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>PHILIPSBURG: --- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications Hon. Claret Connor, expresses his deepest sympathy on behalf of his ministry and himself to the families of Mingo and Labega on the passing of their family member.
Former Minister of Finance of the Netherlands Antilles Frank Mingo passed away on Friday Read more

Minister Of Tourism Connor Speaks At Usm Pre-University Program

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications Hon. Claret Connor, on Saturday, August 15, 2015, had the honor to speak at the graduation ceremony for the first cohort of the Pre-University of St. Martin (USM) Program.

Some 20 students received their certificates for successfully completing the GED program as well as a few prerequisites making each student eligible to enroll in a USM degree program of their choice.  

Minister Connor on Sunday stated that what made the evening more remarkable, especially in light of the recent tragedy that struck the community a few days ago, is the fact that these promising individuals all carried their own unique recount about why this second chance was essential for them personally.

“Some of the presenters shared about students being promoted to advance grades because of their ability to learn quicker; while for others their aspirations were curtailed because of life or personal circumstances Read more

Minister Of Tourism Connor Expresses Condolences To The Mingo And Labega Families

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications Hon. Claret Connor, expresses his deepest sympathy on behalf of his ministry and himself to the families of Mingo and Labega on the passing of their family member.

Former Minister of Finance of the Netherlands Antilles Frank Mingo passed away on Friday.  He leaves to mourn his sons Chief Executive Officer of Port St Read more

Chef Dino takes St. Maarten flavours to South America

CUPECOY--Colombia will experience the culinary excellence for which St. Maarten is known when the island’s Iron Chef Dino Jagtiani of Temptation restaurant demonstrates his culinary alchemy at the 2015 Sabor Barranquilla gastronomic event in South America, August 21-23.

Jagtiani is only international chef at the event from the Caribbean. Other invited international chefs include Chefs Mikel Alonso of Spain, Narda Lepes and Marcelino Gómez of Argentina Read more

Impressed journalists already creating a buzz

AIRPORT--The international aviation and travel writers brought to St. Maarten by Princess Juliana International Airport SXM for a media tour this week have started to create a buzz in media coverage, even before leaving. The whirlwind trip has left them with plenty of material to write about what they have experienced personally as unique traits of travel in St. Maarten and hub partners Saba and St. Barths.

The 11 hand-picked journalists will be submitting their stories to more than 30 international media outlets and while some story ideas were pre-planned, others will be based on where the wind took them.

One highlight, an impromptu and unscripted one-minute video of Domino's Pizza being delivered to Saba on Winair, already has gone viral Read more

Condolence Book – Gamali Benjamin

Citizens, colleagues and politicians flocked to the police station yesterday to sign the condolence register for the late Officer Gamali Benjamin. Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, and the ministers Hassink, Rita Bourne-Gumbs and Claret Connor were among those to sign the book.

Tomorrow from noon until 1.45 p.m Read more

In the Hotseat with D'shany York

D'shnay Mathew York outshone five other young ladies from the six Dutch Caribbean islands at the Miss Caribbean Islands Pageant held at Festival Village in The Bottom, Saba, on July 30. The 18-year-old speaks about herself and her experience in this week's Hot Seat.

Who D'shnay York?

I am outgoing, vivacious, a little goofy, regular teenager who enjoys dancing, modelling, acting, singing and of course nurturing my biggest love, which is pageantry.

Education?

I am currently attending the academic section of St 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

Wescot-Williams About Tourism Authority: “Government Believes It Can Fool All The People, All Of The Time”

St. Maarten – Is a letter Tourism and Economic Affairs Minister Claret Connor sent to parliament on June 22 “a scam”? Democratic Party MP Sarah Wescot-Williams asks that question in a press statement about the fledgling St Read more

Editorial - Perfect occasion

Today’s news that St. Maarten will host the 2015 Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) conference is most welcome. Visiting yachts have become important contributors to the local tourism economy, due in part to the annual Heineken Regatta, construction or expansion of various marinas and the widening of the drawbridge channel.

The last few years have seen some less-than-positive developments like losing the boat charter show, but overall the destination remains relatively strong in terms of its marine industry Read more

Miami 2 St. Maarten schedule announced

PHILIPSBURG—Boxing card Miami 2 St. Maarten will feature Roy Jones Jr. against Danny Santiago at Festival Village August 29. Tickets start at US $50 with ringside seating set at $100 and a VIP table that seats 10 goes for $2,500.
 The schedule for events leading up to the fight and the after match concert were announced at a press conference at the Claude Wathey Legislative Hall yesterday.  Attending the conference were Erno Labega from the St Read more

Condolence Book For Officer Gamali Benjamin Being Signed

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - On Tuesday many persons were seen in the Philipsburg Police Station signing the Condolence book for the late Gamali Benjamin.

The Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, Minister Rita Bourne Gumbs, Minister Read more

Sarah raises concerns about Tourism Authority

PHILIPSBURG--Democratic Party (DP) leader Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams has raised concerns about Tourism and Economic Affairs Minister Claret Connor’s apparent plans to disband the existing foundation governing the St Read more

Mp Tamara Leonard Calls For 'Straight Outta Compton' To Not Be Screened Here

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Do not screen the biopic "Straight Outta Compton" in St. Maarten. This was the message communicated to Caribbean Cinemas and the Censorship Committee of St. Maarten by United People's (UP) party Member of Parliament (MP) Tamara Leonard Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications Hon. Claret Connor, says the shooting of a Police Officer in the line of duty is a wakeup call for the Sint Maarten community at large with respect to the scourge of crime plaguing the country.
“My prayers are with Officer Benjamin, his family and with the men and women who serve our country as law enforcement officials from all branches of the justice system Read more

Minister Of Tourism Connor Says Shooting Of Police A Wakeup Call. Prayers Are With Officer Benjamin, Family And Colleagues For His Recovery

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications Hon. Claret Connor, says the shooting of a Police Officer in the line of duty is a wakeup call for the Sint Maarten community at large with respect to the scourge of crime plaguing the country.

"My prayers are with Officer Benjamin, his family and with the men and women who serve our country as law enforcement officials from all branches of the justice system Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:----  Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, and Transport & Telecommunications Hon. Claret Connor, recently attended the 31st Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition (CANTO 2015) of the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication (CANTO) in Miami, Florida.
The conference and exhibition was held under the theme “Improving Lives through Broadband Innovation.”
The key note speaker, the Hon Read more

Minister Of Telecommunications Connor Attends 31St Canto 2015 About Improving Lives Through Broadband Innovation

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, and Transport & Telecommunications Hon. Claret Connor, recently attended the 31st Annual Conference and Trade Exhibition (CANTO 2015) of the Caribbean Association of National Telecommunication (CANTO) in Miami, Florida.

The conference and exhibition was held under the theme "Improving Lives through Broadband Innovation."

The key note speaker, the Hon Read more

Holding Public Office is indeed a family Affair on St. Maarten.

style="text-align: center;">Former Purchasing Officer of GEBE to take over Ministry of TEATT.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Ernest Sams the uncle in law of Member of Parliament Leona Romeo Marlin will be taking over the Ministry of TEATT as Minister Claret Conner moves over to the Ministry of VROMI. SMN News published months ago that Sams is the candidate that was selected and will be appointed by Member of Parliament Leona Marlin Romeo who is now an independent member of parliament Read more

Minister to sidestep foundation to create Tourism Authority

PHILIPSBURG--The St. Maarten Tourism Authority (STA) Foundation has been declared obsolete. Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Claret Connor now says the STA will be established without the intermediary foundation due to stagnation in progress caused by delays and lack of common vision on how to move forward.

Minister Connor reacted on Monday to requests for comment in light of last week Friday’s front page story describing the foundation as being in limbo Read more

No word yet on completion of minister candidates screening

PHILIPSBURG--It has been more than a month since the submission for screening a minister candidate to join the Marcel Gumbs Cabinet and there has not been any word about whether and when the candidate will be sworn in to office. There also has not been any information about the progress of the screening from authorities.

The candidate, who is expected to take up the post of Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT), is former utilities company GEBE employee Ernest Sams.

Following a successful screening, Sams is to take up that post and current minister Claret Connor is slated to move to the portfolio of Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI Read more

Editorial - The necessary guidance

The names of two proposed new ministers who are to complete the current Gumbs cabinet of five and reach the normal seven members have been leaked (see related story). It reportedly regards former GEBE employee Ernest Sams and labour mediator Raphael Boasman.

Sams is to occupy the portfolio of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), so that Claret Connor can move on to Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI Read more

Senior Carnival Queen vies in Nevis pageant

PHILIPSBURG--Senior Carnival Queen Phausha Winklaar will compete in the Ms. Caribbean Culture Queen Pageant tonight, August 3, in her capacity as Miss St. Maarten, as part of Nevis’ Culturama festival. This will be the first time she represents St. Maarten abroad.

Winklaar was sent off with best wishes by sponsors Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Claret Connor and Windward Islands Airways International Winair Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications Hon. Claret Connor, is one of the proud sponsors of Miss Sint Maarten 2015/2016 Phausha Winklaar.
Winklaar will be participating in the Ms. Caribbean Culture Queen Pageant that is taking place on the island of Nevis on Monday, August 3.
“I would like to wish Miss Sint Maarten Winklaar much success on Monday evening as she represents her country at the pageant Read more