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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

DP: Govt misleading MPs, public on pension age hike

PHILIPSBURG--The Democratic Party (DP) has sent a letter to Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs on the increase of the pension age to 62.

In a press release on Wednesday, DP Leader Sarah Wescot-Williams said the party believes government is misleading parliament and the people of St Read more

style="text-align: center;">St. Maarten Community Turned out in large numbers to pay tribute the fallen cop who died in the line of his duties.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Hundreds of persons gathered in front of the Philipsburg Police Station to witness the military funeral service that was held on Thursday for fallen bike patrol Gamaili Kwasi Benjamin. Large buses were used to transport members of KPSM and officers from the other justice department to the Royal Funeral Home for those persons to pay their last respects to their fallen colleague 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

Gumbs says Govt did not ask for crime meeting to be closed door

PHILIPSBURG--Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs made it clear on Wednesday that no member of the Council of Ministers had requested that Parliament have the urgent Central Committee meeting on crime on Monday convened behind closed doors.

Gumbs told reporters at the biweekly Council of Ministers press briefing which resumed yesterday that Parliament invited the council to a closed door session Read more

>Dutch Civil Servant Bouman wants to control Justice on St. Maarten Illegally --- St. Maarten Justice Minister will stand up to him.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson commended the officers of the Police Force who managed to control their emotions and worked endless hours to capture the suspects believed to be involved in the armed robbery and shooting death of bike patrol Gamali Benjamin who would be laid to rest on Thursday. Minister Richardson who became obviously emotional when speaking about the officer’s death said it’s the first time in St Read more

style="text-align: center;">Says his cabinet was busy putting out fires, cleaning up mess and dealing with the Dutch for the past seven months

PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs became somewhat agitated and straight forward on Wednesday during the live Council of Ministers press briefing when SMN News posed several questions to the Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- In a letter dispatched to Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, the Democratic Party points out what in the party’s belief is a case of misleading parliament and the people of St. Maarten.
The decision to raise the pension age to 62 has been taken quite some time ago by the
(former) government of St Read more

Democratic Party Questions Government On The Pension Age Increase To 62 Years

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - In a letter dispatched to Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, the Democratic Party points out what in the party's belief is a case of misleading parliament and the people of St. Maarten.

The decision to raise the pension age to 62 has been taken quite some time ago by the (former) government of St Read more

Pm Marcel Gumbs About Officer Benjamin’S Passing: “This Country Is A Dimmer Place Without Him”

Composite photo celebrating the life of police Officer Gamali Benjamin. Photo Facebook

St. Maarten – “Never in our island’s history have we seen our local law enforcement forced to say farewell to one of their own, taken from us in the line of duty,” Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs said yesterday in a statement after the passing of police Officer Gamali Benjamin Read more

Council Of Ministers Saddened By Senseless Killing Of Police Officer Benjamin

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Council of Ministers of St. Maarten Wednesday resumed their press conferences, providing information to the community from the seat of government in Philipsburg.

The resumption of the information sessions comes at a time when the St. Maarten community is mourning, mourning the violent death of a young police officer who served the community of St. Maarten well, at the hands of young bandits.

Minister responsible for Justice the Honorable Dennis Richardson was obviously broken at the senseless killing of Officer Benjamin who was gunned down last Wednesday during a Philipsburg robbery.

He died on Saturday at the St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- On Friday August 7th 2015, the Department of Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs (CDFHA) honored members of various NGOs and Community Councils that successfully completed the Capacity Building Program that took place in 2014, with a continuation in 2015 with accredited courses at the University of St. Martin.

Sixty Four (64) participants successfully completed the program which was originally sponsored by USONA and the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labor.

The primary objective of the Capacity Building Program is to offer support and to enhance the skills and performance of NGOs and Community Councils 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

Cdfha Hosts Award Ceremony For Ngos & Community Councils

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten — On Friday August 7th 2015, the Department of Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs (CDFHA) honored members of various NGOs and Community Councils that successfully completed the Capacity Building Program that took place in 2014, with a continuation in 2015 with accredited courses at the University of St. Martin.

Sixty Four (64) participants successfully completed the program which was originally sponsored by USONA and the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labor.

The primary objective of the Capacity Building Program is to offer support and to enhance the skills and performance of NGOs and Community Councils.

The training was given free of charge and focused on "Financial Management", "Subsidy Ordinance", "Governance", "Tax administration for NGOs", "Program Development", "Marketing & Public Relations" and "Strategic Alliance Formation".

Reverend Baptiste did the Invocation and Ms Read more

Benjamin will be buried with ‘official honours’

PHILIPSBURG--A large section of the country was plunged into mourning on Saturday when bike patrol Police Officer Gamali “Benji” Benjamin succumbed to injuries he sustained when he was shot while responding to an armed robbery at Oro Diamante on Front Street on Wednesday, August 5.

