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PANAMA/PHILIPSBURG:--- On June 9th and 10th, a delegation comprising of Members of Parliament of Sint Maarten headed by President of Parliament Mrs. Sarah A. Wescot-Williams attended the 33rd General Assembly of the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino) in Panama City, Republic of Panama.
The Assembly started with the raising of the Parlatino flag and singing of the Parlatino anthem Read more

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A Critical Look At Parliament’S Budget

Parliament needs to be transparent with its budget! During budget debates members of parliament pose numerous questions, some critical, many political, concerning government’s budgeting and spending, but no one raises questions about parliament’s budget and parliament’s spending. The reason for this is because parliament’s budget is camouflaged among the budgets of the High Councils of State. Furthermore, according to the Compatibility Ordinance and the Rules of Order of Parliament the budget of Parliament is drafted by the Secretariat of Parliament, approved by the Presidium and then sent to the Minister of Finance to be included in the national budget Read more

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Sint Maarten Nature Foundation Presents To Parliament Guiding Document For Single Use Plastic Ban And Petition On Great Bay Landfill

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Cole Bay- On Friday the 2nd of July the Director of the Sint Maarten Nature Foundation Tadzio Bervoets and Nature Foundation Projects Officer Melanie Meijer Zu-Schlochtern met with the President of Parliament the Honourable Sarah Wescot-Williams to present her the Nature Foundation’s Document outlining the steps necessary to have Sint Maarten move towards a ban of single use plastic bags Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Parliament needs to be transparent with its budget! During budget debates, members of parliament pose numerous questions, some critical, many political, concerning government’s budgeting and spending, but no one raises questions about parliament’s budget and parliament’s spending. The reason for this is because parliament’s budget is camouflaged among the budgets of the High Councils of State. Furthermore, according to the Compatibility Ordinance and the Rules of Order of Parliament the budget of Parliament is drafted by the Secretariat of Parliament, approved by the Presidium and then sent to the Minister of Finance to be included in the national budget Read more

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Cole Bay:---- On Friday the 2nd of July the Director of the Sint Maarten Nature Foundation Tadzio Bervoets and Nature Foundation Projects Officer Melanie Meijer Zu-Schlochtern met with the President of Parliament the Honourable Sarah Wescot-Williams to present her the Nature Foundation’s Document outlining the steps necessary to have Sint Maarten move towards a ban of single-use plastic bags Read more

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Is Parliament Boycotting The Code Of Ethics?

In addition to boycotting the establishing of the Integrity Chamber, Parliament appears to also be boycotting the formalization of a code of conduct.

Last week, the Chairlady of Parliament had to cancel the meeting of the Central Committee because there was no quorum when the second agenda point, namely a parliamentary code of conduct, was to be discussed. Isn’t it odd that there was a quorum for the first agenda point i.e. the Anti-Poverty Platform, but after a short break, only seven members of parliament remained for the continuation of this meeting!

Despite the Chairlady’s request for at least one member to come back inside the meeting hall and despite the official thirty minutes wait to see if any of the MPs outside of the meeting hall would adhere to her request, the meeting had to be called off, due to a lack of quorum Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- In addition to boycotting the establishing of the Integrity Chamber, Parliament appears to also be boycotting the formalization of a code of conduct. Last week, the Chairlady of Parliament had to cancel the meeting of the Central Committee because there was no quorum when the second agenda point, namely a parliamentary code of conduct, was to be discussed. Isn’t it odd that there was a quorum for the first agenda point i.e. the Anti-Poverty Platform, but after a short break, only seven members of parliament remained for the continuation of this meeting! Despite the Chairlady’s request for at least one member to come back inside the meeting hall and despite the official thirty minutes wait to see if any of the MP’s outside of the meeting hall would adhere to her request, the meeting had to be called off, due to a lack of quorum Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Are government and parliament waiting until the next election comes around or until the next ship jumper presents him or herself in parliament to start working on electoral reform again? Any electoral change involving the constitution requires the input and blessing from the Kingdom government which includes the governments of the Netherlands, Aruba, and Curacao. On the other hand, according to our constitution, amendments to election-related ordinances such the Election Ordinance, the National Ordinance Registration and Finances of Political Parties only require “a majority of at least two-thirds of the votes cast by the serving members” (art Read more

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“I am proud to be a Guyanese but I chose St. Maarten as my home”

PHILIPSBURG:--- About 1,500 persons witnessed the grand opening of Motorworld state of the art showroom which officially opened on Friday, May 26th, 2017 (On Guyana’s 51st Independence.”)
Among those that attend the grand and spectacular ceremony were dignitaries from both sides of the island, Prime Minister William Marlin, Governor Eugene Holiday,  President of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams President of the Collectivity of St Read more

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Is Parliament Serious About Independence?

Last week Wednesday, the Central Committee of Parliament, once again, invited the Independence for St. Martin Foundation (ISMF) to give a presentation regarding holding a referendum to determine whether the people of Sint Maarten desire to become independent or not. This is the fourth time that the ISMF was in parliament presenting its case. The first presentation was held in March 2016. Hereafter, the Central Committee reconvened, in September 2016, to give the ISMF the opportunity to answer questions that the MPs had posed in the first round in March Read more

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Ismf Believes Parliament Will Do The Right Thing

PHILIPSBURG – Following its presentation to Parliament on Wednesday, May 17, the Independence for St. Martin Foundation (ISMF) said it is encouraged by the response of the legislative body to its call for a constitutional referendum.

