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Sarah: No 'earth-shattering' plans in governor's speech

PHILIPSBURG--There was "nothing earth-shattering" in Governor Eugene Holiday's speech about government's plans for the 2015-2016 parliamentary year, but it was heartening to see that the Marcel Gumbs Cabinet is "making use of the goodwill and leadership" created by the former government in the region and further afield, said Democratic Party (DP) leader Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Wescot-Williams on Monday.

The former prime minister and her fraction's advisor Emil Lee called on government at their bi-weekly press briefing to continue with the National Development Plan (NDP) and were happy to note that government, based on the governor's speech, was still keeping the plan for which a lot of time and money has already been invested.

While the governor's speech was "short on specific," Wescot-Williams hopes to gain more insight into the plans for tax reform, when Finance Minister Martin Hassink is in Parliament this week to meet with Parliament's Permanent Committee for Finance.

DP has "ideas for changes" to the tax system, beginning with the often talked about simplification of the tax system, she said.

The party plans to put emphasis on an "economic reform agenda" that is necessary and that is needed to make tax reform workable.

Wescot-Williams expressed satisfaction that Parliament's Permanent Committee for Finance will finally handle the 2013 annual accounts of government-owned companies this week Read more

Minister Connor and others thanked by Dominica Coach of the Senior Female Soccer Team for Assisting Stranded Group

>PHILIPSBURG:---- Minister Hon. Claret Connor has been thanked by Dominica Coach of the Senior Female Soccer Team Kenneth Esprit, for the hospitality rendered by the community of Sint Maarten to the group who got stuck in transit from the Dominican Republic to the Commonwealth of Dominica on the day that Tropical Storm Erika passed near the country.
One of the team members lost five family members.
Coach Esprit in his email message to Minister Connor states: “Allow me therefore, to express my deepest gratitude to the various persons and institutions who played their parts in ensuring that we were cared for and able to ensure we reunited with our families in this time of crises.
“First and foremost, allow me to five thanks to Almighty Yahweh for his continued blessings, strength and protection during this time Read more

Quality of service standards set up for telecom players

PHILIPSBURG--New service standards for the local telecommunications industry can now officially be implemented, which will allow telecom regulator Bureau Telecommunications and Post (BTP) St. Maarten to quantitatively measure the Quality of Service (QoS) and Quality of Experience (QoE) of telecommunication services being rendered to residents of St. Maarten.

Claret Connor, who was Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) until recently, signed off on Quality of Service (QoS) documents that set clear guidelines and standards for St Read more

Prime minister’s travel plans halt meeting about Zebec settlement

PHILIPSBURG--The “urgent” meeting of Parliament requested by opposition parties – National Alliance (NA) and Democratic Party (DP) about the out-of-court settlement reached by St. Maarten Harbour Group of Companies and developer Zebec has stalled before it could get started.

The meeting cannot be held this week, an official Parliament meeting week, because of an already packed Parliament schedule and due to the travel of Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs from Wednesday, September 16, until Sunday, September 27, 2015.

DP leader Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams is not amused that yet another urgently requested meeting of Parliament has not been scheduled by Parliament Chairman Dr Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Telecommunications & Transport (TEATT), Honorable Mr. Claret Connor, singed off on Quality of Service (QoS) documents that sets clear guidelines and standards for St. Maarten Telecommunication providers to comply with, for the further enhancement of Telecommunication services in St Read more

Minister Of Teatt Implements Quality Of Service Standards In The Telecom Industry

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Telecommunications & Transport (TEATT), Honorable Mr. Claret Connor, singed off on Quality of Service (QoS) documents that sets clear guidelines and standards for St. Maarten Telecommunication providers to comply with, for the further enhancement of Telecommunication services in St Read more

Sarah requests MOU on pending boxing match

PHILIPSBURG--A copy of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between government and Keaton Corporation for the Miami 2 St. Maarten Showdown featuring a boxing card of Roy Jones Jr. versus Danny Santiago is still being sought by Democratic Party (DP) Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams Read more

Electrical Draftsman Ernest Sams  Is Minister Of Economic Affairs

The new Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications Ernest Sams. Photo Contributed

St. Maarten – Ernest Sams, who will be sworn in as the new Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication on Monday is a retired employee of utilities company Gebe. He served at the company as its head of the purchasing department, He retired in 2014.

Sams is an electrical draftsman, meaning that he was in the business of drafting technical designs of electrical installations Read more

New ministers sworn in, Cabinet now complete

HARBOUR VIEW--Almost nine months after taking office, the Marcel Gumbs Cabinet now has the full complement of seven individual ministers with the taking of the oath before Governor Eugene Holiday of new Ministers Ernest Sams and Rafael Boasman. Also retaking the oath to match his newly-assigned ministry was Minister Claret Connor Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---- Chairman of Parliament, Prime-Minister, Ministers, Invited Guests, good afternoon and welcome.
And a special welcome to Mr. Rafael Boasman, Mr. Ernest Sams and Mr. Claret Connor for this appointment and swearing in ceremony.
On December 19, 2014, a new team of five of seven ministers were installed with responsibility for the governing of our island Read more

Transportation Minister To Meet With Bus Drivers Shortly

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Minister of Transportation the Honorable Claret Connor is now looking forward to meeting with the islands bus drivers.

The meeting will be a follow-up meeting to discuss overall changes within the islands transportation industry.

Minister Connor also confirmed that he has had meetings with the Taxi Read more

New Ministers Take Oath Of Office On Monday: Boasman And Sams Complete Cabinet

Rafael Boasman is the new minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor. File photo Pearl FM

St. Maarten – Rafael Boasman will be sworn in as the new minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor next week Monday. E.V. Sams will become Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication. Claret Connor, who held this position, will move to the Ministry of Public Housing, Urban Planning, Environment and Infrastructure.

