SXMElections.com

Pfp: Reaction To Supreme Court Opinion

Failures to Protect Constitution and Autonomy of Country Sint Maarten

PHILIPSBURG – Disappointed was the sentiment within the Party for Progress (PFP) after the Supreme Court in the Netherlands issued their opinion on the Braam case in Curacao. The disappointment, however, is not with the opinion that has been issued, but with the fact that St. Maartens democratic process was interfered with by the Cabinet of the Governor Read more

Mp Emmanuel: Clarity Needed On Former JacobS Government Deal With Gridmarket

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — MP Christophe Emmanuel, leader of the Nation Opportunity Wealth (NOW) party, has voiced strong concerns over revelations that the former Silveria Jacobs government signed an exclusive agreement with GridMarket in violation of GEBE’s concession.

GridMarket is a private company that approached the former National Alliance led government in 2021 with the hopes of securing the facilitation of clean energy on St Read more

Vng Caribbean Desk Set To Launch On July 1

 HAZERSWOUDE-DORP--The Ministry of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations BZK and the Association of Dutch Municipalities VNG have come together to open the VNG Caribbean Desk for the Caribbean Netherlands, which will serve as a central point of contact for Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba. The VNG Caribbean Desk will open on Monday, July 1, 2024, and is co-financed by BZK.

VNG Chairperson Sharon Dijksma and BZK Ministry Kingdom Relations Director-general Roald Lapperre announced the VNG Caribbean Desk during the annual VNG congress at a large plant nursery in HazersWoude-Dorp in the Netherlands on Tuesday, June 25.

With the launch of the Caribbean Desk, VNG wants to further contribute to increasing support to the public entities Bonaire, St Read more

Vromi State Of Affairs Minister Patrice Gumbs Provides Comprehensive Update

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Minister of VROMI and Deputy Prime Minister Patrice Gumbs issued a media statement on Tuesday, 25 June 2024, where he provided a comprehensive update on the state of affairs within the Ministry of VROMI and what his Cabinet has been and will continue to work on following his swearing in.

The Ministry of VROMI has faced challenges for many years, Gumbs stated Read more

DATE ISSUED: Tuesday 25th June 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) 26th June 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Hot, humid, and hazy. Brief showers are possible.Forecast High: 33C / 91F               Forecast Low: 28C / 82FSunset Today: 6:52 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:39 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Northeast to easterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 8 to 18 mph and higher gusts.SYNOPSIS: A thick plume of Saharan dust brings drier conditions across the region and restricts significant shower activity Read more

The Point Blanche Prison Invests In New Medical Equipment To Enhance Healthcare Services

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten In a significant move to address longstanding concerns about the quality of medical services, the Point Blanche Prison of Sint Maarten has purchased a comprehensive range of new medical equipment via the Sint Maarten Diagnostic Center. This investment is a pivotal step toward improving the healthcare facilities and ensuring that both inmates and staff receive the highest standard of medical care.

The new equipment, which includes essential diagnostic and treatment instruments, such as an otoscope, mobile BP apparatus, AED equipment, portable blood pressure, temperature and glucose meters, emergency crash kits, medication cabinets and more, aims to upgrade the prison’s healthcare capabilities significantly Read more

Now Warns Public To Beware Of Instigators, Focus On Progress

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Board of the Nation Opportunity Wealth (NOW) Party on Thursday issued a strong warning to the people of St. Maarten to remain vigilant against the instigators within the opposition parties. These parties, having spent four years in government without making any significant progress, are now attempting to mislead the public by trying to cover the fact that their fingerprints are all over the country’s shortcomings.

“Remember why you voted them out in January Read more

Minister Lewis Re-Assures Prison Personnel,Says Political Game-Playing Has No Place

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Minister of Justice Lyndon Lewis re-assured personnel at the Point Blanche prison, as he did when he took office, that all their concerns have his fullest attention and to be careful with politicians who will seek to gain political mileage on the serious issues they (prison personnel) are contending with.

One of the first things the Minister did when taking office was to meet with prison management about several pressing issues and seek a responsible and prudent way forward Read more

A Robust Maintenance Program Needed At Cargo Facility, Says Grisha

GREAT BAY Hon. Grisha Heyliger-Marten, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT) and the Port St. Maarten Group of Companies have agreed on the necessity to implement a robust maintenance program at the Cargo facility to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and cost management.

At a meeting held recently, the port made a commitment to prioritize the issue of maintenance and will work closely with the Ministry of TEATT to ensure that its operations align with St Read more

Mp Kotai: Aps Funding Possible Solution To Gebe Crisis

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Member of Parliament Viren Kotai (Democratic Party) proposes seeking funding from the General Pension Fund (APS) to acquire new generators for the ailing utilities company GEBE. Kotai will present the proposal and other points during the parliamentary meeting scheduled for Monday, June 17, 2024, about the ongoing GEBE crisis.

Kotai said in a press statement on Sunday, “By collaborating with the Council of Ministers (COM), APS, and GEBE, we can address the funding needs for new generators.” He emphasized that APS, as a government-funded pension fund, and GEBE, being entirely government-owned, make this collaboration both logical and feasible.

According to MP Kotai, GEBE has not invested in new engines, resulting in inadequate electricity production amidst the growing demands of the St Read more

Minister Lewis Meets With School Bus Operators

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Minister of Justice, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport the Honorable Lyndon Lewis described his meeting with school bus operators on Sunday as very fruitful and one of the final steps towards finalizing a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the operators. The SLA is important to professionalize the school bus transport system up to improved and acceptable standards.

