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Parliament establishes an ad hoc Integrity Committee

PHILIPSBURG--With integrity continuing to be the buzz word in St. Maarten, Parliament established its ad hoc committee on integrity Tuesday, but not without much discussion on the membership.

The establishment of the committee was recommended by Democratic Party (DP) leader Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams in a written proposal in January Read more

Parliament wants restart of Curaçao friars abuse probe

THE HAGUE--The Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament wants State Secretary of Safety and Justice Fred Teeven to persuade the Curaçao Government to reinitiate the investigation into the sexual and physical abuse of children by the Friars of Tilburg in Soto, Curaçao in the 1960s.

The move by the Second Chamber comes after various regional media in the Netherlands reported last Saturday that the investigating committee under the guidance of attorney-at-law and former Judge Ronald Koeijers wasn't active and in fact only existed on paper.

According to the regional newspapers, which published the story of the press agency de Persdienst, the committee has not followed-up on reports filed by several persons who said they were abused by a handful of friars at San Fernando, a boarding school in Soto for young orphans and children from broken families.

The newspapers, among others Brabants Dagblad and de Gelderlander, told the story of "Johnny," a 62-year-old Curaçao man whose real name was not disclosed Read more

Kingdom Conference to be moved to June

THE HAGUE--The 2015 Kingdom Conference in Curaçao has been moved from April 8 to June 16, Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk informed the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament on Tuesday.

Plasterk explained in his letter that he received word from Curaçao Prime Minister Ivar Asjes on February 2 that the Kingdom Conference could not go ahead on April 8 as planned due to "unforeseen circumstances." Asjes also sent a similar letter to his colleagues Mike Eman of Aruba and Marcel Gumbs of St Read more

Govt envisages lowering workers pay on sick days

PHILIPSBURG--Government is considering amending the current policy to lower compensation paid to workers on their sick days as a means of combating absenteeism.

In response to questions on this subject from Democratic Party (DP) Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams during the public plenary session of Parliament on the 2015 budget, Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs said the point of departure is that employees would get only a percentage of their salary paid to them when on sick leave.

"This can range from, for example, 90 per cent as of the second or third day of being sick, to for example 70 or 80 per cent after having been sick for a longer period," Gumbs said Read more

French-side sewage leak contaminating Dutch side

PHILIPSBURG--A "significant" amount of sewage run-off from a large French side public septic tank has been flowing into Oyster Pond and contaminating waters on the Dutch side at "an alarming rate" since last week, reported Nature Foundation on Tuesday. Up to fifty litres or more per day of raw sewage is estimated to be flowing into Oyster Pond.

The sewage flow was documented by the foundation. Water quality tests were conducted to directly determine the composition of the effluent entering Oyster Pond Read more

‘Bada Bing’ trial kicks off today

PHILIPSBURG--The court hearings in the so-called "Orca" or "Bada Bing" case will be kicking off in the Court of First Instance today, Wednesday, at 9:00am. The case involves a number of alleged illegal practices in and concerning Bada Bing nightclub in Simpson Bay.

In the trial, former Member of Parliament Patrick Illidge (49) will be facing charges of accepting bribes from Bada Bing and Lunteren N.V Read more

Slavery commemoration not in immediate danger

THE HAGUE--Funding for the annual commemoration of the Dutch slavery past in Amsterdam on July 1 is safe, at least for the next four years, said Minister of Education, Culture and Science Jet Bussemaker on Tuesday, denying media reports that the subsidy would end as per 2016.

Chairman of the National Institute for the Dutch Slavery Past and its Legacy NiNsee Franc Weerwind said in an article of the newspaper het Parool on Monday that the commemoration was on shaky grounds for 2016 and beyond because the Dutch Government planned to terminate the 50,000-euro annual subsidy after 2015.

Weerwind criticised the reported move by the Dutch Government Read more

Sex Health!

