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>PHILIPSBURG:--- On Thursday the 20th of November representatives of the St. Maarten Nature Foundation met with the management of Clean St. Maarten and the Ministry of VROMI in order to come up with a plans of approach regarding the numerous tilapia that have been stuck in the Rolandus canal since the heavy rainfall of some weeks ago.

For some time the Nature Foundation has been monitoring the situation and has noticed that the water levels in the canal are of such low levels that the fish face a real danger of dying in the coming days Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake says the Monday meeting in the Dr. A. C. Wathey Legislative Hall with various stakeholders in disaster planning has led to concrete actions being drafted to be taken.

In the wake of the recent torrential rainfall event early November and Hurricane Gonzalo mid-October, outgoing Minister of VROMI Hon Read more

Marine community supports Minister Lake’s initiative to clean-up coastal debris from Hurricane Gonzalo. Effort to get underway December 6th.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake is very pleased to learn that the marine community has accepted his initiative appeal for a coastal clean-up of hurricane related debris due to the passing of Hurricane Gonzalo from inland waterways and lagoons. The clean-up is slated for December 6th weekend.

Representatives from the St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake in the wake of the recent torrential rainfall event last weekend and Hurricane Gonzalo mid-October, will meet with representatives from various ministries and other government agencies related to disaster preparedness on Monday morning about disaster management planning and response.

Minister Lake has visited affected areas such as Arch Road and Foga, and has also spoken with many residents with respect to the most recent weather event.

"We need to re-evaluate exactly how things went and how better we can enhance our response, but also being pro-active Read more

style="text-align: center;">People of St. Maarten need to rise up and protect their heritage and culture – PM

PHILIPSBURG:--- The official and traditional St. Martin's Day celebration that was hosted by the French side did not see much Members of Parliament from the Dutch side. Even the ten seat majority in parliament did not show their faces on Tuesday at the church service that was held at the Methodist Church. In attendance were Member of Parliament Leona Marlin Romeo, Minister/Member of Parliament Maurice Lake and Minister/ Member of Parliament Cornelius de Weever along with Prime Minister/ President of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams Read more

Minister Lake wants improved standard operating procedures after torrential rain event over the weekend.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake would like to commend the emergency services (Fire, Police), public works and other government agencies (Department of Communication, Meteorological Service) and semi government agencies (Airport, Harbour, NV GEBE), and Minister Hon Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake said on Friday that he had stated several months ago that relief would be forthcoming for all across the board with respect to NV GEBE electricity bills.

"We first started with our senior citizens since they live on a fixed minimum income Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake is calling on mariners whose vessels were damaged during the passing of Hurricane Gonzalo three weeks ago to remove the vessels from inland waterways and lagoons, and to also clean-up debris.

"I've observed some of the vessels that partially sunk or were blown ashore, have been removed within the Simpson Bay Lagoon, however, there are still a number of vessels that are partially underwater or sitting onshore Read more

Minister Lake says work to start soon on Chin Cactus Drive. Procedures have to be followed first before work can begin.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake says a promise made is a promise kept.

Minister Lake took note of a newspaper story on Friday about the paving of Chin Cactus Drive in Sucker Garden which is in a deplorable state after the passing of Hurricane Gonzalo.

"The project will start soon Read more

Parliament Approved Parlatino Meeting slated for November, President of Parliament got full support to Attend Kingdom Concert in December.

style="text-align: center;">Integrity discussion a waste of time --- Opposition prefers to wait until new government takes office, PR campaign need to revamp country's image.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The parliament of St. Maarten approved the invitation sent to the President of Parliament to attend the Kingdom Concert to be held in the Netherlands in December. The Parliament of St. Maarten also gave its approval for a committee to attend the Parlatino meeting to be held in November that will deal with women in politics and the integrity issues facing St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG – Member of Parliament Hon. Maurice Lake of the United People's (UP) Party says he has read media reports about a report drafted by a French Parliamentary Committee chaired by Rene Dosiere.
"I haven't read the report myself, but from media reports, it's very disturbing Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Hon. Maurice Lake of the United People's (UP) Party says the country already has screening laws for candidates proposed to become a member of the Council of Ministers.

