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>SIMPSON BAY:---- The proposed Aviation Training Academy of the Princess Juliana International Airport, SXM, is a “brilliant idea,” said Adam Twidell, a former Air Force pilot with the Royal Air Force (RAF) of the UK and one of the eleven journalists who were invited to participate in the media tour organized by SXM Airport.
Twidell, speaking at the final session of the packed media tour last Friday, said not only would the Academy cater to those who wish to pursue aviation studies, but could also result in their families coming to St Read more

St. Maarten Prime Minister wants critics to commit suicide

Dear Editor,

“Tie a stone around your neck and jump off the pier. Seek help from a psychologist, jump out of an airplane.” St. Maarten Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs told his critics recently that they can better commit suicide. He also made suggestions on how this best could be done. In a society of 45,000 people, such a statement has a big impact Read more

Residents are urged to re-check preparations

~ As Danny churns in Atlantic ~

PHILIPSBURG--Residents are urged by Prime Minister/Emergency Operations Centre Chairman Marcel Gumbs to re-check their preparations for the hurricane season, as Tropical Storm Danny makes its way across the tropical Atlantic.

The Office of Disaster Management (ODM) and the Meteorological Department of St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the National Disaster Coordinator Fire Chief Clive Richardson, are calling on residents to re-check their preparations for the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season, adding that this should have been done since June 1st when the season started.
The fourth storm of the season has formed, Tropical Storm Danny Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs Appraised Of Measures Taken By Ministry Vromi In Relation To Tropical Storm Danny

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), was informed on Wednesday about pre-storm/hurricane preparations by the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) in connection with any possible threat that Tropical Storm Danny could pose to the country.

Tropical Storm Danny is forecast to become a hurricane later in the week prior to it reaching the Lesser Antilles.  On Wednesday Danny was more than 1300 miles away.

“The preparations underway by Ministry VROMI takes into consideration the amount of time to prepare for any possible weather from Danny.  We have the lead time to prepare in the event we are confronted with a hurricane several days from now. 

It’s better to prepare now then wait until it’s at our doorstep Read more

Prime Minister And National Disaster Coordinator Calls On Nation To Re-Check Hurricane Season Preparations As Tropical Storm Danny Churns Out In Atlantic

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the National Disaster Coordinator Fire Chief Clive Richardson, are calling on residents to re-check their preparations for the 2015 Atlantic Hurricane Season, adding that this should have been done since June 1st when the season started.

The fourth storm of the season has formed, Tropical Storm Danny.  It is forecast to become a hurricane.  Residents and visitors are advised to monitor the progress of Danny closely even though it’s over 1300 miles away from the Lesser Antilles.

Coordinators from the 10 Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) of the country’s disaster management system have been instructed to review implementation action plans and to start pre-preparations in the event Danny should pose a threat to the country.

The Office of Disaster Management (ODM) and the Meteorological Department of Sint Maarten will be keeping the public informed as this storm approaches the Lesser Antilles.  The Governments Emergency Radio Broadcast System is also operational and on standby if necessary.  Radio listeners can tune in to 107.9 FM.

Residents, vacation-home owners, businesses and the yachting community are advised to use the next couple of days to check their hurricane preparation plans; review hurricane shutters and check what furniture and outdoor items should be removed in the event of a hurricane threat; use the time now to repair or purchase any items needed to secure your home or business; villa/home rental management agencies should check the aforementioned to make sure they are storm-ready; livestock owners should review their own storm preparations; warehouses/storage depots should check their surroundings and make sure they are storm ready in the event of a threat to the country.

Contractors and builders should review their site hurricane preparation plans as was already advised by the ODM back in July; review what items at the building site may need to be secured in the event of a threat; residents of homes along the coasts are requested to review their plans and to be ready to take action in the event of a passing storm/hurricane.

“Residents, vacation-home owners, businesses as well as the yachting community should use the next couple of days to review their preparations for the hurricane season.  We have Danny out in the Atlantic and the aforementioned should be ready to take the necessary action when required to do so. 

