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>PHILIPSBURG:--- Students, teachers and parents of the two Digikidz schools Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School and Seventh Day Adventist School, received technology training through workshops on programming and the use of social media by Mrs Pauline Maas from the Netherlands. The trainings and workshops were held over two weeks starting from May 18th.

Mrs Read more

Electoral Council Fines Frans Richardson’S Usp

St. Maarten – The Electoral Council has fined Frans Richardson’s United St. Maarten party (USp) for failing to submit financial reports. The fine is 1,000 guilders for each day the violation continues, with a maximum of 30,000 guilders.

“Despite numerous reminders before and after the deadline for registered political parties to submit their annual reports before April 1, the United St Read more

Shareholder Overrules Supervisory Board: Maduro With Gebe Until 2017

Gebe’s Chief Operations Officer Romelio Maduro. Photo Gebe Facebook page

GREAT BAY- Gebe Chief Operations Officer and Chairman of the Managing Board Romelio Maduro will be at the helm of the company until 2017. The Council of Ministers extended his contract on Friday.

The shareholder representative adopted a motion bypassing the supervisory board’s decision to terminate the contract. This newspaper obtained a copy of a letter directed to the Chairman of Gebe’s Supervisory Board René Richardson, in which Vromi-Minister Marcel Gumbs states that “The shareholder representative of Gebe has decided to extend the contract of Mr Read more

Promotions And Farewell At St. Maarten Police Force

St. Maarten – Last Friday Inspectors Carlyle Rogers, Head of the Simpson Bay district and Ricardo Henson Head of the Public Relations and Communication Department received their promotion to the rank of Chief Inspector. Major Hensley Roumou who is a team leader at the Simpson Bay Police Station was promoted to the rank of Inspector.

Chief Commissioner Peter de Witte and acting chief carl John expressed in brief speeches their congratulations to all three officers and encouraged them to continue with the good work they are doing and to continue helping to build a better Sint Maarten Police Force, a “Five Star Police Force” that the community of Sint Maarten deserves.

The same ceremony also marked the farewell of Major Ferdinand Molendijk, who is a colleague from the Netherlands and presently working at the Police Traffic Read more

Stakeholders Start Five-Day Basic User And Database Administration Training Workshop

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The National Development Plan (NDP) team from the Department of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BAK), the implementing agency for NDP project, has organized a five-day Basic User and Database Administration Training Workshop that started on June 1.

The workshop will brought together stakeholders from the various government ministries with respect to the further development of the Government's newly developed SintMaartenInfo Database which compiles socio-economic data.

The data will help Government policy developers and planners to use evidence based information for policy development which is necessary to implement the NDP.

The training covers the concepts and features of the Database and an in-debt hands-on experience to the SintMaartenInfo Administration application.

Step by Step the attendees will be explained how to use all the features of the system Read more

Council Of Ministers Meets With Social Economic Council

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – On Thursday, May 28, 2015, the Council of Ministers (COM) met with the Social Economic Council (SER), which is one of the permanent advisory councils of St. Maarten in accordance with article 79 of the Constitution.

The aim of the SER is to facilitate and promote discussions between social partners in order to reach consensus regarding social economic issues before they are regulated in policy or law.

During the meeting the SER presented and informed the Council of Ministers of their work and the progress made since the first SER Board was appointed per national decree on May 1, 2011.

The SER has provided solicited and unsolicited advice to the Government and to Parliament as requested over the years and submitted advices on topics like the Monetary Union, Guest Tax, Counterpart article of the National Ordinance Foreign Labor and A mandatory pension for Sint Maarten.

As a result of the meeting, the SER and the Government will look into strengthening their cooperation and collaboration concerning social economic issues.

