SXMElections.com

Residents want road repaired ‘as promised’

SUCKER GARDEN--Residents of Chin Cactus Drive are expressing frustration over its continued deplorable state and calling on Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Development and Infrastructure VROMI Maurice Lake to honour a promise they say he made during a public meeting in the midst of the election campaign and give the matter immediate attention.

A letter signed by some 22 residents, as well as a copy of a 2012 letter issued by VROMI, tells of official complaints filed as far back as 2008 and VROMI's continued stated intentions to address the issue.

The residents' letter says that most recently, in a public meeting in Sucker Garden in August "during the election campaign, the Minister of Public Works announced that the paving of Chin Cactus Drive will begin the very next day Read more

style="text-align: center;">Praises Search and Recovery Efforts

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams expressed her condolences to the victims of the fatal Skyway Airways flight which crashed on Wednesday evening. The one confirmed deceased and one missing pilot were the only two souls on board: "I would like to express my sincerest condolences to the victims of the Skyway Airways crash Read more

Businessman Brother of MP convoked in Bribery Allegations made by MP Christopher Emmanuel.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The Landsrecherche convoked a well known businessman who is also the brother of a Member of Parliament who was elected in the 2014 Parliamentary Elections. SMN News learnt that the businessman met with investigators 8am on Wednesday morning where he also filed a counter complaint against MP Christopher Emmanuel for slander and defamation.
Sources alleged that MP Emmanuel called the businessman's name as the person who approached him and a relative and offered him a $2M bribe to declare himself independent Read more

>GRAND CAYMAN:--- The fifth annual Cayman Islands Healthcare Conference will welcome a range of exceptional healthcare professionals from all over the world to speak at this year's event, taking place from 20th to 22nd November at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman.
Presenting on subjects pertinent to this year's theme: 'Winning the war against chronic non-communicable diseases', overseas and local specialists will discuss some of the biggest challenges to our health today. As a result, the audience will hear important and timely updates and discussions on diseases such as diabetes, cancer, obesity, cardiovascular disease and mental health.
The Hon Read more

Prime Minister Wescot-Williams Expresses Condolences To The Family Of The Victims Of The Skyway Crash, Praises Search And Recovery Efforts

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams expressed her condolences to the victims of the fatal Skyway Airways flight which crashed on Wednesday evening.

The one confirmed deceased and one missing pilot were the only two souls on board: "I would like to express my sincer Read more

Acs Workshop Results In The Establishment Of A Regional Network Of Artisans Of The Greater Caribbean

CARTAGENA, Colombia - The acclaimed colonial city of Cartegena de Indias, a UNESCO World Heritage site situated in the north of Colombia, along Colombia's Caribbean Coast, was host to the Regional workshop Entrepreneurial Strengthening in the Tourism Sector:

Opportunities for Women, organised by the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) in collaboration with the Regional Port Society of Cartagena and the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Colombia, with the support of the Office of Culture and Tourism of the Organisation of American States.

This workshop had as its main objectives to identify the needs and challenges affecting Women Artisans and Entrepreneurs with micro, small and medium enterprises operating in the Tourism Sector and also deliver training and capacity-building tools to develop and/or enhance their business.

Twenty-one (21) women Artisan Entrepreneurs participated in the workshop, representing a cross-section of 15 ACS Member Countries from the four geographic sub-regions.

The keynote presentation was delivered by Mr Read more

A Minute With: Sean Hannity on 'disconcerting' election, matchmaking

LOS ANGELES--Sean Hannity, the longtime Fox News Channel anchor and strong voice for American conservatives, is used to taking criticism from all comers, but it was his own unhappiness with his flabby self last year that pushed him to take up a new fight - that of "street" martial artist.

"It's a tough, tough workout," the 52-year-old said of his regimen of jiu-jitsu, blade and firearm training. "It's also really great self-defense ... I'm building muscles that I've never had before."

Hannity, whose eponymous weeknight show averages 1.7 million viewers and ranks in the top five of cable news programs, spoke to Reuters about the upcoming U.S Read more

Why US green groups are talking about abortion this election

DENVER--Green billionaire Tom Steyer vowed to make the November congressional elections about climate change. Now he's talking about abortion and the economy to get his candidates across the finish line.

Steyer, a hedge fund manager turned environmentalist, launched a state-of-the-art operation to push voters to elect governors and senators willing to confront global warming. His NextGen Climate Action political committee is on track to spend more than $55 million in this election - an unprecedented amount for an environmentalist group.

