SXMElections.com

Editorial - Well-intended gesture

The decision in principle to transfer 300,000 guilders of Parliament’s travel budget to the Justice Ministry for the fight against crime (see Tuesday paper) is certainly a sympathetic move in light of two recent shootings in Philipsburg, one of which resulted in the death of a police officer. On the other hand, it also sounds familiar.

In January 2014 the legislature passed a motion to slice its NAf Read more

Fifth member of Corporate Governance Council soon

PHILIPSBURG--The fifth member of the Corporate Governance Council (CGC) is expected to be appointed by the Council of Ministers next week.

Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs told Parliament on Monday, the CGC headed by Chairman banker Perry Wilson, is "up and functioning." The council recently received some NAf Read more

Over a dozen candidates disqualified, charged over voting day violence in Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti--Fourteen candidates in Haiti’s legislative elections – including four from President Michel Martelly’s PHTK party – have been disqualified and are now facing several charges over their alleged involvement in violence during the first round of voting earlier this month.

The 14 were among 1,800 candidates who were seeking election to the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. Thirteen of them were running for seats in the lower chamber while the other was trying to win a seat in the Senate.

Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council CEP said the candidates are accused of voting violations, removal of ballot boxes, armed aggression against an election officer and firing an automatic weapon near a polling station, among other offences.

The violence that occurred during the August 9 voting resulted in the deaths of two people.

Preliminary results from the voting are expected to be published today, August 19.

The second round of legislative elections is set for October 25, which will also be the date of the first round of presidential elections.

The disqualified candidates and the accusations against them are below, as released by the CEP:

* Francois Tony Antonelly Claude, candidate for deputy, Port-de-Paix (North West), PHTK – ransacking of the voting centre Ecole Nationale de Fatima, destruction of ballots and disturbance of the conduct of elections.

* Dorleus Gergot, candidate for deputy, Savanette (Centre), RENMEN AYITl – armed burst in the voting centre Savanette removing ballots.

* Moise Frantz, candidate for deputy, Marigot (Sud-Est), ADRENA – election violation, ransacking of voting centre, destruction of electoral materials.

* Lubin Jean-Claude, candidate for deputy, Mirebalais (Centre), PITIT DESSALINES –  burst into the Mirebalais Parquet and breaking of materials.

* Desgrotes Jean Franchi, candidate for deputy, Mirebalais (Centre), VERITE – burst into the Mirebalais Parquet and breaking of materials.

* Dorelien Fantal, candidate for deputy, Mirebalais (Centre), FANMI LAVALAS – burst into the Mirebalais Parquet and breaking of materials.

* Jean-Pierre Jephté, candidate for deputy, Chardonnière/les Anglais, FUSION – armed burst in the local of BED and ransacking of polling stations.

* Belizaire Arnel, Senate candidate, West Department, APLA – shooting with automatic weapons near the Drouillard voting centre, widespread panic, disrupting polling.

* Previlon Lionel, candidate for deputy, Desdunes (Artibonite), PHTK – violation of the election and removal of ballot boxes.

* Altenor John, candidate for deputy, Grande Saline (Artibonite), AAA – shooting with automatic weapons, ransacking of the voting center Ecole nationale Chevreau Lombard.

* Frederic Ozite, candidate for deputy, Grande Saline, PHTK – violation of the vote and destruction of electoral materials.

* Deshommes Wilbert Joseph, candidat à la deputation, Grande Saline (Rossignol) Artibonite, VERITE – violation of the vote, ransacking of voting stations, shooting with automatic weapons.

* Gamaniel Placius, candidate for deputy, Grande Saline (Artibonite), KID – ransacking of the voting centre Ecole Nationale Rossignol, violation of vote, shooting with automatic weapons.

* Romulus Marc Faublas, candidate for deputy, Saut d’eau (Centre), PHTK – armed attack on the President of BEC and ransacking of several voting centres, including that of the Ecole ECOSA de Dalaise Read more

>PHILIPSBURG (PARLIAMENT/Independent Faction):--- Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo will be requesting a meeting of Parliament to discuss and mandate the Minister of Finance to implore upon the Central Bank to take up their responsibility and assume the tasks of receiving and resolving complaints brought by consumers and, in some cases, small businesses against banks, insurers and/or other financial services providers.

