SXMElections.com

SER: Only 20 per cent live below poverty line

HARBOUR VIEW--Only 20 to 25 per cent of the country’s population can be tagged as living below the poverty line by using the country’s actual minimum wage, according to the Social Economic Council SER in its recent unsolicited advice to Government on the establishment of “Boost St. Maarten” – a conditional cash transfers programme to reduce poverty.

The preliminary results of the 2011 Census show that some 20 per cent of households live on NAf Read more

>SIMPSON BAY:----For the fourth consecutive year, the Princess Juliana International Airport, SXM, in collaboration with Domino’s Pizza, will be saying “Bon Voyage” to about 30 students who will be departing the island Sunday, August 2, 2015, to further their studies in The Netherlands.
Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, Minister of Education, Sports, Culture & Youth Affairs Rita Bourne-Gumbs, and SXM Airport’s Managing Director Regina LaBega will all address the students before they board the KLM aircraft that will take them to Schiphol, Amsterdam.
During the special send-off, the students, while enjoying pizza and refreshments distributed by Domino’s Pizza, will be entertained by DJ King Kembe and MC Suppa.
They will also receive goodie bags containing SXM branded gift items fit for college-bound students Read more

Sxm To Say Bon Voyage To Holland-Bound Students Sunday

SIMPSON BAY, St. Maarten — For the fourth consecutive year, the Princess Juliana International Airport, SXM, in collaboration with Domino's Pizza, will be saying "Bon Voyage" to about 30 students who will be departing the island Sunday, August 2, 2015, to further their studies in The Netherlands.

Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, Minister of Education, Sports, Culture & Youth Affairs Rita Bourne-Gumbs, and SXM Airport's Managing Director Regina LaBega will all address the students before they board the KLM aircraft that will take them to Schiphol, Amsterdam.

During the special send-off, the students, while enjoying pizza and refreshments distributed by Domino's Pizza, will be entertained by DJ King Kembe and MC Suppa.

They will also receive goodie bags containing SXM branded gift items fit for college-bound students Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---- Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, Minister of Finance Martin Hassink, Vice Presidents of Parliament Leona Marlin-Romeo and Cornelius de Weever were in Anguilla last Friday to attend the change of the guard at the Monetary Council of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB).
In a ceremony that took place on July 24, Anguilla’s Chief Minister Victor Banks became the chairman which was held by Prime Minister of St Read more

>In a further reaction to the governing program 2014 -2018, " Ready to work for you", as received by Parliament from Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs , I cannot but express utter disappointment in the document that should have spelled out government's vision for the remainder of this governing term.

Considering that the government has presented the program to Parliament, I consider this the program of the Gumbs-cabinet Read more

Chief Minister Banks takes over chairmanship of Monetary Council

ANGUILLA--At a ceremony on Friday, July 24, the chairmanship of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) was handed over from Ralph Gonsalves Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to Anguilla’s Chief Minister Victor Banks. Members of the Monetary Council from the eight countries represented were preceded by the country’s flag held by members of the Pathfinders as they walked into the ceremony.

Governor of the ECCB Sir Dwight Venner welcomed those present to the 82nd meeting noting that the ECCB started in 1983 and since that time has maintained a stable Eastern Caribbean currency and low inflation Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:----- Prime Minister Hon. Marcel Gumbs invited Tracy Blijden who recently graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management from Johnson and Wales University.
Blijden spent one month in Singapore and is now off to Germany to further gain experience and expand her craft in culinary arts. To hig Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Hon. Marcel Gumbs earlier in the week received the Ombudsman 2014 Annual Report from Ombudsman Dr. Nilda Arduin. Also present for the presentation was student and former chair of the Youth Parliament, Rochana Richardson, who is currently on a summer job stint at the Ombudsman Bureau. The report has been sent to Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs Receives 2014 Ombudsman Annual Report

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Prime Minister Hon. Marcel Gumbs earlier in the week received the Ombudsman 2014 Annual Report from Ombudsman Dr. Nilda Arduin.

Also present for the presentation was student and former chair of the Youth Parliament, Rochana Richardson, who is currently on a summer job stint at the Ombudsman Bureau.

The report has been sent to the Council of Ministers for further review and handling.