~ A debate is coming up ~

For the last six years, Tamica Joseph, also known as Lady Q for her popular radio show Positive Choice, has been a personality at SOS Radio. She touches on various subjects with her listeners and panellists, but the segment concerning relationships has in recent months evolved into a more sexual focus. This has inspired Tamica to create an entertaining event that is mainly a sex debate. Tamica said part of the reason for creating the event is because "radio is limited in what you can say." Panellists for this night will consist of a set of locals and also a set of experts on the subject Read more

Connor tight-lipped on TelEm talks with prospective partners

PHILIPSBURG--The Government of St. Maarten is mum on discussions the TelEm Group is having with prospective partners, declining to even provide information on who the company is currently engaged in discussions with.

Based on recent reports received by this newspaper regarding the possible conclusion of the talks with Digicel, the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication TEATT Claret Connor was asked about the status of the talks via the Press Secretariat.

The Secretariat responded indicating that the discussions between TelEm and prospective partners "are strictly governed by confidentiality agreements Read more

Mayotte Delegation on visit to Collectivité

MARIGOT--A delegation of high-ranking technicians from the island of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean has been on a three-day visit to St. Martin to discuss issues common to both territories as well as issues related to Europe, Ultra Peripheral Regions RUP and to exchange information.

The delegation comprised Jacques Toto, Secretary-General in charge of General and Human Resources, Assistant Cabinet Director for European Affairs Dayane Saïd Mohamed, and Chargé de Mission RUP and European Affairs, Adrachi Velou.

President of the Conseil Général was not able to make the trip due to other commitments.

The delegation arrived Saturday from Guadeloupe where they attended the 20th conference of RUP territories Read more

Government could save 75 per cent on paper cost

PHILIPSBURG--Government can cut paper cost by up to 75 per cent if it opts to utilise digital forms and online services. This was the estimate given to Parliament recently by General Affairs Minister/Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs in response to enquiries from independent Member of Parliament Leona Marlin-Romeo.

The reduction in paper usage will amount to between NAf Read more

LOL stands behind its statement.

style="text-align: center;">Calls for resignation of SOG board

PHILIPSBURG:--- Laugh out Loud would like to respond to the character assassination by SOG, the board of the festival village. In November of 2014 the board representatives headed by Fabiana Arnell and the strictly business representative Julian Rollocks held a meeting with local promoters including Mr Read more

Editorial - Undesirable

The announcement by Justice Minister Dennis Richardson in today's paper that the "leaked" proposal to send 50 to 55 persons to St. Maarten to strengthen law enforcement was part of the original draft kingdom measure on the Integrity Chamber and has been off the table since, may be seen as good news. Also in light of the reaction from the police union NAPB to recent reports (see Friday edition), executing the plans as described most likely would have led to considerable unrest in the judicial sector.

The latter is always undesirable, but all the more in the middle of the high season, with thousands of visitors in need of protection continually on the island Read more

Connor reiterates position on timeshare protection

Dear Editor,

After having just returned home to Canada after a wonderful holiday at our Timeshare in Guana Bay, I am greatly distressed by the Caravanserai debacle! While one can sympathize with the bank for wanting to recover some funds after a bad investment, the fact remains that the bank should never have accepted investor-owned timeshare assets to support a management loan without investor-owner agreement!

While it is encouraging that Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs Read more

Nigerian opposition candidate urges calm after election postponement

ABUJA--Nigerian opposition presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari called for calm in the country and cautioned against any violence following the election postponement, which he said was engineered by the ruling People's Democratic Party.
  Foreign powers are closely following events in Africa's biggest economy and have voiced concerns there could be a repetition of violence that followed 2011 elections when 800 people died and that a delay would stoke unrest in opposition strongholds.
  The poll will pit incumbent Goodluck Jonathan of the PDP against former military ruler Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in what is likely to be the most hotly contested election since the end of military rule in 1999 Read more

MPs to hear from Connor about harbour issues Tues

PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies and its operations will take centre stage at a Central Committee meeting of Parliament with Tourism and Economic Affairs Minister Claret Connor and Finance Minister Martin Hassink on Tuesday, February 10. The meeting, requested by the National Alliance (NA) and Democratic Party (DP) on February 10, starts at Parliament at 2:00pm in Parliament House.

The agenda for the meeting covers issues related to the harbour group, the past and future impacts of the company on the country, cruise passenger head tax, Dock Marteen (Deher) marina project; causeway Turn over Tax payment, cranes, dividend and payment for the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association Conference (FCCA).

