SXMElections.com

Party Leaders Avoid Laser 101 Debate: Rhoda Arrindell (Up): “Stupid Grievances Downed First Wescot-Williams Cabinet”

St. Maarten – Party leaders declined to take part in what would have been the last political debate before the elections on Friday yesterday. Radio station Laser 101 had invited UP-leader Theo Heyliger, DP-leader Sarah Wescot-Williams, NA-leader William Marlin and USp-leader Frans Richardson Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Lawyers and the three living suspects that were involved in the Masbangu investigation namely Carolina, James and Roy Heyliger escaped slightly on Monday when Judge C.T. M Luijks deemed the entire case inadmissible because he felt that the main suspect Theodore Heyliger was not charged and taken before him. Judge Luijks said based on what he has seen the Masbangu case created what can be considered as "class justice" and the Landsrecherche along with the Prosecutor's Office are holding their hands over Theo Heyliger's head Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- After listening to the last political debate on Sunday night which was organized by AVS News one wonders who really is running the country at this present moment. The two political parties namely the UP and DP tried their utmost best to convince the people that they are the ones most capable of running the country for another four years, yet they did not admit they are the ones in charge right now at least until October 10th, 2014.
SMN News has been bringing you a review of the past four years to remind voters of some of the things that transpired when the three coalitions ran the affairs of the people this great nation.
Early 2011 shortly after the UP/ DP government took office, the biggest scandal that broke and had the country in uproar was when Member of Parliament Jules James who is working for Simpson Bay Resorts Management Company (SBRMC) laid off close to 200 workers that have been working for Pelican Resorts for years Read more

Vote buying proven, but election fraud case dismissed

~ Judge accuses Prosecutor of 'class justice' ~

PHILIPSBURG--The Court of First Instance on Monday declared inadmissible the Prosecutor's Office's cases against five persons allegedly involved in selling and buying votes on behalf of United People's (UP) party in the September 2010 election.

The Judge held it against the Prosecutor's Office that it had decided to prosecute only five suspects, but had failed to investigate the roles of UP and its leadership in the scheme.

According to the Court, the Prosecutor's Office had been in default Read more

Party leaders delve into critical matters

BELAIR--Dollarisation, integrity, boosting the economy, and immigration were among the topics the leaders of the six political parties delved into during the third and final Arts Video Studios televised political debate in Belair Community Centre on Sunday ahead of Friday's Parliamentary Elections.

The first question posed to party leaders by moderator Paul De Windt, publisher of The Daily Herald, was the parties' stance on dollarisation of the country.

Social Reform Party (SRP) leader businessman Jacinto Mock, to whom the question was posed, said the country was not ready to make the US dollar its currency; this could only happen when St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The Democratic Party faction in Parliament continues to express its concerns regarding the so called Vorst land deal. While the judge in the court of first instance has ruled against the government in this particular case the Democratic Party faction in Parliament considers the behavior of the UP minister Maurice Lake irresponsible Read more

2nd Laser 101 Political Debate to be aired on Monday from 7 - 9pm.

>MADAME ESTATE:--- The 2nd and last Political Discussion that will be hosted on Laser 101, will be aired live on Monday, August 25th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. The leaders of the political parties that have representation in the present parliament have been invited to attend.

In first instance, Frans Richardson from the United St.Maarten Party, Sarah Wescot-Williams from the Democratic Party, and William Marlin from the National Alliance have all three confirmed their attendance by email to management of Philipsburg Broadcasting Read more

Political Discussion On Laser 101

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The 2nd and last Political Discussion that will be hosted on Laser 101, will be aired live on Monday, August 25th from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.

The leaders of the political parties that have representation in the present parliament have been invited to attend.

In first instance, Frans Richardson from the United St.Maarten Party, Sarah Wescot-Williams from the Democratic Party, and William Marlin from the National Alliance have all three confirmed their attendance by email to management of Philipsburg Broadcasting.

Theo Heyliger of the United People's Party sent an email indicating that he could not confirm his attendance due to his agenda.

Eventually William Marlin informed Philipsburg Broadcasting officials that there was a double booking as he has to attend an interview on a TV program on the same day and time, thus making it impossible for him to attend.

The National Alliance will therefore be sending Silveria Jacobs, and the United People's Party will be sending Frankie Meyers to represent the leader of the UP.

As the two candidates that will be attending this formal discussion are veteran members of their respective parties, the vision and sentiments of their leaders, and their party should be well represented.

The topics will be of a general nature, however integrity, will be the main driver.

The program will be retransmitted on radio stations on St.Martin, St.Barths and Saba Read more

Judge to decide Tuesday on Bada Bing witnesses

PHILIPSBURG--Judge Koos van de Ven decided on Thursday to adjourn the preliminary hearing in the so-called "Orca" trial until next week Tuesday, to consider requests of the defence for additional investigations and the hearing of witnesses.

It is not yet known when the actual court case will be heard, but in any case not before mid-January 2015; most likely in March or April 2015.

