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PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, August 26, 2015/N144

Prime Minister Gumbs: All Businesses, Schools and Government Offices Closed on Thursday due to the arrival of Erika

PHILIPSBURG – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), addressed the nation at noon on Wednesday, August 26 with respect to the approach of Tropical Storm Erika Read more

Editorial - Not the answer

Today’s meeting of Justice Minister Dennis Richardson with his Dutch counterpart Ard van der Steur and Kingdom Relations Minister Ronald Plasterk could prove pivotal regarding future relations between the Netherlands and St. Maarten. The Gumbs cabinet is of the opinion that The Hague is wrongly trying to take over local law enforcement with the help of Attorney-General in Willemstad Guus Schram and Dutch National Police Chief Gerard Bouman.

An internal memo from the latter following his recent visit was leaked; in it he mentioned great concern over the criminal undermining of society and “extremely alarming” integrity issues Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs: All Businesses to close by 10PM Sunday Evening

including Restaurants and Casinos until further notice

PHILIPSBURG – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), received an update on Sunday from members of the EOC about the current status of Tropical Storm Danny. The actions being taken by the Government of Sint Maarten are of a precautionary nature Read more

Schools closed Monday due to Danny’s passing

PHILIPSBURG--Schools on the Dutch side have been ordered closed by Government on Monday "as a precaution" due to the passing of Hurricane Danny close to the country Sunday night into Monday.

Both Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs and Education Minister Rita Bourne-Gumbs issued statements on Friday advising the community about the school closure.

Business closure will be decided on over the weekend, if this becomes necessary Read more

For Immediate Release: Friday, August 21, 2015/N140

Prime Minister Gumbs: Schools Closed on Monday as Danny Approaches. Nation continues to prepare for the passing of Danny

PHILIPSBURG – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), was informed on Friday morning in a mini EOC meeting about national preparations by the National Disaster Coordinator/Fire Chief Clive Richardson and other key Emergency Support Functions about the current state of affairs, and what the country can expect with respect to the approaching weather system which is currently Hurricane Danny.

Here is the audio file of the national address by the Prime Minister: https://www.sendspace.com/file/g33f1r

The Prime Minister addressed the nation via radio at lunchtime on Friday: “The current forecast as of Friday morning, has Hurricane Danny passing through our area on Monday.

“You will be continuously informed over the weekend via radio, the Governments Website and Governments Facebook Page as the situation develops.

“Heavy rains can be expected with the passing of this weather system which can lead to street flooding and land slippages/mudslides.

PRESS RELEASE

“Schools are to be closed on Monday, August 24 as a precautionary measure. 

“Business closure will be decided upon over the weekend if this is necessary.  We have to review the latest weather reports that come in over the weekend to determine further actions.

“The various trenches and drains have been cleared to allow the free flow of storm water that could be expected.  The pumps are operational and on standby.

“In connection with low lying areas around the ponds, the overflow system of the Fresh and Little Bay Pond will be prepared for a fast-run off of excess water.

“A request for military assistance by the local marines has been requested by the Ministry of General Affairs.

“The listing of hurricane shelters are: New Testament Baptist Church (A.C 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

Impressed journalists already creating a buzz

AIRPORT--The international aviation and travel writers brought to St. Maarten by Princess Juliana International Airport SXM for a media tour this week have started to create a buzz in media coverage, even before leaving. The whirlwind trip has left them with plenty of material to write about what they have experienced personally as unique traits of travel in St. Maarten and hub partners Saba and St. Barths.

The 11 hand-picked journalists will be submitting their stories to more than 30 international media outlets and while some story ideas were pre-planned, others will be based on where the wind took them.

One highlight, an impromptu and unscripted one-minute video of Domino's Pizza being delivered to Saba on Winair, already has gone viral Read more

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Candidates in this article:

Myanmar gags media linked to ousted ruling party leader

NAYPYITAW--Myanmar has gagged media linked to parliamentary speaker Shwe Mann after he and his allies were purged from the ruling party leadership by President Thein Sein on Thursday months ahead of a historic general election.

The media crackdown comes after a heavy-handed involvement of security forces in Shwe Mann's ouster this week and will add to concern about the progress of democratic reforms, given the government's use of tactics reminiscent of military-era purges Read more

Editorial - Perfect occasion

Today’s news that St. Maarten will host the 2015 Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) conference is most welcome. Visiting yachts have become important contributors to the local tourism economy, due in part to the annual Heineken Regatta, construction or expansion of various marinas and the widening of the drawbridge channel.

The last few years have seen some less-than-positive developments like losing the boat charter show, but overall the destination remains relatively strong in terms of its marine industry Read more

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Candidates in this article:

Sarah raises concerns about Tourism Authority

PHILIPSBURG--Democratic Party (DP) leader Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams has raised concerns about Tourism and Economic Affairs Minister Claret Connor’s apparent plans to disband the existing foundation governing the St Read more

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Candidates in this article:

Officer Benjamin's sacrifice

Dear Editor,

Last week's shooting of a police officer by a coward with a gun has brought our once- tranquil "Friendly" island to an all time new low in societal behaviour. Killing any human being is bad; however, being mentally capable, and physically prepared and able to actually shoot a police officer, a representative of the law, is a whole other matter! In the rawness of such a tragedy we, (the collective we), seem to be seeking serious debate on this "national" issue.

The evidence can be found in both traditional print and social media that has been "lit up"! We are learning that compassion is alive and well in our society Read more

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Candidates in this article:

Minister to sidestep foundation to create Tourism Authority

PHILIPSBURG--The St. Maarten Tourism Authority (STA) Foundation has been declared obsolete. Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Claret Connor now says the STA will be established without the intermediary foundation due to stagnation in progress caused by delays and lack of common vision on how to move forward.

Minister Connor reacted on Monday to requests for comment in light of last week Friday’s front page story describing the foundation as being in limbo Read more

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Candidates in this article:

No word yet on completion of minister candidates screening

PHILIPSBURG--It has been more than a month since the submission for screening a minister candidate to join the Marcel Gumbs Cabinet and there has not been any word about whether and when the candidate will be sworn in to office. There also has not been any information about the progress of the screening from authorities.

The candidate, who is expected to take up the post of Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications (TEATT), is former utilities company GEBE employee Ernest Sams.

Following a successful screening, Sams is to take up that post and current minister Claret Connor is slated to move to the portfolio of Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI Read more

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Candidates in this article:

Netherlands-bound students bid farewell to family, friends

AIRPORT--Some 27 students bade farewell to family and friends on Sunday morning as they departed on their journey to the Netherlands to further their studies. Loved ones spent the last moments with them at Princess Juliana International Airport SXM, at the fourth Bon Voyage party hosted by the airport and Domino’s Pizza.

The students heard special addresses by Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs Rita Bourne-Gumbs and the airport’s Managing Director Regina LaBega before saying their final goodbyes Read more