In addition, the SER presented the Council of Ministers with unsolicited advice concerning the eradication of poverty on St Read more

With tough words for Wall Street, O'Malley launches White House bid

BALTIMORE, Maryland--Former Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley blasted social injustice and Wall Street excesses as he launched a White House bid on Saturday, casting himself as a younger, more liberal alternative to Democratic Party frontrunner Hillary Clinton.
  "Powerful, wealthy special interests here at home have used our government to create, in our own country, an economy that is leaving a majority of our people behind," said O'Malley, opening his 2016 presidential campaign with a rally at a waterfront park in downtown Baltimore.
  O'Malley, who has aggressively courted his party's liberal wing, began his political career in Baltimore, first as a member of city council and then as mayor.
  Decrying big banks as having been behind the financial crisis of 2008, O'Malley singled out Goldman Sachs for particular criticism Read more

Between a rock & a hard place

Dear Editor,

Once again we are blowing our own horn claiming to have reached a win-win agreement for the establishment of the dispute arrangement. As most people know, including the Dutch, we are easy to please and after all the grand-standing only want to be able to go back home and white wash a sell out as an achievement.

The euphoria experienced today seems a lot like what we saw after the signing of their now infamous “ Separate Status just like Aruba” only for the ugly truth to be shown later that it was nothing but a vehicle set up to let the Dutch easily impose what they wish on our people and country Read more

Lee midway through CHTA tenure, outlines changes

DAWN BEACH--The first St. Maarten person to be elected to Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association's (CHTA's) highest post of President Emil Lee is approaching the halfway-mark of his two-year tenure, and says that he is happy to see the association moving in the right direction on a number of fronts.

In an interview with The Daily Herald he outlined both recent and on-going changes within the CHTA at varying stages of implementation, marking its move towards becoming more efficient and a transparent facilitator and thought leader, as well as his hopes for the future.

Lee first shared that what many people don't realise is that he had been elected for the post a year before starting in July 2014 Read more

Champions crowned in School Soccer Tourney

BELVEDERE—Champions were crowned as the 23rd edition of the Interscholastic Soccer Tournament closed at the Cruyff Court in Belvedere, Saturday.  
  The tournament was organised by the St. Maarten Soccer Educational Foundation (SMSEF) and sponsored by the TelEm Group of Companies. The competition featured 44 teams representing 10 elementary schools plus five more schools feed into the combined teams.

11+Under
  Learning Unlimited Goal Machines were crowned the 11 and Under Division champions.  They defeated Sister  Regina Goal Getters 7 – 2.  Noah Ledee led Learning Unlimited with four goals and one assist.  Jan Lucas van der Plaas netted two and Oliver Hobgood one.  Devin Liao supported the strikers with two assists.
  William Mulder and Reshawn Eustase scored for Sister Regina.
   Leonald Connor bested Sister  Magda FC 5 – 1 to take third place.  Philando Parchment led the winning offence with three  goals and one assist Read more

Doran-York wants to strengthen link between WICSU, members

PHILIPSBURG--Newly elected President of the Windward Islands Civil Servants Union/Private Sector Union (WICSU/PSU) Henrietta Doran-York wants to focus on strengthening the relationship between the union and its membership.

The new board elected Friday will sit for three years. In a press release on Sunday, the new president said the union will be announcing "a special day in the week" where members and prospective members will be able to make appointments to meet with the board at the union's office on the Walter Nisbeth Road (Pondfill).

At these meetings, members will get a chance to voice their concerns Read more

Editorial - Final obstacles

What was billed as the first-ever budgetary retreat in St. Maarten (see Saturday paper) seems like a good idea. Synchronisation among the seven ministries in that sense is certainly always desirable for obvious reasons.

Recent experience has shown it's also good to begin preparations well ahead of time and the meeting was about the 2016 budget. However, taking into account that the draft is supposed to be presented to Parliament at the start of September, it's actually not so early.

Of course, there are more immediate concerns, including remaining issues with the 2015 version, almost halfway into the year Read more

Six honoured in annual Mother’s Day ceremony

MARIGOT--The Collectivité honoured six worthy women in its annual Mother's Day ceremony on Friday.

In keeping with tradition, the representatives of the six different councils had the difficult task of choosing someone from their district. Mother's Day on the French side is celebrated annually on the last Sunday of May.

The ceremony began with an opening address by Vice-President Ramona Connor recalling the important role of the mother in society before each district representative announced their candidate with a biography.