“In our system the Central Bank is supposed to regulate and supervise institutions that offer financial services Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  Prime Minister/Acting Minister of the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (Ministry VROMI) Marcel Gumbs is inviting the residents of Middle Region to a town hall meeting on Wednesday, August 19 regarding sewage connections.
Several notices have been placed in the Government Information Page already appealing to residents to attend this very important meeting.
The town hall meeting is about the sewage project in Middle Region where the various homes will be connected to the sewage system of the Government Read more

Will the UP Faction die standing or will they live on their knees? Coalition buckled to the Dutch instead of safeguarding country’s autonomy.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The United Peoples Party, who has the majority in Parliament seem to have wasted their summer recess to put together some 16 amendments they wanted the Minister of Justice to change in the protocol he signed on June 2nd 2015 to avoid the Kingdom from placing St. Maarten under higher supervision. Based on what transpired in the Parliament of St. Maarten on Monday it is clear that the coalition including the faction leader of the UPP Franklin Meyers chose to live on his knees rather than dying standing when he opted to vote in favor of the draft law that was signed by Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson early June.
SMN News got hold of the draft document containing the amendments the UPP wanted before they vote in favor of the protocol, which they put aside on Monday simply to appease the Dutch Read more

style="text-align: center;">Attorney General gain the support of the Dutch to annul guideline issued by St. Maarten Minister of Justice.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Attorney General of the countries St. Maarten, Curacao, Guus Schram has gained the support of the Dutch politicians who intend to annul a decision taken by St. Maarten’s Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson. According to a letter sent by Minister of Home and Kingdom Affairs Ronald Plasterk it states that the Attorney General of the countries Curacao and St Read more

Mp Leona Marlin-Romeo Wants Minister Of Finance To Get Central Bank Involved In Receiving And Resolving Complaints

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo will be requesting a meeting of Parliament to discuss and mandate the Minister of Finance to implore upon the Central Bank to take up their responsibility and assume the tasks of receiving and resolving complaints brought by consumers and, in some cases, small businesses against banks, insurers and/or other financial services providers.

“In our system the Central Bank is supposed to regulate and supervise institutions that offer financial services Read more

Sxm Parliament Approves Integrity Chamber

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Parliament of St. Maarten has given the green light for the establishment of an Integrity Chamber for St. Maarten.

The National Ordinance to establish the Integrity Chamber was approved by the majority of Parliament on Monday.

In the podcast below you will hear not only the vote, but the motivation of the vote by many members of Parliament noting that the opposition Read more

Leona requests meeting to move forward with Small Claims Court

PHILIPSBURG--Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo has requested a Parliament meeting to discuss the introduction of a Small Claims Court for the country based on Article 862 of the Code of Civil Procedures. The framework proposal for this court was presented to Parliament by Attorney Reynold Groeneveldt earlier this year.

The Small Claims Court will handle claims up to NAf Read more

NAf. 300,000 of MPs’ travel budget to be reallocated to fighting crime

PHILIPSBURG--Members of Parliament (MPs) are prepared to travel less to allow the Justice Ministry more funds to fight crime in the country.

Parliament has agreed in principle to cut NAf. 300,000 from its travel budget and reallocate it to the cash strapped ministry. The shifting of the funds will only become reality after Parliament adopts a motion making the change to its budget.

Parliament Chairman Dr Read more

Liberty of the Seas cancels port visit due to medical emergency and returns to Bermuda

PORT ST. MAARTEN – On Monday the cruise ship Liberty of the Seas canceled its port call due to a medical emergency. The vessel had to divert back to Bermuda where the person disembarked.

The newly renovated Liberty of the Seas is packed with all the phenomenal onboard experiences you’d expect from the innovative class type of vessel besides new offerings that would add to the cruising experience.

The vessel belongs to Royal Caribbean International and is part of the Freedom Class which also includes Freedom of the Seas and Independence of the Seas.

Liberty of the Seas carries over 3600 passengers’ double occupancy, and 1360 crew Read more

Who is really destroying the country?

Dear Editor,

Government officials are transferring their guilt to the population, which speaks volumes to their insecurity and inability to lead effectively. They have assassinated our hopes, and so the ludicrousness of the idea that individuals, and the media, are destroying the country, is an accusation that cannot be further away from the truth. The blistering message to government is a demand to do things differently, because its approval rating is almost zero.    Therefore, this bleak situation should be a wake-up call for the authorities to acknowledge that the most important element in communication is having the ability to listen; and that real leaders stay connected to the inhabitants, in order to provide the best service possible Read more

Bilbao hold off Barcelona to claim Spanish Super Cup

BARCELONA-- Athletic Bilbao claimed their first silverware in more than three decades when they wrapped up a 5-1 aggregate win over 10-man Barcelona to win the Spanish Super Cup on Monday and unleash ecstatic celebrations in the Basque city.

