SXMElections.com

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Charlotte Brookson Academy of the Performance Arts concluded its retreat on April 18th, 2017. The 14 members of the board, management, and staff gathered at the conference room of the Simpson Bay Resort. The purpose of the retreat was to reestablish a common understanding of the CBA vision and the school development plan, strengthen a collective understanding of how the vision will be implemented, monitored and evaluated and to identify strategic personal and professional development plans for the staff Read more

Road Closures And Traffic Measures In Connection With The Upcoming “2017 Carnival Opening Jump-Up”

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — In connection with the upcoming “2017 Carnival Opening Jump-up” which is scheduled to take place on Monday April 17th / Easter Monday, the Police Department is announcing the following road closures and traffic measures:

The “Opening Jump Up” is scheduled to start at 08.00 p.m. sharp on the L.B. Scot road in the vicinity of the Milton Peters College in Reward. All band trucks and DJ’s will gather at the starting point prior to the departure.

At 07.00 p.m.  L.B Read more

Ex-Pvv Mp Hero Brinkman Arrested

Hero Brinkman in 2009 when he was a member of the Second Chamber for the PVV party. (File photo)

AMSTERDAM--Former Member of the Second Chamber of the Party for Freedom PVV police inspector Hero Brinkman, known in the Dutch Caribbean for his often rough attitude towards the islands, was arrested on Monday. He is suspected of violating the official secrecy (“ambtsgeheim”).

  Police confirmed the arrest of a member of the Amsterdam police and stated that the person had been locked up and would be heard Read more

Top Us Military Pilots Will Open Aviation Conference In St. Maarten

PHILIPSBURG – At the welcome reception of the Caribbean Aviation Meetup conference, June 13-15, two elite pilots will make a joint keynote presentation called “Leadership in Aviation” and share their vision for the development of professional small-aircraft commercial operations.

Major Scott S. Petz was the Advance Pilot/Narrator for the US Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron “The Thunderbirds.” Petz was better known by his flight crew as “Cheetah” and he flew the No Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- In connection with the upcoming “Lighted Parade” which is organized by Rio Production and scheduled for this upcoming Saturday, April 1st, the police department is announcing the following road closures.
The parade will depart at 08.00 p.m. with the following route: Walter Nisbet road in the vicinity of Beach Plaza Casino - Percy Labega Street – Long Wall Road – Kerkhof Steeg – Front Street – Emma Plein – Welvaart Brug – Buncamper Road – Freedom Fighter Roundabout – Walter Nisbet Road – Salt Pickers Roundabout – Walter Nisbet Road and ends on the Ring Road in the vicinity of the Sports Auditorium.
While the parade is in motion all streets and alleys connected to the route will be closed off to motor vehicle traffic Read more

Casablanca Human Trafficking Case: Prosecutor Demands 8 Years Against Brothel Director

Source Today Newspaper

GREAT BAY – The public prosecutor demanded 8 years of imprisonment and a fine of 200,000 guilders against McQuincy R. the 39-year old director of the Casablanca brothel. Jessy R., 45, goes to prison for 7 years if it is up to the prosecution and she’ll have to pay also a 200,000 fine. The prosecutor wants to fine Casablanca NV an additional 30,000 guilders for fiscal fraud.

Carmen P., the 67-year old owner of the Casablanca building is facing 5 years of imprisonment and her son David E Read more

Dutch Election: Pm Rutte Sees Off Anti-Eu Wilders Challenge

BBC —  Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s party has won the most seats in parliamentary elections, exit polls say.

Early results confirmed the exit polls, with his centre-right VVD Party on course for 31 out of 150 seats.

Three parties are projected to win 19 seats each: Geert Wilders’ anti-immigration Freedom Party (PVV), the Christian Democrats and the D66 party.

Mr Wilders’ party had been leading in opinion polls but support for the party appeared to slip in recent days.

With 10.9% of votes counted early on Thursday, the VVD had polled 17.8%.

Voter participation in the general election was high; the 81% turnout was the highest for 30 years.

Analysts say a high turnout may have benefited pro-EU and liberal parties.

“Today was a celebration of democracy,” Mr Rutte said, adding that the Netherlands had said no to the “wrong kind of populism”.

Although the VVD had lost several seats since the last election, many had expected the party to lose much more ground to the Freedom Party.

Many had been watching the vote in the Netherlands closely, as an indication for how populist parties may fare in other elections in EU countries.

France goes to the polls next month to elect a new president, while Germany is due to hold a general election in September.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called Mr Rutte to congratulate him, while Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel has also tweeted his congratulations.

Martin Schulz, president of the European Parliament until earlier this year, said he was “relieved” Mr Wilders’ party had lost.

“We must continue to fight for an open and free Europe!” he added on Twitter (in German).

However, Mr Wilders warned that Mr Rutte “has not seen the last of me”.

He previously said that the “patriotic revolution” would continue to take place, and “the genie will not go back into the bottle”.

Pharrell Williams’ song Happy pumped out across a conference hall converted to host the victorious VVD.

