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Minister Lake to prepare for legal battle regarding Vorst property.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake says he is preparing for a legal battle regarding the Vorst property based on the outcome of the Central Committee meeting on Friday, September 19.

"I am going to prepare myself legally for this case because some Parliamentarians are making this issue a personal one Read more

>COLE BAY:--- A scooter rider was injured after being involved in an accident not far away from the Causeway round-a-bout near Port de Plaisance. An eyewitness told SMN News that KPSM and the ambulance from the Dutch side were at the scene. The eyewitness said that at the border there was a French ambulance and French Gendarmes who did not step-foot on the Dutch side to assist the victim who was laying on the road. The eyewitness said one of the Dutch police officers had to walk up to the Gendarmes to probably inform them that they were going to handle the case.
Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson confirmed that a young man who was riding a scooter lost control because he was riding at very high speed Read more

Acs Drives Regional Approach To Disaster Risk Reduction

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago - The crippling effects of Natural Disasters on Small Island Development States (SIDS) has increased the need for Disaster Risk Reduction strategies as it becomes an important asset in the future of Sustainable Development.

The Association of Caribbean States (ACS) in its overall aim of promoting Sustainable Development for the Greater Caribbean, through its Directorate of Disaster Risk Reduction, continues to improve and increase its initiatives in the area of Disaster Risk Reduction as reflected in the 22nd Meeting of the Special Committee for Disaster Risk Reduction.

In his opening remarks, Minister of Planning and Sustainable Development of Trinidad and Tobago, Senator the Honourable Bhoendradatt Tewarie, identified Caribbean SIDS as the most vulnerable in relation to the intensity and frequency of natural hazards.

As a result, disaster risk reduction becomes "a powerful tool for development as it allows communities to continue their progress in spite of hazards."

Minister Tewarie, also identified Microzonation Studies as a Disaster Risk Reduction project currently being carried out in Trinidad and Tobago.

The Microzonation map of Port of Spain, expected to be completed in December 2014, is a process of generating detailed earthquake hazard maps for a small area such as a city as opposed to a whole country.

Further to this, sites are subdivided into zones based upon the identification of seismic hazards such as ground shaking, liquefaction susceptibility, landslide and rock fall hazard.

H.E Read more

Editorial - Term ahead

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte has confirmed that financial supervision will stay in place until next year's evaluation of the consensus kingdom laws has been completed (see related article). With a new government to be installed on October 10, some might say that is a reassuring thought.

Moreover, the 2015 budget is in the final phases of preparation and must be balanced if it is to receive the required approval of the Committee for Financial Supervision CFT. The incoming NA/DP/US Party coalition has every right to set new policy and make changes to the final draft or even come with supplementary budgets later on, but the figures in terms of income and expenses will have to add up.

What happens after the summer of 2015 remains to be seen, but there are already those who wouldn't mind keeping CFT a bit longer, as it provides at least some safeguard against financial mismanagement to which the former Netherlands Antilles was no stranger Read more

Ground broken for new SZV walkway

HARBOUR VIEW--Efforts to have a walkway bridge for pedestrians to have easier access to the Social and Health Care Insurances SZV compound at Harbour View came one step closer to reality on Wednesday, when the ground was broken for the new structure.

SZV Deputy Director Reginald Willemsberg and Health Minister Cornelius de Weever turned the sod to signal the official start of walkway's construction.

Willemsberg said the idea for the bridge had come about 18 months ago and the owners of the building, Independent Consulting Engineers (ICE) and ERPMG had been contacted to set the project in motion Read more

‘Champions of Peace’ march through town

PHILIPSBURG--A rally dubbed "Champions of Peace" was held on the afternoon of September 19. Participants marched through the streets of Philipsburg and held a small presentation at Clem Labega Square, which served as the beginning and ending point.

Students of various schools participated in the rally. Still dressed in uniform, they formed small groups holding banners for the march.

