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No Quorum to hold Parliamentary Meeting.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The public meeting of Parliament called on Monday was postponed for the second time since the Parliament of St. Maarten did not have a quorum to continue the meeting. Those present were the President of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams, MP Cornelius de Weever, MP Johan Janhci Leonard, MP Leona Marlin and MP Lloyd Richardson.
The chairlady of Parliament announced at 3pm on Monday that there was no quorum to continue the meeting therefore she would have to reschedule the meeting within the next two days Read more

Children’s Book Week at the library.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The Philipsburg Jubilee Library is getting all geared up for Children's Book Week 2014. Between November 16th and November 22nd the library will once again host a spectacular event, focused on the joy of reading and storytelling. This year's theme is "Folktales and Fairytales from around the world ". The main event this year will be the children's play "The Donkey tale", performed by Youth theatre group Bonaire, under the leadership of artist and dramaturge Jackie Bernabela. The library was very happy to be able to collaborate with Ms Read more

Children's Book Week At The Library

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Philipsburg Jubilee Library is getting all geared up for Children's Book Week 2014.

Between November 16th and November 22nd the library will once again host a spectacular event, focused on the joy of reading and storytelling. This year's theme is "Folktales and Fairytales from around the world ".

The main event this year will be the children's play "The Donkey tale", performed by Youth theatre group Bonaire, under the leadership of artist and dramaturge Jackie Bernabela.

The library was very happy to be able to collaborate with Ms Read more

St. Maarteners in the Netherlands unite to celebrate their national day

THE HAGUE--For the fourth time, St. Maarteners, joined by friends from Aruba, Curaçao, St. Eustatius, Saba, the Netherlands and France, celebrated St. Martin/St. Maarten Day in Wassenaar, close to The Hague on Friday evening.

The event, held at the Van der Valk Hotel, had a low political profile: there were no members of the Second and First Chamber of the Dutch Parliament or of the Dutch Caribbean governments, except for the Ministers Plenipotentiary of the three islands.

Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk didn't attend either despite his promise made earlier that week during a debate in the Second Chamber about financial supervision in the Dutch Caribbean and the financial situation in Aruba.

The Minister had other commitments as he was the guest on the popular TV talk show Pauw that same night Read more

Aircraft wreckage located, pilot’s body not in cockpit

PHILIPSBURG--The Daily Herald understands that although the remains of the cockpit of the crashed Skyways aircraft have been located, the missing pilot and his seat were not found inside.

The wreckage of the missing Skyways plane was located by the search and rescue team in cooperation with the Coast Guard off the coast of St. Maarten on Sunday at a depth of some 75 feet.

Civil Aviation and Maritime Department head Louis Halley confirmed the find of the wreckage during a press conference held together with Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Ted Richardson, Secretary-General Miguel De Weever and members of the search and rescue team.

Search efforts continued on Sunday and will continue today, Monday Read more

De Weever says unions should be honest about Coliseum job loss

PHILIPSBURG--Labour Minister Cornelius de Weever said on Sunday that it was "extremely important" for all parties including trade union leaders to be "honest and substantiate their statements made to the media" regarding the 12 workers who lost their jobs at Coliseum Casino last week Monday.

De Weever was reacting to statements made by Windward Islands Chamber of Labour Unions (WICLU) officials at a press conference last Thursday that government should step up to the plate for the sacked casino workers who were put on the breadline after the owner of the employment agency under which they were contracted to work for the casino, died.

De Weever said union leaders who do not have "the complete story" can contact his cabinet "instead of making assumptions and misinforming the public."

The Minister said in a press release Sunday that he was "fully aware" of the matter and had been addressing the situation involving the Coliseum Casino and the associated employees Read more

Catalan independence hopes high after symbolic vote

BARCELONA--Millions of Catalans voted on Sunday in a symbolic referendum on independence from Spain that supporters hope will propel the issue further despite opposition from Madrid.

