SXMElections.com

Editorial - Win-win after all

Not everyone will be happy, but news that work on Rockland Estate Rain Forest Adventure Park is to start this summer (see Saturday paper) should not surprise anybody. After all, it already was clear that the company had been awarded a long lease for the necessary land at Emilio Wilson Estate (EWE), even though Government at the request of Parliament bought that property from its private owners to preserve it as natural-cultural-historic patrimony.

The thought then obviously had been not to allow any major commercial development there, but the lease agreement at US $1.20 per square metre nonetheless was signed, also to help pay for the purchase Read more

Editorial - Win-win after all

Not everyone will be happy, but news that work on Rockland Estate Rain Forest Adventure Park is to start this summer (see Saturday paper) should not surprise anybody. After all, it already was clear that the company had been awarded a long lease for the necessary land at Emilio Wilson Estate (EWE), even though Government at the request of Parliament bought that property from its private owners to preserve it as natural-cultural-historic patrimony.

The thought then obviously had been not to allow any major commercial development there, but the lease agreement at US $1.20 per square metre nonetheless was signed, also to help pay for the purchase Read more

Public invited to ceremony today

PHILIPSBURG--The public is invited by government to attend the Remembrance Day ceremony on Captain Hodge Wharf today, Monday, at 9:00am. Governor Eugene Holiday, Parliament President Dr. Lloyd Richardson and Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs are slated to lay wreaths in remembrance of those who fought and died in World War II.

Government will again remember all those – civilians and soldiers – who have been killed or murdered in the Kingdom of the Netherlands or anywhere else in the world in war or during peace-keeping operations since the outbreak of the World War II.

The Kingdom of the Netherlands marks Remembrance Day on May 4 Read more

Grégoire Ratchel honoured in traditional Fish Day ceremony

MARIGOT--Retired fisherman Grégoire Ratchel was honoured by the Collectivité for his lifelong contribution to the community at the opening of the 13th Annual Fish Day celebration in French Cul-de-Sac on Sunday.

He was presented with a plaque by First Vice-President Guillaume Arnell and Vice-President Wendel Cocks Read more

Corallo says opening of Starz is ‘first step’ of ‘bigger project’

CUPECOY--The Atlantis Group inaugurated its Starz City concept and celebrated the rebranding of Atlantis Casino to Starz Casino on Friday.

The rebranding of the casino marks the "first step" of a bigger project that will include a hotel and commercial centre.

A large cross section of the community, including several dignitaries, attended the inauguration of Starz City. Atlantis World Group owner Francesco Corallo told The Daily Herald during the inauguration that plans were afoot to construct a 120-room hotel and commercial centre in the area.

"We have to upgrade our product and that is what I try to do myself with my small environment," Corallo said in a brief interview Read more

Regional health authority marks five-year milestone

MARIGOT--Agence Regional de Santé (ARS) of Guadeloupe, St. Martin and St. Barths celebrated a five-year milestone on Friday, with a summary of five main achievements since April 1, 2010.

Délégué Territorial for St. Martin Pascal Godefroy, and Stanley Hanson in charge of vector control, talked to reporters at a press conference.

It was noted the chikungunya virus that arrived on the island December 6 and 30, 2013, in St. Martin and St. Barths affected 13 to 15 per cent of the population of both islands Read more

Jenny Hanley from booth #15 wins Village Cook Out

PHILIPSBURG--Jenny Hanley of "How You Like It" booth #15 is the winner of the second annual Village Cook Out competition held at the St. Maarten Carnival Village on Sunday.

Organised by the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF), the competition was held during the Bounce and Splash Family Play Day event held at the Village.

Five booth holders, who were pre-selected, prepared their best versions of fried fish and oyster soup. The dishes were judged by a panel of three Read more

>Cole Bay:--- Animal Advocacy Group Animal Defenders recently donated the first seven doghouses to less fortunate families and their pets to protect them against the elements. The doghouses, which were built by Volunteers as part of the SXM Doet Project, were delivered to families who are unable to provide shelter for their pets. "We have been noticing many animals being kept on leashes outside and exposed to the elements (hot sun, rain and wind) so we decided that this would be an excellent project to both provide shelter for the animals and to create awareness that our pets are an important part of our family," stated Mrs Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---- Sunday 3rd of May marks World Press Freedom Day. Prime Minister Hon. Marcel Gumbs would like to congratulate the nation's journalist as well as those from the North side of the island (St. Martin) on this internationally renowned day.

