SXMElections.com

Govt has until January 31 to establish 2015 budget

PHILIPSBURG--Government has been granted, in principle, until January 31, 2015, to establish the 2015 budget. This is an additional six weeks past the legal deadline of December 15. Should the new deadline not be met, the Committee for Financial Supervision CFT will revert to procedures in the Kingdom Law on Temporary Financial Supervision for Curaçao and St. Maarten.

CFT Chairman Age Bakker said at a press conference at CFT's office Friday it had been agreed that government would formally request a postponement until January 31, and CFT would honour this request, which would enable the incoming government to present an amended budget in accordance with the CFT advice.

The extension of the deadline should give the incoming Marcel Gumbs Cabinet "time to come up with amendments" to the budget to bring it in line with the norms of the Kingdom law.

Government presented the draft 2015 budget for advice in October Read more

Harbour fails to halt construction of Dock Maarten ultra-yacht pier

~ Files for appeal against permit ~

POINTE BLANCHE--St. Maarten Harbour Holding Company (SHHC) NV has failed in its efforts to put a halt to plans of Dock Maarten NV to construct a marina with a pier to accommodate ultra- and giga-yachts with lengths of more than 100 metres.

SHHC had filed an injunction with the Court of First Instance on November 17 in its efforts to halt construction of the pier at the marina at Battery Point in Pointe Blanche.

The Dock Maarten extension started in October with the initial phase of expanding a breakwater originally built in 1984 Read more

Political parties in war of words regarding Dominica airport fire

ROSEAU, Dominica--A war of words has erupted between the ruling Dominica Labour Party (DLP) and the main opposition United Workers Party (UWP) over who caused the multi-million-dollar fire that destroyed communications equipment at the Douglas Charles Airport, north of here, on Wednesday.

Prime Minister and DLP leader Roosevelt Skerrit addressing a political rally here on Wednesday night, told supporters that they are fully aware of who should take the blame for the fire that the Dominica Fire and Ambulance Services said had been a suspected case of arson.

"I want Dominicans to answer: Who do you think burn down the tower at Captain Bruce, ladies and gentleman? Who do you think burn down the two million [EC dollars – EC $1=US $0.37 – Ed.] communication tower at the airport?" Skerrit asked supporters, saying he now has to go and source the money required to replace the burnt equipment.

"As prime minister I have to find EC $2 million to replace the communication tower, EC $2 million that could rebuild roads, that could buy fertiliser for farmers, that could build homes for the poor people of Dominica," he said.

Skerrit said that he now had to find the money, "because some people burnt down the communications tower and you like me know who the people are and that is why we shall go out on the polls on Election Day and ensure that the Labour Party wins a landslide victory."

UWP leader Lennox Linton had, at a rally of his party over the last weekend, urged supporters to travel to the airport to meet with the returning nationals in a bid to get them to stay away from the polls.

"We have a democracy to protect; we have a vote to protect from criminal behaviour Read more

ICC prosecutor withdraws charges against Kenyan president

AMSTERDAM/NAIROBI--Prosecutors dropped charges of crimes against humanity against Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday, marking a failure for the International Criminal Court in the highest-profile case in its 11-year history.

Judges in The Hague had on Wednesday given prosecutors a week to decide whether to proceed against Kenyatta, who was accused of fomenting ethnic violence after the 2007 election, or withdraw the charges.

Prosecutors have said Kenyatta, the first sitting president to have attended a session of the court, used his powers to obstruct the investigation, especially since becoming head of state last year Read more

SJIB celebrates 10th anniversary

~ To merge with Court of Guardianship ~

BELAIR--Foundation Judiciary Institutes Windward Islands SJIB celebrated its tenth anniversary at the Belair Community Centre on Friday, December 5.

The organisation is now known as Foundation Judiciary Institutes St. Maarten SJIS. The name change had been in the cards for some time, as the organisation no longer had been responsible for Saba and St. Eustatius since the constitutional change on 10-10-10.

How long this name will remain is uncertain, as Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson announced during the celebration that the Council of Ministers had approved a merger of SJIS and the Court of Guardianship

The organisation also introduced a new jingle advocating employers making positions available for people who have been in trouble with the law, and an infomercial to highlight the need for foster parents on the island.

SJIS also announced that its new Website

www.sjis-sxm.com would be available soon Read more

>GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- The Council of Ministers received the College financieel toezicht (Cft) delegation on Thursday morning, December 4, 2014, to discuss the finances of country Sint Maarten, in particular the status of affairs of the budget 2014 and the draft budget of 2015. Cft was represented by Chairman Mr. Age Bakker, Member upon proposal of Curaçao Mr. Alberto Romero, Member upon proposal of the Netherlands Mrs. Sybilla Dekker, new Member upon proposal of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba Mr Read more

Minister of Culture Lourens-Philip Invites Public to Annual Thanksgiving and Lighting Ceremony on Sunday.

>GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports Hon. Patricia Lourens-Philip is inviting the general public to the Annual Thanksgiving and Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, December 7 in front of the Government Administration Building at 4:30pm.
The theme for 2014 is: "Be Thankful and Bless His Name."
The event is being organized in collaboration with Caribbean PITCH IT Foundation, St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Rotary Club of St. Maarten Sunrise was pleased to welcome Attorney Jason Rogers, Central Voting Bureau Chairman to their recent morning meeting. In the aftermath of the recent elections Rogers in his presentation gave a recap of the recent elections and elucidated on the role of the voting bureau during and after the elections. Pictured from left to right, Rotarian Cookie Bijlani, Rotarian Marcellia Henry, Rotary Sunrise President Virginia Asin, Rogers, Rotarian Meredith Boekhou Read more

Minister Lake says Belair Pond Storm Drain Clearance Progressing Well. Nature Foundation monitoring and assisting.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake says the current activities at the Belair Pond are related to the clearance of the storm drain channel and mouth area into the pond. The mouth of the drain channel became overgrown with brush as well as clogged with debris and garbage.

Nature Foundation is observing the activities and is assisting with the removal of bird nests in that particular area where the drainage channel to the Pond is located Read more

EXCLUSIVE: Four Proposed Minister’s Allegedly Failed Screening --- Duncan under Investigation.

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PHILIPSBURG:--- SMN News has been reliably informed that four of the proposed Ministers that were submitted to the Governor of St. Maarten for screening allegedly failed the screening process.
According to the information SMN News received Petrus Leroy de Weever failed the screening due to the complaint filed against him by Judith Roumou. Richard Gibson failed the screening based on the ongoing molestation investigation against him and complaint that was filed by his wife Andrea Gibson Paul Read more

style="text-align: center;">CFT Ready to Grant St. Maarten an Extension so that incoming government can find amendments to balance its budget

PHILIPSBURG:--- The board of the CFT informed members of the media that they met with several parties on St. Maarten including the Governor, Council of Ministers and Parliament as they updated the various entities and gathered information on how St. Maarten is progressing with its budget issues. During that press conference St. Maarten's representative Richard Gibson did not attend Read more

Minister Of Culture Lourens-Philip Invites Public To Annual Thanksgiving And Lighting Ceremony On Sunday

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports Hon. Patricia Lourens-Philip is inviting the general public to the Annual Thanksgiving and Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, December 7 in front of the Government Administration Building at 4.30pm.

The theme for 2014 is: "Be Thankful and Bless His Name."

The event is being organized in collaboration with Caribbean PITCH IT Foundation, St Read more

Belair beach property plans include paved beach access

PHILIPSBURG--A site plan of the future residential complex on the property directly in front of the Belair beach, detailing the development plans which include paved public access to the beach, and a copy of the permit were made available to the press for viewing on Thursday, December 4.

The press conference was called to address widespread property development questions – brought to the foreground due to the December 1 blocking of the entryway to the beach ¬– by Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure VROMI Maurice Lake.

VROMI Secretary General Louis Brown and Permit Department head Angel Meyers also were on hand to explain the plans Read more

Collectivité inaugurates bus terminal in Marigot

MARIGOT--The central bus terminal in Marigot on Rue de Hollande was inaugurated Thursday afternoon in the presence of President Aline Hanson, and other elected officials and representatives from bus transport associations on both sides of the island.

The facility, named in honour of retired bus driver Antoine Julien Gumbs, is being used on a daily basis since its completion a few months ago Read more

VCG announces teams ahead of 2015 season

MARIGOT—Velo Club de Grand Case (VCG) held its General Assembly on Monday at which the board went over the 2013 accounts, modified the statutes and reviewed the 2014 racing season and results, before announcing the teams for 2015.

Vice-President of the Collectivité Wendel Cocks, MP Daniel Gibbs, representative from main sponsor Dauphin Telecom, Philippe Morel, and President of the Territorial Cycling Federation Rigobert Benjamin were among audience members for the meeting that was chaired by VCG President St Read more

SMMTA Simpson Bay Clean up this Saturday.

