SXMElections.com

Minister Emil Lee Meets With Minister Of Health In The Netherlands

THE NETHERLANDS – During Minister of Health Emil Lee’s recent working visit to the Netherlands, he met with Minister of Health, Welfare and Sports, Edith Schippers to inform her about plans for the new hospital project for St. Maarten, as well as to discuss areas for possible cooperation on health care between the Kingdom partners, The Netherlands, St Read more

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Tourism Professional May-Ling Chun To Contest Elections With Up

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Long time tourism and hospitality professional May-Ling Chun will contest the September 26 Parliamentary Elections with the United People’s (UP) party. This will be Chun's first bid for a seat in Parliament.

Chun said her decision to join UP is rooted in the party’s objectives, ideology, and always progressive vision of the country Read more

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Up Membership And Sympathizers Invited To Party Congress For Re-Election Of Party Board On June 25

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The United People’s Party (UP) Board under the current leadership of President Sylvia Meyers, is hereby inviting UP party membership and sympathizers to its party’s Congress for the re-election of the party board.

The Congress will be held on Saturday, June 25 at the Belair Community Center.

Registration for new UP members and current members will begin at 4.30pm.

The highlight of the evening will be the election of the UP President and the UP Party Board.

Leader of the UP Party Member of Parliament Hon Read more

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Former Airport-Director Labega At Aviation Conference: “Airports Are Gateways, Not Destinations”

St. Maarten News – Former airport director Regina Labega spoke about sustainable tourism as a key for Caribbean airports at the first Caribbean Aviation conference hosted by the government of Dominica earlier last week in Rousseau.

Sustainable tourism can be defined as Jamie Lisse of Demand Media does, as: “Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities,” Labega said.

“The Caribbean Region is perhaps the most tourism-intensive region in the world,” Labega stated, quoting CTO statistics that show that tourism was responsible for about 14% of total GDP and generated about 12% of Caribbean employment (both direct and indirect) in 2012.

In 2011 there were about 21 million international tourist arrivals in the Caribbean bringing in a revenue of $24.5 billion, with a direct GDP contribution of $15 billion, an indirect contribution of $32 billion, and creating 614,000 direct jobs.

Labega pointed out the crucial role of aviation in supporting tourism, “with over 54% of international tourists now traveling by air.”

Arguing that airports are the gateways and not the destinations, Labega said “Regional airports can be valuable assets in sustainable tourism development Read more

Netherlands/ PHILIPSBURG:--- As part of his working visit to the Netherlands, Minister Lee paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman of the permanent committee Kingdom Relations of Parliament, Mr. Jeroen Recourt. Minister Lee also met separately with a member of this committee, MP Andre Bosman.
"As we investigate opportunities for possible cooperation on Health care between different countries within members of the kingdom, I felt it would be helpful to visit members of the second chamber (Parliament) to brief them on our discussions, vision and plans Read more

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Gracita Arrindell Leads Ppa In Elections: Has Orange Become The New Green?

St. Maarten News – “Lack of leadership, not sticking to commitments and turning their back on the people of St. Maarten,” said Gracita Arrindell yesterday about her reasons for leaving the United People’s Party and returning to the revived People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA) as its leader for the September 26 parliamentary elections Read more

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Minister Gibson At Tax Summit: “Tax Reform Is Absolutely Necessary”

Prime Minister William Marlin (left) and Finance Minister Richard Gibson during the tax summit. To the right is Minister Emil Lee Read more

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Tourism Professional May-Ling Chun To Contest Elections With Up

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten  — Long time tourism and hospitality professional May-Ling Chun will contest the September 26 Parliamentary Elections with the United People’s (UP) party. This will be Chun’s first bid for a seat in Parliament.

Chun said her decision to join UP is rooted in the party’s objectives, ideology, and always progressive vision of the country Read more

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Ihndhira Richardson-Marlin Receives Cultural Prize

Ihndhira Richardson-Marlin receives the award from Governor Holiday. Photo Today / Andrew Bishop

St. Maarten News – The Prins Bernhard Cultural Fund awarded Ihndhira Richardson-Marlin for her contributions to the Arts and Dance at the John Larmonie Center on Friday evening. Richardson Marlin is the daughter of Prime Minister William Marlin; she started to dance at a very young age where she was trained by several of the dance instructors that have graced the halls of the Motiance Dance Company.