“Parliament is the only authority that can convene a referendum and even though, as President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams pointed out, a new constitutional status is not specifically mentioned in the constitution as one of the reasons for a referendum, it is now for Parliament to do the right thing and allow the people of St Read more

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GREAT BAY:---- Following its presentation to parliament on Wednesday, May 17, 2017, the Independence for St. Martin Foundation (ISMF) said it is encouraged by the response of the legislative body to its call for a constitutional referendum. “Parliament is the only authority that can convene a referendum and even though, as President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams pointed out, a new constitutional status is not specifically mentioned in the constitution as one of the reasons for a referendum, it is now for Parliament to do the right thing and allow the people of St Read more

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MARIGOT--President of the Collectivité Daniel Gibbs was received by President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams on Thursday, May 4, 2017 in the morning and then by Prime Minister (PM) of St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- As part of its 5-years anniversary, U 2 Can Move (U2CM) members will be engaging the services of the Mobile Health Bus on Monday, May 8th.
The mobile health bus is coordinated by the Collective Preventive Services of the Ministry of VSA.
On Monday, May 8th, the bus will be stationed on the Pondfill, across from the Sports Auditorium from 4 pm.
Everyone is encouraged to stop by and be "checked and measured" by the professionals who will be manning the bus.
"We are extremely grateful to CPS for their cooperation and we invite persons to spontaneously 'drop in'.
U 2 Can Move is a fitness program, celebrating 5 years of existence under the leadership of President of Parliament, MP Sarah Wescot-Williams.
"Our health statistics where many diseases and illnesses are concerned are quite alarming Read more

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Memorial Day: Un Día Para Valorar Nuestra Libertad

Traducido por Máximo Castro

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM). – El Gobierno conmemoró ayer el Memorial Day (“Dodenherdenkingsdag”) similar al resto de países del Reino de los Países Bajos en el capitán Hodge Wharf en Philipsburg.

“Durante este Día Nacional de Conmemoración”, se les rindió honores a todas las víctimas holandesas – civiles y soldados – asesinadas en el Reino de los Países Bajos o en cualquier otro lugar del mundo Read more

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Memorial Day: A Day To Appreciate Our Freedom

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – On Thursday May 4, the Government of Sint Maarten observed Memorial Day, (“Dodenherdenkingsdag”) similar to the other countries within the Dutch Kingdom, at the Captain Hodge Wharf in Philipsburg.

“During this National Commemoration Day” all Dutch victims – civilians and soldiers – who have been killed or murdered in the Kingdom of the Netherlands or anywhere else in the world in war situations or during peace-keeping operations since the outbreak of the Second World War,” were commemorated (www.4en5mei.nl).

A short ceremony took place on Thursday afternoon that also included a number of dignitaries including President of the Collectivite of St Read more

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Memorial Day: A Day To Appreciate Our Freedom

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – On Thursday May 4, the Government of Sint Maarten will recognize Memorial Day, (“Dodenherdenkingsdag”) similar to the other countries within the Dutch Kingdom.

“During this National Commemoration Day” all Dutch victims – civilians and soldiers – who have been killed or murdered in the Kingdom of the Netherlands or anywhere else in the world in war situations or during peach-keeping operations since the outbreak of the Second World War” are commemorated (www.4en5mei.nl).

This year, while there are millions of people in the Middle East that are yet fighting for a free state, Government opted to highlight the freedom element throughout its program.

Most people assume freedom is a natural state, yet it is something that has been fought for through many wars Read more

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Memorial Day: A Day To Appreciate Our Freedom

GREAT BAY(DCOMM):--- On Thursday, May 4, the Government of Sint Maarten will recognize Memorial Day, (“Dodenherdenkingsdag”) similar to the other countries within the Dutch Kingdom.

“During this National Commemoration Day,” all Dutch victims – civilians and soldiers – who have been killed or murdered in the Kingdom of the Netherlands or anywhere else in the world in war situations or during peach-keeping operations since the outbreak of the Second World War” are commemorated (www.4en5mei.nl).

This year, while there are millions of people in the Middle East that are yet fighting for a free state, Government opted to highlight the freedom element throughout its program.

Most people assume freedom is a natural state, yet it is something that has been fought for through many wars Read more

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Upp Faction Forfeits Opportunity To Represent The People

The Central Committee of Parliament made history last week when it scheduled ample time to discuss the 2016-2020 Governing Program “Solidarity for Prosperity.” As far as I can recall, this is the first time that Parliament planned so many meetings to handle a governing program. The only other topic for which so many meetings are scheduled by Parliament is the country’s budget. I am a strong believer that these two go hand in hand and we should expect to see the priorities and projects listed in the governing program also reflected in all future budgets presented.

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA), comprised of the USP, DP and NA factions, also ought to be commended for their display of unity during the opening presentation Read more

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Draft Law Establishing Timeshare Authority For St. Maarten Under Review

 

PHILIPSBURG – It has not gone unnoticed that timeshare users of units on St. Maarten have been very vocal as of late regarding the draft law to establish a timeshare authority.

“There is quite a history behind the proposal to establish a Timeshare Authority, starting with a motion passed in Parliament on June 29, 2011 to establish a ‘timeshare regulatory body,’” explained Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams.

With the help and involvement of many, in and outside of government/parliament and the timeshare industry, two draft initiatives were tabled by former MP P Read more

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Draft Law Establishing A Timeshare Authority For St. Maarten Under Review.

PHILIPSBURG:--- It has not gone unnoticed that timeshare users of units on St. Maarten have been very vocal as of late regarding the draft law to establish a timeshare authority.
“There is quite a history behind the proposal to establish a Timeshare Authority, starting with a motion passed in Parliament on June 29, 2011, to establish a ‘timeshare regulatory body”, explained MP Wescot-Williams.
With the help and involvement of many, in and outside of government/parliament and in and outside of the timeshare industry, two draft initiatives were tabled by former MP, P Read more

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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

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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

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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

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