>SIMPSON BAY:--- The St. Maarten Marine Trades Association (SMMTA) would like to remind all interested parties that this Saturday December 6th is the general clean-up of the Simpson Bay lagoon. The President of the SMMTA Brian Deher stated "the clean-up was originally spearheaded by the Minister Maurice Lake and the SMMTA is happy to take part in this initiative which has been organized and funded by both the public and private sector." The SMMTA would like to echo The Ministers call for "everyone to get involved, and clean-up our environment." The clean-up and removal of hurricane related debris and other refuse within the lagoon will start at 8am on Saturday and all volunteers are asked to meet at The Yacht Club Isle de Sol in Simpson Bay Read more

Ministry of Public Health calls on Garage Owners and Tire Repair Shops to take Steps to Eliminate Mosquito Breeding Sites.

>GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- The Collective Preventive Services (CPS), a section at the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, is appealing to garage owners and tire repair shops to take measures to remove mosquito breeding sites from their establishments and to maintain on a daily basis control measures to eliminate any standing water on their premises.

Accumulation of rainwater in tires provides breeding space for mosquitoes that carry the dengue/chikungunya-causing virus.

Minister of Public Health Hon Read more

>PANAMA/PHILIPSBURG:--- On Wednesday, December 3rd, Member of Parliament and DP leader, Sarah Wescot-Williams attended her first Parlatino committee meeting in Panama Read more

Minister Lake Says Belair Pond Storm Drain Clearance Progressing Well. Nature Foundation Monitoring And Assisting

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake says the current activities at the Belair Pond are related to the clearance of the storm drain channel and mouth area into the pond.

The mouth of the drain channel became overgrown with brush as well as clogged with debris and garbage.

Nature Foundation is observing the activities and is assisting with the removal of bird nests in that particular area where the drainage channel to the Pond is located Read more

Mp Pantophlet Addresses Changes To Casino Policy

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Ted Richardson announced on Wednesday that he has annulled changes made to the Casino Policy where four additional casinos would have been allowed to operate in the country.

The annulment means that the Casino Policy that has governed the sector in the past years remains as is – status quo.

"In light of the multiple misinterpretations and misconception of the entire issue surrounding the amendment of the Casino Policy, intended to primarily increase Government income, I have taken the decision to permanently annul the entire process and keep the state of the industry as is.

"Any other review of the present Casino Policy will be left to the discretion of the next Minister of TEATT and to the upcoming Council of Ministers.

"The intention from the onset was timed to be in accordance with the Gaming Control Board, that has been signed and on its way to the different departments and advisory institutions for review and ratification.

"It must be clearly noted though that the intended amendment, that is now annulled, was never officially published, as it never went to the Council of Ministers for approval nor to the Cabinet of the Governor for approval and signature," Minister Hon Read more

Dp Leader Mp Wescot-Williams Attending First Par Latino Meeting, Framework Law On Violence In Schools Approved

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - On Wednesday, December 3rd, Member of Parliament and DP leader, Sarah Wescot-Williams attended her first Parlatino committee meeting in Panama.

The St. Maarten MP participated in the meeting of the Parlatino committee on Gender Equity, Childhood and Youth.

In its meeting of Wednesday, aforementioned committee approved a framework law on violence in schools, with an emphasis on anti-bullying measures and actors.

This draft was commissioned in a previous meeting of the committee in June of 2014.

This draft will now be sent to a plenary session of Parlatino.

It is expected upon approval to serve as a guide and impetus for member states to use and tailor to the specific needs and circumstances of the individual states.

On Thursday and Friday, the DP faction leader will attend the forum on Women and Politics (abbreviated), along with several other members of parliament of St Read more

Silvio Matser facing prison time, big fine

~ In Energizer tax evasion case ~

PHILIPSBURG--United People's (UP) party Member of Parliament and construction company Energizer NV former director Silvio Matser (48) is facing 24 months in jail, eight of which are to be suspended, with two years' probation and payment of a NAf Read more

Serious business

Dear Editor,

They sometimes say that some things are better left without being said. This is my opinion about the article in which it is rumoured that Carl John is the candidate chosen to be chief of police. In that same article the reasons for not mentioning the names of the candidates is because the depth of the screening might uncover information that could make the candidate vulnerable to corruption etc.

I am saying this to say that by mentioning that name, that article is doing exactly what the article is saying is the reason for not mentioning names Read more

style="text-align: center;">Was an Election Deal Made with SBL for Building Permit?

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Maurice Lake who is also the caretaker Minister of VROMI will have a lot of explaining to do as to why he signed a building permit that bears the number 176/14 that was signed off on October 20th, 2014.
The building permit granted to SBL Management Company N.V Read more