Offering kind words and touching on the significance of acting as "champions of peace," Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams addressed the crowd briefly, as did Jorien Wuite on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Affairs and Marcellia Henry on behalf of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Addressing the crowd, Henry shared a poem called "I dream of a world of peace" by a Nepalese high school student before sharing a reflection on whether peace is really possible or an ideal concept Read more

First hearing in sports coach paedophilia case

PHILIPSBURG--Thursday saw the first appearance in the Court of First Instance of E.Y., the 49-year-old basketball coach who is suspected of sexually abusing minors.

The hearing was pro-forma, as the prosecutor was not ready to proceed and Y.'s lawyer had investigation requests.

The prosecutor read out that Y. had currently been charged with two offences: the rape of an underage boy on April 2, 2014, after he had groomed the child on the Internet, using Facebook, and persuaded him to meet up for a one-to-one coaching session, and the second charge being a series of rapes of another underage boy, between August 2013 and February 2014, where he had groomed the child in a similar manner.

The prosecutor added that the investigation is still ongoing, and that "multiple further allegations are being investigated."

As the case would not be heard before the end of Y.'s current period of pre-trial detention, the prosecutor asked for this detention to be extended.

Y.'s lawyer, Brenda Brooks, in a manner that would have befitted an American court room drama, complained of receiving the summons of the accused at too short notice, something that was seconded by the judge.

She asked for the immediate release of her client, who "denies all involvement and has fully cooperated with the investigation." She stated the prosecution was "desperately looking for evidence that is not available."

She stated her client's image had been damaged by the case, that he would have "no life" after the case and that he would do anything to prove his innocence.

She stated that there were a number of discrepancies, and demanded that victims and witnesses be further questioned on behalf of the prosecution.

The prosecutor responded that the statements of the victims were exceptionally detailed, and apart from those, there were evidential files from Facebook and medical statements to back up accounts of the witnesses, as well as a statement from the basketball team to state it was not normal for Y Read more

TelEm, Digicel sign financial information-sharing contract

POND ISLAND--St. Maarten Telephone Group of Companies TelEm and regional telecom company Digicel are said to have signed an agreement to share financial information and pursue further talks. The agreement is said to be a precursor to possible merger talks between the two companies.

It is unclear at this point what will happen with the partnering talks TelEm already had underway with United Telecommunication Services (UTS).

St. Maarten is entitled to between 12 and 25 per cent of UTS' operation as a result of the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles Read more

MPs concerned about TelEm-Digicel accord

PHILIPSBURG--Members of Parliament (MPs) have expressed concern about the signing of a financial information sharing contract between the St. Maarten Telephone Group of Companies TelEm and regional telecom company Digicel.

Democratic Party (DP), National Alliance (NA) and Independent MPs Frans Richardson and Patrick Illidge expressed concerns during a meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament on Friday, to handle amendments to the 2014 budget.

Neither United People's (UP) party MPs nor independent MP Dr Read more

Justice Academy’s Anniversary.

style="text-align: left;">PHILIPSBURG:--- On Monday September 15, 2014, the Minister of Justice the Honorable Dennis Richardson attended a ceremony commemorating the 2nd Anniversary of the existence of the Justice Academy and it's achievements to date. The Minister spoke about the Justice Academy being a continuation of a project initiative of the previous Minister of Justice Mr. Roland Duncan and it being a positive institution with great challenges, but that offer at same time the opportunity for it to become a center of excellence for education and training in the Justice sector Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry of VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake, on Friday morning was thanked by President of Rotary Club Sint Maarten Danny Ramchandani for his role in allowing the service club to have the responsibility of beautifying and maintaining the Simpson Bay Village Round-a-bout.

On Friday, Rotarian Ramchandani said: "On behalf of the Rotary Club of Sint Maarten I want to thank the 'back to basics' Honorable Minister Lake for believing in the Rotary Club of Sint Maarten and the service projects that Rotarians do on behalf of the community.