The chosen six included Alberta Leblanc from district one, Jocelyne Illidge for district two, Marguerite Bryan from district three, and Tamika Meyers from district four, Louisita Fleming Richardson from district five and Mercedes Thomas from district six.

The ladies were chosen for their strong family values, raising many children, and contributing much to the community Read more

Gumbs calls residents to prepare as season starts

PHILIPSBURG--“Be vigilant and be prepared. This is a call to action,” said Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs in his message to residents about preparedness as the annual Atlantic Hurricane Season starts today, Monday. The season continues until November 30.

“Do not be lulled into a sense of false security. At the beginning of every hurricane season, prepare yourself and your family,” Gumbs said in a message issued on Sunday.

“We must always remain mindful that for six months out of the year, we live in the hurricane season Read more

Govt rejects board’s request to not extend Maduro’s contract

~ Approves two year extension ~

PHILIPSBURG--Government, as shareholder of water and electricity company GEBE, has rejected a request of the GEBE board not to extend the contract of Romelio Maduro as Chief Operations Officer (COO) and Chairman of the Managing Board of the utilities company.

The board's request was to reverse the shareholder's earlier decision to extend Maduro's contract. Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs said in a letter to GEBE board Chairman Rene Richardson dated Friday, May 29, that the shareholder was not in a position to decide positively on the board's request.

Gumbs said Richardson should submit all documents that had led to the board's decision in this matter, to assist the shareholder to reach to an informed decision whereby all facets of good corporate governance are upheld.

Gumbs requested a copy of the "expiring" contract with Maduro, audit reports and all other reports pertaining to this matter, the minutes of the meeting of the Supervisory Board of Directors dealing with this subject matter and the minutes of the meeting of the Supervisory Board of Directors in which Maduro had been heard.

Gumbs also requested all written correspondence between the Supervisory Board and Maduro, establishing that Maduro had been given the opportunity to react regarding the issues mentioned against him.

"Once in possession of the relevant documents, the shareholder will have an independent investigation carried out, whereby the commissioning of an Operational Forensic Audit cannot be ruled out," Gumbs said in the letter, which he signed as Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning and Environment VROMI.

"Based on the urgency and circumstances surrounding these matters, these decisions have been taken in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation of GEBE and in particular the article affording the shareholder the possibility to make decisions outside of an ordinary Meeting of Shareholders."

He said Maduro would continue in his function as COO and continue carrying out the tasks of Chairman of the Managing Board pending the outcome of the investigation, to prevent any major disruption in the functioning of GEBE.

In a second letter to Richardson also dated May 29, Gumbs said the shareholder had decided to extend Maduro's contract as COO and Chairman of the Managing

Board for two years.

"In this regard, you are hereby requested to prepare the draft contract extension agreement and submit same to the Shareholder for ratification and or approval," the letter reads.

"The Shareholder has not come to a decision regarding the proposal to grant Mr Read more

Electoral Council imposes daily penalty of NAf. 1,000 on USP

~ Several parties to return excess donations ~

PHILIPSBURG--The United St. Maarten Party (USP), led by Member of Parliament Frans Richardson, has already incurred NAf 2,000 in penalties as of Sunday from the Electoral Council for failing to submit its annual report and financial statements.

The party failed to comply with the National Ordinance on the registration and financing of political parties despite numerous reminders from the council before and after the deadline of April 1, for registered political parties to submit their annual reports.

“Therefore, USP has not complied with one of the most important legal obligations of political parties stipulated in the National Ordinance on Registration and Finances of Political Parties,” said the Electoral Council in a statement Sunday night.

On May 19, the Electoral Council sent a letter to USP leader MP Richardson and its board informing them that the council was considering issuing an order under penalty as is stipulated in Article 44 of the National Ordinance.

USP was granted the opportunity to respond to the Council’s impending order no later than Wednesday, May 27, as well as the opportunity to submit its annual report no later than Friday, May 29 Read more

style="text-align: center;">Several parties to return excess donations to donors.

