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PHILIPSBURG:--- The latest statement from the Minister of TEATT regarding the law banning the use of single-use plastic bags, plastic straws, and styrofoam containers raises more questions than it provides answers. This is the opinion of the initiator of the law, MP Sarah Wescot-Williams.

I have over and over been asking about the enforcement of this law Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Over the weekend it was announced that Members of Parliament Heyliger-Marten, Wescot-Williams, and Duncan have submitted a request for a central committee meeting of Parliament to receive an update from government on the governments trajectory for electoral reform.

In explaining this request, MP Wescot stated that several members of parliament have not only been clamoring to get a sense from the government where electoral reform stands presently but also to hear whether the government is actually doing something regarding the much-touted reform.

In addition, there are several proposals from members of parliament at government, and while the government has alluded to these proposals and governments initial support for proposals such as removal of the black curtains, candidates declarations as part of a political party, a more tamper-proof ballot system, no tangible actions are evident.

We know that the government has conducted a survey and announced public sessions on electoral reform, but there is no evidence of urgency.

Parliament has also finally requested proposals for the drafting of legislation in areas identified by parliament as part of the reform of several laws that regulate components of electoral reform, such as the position of political parties in our system, ship jumping, ministerial responsibility, dissolution of parliament, suspension of MPs, remuneration and amount of parliamentary seats etc Read more

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Two School Boards Receive Feminine Hygiene Products

From left: D. Marks, R. Richardson-Romey, E Baptiste-Boasman, Minister Ottley, Minister Samuel, E. Hanson-Flanders and E. Jacobs.

HOPE ESTATE--Two school boards were provided with feminine hygiene products for distribution within their respective schools on Friday, April 14.

Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor VSA Omar Ottley was accompanied by Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (ECYS) Rodolphe Samuel, Coordinator of Teen Times Rochelayne Richardson-Romey, staff of the Community Development Family and Humanitarian Affairs (CDFHA) Elba Hanson-Flanders and Elencia Baptiste-Boasman for the handover of these products Read more

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Hope Estate:--- On Friday, April 14, 2023, Minister Omar Ottley accompanied by Minister Rudolph Samuel, Coordinator of Teen Times Mrs. Rochelayne Richardson-Romey, Staff of Community Development Family & Humanitarian Affairs Mrs. Elba Hanson-Flanders and Mrs. Elencia M. Baptiste-Boasman, for the handing over of Feminine Hygiene products to two School Boards Read more

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Hope Estate:--- On Friday, April 14, 2023, Minister Omar Ottley accompanied by Minister Rudolph Samuel, Coordinator of Teen Times Mrs. Rochelayne Richardson-Romey, Staff of Community Development Family & Humanitarian Affairs Mrs. Elba Hanson-Flanders and Mrs. Elencia M. Baptiste-Boasman, for the handing over of Feminine Hygiene products to two School Boards Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Justice Anna Richardson informed The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) on April 14 by way of an extensive letter that well-known artist Rich Kalashh is not allowed to perform for the international Hip Hop night set for April 21, 2023, due to an analyst by the police department KPSM.
The letter is as follows by the Minister of Justice, "I am writing to you in response to the request made on February 7, 2023, by the St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---  A new craft & farmers market will soon be opening its doors to the people of Sint Maarten, offering fresh, healthy, and locally grown produce to the community. The launch of the farmers market will take place at the Wifold Building in Phillipsburg on Saturday, May 6th, 2023, this pilot program will run for a probationary period of three months every other Saturday to gauge community feedback.

With the launch of this farmers market, the community will benefit from increased access to fresh, locally grown produce, while strengthening the community Read more

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Land Awarded For Social Housing Is Already In Lease, Mp Peterson Says

Minister of VROMI Egbert Doran and Helen Salomons-Brown, director of St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation, award land allegedly already leased to the company High Tech Development NV since 2012.

PHILIPSBURG--Government recently awarded land in Hope Estate for social housing development while the specific lot allegedly was already issued in long lease since 2012 to another party. This was brought forward by Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- HURRYcane Run, a board game that teaches children about hurricane preparedness, is now available for students to play in their elementary schools. HURRYcane Run is developed by the Student Support Services Division (SSSD) and UNICEF the Netherlands (UNICEF NL) to strengthen school disaster and hurricane preparedness.

Elementary school representatives were invited to experience the new educational game first-hand. Several attendees commented: Even us, as adults, learned new facts about hurricane preparedness while playing this game!

