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PHILIPSBURG:--- I have now served as your minister of education, culture, youth and sport for two weeks and two days. These two weeks have been challenging as many things have been happening simultaneously. The primary task of this interim Romeo-Marlin cabinet is to bring St. Maarten through these critical months ahead as we recover from one devastating hurricane season and prepare as a nation to face the seasons ahead. As I have indicated before, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport has been significantly hit in terms of damages to our infrastructure Read more

PUERTO RICO:--- Destination Sint Maarten is being represented at the Caribbean’s largest and most important marketing event this week in San Juan, Puerto Rico, namely the Caribbean Travel Marketplace.
Acting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation & Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Cornelius de Weever on Wednesday said, the Caribbean Travel Marketplace affords tourism suppliers the opportunity to meet face-to-face with wholesalers from around the world selling Caribbean vacation travel.
The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) is holding its Caribbean Travel Marketplace at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan from January 30 to February 1.
Minister De Weever on Wednesday morning briefed the regional/international travel media about the status of the destination Read more

Cc1 St. Maarten Introduces A Limited-Edition Coca-Cola Can For St. Maarten.

Cay Hill:--- CC1 St. Maarten, the exclusive distributor of Coca Cola®, has commissioned a Limited Edition 12oz Coca-Cola can for St. Maarten. In the aftermath of “Irma”, CC1 wanted to do something to commemorate the strength and resilience of St. Maarten and its people and so the idea to immortalize the phrase “#SXMSTRONG” on the world-famous Coca-Cola can be born. In addition to “#SXMSTRONG” the Limited Edition can also feature the St. Maarten flag and the iconic Coca-Cola wave is depicted by two hands reaching out to help each other.
On hand to witness the arrival and opening of the first shipped containers were St Read more

Former Pm William Marlin Reacts On The Ruling Given By The Kingdom Government

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Across the length and breadth of Sint Maarten citizens are concurring that former Prime Minister William Marlin had it correct and best understands governance.  Yet again William-Marlin has shown that his choices were in the best interest of the people of Sint Maarten. Citizens were heard chiding “I told you William-Marlin know the right thing”.

William Marlin expressed that he was always confident of the ruling given by the Kingdom, responding to the news that the Kingdom Government had turned down the request of Interim Prime Minister Mrs Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Across the length and breadth of Sint Maarten citizens are concurring that former Prime Minister William Marlin had it correct and best understands governance. Yet again William-Marlin has shown that his choices were in the best interest of the people of Sint Maarten. Citizens were heard chiding “I told you William-Marlin know the right thing”.

William Marlin expressed that he was always confident of the ruling given by the Kingdom, responding to the news that the Kingdom Government had turned down the request of Interim Prime Minister Mrs Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Disciple Peter said, “use your God-given gifts to serve others”. Solange Ludmila York-Duncan; a young, strong and progressive professional has made the ultimate decision and postulated herself as #10 on the National Alliance slate. Ludmila was born and raised on St. Maarten and currently holds the position of Policy Advisor in the Ministry of Education Read more

Mp Drs Rodolphe Samuel Visit Nipa

CAY HILL, Sint Maarten — As a result of the passing of Hurricane Irma many areas on the island were severely damaged.

Besides the enormous damage to homes and school buildings many of our hotel properties have also sustained serious damage forcing their closure in order to repair and rebuild.

Knowing that it would be impossible for all the workers in the Hospitality trade to find work elsewhere the Government devised a plan / solution to remedy this negative situation.

The previous Minister of Finance – former Minister Richard E Read more

Dear people of Sint Maarten,

There is a time for hellos, and a time for farewells.
As my tenure as Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten has come to its end, l say farewell with a heart full of gratitude.
Gratitude for the opportunity to have served my people and my island, and above all, gratitude to God for allowing me to take on this very challenging task, with dignity and integrity, with humility and determination, with faith and conviction, especially at a time as this.
When I was approached in 2015 to take on this role, l saw it as a great challenge that I could not resist.
A task that I knew I was well able to take on and execute to the fullest expectations of the people of Sint Maarten.
The title of “Minister Plenipotentiary” evokes a diplomatic language, with “representation” as its key meaning.
Being part of the Dutch Kingdom Council of Ministers, meant representing St Read more

Prime Minister Leona Romeo Marlin 1St Official Address To The People Of Sint Maarten

PHILIPSBURG –  Let me commence by sharing a few of the  lyrics of a song called Not alone for mighty empire. Written by William P. Merrill, in 1911.