He passed away peacefully at St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC). Justice Minister Dennis Richardson said on Sunday that Benjamin would be buried with “official honours.”

As word spread of Benjamin’s passing, some persons visited SMMC, while scores of others turned to social media to express their sadness Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs announces flags at half-mast for Police Officer Benjamin

PHILIPSBURG – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs in solidarity with the nation instructed according to protocol to have flags flown at half-mast out of respect after a law enforcement official was killed in the line of duty. 

Police Officer G. Benjamin from the Sint Maarten Police Force was seriously wounded on Wednesday, August 5 wh Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:----“The Public Service Center (PSC) at Simpson Bay and the one to be established in the New Government Building, is a representation of promoting better service to the community. Strong public services are often society’s most powerful development resource,” Prime Minister/Minister of General Affairs Marcel Gumbs said on Thursday.
Gumbs adds that a strong public service can build institutions that play a huge role in enabling people to fulfil their potential within an environment where their ideas, actions and society as a whole can flourish.
The PSC which falls under the Ministry of General Affairs, should be seen in the light of Government’s first steps in becoming a leader in public service excellence based on the one-stop service provider concept.

“We are in the process of building a professional public service with integrity, diversity and a focus on clients and result oriented Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---- “As Prime Minister it’s my distinct honor to extend my support to the staff of the Department of Labor Affairs and Social Services for the upcoming Start Here Campaign, which as I understand aims to boost the jobseekers database to meet the very diverse needs of the local labor market,” Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs pointed out recently.
“It is an initiative that I fully encourage as we have made tackling employment challenges an important part of the governing program ‘Ready to Work for You’ Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  On Saturday August 8th, 2015 the Minister of Justice the Honorable Dennis Richardson received the disheartening news that Officer Benjamin had passed away at the Sint Maarten Medical Center as a direct result of the severe gunshot injuries he sustained while exercising his duties and protecting the residents and visitors of Sint Maarten. Minister Richardson and Prime Minister Mr. Marcel Gumbs immediately visited the Medical Center to pay their respects to Officer Benjamin and tried to comfort the many family members and colleagues who were clearly in soul wrenching pain from the passing of Benjamin.

The Minister and the entire Ministry of Justice extend their deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late Officer Benjamin Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs on Sunday, August 9th issued the following statement with respect to the passing of Police Officer Gamali Benjamin.
My fellow St. Maarteners,
“My heart is heavy as I offer, my family’s and Government’s deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Officer Gamali Benjamin. Officer Benjamin was firstly a son, a father and a husband to those who loved and knew him best, and this is a profound loss that no parent, child or spouse should have to suffer.
“Government has sworn that everything within our power will be done to bring those who have perpetrated these crimes to justice.
“I would be remiss, however, if I did not also offer condolences to Officer Benjamin’s colleagues, his second family, at the KPSM (Police Force Sint Maarten) Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs announces flags at half-mast for Police Officer Benjamin

>PHILIPSBURG:---- Prime Minister Hon. Marcel Gumbs in solidarity with the nation instructed according to protocol to have flags flown at half-mast out of respect after a law enforcement official was killed in the line of duty.
Police Officer G. Benjamin from the Sint Maarten Police Force was seriously wounded on Wednesday, August 5 while attending to a call of a robbery on Front Street Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- United People’s (UP) Party Member of Parliament (MP) Maurice Lake wrote a letter to the Acting Minister of the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Marcel Gumbs, addressing the concerns of residents of Marigot Hill regarding the placement of a NV GEBE street light at Soursop Road #42.

“In that specific area at night it’s very dark and is well-known for car stripping by criminal elements Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs: Strong Public Services Are A Powerful Development Resource

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – "The Public Service Center (PSC) at Simpson Bay and the one to be established in the New Government Building, is a representation of promoting better service to the community.

Strong public services are often society's most powerful development resource," Prime Minister/Minister of General Affairs Marcel Gumbs said on Thursday.

Gumbs adds that a strong public service can build institutions that play a huge role in enabling people to fulfil their potential within an environment where their ideas, actions and society as a whole can flourish.

The PSC which falls under the Ministry of General Affairs, should be seen in the light of Government's first steps in becoming a leader in public service excellence based on the one-stop service provider concept.

"We are in the process of building a professional public service with integrity, diversity and a focus on clients and result oriented Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs Endorses The Start Here Campaign To Tackle Employment Challenges

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – "As Prime Minister it's my distinct honor to extend my support to the staff of the Department of Labor Affairs and Social Services for the upcoming Start Here Campaign, which as I understand aims to boost the jobseekers database to meet the very diverse needs of the local labor market," Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs pointed out recently.

"It is an initiative that I fully encourage as we have made tackling employment challenges an important part of the governing program 'Ready to Work for You' Read more