SXMElections.com

~ New Council to be sworn in on April 3rd, 2022~

MARIGOT: --- The voters of St. Martin spoke loudly at the polls on Sunday when 49.11% of the votes cast were in favor of the Rassemblement Saint Martin (RSM) and Alternative coalition.
RSMA headed by Loui Mussington received 4,742 votes while incumbent President Daniel Gibbs that headed the list Team Gibbs 2022 received 3,216 votes Read more

El Ministro Ottley Se Rene Con El Equipo De Estrategia De Salida Para Discutir Los Pasos Hacia La Normalidad

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – El martes 22 de marzo, El Ministro de Salud Pblica, Desarrollo Social y Trabajo Omar Ottley, se reuni con el equipo de estrategia de salida de los Servicios de Prevencin Colectiva (CPS) donde present la trayectoria y los pasos a seguir hacia la normalidad.

El equipo est formado por el CPS, Mdicos Generales , Servicios de laboratorio, St Read more

PHILIPSBURG, On Tuesday, March 22nd, The Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Omar Ottley met with the exit strategy team where Collective Prevention Services (CPS) presented the trajectory and steps to be taken towards normalcy. The team consists of CPS, General practitioners, Laboratory services, St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC), and the Cabinet of the Minister.

In the meeting the following timeline was established to move towards normalcy;

March 25th, 2022
Will mark the end of case management and source & contact tracing by CPS.

April 1st, 2022
Unvaccinated persons will be allowed to enter the country with a 24-hour Antigen test.

April 29th, 2022
Will be the end of community testing at Hope Estate Read more

Rsm And Alternative Join Forces To Contest Second Round Of Territorial Elections. (Updated1)

MARIGOT:--- Le rassemblement Saint-Martinois (RSM) headed by Louie Mussington and Alternative headed by Valerie Damaseau have joined forces by forming a coalition to contest the second round of the Territorial Elections that will take place on March 27th, 2022.
The RSM/ Alternative coalition list will be submitted on Tuesday at the Prefecture of Saint Martin. SMN News learned that Alternative received five seats on the RSM slate Read more

Rsm Takes Narrow Lead Ahead Of Team Gibbs In 1St Round Of Territorial Elections.

~ Negotiations will begin as early as Monday for Unity List--- Mussington.

MARIGOT:--- Rassemblement Saint Martin (RSM) took a narrow lead in the first round of the territorial elections held on Sunday, March 20th, 2022. Of the 8,732 persons that voted some 2,128 (25.39%) persons voted for the RSM led by Louie Mussington.
Team Gibbs led by incumbent President Daniel Gibbs received 2,074 votes (24.74%), while Generation Hope received 1,465 votes (17.48%), Alternative received 934 votes (11.14%), Avenir Saint-Martin received 626 votes (7.47 %) and Saint Martin Avec Vous received 1,155 votes Read more

~Brisons entire salary to be paid and converted to Bitcoin Cash~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Leader of the United Peoples Party and Member of Parliament Rolando Brison believes the country should continue to find a responsible and effective manner to delve into the ever-growing cryptocurrency phenomenon and has requested updates from the Minister of Finance on his plans for using blockchain technology in government Read more

Minister Of Justice And Minister Of Vromi Discuss Inmate Work Program

Philipsburg On March 14th, 2022, the Minister of Justice, Ms. Anna E. Richardson and the Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (hereafter VROMI), Mr. Egbert Doran held a meeting to discuss ways in which both ministries can collaborate and coordinate working opportunities for inmates at the Point Blanche prison and House of Detention. Also present during the meeting were the Act Secretary General and Head of New Projects, Mr. Kurt Ruan, Act Head of Infrastructure Management, Mr Read more

Decision Imminent On Trust Fund Extension

The Trust Fund Steering Committee during a visit to St. Maarten in December 2021. On the left, St. Maarten Steering Group member Marcel Gumbs, with next to him, Steering Committee member for the Netherlands Frans Weekers. Third from left is World Bank Country Director for the Caribbean and Chair of the Steering Committee Lilia Burunciuc. (Photo by National Recovery Program Bureau NRPB)

~ Opening local World Bank office projected for June ~

THE HAGUE--A decision is expected shortly on the request of the St Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- On March 14th, 2022, the Minister of Justice, Ms. Anna E. Richardson, and the Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure (hereafter VROMI), Mr. Egbert Doran held a meeting to discuss ways in which both ministries can collaborate and coordinate working opportunities for inmates at the Pointe Blanche prison and House of Detention. Also present during the meeting were the Act Secretary-General and Head of New Projects, Mr. Kurt Ruan, Act Head of Infrastructure Management, Mr Read more

Generation Hope Party Presents Programme For 2022 Elections

Generation Hope 2022 candidate Jules Charville speaking at the presentation of the partys programme.