In the trial, Member of Parliament (MP) Patrick Illidge (48) will be charged with accepting bribes from Bada Bing and Lunteren N.V Read more

Like Four Years Ago – The Results Next Friday Could Be Different: Today Newspaper Poll Gives Up Majority Of Votes

St. Maarten – The votes are in, and boy, did Chippie-users grab the opportunity to make their political preference known. Today’s partner in this project, telecom provider UTS received no less than 1,269 text messages from Chippie-users who responded to the poll.

While the pie charts show the results from different angles, it is important to read this figures in their correct context. For this, we will also use the results of an identical poll Today organized using the Chippie-network in 2010.

The raw numbers look like this: United People’s party 452 votes (55 percent), Democratic Party 143 votes (17 percent), National Alliance 119 votes (14 percent), United St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Members of the Democratic Party announced loud and clear on Tuesday at a press conference that they have not signed any pre-election agreement with the United Peoples Party. The DP leader Sarah Wescot Williams distanced herself and her party from the banner that is being circulated via the social media Read more

EWE owners question when amendment will be handled

CUL DE SAC--The owners of Industry and Golden Rock Plantations, commonly called Emilio Wilson Estate (EWE), want to know from Parliament, in particular the United People's (UP) party, when the amendments to the 2014 budget that includes the funds to purchase a significant portion of EWE will be handled by Parliament.

Owners met with the Council of Ministers on July 10 and agreed they would still consider the payback of US $1.5 million to government from the sale price for community projects, if the budget amendment were passed through Parliament by today, August 15.

The amendment originally was scheduled for handling on June 30, but the meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament never took place due to lack of a quorum Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Health Cornelius de Weever told members of the media on Wednesday at the Council of Ministers press briefing that he must bring clarity on the situation at the St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC).
Minister De Weever said now that politics is in the air there are politicians that are paying as much as $1000.00 for advertising regarding the SMMC to repeat the very things he has said on a number occasions Read more

>GREAT BAY:--- Parliamentarians should be great champions of our nation's culture," said educator and author Dr. Rhoda Arrindell.
"Having a modern Performing Arts Center for our culture to be presented in creative and dynamic ways or on a grand scale by our singers, kaisonians, musicians, dancers, gymnasts, capoeiria and other martial arts students and masters, as well as by our playwrights, actors, painters and plastic artists, moviemakers and videographers, poets, rappers, and other spoken word artists, and for the enjoyment and inspiration of our people and our visitors, is definitely an area that I would champion in Parliament," said Arrindell.
"The Performing Arts Center illustration that the UP party has made public, is a ready part of the vision of my party leader Theo Heyliger, which I wholeheartedly subscribe to," said Arrindell, who is the #14 UP candidate for the parliamentary election of August 29, 2014.
"Part of the parliamentarian's job is to do his or her part for that vision to become a reality, by passing the laws that would translate election promises into reality in the form of buildings, jobs and new career and business opportunities, and in services with dignity for our people," said Arrindell.
Arrindell was herself successful with two cornerstone nation-building legislations in the areas of culture and education during her term as the UP Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs between October 2010 and May 2012.
"It took both leadership and team work within the ministry, the Council of Ministers and Parliament, with researchers, legal people, labor leaders, cultural workers, educators and administrators, and a range of other stakeholders, to make July 1 Emancipation Day a public holiday and to secure St Read more

Mps Should Champion Our Culture, Says Rhoda Arrindell

GREAT BAY, St. Martin — "Parliamentarians should be great champions of our nation's culture," said educator and author Dr. Rhoda Arrindell.

"Having a modern Performing Arts Center for our culture to be presented in creative and dynamic ways or on a grand scale by our singers, kaisonians, musicians, dancers, gymnasts, capoeiria and other martial arts students and masters, as well as by our playwrights, actors, painters and plastic artists, moviemakers and videographers, poets, rappers, and other spoken word artists, and for the enjoyment and inspiration of our people and our visitors, is definitely an area that I would champion in Parliament," said Arrindell.

"The Performing Arts Center illustration that the UP party has made public, is a ready part of the vision of my party leader Theo Heyliger, which I wholeheartedly subscribe to," said Arrindell, who is the #14 UP candidate for the parliamentary election of August 29, 2014.

"Part of the parliamentarian's job is to do his or her part for that vision to become a reality, by passing the laws that would translate election promises into reality in the form of buildings, jobs and new career and business opportunities, and in services with dignity for our people," said Arrindell.

Arrindell was herself successful with two cornerstone nation-building legislations in the areas of culture and education during her term as the UP Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs between October 2010 and May 2012.

"It took both leadership and team work within the ministry, the Council of Ministers and Parliament, with researchers, legal people, labor leaders, cultural workers, educators and administrators, and a range of other stakeholders, to make July 1 Emancipation Day a public holiday and to secure St Read more

Port St. Maarten set for major milestones

From left: Port St. Maarten CEO Mark Mingo and MP Theo Heyliger present a Port St. Maarten plaque to Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald, a strategic cruise partner.

