SXMElections.com

DATE ISSUED: Friday 26th April 2024 @ 11:45 LST (15:45 UTC) 

VALID UNTIL: Saturday midday **(12:00 LST) 27th April 2024

WEATHER:

This afternoon through Saturday midday: Fair to partly cloudy. Isolated showers are possible.

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

Sunset Today: 6:32 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:48 A.M.

SURFACE WINDS: 

Today through Saturday midday: Easterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 16 mph.

SYNOPSIS: 

The high-pressure system continues to dominate Read more

Ursm: Politicisation Of Formation Efforts Only Hinders Progress, Disrupts Stability

URSM leader Dr. Luc Mercelina.

PHILIPSBURG--The Unified Resilience St. Maarten Movement (URSM) on Thursday suggested that t Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Irion: Being Minister Is Not A Right, It Is An Opportunity

PHILIPSBURG--Being given the chance to serve as a minister is not a right, it is an opportunity, caretaker Finance Minister Ardwell Irion said on Wednesday.

We have a lot of, lets say, frustration or even uncertainty within the public regarding the whole process of the swearing-in. All of us here already went through this process that the current coalition is also experiencing Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Fish Da Mega Boss Takes The 2024 Senior Calypso Crown

Nagico and St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) representatives join Alberto Fish Da Mega Boss Arrindell, the new Senior Calypso King, shortly after he was crowned early Thursday morning.

POND ISLAND--Alberto Fish Da Mega Boss Arrindell has been crowned the 2024 Senior Calypso Kaiso King, his sixth time earning the title.
Fish Da Mega Boss wowed the audience and judges with his performances, earning a total of 485 points and taking home the top prize of US $10,000, sponsored by Nagico Insurances.
The competition, held at Jocelyn Arndell Festival Village, featured a total of eight talented calypsonians who each brought their A-game to the stage Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Postal Services Acquires Cpost Intl.S Operations

PSS Director Marinka Gumbs (left) extended her gratitude to Jervhes Josephia, CEO of Cpost International N.V. (right) for his collaborative approach and vision in initiating their partnership.

PHILIPSBURG--In a strategic move aimed at bolstering its presence in the region, Postal Services of St. Maarten (PSS N.V.) has finalised the acquisition of Cpost International N.V.s (Cposts) operations, including PuntoMio, EuroMio, and MoneyGram services.

The integration of Cposts operations into PSS N.V Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Miss Antigua Wins The St. Maarten Caribbean Carnival Queen Crown

The 2024 St. Maarten Carnival Caribbean Queen Ischikelle Corbin of Antigua and Barbuda shortly after being crowned.

POND ISLAND--In a dazzling display of beauty and talent, Ischikelle Corbin of Antigua and Barbuda was crowned the 2024 St. Maarten Carnival Caribbean Queen in the Read more

Inflation Lower In Bonaire, Higher In Saba And Statia

Inflation in the Caribbean Netherlands.

CARIBBEAN NETHERLANDS--In the first quarter of 2024 (Q1), consumer goods and services on Bonaire were 3.5% more expensive than one year previously.

In Q4 2023, the inflation rate was 4.1%. This is reported by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) on the basis of the consumer price index for the Caribbean Netherlands.

Official Joint Statement From The Three Coalition Party Leaders Of Dp Pfp Now

PHILIPSBURG On Wednesday, 24 April 2024, MP Sarah Wescot-Williams (DP), MP Melissa Gumbs (PFP) and MP Christophe Emmanuel (NOW) issued a joint statement in reaction to the press release sent out by the Cabinet of the Governor Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Governor Baly Receives Final Report From Formateur L. Mercelina

HARBOUR VIEW, PHILIPSBURG On April 23, 2024, His Excellency the Governor of Sint Maarten received the updated final report from formateur L. Mercelina.

