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Mp Lake As Minister Gave Advise To Soab On Smhdf Confirms Pm Gumbs In Parliament

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The House of Parliament met in a public plenary session on Tuesday afternoon.

This session was the continuation of the initial meeting that was held on December 22nd of last year.

The meeting was at the request of the National Alliance, the Democratic Party and the USP, and dealt with among others, the request to the Governments Accountants Bureau SOAB to carry out a forensic investigation into the operations of the St Read more

Minister Teatt Connor Briefed About Process To Catalog Country's Intangible Cultural Heritage

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor along with members of his Cabinet and representatives from the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, were informed recently about the Sint Maarten National Consultation on Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The Minister received a presentation from UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) Secretary General for Sint Maarten Marcellia Henry.

The Sint Maarten National Commission for UNESCO vision is to contribute to the building of peace, sustainable development, and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication and information.

The Commission has undertaken to catalog St Read more

Dollarization – still a discussion point

Dear Editor,

The fact that there is still a discussion on the dollarization issue is somewhat strange to me and not because I think it would the worst thing that can happen to us in St. Maarten, but because of the total lack of actual benefits proposed by those supporting dollarization.

The symposium on dollarization organised by the Council on Advice at the University of St. Martin only confirms what I have believed all along, that dollarization is not a valid option for St. Maarten Read more

Editorial - Missing in action

The Asjes cabinet in Curaçao has decided to stop payment to 16 so-called “ghost civil servants.” Five of them were convicted of crimes and are currently in prison, while the other 11 are at home without a valid reason.

At the moment a total of 81 government employees there don’t show up for work. That also includes 11 suffering from chronic illnesses, three with addiction problems, two with labour conflicts, 33 who have been denied entry pending an investigation, seven subjected to disciplinary measures and five who were suspended.  

Tackling this issue isn’t easy, because there could be many factors involved such as the relationship with superiors, and government must be careful not to violate the rights of its personnel Read more

Lions Club lobby Parliament to hike drinking age from 16 to 18

~ To correct discrepancy in laws ~

PHILIPSBURG--The Lions Club, on Tuesday, called for an increase in the legal drinking age from 16 to 18, to correct a discrepancy in the laws and to curb drinking amongst youngsters.

The call was made during a meeting of Parliament's Permanent Committee of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs of Parliament and was supported by all Members of Parliament (MPs) present.

Melinda Hoeve of the Lions' Youth, Health, and Education (YHE) committee spoke of a discrepancy in the Penal Code and in the Licence Ordinance ("Vergunningslandsverordening"), as it relates to the sale of and serving of alcoholic beverages to minors.

While article 475 of the Penal Code prohibits the sale and serving of alcoholic beverages to minors under age 18 with a maximum prison sentence of six months or a NAf Read more

style="text-align: center;">MP Christopher Emmanuel wants to know how would the change be implemented, says KPSM understaffed.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Members of the Lions Club presented the project they launch late last year to curb under-age drinking on St. Maarten. The members of the Lions Club called on Members of Parliament to amend the legislation to increase drinking age from 16 to 18 Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo said on Monday since December 2014, the airports of Jamaica has introduced kiosks to better accommodate and manage the flow of passengers entering the country.

Independent Member of Parliament Leona Marlin-Romeo (on a private visit to Jamaica) met with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Passport Immigration and Citizenship Agency Jennifer MacDonald and the IT team to discuss the advanced technology Jamaica immigration is using to not only better manage the flow of passengers but to also identify persons that has been placed on a watch list Read more

style="text-align: center;">Several Financial Statements still not available Corporate Governance Council Rejects candidates proposed by government.

PHILIPSBURG: --- Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs informed Parliament on Tuesday that the government of St. Maarten is currently working on taking the supervisory board of the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation (SMHDF) to court in order to obtain two audit reports Read more

Up Mp Lake Addresses Social Media Political Rumours In The House Of Parliament On Tuesday

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – United People's (UP) party Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Maurice Lake addressed on Tuesday in the House of Parliament social media rumours that he was involved in a plot to throw down government and send home the Cabinet of Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs.

"It's good to be back in the House of the People Read more

MPs to discuss ‘alleged’ election discrepancies

PHILIPSBURG--Members of Parliament (MPs) will discuss alleged discrepancies in the August 29, 2014, parliamentary elections during a meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament on Wednesday, April 8, at 10:00am.