Bilbao, who only field players of Basque origin, last secured a major trophy when they won Spain's traditional season opener in 1984 and Frida Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The President of Parliament Hon. Dr. Lloyd Richardson disclosed on Sunday that one of the measures to enhance the security and safety of the country will be a transfer of Naf.300,000 from the parliament travel budget to the Ministry of Justice.
Close to 70 points were discussed with respect to how to fight crime, and Read more

Dutch Government wants to impose instruction on St. Maarten when it comes to establishing an Integrity Chamber --- Kingdom Council of State now has to decide.

style="text-align: center;">Ten MPs voted in favor of draft law to establish Integrity Chamber --- DP Faction Leader spearheaded the drafting and finalizing of law

PHILIPSBURG:--- St. Maarten has to brace itself for a possible instruction in order to establish an integrity chamber on St. Maarten. Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson submitted the document to the Parliament of St. Maarten on Monday where the Dutch Government want Kingdom Council of State to grant them permission to impose a Kingdom measure on St Read more

MP Leona Marlin-Romeo request a meeting about moving forward on Small Claims Court for the Country.

>PHILIPSBURG (PARLIAMENT/Independent Faction):---  Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo is requesting a meeting to discuss a proposal prepared by attorney Reynold Groeneveldt to introduce a Small Claims Court for Sint Maarten according to article 862 of the Code of Civil Procedures.

The MP is supporting this initiative as it allows claims up to ANG Read more

Liberty of the Seas cancels port visit due to medical emergency and returns to Bermuda

>PORT ST. MAARTEN:--- On Monday the cruise ship Liberty of the Seas canceled its port call due to a medical emergency. The vessel had to divert back to Bermuda where the person disembarked.

The newly renovated Liberty of the Seas is packed with all the phenomenal onboard experiences you’d expect from the innovative class type of vessel besides new offerings that would add to the cruising experience.

The vessel belongs to Royal Caribbean International and is part of the Freedom Class which also includes Freedom of the Seas and Independence of the Seas.

Liberty of the Seas carries over 3600 passengers’ double occupancy, and 1360 crew Read more

Mp Leona Marlin-Romeo Request A Meeting About Moving Forward On Small Claims Court For The Country

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten– Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo is requesting a meeting to discuss a proposal prepared by attorney Reynold Groeneveldt to introduce a Small Claims Court for Sint Maarten according to article 862 of the Code of Civil Procedures.

The MP is supporting this initiative as it allows claims up to ANG Read more

Mp Jacobs Expresses Concern But Welcomes New Opportunities Of New School Year

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Former Minister of Education the Honorable MP Silveria Jacobs wished all a successful start to the new school year noting that the new school year means new opportunities for all.

She is however concerned about some of the noted deficiencies in the education system.

Among them the situation with Read more

Schools Reopen On Monday, Education Minister Visits Mpc

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Schools across the island of St. Maarten reopened their doors on Monday.

Although with the usual opening pains the overall opening of the new school year went well.

Drs. Joseph Rogers the Executive Director of the Foundation for Secondary Education of the Windward Islands is very satisfied with the manner in which the school opening went for Public Education.

On hand at the MPC Monday for the opening of the new school year was the Minister of Education the Honorable Rita Bourn-Gumbs and the Minister of Economic Affairs the Honorable Claret Connor Read more

Renovated basketball court the pride of Sandy Ground

MARIGOT--The Sandy Ground basketball court inauguration by President Aline Hanson on Saturday as a highlight of the Sandy Ground Fête celebration has marked a new beginning for the aspirations of the district’s young people.

The 430,000 euro basketball court can double as a volleyball court and soccer pitch while a half court at the rear is for children Read more

Frank Mingo passes away in Colombia, flags at half-mast

PHILIPSBURG--Former Minister of Finance of the Netherlands Antilles Frank Mingo passed away at a hospital in Medellin, Colombia, at 11:50pm on Friday, August 14. He was 68.

Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications Claret Connor and the Port expressed condolences to the Mingo family on his passing.

Connor also extended condolences to Princess Juliana International Airport SXM Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Regina Labega on the passing of her mother Lillian Mildred Labega-Rohan, also on Friday.

Mingo was a well-known businessman in St Read more

Schools reopen today for new academic year

~Alliance, OSPP encourage students~

PHILIPSBURG--Thousands of students, teachers and school staffers will be returning to school today, Monday, for the start of the new 2015-2016 academic year.

The roads are expected to be busy. In a back-to-school message National Alliance (NA) Deputy Leader Silveria Jacobs urged students to make school their priority and to do their utmost to learn something new daily as well as build character and practice respect Read more