SXMElections.com

Na Sends Condolences To Victims Of Ts And Stresses Preparedness

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The National Alliance family would like to extend condolences and words of encouragement and hope to the people and government of the Commonwealth of Dominica.

Natural disasters have an uncanny way of bringing communities, islands and countries together.

Though the destruction and devastation wreaked by TS Erika, still needs to be properly assessed, it is clear that much emergency aid will be needed in the coming weeks.

The photos and videos, testimonies of survival and tragedy are heart wrenching Read more

Editorial - Don’t kill the goose

All indications are that measures to raise revenues and/or cut expenditures will result from the budgetary instruction the Kingdom Council of Ministers is expected to issue for St. Maarten on the advice of the Committee for Financial Supervision. Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs had stated earlier that several amendments to add 15 million guilders to this year’s budget were at Parliament, but the general public is yet to learn what’s in store.

Rumours in the past that a hike in the turnover tax TOT was being considered have always been denied Read more

>PHILIPSBURG;---- Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, has forwarded a letter to the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit expressing condolences to the people and Government of Dominica with respect to the damage left behind by Tropical Storm Erika.
“On behalf of the Government and the people of Sint Maarten, I Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs Expresses Condolences To The Government And People Of Dominica

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, has forwarded a letter to the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit expressing condolences to the people and Government of Dominica with respect to the damage left behind by Tropical Storm Erika.

“On behalf of the Government and the people of Read more

Japan student group injects new exuberance into anti-war protests

TOKYO--Wearing shorts and a baggy T-shirt and clutching a microphone, Aki Okuda stands before a crowd, the pyramid-shaped roof of Japan's parliament lit up against the night sky behind him. "No War", "Protect the Constitution", "Abe - Quit!", he chants in a hip-hop rhythm, echoed by the crowd.

Okuda, 23, is a founding member of a group of students that has become a fresh face of protest against Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's push to enact a more robust defence policy - steps critics say violate the pacifist constitution and could ensnare Japan in U.S.-led wars.

Students Emergency Action for Liberal Democracy (SEALDs) is also denting the image of Japanese students as either apolitical introverts, who left protests to their elders, or rightwing geeks Read more

Editorial - A while longer

What was becoming increasingly obvious now appears unavoidable. St. Maarten faces an instruction to bring its 2015 budget in line with requirements of the Kingdom Financial Supervision Law (see related article).

Just last Wednesday Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs had stated that draft amendments were at Parliament to increase the budget by 15 million guilders and shift some allocations, based on increased income projections and other complementing factors Read more

St. Maarten, Netherlands vow to fight crime together

THE HAGUE--St. Maarten and the Netherlands, in The Hague on Wednesday evening, reconfirmed their wish to work together to fight organised, undermining crime on the island.

The meeting between St. Maarten Justice Minister Dennis Richardson, Dutch Minister of Security and Justice Ard van der Steur and his colleague of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Minister Ronald Plasterk was deemed “constructive.” Richardson spoke of “open” talks during which parties were able to “speak their mind.”

“I think we can now proceed in a constructive manner,” stated Minister Plasterk Read more

Govt drafts amendments to increase 2015 budget

PHILIPSBURG--Amendments to increase the 2015 budget by some NAf. 15 million, and to shift some budgetary allocations have been sent to Parliament by the Marcel Gumbs cabinet.

It is hoped by Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs that Parliament will deal with the amendments soon.

The 2015 budget, though passed by Parliament on January 29, has not yet been given the stamp of approval by the Committee for Financial Supervision CFT.

Amendments to the budget were anticipated based on projected increases to government income and other complementing factors.

Referred to as a "skeleton budget" by Finance Minister Martin Hassink, the 2015 balanced budget stands at NAf Read more

Postal Services St. Maarten (PSS) closure for passage of Tropical Storm Erika.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Postal Services St.Maarten (PSS) hereby reminds the general public in keeping with the rule of business closure by the Honorable Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs that closure of operations will only be on Thursday, 27th August, 2015.