The meeting was requested by MPs Leona Marlin-Romeo and Cornelius de Weever (both independent) and Tamara Leonard (United People's party) in correspondence dated November 6 and 7, 2014.

Main Voting Bureau and Civil Registry Department representatives will be present to discuss alleged discrepancies that occurred in preparation of and during the August 29 parliamentary elections Read more

Minister of Defence pays visit to Dutch Caribbean

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Defence Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert will visit Curaçao, St. Maarten, St. Eustatius and Saba April 6-10. During her visit, the minister will visit the Dutch military forces that carry out defence and police duties in the Caribbean part of the Dutch kingdom and will hold talks with military and civilian authorities.

The minister will be guest of the Commander of the Netherlands Forces in the Caribbean today, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

The military units in the Caribbean are to protect the territories, bring stability and maintain the law within the Dutch Caribbean and are to assist in case of disasters and calamities.

As director of the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard, the commander is responsible for maritime law enforcement and search-and-rescue at sea.

In Willemstad, Minister Hennis will speak with Governor Lucille George-Wout, Deputy Prime Minister Etienne van der Horst, Minister of Justice Nelson Navarro and President of Parliament Marcoliono Franco.

On Wednesday, Hennis will visit Statia and Saba, where she will speak with Island Governors Gerald Berkel and Jonathan Johnson and with personnel of the Royal Marechaussees.

She will conclude her visit in St Read more

Integrity Chamber meeting rescheduled for Wednesday

PHILIPSBURG--The public meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament on the establishment of the draft law to establish an Integrity Chamber has been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 8, at 3:00pm.

The meeting could not be held when it was last called on Monday, March 30, due to lack of quorum.

The three-point agenda includes the draft National Ordinance for the establishment of an Integrity Chamber, approval of the travel schedule for the Committee and Board of Directors meetings of the Latin American Parliament Parlatino for 2015, and approval of the composition of the delegation and provisions for General Assembly of Parlatino May 15-16.

Minister of General Affairs Marcel Gumbs will be present for the meeting.

The public can watch the session at the House of Parliament located across from the Courthouse in Philipsburg or live on St Read more

Gwo Ka Drum fest epitomises best of Creole folkloric culture

MARIGIOT--The first Gwo Ka Drum Festival held in Marigot over the weekend was hailed by organiser SOS Radio as a great success, with at least six invited groups from Guadeloupe and St. Martin performing Saturday and Sunday to a capacity crowd on both nights.

The event held in the Lazy Bay car park honoured the late cultural icon Juliette Mingau who was well known for her work with the Grain D'Or dance group.

The groups comprised Ti Fey La Ka Soné, the only one from St. Martin and an exponent of "modern" Gwo Ka using guitar and bass, an all-women group Kalbaska, youth group NJK, all-male group Kalbaska, Lammoufanmka, and Soley Nwè.

In addition, St Read more

How the country running?

Dear Editor,

As we walk through the streets of our country, we encounter diverse groups with varied interests. Some are defending one position or the other from bits and pieces they picked up from our on again mostly off again parliamentary meetings, and depending on their colour they take their arguments to the hilt. While this might seem quite interesting as it portends to promote democracy and most importantly our God-given freedom of speech, and right to be part of any legal body established here Read more

Central Committee Meeting of Parliament scheduled for Wednesday surrounding August 29th alleged parliamentary election discrepancies

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will meet in a Central Committee session on April 8.

The committee meeting is set for Wednesday at 10.00am in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelmina Straat #1 in Philipsburg.

This meeting was requested by Members of Parliament (MP) Hon. Leona Marlin-Romeo (Independent), MP Hon Read more

Central Committee Meeting scheduled for Wednesday about Draft National Ordinance to Establish Integrity Chamber

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The Central Committee of Parliament will meet in public session on April 8. The Minister of General Affairs Hon. Marcel Gumbs will be present for the House session.

The public Central Committee meeting is set for Wednesday at 3.00pm in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelmina Straat #1 in Philipsburg.

