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Dear Inmates Association,

I hereby write to you in my capacity as Director of the Point Blanche Prison and House of Detention in response to your Letter to the Editor in The Daily Herald newspaper of January 5th, 2023.

It cannot be denied that the attention that Point Blanche Prison has received from the Ministry of Justice over the last three years has been far greater than in any period prior to that. There are independent reports available that attest to this, as such, I believe that among your fellow inmate population, you will find many persons who agree Read more

~Kingdom partners to attend 4LO in Sint Maarten~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs for Sint Maarten, Silveria E. Jacobs will be hosting Ministerial Consultation Quadripartite Meetings, dubbed the 4LO (vierlandenoverleg). The meetings are set to take place on January 12 and 13 at the Sonesta Maho Resort.
The event will culminate in a press conference between the four Kingdom partners, Aruba, represented by Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes; Curaao, represented by Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas; The Netherlands, represented by State-Secretary of Kingdom Relations and Digitalization Alexandra van Huffelen; and Sint Maarten, represented by Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- As 2022 drew to a close, Its Time SXM Found. ended its year-long series of community-building events and activities by hosting a grand New Years Eve (NYE) Celebration to recognize the Senior citizens. This event was held in partnership with the Helping Hands Foundation and the St.Maarten Lions Club on December 30, 2022, at the Senior Recreational Center in the Hope Estate.

Many Seniors spend the holidays alone, sick, and/or shut in. Several are silently depressed, particularly during the festive Christmas season Read more

~Wishes the public a prosperous 2023~

PHILIPSBURG--United Bus Drivers Association President Claude Omeus in his 2023 new year's address wished the population a healthy and prosperous 2023 and beyond. The expected bus fare increase has not yet gone into effect and the association is in talks with the government to introduce the increase before the end of the first quarter of 2023.

Omeus also stressed that the government specifically the ministry of TEATT, should not forget the plight of bus drivers and other public transportation services men and women who are also struggling with the impact of the high cost of living on the island.

"2022 was a year of reflection for the group while recruiting more members to join the group as drivers continue to keep their heads above water while dealing with increases in food and fuel prices Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- As we venture into another year, the Honorable Minister of Public Health Social Development, and Labor, Omar Ottley, would like to wish all a Happy New Year. May this year bring you happiness, peace, and prosperity. I hope this year brings about good employer and employee relationships and financial increase for both, said Minister Ottley Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- On behalf of the family, I want to take this moment and wish the people of St. Maarten a Happy and prosperous New Year. Last year was a challenging year for our country. Nevertheless, we are a resilient people and together we will look to the future with optimism and faith. Last week candidate Julian Rollocks jr traveled to Willemstad and met with Mr Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- As another year draws to a close, I hope you recognize that our fight is far from overit has just begun.

Don't even assume for a second that the privileges we enjoy today won't be taken away tomorrow.

A classic illustration of how our rights are being violated is the controversy over vacation payments.

Some of us are fortunate enough to have a few days off as a holiday. Others, however, are not afforded this privilege.

As teachers, non-teaching staff, and government employees, we frequently perform unseen, behind-the-scenes duties that are essential to maintaining our economy Read more

Government Financially Supports Trapping, Destroying Of Monkeys

PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten Nature Foundation, with the help of a local veterinarian, is getting rid of the more than 450 vervet monkeys on St. Maarten. The entrapment and euthanising of monkeys have the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT), which provided essential funding.

  The elimination of the monkey population is part of St. Maarten Nature Foundations Invasive Species Project. Acting TEATT Minister Omar Ottley signed off on funding that was used to purchase materials and equipment and to facilitate training by an experienced monkey trapper from the island of St Read more

The United St. Maarten Party Introduces Its New Logo For Election Cycle 2023

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The United St. Maarten Party under the leadership of Mrs. Pamela Gordon-Carty introduced its new logo and party slogan Breaking the Cycle for the election campaign scheduled to be held in 2023. The party moved up its rebranding plans which was scheduled for its 10 year anniversary in 2024 to coincide with the current electoral of 2023.

We have always championed ourselves as solution orientated with practical and strategic plans that can transform the country and move it forward, said President Mr Read more

The Truth Of The Matter Is That This Government Is Being Governed By A Minority

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — In a press release issued by the United Sint Maarten Party (USP) said the following: First of all the governor cant call elections, the governor represents the interest of the Kingdom and will handle in such capacity primarily thats his role.

Secondly the electoral laws nor the constitution doesnt speak of independent members but yet we have had for years that party candidates that got a certain amount of votes while being part of a party has been declaring themselves independent with no legal grounds to it and like everything else it continues its course Read more

THE HAGUE:--- The Sint Maarten Reconstruction, Recovery and Resilience Trust Fund is advancing critical reforms needed to ensure long-term national sustainability and through its projects producing many positive outcomes. This includes enabling financial resilience with almost 2,000 people receiving support and skills training to enhance their income and building climate resilience with the majority of the population now protected from the future impact of disasters. In addition, over 500 homes, roofs, and other critical facilities serving the public are repaired, 139 shipwrecks were removed, and over 10.5km of the countrys shorelines were cleaned Read more

