SXMElections.com

National Alliance Failed Education; 21.2% College Rate Is Poor

Dear Editor,

I write this letter with deep concerns about the state of our country’s education sector, particularly in light of recent revelations about the low percentage of adults who have completed tertiary education. The statistics from the 2022 population census, presented by the Department of Statistics STAT, are alarming. Only 21.2% of adults in St. Maarten have completed tertiary education, while 54% have finished secondary school. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sports, especially considering its substantial allocation in the national budget.

It is disheartening to note that our tax dollars, which contribute significantly to the education budget, are not yielding a satisfactory return on investment Read more

 

DATE ISSUED: Friday 24th November 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) 

VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday (12:00 LST) 25th November 2023

THE SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY FOR ST. MAARTEN IS CANCELLED

WEATHER:

This afternoon through Saturday midday: Partly cloudy, becoming cloudy at times with isolated showers possible.

Forecast High: 31C / 88F                  Forecast Low: 26C / 79F

Sunset Today: 5:35 P.M.                     Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:24 A.M.  

SURFACE WINDS: 

This afternoon through Saturday midday: East-northeasterly to east-southeasterly with a light to moderate breeze of 7 to 16 mph.

SYNOPSIS: 

Lingering moisture and weak instability associated with a recent frontal boundary may cause a few showers across the local area.
Seas are expected to gradually subside today Read more

Court Orders Olivier Arrindell To Rectify Insults About Prime Minister Jacobs And Minister Ottley

The two cabinet members with their respective verdicts

PHILIPSBURGThis morning the Court in First Instance found that Olivier Arrindells accusations of corruption and other defamatory statements about Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs and Minister of Public Health, Social Affairs and Labour VSA Read more

~ Statements made against Ottley were made to harm Ottley. Ordered to rectify or face penalty ~

PHILIPSBURG: --- A packed courtroom with relatives and supporters of Minister of VSA Omar Ottley witnessed as the judge ruled against Olivier Arrindell on Friday morning.
Arrindell was ordered to make specific rectifications within 24 hours of the verdict being served to him or face a penalty of USD Read more

~ Rectification must be made within 24 hours or face a penalty of USD 5000.00 per day with a maximum of USD 1M.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The court of First Instance has condemned Olivier Arrindell on all counts brought against him by Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs in an injunction case that was before the court on November 3rd, 2023. The courtroom was packed to capacity with supporters who attended the session Read more

Toastmaster Cheryl Dangleben-York Crowned Face Of Woha 2023-2024

Bringing the crown home to St. Maarten, Cheryl Dangleben-York aims to inspire young girls and women.

PHILIPSBURG/LONDON--Caribbean Pearls Toastmasters Club proudly announced on Thursday that Cheryl Dangleben-York has been crowned Face of WOHA for 2023-2024 in London, England.

Read more

Chokehold Premiere To Be Held At Caribbean Cinemas Saturday

Film Director Joel Ayuk (centre) with event coordinator Sofia Carti-Codrington (left) and Charge de Mission Fatima Boukhari (right). (Robert Luckock photo)

MARIGOT--The movie Chokehold, the first full-length feature film made by producer/director Joel Ayuk featuring a mix of local and international actors, is to have its much-anticipated premiere at Caribbean Cinemas (Megaplex) Saturday, November 25, at 8:00pm in two screening rooms Read more

2023 Budget Is Now At Parliament For Handling With Retroactive Compensation For Justice Personnel

~We have arrived at the finish line.~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Justice proudly announces a significant milestone as the 2023 amended budget includes retroactive compensation for the dedicated personnel of the Ministry of Justice and is now at the Parliament of Sint Maarten to be handled. The Honorable Minister of Justice, Anna E. Richardson, expresses happiness over the successful completion of this comprehensive initiative, which has been pending for over a decade, and looks forward to the approval of the amended budget so the Justice Package can be signed by the Governor.