Olga Mussington-Service, Head of SSSD, welcomed all representatives: I hope you enjoy playing this game and feel it is useful in your classrooms Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs Ms. Silveria Jacobs was shocked and concerned when she was informed of the news of the detention of Member of Parliament Rolando Brison on Friday, March 17, 2023.

The Prime Minister wishes MP Brison and his family as well as the UP party much strength during this very difficult time, while awaiting the process of the judicial system and is very happy to learn of the MPs release on Saturday evening.

I have a great deal of sympathy towards the MP and his family; matters such as these leave very little room for the privacy of those close to the affected individuals within our small island society Read more

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Dr. Mercelina Is Concerned About The Current Situation Within The Ministry Of Justice

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten — Leader of the Unified Resilient Sint Maarten Movement (URSM) Dr. Luc Mercelina expressed his concerns with the current situation concerning the placement and retroactive payment of Justice workers.

It is my hope that we are truly nearing the end of this unfortunate and unnecessary process. For too long our men and women in the Police force have sacrificed their lives, their own families to protects the people of Sint Maarten, while their employer continued to neglect and disrespect them Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Leader of the Unified Resilient Sint Maarten Movement (URSM) Dr. Luc Mercelina expressed his concerns with the current situation concerning the placement and retroactive payment of Justice workers.

It is my hope that we are truly nearing the end of this unfortunate and unnecessary process. For too long our men and women in the Police force have sacrificed their lives, and their own families to protect the people of Sint Maarten, while their employers continued to neglect and disrespect them Read more

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Grisha: Again, Ipko Has Proven Our Main Focus Should Be Amending The Kingdom Charter

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — In a press statement released on Monday March 6, 2023, evening, Member of Parliament, Grisha Heyliger-Marten elaborated on her statements made during the IPKO which took place in Curaao last week.

During her opening remarks at the IPKO, Heyliger-Marten expressed her discontent and impatience with the fact that, as she participated in her fourth IPKO, the discussion about changing the Kingdom Charter seems to be avoided.

Despite the fact that all governments within the Kingdom continue to complain about its structure and deficient articles, nobody seems to want to address the problems, Heyliger-Marten stated during her address.

We keep beating around the bush IPKO after IPKO, without making any changes for the betterment of the lives of our people Read more

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Witu Proposes Adjustments To Salary Scales

— Laptops should be delivered soon —

Philipsburg The board of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) submitted a proposal for an adjustment to the Salary Scales of employees in Education.

The fight continues to ensure Education is truly prioritized in our Country as teachers should be respected and not be neglected, remarked Stuart Johnson President of the WITU.

Johnson submitted the proposal addressed to the Honorable Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs on Friday, 24thFebruary 2023 Read more

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~Laptops should be delivered soon ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The board of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) submitted a proposal for an adjustment to the Salary Scales of employees in Education.

The fight continues to ensure Education is truly prioritized in our Country as teachers should be respected and not be neglected, remarked Stuart Johnson President of the WITU.
Johnson submitted the proposal addressed to the Honorable Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs on Friday, 24th February 2023 Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- I have taken a hiatus to observe if there were any changes happening or if the intent of the change was put in the plan. Many movements were made by the Ministry of Justice, which I appreciate although we still have a lot of work to do.
I attended the court hearing in Philipsburg on the 17th of February 2023 at 3 pm, Prison Association vs Land Sint Maarten. (Kortgeding= summary Judgement)
The prison association was present and accompanied by their legal representative, Miss Rosenburg Read more

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Now Party Congress: A Suffering PeopleHave Enough Reasons To Vote For Change

~ Three new candidates introduced ~

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — In front of an impressive crowd that brought MP Christophe Emmanuel to tears, the Nation Opportunity Wealth (NOW) political party held a successful congress at the Belair Community Center on Sunday evening which, according to MP Emmanuel, further energized him and his team in the lead-up to the upcoming Parliamentary elections.

An emotional Emmanuel was overwhelmed with emotion and had difficulty uttering his first few words Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Tzu Chi Foundation has been busy over the past months donating "Love Rice" and hampers containing grocery essentials to a number of organizations and institutions around the island as it continues its efforts to ease the burden on households in the community. 