Not alone for mighty empire,

Stretching far over land and sea,

Not alone for bounteous harvests,

Lift we up our hearts to Thee.

Standing in the living present,

Memory and hope between,

Lord, we would with deep thanksgiving,

Praise Thee more for things unseen.

God of justice, save the people

From the clash of race and creed,

From the strife of class and faction,

Make our nation free indeed;

Keep her faith in simple manhood

Strong as when her life began,

Till it find its full fruition

In the brotherhood of man!

I want to give thanks for this opportunity presented to me to represent St Maarten as the second female Prime Minister of this young nation Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Leader of the United St. Maarten (US) party MP Frans Richardson describes the list of the party as “one in which the people of St. Maarten can see themselves reflected” and one that is ready and capable to govern.
Speaking over the weekend, Richardson lauded the fact that once again the USP has given capable young professionals the opportunity to seek higher office to continue serving St Read more

History Made….United Democrats Launched!!!!

Philipsburg– Leaders of the United People’s Party (UP) and the Democratic Party (DP) have unified under one banner and founded the United Democrats, a powerhouse political movement formed to take St. Maarten through the critical reconstruction phase the island faces in 2018. The newly formed party, United Democrats is the historical joining of UP Honorable Member of Parliament Theodore Heyliger and DP Honorable President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams. “If we take a look at the unaddressed realities since the passage of Hurricane Irma, of our crippled economy and our people desperately needing leadership and hope, all lead to the coming together of the United Democrats.” Leading the United Democrats will be MP Theodore Heyliger, with MP Sarah Wescot-Williams as the number two candidate. St Read more

History Made With The Launch Of The United Democrats

PHILIPSBURG - Leaders of the United People's Party (UP) and the Democratic Party (DP) have unified under one banner and founded the United Democrats, a powerhouse political movement formed to take St. Maarten through the critical reconstruction phase the island faces in 2018.

The newly formed party, United Democrats is the historical joining of UP Honorable Member of Parliament Theodore Heyliger and DP Honorable President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams.

"If we take a look at the unaddressed realities since the passage of Hurricane Irma, of our crippled economy and our people desperately needing leadership and hope, all lead to the coming together of the United Democrats."

Leading the United Democrats will be MP Theodore Heyliger, with MP Sarah Wescot-Williams as the number two candidate.

St Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Leaders of the United People's Party (UP) and the Democratic Party (DP) have unified under one banner and founded the United Democrats, a powerhouse political movement formed to take St. Maarten through the critical reconstruction phase the island faces in 2018.

The newly formed party, United Democrats is the historical joining of UP Honorable Member of Parliament Theodore Heyliger and DP Honorable President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams.

"If we take a look at the unaddressed realities since the passage of Hurricane Irma, of our crippled economy and our people desperately needing leadership and hope, all lead to the coming together of the United Democrats."

Leading the United Democrats will be MP Theodore Heyliger, with MP Sarah Wescot-Williams as the number two candidate.

St Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- It is like the day of yesterday, that I recall the establishment of the Beyond Writing Foundation in 2003, now named Beyond Kultura Events Foundation’s with the most important aim to enhance reading and Storytelling amongst the youth, Loekie Morales stated. We have accomplished that with tangible results over the course of the years, not only for Sint Maarten but for the other Dutch Windward Islands and Leeward Island as well.
She is the founding mother of this foundation and of the Caribbean Living Statues Festivals, as a unique festival with many aims Read more

Google Is Sending Internet Balloons To Puerto Rico To Bring Communication Back To The Island

After Hurricane Maria left Puerto Rico without clean drinking water, limited forms of communication, and 80% of the island without electricity, people all over the country, including big name celebrities, banded together to raise funds for the ravaged U.S Territory. Now, Google is stepping up efforts to help with Internet balloons.

