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Wescot-Williams Requests Meeting To Discuss Taxes

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — After several requests for information on taxes and the answers provided by the Minister of Finance, I have now requested the Chairman of the Finance Committee to convene a meeting of this committee with the agenda point: The fiscal and tax systems of St. Maarten.

The request for the meeting was made after receiving upon request, the status of several pending pieces of legislation regarding taxes, etc. such as:

Cancellation of taxes prior to 2006;

Amendments to the national accountability ordinance;

Collection of taxes;

The financial training institution.

The first answers to these questions date back to August 2016, and an update was requested in March 2017.

Furthermore, I apprised the Finance Committee chair of the response by the Minister to the motion adopted by Parliament regarding the “forgiveness” of taxes, allowing taxpayers to file taxes, not filed before.

Then there is the document, provided by the Government, “The Road to a Smart State of the Art Tax Administration” by Mr Read more

Wescot Requests Discussion Of Taxes In Finance Committee

PHILIPSBURG--After several requests for information on taxes and the answers provided by Minister of Finance Richard Gibson, Chairwoman of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams has now requested the Chairman of the Finance Committee to convene a meeting to discuss the fiscal and tax systems of St Read more

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):---On Friday, March 31, the Council of Ministers hosted an Information Session to the Secretaries General of the seven different Ministries and their Management Team, the Staff of the Ministers cabinet, and the Staff of the Secretariat of the Council of Ministers.

The main agenda points of the session were the Governing Program; integrity and the plans of the Dutch Government towards establishing an Integrity Chamber on Sint Maarten and their recent appointment of a Dutch Integrity Quartermaster and an update on the budget 2017.

The Council found it essential to inform the key leaders and advisors of the organization in person about these key matters.
While the Prime Minister, William Marlin, spoke on the issues of the Governing Program and Integrity, the Minister of Finance, Richard Gibson Sr., elaborated on the budget.

At the same time, both Ministers stressed the importance of the role of each civil servant in the process of making Sint Maarten great Read more

Com Hosts Information Session For Management Teams Of Seven Government Ministries

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – On Friday, March 31, the Council of Ministers hosted an Information Session to the Secretaries General of the seven different Ministries and their Management Team, the Staff of the Ministers cabinet, and the Staff of the Secretariat of the Council of Ministers.

The main agenda points of the session were the Governing Program; integrity and the plans of the Dutch Government towards establishing an Integrity Chamber on Sint Maarten and their recent appointment of a Dutch Integrity Quartermaster and an update on the budget 2017.

The Council found it essential to inform the key leaders and advisors of the organization in person about these key matters.

While the Prime Minister, William Marlin, spoke on the issues of the Governing Program and Integrity, the Minister of Finance, Richard Gibson Sr., elaborated on the budget.

At the same time both Ministers stressed the importance of the role of each civil servant in the process of making Sint Maarten great Read more

Dp And Coppal To Rekindle Ties

PHILIPSBURG – During his recent visit to St. Maarten, Rudy Croes paid a courtesy visit to DP leader Sarah Wescot-Williams, also in his capacity as vice-chairperson of the Permanent Conference of Political Parties of Latin America and the Caribbean (COPPAL).

The Democratic Party (DP) is a long standing member of COPPAL, however, during the last few years, has been inactive as far as this regional political body is concerned.

COPPAL is an international organization of political parties in Latin America and the Caribbean Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- During his recent visit to St. Maarten, Mr. Rudy Croes paid a courtesy visit to DP leader, Sarah Wescot-Williams, also in his capacity as vice-chairperson of the Permanent Conference of Political Parties of Latin America and the Caribbean (COPPAL).

The Democratic Party is a long-standing member of COPPAL, however during the last couple of years, has been inactive as far as this regional political body is concerned.
COPPAL is an international organization of political parties in Latin America and the Caribbean Read more

Sarah: Plastic Bags Ban A Small, But Important Step

PHILIPSBURG--A ban on single-use plastic bags, particularly shopping bags, would be a small, but important step for the country in waste management and environmental care, said Democratic Party leader Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams Read more

Wescot-Williams: Plastic Bags Ban A Small But Important Step

PHILIPSBURG – As part of her first stakeholders’ consultation, Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams met with Nature Foundation’s manager Tadzio Bervoets to discuss her proposal to ban the use of plastic bags.