The cabinet of Governor Drs Read more

Latoya Lake Gets Kudos For Her First Book  

Minister Claret Connor with author Latoya Lake. Photo DCOMM

St. Maarten – Local author Latoya Lake received a token of accomplishment from Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and  Telecommunication Claret Connor at the launch of her first book “It’s like Déjà vu with You” at the Holland House Beach Hotel.

Surrounded by family, friends and well-wishers, Lake who is lab technician and pharmacist assistant by profession, was lauded for the accomplishment of her book.

Minister Connor encouraged the St Read more

Dp Wants Action With Timeshare Legislation

St. Maarten– The ministry of tourism and economic affairs is going back to the drawing board with timeshare legislation and that is not to the liking of the Democratic Party. DP-MP Sarah Wescot-Williams said yesterday that the party would take back its initiative legislation and go forward with it if there is no fast action forthcoming from the ministry.

Former DP-MP Leroy de Weever submitted draft timeshare legislation Read more

Sarah determined to get timeshare law moving

PHILIPSBURG--Too much time has been wasted on moving forward with the draft timeshare legislation while the country’s reputation has sustained damage. For those reasons, Democratic Party (DP) leader Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams is determined to see the draft initiative law to protect timeshare owners and buyers that her party proposed in the last parliamentary terms moving in full swing Read more

Dominica female football team stranded by Erika received St. Maarten hospitality

PHILIPSBURG- - The Dominica Female Football Team of 25-strong got stranded here on Thursday, the day Tropical Storm Erika passed well south of the country.  The team travelled to the Dominican Republic for an activity and on their way back to Dominica they landed in Sint Maarten the day the storm passed their island.
  The team spent several days here since the passing of Erika because of the devastation caused by the storm back in the Commonwealth of Dominica.  Since last Thursday was very limited air travel to the island, due to damage assessments that needed to be carried out to the different airstrips prior to any resumption of commercial travel to the country.
  The Dominica Female Football Team have been received a good dose of Sint Maarten Hospitality while on the island.
  Loyd Paul and Shanka Serrant, were instrumental in coordinating accommodations, meals and transportation while they were here on the island, and at the same time worked tirelessly to get the team back home to family and friends.
  President of Parliament Hon Read more

style="text-align: center;">DP Faction plans to take back draft timeshare legislation and move forward with them in Parliament.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The leader of the Democratic Party and Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams told reporters on Tuesday that she has several concerns with the current government, one being the status of the Waste to Management Plant Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:---  Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications Hon. Claret Connor, presented “daughter of the soil” local author Latoya Lake with a token of accomplishment at the official book launch of “It’s like Déjà vu with You,” on Friday last at Holland House Beach Hotel on Front Street.
Surrounded by family, friends and well-wishers, Mrs Read more

Minister Of Tourism Connor Congratulates Daughter Of The Soil Publisher Latoya Lake

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications Hon. Claret Connor, presented “daughter of the soil” local author Latoya Lake with a token of accomplishment at the official book launch of “It’s like Déjà vu with You,” on Friday last at Holland House Beach Hotel on Front Street.

Surrounded by family, friends and well-wishers, Mrs Read more

>PORT ST. MAARTEN:---- Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs Claret Connor, Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson, and Port St. Maarten Chief Executive Officer Mark Mingo, and other delegation officials, met with Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) President Michele Paige and the FCCA Security Committee members Adam Ceserano, Vice President, Domminick A Read more

Fcca, Ministers Of Tourism And Justice And Port St. Maarten Discuss Crime Fighting Initiatives And Employment Opportunities

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten  – Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs Claret Connor, Minister of Justice Dennis Richardson, and Port St. Maarten Chief Executive Officer Mark Mingo, and other delegation officials, met with Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) President Michele Paige and the FCCA Security Committee members Adam Ceserano, Vice President, Domminick A Read more

Schools Reopen On Monday, Education Minister Visits Mpc

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Schools across the island of St. Maarten reopened their doors on Monday.

Although with the usual opening pains the overall opening of the new school year went well.

Drs. Joseph Rogers the Executive Director of the Foundation for Secondary Education of the Windward Islands is very satisfied with the manner in which the school opening went for Public Education.

On hand at the MPC Monday for the opening of the new school year was the Minister of Education the Honorable Rita Bourn-Gumbs and the Minister of Economic Affairs the Honorable Claret Connor Read more

Frank Mingo passes away in Colombia, flags at half-mast

PHILIPSBURG--Former Minister of Finance of the Netherlands Antilles Frank Mingo passed away at a hospital in Medellin, Colombia, at 11:50pm on Friday, August 14. He was 68.

Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications Claret Connor and the Port expressed condolences to the Mingo family on his passing.

Connor also extended condolences to Princess Juliana International Airport SXM Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Regina Labega on the passing of her mother Lillian Mildred Labega-Rohan, also on Friday.

Mingo was a well-known businessman in St Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:----  Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications Hon. Claret Connor, on Saturday, August 15, 2015, had the honor to speak at the graduation ceremony for the first cohort of the Pre-University of St. Martin (USM) Program.
Some 20 students received their certificates for successfully completing the GED program as well as a few prerequisites making each student eligible to enroll in a USM degree program of their choice.
Minister Connor on Sunday stated that what made the evening more remarkable, especially in light of the recent tragedy that struck the community a few days ago, is the fact that these promising individuals all carried their own unique recount about why this second chance was essential for them personally.
“Some of the presenters shared about students being promoted to advance grades because of their ability to learn quicker; while for others their aspirations were curtailed because of life or personal circumstances Read more