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The Hague Netherlands:---On July 19th, 2016 the Director and acting Director welcomed the Minister Councillor at the Belgian Embassy in The Hague, Mrs. Emmanuelle De Foy, to the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary .
The Director of the Cabinet, Mr. Perry Geerlings, gave a brief synopsis of the role Sint Maarten plays within the Kingdom since obtaining its autonomous status Read more

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Tamara: Less Revenue From Cruise, But No Plan From Govt.

PHILIPSBURG--The country’s cruise tourism numbers, both in revenue and passenger arrivals, continue to dwindle, but the current National Alliance (NA)-led Government appears to have no plan to save the industry, United People’s (UP) party Member of Parliament (MP) Read more

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Consumer’S Right To Know Thrown Out By New Nv Gebe Board. Transparency Becomes A Vail Of Secrecy

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten -  United People’s Party (UP) Leader and Member of Parliament (MP) Theodore Heyliger says that reports on the purchasing of new generators for NV GEBE have been on the table awaiting a decision. 

The policy of the current Government and which is being pursued by the new Board is to give Government Naf.30 million from NV GEBE reserves to spend for the elections and have the company contract a loan to purchase a new generator.

“All studies were done so it was mainly to execute, and now the new board is trying to play the blame game with no foresight for the company. 

It was a National Alliance led coalition motion last year that stalled any decision-making on the purchasing of a new generator when the UP-led coalition was in Government, which left the country sitting and waiting in the dark, which continued up until last week Monday.

“The only thing that the new chairman of the NV GEBE board said since he was appointed was that NV GEBE should pay dividend to the Government.  I warned since last year about the failure to prepare with the acquisition of a new generator for the power plant Read more

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William Happy With Verdict On Integrity Chamber Law

PHILIPSBURG--Prime Minister William Marlin is “happy” with the tossing out of the national ordinance establishing an integrity chamber by the Constitutional Court last week. Government’s Legal Affairs Department is reviewing the verdict to render an advice to the Council of Ministers on the way for forward.

Marlin told the press on Wednesday, a week after the verdict was rendered, the law “criminalized” the entire community, would have left people “guilty until proven innocent” and gave “far-reaching powers” to the people related to the chamber.

“We have to say ‘Thank God for the Constitutional Court,’” Marlin said Read more

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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

Mp Emanuel Poses Questions To Gebe Management

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Member of Parliament of the National Alliance, the Honourable Christopher Emanuel on Tuesday voiced his frustration with the constant power outages on the island.

According to the MP, his efforts to reach the interim director at GEBE on Tuesday morning proved futile.

Speaking to our news department, the MP noted that residents are going through the constant outages because there is a management problem at the Electricity Company Read more

 Banker on the NA slate for 2016 election.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The National Alliance led by current Prime Minister William Marlin is gearing up for the September 26th parliamentary elections by bringing in new blood in the political arena Read more

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Pm William Marlin; The People Chose To Be Apart Of The Dutch Kingdom

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Leader of the National Alliance and Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable William Marlin this week spoke about the possibility of St. Maarten becoming an independent island.

Last Friday Emancipation Day the Prime Minister indicated that embracing independence is the only way forward Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Silvio Matser has declared himself a candidate that will be contesting the September 26th parliamentary elections on the USP slate which is led by MP Frans Richardson.
The USP leader and MP Matser made the declaration on Thursday afternoon in Simpson Bay Read more

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Government Moves To Adjust Constitution To Discourage Ship Jumping

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - In their effort to curb the ship jumping which continues to affect the functioning of government, the Council of Ministers is in the process of making changes to the constitution.

This was confirmed by the leader of the National Alliance, Prime Minister in charge of General Affairs, the Honorable William Marlin this week.

The changes, according to the Prime Minister will make it less attractive for Members of Parliament to leave their party to be rewarded by joining a new government for the purpose of appointing Ministers Read more

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14 Political Parties Registered To Contest September 26Th Elections

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Some 14 political parties, including the Democratic Party, the United People’s Party, the United St. Maarten Party and the National Alliance have registered at the Electoral Council as political organizations to contest the scheduled September 26th parliamentary elections.

Initially, there were some 15 parties to contest the elections; however, one party opted to drop out Read more

Mp Questions Dismissal, Transfer Of Maho Staff

~ Spadaro: Staff to retain all benefits ~  

PHILIPSBURG--National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) Christophe Emmanuel on Tuesday questioned the collective dismissal of employees of the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino and the rehiring of the employees under a different company.

Emmanuel Questions Posting Of Trini As Usm Dean Of Academics

POND ISLAND--National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament Christophe Emmanuel has fired off a number of questions to the University of St. Martin (USM) board on the recent appointment of a Trinidad national to the post of Dean of Academics.

The Sorry State Of Telem Group --- Bond Holders Conducts Survey Now That The Company Seeking To Appoint Its Ceo.

