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Minister Lake Implores Boat Owners To Clear Lagoon Of Sunken Vessels

St. Maarten – “I’ve observed some of the vessels that partially sank or were blown ashore have been removed within the Simpson Bay Lagoon; however, there are still a number of vessels that are partially underwater or sitting onshore. I am appealing to the owners of the vessels to make arrangements to have these vessels removed as soon as possible,” Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure Maurice Lake said on Sunday Read more

Upnext Planning Its “Christmas Cheer Up” Project

St. Maarten —Two fund raising bake sales are carded to be held this month by the —UPNext, the youth movement of the United People (UP) party—as they gear up their “Christmas Cheer UP” activities for the upcoming Christmas season Read more

Lake Says Work Will Start Soon On Chin Cactus Drive.

St. Maarten – Vromi Minister Maurice Lake has said that work will begin soon on the Cactus Drive road in Sucker Garden which is in a deplorable condition, but added that procedures must be followed.

Lakes statements comes on the heels of a petition signed by Sucker Garden residents and carried in local media in which they ask that the Cactus Drive road be repaired Read more

Vsa Meets With Smmc On Ebola Preparedness Plan

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Representatives from the Ebola Virus Disease Incidence Management Team VSA(EVD-IMT) met with representatives from St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) to discuss St. Maarten's Ebola Preparedness Plan.

The meeting was held to share ideas and discuss a coordinated response.

"The Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (VSA) along with all key stakeholders have taken a rigorous pro-active approach in order to ensure that St. Maarten will be prepared to respond in the event a suspected or confirmed Ebola patient surfaces in the area", said Minister of Public Health Cornelius de Weever.

At the meeting SMMC gave an extensive overview on the protective equipment they currently have in-house and what is still needed to be acquired.

An update was also given as to the area within the hospital designated as the isolation unit and the necessary upgrades needed to further prepare that isolation unit.

"God forbid Ebola were to reach St Read more

Editorial - All hands on deck

The call by Minister Maurice Lake to remove stricken vessels from St. Maarten’s inlets (see related article) might sound a bit callous to boaters who recently became victims of Hurricane Gonzalo, but is nevertheless to the point. After all, the wrecks in and around the bays and lagoons are not only a maritime risk and in some cases an environmental hazard, but also pollute the landscape.

As long as the unsightly view they create remains, every visitor will be reminded of the natural disaster, which is nothing to be ashamed of, but certainly not the image any destination would prefer to portray either Read more

UP PR is a perfect case study of how it’s done

Dear Editor,

I'm a third year marketing student in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. For new, innovative, practical approaches we are taught to observe our surroundings. Being from St. Maarten (by way of Suriname) I keep my eye on advertising campaigns and such at home. In many cases St. Maarten is still using old methods, but I know a few friends who have returned to the island, trying to do new things in our field.

This brings me to what I observed during the last election campaign. I was truly impressed with the innovation, organisation, speed and ability to pivot on the fly of the UP party Read more

Clinton takes tougher line on big business

NASHUA, New Hampshire--Long viewed as an ally by Wall Street, likely 2016 presidential contender Hillary Clinton has increasingly been taking banks and big business to task while on the campaign trail for Democrats across the country.

Many Democratic strategists see the sharper rhetoric as an effort to win over liberal critics, such as supporters of Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren Read more

Anand: Code of Ethics does not cover criminal offences

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad--Attorney General Anand Ramlogan said Saturday the alleged removal of seventeen cocaine pellets from a patient by a doctor raises several issues.

"I am heartened to know that the Commissioner of Police has not closed this investigation and that enquiries are continuing. As the legal guardian of the public interest, I think it is necessary to provide some clarification about the responsibility of doctors when they are confronted with delicate and difficult situations which might involve the suspected commission of criminal offences," he said in a statement.

