SXMElections.com

Dp Feels That A Local Solution To The Oyster Pond Dispute Is Possible

OYSTERPOND, Sint Maarten — The Democratic Party feels that before damaging the cooperation between the Northern and Southern halves of the island, all efforts to find a speedy resolution locally should have been exhausted before escalating the conflict by boycotting the St. Maarten/St. Martin Day celebration, a celebration of unity and friendship by the people and for the people.

Nobody in Paris or The Hague is impacted by the boycott of a local event; the only people impacted are the very people we have sworn to protect Read more

Dp Await Answers From The Up And Na Parties

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — In the view of the Democratic Party of St. Maarten, the incoming  UP/NA coalition has to clear the air on a number of issues, if they desire to start their political relationship on a footing of credibility.

The leaders of these 2 parties can not get away with the excuse that  “this  was part of the political and campaign rhetoric” MP Wescot – Williams said Read more

Governor Holiday Requests William Marlin To Form Government

HARBOUR VIEW – On October 3, the Governor Eugene B. Holiday, requested William Marlin, to form a new government as formateur.

The Governor, considering the results of the September 26, elections, held consultations between September 27 and 30, with the leaders of the political parties that obtained seats in Parliament, (the United Peoples Party UP, the National Alliance NA, the United St Read more

Mp Wescot-Williams Congratulates Na/Upp Coalition

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — I wish to express a heartfelt THANK YOU to the voters who placed their trust in the Democratic Party of St. Maarten, and to all those who exercised their right to vote on September 26.

The voters have spoken and this must be respected. Congratulations go out to the 2016 DP team and in particular our Minister Lee with his impressive results at the polls Read more

Voting Is Showing Politicians Their ‘Report Card,’ Says Residents

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Voters in today’s election say they are deciding to hold their leaders accountable by going to the polls. More than 20,000 people could cast the vote in Monday’s parliamentary election, the second in two years.

For resident Jefferson George, voting today meant exercising his right and guaranteeing himself a say in how the island is run.

“Now that I vote I can have a say, I can complain. If I didn’t vote, I would just have to accept what they give,” George told 721news.com.

He was among the trickle of voters trooping into the Raoul Illidge Sports Complex in Cay Hill after 1:00pm Read more

Toastmasters Table Topic-A-Thon With New Political Candidates

PHILIPSBURG – Soualiga Corporate Toastmasters Club on Wednesday, September 7, in the evening held a session with the new political candidates on the different party lists for the upcoming election.

The University of St. Martin (USM) was the venue for this event. The parties contesting the upcoming election had the opportunity to send a candidate on their list that will participate for the very first time in the election process.

The following parties were represented: Help Our People Excel (HOPE) Mercedes van der Waals-Wyatt; United St Read more

Be Prepared For This Year’S Election: Tune Into Fresh With The Y2x Crew

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — It is election time again. September 26 is just around the corner. The question is, “are you ready?”

Youth 2 Xtreme (Y2X), the youth wing of Victorious Living Foundation, has the tools you need to be ready for the upcoming election. Y2X presents: Election Series 2016 on their weekly radio program, FRESH, on Youth Radio 92.5FM.

During this election series, candidates from various political parties have the opportunity to debate on important topics, such as education and health as well as to prove to you, the people of St Read more

Dp Commemorates World Literacy Day

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — On September 8, countries all over the world are celebrating the 50th anniversary of International Literacy Day.

The Democratic Party (DP) candidates have chosen to dedicate their time to take part in a project that involves taking the time to go to different schools or community after school programs and read to our youth. Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams took time to read to the students of the Seventh Day Adventist School (SDA) School, and Jorien Wuite read to the youths at the Sister Borgia School.

Other candidates have decided they will be donating some books to different organisations or ensuring that they spend time helping one of our youths to read and/or write Read more

Dp Launches Public Bus Outreach Initiative

PHILIPSBURG – The Democratic Party (DP) plans to officially launch its innovative outreach initiative where teams of four DP candidates will drive around various districts on a special DP public bus as well as catching other regular buses this Friday, September 8.