“Everybody should have learnt from the past.  Don’t wait until the last minute to check around your home and business or check your boat.  Do so in the coming days as it is better to be safe than sorry.  We have now entered the busy part of the hurricane season which runs from mid-August to mid-October.  Remember, it only takes one hurricane to make it a bad season.  Make sure you are ready and prepared,” Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs said on Wednesday.

The 10 ESFs are: GEBE/ESF-1, TelEm Group/ESF-2, Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI)/ESF-3, Fire Department/ESF-4, Police Department/ESF-5, Ministry of Public Health, Social Development & Labour/ESF-6 and 7, Department of Communication/ESF-8, Ministry of General Affairs/ESF-9, and Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT)/ESF-10. 

The remaining storm names for the Atlantic season are Erika, Fred, Grace, Henri, Ida, Joaquin, Kate, Larry, Mindy, Nicolas, Odette, Peter, Rose, Sam, Teresa, Victor, and Wanda.

The 2015 hurricane season officially runs through November 30.

In Photo: File Photo: Seated at the head of the table is National Disaster Coordinator/Fire Chief Clive Richardson (left) and Prime Minister Hon Read more

Fifth member of Corporate Governance Council soon

PHILIPSBURG--The fifth member of the Corporate Governance Council (CGC) is expected to be appointed by the Council of Ministers next week.

Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs told Parliament on Monday, the CGC headed by Chairman banker Perry Wilson, is "up and functioning." The council recently received some NAf Read more

Will the UP Faction die standing or will they live on their knees? Coalition buckled to the Dutch instead of safeguarding country’s autonomy.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The United Peoples Party, who has the majority in Parliament seem to have wasted their summer recess to put together some 16 amendments they wanted the Minister of Justice to change in the protocol he signed on June 2nd 2015 to avoid the Kingdom from placing St. Maarten under higher supervision. Based on what transpired in the Parliament of St. Maarten on Monday it is clear that the coalition including the faction leader of the UPP Franklin Meyers chose to live on his knees rather than dying standing when he opted to vote in favor of the draft law that was signed by Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson early June.
SMN News got hold of the draft document containing the amendments the UPP wanted before they vote in favor of the protocol, which they put aside on Monday simply to appease the Dutch Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  Prime Minister/Acting Minister of the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Marcel Gumbs is inviting the residents of Middle Region to a town hall meeting on Wednesday, August 19 regarding sewage connections.
Several notices have been placed in the Government Information Page already appealing to residents to attend this very important meeting.
The town hall meeting is about the sewage project in Middle Region where the various homes will be connected to the sewage system of the Government Read more

style="text-align: center;">Attorney General gain the support of the Dutch to annul guideline issued by St. Maarten Minister of Justice.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Attorney General of the countries St. Maarten, Curacao, Guus Schram has gained the support of the Dutch politicians who intend to annul a decision taken by St. Maarten’s Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson. According to a letter sent by Minister of Home and Kingdom Affairs Ronald Plasterk it states that the Attorney General of the countries Curacao and St Read more

Who is really destroying the country?

Dear Editor,

Government officials are transferring their guilt to the population, which speaks volumes to their insecurity and inability to lead effectively. They have assassinated our hopes, and so the ludicrousness of the idea that individuals, and the media, are destroying the country, is an accusation that cannot be further away from the truth. The blistering message to government is a demand to do things differently, because its approval rating is almost zero.    Therefore, this bleak situation should be a wake-up call for the authorities to acknowledge that the most important element in communication is having the ability to listen; and that real leaders stay connected to the inhabitants, in order to provide the best service possible Read more

Frank Mingo passes away in Colombia, flags at half-mast

PHILIPSBURG--Former Minister of Finance of the Netherlands Antilles Frank Mingo passed away at a hospital in Medellin, Colombia, at 11:50pm on Friday, August 14. He was 68.

Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications Claret Connor and the Port expressed condolences to the Mingo family on his passing.

Connor also extended condolences to Princess Juliana International Airport SXM Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Regina Labega on the passing of her mother Lillian Mildred Labega-Rohan, also on Friday.