It also means the eventual realization of the school bus management system to streamline and optimize the management of the school transportation services Read more

Teatt Minister Holds Strategy Meeting To Coordinate Fcca Conference

GREAT BAY The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) will be celebrating its 35th anniversary with a conference, hosted by St. Maarten from October 21 to 25, 2024. The conference is expected to attract between 800 and 900 participants.

Noting that some stakeholders like the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA), were unaware of this conference until recently, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication, Grisha Heyliger-Marten held a strategic planning meeting Friday with representatives of Port St Read more

Grisha Discusses Product Enhancement With Shta Executive Board

GREAT BAY Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunications, Grisha Heyliger-Marten met with the Executive Board of the St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) on Friday, June 14, 2024.

During the meeting, part of the ministers continued efforts to engage all stakeholders in her plans to revitalize the islands economy, she outlined her primary goals, focusing on product enhancement and beautification efforts to improve St Read more

Sint Maarten Secures Scholarships From India

The Hague — The Government of Sint Maarten has been awarded two training slots for participation in the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Program. Operated by the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ITEC is a program that offers both onsite and online courses and trainings. It also provides for exchange of technical expertise and capacity building.

In this pilot stage, Sint Maarten will have access to the short-term courses. The Government, through the Department of Foreign Relations, has been lobbying with the Indian Government through its Embassies in Venezuela, Panama, and the Netherlands for inclusion in the program.

Over the last few years, engagement with the Indian Government increased significantly, and the Cabinet (Sint Maarten House) worked tirelessly to support and nurture this relationship Read more

Gevmin Announces Sint Maarten Diaspora Database Project

THE NETHERLANDS — In the margins of the annual Interparliamentary Kingdom consultations (IPKO), the Ministers Plenipotentiary Patrice Gumbs and Deputy Gracita Arrindell hosted a reception for the Members of Parliament and members of the Sint Maarten community at the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary (Sint Maarten House), earlier this week, under the theme Connecting Horizons: Strengthening the Sint Maarten Community Abroad.

Chosen by the President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams, the theme reflects the growing call for engagement with the Sint Maarten communities abroad (the diaspora) and the Government at home.

In his address, Minister Plenipotentiary Gumbs acknowledged the differences between the communities, but that opportunities existed if we found ways to bridge the gap Read more

 DATE ISSUED: Thursday 13th June 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) 14th June 2024WEATHER:This afternoon through Friday midday: Hot and humid, with isolated showers.Forecast High: 33 C / 91 F              Forecast Low: 28 C / 82 FSunset Today: 6:49 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:37 A.M.SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Friday midday: Northeast to southeasterly with a light to gentle breeze of 6 to 12 mph.SYNOPSIS: A relatively stable atmosphere and gentle winds support hot and humid conditions across the region today Read more

Minister Of Vsa Engages InAProductive Week Focused On Mental Health Initiatives

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Minister of VSA had a very informative week, beginning with a virtual meeting with the NRPB and the World Bank to discuss an update of the progress and pending next steps needed to ensure a positive outcome for the Mental Health Project. This meeting was crucial in setting the direction for future initiatives aimed at improving mental health services in Sint Maarten.

Following the virtual discussions, the Ministerof VSA Ms. Veronica Jansen-Webster, alongside the Minister of FinanceMs Read more

Dr. Rhoda Arrindell, New President Of Caribbean Studies Association

CASTRIES, St. Lucia On Friday, June 7, the 48th Annual Caribbean Studies Association (CSA) Conference concluded with the Award Ceremony and Closing Gala at the Razmataz Tandoori restaurant in St. Lucia.

After presenting awards and recognizing individuals, including past presidents, for their decades of service to CSA, outgoing president Okama Ekpe Brook handed over the presidency to Dr. Rhoda Arrindell, an educator, author, and leading linguist of St Read more

Grisha Says Canada Travel Advisory No Cause To Panic

GREAT BAY The Government of Canada has advised its citizens traveling to St. Maarten to expect nationwide power outages. However, in its color-coded risk level travel advisory, it still gave St. Maarten, a Green status, which means that travelers should Exercise normal security precautions.

Commenting on the advisory, Grisha Heyliger-Marten, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT), noted that Green is the lowest risk level and indicates that the country is still safe for travel.

There is no cause to panic, Heyliger-Marten said Read more

Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina Concludes Urgent Work Visit To Washington, Dc

Washington, DC The Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina has successfully concluded his urgent work visit to Washington, DC, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to secure support for St. Maartens development initiatives. During this urgent work visit, PM Dr. Mercelina’s presence at the high-level meetings proved to be a game changer, highlighting his commitment to both the international community and St Read more

Acting Minister Of Ecys Lyndon Lewis Meets With Witu

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Acting Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Lyndon Lewis recently met with the board of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) to discuss several short- and long-term matters that require his attention.

Issues discussed included the repairs at the public schools, outstanding payments to teachers and school boards, proper placing of persons in correct scales with correct salaries among other things Read more

Brug Vows To Continue His Pledge To Take A Different Road

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Recently sworn in Member of Parliament Richinel Brug expressed in his first official press statement on Tuesday, 3rd June 2024 his dissatisfaction with all political parties. Over the past few weeks, there have been several political developments, some even making history, putting St. Maarten in a very unflattering spotlight Read more

Former Member Of Parliament Claude Peterson To Contest Snap Election With Sam Party

PHILIPSBURG — Former Member of Parliament and Engineer, Claude Chacho Peterson, has decided to run as a candidate in the upcoming snap elections on August 19th, 2024, with the Soualiga Action Movement (SAM) led by former Member of Parliament and Minister, Frankie Meyers.

Former MP Chacho Peterson: “Frankie and I have kept in touch over the years since being in a parliamentary coalition together in 2018-2019. Frankie was always true to his word towards me and this created a bond based on mutual respect, a love for St Read more