"I am in agreement with the statements made recently by secretary of the Medical Board of Trinidad and Tobago (MBTT) Dr Read more

Lake urges mariners to remove damaged vessels

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI Maurice Lake is calling on mariners whose vessels were damaged during the passing of Hurricane Gonzalo three weeks ago to remove the vessels from inland waterways and lagoons, and to clean up debris.

"I've observed some of the vessels that partially sank or were blown ashore have been removed within the Simpson Bay Lagoon Read more

Churches call for day of fasting on Sunday

~ Suggest business cabinet ~

PHILIPSBURG--The St. Maarten United Ministerial Foundation has called for Sunday, November 9, to be a day of pray and fasting to help bring the country out of its impasse with the Dutch Government about the instruction for additional screening for minister candidates. This measure was taken due to "serious concerns" about the integrity of the government, said the foundation.

The instruction has caused the appointment of ministers and the prime minister to come to a halt.

"This situation is not good at all for St Read more

The Church Calls for a Government of Integrity.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Sint Maarten needs a Government of integrity.
In Bible times when prophets and kings were at a crossroad in the nation and when Israel was faced with serious threats and obstacles they sought their God by means of prayer and fasting. The prophet Joel declared a fast saying: "summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD" (Joel 1:14). King Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah and the people "gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord..." (2 Chron Read more

>GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- A delegation from the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA) Collective Prevention Services (CPS) met with French colleagues (St. Martin) in Hope Estate last week to discuss preparations related to the Ebola virus disease (EVD).

CPS apprised French officials about the Sint Maarten Ebola Preparedness Plan and the travel ban that was officially announced by the Minister of Public Health on Monday, October 27.

French health department officials apprised the CPS that for the French territories to date, there was no travel ban in effect, and the French Ebola national preparedness plan has three levels when dealing with a suspected case of EVD.

After the discussion about the various scenarios, levels and possible collaboration, it was decided that there is a need for an additional meeting where all counterparts can meet and discuss associated logistics.

It was also decided that both sides will be working together to ensure an effective response and will seek the intervention of their respective supervisors and political leaders to ensure the effectiveness of the travel ban in protecting the borders of Sint Maarten/St Read more

style="text-align: center;">OSPP ISSUES INSTRUCTION TO THE LEADER OF THE UPP, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT MR. Theodore Heyliger TO FORM A DELEGATION OF THE MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT TO VISIT THE FIRST AND SECOND CHAMBERS IN THE NETHERLANDS TO PRESENT THEIR CASE TO THEM Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake is calling on mariners whose vessels were damaged during the passing of Hurricane Gonzalo three weeks ago to remove the vessels from inland waterways and lagoons, and to also clean-up debris.

"I've observed some of the vessels that partially sunk or were blown ashore, have been removed within the Simpson Bay Lagoon, however, there are still a number of vessels that are partially underwater or sitting onshore Read more

Ospp Issues Instruction To The Leader Of The Upp, To Form A Delegation Of The Members Of Parliament To Visit The First And Second Chambers To Present Their Case

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – It is the first time in the history of St. Maarten that it has taken such a long time to form a government.

Nevertheless, we are at a point where the country is in serious need of a government that will work in the interest of the people. The campaigns are over and now it is time to work for the people.

Since the instruction was given to the Governor of St. Maarten on October 17, 2014 the parliament of St. Maarten has met on numerous occasions to debate this issue Read more

Cps Apprises French Health Officials About Sint Maarten Ebola Preparedness Plan And Travel Ban

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – A delegation from the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA) Collective Prevention Services (CPS) met with French colleagues (St. Martin) in Hope Estate last week to discuss preparations related to the Ebola virus disease (EVD).

CPS apprised French officials about the Sint Maarten Ebola Preparedness Plan and the travel ban that was officially announced by the Minister of Public Health on Monday, October 27.

French health department officials apprised the CPS that for the French territories to date, there was no travel ban in effect, and the French Ebola national preparedness plan has three levels when dealing with a suspected case of EVD.