PHILIPSBURG:--- A group called themselves bond holders in an email to SMN News said they conducted a survey of the company now that the company is going through the process of appointing a CEO. Below is the full analysis sent to SMN News as their findings at the Government owned company and the appointment of a CEO.

 St. Maarten Telecommunication Operating Company - SMOTC better known as Telem group, the government-owned company is the leading provider of telecommunications services in Sint Maarten Read more

Mps Discuss Country’S Financial Outlook Today

PHILIPSBURG--Members of Parliament (MPs) will discuss the financial outlook of St. Maarten in an urgent plenary session today, Monday, April 25, at 11:00am.
Finance Minister Richard Gibson will be present for the public plenary session. MPs will discuss the short, medium and long term financial outlook of St. Maarten.
Independent MP Frans Richardson; National Alliance (NA) MP George Pantophlet and Democratic Party (DP) MP Sarah Wescot-Williams requested the meeting.
The MPs who requested the meeting had said earlier that there is much public discussion regarding the international rating of St Read more

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Press Release From The Board Of The National Alliance

After the nonsensical press release of the UPP on Tuesday, which we must admit left us as a board a little confused, we would think that the UPP and independent members would try to save face by making a serious effort to work in the interest of the people.

We mean, a project that is clearly in the best interest of education and our youth, for the UPP to try to turn it into a political stunt is a show of desperation Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---  Every budget over the last ten years and beyond shows that education consumes the greatest part of it. But instead of things getting better our education product is lagging far behind. We have been reading about so many problems within our public educational system that it makes us hold our head and bawl. All indications are that our private schools are being better managed. We are therefore; somewhat surprised that after so many years of talking about it no decision has been made to date to privatize public education Read more

Up And Na, Shadowboxing About Education On The Move!

Every budget over the last ten years and beyond shows that education consumes the greatest part of it. But instead of things getting better, our education product is lagging far behind. We have been reading about so many problems within our public educational system that it makes us hold our head and bawl.

All indications are that our private schools are being better managed. We are therefore, somewhat surprised that after so many years of talking about it, no decision has been made to date to privatize public education.

Our largest secondary school, if media reports are correct, is planning to establish an English curriculum because we are not having sufficient students stream into the Dutch system at that school Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Two of five political parties that registered to contest the parliamentary elections slated for Monday September 26th 2016 plans to merge in order to capture the Christian population in one group. SMN News learnt from well-placed sources that the St. Maarten Christian Party (SMCP) headed by Pastor Wycliffe Smith and the Millennial Advancement Party” (MAP) headed by Peter Gittens intends to merge and they will be making the announcement next Tuesday when the SMCP presents its manifesto.
While Pastor Smith is well known in the Christian community Gittens is also known in the Adventist Church where he plays music Read more

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Mp Samuel Presents Youth Development Motions Thursday In Parliament

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Member of Parliament of the National Alliance drs. Rudolph Samuel presented motions on the floor of Parliament during the 2016 budget debate on Thursday.

The MP’s motion calls to address several areas of concern regarding youth development on the island.

Excerpts of the MP's motion presentation in Parliament can now be heard via PodCast.

Marlin: Matser’S Case Highlights Need For Own Attorney-General

PHILIPSBURG--The arrest of independent Member of Parliament (MP) Silvio Matser just hours before the draft 2016 budget was expected to go to a vote in Parliament and the claim by the Attorney-General and Prosecutor’s Office that the ongoing budget debate was unknown to them highlights the need for St. Maarten to have its own Attorney-General, says National Alliance (NA) leader Prime Minister William Marlin.

Marlin said in a press conference on Friday that the manner in which Matser was arrested was “unfortunate” and the details of the case “are not clear to anybody.”

Marlin said the claim from the Justice officials that the ingoing budget debate was unknown to them was “adding insult to injury.” That claim shows that the Attorney-General living in Curaçao has “no interest or is not paying sufficient interest to what is happening in St Read more

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Marlin Seeking Support For Budget, Not For New Govt.

 ~ Theo refutes claims of locking out independents ~

PHILIPSBURG--National Alliance (NA) leader Prime Minister William Marlin made it clear on Friday afternoon that he is not seeking to form any new governing coalition, b Read more

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“I want to make clear that there is a government in place, all I wanted is support to approve the 2016 draft budget”

PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister William Marlin dispelled the allegations and rumors and even statements made during a radio program on Friday that he went tried to form a government on Thursday with the United Peoples Party Read more

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Mps Pepper Ministers With Questions In Budget Debate

Independent MP Leona Marlin-Romeo (standing) speaks in the budget debate on Monday.

 PHILIPSBURG--The 2016 draft budget was tabled in Parliament by Finance Minister Richard Gibson on Monday morning in Parliament House. Members of Parliament (MPs), who had up to 90 minutes to speak, peppered the Council of Ministers with a barrage of questions spanning from the budget and Government policies to general topics of interest.

  The seven Ministers, who all made presentations about the working of their Ministries on Monday, will be back in Parliament today, Tuesday, starting at 2:00pm to deliver answers to the questions from MPs Read more

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