The process involved extensive legislative requirements and meticulous review processes to calculate the full financial obligation owed to justice employees both retroactively and moving forward Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Finance has submitted the amended budget for the year 2023 to the Parliament, outlining key adjustments that reflect the evolving economic landscape.
The amended budget for 2023 shows an increase in revenue amounting to NAf 23 million, paired with a corresponding rise in expenses totaling NAf 22 million Read more

 

DATE ISSUED: Thursday 23rd November 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) 

VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) 24th November 2023

A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN UNTIL 6PM FRIDAY NOVEMBER 24, 2023

WEATHER:

This afternoon through Friday midday: Generally cloudy with isolated showers.

Forecast High: 30C / 86F                  Forecast Low: 26C / 79F

Sunset Today: 5:35 P.M.                     Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:23 A.M.  

SURFACE WINDS: 

This afternoon through Friday midday: Northeasterly to southeasterly with a light to moderate breeze of 5 to 15 mph.

SYNOPSIS: 

Lingering moisture and instability associated with a recent frontal boundary will continue to produce cloudy periods and some showers across the local area.
Meanwhile, above normal sea conditions are expected mainly along the northern and eastern shores through Friday Read more

Collectivit And Partners Sign Local Health Contract To 2025

Signing the Local Health Contract between partners Collectivit, Regional Health Agency ARS and Social Security Department CGSS).

MARIGOT--The Collectivit, Agence Rgionale de Sant (ARS) and Caisse Gnrale de Scurit Sociale (CGSS) have signed a Local Health Contract (Contrat Locale de Sant (CLS)) valid until 2025 Read more

United People (UP) Party candidates and supporters arrived at the Parliament Building in luxury cars. One shiny SUV after another rolled past, with Minister Omar Ottley standing in the open roof of a black car waving the party flag. A sound truck played the UP Party song, which included Ottley's message: I am here to stay.

UP Party Leader Rolando Brison presented the Central Voting Bureau a full list of 23 candidates, according to Brison the most capable selection Read more

Deafening noise from heavy motorcycles announced the arrival of the new political party Nation, Opportunity, Wealth (NOW). Christopher Emmanuel, with his political sponsor Olivier Arrindell and NOW candidate Claudius 'Toontje' Buncamper at his side, led the yellow march from Clem Labega Square towards the Parliament Building.NOW has 21 candidates Read more

~ National Alliance with the largest turnout of supporters on Postulation Day. ~

PHILIPSBURG: --- On January 11th, 2024, voters would have eight (8) political parties to choose from when they reach the polling stations to cast their votes.
The eight political parties lit up Philipsburg as they marched to the Parliament Building to submit their lists of candidates to the voting bureau that will be contesting the upcoming parliamentary elections.
At 9 am the Party for Progress (PFP) marched from Clem Labega Square chairing their leader Melissa Gumbs to submit the PFP lists of candidates Read more

The Democratic Party (DP) says their slate of 23 candidates are passionate and dedicated to being that change for St. Maarten. The party made a grand entrance on nomination day, parading down Front Street as the last party to submit their list of candidates.

The parade was a spectacle of Moko jumbies, drums, and percussion, with the song "My Team Lit" playing as the candidates and their supporters marched up the street Read more

The Unified Resilient St. Maarten Movement (URSM) has emerged as a new political party on the island. The party, dressed in white and teal, and led by a duo of roaring Harley Davidsons, made a grand entrance on Nomination day.

Accompanied by young members of a drum band, the pa Read more

 

DATE ISSUED: Wednesday 22nd November 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)  

VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) 23rd November 2023 

WEATHER:  

This afternoon through Thursday midday: Partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated showers.  

Forecast High: 30C / 86F                  Forecast Low: 25C / 79F 

Sunset Today: 5:35 P.M.                     Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:23 A.M.   

SURFACE WINDS:  

This afternoon through Thursday midday: Northeasterly with a light to gentle breeze of 4 to 12 mph. 