"We are very proud to display the Rotary International marquee on the roundabout Read more

Minister Lake says we need to stop the petty politics and raise the bar of professional politics with the people at heart.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake says he has taken note of the discussions in the Central Committee meeting of Friday, September 19 with respect to budget amendments.

"As the Minister of 'Back to Basics,' and as an elected representative of the people, my slogan for the new parliamentary year in parliament is going to be, 'Raise the bar, take our Country to the next level.'

"Traveling to Parlatino meetings needs to be prioritized Read more

Minister Lake Says We Need To Stop The Petty Politics And Raise The Bar Of Professional Politics With The People At Heart

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake says he has taken note of the discussions in the Central Committee meeting of Friday, September 19 with respect to budget amendments.

"As the Minister of 'Back to Basics,' and as an elected representative of the people, my slogan for the new parliamentary year in parliament is going to be, 'Raise the bar, take our Country to the next level.'

"Traveling to Parlatino meetings needs to be prioritized Read more

Minister Lake Happy Rotary Club Of Sint Maarten To Beautify And Maintain Simpson Bay Village Round-A-Bout

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry of VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake, on Friday morning was thanked by President of Rotary Club Sint Maarten Danny Ramchandani for his role in allowing the service club to have the responsibility of beautifying and maintaining the Simpson Bay Village Round-a-bout.

On Friday, Rotarian Ramchandani said: "On behalf of the Rotary Club of Sint Maarten I want to thank the 'back to basics' Honorable Minister Lake for believing in the Rotary Club of Sint Maarten and the service projects that Rotarians do on behalf of the community.

"We are very proud to display the Rotary International marquee on the roundabout Read more

Threats Said To Be Influencing The Makeup Of New Government Coalition

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Seemingly there are elements in the St. Maarten community who have resorted to threats as a means of influencing the islands political future.

Persistent information reaching this website indicates that a MP elect was threatened by rogue elements within the community of St. Maarten, threatening their life and property if certain political allegiances are broken.

It is also said that these threats came from a member of the MP's election campaign team.

The MP elect is said to have taken the threats seriously and out of fear, refrained from filing an official complaint with the police fearing that the police would not be able to provide the necessary protection.

Our sources say that these rogue elements was also prepared to sit the required jail time if their deeds were discovered by the law.

Just recently the US political party held a press conference in which the number 2 on their list Leona Marlin refuted news reports that she was in negotiations with the UP political party to form an alliance that would support the next government of St Read more

Editorial - Solid enough

The names mentioned in today's paper as the reported candidates for the various positions of the incoming NA/DP/US-party coalition inspire confidence. The screening process will have to determine whether they all qualify in the end, but for now the apparent nominees certainly sound adequate.

It was already clear that NA leader William Marlin would be the next Prime Minister in charge of General Affairs, while the party's number three candidate and top vote-getter Silveria Jacobs had been a "shoo-in" to again become Minister of Education, Culture and Sports.

Whom NA would make its Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Development and the Environment VROMI was not known, but Rodolphe Samuel with his experience as President of Parliament certainly had been among the frontrunners for the job on the party's election list Read more

Kingdom Relations Committee swiftly deals with hefty agenda

PHILIPSBURG--Parliament's Permanent Committee for Kingdom Affairs and Inter-Parliamentary Relations, chaired by outgoing Member of Parliament (MP) Roy Marlin Democratic Party (DP), swiftly dealt with a twelve-point agenda covering several kingdom treaties, motions and other business on Tuesday morning, in Parliament House.

Marlin outlined the agenda and suggested the points that needed the committee simply to take note of and the ones that needed to be left for the incoming committee and its new chairman to handle.

A list of treaties in the preparatory phase and Country St Read more

23 cases of child abuse reported from Jan. to Aug

~10 alleged sexual abuse ~

PHILIPSBURG—Twenty-three cases of child abuse have been reported to the Court of Guardianship's Child Abuse Reporting Centre between January to August this year.

