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Prime Minister Lights Fireworks At Court House Tuesday

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Prime Minister of Sint Maarten the Honorable Marcel Gumbs was invited on Tuesday by the staff of the Court House, to symbolically resume a tradition that has been put aside over the last few years.

This was the lighting of a string of fireworks to close off the working year.

Court House staff welcomed the Prime Minister with snacks and hugs and said the two-minute fireworks presentation was simply the resumption of something many businesses on Frontstreet used to do.

With all safety precautions in place, the Prime Minister lit the string of fireworks Read more

Peace concert and fireworks on the Marigot waterfront

MARIGOT--The Collectivité in collaboration with artists association Kalaboom Team will organise a grand concert on the Marigot waterfront on Thursday, January 1, 2015, from 6:00pm to 11:00pm.

The Peace Concert will feature a number of artists including Akoustyle, DJ Outkast, Dutty Sham, Marc G Kalaboom DJS, DJ Biggers, N.I.A., Jackson, Red Eye Crew, King Vers, Oswald, Patou, Shanda Webster, Jahneral Blunty, Odd Brothers, Tamalia Theo, Anais Dancers, and more.

At 9:00pm precisely there will be a fireworks display to usher in the New Year Read more

Country cannot balance budget yet new staff hired.

style="text-align: center;">Did Government cancel their contract with Cable TV for Wednesday? Is the media being muzzled?

PHILIPSBURG:--- The newly installed Gumbs cabinet has taken some radical decisions as to how they intend to deal with members of the media in the future. A press release from Gumbs press secretariat states that the Government of St. Maarten is the last county to establish a press secretariat, a department they said all other Caribbean nations such as St. Kitts have.
Having read the press release sent out by the press secretariat makes us wonder if St Read more

Answers Will Have To Wait Until Mid-January: Parliament Wants Clarity About Housing Foundation

St. Maarten – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs answered the call to appear in Parliament as the acting minister of public housing within 72 hours after he was sworn in on Friday. Members of Parliament appreciated that, even though Gumbs sent them on their way with a flea in their ear, after listening to questions about the chaos of the St. Maarten Housing Development foundation for more than two hours.

The minister brought to mind the words he spoke on Friday in the constituting meeting where his team officially took over the reins: “The country needs tranquility, stability, civility and prosperity.”

Furthermore, Gumbs noted: “Integrity has been a buzz word this year Read more

Is the Dutch government guilty by association?

Dear Editor,

Now that the dust has blown over, we finally have a government even though the people didn't vote for them. The Kingdom Council of Ministers indirectly appoints a cabinet for St. Maarten, first time in the history of the kingdom, with the blessing of the leader of the UP, Mr. Theodore Heyliger.

The leader of the UP, MP Theodore Heyliger succumb to the pressure of the Dutch government by first withdrawing his name as a candidate for Prime Minister of St Read more

Editorial - Do what it has to

A press release by new Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs in today’s paper reminds civil servants that they are expected to report for work on Friday, January 2. The recently-installed Council of Ministers decided last week not to grant the day after New Year’s Day as an extra day off.

Publicly announcing such is highly necessary, because it had become almost a custom to give days off for dates sandwiched between public holidays and the weekend, seemingly without much regard for the loss of productivity and lack of service to the population.

Moreover, many would tend to stay home even when no such permission was granted Read more

Ministers to now speak via press secretary, weekly briefings ended

PHILIPSBURG--The recently installed Marcel Gumbs Cabinet appears to have erected a wall between itself and the press by establishing a “Press Secretariat” via which all ministers will communicate to the public. The live weekly Council of Ministers press briefing has been cancelled in favour of the new press secretary holding ad hoc briefings to tell the press what ministers have been working on.

The new Press Secretariat is led by former journalist Michael Granger, now press secretary to Prime Minister Gumbs Read more

Civil servants to report to work on January 2

PHILIPSBURG--The new Council of Ministers decided last week not to give government workers an extra day off on January 2, the day after New Year's Day.

As a result, all civil servants are expected to report to work on Friday, January 2, a press release stated. January 2, the release added, is not a public holiday.

New Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs urged civil servants who would like an extra day off to enjoy a long weekend to seek and request approval for a vacation day via their department heads.

He said 2015, from day one, is "a crucial year for St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The leader of the UP, MP Theodore Heyliger succumb to the pressure of the Dutch government by first withdrawing his name as a candidate for Prime Minister of St. Maarten, a position that he stated during the campaign that he was ready and able to take on Read more

All Civil Servants to Report to Work on Friday January 2nd, 2015.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- All civil servants are expected to report to work on Friday, January 2. The Council of Ministers took a decision last week not to grant government's personnel the extra day off following New Year's day. This day is not a public holiday. However, Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs encourages those civil servants who would like an extra day off to enjoy another long weekend, to request and seek approval for a vacation day via their department heads Read more

Lenny Preist Says Up Leader Bends Under Dutch Pressure

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The leader of the UP, MP Theodore Heyliger succumb to the pressure of the Dutch government by first withdrawing his name as a candidate for Prime Minister of St. Maarten, a position that he stated during the campaign that he was ready and able to take on.

The fact that he has not made himself available to assume the leadership of this country and to lead the government we consider this an act of treason Read more

No Xmas babies this year, two born on Boxing Day

CAY HILL--No babies were born in St. Maarten on Christmas Day, however, two bouncing bundles of joy entered the world on Boxing Day, Friday, December 26.