PHILIPSBURG:---  Despite numerous reminders before and after the deadline for registered political parties to submit their annual reports before April 1, 2015 the United St. Maarten Party (USP) failed to submit its annual report and financial statements. Therefore, USP has not complied with one of the most important legal obligations of political parties stipulated in the National Ordinance on Registration and Finances of Political Parties.
On May 19, 2015, the Electoral Council sent a letter to USP leader, Frans Richardson and its board informing them that the Electoral Council was considering to issue an order under penalty as is stipulated in Article 44 of the aforementioned National Ordinance Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- On Friday May 29th 2015 during a well attended ceremony at the Philipsburg Police Station in the presence of the Chief Commissioner Peter de Witte and Acting Chief of Police Commissioner Carl John after quite some delay the Inspectors Carlyle Rogers, Head of the Simpson Bay district and Ricardo Henson Head of the Public Relation and Communication Department received their promotions in the rank of Chief Inspector Read more

style="text-align: center;">Mr. Imran Amjad inspires close to 100 aspiring leaders to be leaders first and then be innovative!!

Great Bay:---- Close to 100 aspiring leaders came to the POWER HOUR: Boss Edition on May 27, 2015. Held at the University of St. Martin for the first time, the quarterly networking event for entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial professionals, attracted a variety of participants at different stages of their career. In the accompanied booklet for the evening, INFOBIZZ defined BOSS to mean Building Others' Success Stories and encouraged all participants to help others to achieve success by becoming extraordinary leaders and by staying innovative.
With a focus on innovative leadership, the program of Boss Edition of POWER HOUR consisted of three main activities: 1) a networking activity facilitated by the founder and director of INFOBIZZ, Ms Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The National Alliance family hereby congratulates the newly elected board of the WICSU/PSU, Mrs. Henrietta Doran-York (President), Mr. Francisco Mariana (Treasurer) and Mr. Riegnald "Bakari" Arrindell (General Secretary) as you take up this most important task of regulating and protecting the rights of the civil servants and workers in the private sector of St Read more

style="text-align: center;">Will he be used to execute MOU signed with GB Energy?

PHILIPSBURG: ---- Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs reversed the decision taken by the Supervisory Board of GEBE to fire its COO Romelio Maduro. The decision was taken on Friday after Maduro's lawyer Peggy Ann Brandon intervened and threatened to file an injunction against GEBE and government.
SMN News learnt that the Prime Minister reversed the decision seemingly because the shareholder representative (government) was not consulted prior to them taking the decision not to renew Mauro's contract and to give him up to Friday (yesterday) to vacate his office and be off the premises Read more

St. Maarten’s International Airport (PJIAE) stands to lose Financial Credibility if Building Permits not Issued by June 15th.

style="text-align: center;">PJIAE placed in a precarious position due to lack of Building Permit for FBO, and Fire Station.

AIRPORT:--- Management of the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE) stands to lose its financial credibility if Prime Minister and Acting Minister of VROMI Marcel Gumbs along with the leader of the UPP Theodore Heyliger continues to stagnate the issuance of the building permits that were requested by PJIAE since November 2014.
Management of PJIAE signed agreements with Signature a multi-national FBO agency and locally based company TLC that is also an FBO professional Read more

Police Officers Receives Promotions

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - On Friday May 29th 2015 during a well attended ceremony at the Philipsburg Police Station in the presence of the Chief Commissioner Peter de Witte and Acting Chief of Police Commissioner Carl John after quite some delay the Inspectors Carlyle Rogers, Head of the Simpson Bay district and Ricardo Henson Head of t Read more

Power Hour: Boss Edition A Huge Success! Mr. Imran Amjad Inspires Close To 100 Aspiring Leaders To Be Leaders First And Then Be Innovative

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten – Close to 100 aspiring leaders came to the POWER HOUR: Boss Edition on May 27, 2015. Held at the University of St. Martin for the first time, the quarterly networking event for entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial professionals, attracted a variety of participants at different stages of their career.

In the accompanied booklet for the evening, INFOBIZZ defined BOSS to mean Building Others' Success Stories and encouraged all participants to help others to achieve success by becoming extraordinary leaders and by staying innovative.
With a focus on innovative leadership, the program of Boss Edition of POWER HOUR consisted of three main activities: 1) a networking activity facilitated by the founder and director of INFOBIZZ, Ms Read more