SXMElections.com

PHILIPSBURG:--- The appointment of Quartermaster Hans Leijtens, last week, came as a shock to our politicians. The Honorable Prime Minister said he was flabbergasted. The Honorable President of Parliament called the appointment provocative and Member of Parliament, Theo Heyliger, described it as vindictive. And of course, the Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations, Ronald Plasterk, gets the blame Read more

Sarah: St. Maarten Should Revisit Its Relationship In Dutch Kingdom

~ Parliament meets on quartermaster Thursday ~

PHILIPSBURG--Chairperson of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams said on Monday that St. Maarten should seriously re-examine its relationship within the Dutch Kingdom.

Read more

Sarah: Sudden Appointment Of Quartermaster Is ‘Provocative’

PHILIPSBURG--“Provocative” is how Democratic Party (DP) leader Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams has described the appointment by the Dutch Government of a quartermaster for St. Maarten’s “non-existing Integr Read more

Parliament Should Take The People’S Business Seriously

The entire top brass of Parliament has flown off to Curaçao, for the entire week of January 9, to attend the Tripartite meetings and the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultations (IPKO).

While the President of Parliament, MP Sarah Wescot-Williams, and First and Second Vice Presidents, MP drs. Rudolphe Samuel and MP Frans Richardson, respectively, are off island, the Parliament of St Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The entire top brass of Parliament has flown off to Curaçao, for the entire week of January 9th, to attend the Tripartite meetings and the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultations (IPKO).
While the President of Parliament, MP Sarah Wescot-Williams, and First and Second Vice Presidents, MP drs. Rudolphe Samuel and MP Frans Richardson, respectively, are off island, the Parliament of Sint Maarten is left without a leader Read more

Delegation Leaves For Ipko In Curaçao

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten РFrom January 10-13, 2017 delegations from the Parliaments of the Netherlands, Cura̤ao, Aruba and St. Maarten will be meeting in Cura̤ao for the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultations (IPKO).

The four parliamentary delegations will be discussing a number of issues that include economic opportunities, energy and climate change, the vision for the ideal Kingdom in 2040, youth, issues with pension (AOV/AWW) of students, double language test, right of initiative for Kingdom laws for the Parliaments of Curaçao, Aruba and St Read more

Delegation Leaves For Tripartite And Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultations (Ipko) In Curaçao.

From January 10-13, 2017 delegations from the Parliaments of the Netherlands, Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten will be meeting in Curaçao for the Interparliamentary Kingdom Consultations (IPKO).
The four parliamentary delegations will be discussing a number of issues that include economic opportunities, energy and climate change, the vision for the ideal Kingdom in 2040, youth, issues with pension (AOV/AWW) of students, double language test, right of initiative for Kingdom laws for the Parliaments of Curaçao, Aruba and Sint Maarten, status of the Kingdom law on Dispute regulation, integrity, Constitutional Court and health care Read more

Council Of Advice Not Positive On Expansion Of Constitutional Court

PHILIPSBURG--There is no need to expand the scope of the Constitutional Court to tackle disputes between Parliament and the Council of Ministers, because there are sufficient existing institutions to handle such, the Council of Advice said in a response to an initiative draft law submitted by Democratic Party (DP) Member of Parliament Sarah Read more

Wescot-Williams: 2017 – A Year Of Challenges And Opportunities

Video Press Conference: Chairperson of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams

PHILIPSBURG – During her first press conference for 2017, on Thursday, January 5, Chairperson of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams wished all a prosperous, Happy New Year.

She deemed 2017, “a year that’s really facing challenges, but also a year of opportunities and it behooves all of us to look for and seize those opportunities.”

She reflected on the elections of September 26, 2016 Read more

Parliament Building Lease To Be Renewed

PHILIPSBURG--The lease on the Parliament House on Wilhelminastraat will very likely be renewed by Government. The current lease, costing taxpayers some US $96,000 per month, will expire in September.

  Despite Parliament having an Ad Hoc Committee for the preparing and building of an actual Parliament House, not much has been done in the past years. Land still has to be identified for such a building along with financing for the project.

  Parliament Chairwoman Sarah Wescot-Williams said on Friday: “Clearly, we are not going to have a new Parliament Building by the time the lease runs out and so we are going to have to negotiate a possible extension of the lease of this building.”

  Parliament has been operating out of the former Caribbean Palm building at the corner Front Street and Wilhelminastraat since 2011 Read more

Hasani Ellis Tipped To Be Deputy Minister In Hague

Hasani Ellis

PHILIPSBURG--St. Maartener Hasani Ellis is tipped to be the country’s Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary in The Hague. He is currently undergoing justice and integrity screening.

  Ellis was a candidate with the Democratic Party (DP) of Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams in the September 26 Parliamentary election, but did not earn a seat in Parliament Read more

Lengthy Budget Debate Ended On Friday With Upp Members Voting Against For The 2017 Budget.

7 motions also passed.