“Of course he’ll still be prime minister,” a loyal party member with black rimmed glasses told us Read more

Message Of Prime Minister William Marlin On International Women’S Day

Fellow St. Maarteners,

Residents of our beautiful island, and in particular, ALL the women of this land.

For over 100 years now, the world has been celebrating International Women’s Day, which began as a female workers’ struggle for shorter hours, better pay and voting rights. More than a century later, despite the great strides that we have made, gender equality, equal pay for equal work, and an end to violence, exploitation and oppression against women remain elusive in many parts of the world, including here on our beloved St Read more

Non-Standard Forms Of Employment: A Feature Of The Contemporary World Of Work Also In The Caribbean 

 

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The ILO presented the 2016 Report on “Non-Standard Employment Around the World: Understanding Challenges, Shaping Prospects” to the Caribbean in the context of the 10th ILO Meeting of Caribbean Ministers of Labour, February 23-24, Kingston, Jamaica.

The 17-Caribbean country delegations, including 11 Ministers of Labour, as well as employer and worker representatives, engaged in the discussion Read more

Opposition Leader Denies Involvement In Alleged Plot To Overthrow The Government

ROSEAU, Dominica  –  Opposition Leader Lennox Linton Monday denied any involvement in an alleged plot to overthrow the Dominica government and says he fears he could be arrested on trumped up charges to that effect.

In a posting on his Facebook page, Linton said that a number of “Dominican patriots” will be at the police headquarters to “monitor events” surrounding the question of economist Dr. Thomas Fontaine, an opposition member of the United Workers Party (UWP) who was detained for several hours by police following his radio show on Sunday.

Linton said that while, Fontaine, a former employee of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) was due to return to the police station on Monday for further questioning, “I am hearing the plan is to have me arrested today.

“I am hearing as well that they are going to arrest me in connection with the bogus story that (Prime Minister Roosevelt) Skerrit told about overthrowing the government of Dominica.

“Now… let me be very clear, I know absolutely nothing about any coup or any attempt to overthrow the government apart from what I heard Roosevelt Skerrit say in his address to the nation.

“It is Roosevelt Skerrit who has this story Read more

Is St. Maarten Against Refugees? A French Asylum Refugee Is Being Deported To Venezuela

1 in every 113 people on earth is an asylum-seeker, internally displaced, or a refugee. How many people do you know? Stand #WithRefugees pic.twitter.com/JAIhpGAMBu

— UN Refugee Agency (@Refugees) February 13, 2017

~Immigration is aware of 4 individuals who want to asked for asylum in St. Maarten~

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – About three weeks now Kleyber Jose Garcia-Arias (30) from Venezuela, has been incarcerated at the police station section of the Immigration Department, after he and his companion had a domestic dispute at an address on the Dutch Side Read more

Reporting Human Rights And Civil Rights In St. Martin And The Caribbean

by Fabian A. Badejo

(Panel discussion organized by the Conscious Lyrics Foundation, on occasion of the 30th anniversary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture, Jubilee Library, St. Maarten, Friday, January 13, 2017.)

I wish to start by thanking Conscious Lyrics Foundation for the honor to participate in this panel discussion 30 years after I gave the first MLK Jr. lecture at the Mairie under the auspices of SMECO.

At the time, the evil regime of apartheid was still in full force and Mandela was still behind bars and considered a terrorist by the US and other western powers Read more

Reporting Human Rights And Civil Rights In St. Martin And The Caribbean.

(Panel discussion organized by the Conscious Lyrics Foundation, on occasion of the 30th Anniversary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture, Jubilee Library, St. Martin, Friday, January 13, 2017.)

1. I wish to start by thanking Conscious Lyrics Foundation for the honor to participate in this panel discussion 30 years after I gave the first MLK Jr. lecture at the Mairie under the auspices of SMECO. At the time, the evil regime of apartheid was still in full force and Mandela was still behind bars and considered a terrorist by the US and other western powers Read more

Citizenship By Investment: A Symbiotic Relationship Between Country And Applicant

NEW YORK AND LONDON  –  The United States’ investigative show, ‘60 Minutes,’ recently focused its attention on the citizenship by investment programs offered by Caribbean and European jurisdictions, expressing a particular and unfair viewpoint on the programs in the Caribbean.

Initially, the 60 Minutes crew approached CS Global Partners, requesting the company, as the leading firm specializing in citizenship solutions, to participate in the show. Wisely, we declined to partake, aware that regardless of our accurate portrayal of the industry, a salacious and prejudiced rendition of citizenship by investment would be presented.

This burgeoning industry is often misunderstood, despite the importance of the outcome for countries offering their valued citizenship, and in return attracting investment from legitimate persons seeking security for their families.

CS Global Partners recognizes the tremendous impact that citizenship by investment can have on countries, and above all we are committed to producing a win-win scenario where clients attain greater personal freedom, safety, and security through citizenship, and Governments ensure sustainable growth.

The Caribbean pioneered citizenship by investment – with the twin-island Federation of St Read more

President Obama Awarding The Presidential Medal Of Freedom To Vice President Biden

“For your faith in your fellow Americans, for your love of country, and for your lifetime of service that will endure through the generations… I am proud to award the Presidential Medal of Freedom with Distinction to my brother, Joseph Robinette Biden Jr.”

