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Major Houtenbos New Commander Of The Marine Detachment Of Sint Maarten

Major of the Marines Niels Houtenbos (left) and Major of the Marines Arie Noordam (right).

POINT BLANCHE Major of the Marines Niels Houtenbos took over command of the Marine Detachment on Sint Maarten on Thursday, November 28, 2024.

He took over command from Major of the Marines Arie Noordam. This happened during a ceremonial meeting on board HNLMS Holland.

Several dignitaries were present during the ceremony, including the Governor of Sint Maarten, Mr. Ajamu Baly, President of Parliament Sarah A Read more

Soualiga Corporate Toastmasters Celebrates Its 20Th Anniversary With A Grand Gala

Soualiga Corporate Toastmasters Club (SCTMC) proudly Celebrated its 20th anniversary Saturday November 23, 2024, at the Paradise Hall. Among the guests were the keynote speaker, the founding members and First president the Honorable President of Parliament Sarah A, Wescot Williams, past presidents and members of the Club.

Celebrating milestones is one way that Toastmasters reflect on the progress made over the years and as well as consider opportunities for the future.

As our Keynote Speaker, the President of Parliament said that it is an incredible honor to stand before you today as we gather to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our beloved Soualiga Corporate Toastmasters Club! Two decades have passed since we first came together with a visionto cultivate communication, leadership, and personal growth in a supportive community.

Speech by MP Sarah Wescot-Williams on the 20th anniversary of the Soualiga Corporate TM Club.

As the founder of this club, she remembers our initial meetings filled with excitement and a hint of uncertainty Read more

Nv Gebe Hosts St. Maarten Parliament Members For Power Plant Tour

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, NV GEBE hosted several Members of the Parliament of St. Maarten for an insightful presentation and tour of the Power Plant.

The delegation in attendance included: the Hon. Chairlady of Parliament Sarah A. Wescot-Williams, along with the following Honorable MPs: Melissa D Read more

Isaiah Peterson Awarded 2024 President Of Parliament Award.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten During the reception on the occasion of the new Parliamentary Year, a youth is awarded the President of Parliament Award for exemplary behavior, leadership skills as well as their contribution to thecommunity. On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, the Hon. President of Parliament, Mrs. Sarah A.Wescot-Williams announced Mr Read more

Unified Against Violence: Ensuring The Security Of St. Maarten

My dear people of St. Maarten, Today, I stand before you with a heavy heart to address a grave and tragic event that has shaken our community to its core. Last evening, starting in the Cupecoy area, an act of violence was committed against the leader of the Oualichi Movement for Change (OMC), Mr. Olivier Arrindell, and his family. At noon today, I met with the Public Prosecutor, management of KPSM (Police Department), the VSDM (National Security Service), Minister of Justice Lyndon Lewis, and President of Parliament MP Sarah Wescot-Williams to receive a full debrief and discuss the most recent developments. Mr Read more

Dp Clocks 70, Unveils Candidates List On Emancipation Day

Great Bay, St. Maarten The Democratic Party of St. Maarten is celebrating its seven decades of serving the island with a gathering at the Aleeze Convention Center in Madame Estate on Monday, July 1st , 2024 from 6:30 to 9:30 pm.

The party was founded in 1954 by the late Clem Labega, with his friend, Claude Wathey leading the party for the better part of 40 years. The two of them formed a formidable team which turned the DP into a political juggernaut that governed the island uninterruptedly for almost four decades Read more

Gevmin Announces Sint Maarten Diaspora Database Project

THE NETHERLANDS — In the margins of the annual Interparliamentary Kingdom consultations (IPKO), the Ministers Plenipotentiary Patrice Gumbs and Deputy Gracita Arrindell hosted a reception for the Members of Parliament and members of the Sint Maarten community at the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary (Sint Maarten House), earlier this week, under the theme Connecting Horizons: Strengthening the Sint Maarten Community Abroad.

Chosen by the President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams, the theme reflects the growing call for engagement with the Sint Maarten communities abroad (the diaspora) and the Government at home.

In his address, Minister Plenipotentiary Gumbs acknowledged the differences between the communities, but that opportunities existed if we found ways to bridge the gap Read more

New Minister Of Finance Marinka Gumbs Addresses Nation With Vision Of Unity, Progress

~ First female Minister of Finance ~

In a humbling address to the nation, newly appointed Minister of Finance Marinka Gumbs, the first woman to hold the position, stood before her fellow St. Maarteners to express profound gratitude and outline a vision for the future of the island’s economy and society.