Members of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams (DP), Silveria Jacobs and George Pantophlet (NA) requested answers to be provided orally in the meeting by the ministers on the "outcome between the harbour and Bobby's Marina" and if government had given the harbour the exclusive right of development for the area that the company claims in its case against the Deher's development.

Also, the MPs want to know when Parliament will receive the harbour's 2013 financial report, whether government promised to contribute to the FCCA conference and what did government actually contribute Read more

Housing board snubs Parliament

PHILIPSBURG--The Supervisory Board of St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation (SMHDF) "declined" an invitation to meet with Members of Parliament (MPs) today, Monday, about recent developments at the foundation, says Democratic Party (DP) leader MP Sarah Wescot-Williams.

The invitation for the closed-door session was extended based on discussions in a closed- door session last week with foundation's management team members, who are on suspension due to alleged irregularities Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- As stakeholders, government included, desperately seek ways to mitigate the effects of the Caravanserai timeshare debacle, all eyes are on some type of protection for the consumers, those who bought timeshare from developers and property owners.
Clearly what we have now in terms of legislation does not sufficiently offer this protection, otherwise we would not be in the situation we are in today.
This latest fiasco from the timeshare buyers' perspective, continues to gnaw away at the image we desperately try to maintain and build on as a country Read more

Central Committee Meeting requested by DP and NA Factions about Port St. Maarten.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The Central Committee of Parliament will meet in public session on February 10 at the request of the Democratic Party (DP) and National Alliance (NA) factions.
The Minister of Finance Hon. Martin Hassink and Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications Hon Read more

Smhdf Supervisory Board Refuses To Meet With Parliament

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The meeting requested by three members of the opposition in Parliament on December 18, regarding the Harbor Group of Companies has been convened for Tuesday, February 10, 2015.

It will be a meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament, which meetings are open to the public.

The members who requested this meeting back in December are MPs Silveria Jacobs, George Pantophlet, and the undersigned.
In their request, the members of Parliament cited the issues that are playing regarding this government company as the following:
- Head tax issue
- The Deher's marina project
- The Causeway (TOT payment)
-The Crane issue
- Government dividend and payment for the FCCA conference

The presence of the ministers was requested and ministers Conner and Hassink have confirmed to be at the meeting on Tuesday Read more

Central Committee Meeting Requested By Dp And Na Factions About Port St. Maarten

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The Central Committee of Parliament will meet in public session on February 10 at the request of the Democratic Party (DP) and National Alliance (NA) factions.

The Minister of Finance Hon. Martin Hassink and Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications Hon Read more

Justice Minister Has No Knowledge Of Possible Replacement

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - According to reports on The Voice of St. Maarten News has learnt that Former head of the Coastguard Edson "Eddy" Kirindongo is tipped to be the next Justice Minister.

He will be replacing the current Justice Minister, the Honorable Dennis Richardson.

Although, it is still not clear as to when Kirindongo will take up the position, according to reports, he is currently being vetted, as the choice of Member of Parliament and leader of the United St. Maarten Read more

The illusion of Parliamentary Motions

Dear Editor,

On January 30, the budget of country St. Maarten was passed by Parliament after some marathon sessions, which were necessary if our country wanted to make the CFT deadline of January 31.

The CFT will now have to render its advice on the approved budget 2015. As is often the case, the closing part of the budget debate saw several motions being presented. Some motions were approved by a majority, others unanimously approved, and yet others rejected.

Five motions were presented and one amendment Read more

Kremlin talks on Ukraine yield little

DEBALTSEVE, Ukraine--The leaders of France and Germany flew out of Moscow in the dead of night after five hours of talks with Vladimir Putin on Friday, with little to announce to end fighting in Ukraine beyond a promise to keep talking.

None of the leaders spoke publicly after the meeting, which ended around midnight with President Francois Hollande and Chancellor Angela Merkel whisked straight from the Kremlin back to the airport. The French and German leaders had held similar late talks the night before with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, part of a last-ditch push for a breakthrough before EU leaders consider new financial sanctions against Russia next week.

European officials had played down expectations ahead of the Moscow talks, expressing doubt that Putin would compromise while pro-Russian rebels are advancing on the ground Read more