Management of PSS hopes to resume normally on Friday with operations and working hours resum Read more

Postal Services St. Maarten (Pss) Closure For Passage Of Tropical Storm Erika

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten -- Postal Services St.Maarten (PSS) hereby reminds the general public in keeping with the rule  of business closure by the Honorable Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs that closure of operations will only be on Thursday, 27th August, 2015.Management of PSS hopes to resume normally on Friday with operations and working h Read more

Brown wins FirstCaribbean Bank Open Youth Tennis Tournament

CAY HILL--Leshawn Brown won the Open division of the 14th annual FirstCaribbean Bank Youth Tennis Tournament at Raoul Illidge Sport Complex Tennis Pavilion over the weekend. Bradley Atyle finished second.
   A total of 38 boys and girls competed in several categories of play including Beginners, Under 13, Under 15 and Open Class.
  The competition was hosted by LAB Sports Academy and sponsored by First Caribbean Bank.
    
Beginners
  Shade Barry placed first in girls beginners.  Jugeldi Garcia was second place Read more

NAGICO’s Little Stars Part 2- Officially; launched at MAC Rev. A. Gumbs Campus

>PHILIPSBURG:--- NAGICO Insurances officially launched its second annual back to school campaign at the MAC Rev. A. Gumbs Campus on Thursday evening, in their quest to afford the children of St. Maarten a fair chance to an education which they deserve.
The MAC Rev. A. Gumbs Campus was randomly selected as the second school in this campaign which will run from August 2015/ June 2016 school year Read more

Nagico’S Little Stars Part 2- Officially; Launched At Mac Rev. A. Gumbs Campus

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - NAGICO Insurances officially launched its second annual back to school campaign at the MAC Rev. A. Gumbs Campus on Thursday evening, in their quest to afford the children of St. Maarten a fair chance to an education which they deserve.

The MAC Rev. A. Gumbs Campus was randomly selected as the second school in this campaign which will run from August 2015/ June 2016 school year.

The program was very welcomed by the Management, staff and parents of the school during their first Parent Teacher assembly at the school's campus on Thursday night, where representatives from NAGICO Insurances attended the meeting and gave a brief introduction of the NAGICO Little Stars program Read more

St. Maarten Prime Minister wants critics to commit suicide

Dear Editor,

“Tie a stone around your neck and jump off the pier. Seek help from a psychologist, jump out of an airplane.” St. Maarten Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs told his critics recently that they can better commit suicide. He also made suggestions on how this best could be done. In a society of 45,000 people, such a statement has a big impact Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- University of St. Martin (USM) announced the opening of its new school named “The St. Martin School of Continuing Education and Life Long Learning (SCELL)”, which was launched on August 1, 2015. Since the opening of SCELL the school has received an overwhelming reception from the Business Community. Motor World recently joined the ranks of Windward Island Bank, Ltd (WIB) as a sponsor of SCELL by donating a non-disclosed amount to the school.
Motor World Marketing officer, Mr Read more

Motor World Donates To Usm New School, Scell

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – The University of St. Martin (USM) announced the opening of its new school named “The St. Martin School of Continuing Education and Life Long Learning (SCELL)”, which was launched on August 1, 2015.

Since the opening of SCELL the school has received an overwhelming reception from the Business Community. Motor World recently joined the ranks of Windward Island Bank, Ltd (WIB) as a sponsor of SCELL by donating a non-disclosed amount to the school.

Motor World Marketing officer, Mr Read more

Leona requests meeting to move forward with Small Claims Court

PHILIPSBURG--Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo has requested a Parliament meeting to discuss the introduction of a Small Claims Court for the country based on Article 862 of the Code of Civil Procedures. The framework proposal for this court was presented to Parliament by Attorney Reynold Groeneveldt earlier this year.