The formateur has accepted the commission to form a new government which has the support of a majority in Parliament comprised of the fractions of URSM, PFP, DP and NOW Read more

Postal Services Of Sint Maarten Completes Scquisition Of Cpost InternationalS Operations

Sint Maarten, Postal Services of Sint Maarten (PSS N.V.) completes the acquisition of Cpost Internationals N.V.s (Cpost) operations, to include PuntoMio, EuroMio, and MoneyGram services effective 25 March, 2024. This strategic move represents a significant milestone for PSS N.V., solidifying its position as a leading provider of postal and financial services in the region.

The integration of Cpost operations into PSS N.V. represents a significant advancement in international shipping solutions, offering customers in Sint Maarten improved convenience, efficiency, and affordability for their cross-border shipments.

Marinka Gumbs, Director of PSS N.V., expressed her enthusiasm with the acquisition, remarking, I am thrilled to witness the realization of our efforts to finally reintegrate MoneyGram services at the post office Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

District Governor Visits St. Maarten

District Governor of Sub-District 60B, Lion Dr. Carlisle Goddard, PMJF recently made his official visit to the St. Maarten Leo Club, St. Maarten South Leo Club, and the Sint Maarten Lions Club.

The District Governor was met upon his arrival by a welcoming delegation that included Lion Felix Richards, President of the Sint Maarten Lions Club, Zone Chairperson 2B, Lion Oralie Boirard, MJF, Past District Governor Lion Wally Havertong, PMJF, and Lion Dennis Lake.

The District Governor visit included an enlightening radio interview streamed live on the Viewpoint with Wendell Moore show where he expounded on the responsibilities of a District Governor and shared his experiences in visiting the various of Lion and Leo clubs within his District which comprises of 16 English and Dutch speaking islands with St Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

DATE ISSUED: Tuesday, 23 April 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) 

VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) 24 April 2024

WEATHER:

This afternoon: Fair to partly cloudy and hazy.

Tonight through Wednesday midday: Partly cloudy and slightly hazy, becoming cloudy at times with isolated showers.

Forecast High: 32C / 90F              

Forecast Low: 26C / 79F

Sunset Today: 6:31 P.M.                  

Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:50 A.M.

SURFACE WINDS: 

This afternoon through Wednesday midday: East-southeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 14 mph.

SYNOPSIS: 

A plume of Saharan dust hovering over the region will continue to reduce visibility and air quality through the next 24 or so hours Read more

Sarah Attends Intl. Mp Conference In Norway

Participants in a session facilitated by St. Maarten MP Wescot-Williams pause for a photo.

PHILIPSBURG--President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams recently returned to the island from Oslo, Norway, where she attended the 8th International Parliamentarians Conference on the Implementation of the ICPD Programme of Action (IP Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Update: Party For Progress St. Maarten

After a challenging, and at many times unclear, frustrating and incoherent screening process, the formation process has moved forward with the submission of the final formateur’s report to Governor Ajamu Baly.

Nine names were submitted: seven for the seven local posts and two for the Minister Plenipotentiary and Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary posts in the Netherlands. This includes PFP’s very own Raeyhon Peterson and Patrice Thierry Gumbs Jr Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

DATE ISSUED: Monday 22nd April 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) 

VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 23rd April 2024

WEATHER:

This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Fair to partly cloudy and hazy with a few brief showers possible.

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

Sunset Today: 6:31 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:50 A.M.

SURFACE WINDS: 

This afternoon through Tuesday midday: East southeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 15 mph.

SYNOPSIS: 

A plume of Saharan dust will reduce visibility and air quality through midweek Read more

Education Institutes In Kingdom Work Together

Group photo

WILLEMSTAD--Eighteen educational and knowledge institutions from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom and the Netherlands will continue, build and intensify their joint efforts in the fields of education, research and science. For example, they want to pursue and develop joint educational programmes.

  This special collaboration was highlighted during a recent knowledge mission led by caretaker Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science OCW Robbert Dijkgraaf in Curaao.

  Together with my fellow ministers from the other three kingdom countries, we have worked hard in recent years to increase cooperation within the kingdom, successfully Read more

The Tg Band Wins 2024 Road March

Mr. Oezy and The TG Band soon after being crowned.