The theme this year is "Let Journalism Thrive! Towards Better Reporting, Gender Equality, & Media Safety in the Digital Age."

"The right to freedom of expression allows journalist to inform about what us going on in order for civil society to be informed of developments taking place here and abroad Read more

Animal Defenders Sint Maarten Donates Dog House Shelters To Needy Families And Their Pets

COLE BAY, St. Maarten- Animal Advocacy Group Animal Defenders recently donated the first seven doghouses to less fortunate families and their pets to protect them against the elements.

The doghouses, which were built by Volunteers as part of the SXM Doet Project, were delivered to families who are unable to provide shelter for their pets.

"We have been noticing many animals being kept on leashes outside and exposed to the elements (hot sun, rain and wind) so we decided that this would be an excellent project to both provide shelter for the animals and to create awareness that our pets are an important part of our family," stated Mrs Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs Congratulates Sint Maarten/St. Martin Journalists On World Press Freedom Day

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Sunday 3rd of May marks World Press Freedom Day. Prime Minister Hon. Marcel Gumbs would like to congratulate the nation's journalist as well as those from the North side of the island (St. Martin) on this internationally renowned day.

The theme this year is "Let Journalism Thrive! Towards Better Reporting, Gender Equality, & Media Safety in the Digital Age."

"The right to freedom of expression allows journalist to inform about what us going on in order for civil society to be informed of developments taking place here and abroad Read more

Three honoured on Labour Day for championing workers’ rights

Honourees and family members with dignitaries on Friday.

 

PHILIPSBURG--Three persons were honoured for their contributions to protect and champion workers’ rights in St. Maarten during a ceremony at Divi Little Bay Beach Resort on Labour Day, Friday, May 1.

Honoured were Windward Islands Federation of Labour (WIFOL, now Worker’s Institute for Organised Labour) former President Rene Richardson; Windward Islands Civil Servants Union/Private Sector Union (WICSU/PSU) former President the late Patricia Pantophlet; and former WICSU Administrative Secretary Sandra Mathew-White Read more

Survivors triumphant in Children, Grand Parade

Winning adult troupe Jasmine Philips’ Survivors dance their way through Front Street. (Darlene Hodge photo)

PHILIPSBURG--Survivors by Jasmine Philips won in both sections of the Children and Grand Carnival Parade held Thursday and the Labour Day Parade on Friday. Brightly coloured troupes in elaborate and diverse costumes once again danced their way to Carnival Village in the season’s annual highlights.

“The SCDF [St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation – Ed.] is very happy with the turnout of the Grand Carnival Parade 2015 Read more

The prepared will inherit the future!

Dear Editor,

We want to congratulate the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & Industry with the opening of the Business Centre. This Centre will provide many young entrepreneurs with the skills and confidence to go into business. Quite often we have people who would like to go into business, but don't have the necessary skills and confidence to venture into it.

We strongly believe that this Business Centre together with SBDF and USM will provide our potential entrepreneurs with the necessary tools and confidence to move forward with their dream of going into business Read more

style="text-align: center;">Construction of Hotel to start by September at "Starz City" ---  Francisco Corrallo

CUPECOY:--- Over three thousands persons across St. Maarten/ St. Martin were invited on Friday night to the grand opening of the newly rebranded Atlantis Casino. Businessman Francisco Corrallo told SMN News that the opening of the Starz Casino and more is a new beginning for the business he managed over the years Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor met with the Dutch St. Maarten United Bus Drivers Association where a number of issues and topics related to public transportation were discussed.

Minister Connor informed the bus drivers association that the Transportation Department is currently working on a policy document and the issues presented by the association during the meeting will be addressed in the policy Read more

Minister Teatt Connor Meets With Bus Drivers

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor met with the Dutch St. Maarten United Bus Drivers Association where a number of issues and topics related to public transportation were discussed.