—President Obama surprising Vice President Biden with the nation’s highest civilian honor: go.wh.go Read more

Mp Connor Spreads The Joy Of Christmas To Three Organizations

PHILIPSBURG – Member of Parliament (MP) Claret Connor, was spreading the meaning of giving at Christmas time.

The MP delivered cooked turkeys and hams to the I Can Foundation, Key to Freedom Rehabilitation Center and New St Read more

Upgrade New Governing Operating System 21.0 To Scure Future Growth

REMARKS AT THE SWEARING IN CEREMONY OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT

by His Excellency drs. Eugene B. Holiday, Governor of Sint Maarten

Harbour View, Sint Maarten December 20, 2016

Vice-Chairman of Parliament, Members of Parliament, Prefette of Saint Martin and St. Barths, Prime-Minister, Ministers,Vice-President of the Collectivity of Saint Martin,Vice-president of the Joint Court of Justice,Distinguished Guests,

Good Morning,

On September 26th, 2016, the people of Sint Maarten went to the polls and elected a new group of parliamentarians Read more

REMARKS AT THE SWEARING IN CEREMONY OF THE NEW GOVERNMENT
by His Excellency drs. Eugene B. Holiday
Governor of Sint Maarten

Harbour View, Sint Maarten
December 20, 2016

Vice-Chairman of Parliament, Members of Parliament
Prefette of Saint Martin and St. Barths
Prime-Minister, Ministers,
Vice-President of the Collectivity of Saint Martin
Vice-president of the Joint Court of Justice
Distinguished Guests,
Good Morning,
On September 26th, 2016, the people of Sint Maarten went to the polls and elected a new group of parliamentarians Read more

Update: “Cuchi’S” Brother Tito Set Free By Judge Of Instruction

UPDATE: ~Arrest procedure deemed unlawful~

BELVEDERE, Sint Maarten (Update 13:45 pm) – Tito Fortune regained his freedom after the Judge of Instruction found there were irregularities in his arrest procedure.

Fugitive Kathron “Cuchi” Fortune’s brother Tito was arrested on Wednesday, December 14, in Belvedere. A search of his home followed, but nothing was found at in the home that could directly incriminate him in the disappearance of the two missing men.

Spokesman for the Prosecutor’s Office Gino Bernadina and his lawyer Remco Stomp confirmed to 721news that Tito was set free on Friday, December 16.

721news clarifies the story of his arrest:
On the same day Tito regained his freedom, Police issued a press release stating that they had arrested T.J.F Read more

Youth Policy Plan Stakeholders Session Organized By Department Of Youth

PHILIPSBURG – The Department of Youth hosted a consultation session with stakeholders to discuss the Integrated Youth Policy Plan (IYP) on Friday, December 9, at the University of St. Martin (USM).

The purpose of the consultation session was to discuss relevant areas concerning youth development on St. Maarten as well as strategies for effective implementation as outlined in the draft document.

Welcome statements were given by Secretary General of the Ministry of Education, Culture Youth and Sport Jorien Wuite and head of the Department of Youth Read more

Integrated Youth Policy Plan Stakeholders Consultation Session Organized By The Department Of Youth.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Department of Youth hosted a consultation session with stakeholders to discuss the Integrated Youth Policy Plan (IYP) on Friday, December 9th, 2016 at the University of Sint Maarten. The purpose of the consultation session was to discuss relevant areas concerning youth development on St. Maarten as well as strategies for effective implementation as outlined in the draft document. Welcome statements were given by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Education, Culture Youth and Sport, Ms Read more

Court Finds Wilders Guilty Of Inciting Racial Discrimination

AMSTERDAM--Strong reactions have erupted after right-wing politician Geert Wilders was found guilty of inciting racial discrimination against Dutch Moroccans in a court on Friday. Wilders was condemned for his actions leading a Party for Freedom PVV rally calling for “fewer” Moroccans in March 2014 -and now has a criminal record- but he received no punishment from the three judges.Read more

Thousands Of Cubans Gather To View Caravan Bearing Fidel Castro’S Ashes

MATANZAS, Cuba — When the motorcade carrying Fidel Castro’s ashes approached this northern shore town’s Freedom Plaza on Wednesday, the crowd lining the sidewalks, benches, rooftops, balconies and even window bars started to chant his name.

“Yo soy Fidel!” (“I am Fidel!”), hundreds of people shouted in Spanish. “Viva Fidel!” (“Long live Fidel”).

Some carried Cuban flags, many held smartphones to record the moment, and a few cried Read more

Victorious Living To Feature Artwork Of Local Artists At Awards

COLE BAY – The countdown is on for Victorious Living’s Leader Worth Following Awards on December 3.

At this first Leader Worth Following Awards, VLF will recognize and award Dame Asha Stevens-Mohabier, Ambassador Alicia Liverpool, and posthumously, Officer Gamali Benjamin as leaders worth following. Mhakeda Shillingford, Jim Housen and Roy Cotton, Jr., who were among the finalists, will also be recognized at this event.

Keynote speaker for is certified John C Read more