The Minister began by acknowledging the divine grace that has allowed her to take on this pivotal role Read more

Official Joint Statement From The Three Coalition Party Leaders Of Dp Pfp Now

PHILIPSBURG On Wednesday, 24 April 2024, MP Sarah Wescot-Williams (DP), MP Melissa Gumbs (PFP) and MP Christophe Emmanuel (NOW) issued a joint statement in reaction to the press release sent out by the Cabinet of the Governor Read more

District Governor Visits St. Maarten

District Governor of Sub-District 60B, Lion Dr. Carlisle Goddard, PMJF recently made his official visit to the St. Maarten Leo Club, St. Maarten South Leo Club, and the Sint Maarten Lions Club.

The District Governor was met upon his arrival by a welcoming delegation that included Lion Felix Richards, President of the Sint Maarten Lions Club, Zone Chairperson 2B, Lion Oralie Boirard, MJF, Past District Governor Lion Wally Havertong, PMJF, and Lion Dennis Lake.

The District Governor visit included an enlightening radio interview streamed live on the Viewpoint with Wendell Moore show where he expounded on the responsibilities of a District Governor and shared his experiences in visiting the various of Lion and Leo clubs within his District which comprises of 16 English and Dutch speaking islands with St Read more

Continuation Urgent Public Meeting Of Parliament Regarding Nv Gebe

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten- The House of Parliament will sit in a Public meeting on March 18, 2024.

The Public meeting, which was adjourned on March 7, 2024 will be reconvened on Monday at 11.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of General Affairs will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:

Deliberations on NV GEBE (IS/060/2023-2024 dated September 29, 2023)

This meeting was requested by MP S.A. Wescot-Williams, MP G.S Read more

The Newly Elected Parliament Of Sint Maarten Held Its First Meeting, Public Meeting

Phillipsburg, Sint Maarten — The newly elected Parliament of Sint Maarten held its first meeting, Public meeting no. 11, on Saturday, February 10, 2024. In accordance with the Rules of Order for Parliament, since neither the Chairperson nor the Vice-Chairpersons of the previous period form part of the new Parliament, the Member with the longest membership and the oldest in years acts as the Chairperson. Hence, Member of Parliament, Mrs. Sarah A Read more

Mp Wescot-Williams, Focus Should Be On What Is Coming After.

THE APOLOGY FROM THE DUTCH GOVERNMENT ON ITS SLAVERY PAST.

The apology has been issued and with as much remorse as you could get in a situation like this, also with the acknowledgement by Prime Minister Rutte that he personally had it wrong all along, was MP Sarah Wescot-Williams reaction, after being present at the ceremony at USM on Monday, December 19th.

Having been present at the location on St Read more

Urgent Public Meeting Of Parliament Regarding The Proposed National Health Insurance (Nhi)

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten The House of Parliament will sit in a Public meeting on October 12, 2023.

The Public meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 10.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:

Deliberations on the proposed National Health Insurance (IS/059/2023-2024 dated September 29, 2023)

This agenda point was requested by MP S.A Read more

Mp Wescot-Williams Shares Her Thoughts At The Closing Of The Parliamentary Year 2023-2024.

MP Wescot: On Monday, September 11, we close the 2022-2023 parliamentary year and as customary, Members of Parliament are given the opportunity to reflect on the past 12 months and provide some thoughts for the coming year. On Tuesday, Governor Ajamu Baly will present the Governments Statement for the coming year.

In MP Wescots view, this presentation comes at a peculiar time, with elections scheduled for January 2024; no budget for 2024 and the usual behavior of the ministers towards parliament.

Of course the absence of an amended 2023 budget and the tardiness in submitting the 2024 draft budget do not faze this government one bit.

Nevertheless our constitution prescribes this presentation Read more

The Democratic Party (Dp) Extended Warm Congratulations To National Airline Winair

The Democratic Party (DP) on Thursday extended warm congratulations to national airline WINAIR as it commemorated an impressive 62 years of unwavering dedication and outstanding service to St. Maarten and to the Caribbeans aviation industry. Party Leader MP Sarah Wescot-Williams said that this remarkable milestone is a testament to the airline’s enduring commitment to excellence, sound management and leadership, and recognizing the crucial role it plays in connecting people throughout the Caribbean.

The success of WINAIR can be attributed to its incredible team, loyal passengers, and visionary management, all of whom have played an integral role in shaping the airline’s journey to success, MP Wescot-Williams said.

