SXMElections.com

EXCLUSIVE: More Trouble for UPP/De Weever/LRMarlin Coalition.

style="text-align: center;">Fifth Minister has problem with screening --- Three years of taxes were not paid. De Weever to appoint his sister as Minister of VSA --- Reliable Sources.

PHILIPSBURG:--- As the days go by there seems to be more trouble for the UPP/De Weever/LRMarlin coalition government when it comes to forming a government.
SMN News understands that a fifth candidate that was submitted to the governor did not fully pass the screening because that person who is currently acting as a caretaker Minister did not pay his taxes for at least three years Read more

style="text-align: center;">TODAY Newspaper Editor in Chief could have confirmed the screening reports by asking their Publisher.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Some of the candidates that ran on the UPP slate are enraged because they said they were treated like children when their party leader Theodore Heyliger interrogated them to see if any of them would have told him who leaked the screening results to SMN News Read more

Justice Academy’s graduates sworn in

Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson (back row, 10th from left) stands proudly with the graduates.

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson officiated the swearing in and graduation ceremonies of 13 Customs Officers, 15 Immigration and Border Protection Officers and six auxiliary officers from various governmental departments on Tuesday, November 18.

The ceremony was witnessed by Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams; Attorney General Taco Stein; Interim Secretary General of Justice Udo Aron; department heads of the various justice departments, department heads of the graduating auxiliary officers, and friends and family members of the graduating class of 2014.

In his presentation, Richardson congratulated all graduates and admonished them to carry out their duties in honour and humility, while respecting the uniform.

The Minister further instructed them to carry out their duties in the service of the people of St Read more

Aircraft wreckage located, pilot’s body not in cockpit

PHILIPSBURG--The Daily Herald understands that although the remains of the cockpit of the crashed Skyways aircraft have been located, the missing pilot and his seat were not found inside.

The wreckage of the missing Skyways plane was located by the search and rescue team in cooperation with the Coast Guard off the coast of St. Maarten on Sunday at a depth of some 75 feet.

Civil Aviation and Maritime Department head Louis Halley confirmed the find of the wreckage during a press conference held together with Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication Ted Richardson, Secretary-General Miguel De Weever and members of the search and rescue team.

Search efforts continued on Sunday and will continue today, Monday Read more

style="text-align: center;">Curacao Policy Advisor to be Appointed Minister of VSA by MP Lloyd Richardson

PHILIPSBURG:--- Two months and days after the August 29th Parliamentary Elections there is still no Government on St. Maarten and while the Governor of St. Maarten has extended the formation period for the UPP/De Weever/Marlin coalition to appoint a Ministerial cabinet Read more

Lakes Book Is Catalyst For Debate On St. Maartens Future

St. Maarten – USM will be hosting a presentation on “Six 4 nine” a book by local author Jose Lake on November 6 from 7:00 to 9:00pm in the USM lecture Hall. This will be followed by a panel discussion.

In his book “Six 4 Nine,” local author Joseph Lake Jr. champions independence as the main solution to the problems of Country St. Maarten and Collectivité St. Martin. He argues that being colonies is not in the interest of the people who live on the island.

“A patriotic book is a cry, a critique, and a challenge; it tries in these three tonalities to convey the author’s prophetic opinion on the current state of his society Read more

USM Hosting Book Presentation Six for Nine.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The University of St. Martin (USM) will be hosting a presentation on the book "Six 4 Nine" written by Mr. Joseph Lake Jr. followed by a panel discussion. Six 4 Nine is about the people of St. Martin, it argues that the Country and Collectivité are colonies that are not in the interest of the people of St. Martin. The book champions independence as the main solution to the problems on the island.
A patriotic book is a cry, a critique, and a challenge; it tries in these three tonalities to convey the author's prophetic opinion on the current state of his society Read more

"Six 4 Nine" Presentation Set For University Of St. Martin On November 6Th

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten- The University of St. Martin (USM) will be hosting a presentation on the book "Six 4 Nine" written by Mr. Joseph Lake Jr. followed by a panel discussion.

Six 4 Nine is about the people of St. Martin, it argues that the Country and Collectivite´ are colonies that are not in the interest of the people of St. Martin.

The book champions independence as the main solution to the problems on the island.

A patriotic book is a cry, a critique, and a challenge; it tries in these three tonalities to convey the author's prophetic opinion on the current state of his society.

Mr Read more

Tourist Bureau Embezzlement Investigation: Roorda, Labega And Richardson Called To Testify One More Time

St. Maarten – Bas Roorda, Regina Labega, Lisa Koffi, Frans Richardson, Hiro Shigemoto, Alex Richardson, Miguel De Weever and Keith Graham will all be heard at witnesses at the request of the attorney of Edward Dest, the former head of marketing at the Tourist Bureau who is standing trial on charges of embezzlement.

Judge Koos van de Ven adjourned the trial to an unspecified future date but ruled that it will have to take place within six months, considering that the charges refer to fact dating back to 2009 and also considering the defendant’s health.

The court rejected the request to hear other witnesses, like Lasana Sekou and Sherry Hazel, because it is not clear how hearing these witnesses would benefit the defense.

Dest is a suspect in an investigation into abuse of a Chase-bank account in New York that was set up by the government to cover the expenses for its New York based Tourist Bureau office Read more

Justice Academy’s Anniversary.

style="text-align: left;">PHILIPSBURG:--- On Monday September 15, 2014, the Minister of Justice the Honorable Dennis Richardson attended a ceremony commemorating the 2nd Anniversary of the existence of the Justice Academy and it's achievements to date. The Minister spoke about the Justice Academy being a continuation of a project initiative of the previous Minister of Justice Mr. Roland Duncan and it being a positive institution with great challenges, but that offer at same time the opportunity for it to become a center of excellence for education and training in the Justice sector Read more

Level Of Political Debate Shta Mixer Disappoints

St. Maarten - The political mixer organized by the St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) at the Sonesta Great Bay Beach Hotel began with a disappointment when the leader of the United St. Maarten party did not show up. Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams, who was expected to attend, was also absent. Five parties were represented: NA (Rodolphe Samuel), UP (Miguel De Weever), DP (Roy Marlin), SRP (Jacinto Mock) and OSPP (Lenny Priest).

Parties first got the opportunity to explain in broad strokes what they stand for Read more

Dp Removed Campaign Material In Belvedere, But: Roundabout Billboards Remain An Issue

St. Maarten – The police had to intervene and in the end, the Democratic Party yielded and took down its oversized political billboard at the Belvedere roundabout on Friday. Chief Commissioner Peter de Witte said that officers had checked the situation on Thursday and concluded that the billboard stood – as was obvious to everyone except the Democratic Party – on the roundabout.

On Wednesday, party-leader and Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams still declared that the situation did not fall within the description of a roundabout Read more