The "consultation of citizens" in the wealthy northeastern region follows a legal block by the central government against a more formal, albeit still non-binding ballot which regional leaders had been pushing for originally Read more

St. Martin/St. Maarten Day message from Collectivité President Hanson

St. Martin and Sint Maarten are once again celebrating another St. Martin Day together, a day that symbolises the union of our people, our culture, our heritage and our fate.

With an eye on history, culture and the future, St. Martiners claimed the right to decide their fate. Love of country and the will to be actively involved in the decisions connected to the future of the island are as vital as the desire for peace and harmony within our community.

This is the way both sides of the island undertook major constitutional changes that correspond better to the reality of our respective territories and the aspiration of the population.

Since the statutory evolution in 2007, the Collectivité now assumes all of the responsibilities granted to us Read more

Editorial - Area of attention

The adverse weather conditions particularly Friday into Saturday and their consequences again caught many off-guard, as especially the flooding was more intense and widespread than might have been expected. This kind of "unpleasant surprise" scenario tends to lead to the usual "blame game" mainly regarding late warnings and action by the relevant authorities.

It's important to point out that Friday's 6:00am forecast by the Meteorological Department of St. Maarten already had mentioned scattered showers, some of which could be heavy, advising residents and motorists in flood-prone areas to be vigilant Read more

style="text-align: center;">Curacao Policy Advisor to be Appointed Minister of VSA by MP Lloyd Richardson

PHILIPSBURG:--- Two months and days after the August 29th Parliamentary Elections there is still no Government on St. Maarten and while the Governor of St. Maarten has extended the formation period for the UPP/De Weever/Marlin coalition to appoint a Ministerial cabinet Read more

Minister Lake wants improved standard operating procedures after torrential rain event over the weekend.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake would like to commend the emergency services (Fire, Police), public works and other government agencies (Department of Communication, Meteorological Service) and semi government agencies (Airport, Harbour, NV GEBE), and Minister Hon Read more

Minister of Culture St. Maarten/St. Martin’s Day Message.

>GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports Hon. Patricia Lourens-Philip on Sunday released the following message on the occasion of the national day St. Maarten/St. Martin's Day:

My Fellow St. Maarten/St. Martiners,
The significance of St. Maarten/St. Martin Day from a cultural perspective is a day when St. Maarteners from North and South come together to celebrate their national Culture Read more

Editorial: Follow The Money

The enormity of former Finance Minister Roland Tuitt’s move to take all tax debts from 1976-2006 off the books is beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. According to the Social Economic Council Tuitt let go of 4.47 billion guilders in arrears – approximately ten times the country’s current national budget.

If the policy document Tuitt signed in 2013 – ten days after the fall of the second Wescot-Williams cabinet – is indeed unlawful as the SER claims, one may well wonder whether this measure fits within the framework of departure policy.

If that is so, it begs the question who would stand to benefit the most from this unexpected Christmas gift Read more

Thompson Wants Government To Accept Climate Change As Reality

Environmental Protection in Caribbean’s (EPIC) Public Relations Office Rueben J. Thompson

St. Maarten / By Justin Simmons – “I’d like to see our politicians accept the fact that climate change is a reality. I’d like to see our government and the population at large accept the principle of sustainable development and understand the need to develop St. Maarten in a sustainable manner,” says Rueben Thompson Read more

Residents Urged To Step-Up Mosquito Prevention Measures Due To Weekend Torrential Rainfall

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Collective Preventive Services (CPS), a government agency under the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labour, is calling on residents to step-up mosquito prevention measures due to the weekend of torrential rainfall.

Mosquito fogging did start about a week ago but had to be halted due to rainfall. Fogging will resume shortly.

Residents are advised to step-up by taking measures at home and at their business to mitigate mosquito breeding such as the Aedes Aegypti mosquito.