MARIGOT--President of Generation Hope and candidate for the upcoming Territorial Council elections on March 20 and 27 Read more

Pantophlet Lauds Van Huffelen ForHonouring Her Word, Giving Hope

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) George Pantophlet on Sunday lauded the new Dutch government and in particular State Secretary for Home Affairs and Digitization Alexandra van Huffelen for keeping her promise giving the people of St Read more

Pantophlet Lauds Van Huffelen For Honouring Her Word, Giving Hope.

PHILIPSBURG:--- National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) George Pantophlet on Sunday lauded the new Dutch government and in particular State Secretary for Home Affairs and Digitization Alexandra van Huffelen for keeping her promise giving the people of St Read more

St. Maarten Progresses With Eu B-Envelope Shelters Project

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten — On Thursday, February 3, 2022, a Steering Committee Meeting, chaired by St. Maarten {SG AZ, supported by BAK}, with representatives from the European Union (EU) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Ministry of VSA and the Ministry of VROMI, will take place. The focus of the steering committee meeting is to discuss the strategic focus for the coming year(s), share best practices, provide updates on all elements of the project and if necessary, suggest modifications based on lessons learned from the past year or other programs.

A large milestone has been achieved in March 2021, when the 11th European Development Fund B-Envelop Shelters project was launched for St Read more

St. Maarten Avanza Con El Proyecto De Refugios B-Envelope De La Ue

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – el jueves 3 de febrero de 2022, una reunin del Comit Directivo, presidida por St. Maarten {SG AZ, apoyado por BAK}, con representantes de la Unin Europea (UE) y la Organizacin Panamericana de la Salud (OPS), el Ministerio de VSA y el Ministerio de VROMI.

La reunin del comit directivo es discutir el enfoque estratgico para el prximo(s) ao(s), compartir las mejores prcticas, proporcionar actualizaciones sobre todos los elementos del proyecto y si es necesario, sugerir modificaciones basadas en las lecciones aprendidas del ao pasado o de otros programas.

Se logr un gran hito en marzo de 2021, cuando el 11 Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Thursday, February 3, 2022, a Steering Committee Meeting, chaired by St. Maarten {SG AZ, supported by BAK}, with representatives from the European Union (EU) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Ministry of VSA and the Ministry of VROMI, will take place. The focus of the steering committee meeting is to discuss the strategic focus for the coming year(s), share best practices, provide updates on all elements of the project and if necessary, suggest modifications based on lessons learned from the past year or other programs.

A large milestone has been achieved in March 2021, when the 11th European Development Fund B-Envelop Shelters project was launched for St Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Wescot explained that she has recapped the sequence of events leading up to the passing of the budget on January 24th and has asked the Ombudsman to consider and use her lawful discretion to review the budget process and the constitutionality thereof.

As Ombudsman, I am sure you have followed these proceedings, as the budget is an instrument of importance for every citizen of the country and the most important management tool for the public service, the MP stated in her letter to Ombudsman Mossel.

Let it be recalled that the initial draft budget, sent to parliament by the government, contained no reference to article 127 of the constitution, as is required by law Read more

Pfp: Passing Of 2022 Budget Marks A Low Point In Modern Sint Maarten History

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Despite having independent legal advice demonstrating that the countrys draft 2022 budget is in contravention of Sint Maartens Constitution, a majority of Members of Parliament (MPs) on Monday night still passed the draft legislation.

Party for Progress (PFP) MPs Melissa Gumbs and Raeyhon Peterson were among the four (4) MPs who voted against the draft legislation.

The legal advice – which was discussed by MPs during Mondays public meeting of Parliament – was compiled and signed by former Secretary-General of Parliament Nancy Joubert, LL.M, on January 7, 2022 Read more

Pfp: Passing Of 2022 Budget Marks A Low Point In Modern Sint Maarten History

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten Despite having independent legal advice demonstrating that the countrys draft 2022 budget is in contravention of Sint Maartens Constitution, a majority of Members of Parliament (MPs) on Monday night still passed the draft legislation.