On the route, candidates will listen to citizens’ concerns, dreams and wishes for the future Read more

Toastmasters Invite Political Parties To Table Topics-A-Thon

PHILIPSBURG – The Soualiga Corporate Toastmasters Club (SCTMC) is inviting all toastmasters and the community of St. Maarten to its Table Topics-a-Thon on Wednesday, September 7.

All political parties were invited to participate by submitting the name of a candidate who is contesting the elections for the first time. This program provides a great opportunity for toastmasters and the wider community to get to know these candidates.

The Table Topics-a-Thon will be held at the University of St Read more

Dp Shares Party’S Governing Vision With The People

PHILIPSBURG – As a way of communicating the Democratic Party’s (DP) vision document, referred to by many as a manifesto, the DP has presented a hard copy to several key organizations on island.

By doing so, the candidates want to underline their dedication to the people in general and the importance of these organizations in helping DP realize its 3 key ambitions of creating jobs, establishing stability and maintaining values.

These presentations are in no way seeking endorsement, rather the recipients are members of the community who wish to be informed and are open to receiving a copy of all parties’ programs.

Some of the organizations, which received DP’s Vision Document include the Electoral Council, Windward Islands Teacher’s Union (WITU), the Marine & Trade Association, Philipsburg Jubilee Library, among many others Read more

Dp Thanks Minister Lee For Delivering “Real Change”

PHIIPSBURG – The Democratic Party (DP) is very proud of Health Minister Emil Lee for his efforts in making the development of a new hospital a transparent process.

Member of Parliament (MP) and Leader of DP Sarah Wescot-Williams is pleased that the people of St Read more

Nine Political Parties Postulate For September Elections

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – On Monday, August 8th postulation day, nine (9) political parties postulated to contest the September 26th parliamentary election.

The parties are the

United People’s Party (UP) 23, Helping our People Excel (HOPE) 3, St. Maarten Christian Party (SMCP) 9, One St Read more

Dp And Upp Family, Friends Commemorate Birthday Of Late Dr. Claude Wathey

PHILIPSBURG – The annual wreath laying at the statue of the late Dr. A. Claude Wathey was held on Sunday, July 24, in commemoration of what would have been Wathey’s 90th birthday.

As is customary, representatives of the Democratic Party (DP) and the United People’s Party (UPP) laid wreaths along with Dr Read more

What Would Claude Have Said About Sint Maarten Today?

United People’s Party (UP) Leader and Member of Parliament (MP) Theodore Heyliger on the occasion of the birthday of his grandfather Dr. A. C. “Claude” Wathey’s wreath laying ceremony asked the question what his grandfather would say about Sint Maarten today if he was around.

The ceremony took place at the statue of Dr Read more

Dp Statia: Statia Government In Financial And Organizational Mess

ORANJESTAD, St Eustatius — On July 19, Statia’s Executive Council has been put on a yet more stringent form of financial supervision.

The implemented prior financial supervision, imposed on the PLP/UPC government last year, has been extended with a total stop on most new financial obligations, a so-called “verplichtingenstop.”

While under the previous supervision, government was not allowed to make any payments prior to approval of the minister, in the new situation government is prohibited to make any payments, which they were not already previously legally obligated to prior to July 15.

DP Statia saw this coming for some time already Read more

Democratic Party Outlines Its Program’S Route And The Party’S Founding Principles

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The DP’s 2016 draft political program is ready for review. The title of this document, “Building on the Foundations of Trust, Transparency and Togetherness” aptly describes the Red Thread through all the chapters of the program.

Some items appear again as they did in our 2014 program. And others are new or more pronounced in our 2016 program.

Ready for review means that the board of the party has to give its final stamp of approval, and the membership of the party, followed by the general public will be given the opportunity to offer input.

While the candidates of the DP in the 2016 election will be using this document to expound on the party’s plans, our candidates will not engage in “pie in the sky” politics Read more

The Silver Lining Of A Disastrous Six Years Of Country Status!

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Today, after I washed towels, cleaned my fan, made milk pops for the kids (well, actually I fight for them also) and cooked lunch for my family, of course I started reflecting on St. Maarten and the problems facing us as a people. These thoughts are ever present in my mind.