Minister of Public Health, Social Development & Labour Hon Read more

Mullet Bay entrance blocked

MULLET BAY--A large pile of rubble was placed to block a Mullet Bay entrance on Friday, November 7, causing a stir among the public and business owners who operate on the beach. The move by Mullet Bay management seems to be technically legal, because it still allows the public access to the beach by foot. However, it directly results in nearby business owner Leopold York not having vehicle access to his establishment, where daily offloading is needed for almost everything the business needs to operate Read more

MAC opens high school amidst heavy downpour

EBENEZER--A number of persons braved heavy showers to witness the official opening and dedication of Methodist Agogic Center Comprehensive Secondary Education (MAC CSE) building in Ebenezer on Friday afternoon.

The heavy downpour prompted District Secretary Reverend Dr. Joan Meade, who performed the dedication, to delay blessing the new buildings and classrooms with holy water.

The new location has three buildings containing, amongst other things, five classrooms. A fourth structure on the property, which had existed at the location previously, had been refurbished.

Chairman of MAC School Board Reverend Moreland Williams told attendees that it was originally a long-term plan of the institution to construct a building for the secondary school Read more

Veronica Arndell treasures fond memories of island back in the day

~ These were joyful years ~

Eighty-two-year-old Veronica Arndell is overcome by a strong feeling of joy whenever she reminisces about her beloved St. Martin/St. Maarten back in the day.

The mother of eight (one deceased), grandmother of 17 and great grandmother of four believes the island experienced its best moments of true togetherness decades ago when people genuinely looked out for each other and when the land was used for most of the things consumed. Residents also made more use of their hands and creativity to get by Read more

Notices November 8

Saturday, November 8

FOOD SALE

Organised by Scouting Antiano

Place: upper princes quarter community center, lions building, in sucker garden. Located between the gas station and the royal funeral home.

Time 12:00-2:00pm

Roti for NAF 10.00 / $ 5.00

Wednesday, November 12

FILM FESTIVAL

Organised by Love of Kids Foundation

Topic: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder/Attention Deficit Disorder

Film: ADHD & ADD: Powerful Teaching Strategies & Accommodations

Place: University of St Martin Campus - 2nd Floor-Rm202

Time: 7:00pm

Cost : Free

Annual Educational Film Festival Read more

Some 1,400 pupils participate in public schools’ ‘Unity Walk’

PHILIPSBURG--An estimated 1,411 pupils and 145 teachers, primarily dressed in the colours of the St. Maarten Flag, participated in a vibrant walk through Philipsburg on Friday, as part of the annual pre-St. Martin/St. Maarten Day Unity Walk.

Pupils and their teachers snaked through the streets of Philipsburg in their colourful attire, adding a dash of colour to the streets as they walked. Persons stopped along the route to watch the youngsters walk and the island prepare to celebrate St Read more

St. Maarten professionals trained to spot youth intellectual impairments

MADAME ESTATE--Seventeen Foundation Judiciary Institutes Windward Island SJIB and Court of Guardianship social workers, as well as behavioural specialists and school counsellors, completed a training course aimed at improving their skills in dealing with people, especially the youth, with mild intellectual impairments.

A ceremony took place on Friday during which the participants received certificates for completing the three-day course. The course was made possible by the Ministry of Justice and co-funded by USONA Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Postal Services St. Maarten (PSS) in collaboration with Artisticdrive ensured all PSS workers received a special St. Maarten designed T-shirt this morning. The newly designed t-shirt proudly displays the national bird of St. Maarten which is the pelican.
Present at the brief presentation was Interim-Director Ms. Antonia Wilson, Interim-Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Directors Mr. Stuart Johnson, Mr Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake said on Friday that he had stated several months ago that relief would be forthcoming for all across the board with respect to NV GEBE electricity bills.

"We first started with our senior citizens since they live on a fixed minimum income Read more

A New Level Of Acceptance Being Sought By New President Of Parliament

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - President of Parliament, the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams is looking at ways to bring parliament to a level of acceptance.

That sentiment was echoed by the President, whist speaking at a press conference on Thursday.

Whilst addressing that subject, the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams also noted that legislation was a joint responsibility of Parliament and the government.

Mrs Read more