG--Members of Parliament (MPs) will discuss alleged discrepancies in the August 29, 2014, parliamentary elections during a meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament on Wednesday, April 8, at 10:00am.

The meeting was requested by MPs Leona Marlin-Romeo and Cornelius de Weever (both independent) and Tamara Leonard (United People's party) in correspondence dated November 6 and 7, 2014.

Main Voting Bureau and Civil Registry Department representatives will be present to discuss alleged discrepancies that occurred in preparation of and during the August 29 parliamentary elections Read more

Minister of Defence pays visit to Dutch Caribbean

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Defence Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert will visit Curaçao, St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba April 6-10. During her visit, the minister will visit the Dutch military forces that carry out defence and police duties in the Caribbean part of the Dutch kingdom and will hold talks with military and civilian authorities.

The minister will be guest of the Commander of the Netherlands Forces in the Caribbean today, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

The military units in the Caribbean are to protect the territories, bring stability and maintain the law within the Dutch Caribbean and are to assist in case of disasters and calamities.

As director of the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard, the commander is responsible for maritime law enforcement and search-and-rescue at sea.

In Willemstad, Minister Hennis will speak with Governor Lucille George-Wout, Deputy Prime Minister Etienne van der Horst, Minister of Justice Nelson Navarro and President of Parliament Marcoliono Franco.

On Wednesday, Hennis will visit Statia and Saba, where she will speak with Island Governors Gerald Berkel and Jonathan Johnson and with personnel of the Royal Marechaussees.

She will conclude her visit in St Read more

Integrity Chamber meeting rescheduled for Wednesday

PHILIPSBURG--The public meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament on the establishment of the draft law to establish an Integrity Chamber has been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 8, at 3:00pm.

The meeting could not be held when it was last called on Monday, March 30, due to lack of quorum.

The three-point agenda includes the draft National Ordinance for the establishment of an Integrity Chamber, approval of the travel schedule for the Committee and Board of Directors meetings of the Latin American Parliament Parlatino for 2015, and approval of the composition of the delegation and provisions for General Assembly of Parlatino May 15-16.

Minister of General Affairs Marcel Gumbs will be present for the meeting.

The public can watch the session at the House of Parliament located across from the Courthouse in Philipsburg or live on St Read more

Gwo Ka Drum fest epitomises best of Creole folkloric culture

MARIGIOT--The first Gwo Ka Drum Festival held in Marigot over the weekend was hailed by organiser SOS Radio as a great success, with at least six invited groups from Guadeloupe and St. Martin performing Saturday and Sunday to a capacity crowd on both nights.

The event held in the Lazy Bay car park honoured the late cultural icon Juliette Mingau who was well known for her work with the Grain D'Or dance group.

The groups comprised Ti Fey La Ka Soné, the only one from St. Martin and an exponent of "modern" Gwo Ka using guitar and bass, an all-women group Kalbaska, youth group NJK, all-male group Kalbaska, Lammoufanmka, and Soley Nwè.

In addition, St Read more

How the country running?

Dear Editor,

As we walk through the streets of our country, we encounter diverse groups with varied interests. Some are defending one position or the other from bits and pieces they picked up from our on again mostly off again parliamentary meetings, and depending on their colour they take their arguments to the hilt. While this might seem quite interesting as it portends to promote democracy and most importantly our God-given freedom of speech, and right to be part of any legal body established here Read more

Central Committee Meeting of Parliament scheduled for Wednesday surrounding August 29th alleged parliamentary election discrepancies

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will meet in a Central Committee session on April 8.

The committee meeting is set for Wednesday at 10.00am in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelmina Straat #1 in Philipsburg.

This meeting was requested by Members of Parliament (MP) Hon. Leona Marlin-Romeo (Independent), MP Hon Read more

Central Committee Meeting scheduled for Wednesday about Draft National Ordinance to Establish Integrity Chamber

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The Central Committee of Parliament will meet in public session on April 8. The Minister of General Affairs Hon. Marcel Gumbs will be present for the House session.

The public Central Committee meeting is set for Wednesday at 3.00pm in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelmina Straat #1 in Philipsburg.

The three point agenda is: the draft National Ordinance for the establishment of a Integrity Chamber; second agenda point is approval of the travel schedule for the year 2015 in connection with Committee and Board of Directors meetings of the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino); and the third agenda point is approval of the composition of the delegation and provisions for General Assembly of Parlatino from May 15-16.
Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary session will be carried live on St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  World Health Day is marked annually on April 7. This year the focus is on food safety. New data on the harm caused by foodborne illnesses underscore the global threats posed by unsafe foods. World Health Day highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with food safety under the slogan "From farm to plate, make food safe."
Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor would like to congratulate all those working in the food sector on the eve of World Health Day, for the very important role that they play on a daily basis in restaurants, supermarkets, food trucks, small grocers, road side food tables, food kiosks, soup kitchens, home-made for sale food, etc.
"We are in the tourism business Read more