The three point agenda is: the draft National Ordinance for the establishment of a Integrity Chamber; second agenda point is approval of the travel schedule for the year 2015 in connection with Committee and Board of Directors meetings of the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino); and the third agenda point is approval of the composition of the delegation and provisions for General Assembly of Parlatino from May 15-16.
Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary session will be carried live on St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  World Health Day is marked annually on April 7. This year the focus is on food safety. New data on the harm caused by foodborne illnesses underscore the global threats posed by unsafe foods. World Health Day highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with food safety under the slogan "From farm to plate, make food safe."
Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor would like to congratulate all those working in the food sector on the eve of World Health Day, for the very important role that they play on a daily basis in restaurants, supermarkets, food trucks, small grocers, road side food tables, food kiosks, soup kitchens, home-made for sale food, etc.
"We are in the tourism business Read more

Scdf Commends Government On Its Position Towards Food Safety

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) on Monday complimented Ministers Claret Connor and Rita Bourne-Gumbs for their remarks on World Health Day with regards to food safety.

The foundation executes a no-nonsense policy when it comes to food handling and food safety in Carnival Village.

Booth holders go through rigid food handler courses and are subject to health inspectorate inspections throughout the course of Carnival.

Connor specifically mentioned in his World Health Day message the importance of food safety in protecting our tourism product and, by extension, the Carnival product as well Read more

Minister Teatt Connor Says Safe Food A Pre-Requisite For Tourism Sector In World Health Day Message

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – World Health Day is marked annually on April 7. This year the focus is on food safety.

New data on the harm caused by foodborne illnesses underscore the global threats posed by unsafe foods. World Health Day highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with food safety under the slogan "From farm to plate, make food safe."

Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor would like to congratulate all those working in the food sector on the eve of World Health Day, for the very important role that they play on a daily basis in restaurants, supermarkets, food trucks, small grocers, road side food tables, food kiosks, soup kitchens, home-made for sale food, etc.

"We are in the tourism business Read more

Central Committee Meeting Scheduled For Wednesday About Draft National Ordinance To Establish Integrity Chamber

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The Central Committee of Parliament will meet in public session on April 8. The Minister of General Affairs Hon. Marcel Gumbs will be present for the House session.

The public Central Committee meeting is set for Wednesday at 3.00pm in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelmina Straat #1 in Philipsburg.

The three point agenda is: the draft National Ordinance for the establishment of a Integrity Chamber; second agenda point is approval of the travel schedule for the year 2015 in connection with Committee and Board of Directors meetings of the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino); and the third agenda point is approval of the composition of the delegation and provisions for General Assembly of Parlatino from May 15-16.

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary session will be carried live on St Read more

Harbor Security Contract Private Says Mp Frans Richardson

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The issue surrounding the security and the contract at the harbor is an internal one, and it is not my business or should it be anyone's affair, Member of Parliament and leader of the USP told talk show host Lloyd Richard Read more

Mp Wescot-Williams Call For Attention To Tertiary Education

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Tertiary education from a macro perspective should be given more attention on St. Maarten, Member of Parliament and leader of the Democratic Party, the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams told journalists at a press conference recently.

In addressing that subject she also commended the University of St Read more

Bosman’s statement about De Weever was illegitimate

~ Court rejects demand for rectification, compensation ~

THE HAGUE--The Court in The Hague has qualified the statement of Member of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament André Bosman of the liberal democratic VVD party about Member of the St. Maarten Parliament Cornelius de Weever as "illegitimate." However, Bosman does not have to rectify his statement and does not have to pay damages.

The Court deemed a rectification in the newspapers no longer appropriate considering the time that has passed since Bosman's statement, which initially appeared in the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf on September 29, 2014, and was repeated in The Daily Herald, Today newspaper and Amigoe one day later.

In the De Telegraaf article Bosman was quoted as saying that De Weever had been "simply bought" by United People's (UP) party leader Theo Heyliger to leave the Democratic Party (DP) and support the UP Read more

Iran president views nuclear deal as start of new relationship with world

BEIRUT/JERUSALEM--Iran's president said on Friday that a framework for a nuclear deal was just the first step toward building a new relationship with the world, after Iranians greeted the announcement of the accord with celebrations in the streets.
  U.S. President Barack Obama also hailed what he called a "historic understanding," although diplomats cautioned that hard work lies ahead to strike a final deal. That work will include efforts by Obama to sell an eventual accord to critics at home, and to close ally Israel, which denounced the interim agreement and pressed for more safeguards in coming negotiations.
  The tentative agreement, struck on Thursday after eight days of talks between Iran and six world powers in Lausanne, Switzerland, clears the way for a settlement to allay Western fears that Iran could build an atomic bomb, with economic sanctions on Tehran being lifted in return Read more