But NextGen and other green groups are not talking about climate change as much as one would expect Read more

Civil servant on trial for drunk, dangerous driving

PHILIPSBURG--Civil servant K.R. (46), who is accused of driving under the influence, reckless driving and causing an accident while under a driving ban, will learn his fate on Wednesday, November 19.

The incidents allegedly had taken place during and after a three-car accident on W.T.A. Nisbeth Road near Kam's Foodworld during the evening hours of March 28.

The head of the New Projects, Development and Planning Department confessed he had consumed three glasses of wine during the reception at the opening of the new artificial grass outfield at St Read more

Shigemoto also suspect in second investigation

PHILIPSBURG--Former minister of finance Hiro Shigemoto, who is the main suspect in the so-called Piranha case, may be facing more criminal charges in what has been dubbed the Piranha-2 investigation. Prosecutor Maarten Noordzij said this Wednesday during a preliminary hearing.

In the Piranha-1 case, Shigemoto (44) and Global Advisory Services NV Director R.A.G. (61) are facing fraud, embezzlement, forgery and money-laundering charges.

Shigemoto and G. are suspected of having made fraudulent transactions in connection with the recruitment of personnel for various government agencies that allegedly cost Country St Read more

Topper’s owner gets sentenced for guns

PHILIPSBURG--The owner of Topper's Restaurant in Simpson Bay was sentenced Wednesday to seven months suspended, on three years' probation, and a NAf. 7,000 fine, for the possession of two firearms with ammunition.

The Prosecutor's Office had requested nine months suspended and a NAf Read more

Frans, William see discussion on integrity report as waste of time

PHILIPSBURG--Discussions in a Central Committee meeting of Parliament about the integrity reports from the Wit-Samson Committee and PricewaterhouseCoopers PwC was deemed a waste of time at this transition period between governments by United St. Maarten Member of Parliament (MP) Frans Richardson and National Alliance (NA) MP William Marlin.

The reports were referred for handling in a Central Committee meeting in the final meeting of the 2013-2014 Parliamentary year on October 9.

The discussions with Deputy Prime Minister/Justice Minister Dennis Richardson on Wednesday centred mostly on whether the reports should be before Parliament now or be handled when the new Council of Ministers is in place Read more

Council of Ministers wants screening conducted by St. Maarten rules only

PHILIPSBURG--The Council of Ministers wants the screening of minister candidates to be carried out only based on the country's existing laws and not in conjunction with the additional screening being demanded by the Kingdom Government. When the names are submitted to Governor Eugene Holiday, it will be up to him to decide how to proceed with the screening.

The incumbent Council of Ministers decided the names of minister candidates should be submitted to Holiday and their security and integrity screenings should take place "within the confines and limits of the laws of St Read more

Mosquito fogging to commence Thursday weather permitting

>GREAT BAY (DCOMM):---  The Collective Preventive Services (CPS), a government agency under the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labour, announced on Wednesday that the country-wide mosquito fogging campaign could not commence as planned on Tuesday, October 28 due to rain and a malfunction of equipment.

In the meantime, the contractor has informed the ministry that fogging will start on Thursday, October 30 weather permitting. The technical problem with the fogging equipment has been resolved.

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

Parliament Approved Parlatino Meeting slated for November, President of Parliament got full support to Attend Kingdom Concert in December.

style="text-align: center;">Integrity discussion a waste of time --- Opposition prefers to wait until new government takes office, PR campaign need to revamp country's image.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The parliament of St. Maarten approved the invitation sent to the President of Parliament to attend the Kingdom Concert to be held in the Netherlands in December. The Parliament of St. Maarten also gave its approval for a committee to attend the Parlatino meeting to be held in November that will deal with women in politics and the integrity issues facing St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG – Member of Parliament Hon. Maurice Lake of the United People's (UP) Party says he has read media reports about a report drafted by a French Parliamentary Committee chaired by Rene Dosiere.
"I haven't read the report myself, but from media reports, it's very disturbing Read more

Mosquito Fogging To Commence Thursday Weather Permitting

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Collective Preventive Services (CPS), a government agency under the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labour, announced on Wednesday that the country-wide mosquito fogging campaign could not commence as planned on Tuesday, October 28 due to rain and a malfunction of equipment.