In Photo: L to R: Prime Minister Hon Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs Invites Culinary Student To Showcase Talents

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Prime Minister Hon. Marcel Gumbs invited Tracy Blijden who recently graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts and Food Service Management from Johnson and Wales University.

Blijden spent one month in Singapore and is now off to Germany to further gain experience and expand her craft in culinary arts.

To highlight the accomplishments of this young local professional, Blijden just 22 years of age, was invited by the Prime Minister to prepare lunch for the Council of Ministers.

In Photo: L to R: Prime Minister Hon Read more

Court Rules Reappointment Rennie Maduro Null And Void (Former Gebe C.O.O.)

St. Maarten – Utilities Company Gebe won its lawsuit against its former Chief Operating Officer Rennie Maduro and by extension against the Council of Ministers (CoM) on Thursday. The Court in First Instance ruled that the CoM’s decision Ministers to extend Maduro’s contract by two years is null and void. It banned Maduro from taking management decisions for the company, barred his access to the Gebe-officers and authorized Gebe to de-register Maduro as a director of the company. Gebe does not have to pay Maduro any more salary.

The court ruling brings the rules for the appointment of directors at government-owned companies sharply into focus and sets a clear limit to the CoM’s authority.

On May 29, the CoM signed a decree to extend Maduro’s contract that formally ended on May 31, by two years Read more

Police Honor Justice Minister Richardson

Justice Minister Richardson receives a badge of honor from Commissioner Carl John. Photo Today / Leo Brown

 

International Justice Day commemorated 

St. Maarten – The uniformed services celebrated International Justice Day yesterday afternoon at the Festival Village. Eighteen men and women who dedicated more than 40 years to the justice system were honored.

The VKS stood out during the marching showcase with creative chants and in synch footwork, earning applause from the attendees Read more

Ombudsman registered 68 new complaints in 2014

PHILIPSBURG--The Ombudsman Bureau registered 68 new complaints in 2014 while four cases from 2012 and 24 from 2013 were handled last year. A total of 130 investigations were closed in 2014, of which 54 were new complaints registered from that year.

In 30 cases, the Ombudsman issued recommendations, according to the bureau's Year Report 2014. Some 26 to 43 per cent of the 62 recommendations were followed up by the year's end by government.

A highlight for the past year was Ombudsman Nilda Arduin making use of her competence provided for by law to inform Parliament immediately upon closing the investigation of a case regarding the findings and the decision.

By letter of June 10, 2014, the Ombudsman reported, pursuant to article 23 of the National Ordinance Ombudsman, to Parliament regarding the findings in a complaint filed by a resident against Kadaster and Hypotheekwezen (Land Titles and Mortgages) Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- As the uproar continues within the United Peoples Party (UPP) since most Members of Parliament from the UPP faction are in disagreement with their leader Theodore Heyliger, at least two Members of Parliament from the UPP faction and two of their coalition partners have decided to take the bull by its horns to do the work of the people.
SMN News understands that some of the UPP MP’s are saying that their leader is not leading the country instead he is always off island making his business deals which is causing serious problems within the party.
Therefore MP Franklin Meyers who is the deputy leader of the UPP and faction leader took the bull by its horns and decided along with MP Tamara Leonard, coalition partners Independent Members of Parliament Leona Marlin Romeo and Cornelius de Weever and presented their governing program to Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs in the presence of Minister Claret Connor on July 16th 2015 Read more

International Association For Caribbean Archaeology Opens 26Th Congress On St. Maarten

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The 26th congress of the International Association for Caribbean Archaeology was officially opened on St. Maarten Monday morning.

Hundreds of delegates from the wider Caribbean are currently on the island for the congress which opening ceremony was attended by officials from Host St. Maarten north and south, Anguilla and Guadeloupe.

Prime Minister the Honorable Marcel Gumbs in his opening address welcomed the congress attendees to the island whilst sharing with them information on the strong bonds that exist between the islands.

Also in attendance on Monday morning was Cathrine Questal, the honorable Minister of Culture on St Read more

International Association For Caribbean Archaeology Opens 26Th Congress On St. Maarten

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The 26th congress of the International Association for Caribbean Archaeology was officially opened on St. Maarten Monday morning.

Hundreds of delegates from the wider Caribbean are currently on the island for the congress which opening ceremony was attended by officials from Host St. Maarten north and south, Anguilla and Guadeloupe.