Party for Progress (PFP) MPs Melissa Gumbs and Raeyhon Peterson were among the four (4) MPs who voted against the draft legislation. 

The legal advice – which was discussed by MPs during Mondays public meeting of Parliament – was compiled and signed by former Secretary-General of Parliament Nancy Joubert, LL.M, on January 7, 2022 Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- From the appearance of it, the draft budget 2022 for the country is set to be approved by Parliament this week, notwithstanding the blatant violations of the constitution. To add insult to injury, the constitutional obligation to allow the ombudsman time to assess the constitutionality of this ordinance is not specifically included in the enforcement article of the ordinance, MP Wescot stated over the weekend. And for her, the question remains why not.
The UP and NA factions act as if there is nothing wrong under the sun with approving a budget that is not ready for passing by parliament or do they care that this reflects negatively on parliament.
I get the distinct feeling that the rush is to get the budget over with and back to business as usual; we will cross the next bridge when we get there.
For unknown reasons, except maybe egocentric ones, the majority refused to even consider a postponement of the passing (voting) on the budget Read more

Mp Arrindell Expresses Concerns Regarding The Deplorable Road Conditions On The Island.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — In recent weeks there has been much publicity on social media, and throughout the communities regarding the deplorable road conditions on the island. After careful review of the Budget 2022, I observed that reservations were not made, thus not budgeted for repairs/resurfacing of existing hard surfaced roads on the island and several other major existing problems. Due to my concerns thereof, I have voiced my concern to the Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure, the Honorable Egbert J Read more

Our Budget, Our Reality

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – When 2022 was brought in with many fireworks and festive activities all around the island I wondered if this would be the year of recovery or if this would be another year of drama for the country.Will we allow our future to determine our presentdecisions and actions, or must our present time take precedenceat the expense ofour future?Based on our experience it would seem as though we as a country are incapable of creating a situation in which we do not suffer at present while actively enhancing the prospective future.

I believe some good news thus far for the Caribbean islands was the departure of State Secretary Raymond Knops whose own party told him there was no place for him in the new government moving forward Read more

Our Budget, Our Reality.

PHILIPSBURG:--- When 2022 was brought in with many fireworks and festive activities all around the island I wondered if this would be the year of recovery or if this would be another year of drama for the country. Will we allow our future to determine our present decisions and actions, or must our present time take precedence at the expense of our future? Based on our experience it would seem as though we as a country are incapable of creating a situation in which we do not suffer at present while actively enhancing the prospective future.

I believe some good news thus far for the Caribbean islands was the departure of State Secretary Raymond Knops whose own party told him there was no place for him in the new government moving forward Read more

~ Emergency Crew manning ATC~

AIRPORT:--- The Princess Juliana Airport Air Traffic Controllers are currently on strike as they protest various grievances, one being the 12.5% cuts in their salaries.
SMN News learned that the air traffic controllers are being supported by their unions the Windward Island Civil Servants Union (WICSU) as they continue to protest the way their Collective Labor Agreement goes.

In a letter to the CEO Brian Mingo, the Union WICSU/ PSU informs Mingo that their members from the Air Traffic Control Department requested an urgent meeting with them on Saturday, January 15th which will begin from 7 am to 5 pm to discuss the frustration being experienced due to the indecisive communication that has been going back and forth between management and the union regarding the way forward.
"The union is hoping management and the board of PJIAE understand the serious effects their decisions are having on their members.
This should not be taken lightly as our members carry the title of Air Traffic Controllers and if they are frustrated they will not be able to perform their duties optimally Read more

Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs delivering her remarks during Sundays service.

PHILIPSBURG--The government of St. Maarten in collaboration with St. Maarten Christian Council, St. Maarten United Ministerial Foundation and the Seventh-Day Adventist Church hosted the seventeenth annual National Day of Prayer at the Government Administration Building on Sunday.

  This years theme was Almighty God, Let Your Culture of Divine Unity Rule.

  The service opened with praise and worship led by the Victory Temple praise team, followed by the opening prayer delivered by Joan Berkel and a rendition of the St Read more