In the past 6 years, we had 5 governments, which included various combinations of the same groups of persons, which have failed to demonstrate the moral fortitude and maturity required to run this new status.

Initially everyone, including myself, saw this as a ridiculous situation and a political nightmare, but I think we need to start to see it as a “blessing” in disguise Read more

Gracita Arrindell Leads Ppa In Elections

~ Has orange become  the new green? ~

Source: Today Newspaper

GREAT BAY – “Lack of leadership, not sticking to commitments and turning their back on the people of St. Maarten,” said Gracita Arrindell yesterday about her reasons for leaving the United People’s Party and returning to the revived People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA) as its leader for the September 26 parliamentary elections Read more

Democratic Party Remembering Those In Orlando

The Democratic Party, like most of the world, is shocked and immensely saddened by the horrendous carnage that took place in a nightclub in the city of Orlando.

Words cannot describe the feelings that the terrible scenes and heart wrenching accounts by survivors continue to evoke daily. Regardless of the motives, it is terribly, terribly wrong and must be condemned.

“It is unimaginable that a fellow human being could be so callous and without regard for the lives of others, in fact taking pleasure in the wanton destruction of human life,” said DP Leader Wescot-Williams.

We pray and hope for the full recovery of those persons who are injured, and for peace and strength for the families, friends and the entire community affected by this senseless act.

May we also on St Read more

Dominican Election Campaign Enters Countdown

~ Political parties have only five days of campaigning left ~

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – Monday, May 9, began the last week of waiting for elections in which Dominicans will select 4,106 public positions. With just five days left, politicians must finish their promotion and electoral offers.

This is a decisive week for the fate of the country for the next four years, with a renewal of all political power, which in turn holds in its hands the appointment of those who manage other state institutions.

Dominicans have eight presidential options to choose from: Danilo Medina of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD); Luis Abinader, the Revolutionary Modern Party (PRM); Guillermo Moreno of Country Alliance Party; Minou Tavarez, Alliance for Democracy Party (APD); Soraya Aquino, the National Unity Party (PUN); Hatuey de Camps, Revolutionary Social Democratic Party (PRSD); Elias Wessin Chavez, the PQDC, Christian Democracy Quisqueyano Party; and Pelegrin Castillo of the National Progressive Force.

This will be the week for campaign closures of the candidates and their parties in a last attempt to win the favor of the citizenship for the electoral process, which will take place Sunday, May 15 Read more

Dp Calls Out The Opposition Of Seven On Its Stance On The 2016 Budget.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Democratic Party (DP) stand solidly with the coalition in leaving no stone unturned to get the budget of the country passed in Parliament. Because if we think the current situation is murky, imagine the following which is a very real possibility. The big difference being, that the wellbeing and livelihood of practically the entire community can be at stake in the following scenario.

The budget remains in limbo, because a 7-7 tie vote goes nowhere!

This means this budget goes nowhere and eventually the CFT will report to the Kingdom Government that St Read more

A National Bank For St. Maarten: An Asset Or A Liability?

As a party that believes in and supports the creation of our state institutions, our first reaction to the prospects of a national bank was, “Oh good, our own.”

The DP sees our own state institutions as a deliberate part of nation building, which we believe is an indispensable path to our future development.

In fact, it can be stated here that the aspect of nation building for the Democratic Party following the transition to country in 2010, is Priority #1 Read more

Dp Requests Meeting Of Parliamentary Finance Committee To Discuss Execution Of Fatca

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten –-The Democratic Party (DP) faction has requested the Finance Committee of Parliament to examine and discuss execution of the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) by local banks in St. Maarten.

DP has proposed that the Bankers Association be invited to apprise Parliament of their experiences with this FATCA, which is a United States law that introduces a “reporting regime for financial institutions with respect to certain accounts.” Under this law, Foreign Financial Institutions (FFIs), such as banks, are required to report about certain foreign financial accounts and offshore assets of US taxpayers.

Another way to ensure compliance with the FATCA in foreign jurisdictions, has been with the so-called Intergovernmental Agreements.

“If a jurisdiction enters into an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) to implement FATCA, the reporting and other compliance burdens on the financial institutions in the jurisdiction may be simplified Read more