SYNOPSIS:   

Lingering moisture and instability, associated with a frontal boundary will support light precipitation Read more

8 Women Among Na List Of 23 Candidates

Eight women, three more than the number of females that ran in the last election, make up the list of 23 candidates for the National Alliance (NA). Read more

United St Maarten Party (US Party) aims to 'break the cycle' with its list of 11 candidates, which it presented to the Central Voting Bureau on Nomination Day (Postulation Day) Wednesday. US Party was the second party to submit its list. With horns honking, the party arrived at the Parli Read more

Pfp Submits 'Gold Standard' List Of 10 Candidates

Party for Progress (PFP) on Wednesday submitted a list of 10 candidates to contest the January 11, 2024 Parliamentary elections. Read more

Armand Meda To Run On Upp Slate, Resigns From Democratic Party.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Sunday, November 19th, 2023, Democratic Candidate Armand Meda resigned from the party. This took place on the same day as the Democratic Party Candidate & Manifesto launch.

The former number 14 candidate on the DP list, has had a vigorous campaign under the slogan Forward, for almost a year that became very popular on Social Media and households on St Read more

Unions Demand Justice For Immigration Officer

PHILIPSBURG--The police union NAPB and ABVO St. Maarten are demanding justice for an Immigration officer who allegedly was verbally and physically abused by a local resident.

Read more

Official Outline For Campaign Material For January 11 2024 Parliamentary Elections

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of General Affairs alongside the Central Voting Bureau is pleased to update the public on the rules for political campaign material for the Parliamentary Elections slated for January 11, 2024.

The Minister of Justice of Sint Maarten, Honorable Anna Richardson recently announced that a general permit is granted concerning the placement of Political Campaign Material in Public Spaces with a view to the Elections of the interested political parties for the placement, installation, or possession of Political Campaign Material in Public Spaces during the period from 00:00 on November 22 to January 13, 2024.

This general permit is granted under the following conditions:

The instructions of the police regarding traffic safety and prevention of disorders regarding the placement of Political Campaign Material must be followed.For the sake of traffic safety, it is prohibited to place Political Campaign Material on roundabouts on the island or 10 meters before the start of roundabouts.Political Campaign Material must not impede or endanger traffic by placing it on or at Traffic Facilities.Political Campaign Material must not be placed:on top of Political Campaign Material from another political party.on or at the property of others without the owner's or user's permission.in a way that obstructs or makes public traffic unsafe; andwithin five (5) meters from the polling station, measured from the entrance.The content of Political Campaign Material must not be offensive in any way.The political party is liable for damage, nuisance, or inconvenience caused by or because of the placement or installation, as well as for the risk associated with any police measures regarding Political Campaign Material, and is obligated to remove the Political Campaign Material placed on public roads by January 13, 2024, at the latest.Political Campaign Material placed or installed by anyone other than a political party, on behalf of a specific political party, is deemed to have been placed by or on behalf of the latter party, pursuant to this permit, to the extent that this is the case in Public Spaces.The Minister can revoke the individual permit right to place Political Campaign Material from the political party that does not comply with the conditions of this general permit.In this general permit, the following terms are understood as:Public Spaces: all public roads as described in Article 1 sub i of the Traffic Regulation of Sint Maarten and all public places as described in article 1 sub b of the Public Manifestations Regulation.Political Campaign Material: all material in the broadest sense used for conducting a political campaign, including, but not limited to, posters, stickers, posters, signs, flags, brochures, and flyers.Traffic Facilities: the traffic signs and signals as described in Article 2 of the Traffic Regulation of Sint Maarten.Elections: the elections on January 11th, 2024, for the election of members of the Parliament of Sint Maarten.

This information was previously sent by the Minister of Justice to the political party leaders to ensure transparency Read more

Cbcs Best Economic Research Award 2024.

~Research competition for HAVO and VWO students in Curaao and Sint Maarten~

Willemstad/Philipsburg:--- The Centrale Bank van Curaao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) announces the kick-off of the fourth edition of the Best Economic Research Award (BERA) at HAVO and VWO level. Final-year students from all HAVO and VWO schools in Curaao and Sint Maarten are invited to submit an economic research paper on a topic that is relevant to the economies of the monetary union. The CBCS will award both the winning student(s) and school(s) an attractive prize Read more