Governor Eugène Holiday handed over the award and spoke of the extraordinary performance by the dancers and described them as extremely inspiring Read more

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Pcn Rejects Accusations

BONAIRE--The Pension Fund Caribbean Netherlands PCN denied allegations made by the Dutch 50PLUS party about possible embezzlement reported on in Monday’s paper. Member of the First Chamber of Parliament in The Hague Jan Nagel had stated that hundreds of public employees in Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (BES Islands) lost pension premiums totalling millions and suggested fraud.

Gracita Leaves Up Due To Lack Of Leadership

~ To contest election under PPA ~

PHILIPSBURG--People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA) party leader Gracita Arrindell says she resigned from United People’s (UP) party in 2015 due to the party’s lack of leadership, its failure to live up to its commitments and its turning its back on the people Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Education Culture Youth & Sports Silveria Jacobs was on hand at the Marie Genevieve de Weever School on Monday morning to witness the finalized works to the Playground / Basketball Court and addressed the students as well as management and staff.

The Minister Jacobs officially thanked the young, local contractor Mr Read more

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Telem Reports “Healthy” Profit In 2015

~Praises staff for outstanding efforts~

POND ISLAND – TelEm Group has reported a “healthy” profit for 2015 despite dropping local and international call rates, and the widespread use of “free” calling services in St. Maarten.

The profit figure was announced to TelEm Group personnel by Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Helma Etnel, during a general meeting at the Belair Community Center, on Friday, June 17.

According to Etnel, the profits are thanks to the combined efforts of TelEm Group management and personnel in all divisions despite a significant drop in revenues for the year 2015.

“So while we were getting less money in, we were very conservative with spending and using what we had much more efficiently,” said the CFO.

Etnel said the figures could not have come at a better time to boost the morale of personnel, as many negative things are being reported about the company in online and print media – a development that the CFO regrets.

She urged personnel and managers not to dwell on these negative reports, but to remember all the positive things they have done over the past several years to make the company viable, and to continue to provide jobs for St Read more

Regina Labega Praised At Caribbean Aviation Conference In Dominica

Great Bay – Airport and tourism expert Regina LaBega was the toast of the gathering at the first Caribbean Aviation Meet Up conference hosted by the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, in Rousseau, Dominica June 14-16.

LaBega gave a PowerPoint presentation on the topic, “Sustainable Tourism: Key for Caribbean Airports,” which was well received. “Everyone asked for a copy of the presentation” following its delivery, said LaBega.

According to LaBega, sustainable tourism can be defined as Jamie Lisse of Demand Media does, as: “Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.”

“The Caribbean Region is perhaps the most tourism-intensive region in the world,” LaBega stated, quoting CTO statistics that show that tourism was responsible for about 14% of total GDP and generated about 12% of Caribbean employment (both direct and indirect) in 2012.

In 2011, for example, she said there were about 21 million international tourist arrivals in the Caribbean, bringing in a revenue of US $24.5 billion, with a direct GDP contribution of US $15 billion, an indirect GDP contribution of US $32 billion, and creating 614,000 direct jobs.

LaBega pointed out the crucial role of aviation in supporting tourism, “with over 54% of international tourists now traveling by air.”

Arguing that airports are the gateways and not the destinations, LaBega said, “Regional airports can be valuable assets in sustainable tourism development Read more

Ministry Of Finance Hosts Tax Summit 2016 Themed: “A Consensus To Collaborate”

DAWN BEACH – The Ministry of Finance called upon key (internal) stakeholders to take part in a critical discussion during the Tax Summit of Friday, June 17, to improve tax compliance.

In attendance were Prime Minister William Marlin, Minister Public Health Social Development and Labor Affairs Emil Lee, and Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sports Silveria Jacobs, during the first hour as well as representatives of the various Ministries of Government and SZV, SOAB, SER, CFT, Ombudsman and Council of Advice.

“A lot of territory was covered Read more

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DAWN BEACH:--- The Ministry of Finance called upon key (internal) stakeholders to take part in a critical discussion during the Tax Summit of Friday June 17th to improve tax compliance. In attendance were the Prime Minister William Marlin, Minister Public Health Social Development and Labor Affairs Emil Lee, and Minister of Education Culture Youth & Sports Silveria Jacobs during the first hour as well as representatives of the various Ministries of Government as well as the SZV, SOAB, SER, CFT, Ombudsman and Council of Advice.

