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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

St. Maarten Citizens even Politicians not cooperating with Investigators.

style="text-align: center;">Too many leaks and alignment with possible suspects and politicians.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Some departments of the justice chain on St. Maarten are now trying to investigate cases that surfaced days ago while they have several cases of alleged corruption lying on their desks taking dust. Even a judge accused the prosecution of "class justice" something the local population on St. Maarten have been crying out loud for years. The Landsrecherche that has been established on St Read more

Princess Heights Wins Leading Hotel Award

St. Maarten – For second year in a row, Princess Heights Luxury Boutique Hotel has been named “the Leading Hotel in St. Maarten”, by the World Travel Awards (WTA) in its 2014 Caribbean & North America Gala Ceremony 2014, at the CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa in Anguilla.

Heralded by The Wall Street Journal as the “Oscar’s of the travel industry,” the WTA has developed into the most prestigious and comprehensive awards program in travel and tourism, and is known worldwide as the hallmark of industry excellence that recognizes the commitment to excellence that hospitality businesses worldwide have demonstrated in the last twelve months.

“This latest award, combined with our fourth straight year TripAdvisor certificate of excellence, proves once again that only through hard work, consistency and real commitment to customer service, we can ensure that our guests enjoy lavish accommodations with world class personalized service Read more

St. Maarten Government Issues Ebola Travel Ban

St. Maarten – The government has issued a travel ban to everyone who has traveled within the past 21 days to, from and through the countries of Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The ban is related to the outbreak of the ebola virus in West Africa. Public Health Minister Cornelius de Weever addressed the situation in a press statement that explains the scope of the outbreak and the reason for the travel ban.

The ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe, often fatal illness in humans Read more

Other Parties Stay Away From Protest Against Kingdom And Plasterk – Green March Against Instruction

St. Maarten– Between 300 and 400 people took part in the march People United for True Democracy organized yesterday afternoon in protest against the instruction from the Kingdom Council of Ministers to Governor Holiday for a stricter screening of candidate ministers – a handsome turnout with one flaw: only supporters of the United People’s party showed up.

UP party leader Theo Heyliger was there, as were his faction leader Franklin Meyers, MP Tamara Leonard and MP Lloyd Richardson Read more

Cps Reminds Persons To Get Their Flu Vaccine

St. Maarten—Persons, especially persons that fall into the high risk category, are urged by minister of public health and the Collective Preventative Services(CPS) to get their annual flu shots. Influenza is an acute viral infection that spreads very easily from person to person, and can affect anybody in any age group.

“Check with your physician to see whether or not you are part of the high risk group and be proactive.  Get vaccinated and apply strict and consistent preventive measures to stop you from getting the flu,” Minister of Public Health, Cornelius de Weever said.  Influenza is a serious public health problem that causes severe illnesses and deaths for higher risk populations.  Vaccination (flu shot) is the most effective way to prevent infection.

Persons who form part of the risk groups are: pregnant women who are in the last six months of pregnancy or second trimester – from their fourth month onwards;  persons with pulmonary disease: asthma (when maintenance medication is given; this also holds true for children), COPD, carcinoma of the lung, anthracosilicosis, lungfibrosis , mucoviscidosis, severe kyfoscoliosis, status after resection of a lung, breathing difficulties;  with cardiac disease: having experienced a myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, arrhythmias, valve dysfunction, cardiac failure; with diabetes mellitus, even if not on medication;  with chronic kidney disease/failure: dialysis, kidney transplant; after a recent bone marrow transplant;  with HIV-infection; with an intellectual disability in an intramural setting; with a diminished resistance to infections: livercirrosis, (functional) asplenia, auto-immune illnesses, chemotherapy, immunosuppressive medication; 60 years and older.

Front-line workers as well as health care workers who may be in contact with patients pertaining to the medical risk groups (personnel in nursing homes, senior citizen home, hospital, outpatient clinics and general practitioner/specialist practices), are also encouraged to get their flu vaccination Read more

Lake: “Dutch Instruction Is Part Of The Hidden Agenda To Take Over St. Maarten”

St. Maarten —The Dutch instruction to Governor Holiday is being interpreted by Vromi minister Maurice Lake as part of a hidden agenda to take over St. Maarten.

Lake, who was a successful candidate on the UP list in the last election noted that the country already has screening laws for candidates proposed to become a member of the Council of Ministers.

“This whole thing is not about that anybody is afraid of being screened.  We have nothing to hide.  Those who have served within the past four years as Ministers, going back to 2010, 2012 and 2013 and still do so today have passed the screening process to become a minister Read more

Dei Present Newly Developed Caf Curriculum

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – 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

Editorial - Pound-foolish

The minimum wage in St. Maarten is being indexed for the third consecutive year (see related article). Granted, 19 guilder cents may not seem like much, but on the current hourly amount of NAf. 8.56 it is still a hike of about 2.2 per cent.

It also should not be forgotten that many making perhaps just a little more probably won't even get a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), most likely because the company or other entity for which they work simply can't afford it Read more