Unbiased look at the Sint Maarten Elections
Answers Will Have To Wait Until Mid-January: Parliament Wants Clarity About Housing Foundation
St. Maarten – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs answered the call to appear in Parliament as the acting minister of public housing within 72 hours after he was sworn in on Friday. Members of Parliament appreciated that, even though Gumbs sent them on their way with a flea in their ear, after listening to questions about the chaos of the St. Maarten Housing Development foundation for more than two hours.
The minister brought to mind the words he spoke on Friday in the constituting meeting where his team officially took over the reins: “The country needs tranquility, stability, civility and prosperity.â€
Furthermore, Gumbs noted: “Integrity has been a buzz word this year Read more
Housing Foundation Board Member Elston Fos Speaks: “Lake Knew What Is Going Onâ€
St. Maarten – Four candidates for the three vacant positions on the supervisory board of the Sint Maarten Housing Development Foundation withdrew their candidacy this weekend “for fear of their lives,†attorney Jairo Bloem stated in a press release issued yesterday on behalf of the foundation.
It is the next step in an ugly situation that developed last week with a report that the managing director of the foundation, Henry Lynch had been suspended. Next thing anyone knew, someone attempted to shoot board member Elston Fos Read more
Editorial: Not Helpful (Vague Press Statement From Minister Lake)
Vromi-Minister Maurice Lake is apparently not aware of the finer details of the articles of incorporation that regulate the St. Maarten Housing Foundation. That leads to public statements that are at odds with reality – and nobody stands to benefit from that.
The foundation’s board should have five – not seven, as the minister claims in a press statement – members and as long as there is at least one member left, that board is legal.
Another point is of course that the board should take action without delay (meaning: immediately) once there are fewer than five board members Read more
Minister Lake Misreads Articles Of Incorporation:Â Chaos At Housing Foundation
St. Maarten – The actions by a lone board member of the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation (SMHDF) to request the government’s accountants bureau (Soab) to carry out a forensic investigation, and also into the purchase-to-pay process and remuneration process is premature, Vromi-Minister Maurice Lake states in a press release.
“I was not aware of this process Read more
Nature Foundation Helps Remove Wrecks From Lagoon
GREAT BAY–The St. Maarten Nature Foundation took part in the wide-scale cleanup of the Simpson Bay Lagoon spearheaded by Vromi Minister Maurice Lake and his ministry, in collaboration with the St. Maarten Marine Trades Association. The logistics were jointly organized by the Nature Foundation and the SMMTA.
During the cleanup the Nature Foundation focused on the removal of wrecks and major garbage on the lagoon Read more
Plans Little Bay Include Open Beach-Access
St. Maarten – Karis Development NV obtained a building permit for the construction of seven apartment buildings in Little Bay, between Little Bay Pond and the beach. The permit department at the Vromi-Ministry approved the permit on October 20. The building site became the center of a controversy earlier this week, after the landowner closed off public access to the beach. The gate has since then been reopened, but public concerns about free access to the beach persisted.
Vromi-Minister Maurice Lake showed the building plans yesterday to reporters Read more
Lake Calls For Volunteers For Simpson Bay Lagoon Clean Up
St. Maarten—A clean up of the Simpson Bay Lagoon is scheduled to take place this Saturday December 6 and Vromi Minister Maurice Lake is calling on the marine community, organizations, businesses, volunteers and students to come out and support this clean-up.
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Minister Lake’s initial appeal for a coastal clean-up of hurricane related debris in the lagoon due to the passing of Hurricane Gonzalo, was publicly stated early November and the St Read more
Usm Presents Psn Project At 25Th Anniversary Celebration
St. Maarten – During the University of St. Martin’s (USM) 25th Anniversary celebration ceremony, which took place on Friday, November 28, USM Foundation President Valerie Giterson-Pantophlet and USM Foundation Vice President Wycliffe Smith gave a presentation of the university’s new project, called Project Serving our Nation (PSN), which aims to improve the quality of life in every household in St. Maarten.
“The project is based on the ethic of care,†said Smith Read more
Lake Wants More Emphasis On Usm Degrees
St. Maarten —MP Maurice Lake wants more emphasis placed on promoting degrees and academics at the University of St. Martin by the incoming government. Lake said on Sunday that “as an educator and a Member of Parliament†one of his priority areas is higher education for the people of St. Maarten.
“USM should be the University of higher learning on the island Read more