The first baby, an eight pound girl named Raylesha, was delivered by midwife Regina Janga at 10:30am on Friday to parents Rayshantly Amerikaan and Ilegio Illidge. This is Rayshantly's first child Read more

Two people injured in unrelated stabbings

PHILIPSBURG--The idea of maintaining peace over Christmas was not adhered to by everyone, as the police had to deal with two unrelated stabbings on the night of Thursday into Friday.

One person, who was stabbed on Charity Drive, off L.B. Scott Road, around 10:00pm, is critically injured, acting police spokesman Inspector Steven Carty confirmed Read more

Parliament in recess until January 1st. Meetings resume in the week of January 12

>PHILIPSBURG:---  President of Parliament, Hon. Lloyd Richardson, MD informed Members of Parliament that the House as of December 22 is in Christmas holiday recess until January 1st.

Parliamentary sessions are to resume in the weeks of January 12 and January 26.

A parliamentary delegation will be traveling to Aruba for the Ki Read more

Parliament In Recess Until January 1St. Meetings Resume In The Week Of January 12

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – President of Parliament, Hon. Lloyd Richardson, MD informed Members of Parliament that the House as of December 22 is in Christmas holiday recess until January 1st.

Parliamentary sessions are to resume in the weeks of January 12 and January 26.

A parliamentary delegation will be traveling to Ar Read more

Up Leader Mp Hon. Theo Heyliger On The Eve Of Christmas Message

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – My Fellow Sint Maarteners,

I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and best wishes for the season. This is a period of giving, sharing, and taking care of those less fortunate.

The weeks leading up to the eve of Christmas has seen various organizations and companies within our community giving back; sharing, and leaving behind goods and other items that they can use, the true values of good will to all men.

I praise those who would be working through the holiday season to serve and protect others, our Police, Fire Services and the Emergency Medical Services.

I praise those working around the clock at the St Read more

>Dear people of St. Maarten,
we are going through turbulent and challenging times and many are wondering where their next meal is coming from or if they will have a roof over their heads, while others worry about the increasing cost of living while the wages stay the same, and yet another worries about illness, sadness or grief.
To all of you who are challenged at this time I say to you never give up, for we serve a risen Saviour who always fulfills His promises.
This season of Christmas is a season of Peace, for He was sent as a babe to bring Peace to the world.
Yet those that focus on greed and ownership have continued to push us into war, division and ultimately driven many to poverty.
Therefor I appeal to all who do have this Christmas season to share with those who don't.
The best feeling in the world is to be able to give Read more

Suriname lauds US, Cuba on restoration of relations

PARAMARIBO--President Desi Bouterse has complimented Cuban President Raul Castro and US President Barack Obama on the restoration of relations between their countries. "My compliments to you for taking this grand step," Bouterse wrote on Monday in letters that were dispatched to both Presidents.

His letters are in response to announcements from both the White House and Havana on Wednesday last week that they would restore diplomatic relations after 53 years of separation. In his letter to Obama Bouterse wrote: "Today marks a milestone in the shift of the foreign policy of your country Read more

PM: Christmas time to share experiences

PHILIPSBURG--"This is the time of year when families near and far gather to celebrate and share their experiences of the past year in an atmosphere of joy, and when neighbours come together in a spirit of friendliness, peace and unity," said new Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs in his first Christmas message to the country.

"This is also the season when we are reminded that in spite of the general feeling of goodwill, there are persons among us who, for many reasons and circumstances, are unable to participate in any festivities or fellowship Read more

Five to go on trial in Buncamper case

PHILIPSBURG--Not only United People's (UP) party member Maria Buncamper-Molanus will stand trial for tax fraud, fraud and participation in a criminal organisation. Four other suspects, among them also her husband Claudius Buncamper, have been summoned to appear in the Court of First Instance for a pro forma/pre-trial hearing in this case scheduled for January 7, 2015.

The case against Buncamper-Molanus (47), her husband, Claudius Buncamper (51), notary F.E.G Read more

SHTA welcomes, outlines tasks at hand for new government

~ Narrows in on finances, govt-owned companies ~

PHILIPSBURG--The St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) has issued a statement welcoming new Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs and the newly appointed ministers, amidst what it says has been a time of widespread lack of trust in St. Maarten's unstable government. The largest business representative on the island has taken notice of the increased discussion of late – both in and out of the media – about the instability of the Dutchside's government and the damage it is doing to the economy.

"The lack of trust in our current governing system has led to a widespread belief that transparency and integrity are seriously lacking Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister of St. Maarten Marcel Gumbs on Tuesday met with the Dutch Representative on Aruba, St. Maarten and Curacao Gert Versluis. The meeting was an introductory one, focussed on current developments and other relevant matters.

Read more

Wellness on Wheels (WOW) Programme Officially Launched.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- In celebration of the Wellness on Wheels Programme that is expected to kick off in 2015 on January 28th, Collective Prevention Services at the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) hosted a short ribbon-cutting ceremony last week Wednesday in front of the Government Administration Building.

A few words were given by Dr. Virginia Asin Department Head of CPS, R.M. Willemsberg Deputy Director/Chief Operations Officer, and Honourable Minister of VSA Cornelius de Weever Read more

President Of Parliament Hon. Dr. Lloyd Richardson Christmas Message

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – President of Parliament, Hon. Lloyd Richardson, MD released the following Christmas Message for the nation.

Fellow St. Maarteners, citizens and residents. On behalf of the members of Parliament of St. Maarten and my family I would like to extend our warmest greetings to you during this festive season.

We've been blessed during this year to have been spared serious natural disasters Read more