As the MP already made clear, there is a draft initiative law in Parliament, dating back to 2014, seeking to address the same matter, however, in a more indirect way.

“My proposal is to amend the General Police Ordinance and prohibit the use of plastic bags Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- As one of her first stakeholders' consultation, MP Sarah Wescot-Williams met with Nature Foundation's manager, Tadzio Bervoets to discuss her proposal to ban the use of plastic bags.
As the MP already made clear, there is a draft initiative law at parliament, going back to 2014, seeking to address the same matter, however in a more indirect way.
"My proposal is to amend the General Police Ordinance and prohibit the use of plastic bags" Read more

Sarah: “A Reset, Not A Retreat Is What Is Necessary As Far As The Relationship Between The Kingdom Government And St. Maarten Is Concerned.”

PHILIPSBURG:--- I don’t remember a time that the relationship between these 2 entities has not been strained. Yes, we have had lulls, but the underlying currents have always been present. I remember the early years following the constitutional referendum of 2000 when the position of the Kingdom government was “no separate (read: country) status” for any entity in the Kingdom. You were either in or out!

10 years after our referendum, parties had managed to get out of that quandary to the cautious satisfaction of parties, it seemed.
Nevertheless, some thorny issues remained, not in the last place the opposing positions partners on both sides of the ocean take as far as the contentious article 43 of the Charter is concerned.
The recent amendment to the Charter while a step in the right direction, does not totally mitigate the democratic deficit, which remains a thorn in the relationship.

Fast forward to today and not wanting to rehash the whole story regarding the Integrity Chamber, let’s establish at least the following:
The GOVERNMENT of St Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten Christian Party welcomes the two proposals made by President of Parliament, Sarah Wescot-Williams, to improve the functioning of Parliament. One proposal increases the transparency and accountability of parliamentarians towards the voters and the other proposal improves the communication between parliament and the people Read more

President Of Parliament Sets Day For Public Consultations

PHILIPSBURG – President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams has decided to hold public consultations every other week on Wednesdays, starting on Wednesday, April 12, between 10:00am and 1:00pm.

While this consultation will take place at the Parliament building to begin with, the President has announced that it is her intention to also visit different locations and visit with different groups when and where such is more feasible.

“I am daily accessible at my office, except of course when in meetings etc., however, I want to encourage citizens to use their elected representatives for the purpose we were elected,” she said.

Often times, the Parliament is copied in correspondence between citizens and government Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- President of Parliament, Sarah Wescot-Williams has decided to hold public consultations every other week on Wednesdays, starting on Wednesday, April 12th, 2017 between the hours of 10 am and 1 pm.
While this consultation will take place at the Parliament building, to begin with, the President has announced that it is her intention to also visit different locations and visit with different groups when and where such is more feasible.
"I am daily accessible at my office, except of course when in meetings etc., however, I want to encourage citizens to use their elected representatives for the purpose we were elected."
Often times, the Parliament is copied in correspondence between citizens and government; this, however, will not evoke any formal action from parliament.
Different, however, is when a citizen/citizens petition parliament to act upon a matter where the one/ones concerned feel government has not properly acted in the execution of its task Read more

U 2 Can Move Members Pose For A Picture

In Photo: Several U 2 Can Move members pose for a picture before joining the SMBBFA’s Get Fit 3 “fit-a-thon” early Saturday morning at the Government parking lot.

“We participated to show our commitment to fitness and physical activity. While it is great that the carnival parades in themselves are ‘moving’ activities and persons go the extra mile to look fit for the parades, we want to encourage daily actions that keep one moving.

“U 2 Can Move is celebrating its 5th anniversary next month, a feat that will surely not go unnoticed.”