The figures were described as "scary" by Court of Guardianship Director Richelda Rodriguez-Emmanuel. Of the total number of cases reported, 10 were alleged sexual abuse of minors Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson confirmed on Wednesday while at the Council of Ministers weekly press briefing that the coroner has been paid but he could not say when a pathologist will be coming to St. Maarten to conduct the autopsies on the two murder victims. Last Sunday the father of murder victim Lizcania Maduro said that he intends to move to court to force the Prosecutor's Office to find a pathologist within 24 hours. However, Edwin Maduro told SMN News on Wednesday that he did not need to move to court because since he spoke to SMN News the Justice Ministry did what they needed to do and that the autopsy was conducted Wednesday (September 17th) about 3pm Read more

“Budget Security Service Under Scrutiny”

St. Maarten – The contract of the former head of the national security service VDSM, James Richardson, expired a couple of months ago, Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams said at yesterday’s Council of Ministers press briefing. While an ad inviting applications for a successor appeared in local media some months ago, no new head has been appointed yet.

“The process has started, but the budget has to be taken into consideration Read more

Ministers Lake, Richardson And Other Stakeholder's Wrap-Up Tourist Directional Signs Project

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry of VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake and Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications Hon. Ted Richardson along with representatives of the St. Maarten Timeshare Association (SMTA) and St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies, on Tuesday wrapped-up the tourist directional signs project.

The brief ceremony took place at the Cay Hill round-a-bout in front of one of 90 signs that were erected throughout the country during the past months.

"This is a significant improvement for product development Read more

Ambulance Department Participates In Disaster Management Training Course

GREAT BAY, St. Martin - In an effort to enhance the knowledge and skills in disaster management in general and specific as it relates to command and control; safety; communication; assessment; triage; treatment and transport the Ambulance Department recently concluded an operational training in disaster management.

"We must stay proactive and keep training, disasters can happen at any moment and we must be prepared and cannot afford to be complacent," said Minister of Public Health Social Development & Labor, Cornelius de Weever.

The Ambulance Department plays a key role in the disaster management structure of Emergency Support Function 6 (ESF 6) for Medical Relief & Public Health and therefore this operational training will be able to equip the emergency workers with the skills in the execution of their task in emergency response activities in the event of any possible disasters.

This disaster training is in keeping with the Minister of Public Health of putting people first by enabling all members of the Ambulance Department the opportunity to get better acquainted with disaster management in general and with the needed techniques and skills to be able to execute their jobs even in a disaster situation in a professional manner.

This specialized training was done in cooperation with Adphidius from the Netherlands in collaboration with Regional Ambulance Institute & Disaster Management Organization of Brabant Middle-West-Nord Holland.

This specialized training was made possible with funding from USONA in collaboration with University of St Read more

Commemorating International Peace Day September 21, 2014

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - On the occasion of the International Peace Day September 21 2014, a couple of events will be hosted in Sint Maarten/St. Martin.

These events will include a Symposium on Friday September 19, 2014 from 9:00 – 12:00PM at the University of St. Martin; and a Cultural Manifestation on Sunday September 21 from 2:00 – 6:00PM at the Philipsburg Jubilee Library.

The Rotary clubs of the island recently erected and unveiled a Peace Monument on May 31, 2014, in front of the Philipsburg Jubilee Library.

This Monument is dedicated to promote justice, nonviolence and social change in our community.

In continuity with our efforts to promote peace within our community, the general public is invited to a Peace for Sustainable Development and Nation Building symposium scheduled to be held at the University of St Read more

St. Maarten Governing Program In Final Stages

St. Maarten – The workgroup charges with drafting the governing program for the coalition of National Alliance, Democratic Party and United St. Maarten party exports to complete its tasks by the end of the week. The draft will first be presented to the leaders of the three coalition parties Read more