 POND ISLAND--Mr. Oezy and The TG Band took home the title of Road Monarch at the Carnival Road March competition held in Jocelyn Arndell Festival Village last Friday.
The first performer to take the stage was CbgYvngsta, who intrigued the audience with his song Wet Sticky Like Glue.

Next up was Niqo SMW, who brought a unique twist to the competition with his song Madness Read more

Jicn Info Market About Detention, Reintegration

Interest was reportedly high.

KRALENDIJK--An information market on detention and reintegration was held in Bonaire on Thursday, attended by judicial law enforcement system partners and other stakeholders. Organised by Judicial Institution Caribbean Netherlands (JICN), it brought together a wide range of professionals involved in detention and reintegration, with the aim of exchanging knowledge, networking and promoting a successful return to society for persons from jail.

The gathering offered an opportunity to learn from each others expertise, share experiences and work together to improve detention and reintegration processes Read more

New Association For Assistance To Families Installed In St. Martin

ULSCF Secretary General Fatima Boukhari (fourth left), President Sofia Carti-Codrington (fifth left), and LUnion Departmentale de Guadeloupe Vice President Claude Philomin (fifth from right) with association representatives. (Robert Luckock photo)

MARIGOT--A new structure specifically tailored to assist families in St. Martin Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

DATE ISSUED: Thursday, 18 April 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) 

VALID UNTIL: Friday morning (12:00 LST) 19 April 2024

HIGH SURF ADVISORY HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED

WEATHER:

This afternoon through Friday midday: Fair to partly cloudy with light haze and brief local showers possible.

Forecast High: 31C / 87F              

Forecast Low: 25C / 77F

Sunset Today: 6:30 P.M.                  

Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:53 A.M.

SURFACE WINDS: 

This afternoon through Friday midday: Light and variable winds of 01 to 04 mph, becoming calm at times.

SYNOPSIS: 

Increasing concentration of Saharan dust is expected across the region during the next few days Read more

Swept Under The Rug

I presented a motion in June of 2021 almost 3 years ago asking that the subject of debt cancellation for St. Maarten be discussed. I was moved to do so after discovering that St. Maarten was paying 12.7 million guilders annually on an almost 1 billion guilders debt. It is no secret that it would take some 100 years to pay it off, hence my motion which was unanimously supported.

The International Monetary Fund had also suggested that the Dutch government look at Debt cancellation, however what came afterwards due to the covid19 pandemic is additional loans of some 300 million guilders Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

DATE ISSUED: Wednesday, 17 April 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) 

VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) 18 April 2024

WEATHER:

This afternoon through Thursday midday: Fair to partly cloudy with a brief local shower possible.

Forecast High: 31C / 87F              

Forecast Low: 25C / 77F

Sunset Today: 6:30 P.M.                  

Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:54 A.M.

SURFACE WINDS: 

This afternoon through Thursday midday: Light and variable winds of 01 to 05 mph, becoming calm at times.

SYNOPSIS: 

A stable atmosphere will limit significant shower activity across the local region Read more

Collectivit Formally Opens Its School Of Public Management

Collectivit President Louis Mussington talks at the opening of School of Public Management in Grand Case Beach Club on Tuesday.

MARIGOT--The first Public Management School for St. Martin (Ecole du Management Public (EMP)) officially opened in Grand Case Beach Club on Tuesday with an introduction to the first twenty candidates and an overview of the courses starting on the same day.

The opening ceremony was attended by Collectivit President Louis Mussington, Dput (MP) of St Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

DATE ISSUED: Tuesday 16th April 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) 

VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) 17th April 2024

WEATHER:

This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Partly cloudy with isolated showers possible.

Forecast High: 31C / 88F               Forecast Low: 25C / 77F

Sunset Today: 6:30 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:54 A.M.

SURFACE WINDS: 

This afternoon through Wednesday midday: East northeasterly to east southeasterly with a light to gentle breeze of 6 to 12 mph.

SYNOPSIS: 

A surface trough may cause isolated showers across the local area Read more