PHILIPSBURG:--- After nine days of budget debate 10 Members of Parliament, those forming the current coalition NA, USP and DP MP’s voted in favor of the 2017 budget, while three of the UPP MP’s voted against Read more

Sarah: Govt. Needs To Admit It Can’T Handle Dump Alone

PHILIPSBURG--It is time for Government to admit that it cannot handle the situation with the dump alone and it needs to call an international group to assist with the way forward, said Democratic Party (DP) leader Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams during Tuesday’s debate on the draft 2017 budget Read more

Parliament And The Budget

Wycliffe Smith Leader of the St. Maarten Christian Party

Parliament’s website states that Parliament has two main tasks, namely to act as co-legislator and to exercise control over Government’s policies. The budget is an excellent example of co-legislation. It is drafted by the Government, but must be approved by Parliament in order for it to become a law.

On Monday, December 5, the Central Committee of Parliament, which consists of all fifteen members of Parliament, will meet to discuss the 2017 Budget of Country St Read more

Vlf’S Leader Worth Following Awards Left Lasting Impact On Attendees

COLE BAY – “In the spirit of joy and thanksgiving, heartfelt congratulations must be expressed to The Victorious Living Foundation team for hosting the first VLF Leader Worth Following Awards 2016,” stated one of the awardees, Ambassador Alicia Liverpool, founder of the David Company.

Liverpool added: “Leaders Worth Following who lead with integrity of heart are much needed in the world today. Giving recognition to such leaders is equally honourable. As a recipient of this award on December 3, the esteem has been rewarding and will always be deeply regarded.”

The sentiments echoed from the 85 attendees at this event were: “powerful, fantastic, wonderful, and empowering experience.” Awardees were: Dr Read more

Victorious Living’S Leader Worth Following Awards Left Lasting Powerful Impact On Attendees

Cole Bay, St. Maarten - “In the spirit of joy and thanksgiving, heartfelt congratulations must be expressed to The Victorious Living Foundation team for hosting the first VLF Leader Worth Following Awards 2016,” stated one of the awardees, Ambassador Alicia Liverpool, founder of the David Company. Liverpool added: “Leaders Worth Following who lead with integrity of heart are much needed in the world today. Giving recognition to such leaders is equally honourable. As a recipient of this award on December 3rd, the esteem has been rewarding and will always be deeply regarded."

The sentiments echoed from the 85 attendees at this memorable event were: “powerful, fantastic, wonderful, and empowering experience.” Awardees were, Dr Read more

PHILIPSBURG – Parliament’s website states that Parliament has two main tasks, namely to act as co-legislator and to exercise control over Government’s policies. The budget is an excellent example of co-legislation. It is drafted by the Government but, must be approved by Parliament in order for it to become a law.
On Monday, December 5th the Central Committee of Parliament, which consists of all fifteen members of Parliament, will meet to discuss the 2017 Budget of Country Sint Maarten Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- By the end of November our Members of Parliament would have been on the job for one month and it is good took to take a look at how well they have represented us during their first month in office.
In the first week, seven of our MPs took part in an orientation week. At the end of the orientation, all five, first-time MPs and two former MP’s received a certificate of participation. Special congratulations to the five new MPs, for taking their position and their function seriously Read more

Sarah Elected New Parliament Chair, Frans Second Vice Chair

PHILIPSBURG--Democratic Party (DP) Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams was elected the new Chairperson of Parliament and United St. Maarten Party (Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Rumors are circulating on social media (Facebook) and throughout the community claiming that the current coalition agreement between the National Alliance (NA), the United St. Maarten People’s Party (USP) and the Democratic Party (DP) fell through and that talks are currently taking place between the United Peoples Party (UPP), United St Read more

Why All The Fuss About The Screening Of Ministers?

The fuss about the screening of candidate ministers has to do with the shroud of secrecy surrounding the screening process.

SMCP believes that if government were more transparent concerning the screening criteria as well as the process, there would be a lot less speculation concerning who passed and who failed the so-called screening test. Before accepting a ministerial nomination prospective ministers and their families should know what is expected of them.

The screening of ministers, dates back to pre-10-10-10, when the Island Council approved the law on the Promotion of the Integrity of Ministers Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The fuss about the screening of candidate ministers, has to do with the shroud of secrecy surrounding the screening process. SMCP believes that if the government were more transparent concerning the screening criteria as well as the process there would be a lot less speculation concerning who passed and who failed the so-called screening test. Before accepting a ministerial nomination prospective ministers and their families should know what is expected of them.
The screening of ministers dates back to pre-10-10-10 when the Island Council approved the law on the Promotion of the Integrity of Ministers Read more

Helligar Says Some Progress Being Made In Pension Battle

Former President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams gives her input at a meeting on the ongoing negotiations to obtain pensions for seniors who worked on the Dutch side in the 1970s.

MARIGOT--Raymond Helligar, the man who is spearheading the fight on behalf of the now so called “border workers” from the French side who are fighting to get their full pensions paid for the years they worked on the Dutch side in the 1970s, said he found a recent meeting with SZV and a mixed commission from the Ministry of Social Development and Labour “very encouraging.”

  To be better armed for negotiating, Helligar formed the Collectif des Anciens Travailleurs Francais de St Read more

Helligar Says Some Progress Being Made In Pension Battle

MARIGOT--Raymond Helligar, the man who is spearheading the fight on behalf of the now so called “border workers” from the French side who are fighting to get their full pensions paid for the years they worked on the Dutch side in the 1970s, said he found a recent meeting with SZV and a mixed commission from the Ministry of Social Development and Labour “very encouraging.”

  To be better armed for negotiating, Helligar formed the Collectif des Anciens Travailleurs Francais de St Read more