Sint Maarten Trust Fund Shows Strategic Results For Long-Term Resilience

THE HAGUE, The Sint Maarten Reconstruction, Recovery and Resilience Trust Fund is advancing critical reforms needed to ensure long-term national sustainability and through its projects producing many positive outcomes. This includes enabling financial resilience with almost 2,000 people receiving support and skills training to enhance their income and building climate resilience with majority of the population now protected from future impact of disasters. In addition, over 500 homes, roofs, and other critical facilities serving the public are repaired, 139 shipwrecks removed, and over 10.5km of the countrys shorelines cleaned Read more

Pfp, Duncan Request Meeting To Continue Process To Adopt ParliamentS Code Of Conduct

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Party for Progress (PFP) Members of Parliament (MPs) Melissa Gumbs and Raeyhon Peterson and independent MP Solange Duncan have requested a Central Committee meeting of Parliament to continue the process to adopt a Code of Conduct that MPs will be required to adhere.

There is a draft Code of Conduct already on the table Read more

Three MpS Request Urgent Meeting On Status Of Telem

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Members of Parliament Solange L. Duncan (Faction Duncan), Melissa Gumbs (PFP), and Grisha Heyliger-Marten (Faction Heyliger-Marten) recently sent a request to the second Vice-Chair of Parliament William Marlin for an urgent public meeting on the status of TELEM.

The meeting request includes three main agenda points, which are:

The original SOAB report of 2021 on TELEM Update on the financial status and overall fiber to the home project. The state of affairs related to the concerns about the working environment at TELEM as expressed by the Telecommunications Union.

Since the previous update, over one year ago, there has been little to no update or movement on Telem’s fttH project Read more

Bus Drivers Request Increase In Bus Fares Starting January

United Bus Drivers Association president Claude Omeus.

PHILIPSBURG--From January 2023, bus passengers will pay more for a bus ride if it is up to United Bus Drivers Association. President Claude Omeus said the increase is necessary due to the high cost of living on the island.

  I dont think it is unreasonable for us to finally get the increase in fares, as maintaining our buses is not cheap also, said Omeus, stressing that the cost of living continues to skyrocket while gas prices are increased almost bi-weekly.

  Bus drivers have taken note of the announcement by Acting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Omar Ottley about the increase in minimum wage Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- United Bus Drivers Association is looking forward to the implementation of its increasing of their bus fares come January 2023. The association had taken note of the accountment by the Acting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Omar Ottley increasing the minimum wage and applauded this initiative Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs, Silveria Jacobs; Minister of Education Culture Youth and Sport (ECYS), Drs. Rodolphe Samuel; along with the Head of the Department of Culture Ms Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---  Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs, Silveria Jacobs; Minister of Education Culture Youth and Sport (ECYS), Drs. Rodolphe Samuel; along with the Head of the Department of Culture Ms Read more

Dutch State Secretary Or Government Does Not Know Miedema.

~ Proposal to refinance loans seems like a scam.~

PHILIPSBURG:---Dutch State Secretary Alexandra Van Huffelen in a letter to the Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion in response to his letter enquiring of the Dutch loan and guarantees said that Miedema is not known to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or anyone in the Ministry of Interior and Kingdom Relations Read more

Dp Is Back! Membership Meeting On November 12

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — The Democratic Party of St. Maarten (DP), the oldest political party in the country, is gearing up to once again offer the island’s residents knowledgeable and experienced representation that will stand on the party’s founding principles that values hope and dreams for a vibrant future and a decent standard of living for all St. Maarteners. It is time for the DP to once again give light in all this darkness, so our people can move on.

Popularly called The Red Machine, the party will host its general membership meeting on November 12 at the John Larmonie Center in Philipsburg at 6:30pm Read more

~ Stakeholders are still not paid, and they can walk out on carnival. ~

PHILIPSBURG: --- Member of Parliament Rolando Brison called on the government to look into the status of St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) whose financials are not in order. The UP member of Parliament said that this foundation is receiving government subsidies and they are expected to share information with the government in order to comply with the subsidy ordinance Read more

by Cdr. Bud Slabbaert

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Caribbean marketplace is cluttered with twenty-plus territories positioning themselves pretty much in the same way and offering similar benefits. Smart positioning will make one tourist destination stand out from the rest. It makes the difference from being average to becoming a dominant market player.

Positioning is one of the most powerful marketing concepts. It creates an identity or image of a destination in the mind of tourists in terms of an awareness that distinguishes it from competing destinations Read more

Ottley Presents Architectural Renderings For The Philipsburg Market Place

PHILIPSBURG On Wednesday, October 5th, the acting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation & Telecommunication (TEATT) Omar Ottley presented architectural renderings for the Phillipsburg Market Place. The Market Place has been an ongoing issue since the passing of hurricanes Irma and Maria. The Minister stated that he is elated to be a part of the solution.

Ottley received the final architectural renderings on Wednesday morning which includes enhanced structures with removable components to prepare for a possible hurricane and on-site storage for the vendors Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Today, October 10, 2022, is the first anniversary of the URSM (Unified Resilient Sint Maarten Movement). In the first place, I would like to congratulate the Board, the Advisory Council, the Committee members, the Candidates, and of course all URSM members and the people of Sint Maarten on the first anniversary of the URSM. The URSM is a Party of inclusion that respects and embraces diversity. The URSM believes that inclusion is a method and tool to promote a unified opinion and sentiment of Country identity for Sint Maarten Read more