The Small Claims Court will handle claims up to NAf Read more

Who is really destroying the country?

Dear Editor,

Government officials are transferring their guilt to the population, which speaks volumes to their insecurity and inability to lead effectively. They have assassinated our hopes, and so the ludicrousness of the idea that individuals, and the media, are destroying the country, is an accusation that cannot be further away from the truth. The blistering message to government is a demand to do things differently, because its approval rating is almost zero.    Therefore, this bleak situation should be a wake-up call for the authorities to acknowledge that the most important element in communication is having the ability to listen; and that real leaders stay connected to the inhabitants, in order to provide the best service possible Read more

Bilbao hold off Barcelona to claim Spanish Super Cup

BARCELONA-- Athletic Bilbao claimed their first silverware in more than three decades when they wrapped up a 5-1 aggregate win over 10-man Barcelona to win the Spanish Super Cup on Monday and unleash ecstatic celebrations in the Basque city.

Bilbao, who only field players of Basque origin, last secured a major trophy when they won Spain's traditional season opener in 1984 and Frida Read more

Kerry urges "genuine democracy" at US flag ceremony in Cuba

HAVANA--U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry declared a new era in relations as he celebrated restored diplomatic ties in Havana on Friday, but he also urged political change in Cuba, telling Cubans they should be free to choose their own leaders.

The first U.S. secretary of state to visit the Caribbean island in 70 years, Kerry presided over a ceremony raising the U.S. flag over the newly reopened American embassy.

His comments drew a firm riposte from Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, who defended his Communist government at a joint news conference and criticized the United States' own record on rights Read more

Ministers to visit FCCA, discuss tourism, security

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Claret Connor and Justice Minister Dennis Richardson plan to meet soon with Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) officials in Florida, United States, to update them on new security measures resulting from the fatal shooting of Police Officer Gamali Benjamin, as part of efforts to curb further negative impacts the tragedy can cause to the tourism industry.

Minister Connor said during Wednesday's press briefing that he, Richardson and Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs had been continuously discussing steps to take in following up on the "life-changing" and "historic" incident.

Connor was on his way back to the island on the day of the shooting, but he contacted FCCA President Michele Paige the next day to inform her that Government "was doing everything within its power to apprehend, in first instance, those responsible, in addition to trying to save the officer's life .. Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs: Officer Benjamin Know That Your Legacy Will Remain As A Beacon For A Country That Needs One

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Prime Minister Hon. Marcel Gumbs delivered the following speech on Thursday, 13 August at the funeral of Police Officer G. Benjamin.

“Good afternoon family, in the past week, we as a country have felt anger, despair, sorrow and confusion over the untimely and tragic death of Officer Gamali Benjamin. Law enforcement, much like the fire brigade or the military, comes with the willingness to risk one's life each and every day, in the pursuit of doing the right thing. 

“Today, as we lay him to rest and begin the healing process, I am hopeful that we remember to reflect on Officer Benjamin's character and conduct, and that we do our utmost to always do the right thing Read more

Mike Ferrier About The Aftermath Of The Shooting: “Hopefully, Parliament Will Get A Grip On Reckless Spending”

Michael Ferrier. File photo Today / Leo Brown

St. Maarten – Businessman Michael Ferrier, a former president of the Democratic Party – as party he left in disgust last year – analyzes in this article the situation the country finds itself in in the wake of the shooting that cost sergeant Gamali Benjamin his life.

Last week’s shooting of a police 0fficer by a coward with a gun has brought our once tranquil “Friendly” Island to an all-time new low in societal behavior Read more

DP supports call for statue of slain cop

~ Weighs in on crime ~

PHILIPSBURG--The Democratic Party (DP) supports a call made by the general police union NAPB for a statue to be erected of bike patrol officer Gamali “Benji” Benjamin, who was gunned down at the scene of a robbery at a Front Street jewellery store on Wednesday, August 5 Read more