Mingo was a well-known businessman in St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:----  Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs expresses his deepest sympathy to the Mingo family with respect to the passing of former Minister of Finance of the Netherlands Antilles Frank Mingo from 1998-1999.
Frank Mingo also served as Senator in the former Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles representing Sint Maarten from 1999 to 2002.
Mingo passed away on Friday night.
“It was indeed sad to learn about the passing of Frank Mingo Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs Expresses Condolences To The Mingo Family

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs expresses his deepest sympathy to the Mingo family with respect to the passing of former Minister of Finance of the Netherlands Antilles Frank Mingo from 1998-1999.

Frank Mingo also served as Senator in the former Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles representing Sint Maarten from 1999 to 2002.

Mingo passed away on Friday night.

“It was indeed sad to learn about the passing of Frank Mingo.  I worked with him when I was State Secretary of Justice, General and Interior Affairs from 1998 to 2002.

“On behalf of the Council of Ministers, I extend our condolences to the immediate family and friends of Frank Mingo during their time of bereavement,” Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs said on Sunday Read more

Editorial - It’s about time

Increasing the pensionable age from 60 to 62 was mentioned again, this time by DP leader Sarah Wescot-Williams (see Friday paper). All over the world similar steps are being taken to safeguard the funds in question.

With today's advanced medical treatment folks are simply living longer Read more

Gumbs apologises for suicide comments

PHILIPSBURG--Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs has issued an apology Friday for comments he made about suicide at the Council of Ministers Press Briefing on Wednesday. The Cabinet's Press Secretariat attributed "his outburst to frustration with what he has called the ongoing destructive conduct of certain media and community elements."

An emotional Gumbs on Wednesday heavily condemned persons, who he believes continue to paint the island black with negative comments 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

Plenary Session of Parliament set for Monday about Protocol Signed between Sint Maarten and the Netherlands and Integrity

>PHILIPSBURG:---- The House of Parliament will meet in a public plenary session on August 17th. The Minister of General Affairs Marcel Gumbs and the Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson, have confirmed to be present for the parliamentary session.

The plenary session is set for Monday at 10.00am in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelmina Straat #1 in Philipsburg.

This meeting was adjourned on June 22, 2015.

The agenda is the draft national ordinance to establish the Integrity Chamber.

The next agenda point is the protocol signed between the Governments of the Netherlands and Sint Maarten and the apparent unilateral decision by the Netherlands/Dutch Police Agencies regarding the Justice System on Sint Maarten.
Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary session will be carried live on St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---- Prime Minister Hon. Marcel Gumbs offered some clarification for statements he made at the bi-weekly Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday, 12 August.
The Prime Minister said that certain terms he used were indeed not necessary nor were they entirely representative of his own personal beliefs. He attributed his outburst to frustration with what he has called the ongoing destructive conduct of certain media and community elements.
The Prime Minister had the following message for the country:
“Indeed, my life has been touched by the tragedy of suicide Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs Clarifies Statements And Stands By Message

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Prime Minister Hon. Marcel Gumbs offered some clarification for statements he made at the bi-weekly Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday, 12 August. The Prime Minister said that certain terms he used were indeed not necessary nor were they entirely representative of his own personal beliefs. He attributed his outburst to frustration with what he has called the ongoing destructive conduct of certain media and community elements.

The Prime Minister had the following message for the country:

“Indeed, my life has been touched by the tragedy of suicide Read more

Emotional Pm Marcel Gumbs: “Don’T Destroy Our Country”: “If You’Re Suicidal Do It; Jump Off A Plane Or Something”

The Council of Ministers during yesterday’s press briefing. From left Ministers Connor, Gumbs, Richardson, Hassink and Bourne-Gumbs. Photo Today / Hilbert Haar

St. Maarten – It was supposed to be a solemn press briefing by the Council of Ministers yesterday morning but in the end, Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs turned up the heat and let all his frustrations fly 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

The final salute, massive crowd turns out to pay last respects to Benjamin

By Judy H. Fitzpatrick

PHILIPSBURG--A massive crowd turned out to pay their last respects to murdered bike patrol leader Police Officer Gamali "Benji" Kwasi Benjamin, who was laid to rest on Thursday in a ceremony fit for a hero.

Scores of persons converged in Philipsburg to witness the ceremony, which attracted mourners from all over the island, including the disciplined services and dignitaries of both Dutch St. Maarten and French St. Martin, and from Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, 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