In the meantime, the contractor has informed the ministry that fogging will start on Thursday, October 30 weather permitting. The technical problem with the fogging equipment has been resolved.

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

Mp Lake Concerned About French Parliamentary Committee Report On Relations Between North And South

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Member of Parliament Hon. Maurice Lake of the United People's (UP) Party says he has read media reports about a report drafted by a French Parliamentary Committee chaired by Rene Dosiere.

"I haven't read the report myself, but from media reports, it's very disturbing.

There are statements made in that report which are incorrect, and it once again brings forth the lack of knowledge by Dutch and French European politicians when it comes to the situation of North and South St Read more

Mp Emmanuel Faces Lawsuit Over Bribery Allegations

St. Maarten – Rookie parliamentarian Christopher Emmanuel will be taken to court in summary proceedings for insulting and slandering E.T.M., attorney Cor Merx confirmed to this newspaper yesterday.

Last week Monday, Emmanuel stated in parliament that in 2010, he had been offered $80,000, but he did not say for what. In the 2010 campaign, Emmanuel was the number 14 candidate for the National Alliance Read more

Editorial - Interim compromise?

The current deadlock over the instruction by the Netherlands to Governor Eugene Holiday on the screening of candidate ministers will have to be broken sooner or later. The high tourism season is approaching fast and the 2015 budget must be approved on time to meet the needs of the population adequately.

Without agreeing to the measure, it might be useful to entertain a possible temporary compromise, pending a resolution of the current constitutional dispute. Seeking an opinion from the Council of State on the issue could well be part of such a scenario, because regardless of procedural limitations this esteemed body ought not reasonably to refrain from giving such if requested certainly by a majority of the kingdom partners, in this case with the help of Curaçao and Aruba.

In the meantime, the incoming UP/DP/Marlin-Romeo coalition that enjoys a two-thirds majority in Parliament would do well to at least consider appointing an interim cabinet of persons who are practically guaranteed to pass even the far-reaching integrity investigation now imposed by The Hague Read more

Who has whose back?

Dear Editor,

Franklin Meyers wants the Dutch government to “pass legislation to help feed my people of St. Maarten and to alleviate my people from poverty.” Mr. Meyers has been part of the governing party of St. Maarten many times, first with DP and then with UPP, now HE'S BACK with UPP and I have a simple question to ask him Read more

Bosman: Council of State members are out of place

THE HAGUE--Member of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament André Bosman of the liberal democratic VVD party is highly critical of the legal objections expressed by Members of the Council of State for the Kingdom to the instruction that the Kingdom Council of Ministers gave to Aruba in July this year. Bosman deemed their position "highly inappropriate."

The Antilliaans Dagblad newspaper on Tuesday reported that Members of the Council of State for the Kingdom Antonito "Mito" Croes of Aruba and Robert Vornis of Curaçao, as well as Member of the Council of State in extraordinary service for the Caribbean Netherlands Frits Goedgedrag, were all against the instruction.

The newspaper stated that Croes referred to the instruction given to Aruba Governor Fredis Refunjol to hold off on ratifying the country's 2014 budget until an independent screening had taken place, as a decision that held no legal grounds.

Vornis was said to have expressed his support for Aruba Prime Minister Mike Eman in a Twitter message shortly after the instruction, while Goedgedrag stated in a recent report as Chairman of Aruba's Council of Advice that the instruction lacked legal grounds and was against the Kingdom Charter and the Regulation of the Governor.

Member of Parliament (MP) Bosman questioned the position of the Members of the Council of State and posed written questions on Tuesday to Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk about the newspaper article Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Late last year, DEI launched the Cultural Artistic Formation (CAF) adaptation project which entailed the development of lesson plans that reflect the local situation . Imbrace Group LLC was contracted to steer the project, assemble a curriculum writing team and work with the writing team to develop the materials. The need for this project was identified in a retraining trajectory where it became evident that there were no existing materials for CAF that reflect our local situation.
The new CAF curriculum promotes knowledge and understanding of the historical and cultural contexts of the arts within St Read more

style="text-align: center;">All Members of the Democratic Party did not support her decision but respected it as Leader of DP

PHILIPSBURG:--- Almost three weeks after signing an agreement with formateur Theodore Heyliger, leader of the Democratic Party Sarah Wescot Williams finally broke her silence on Monday at a press conference held at the House of Parliament Read more