Sarah A Read more

Government Of Sint Maarten Delegation Attend The Inauguration Ceremony Of President Daniel Gibbs

MARIGOT – On Sunday morning His Excellency Governor Eugene Holiday & his Spouse, President of Parliament The Honorable Sarah Wescot Williams and Prime Minister The Honorable William Marlin and his spouse formed the delegation of the Government of Sint Maarten that attended the Inauguration Ceremony of President of the Collectivite of St Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The board, leader and members of the Democratic Party of St. Maarten hereby extend their congratulations and best wishes to Team Gibbs 2017 and its leader, Mr. Daniel Gibbs on their victory at the polls this past Sunday.
Mr. Gibbs and his team have received the undisputed mandate to govern the Collectivity of St. Martin (our next half) for the coming 5 years.
We wish this team much success as they face, like we do in the South, the many challenges that confront our people and governments.
The leader of the DP: "While our uniqueness as a shared island continues to also offer opportunities, no opportunity is greater than living and enacting the "one island, one people" mantra in everything we do Read more

Sarah Seeks Disclosure Of All Functions Held By Mps

PHILIPSBURG--A proposal will soon be made to omit a word from the Electoral Ordinance, a deletion that will have major implications for Members of Parliament (MPs). The pending proposal from Democratic Party (DP) MP Sarah Wescot-Williams will call for full disclosure of all functions held by MPs Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---– President of Parliament, Sarah Wescot-Williams met recently with the Electoral Council to hear the Council's views on her draft initiative law, amending the Electoral Ordinance. With the proposed amendment, the initiator seeks to amend and make more efficient the law as far as this regards the annual reporting by political parties and the stipulation that every year these reports must be accompanied by a Registered Accountant's (RA) declaration Read more

Lions Health Fair Set For Saturday

Philipsburg– All is set for the St. Maarten Lions Club 9th annual “Lion Rudy Hoeve Health & Wellness Fair 2K17” which is scheduled for this coming Saturday March 25th from 9am to 4pm at the Festival Village.   Twenty five (25) stakeholders involved in health care, health care prevention and wellness on the St. Maarten have signed up with the St. Maarten Lions Club to provide the general public with several health tests, examinations, presentations, lectures and general health care and wellness information.   Diabetes Foundation has been with the Lions Health and Wellness Fair from the very beginning and will again be carrying out free Blood Pressure, Glucose, Cholesterol tests, and all other test related to diabetes Read more

Stability For Prosperity! Is Title Governing Program 2016-2020

PHILIPSBURG – On Thursday, March 23, Prime Minister William Marlin presented, as part of the launch of the governing program 2016-2020 “Stability for Prosperity!” a hard copy of the program to Parliament. The presentation was made to Chairlady of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams and Member of Parliament (MP) Frans Richardson, second Vice Chairman.

The governing program outlines the vision and strategy for the governing period Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---- On Thursday, March 23, Prime Minister William Marlin presented as part of the launch of the governing program 2016 – 2020 “Stability for Prosperity!”, a hard copy of the program to Parliament. The presentation was made to the Chairlady of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams and MP Frans Richardson, second Vice Chairman.

The governing program outlines the vision and strategy for the governing period Read more

Governing Programme Meeting Postponed Until Further Notice

PHILIPSBURG--The long awaited Governing Programme of the red, white and blue coalition was not tabled in Parliament today. The session was postponed until further notice on Wednesday by Parliament Chairwoman Sarah Wescot-Williams.

Read more

Casablanca Human Trafficking Case: Prosecutor Demands 8 Years Against Brothel Director

Source Today Newspaper

GREAT BAY – The public prosecutor demanded 8 years of imprisonment and a fine of 200,000 guilders against McQuincy R. the 39-year old director of the Casablanca brothel. Jessy R., 45, goes to prison for 7 years if it is up to the prosecution and she’ll have to pay also a 200,000 fine. The prosecutor wants to fine Casablanca NV an additional 30,000 guilders for fiscal fraud.

Carmen P., the 67-year old owner of the Casablanca building is facing 5 years of imprisonment and her son David E Read more

Sarah: D66 ‘Will Push For Improved Relations’

PHILIPSBURG--The Democrats 66, led by Alexander Pechtold, “will push for improved and respectful relations in the Dutch Kingdom, that is my fervent hope, in any case,” said Democratic Party (DP) leader Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Wil Read more