"This whole thing is not about that anybody is afraid of being screened Read more

Minister Lake calls on residents, community councils and civic organizations to help with national clean-up this weekend.

>PHILIPSBURG:---  Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake is calling on residents, community councils and civic organizations to come together this weekend to help clean-up the districts.

All residents are being urged to use the weekend to clean-up their yard and put out their hurricane related debris outside their yard or alongside the road Read more

Minister Lake updated on Thursday by NV GEBE on Electricity Restoration.

>PHILIPSBURG:---- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake was updated Thursday afternoon by NV GEBE with respect to a small number of homes that are still without electricity in different districts since the passing of Hurricane Gonzalo.

The small number of remaining homes in the districts of St Read more

Minister Lake updated on NV GEBE on Electricity Restoration.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake was updated Thursday afternoon by NV GEBE with respect to a small number of homes that are still without electricity in different districts since the passing of Hurricane Gonzalo.

The small number of remaining homes in the districts of St Read more

Simpson Bay Residents Protested Silently in Parliament on Wednesday.

>SIMPSON BAY:--- Residents of Simpson Bay marched into the house of Parliament on Wednesday to silently protest against what they term as abuse of power and injustice.
One of the residents told SMN News that a parcel of succession land that is occupied by one Marlon Harley for some 28 years operating a mini boat yard. The resident of Simpson Bay said that Halley has legal authorization from one of the nine heirs that inherited the property from Melford Lejuez. The resident said of the nine heirs only one of them is living on St Read more

St. Maarten creates its own problem --- MP Emmanuel said he was offered $2m to jump ship and join the UPP.

style="text-align: center;">St. Maarten needs to fix its own house before trying to cross the ocean

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Christopher Emmanuel unleashed an unexpected bomb on the floor of Parliament on Monday afternoon during the urgent meeting of Parliament that was called to discuss the instruction given to Governor Eugene Holiday Read more

MP Lake said he is ready to fight for the rights of the peoples parliament and demand respect for the country constitution.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Hon. Maurice Lake of the United People's (UP) Party said he is not surprised by the instruction given to the Governor of Sint Maarten by the Kingdom Council of Ministers.
"Some of the Dutch Members of the Second Chamber of Parliament in The Hague, and some of our own, are on a witch hunt against this broad based Government which is following all rules and procedures as a collective unit to better serve our people Read more

Minister Lake says we need to raise the bar of politics. Says he supports implementation of integrity report recommendations.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake says we need to raise the bar of politics to a higher level.

"The voting population sent a strong message in this year's parliamentary elections to the candidates and also to the leaders of the different political parties Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake on Monday visited a road paving project in the residential district of St. Peters.

The secondary roads that are scheduled to be paved are Guavaberry, Marigot Hill and Sugar Apple Road.

"The work is progressing and local sub-contractors are involved in the work Read more

Minister Lake Commends SHTA on Level of Discussion and Approach to Issues.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry of VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake, says he would like to commend the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA) for its high level of discussion at its recent Annual General Meeting.

"We have to lift the bar, and the SHTA is one organization in our community that is doing that Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- With the current developments concerning the formation of a new government where incumbent Minister of Health and Labor also Member of Parliament (elect) Cornelius de Weever has led on the people of St. Maarten including his party leader and the leaders of the National Alliance and the United St. Maarten Party the question that comes to mind is "who really is making big mistakes"?
MP de Weever made everyone on St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake stated on Tuesday that Ministry VROMI is working closely with Nature Foundation regarding the removal of Sargasso seaweed on certain beaches.

A backhoe has been in operation at a beach in Point Blanche which has seen a large amount of Sargasso seaweed come ashore.

Residents have been complaining about the smell and burning eyes that live at Ground Dove Apartments which is right next to the beach.

"I've had a very good working relationship with Nature Foundation Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Planning and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Hon. Maurice Lake announced on Tuesday that he is in the process of visiting the different districts where it concerns trench cleaning works based on contracts that were signed earlier this year.

"I am very proud of the work that has been carried out by our young small business owners, the local contractors Read more