Prime Minister the Honorable Marcel Gumbs in his opening address welcomed the congress attendees to the island whilst sharing with them information on the strong bonds that exist between the islands.

Also in attendance on Monday morning was Cathrine Questal, the honorable Minister of Culture on St Read more

Mp Emanuel Seeking Information On Gebe

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - MP the honorable Christopher Emanuel issued a call to the Prime Minister the Honorable Marcel Gumbs over the weekend to provide information on the matter of GEBE and the street lights project.

According to the MP, the legal battle involving the company is now over and that there is no more excuse for the Pr Read more

Mp Emanuel Seeking Information On Gebe

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - MP the honorable Christopher Emanuel issued a call to the Prime Minister the Honorable Marcel Gumbs over the weekend to provide information on the matter of GEBE and the street lights project.

According to the MP, the legal battle involving the company is now over and that there is no more excuse for the Pr Read more

Cooperation underscored by country’s justice officials

POND ISLAND--The strength that comes from cooperation and the need for it within the justice chains and with the wider community was the common thread in the messages given to mark International Justice Day on Friday. The Ministry of Justice hosted a ceremony in Festival Village to recognise those that have given long and outstanding service to the community.

Justice Minister Dennis Richardson told the gathering a lot is being said about what is wrong in St. Maarten, but those naysayers are not aware or do not fully understand the challenges the country faced when it started to build its justice ministry with very little almost five years ago.

St Read more

Groeneveldt calls for law faculty at USM

POND ISLAND--Acting Governor Reynold Groeneveldt issued a strong call to government, the private sector and the University of St. Martin (USM) to work together post haste on the establishment of a law faculty at the university.

A “concerted effort” to get the law faculty in place must be made “without further delay,” said Groeneveldt at the ceremony in Festival Village on Friday afternoon to mark International Justice Day. Among those listening to his call were members of the Marcel Gumbs Cabinet, the Judiciary, uniformed services and private sector representatives.

The law faculty, when established, will “help strengthen” the justice chain and “provide opportunities” to people in the justice sector.

“Many people” in the community want to study the law, but are unable to go abroad to study due to job and other commitments Read more

Court orders Maduro not to act on behalf of GEBE

PHILIPSBURG--Pending the outcome of the court case concerning the validity of his reappointment as GEBE's Chief Operations Officer (COO) and Managing Director, the Court of First Instance has ordered Romelio Maduro not to perform any acts of administration on behalf of the utility company.

Maduro was banned from accessing the GEBE offices and the Judge empowered GEBE to scrap Maduro's name as company Director from the Chamber of Commerce's registers.

GEBE's Supervisory Board and Maduro squared off in the Court of First Instance in an injunction concerning his suspension Read more

Court orders Maduro not to act on behalf of GEBE

PHILIPSBURG--Pending the outcome of the court case concerning the validity of his reappointment as GEBE’s Chief Operations Officer (COO) and Managing Director, the Court of First Instance has ordered Romelio Maduro not to perform any acts of administration on behalf of the utility company.

Maduro was also banned from accessing the GEBE offices. The Judge also empowered GEBE to scrap Maduro’s name as company director from the Chamber of Commerce’s registers.

GEBE’s Supervisory Board and Maduro squared off in the Court of First Instance in an injunction concerning his suspension Read more

style="text-align: center;">International Justice Day

PHILIPSBURG:---- Acting governor for country St. Maarten his excellency Reynold Groeneveld called for a law faculty for the island during his address at the ceremony for comemorate justice day on Friday July 17. St. Maarten should work with the University of St. Martin to establish this as soon as possible said the acting governor.
The uniform division of the Justice chain marched from the Police station
in Philipsburg to the Festival village for the ceremony Read more

Govt: contractors must plan, prepare for hurricane threat

PHILIPSBURG--Contractors and builders are requested to have a plan in place to prepare and secure their job sites in the event of a hurricane threat to the country, a press release by Department of Communication DComm urged. “Every effort should be made to be prepared in the event of a threat.”

Contractors and home builders during severe weather are responsible for securing job sites for the protection of the public, property and surrounding areas. Materials such as plywood, shingles, zinc, and other construction material could become flying missiles capable of impaling brick walls or anything in its way, the department warns.

“Construction debris can cause severe damage to property and lead to possible loss of life Read more