“A lot of territory was covered Read more

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GREAT BAY:--- Airport and tourism expert, Regina LaBega was the toast of the gathering at the first Caribbean Aviation Meet Up conference hosted by the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica, in Rousseau, Dominica from June 14 – 16, 2016.
LaBega gave a power point presentation on the topic, “Sustainable Tourism: Key for Caribbean Airports,” which was very well received. “Everyone asked for a copy of the presentation” following its delivery, said LaBega.
According to LaBega, sustainable tourism can be defined as Jamie Lisse of Demand Media does, as: “Tourism that takes full account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, addressing the needs of visitors, the industry, the environment and host communities.”
“The Caribbean Region is perhaps the most tourism-intensive region in the world,” LaBega stated, quoting CTO statistics that show that tourism was responsible for about 14% of total GDP and generated about 12% of Caribbean employment (both direct and indirect) in 2012.
In 2011, for example, she said there were about 21 million International Tourist Arrivals in the Caribbean bringing in a revenue of US$24.5 billion, with a direct GDP contribution of US$15 billion, an indirect GDP contribution of US$32 billion, and creating 614,000 direct jobs.
LaBega pointed out the crucial role of aviation in supporting tourism, “with over 54% of international tourists now traveling by air.”
Arguing that airports are the gateways and not the destinations, LaBega said “Regional airports can be valuable assets in sustainable tourism development Read more

Marlin-Richardson Awarded Prins Bernhard Top Honour

PHILIPSBURG--The Prins Bernhard Culture Fund Caribbean Culture award was given to daughter of the soil Ihndhira Richardson-Marlin for her contributions over the years to the art of dance on the island. Governor Eugene Holiday and proud father Prime Minister William Marlin and his wife were present, among other guests. The event was held Read more

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Democratic Party Remembering Those In Orlando

The Democratic Party, like most of the world, is shocked and immensely saddened by the horrendous carnage that took place in a nightclub in the city of Orlando.

Words cannot describe the feelings that the terrible scenes and heart wrenching accounts by survivors continue to evoke daily. Regardless of the motives, it is terribly, terribly wrong and must be condemned.

“It is unimaginable that a fellow human being could be so callous and without regard for the lives of others, in fact taking pleasure in the wanton destruction of human life,” said DP Leader Wescot-Williams.

We pray and hope for the full recovery of those persons who are injured, and for peace and strength for the families, friends and the entire community affected by this senseless act.

May we also on St Read more

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Democratic Party Extends Condolences To The People Of Orlando.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Democratic Party, like most of the world, is shocked and immensely saddened by the horrendous carnage that took place in a nightclub in the city of Orlando. Words cannot describe the feelings that the terrible scenes and heart wrenching accounts by survivors continue to evoke daily. Regardless of the motives, it is terribly, terribly wrong and must be condemned.

" It is unimaginable that a fellow human being could be so callous and without regard for the lives of others, in fact taking pleasure in the wanton destruction of human life ", said DP Leader Wescot-Williams.

We pray and hope for the full recovery of those persons who are injured and for peace and strength for the families, friends and the entire community affected by this senseless act.

May we also on St Read more

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Opinion: Vote Of No Confidence

Research by the Central Bureau of Statistics in Curacao returned a near fatal blow for the country’s politicians. Only 2.3 percent of the respondents among 2,620 households said that they trust their politicians. In other words, 97.7 percent do not trust the country’s legislators.

Suspicion towards politicians is nothing new and it is not uniquely prevalent in Curacao. It is a phenomenon across the board, and we suspect – though we obviously do not have hard evidence for it – that a similar research in, say, the Netherlands, Japan, the United States or St Read more

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The Checkered Past Of Ava Airways Chairman Arrindell

Hallucination airline or the next big thing?

St. Maarten News / By Hilbert Haar – Is Olivier Arrindell at it again? The controversy about his ghost airline AVA Airways is gaining momentum with the bitter exchange of opinions with businessman Michael Ferrier.

It all started with Arrindell’s claim that he had obtained a business economic permit from the government of St Read more

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Minister Lee Discussed Hospital With Minister Plasterk

St. Maarten News – Minister Emil Lee (Public Health) headed a delegation that included Kees Klarenbeek, Director of SMMC, Henk de Zeeuw, Managing Director of corporate finance KPMG St. Maarten, and Perry Geerlings, Director of the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary to meet with  Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations, Ronald Plasterk,  Erwin Arkenbout, Director of Kingdom Relations and Dr Read more

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Gibson: No Reason To Panic About Decline In Revenue

PHILIPSBURG – Minister of Finance Richard Gibson suggested that the financial situation of St. Maarten, in terms of government revenue, is not as bad as reflected in the first execution report of the first quarter of 2016.

The Committee for Financial Supervision for Curaçao and St. Maarten (CFT) had stated, in a letter dated June 8, to the Minister of Finance that the budget balance of the first quarter of 2016 had deteriorated by some NAf Read more

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