After the discussion about the various scenarios, levels and possible collaboration, it was decided that there is a need for an additional meeting where all counterparts can meet and discuss associated logistics.

It was also decided that both sides will be working together to ensure an effective response and will seek the intervention of their respective supervisors and political leaders to ensure the effectiveness of the travel ban in protecting the borders of Sint Maarten/St Read more

Upnext Planning Its "Christmas Cheer Up" Project

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten — UPNext, the youth movement of the United People (UP) party is gearing up for its "Christmas Cheer UP" activities for the upcoming Christmas season.

It is the first project the group of youngsters will embark on following the Parliamentary Elections of August 29.

The Christmas Cheer UP project will ultimately result in UPNext "doing something special" for the less fortunate in the community in the season of giving.

To support this initiative, the group will be holding two fundraising bake sales at two different public locations in the month of November Read more

Black music, white culture and a legendary US highway

BOSTON--Author Dennis McNally accompanied the Grateful Dead as a publicist and historian on the band's "long strange trip," and he chronicled Jack Kerouac, the Beat Generation author of "On the Road".
  For his latest book, "On Highway 61: Music, Race and the Evolution of Cultural Freedom," McNally twice drove every mile of U.S. Route 61, the legendary Mississippi River road, to document the influence of black music on white America Read more

Voters contend with new voting rules in 14 states

WASHINGTON--U.S. voters in 14 states are navigating new laws that critics say make it harder for lower-income and minority voters, who typically back Democrats, to cast ballots in the midterm elections.

Advocacy groups across the country are gearing up to help voters contend with cutbacks in early voting and new state requirements for voter identification, which the mostly Republican sponsors say are necessary to combat voter fraud. Democrats and civil rights groups counter there is scant evidence of fraud, and say the measures are a Republican effort to depress turnout by Democratic-leaning demographic groups such as the young, poor and minorities.

The laws are the latest in a wave of voting restrictions instituted by Republican-controlled legislatures and Republican governors since the party's big election gains in 2010 Read more

Lake: Chin Cactus Dr. promise will be kept

PHILIPSBURG--In response to an article published in the Friday, October 31 edition of The Daily Herald based on a complaint letter received by this newspaper about the continued, deplorable state of Chin Cactus Drive, Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Development and Infrastructure VROMI Maurice Lake announced that his promise will be kept, but that additional procedures need to be followed, including presenting the project to the Council of Ministers.

"A promise made is a promise kept," was the first point stated in the VROMI press release Read more

Minister Lake says work to start soon on Chin Cactus Drive. Procedures have to be followed first before work can begin.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake says a promise made is a promise kept.

Minister Lake took note of a newspaper story on Friday about the paving of Chin Cactus Drive in Sucker Garden which is in a deplorable state after the passing of Hurricane Gonzalo.

"The project will start soon Read more

Minister Lake Says Work To Start Soon On Chin Cactus Drive. Procedures Have To Be Followed First Before Work Can Begin

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake says a promise made is a promise kept.

Minister Lake took note of a newspaper story on Friday about the paving of Chin Cactus Drive in Sucker Garden which is in a deplorable state after the passing of Hurricane Gonzalo.

"The project will start soon Read more

Pm Wescot-Williams Expresses Condolences To The Family Of Crash Victims

St. Maarten – Care taker Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams yesterday expressed her condolences to the victims of the fatal Skyway Airways flight which crashed on Wednesday evening. The one confirmed deceased and one missing pilot were the only two souls on board. “I would like to express my sincerest condolences to the victims of the Skyway Airways crash Read more

Chin Cactus Road Residents Implore Minister Lake To Fix Road

St. Maarten – In a petition signed by some 20 plus persons, residents of Chin Cactus Road in the Sucker Garden area voiced their discontent with the dilapidated condition of the road, which has been in a state of disrepair for some years now, imploring Minister of Vromi Maurice Lake and Department Head of Infrastructure Management Claudius Buncamper to fulfill their promise and pave the road Read more