 POINTE BLANCHE--Port St. Maarten Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Mingo has announced two milestones for the port: it is expected to surpass St. Thomas for the first time ever in terms of number of cruise passengers, and it is expected to hit the two million mark Read more

Lenny Priest Wants Clarity About St. Maarten Medical Center

St. Maarten – Lenny Priest, leader of the One St. Maarten People Party (OSPP), has asked clarification from Public Health Minister Cornelius de Weever about the possible construction of a new hospital. In a letter dated August 6 (last week Wednesday), Priest notes that four years ago there was talk of an expansion of the existing St Read more

Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson brings clarity on Guidelines on Election Campaign.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson brought some clarity on Wednesday regarding the election campaign rules (code of conduct) he implemented for the 2014 Parliamentary Elections. He said he has been accused of using kid's gloves in maintaining the rules.
Minister Richardson reminded reporters of the April 18th, 2013 motion that was passed unanimously in Parliament. This motion he said was a call on government to ensure everything is in place to ensure there is a free, fair and balanced electoral system Read more

Theo: Dp Only Interested In Piggy-Backing, Not Governing

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten — Leader of the United People (UP) party Theo Heyliger on Wednesday asked the general public to ask themselves a very important question: What kind of political party chooses to contest an election and says it doesn't want to win which means it has no interest in governing and doing good by the people? The answer, Heyliger said, is the Democratic Party of St Read more

Up Invites The People North And South To Second Public Meeting On Thursday In Dutch Quarter

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The United People's party (UP) will kick off its second out of six scheduled public meetings on Thursday, August 7 in Dutch Quarter at the Plantz property near the Mc. Donald's establishment at 7:00pm.

Party leader Theo Heyliger as well as the candidates of the < Read more

Crime meeting stalled due to lack of quorum

PHILIPSBURG--Tuesday's Central Committee of Parliament meeting about the crime situation in the country was stalled due to a lack of quorum. Only three fractions – National Alliance (NA), United People's (UP) people, and independent Member of Parliament Patrick Illidge – were present for the meeting with Justice Minister Dennis Richardson and the top brass of the police force.

Parliament has seven fractions thus representatives of at least four fractions are requested for a Central Committee meeting to take place.

The meeting in Parliament House was scheduled to start at 10:00am Read more

AVS First Live Political Debate Set For August 10.

>GREAT BAY:--- AVS Live Political Debates on the parliamentary elections will be held Sunday, August 10, August 17 And Sunday, August 24 At The Belair Community Center In Cay Hill.
The debates will be aired via Sxm Cable TV Channel 120 and WTN Cable TV Carib Channel 10 and Will Stream Live via Avsnewsonline.com TV Channel.
On Saturday, August 2, the leaders or an authorizing representative of the six political parties were invited to an informative session regarding the rules & regulations of the debate by the organizing committee who consist Of Clarence Richardson, Chairman, Edward Benjamin, Vice Chair, Terry Woods, Member, Florence Marlin, Member And Mireya Ostiana, Member Read more

Dp Blames Up And Na For Hurricane Season Elections

St. Maarten – The Theo Heyliger / National Alliance coalition is to blame for the fact that elections in St. Maarten take place during the hurricane season. That is the position of Prime Minister and leader of the Democratic Party Sarah Wescot-Williams.

In a press release issued yesterday afternoon, Wescot-Williams points out that the Heyliger / National Alliance government that was in office in 2009-2010 decided that the date for transition to country status would be October 10, 2010.

“Someone of that government must have been asleep at the wheel when it agreed to that date for country status Read more

Prosecutor: “This Is Absolutely Not A Witch Hunt” Attorneys Want Acquittal For All Election Fraud Defendants

St. Maarten – The attorneys for the four defendants in the 2010 election fraud case all zeroed in on the fact that the prosecution had exceeded the reasonable term for bringing the case to court, and they all asked the court to declare the prosecution inadmissible.

A hot item surfaced late in the day when attorney Eldon Sulvaran spoke up for his client Roy H. It started quietly with remarks that it is “impossible to prove that the freedom to vote has been affected,” that the initiative for the bribes had not come from his client and that nobody told the other defendants that they had to vote for the UP.

“Should non-elected judges intervene in this?” Sulvaran wondered, before quoting a witness who had said “that the investigation targets the Wathey and Heyliger families.” From there on, Sulvaran spoke of “secret trajectories” and of “wrong conclusions before the investigation even started.” In the end, he told the court: “There is a threat of political administration of justice.”

The attorney added, “That any ruling in this case will affect the outcome of the elections and that is a dangerous development.” He also suggested postponing the court ruling until after the elections – a request the court did not honor because the law prescribes that rulings are pronounced two or three weeks after a trial.

“It is not correct to handle political cases before the elections,” Sulvaran said Read more