The MP recalled the days of significant financial struggles for the airline, with many opining that St Read more

Mp Heyliger-Marten Government Seems Asleep At The Wheel, While The Outside World Moves On

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Sunday afternoon, MP Grisha Heyliger-Marten again questioned if the Government of St. Maarten is aware of the developments on an international level, and if it is capable of representing the paramount interest of the people St. Maarten.

As a people, we continue to face major challenges. These range from our legal system being based on the Dutch language to concerns about food security, and inequality and injustice when it comes to our (financial) relationship with Holland, the so-called democratic deficit, Heyliger-Marten said.

Since the beginning of my tenure, I have maintained that all these problems lead back to one main issue, and that is the fact that the constitutional structure of the Kingdom is not in compliance with international law.

A few months ago, Dr Read more

Dp Leader Wescot-Williams: If You Tell A Lie Often Enough, You Start To Believe It Yourself.

I was forewarned, but the question still remains, Why DP and me?

When asked to explain her statement , MP Wescot mentioned the veiled threat she received of, Are you sure you want to do this? Its going to get nasty! A clear reference to the DPs announced return to the political field.

We see this threat manifesting itself from many angles. Some of it for money, some for sensation and yet others from an angle of plain and self-consuming hatred.

With respect to MP Brison latest disgraceful assault on one of St Read more

Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultations (Ipko) To Be Held In The Hauge, The Netherlands

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten —A delegation from the Parliament of Sint Maarten left for The Netherlands to participate in the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultations (IPKO) from June 15, 2023, with the Netherlands as host country. Delegations from the Parliaments of Aruba, Curaao, and the Netherlands will also be participating.

The IPKO will commence on Wednesday, June 1, 2023, with opening remarks by the Chairperson of the IPKO, followed by speeches by the three delegation leaders of the Parliaments of the Countries Read more

Sarah: Single-Use Plastic Bags Ban Hits Another Hurdle?

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The latest statement from the Minister of TEATT regarding the law banning the use of single use plastic bags, plastic straws and styrofoam containers raises more questions than it provides answers. This is the opinion of the initiator of the law, MP Sarah Wescot-Williams.

I have over and over been asking about the enforcement of this law Read more

January 16-20, 2023 Meeting Week

Parliament of Sint Maarten Meeting week

JANUARY 16-20, 2023 MEETING WEEK Monday, January 16, 2023 Tuesday, January 17, 2023 Wednesday, January 18, 2023 CVROMI 02 11.00 1. Presentation on the Spatial Development Strategy (2030) (IS/017/2022-2023 dated September 15, 2022)

2. Discussion on the policy and legislation on natural risk and sustainable construction development and the protection of public infrastructure

3. Discussion on the steps needed in order to safeguard both our sustainable construction development and the safety of our inhabitants and visitors (IS/1077/2021-2022 dated June 21, 2022)

4 Read more

Mp Wescot-Williams, Focus Should Be On What Is Coming After.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The apology has been issued and with as much remorse as you could get in a situation like this, also with the acknowledgement by Prime Minister Rutte that he personally had it wrong all along, was MP Sarah Wescot-Williams reaction, after being present at the ceremony at USM on Monday, December 19th.

Having been present at the location on St Read more

Parliament Establishes St. Maarten WomenS Parliamentary Caucus

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — On Wednesday, November 30, 2022, in its Public meeting of Parliament no. 08, the Parliament of Sint Maarten voted on and unanimously approved a motion presented by Member of Parliament S.A. Wescot-Williams. The motion resolves to establish a St. Maarten Women’s Parliamentary Caucus, as a platform to debate on current issues predominantly affecting a large segment if not the whole community, to liaise with stakeholders and others, and to analyze and propose solutions, policies and legislation.

Womens caucuses establish cross-party cooperation and unite women parliamentarians from different political parties around issues they all can support, helping them rise above political tensions to fight for womens causes or collaborate on other policy issues Read more

Mp Sarah Wescot-Williams, Body Searches Sad And Unacceptable.

Philipsburg, St. Maarten, – MP Sarah Wescot-Williams was appalled by not only the two incidents as described in recent publications regarding so-called search tactics used by the police in Philipsburg against two citizens, but also by the reaction of the police top.

I cringed at reading how our officer(s) misused their power and humiliated the persons involved.
Especially for the woman and the circumstance in which she found herself, it must have been a most terrifying and humiliating experience.

As a woman, mother, grandmother, I cant but condemn in the strongest possible way that any of our citizens, unless posing a serious and life-threatening danger, be subjected to this type of bodily violation Read more