The donations were ramped up late last year and continued into this year with some eight St. Maarten and St. Martin-based organizations receiving relief items. Additionally, the foundations volunteers also went home to home and directly delivered packages to a number of seniors, who were grateful to Tzu Chi for their monthly visits and for the special packages that they received before the holidays Read more

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How realistic are these motions in the view of the CBCS?, the MP questions in a letter to the Central Bank.~

PHILIPSBURG:--- I did this via the Minister of Finance, Mr. Ardwell Irion, just to make sure that the bank does not deny me a response, based on formalities.
It is now more than 3 weeks since 2 motions were tabled in parliament regarding the Mullet Bay property Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- With its interim board in place and this boards first meeting held on February 3rd, the DP over the weekend outlined the activities for the coming months.

DP leader Sarah Wescot stated that the 11-member board had divided the tasks among themselves, electing Mr. A. Roberto Richardson as its president.

The first meeting was an introductory meeting, the party leader further explained, but the board also discussed the outline of the partys upcoming events.

The first event is on Saturday, February 25th, when the Party will be having its first Family Fun Day in a very long time, at the traditional location of Kimsha beach.

DP leader, MP Wescot-Williams explained that while this beach is quite crowded nowadays, the party has teamed up with one of the local restauranteurs, where food and drinks will be on sale.

The exciting part of this event is the games and the prizes that can be won, such as weekend getaways, electronics, and cash prizes for young and old.
The prize announcements will take place at specific times during the day, so the public is encouraged to follow the party online for more information and times.

Following the February family fun day, our sight is set on March, during which month in our view, the focus needs to be on Women; celebrating our achievements, acknowledging our challenges, and issuing a call to action Read more

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El Honorable Ministro De Vsa, Omar Ottley; Visita A Los Mayores Durante Su Formacin Smart Tech

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten El Ministro de Salud Pblica, Social Desarrollo y Trabajo, el Honorable Omar Ottley visita a los Ancianos en el Servicio de Ayuda Comunitario para Ancianos y Discapacitados de Gaston Boasman en Hope Estate durante su capacitacin en tecnologa SMART.

Es imposible tener xito en el mundo moderno sin la capacidad de utilizar un dispositivo electrnico personal como una computadora, computadora porttil, tableta o telfono inteligente Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Honorable Omar Ottley visits the Elderly at the Gaston Boasman Community Helpdesk for the Elderly and Disabled at Hope Estate during their SMART Tech training.
It is impossible to succeed in the modern world without the ability to utilize a personal electronic device such as a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone Read more

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Mp Gumbs Pleased With Prime Minister Response To Electoral Resolution Request

Requests Meeting of Ad-hoc Committee for Electoral Reform

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Party for Progress Member of Parliament Melissa Gumbs expressed her satisfaction with the response received from Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs regarding the MPs request to consider amending the countrys Kiesbesluit (Electoral Resolution).

Gumbs had submitted a letter to the Prime Minister on 13 September 2022 to request that the Prime Minister, and by extension the Government, consider amending article 12 of the Kiesbesluit Read more

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Heyliger-Marten Questions Suspension Of Kadaster Director, Actions Of Supervisory Board

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Independent Member of Parliament Grisha Heyliger-Marten has requested an urgent question hour on recent developments at Kadaster.
In a letter addressed to President of Parliament Bijlani on Wednesday, Heyliger-Marten requested a question hour with the pertinent Minister(s).

During a question hour, which is a public meeting of Parliament usually held on Mondays, the Minister or Ministers invited, give direct verbal answers to questions posed by Members of Parliament.

In her letter to the President of Parliament, MP Heyliger-Marten stated that it had been
brought to her attention that the Managing Director of Kadaster was recently suspended by the Supervisory Board of Kadaster.

Considering the fact that the Supervisory Board is appointed by the Government, that
Kadaster is responsible for executing national legislation, I requested the President of
Parliament to urgently submit twelve (12) questions related to the Directors suspension to the pertinent Minister(s), Heyliger-Marten said.

When I first heard the rumors about the suspension, my initial thought was that I hope that, if true, this was not another case of a local professional being victimized for political or other reasons, simply for doing his job, Heyliger-Marten stated in her press release.

So in order to establish exactly what happened, when, and why, I decided to immediately
request clarification from the Government, who appointed the Supervisory Board.

I recall that during the PJIA Holding Company saga, Government had indicated that laws,
rules and regulations, including the Corporate Governance Code had been violated by the
former Managing Director of PJIA Holding Read more

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