Google’s parent company Alphabet announced last Friday that their stratospheric balloons are currently bringing Internet service to areas of Puerto Rico with non-functioning cellphone towers Read more

Through this communication the undersigned Mr. Benjamin Ortega hereby informs you that as of the 5th of January, 2018 until 26th of February 2018 a leave of absence from his duties as general member and Vice President of the Board of The St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
This leave of absence is in regard to his intended postulation as a candidate for the upcoming Parliamentary Elections 2018 slated to be held on February 26th, 2018.
“The above stated, although is not a mandatory part of the articles of incorporation of COCI, or whether noted in the bylaws of the Chamber functioning handbook, I see it fit to ensure that the integrity of the Chamber by my postulation is not brought into question at no given moment.”
Benjamin Ortega was elected on the board as of April 21st, 2017 Read more

I, Hasani Ellis Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary, on Friday, December 22nd, had the privilege to attend the launch of The Netherland’s membership on the UN Security Council at the Peace Palace in The Hague. It was truly a humbling moment for me to return to the library where I sought insight on international dispute regulations as a student.
This year, 2017 has truly been a year that has tested the fortitude of St Read more

New Year’S Message From President Of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams

PHILIPSBURG – Leader of the Democratic Party (DP) and President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams said in her New Year’s Day message: ‘Don’t let the disaster that befell us get the better of us.’ “It would take more than a few words to adequately describe the year which has become last year and a year we have put behind us Read more

New Year’S Message From Ms. Silveria Jacobs, Minister Of Education, Culture, Youth And Sport

With a new year, we are granted new opportunities and chances to make a difference, give our life a different course, or just continue to do as we have been doing. A new year for the people of St. Maarten, however, brings forth opportunities for us to rebuild better and stronger than we once were. After the passing of Hurricane Irma, the morale and energy of the people were shattered, however, soon after our people have shown that their strength and perseverance comes from within. The people of St Read more

End Of Year Address Of Former Prime Minister William Marlin

Fellow St. Maarteners and residents of our beautiful Island,

For many of us, 2017 could not end fast enough. It has been a year of unprecedented disaster in the form of Hurricanes Irma and Maria; a year in which many of our plans and even successes were blown away in six hours of pounding by a monster storm the likes of which have never been recorded in the history of the Atlantic Hurricane Season. But we are alive, by the sheer grace of God, and we hold on tenaciously to that saying that as long as there is life, there is hope.

Hope indeed is what we cling on to in these last days of 2017, as we welcome the New Year with renewed faith, and prayers that God would shower us with His mercies and spare us the nightmare of another hurricane strike in 2018.

For me, personally, it is with heavy heart that I remember all those who we lost not only as a result of the hurricanes, but also the many others who have transitioned to meet their Maker in the course of the year Read more

Fellow St. Maarteners,
Residents of our beautiful Island,

For many of us, 2017 could not end fast enough. It has been a year of unprecedented disaster in the form of Hurricanes Irma and Maria; a year in which many of our plans and even successes were blown away in six hours of pounding by a monster storm the likes of which have never been recorded in the history of the Atlantic Hurricane Season. But we are alive, by the sheer grace of God, and we hold on tenaciously to that saying that as long as there is life, there is hope.
Hope indeed is what we cling on to in these last days of 2017, as we welcome the New Year with renewed faith, and prayers that God would shower us with His mercies and spare us the nightmare of another hurricane strike in 2018.
For me, personally, it is with heavy heart that I remember all those who we lost not only as a result of the hurricanes but also the many others who have transitioned to meet their Maker in the course of the year Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Leader of the One St. Maarten People Party Lenny Priest, says he will be contesting the coming elections on the ballot of the National Alliance.
Priest has over the years been very vocal about issues he deems pertinent to the St. Maarten community including the introduction of a loan guarantee program for local entrepreneurs which would allow them the funds for start-up while stimulating the economy and a scheme to help low-income families own their own homes.
“If ever there was a time to put our differences aside and work together in the interest of rebuilding our island home it is now and I am dedicated to working with all who have the same goal and are willing to put egos and personal interests aside to do what is best for St Read more

That the financial state of the country is worrisome is a no-brainer. But we all should be alarmed.
This dismal picture is all the more clear with the presentation of the amendments to the 2017 budget by the Minister of Finance. These amendments have been in the make for some time, but the format had to be changed from one that amended a proposed pre-hurricane Irma amendment, to one that amended the approved budget 2017. At least, this is what government says.
However, Government’s tardiness with the 2017 budget amendment has more to do with government’s reluctance to concede
that while they engaged in a shouting match of “over my dead body”, the country financially was bleeding to death Read more

Sarah: “The Fall Of The Marlin Cabinet Justified By The Horrific Financial And Economic Outlook Of St. Maarten”

PHILIPSBURG - That the financial state of the country is worrisome is a no-brainer. But we all should be alarmed, Leader of the Democratic Party (DP), Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams said on Friday.

“This dismal picture is all the more clear with the presentation of the amendments to the 2017 budget by the minister of Finance Read more