Minister Connor informed the bus drivers association that the Transportation Department is currently working on a policy document and the issues presented by the association during the meeting will be addressed in the policy Read more

Annual Fish Day

~ From the Sea to the Pot ~

A huge turnout is expected once again on Sunday, May 3, for the extremely popular Fish Day cultural extravaganza, now in its 13th year at French Cul-de-Sac Bay. The day-long schedule of activities, starting at 7am with the fish and conch sale and ending at 10pm, promises to be a fun-filled family occasion, reminiscent of days gone by. Everyone is welcome to spend the day, meet up with friends and family, enjoy the music, food and drinks; become a part of the village community and be entertained by the island's talented artistes.

The official opening commences at 9:30am with a tribute to St Read more

WWII victims to be remembered May 4

CYRUS WATHEY SQUARE--Those who fought and gave their lives in World War II (WWII) so we may live free will be remembered in a solemn ceremony on Captain Hodge Wharf on Monday, May 4, starting at 9:00am. The wreath-laying ceremony is open to the public.

Slated to attend the observance are Governor Eugene Holiday, Parliament Chairman Dr. Lloyd Richardson and other Members of Parliament, Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs and other ministers.

An honour guard comprising uniformed officials from various parts of the justice chain will be inspected at the wharf by Governor Holiday, Dr Read more

Police announce road closures Carnival Grand, Junior Parade

PHILIPSBURG--In connection with the upcoming Junior and Grand Parade scheduled for Thursday, April 30, St. Maarten Police Force, via a press release, has announced a number of road closures.

The gathering point for the Grand Parade is at the entrance of St. Johns Estate on L.B. Scot Road. The gathering time is at 10:00am. Front Street including all streets and alleys leading to it will be closed from 7:00am.

At 9:00am, L.B. Scot road will be closed at Gladiola road. No traffic will be allowed towards the St Read more

Connor, bus drivers meet to discuss public transportation

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Claret Connor held a meeting with Dutch St. Maarten United Bus Drivers Association last week, where a number of issues and topics related to public transportation were discussed.

Association President William Alexis told The Daily Herald that he appreciates the Minister sitting down to speak to the group as soon as he got the chance to – some two weeks after a request, which included time off-island – and said that Minister Connor showed a "good vision" and that he wanted to work towards continuity Read more

Cohen, Just win damages after court annuls Sindextour AOTs

MARIGOT--The former tenants of the original Bikini and Kon Tiki Restaurants on Orient Beach, Elisa Cohen and Philippe Just, have been awarded unspecified damages by the Collectivité and Sindextour, represented by Norbert Luftman, following an administrative court ruling in St. Martin on Friday that cancelled the temporary occupation permits (AOTs) for parcel AW33 issued by the Collectivité to Sindextour.

The long-running case against Sindextour saw both Cohen and Just evicted from the two restaurants by bailiffs in September 2013.

The AOTs were issued to Sindextour following a second vote by the Executive Council on September 4, 2012, following a vote on the issue in July of that year Read more

Nepal quake victims still stranded, PM says toll could be 10,000

JHARIBAR/SINDHUPALCHOWK, Nepal--People stranded in remote villages and towns across Nepal were still waiting for aid and relief to arrive on Tuesday, four days after a devastating earthquake destroyed buildings and roads and killed more than 4,600 people.

The government has yet to assess the full scale of the damage wrought by Saturday's 7.9 magnitude quake, unable to reach many mountainous areas despite aid supplies and personnel pouring in from around the world.

Prime Minister Sushil Koirala told Reuters the death toll could reach 10,000, as information on damage from far-flung villages and towns has yet to come in Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---- In connection with the upcoming Junior and Grand Parade scheduled for Thursday April 30th, the Police Department is making the following announcement:
The gathering point for the Grand Parade is at the entrance of Sint Johns Estate on the L.B. Scot road. The gathering time is at 10.00 a.m.
Front Street including all streets and alleys leading to this street will be closed on that day from 07.00 a.m.
At 09.00 a.m. L.B. Scot road will be closed at Gladiola road. No traffic allowed towards Sint Peters area Read more