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Lake urges stakeholders to work out waste-to-energy plant project

PHILIPSBURG--United People’s (UP) party Member of Parliament (MP) Maurice Lake has issued a public call to all stakeholders involved in the stagnated waste-to-energy plant to get to work.

His call comes after Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs said last week that getting the project moving had encountered some difficulties Read more

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Candidates in this article:

‘Too much emphasis on financial management’

WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG--The Committee Evaluation Kingdom Law Financial Supervision placed too much importance on financial management, said Curaçao and St. Maarten in their objection against the advice to keep the legislation in place for now.

As reported earlier, the committee headed by former Antillean banker Ron Gomes Casseres concluded that while the new countries’ budgets of 2012, 2013 and 2014 met the most basic conditions set, there is as yet no question of a proper structural financial management.

For example, the annual accounts of none of those three years have so far been approved Read more

Editorial - Don’t kill the goose

All indications are that measures to raise revenues and/or cut expenditures will result from the budgetary instruction the Kingdom Council of Ministers is expected to issue for St. Maarten on the advice of the Committee for Financial Supervision. Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs had stated earlier that several amendments to add 15 million guilders to this year’s budget were at Parliament, but the general public is yet to learn what’s in store.

Rumours in the past that a hike in the turnover tax TOT was being considered have always been denied Read more

Editorial - A while longer

What was becoming increasingly obvious now appears unavoidable. St. Maarten faces an instruction to bring its 2015 budget in line with requirements of the Kingdom Financial Supervision Law (see related article).

Just last Wednesday Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs had stated that draft amendments were at Parliament to increase the budget by 15 million guilders and shift some allocations, based on increased income projections and other complementing factors Read more

St. Maarten, Netherlands vow to fight crime together

THE HAGUE--St. Maarten and the Netherlands, in The Hague on Wednesday evening, reconfirmed their wish to work together to fight organised, undermining crime on the island.

The meeting between St. Maarten Justice Minister Dennis Richardson, Dutch Minister of Security and Justice Ard van der Steur and his colleague of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Minister Ronald Plasterk was deemed “constructive.” Richardson spoke of “open” talks during which parties were able to “speak their mind.”

“I think we can now proceed in a constructive manner,” stated Minister Plasterk Read more

Govt drafts amendments to increase 2015 budget

PHILIPSBURG--Amendments to increase the 2015 budget by some NAf. 15 million, and to shift some budgetary allocations have been sent to Parliament by the Marcel Gumbs cabinet.

It is hoped by Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs that Parliament will deal with the amendments soon.

The 2015 budget, though passed by Parliament on January 29, has not yet been given the stamp of approval by the Committee for Financial Supervision CFT.

Amendments to the budget were anticipated based on projected increases to government income and other complementing factors.

Referred to as a "skeleton budget" by Finance Minister Martin Hassink, the 2015 balanced budget stands at NAf Read more

Restaurants and Casinos can Open

Prime Minister Gumbs: Restaurants and Casinos can Open Thursday Evening. Schools, Businesses and Government to Reopen on Friday

PHILIPSBURG – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), in an update on Thursday afternoon, August 27, says, based on an assessment of the current weather situation regarding Tropical Storm Erika:

"Country Sint Maarten remains under a Tropical Storm Warning Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs: All Businesses to remain closed on Thursday. Potential for severe flooding

The Prime Minister Hon. Marcel Gumbs will be issuing a statement around 6.00pm giving an update with respect to a number of issues after an assessment has been carried out related to the passing of Tropical Storm Erika.

For Immediate Release: Thursday, August 27, 2015/N145

PHILIPSBURG – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), addressed the nation at noon on Thursday, August 27 with respect to the approach of Tropical Storm Erika Read more

Waste-to-energy plant still pending

PHILIPSBURG--The country will have to wait for some time more before a solution is implemented for the garbage mountain growing out of Great Salt Pond and looming over Philipsburg.

The much-talked about waste-to-energy plant appears to have stalled. The plant was a topic in last year’s hotly contested Parliamentary Elections and since then not much has been heard.

Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, asked about the project at the Council of Ministers Press Briefing on Wednesday, said “I wish I can give you a date Read more

Erika passes St. Maarten without major incident

 PHILIPSBURG--Tropical Storm Erika passed St. Maarten/St. Martin on Thursday without any major incident. There were some reports of minor wind damage. All government services and schools resume as of today after Thursday’s closure due to the passing of the storm.

St. Maarten was spared any damage to property or loss of life as the storm passed. However, the island of Dominica did not fare as well; that island sustained extensive property damage and the tragic loss of at least four lives in floodwaters accumulated from rain dumped by Erika on the very mountainous country Read more

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

Employee steals US $70,000 cash, $20,000 worth of gold from boss

~ Arrested with four accomplices at PJIA ~

PHILIPSBURG--A Dominican Republic national working as a security officer at the Son Latino Bar, restaurant and nightclub was amongst five persons arrested on Tuesday for stealing more than US $70,000 in cash and over one kilo of gold and jewellery worth some US $20,000, from the home of his boss E. Garcia on Monday.

The five were arrested at Princess Juliana International Airport SXM trying to flee the country. Garcia said the money stolen were funds he had accumulated over the past three weeks from his three businesses: Son Latino Bar, restaurant, and nightclub, Cash for Gold pawn shop and his car wash all located near each other on the A Read more

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Danny dies en route to country, schools reopen

PHILIPSBURG--Tropical Storm Danny kept most of the country indoors Sunday night, but failed to deliver on the promise of much-needed rain to soak the drought-dry land Sunday night into Monday morning.

The storm system became a hurricane on Thursday, but then weakened into a tropical depression that is still expected to bring some rain – up to one inch, according to the Meteorological Department – into today, Tuesday. There is still the possibility of flooding.

All businesses were given the go-ahead to reopen on Monday afternoon at owners' discretion and availability of their staff by Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, who had ordered Government services and all businesses, including restaurants and casinos, closed as of 10:00pm Sunday Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs: All Businesses can Reopen; Schools and Government Offices Open on Tuesday

For Immediate Release: Monday, August 24, 2015/N143

PHILIPSBURG – Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, chairman of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC), addressed the nation at noon on Monday,

August 24 with respect to a situational update in connection with Danny that degenerated into a trough of low pressure on Monday morning after losing its tropical characteristics.

The Prime Minister stated the following in his national address:

Audio file: https://www.sendspace.com/file/bnyv2e

“Tropical Depression Danny at 11.00AM was downgraded to a trough of low pressure.

“The country could still experience wind gusts of 30 miles per hour throughout the day and into tonight along with rain showers which could lead to street flooding, residents are asked to be vigilant.

“Having reviewed the latest information, I declare the following:

“All businesses can reopen at the discretion of the business owner based on the availability of their staff.

“Schools as well as daycare centers are to reopen on Tuesday, August 25.

“Government services will resume on Tuesday, August 25 as normal.

“I would like to thank the people of this country for taking this weather event serious.

“Danny quickly became a major category 3 hurricane late last week, but then was downgraded to a tropical storm as it approached the Leeward Islands, and is now a trough of low pressure.

“Seeing how weather systems can be erratic, and based on historical experience of the past, we learn from the past so that we do not repeat the same challenges in the future.

“Our national preparations allowed us to prepare in a timely manner rather than in a haphazard one 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

EOC Meets Saturday to Review National Preparations for Hurricane Danny

News Release

Department of Communication (DCOMM), Philipsburg, Sint Maarten W.I. Tel. +1 721 543-1162, 542-4119, Fax: 543-1169; Email: \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots 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

D66 wants clarity on dispatch of Dutch police to St. Maarten

THE HAGUE--Members of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament of Democratic Party D66 Wassila Hachchi and Magda Berndsen-Jansen want clarity on the reports that 55 Dutch police officers and detectives will be sent to St. Maarten early next year to tackle crime and corruption.

Hachchi and Berndsen-Jansen sent a set of written questions to Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk and his colleague of Security and Justice Ard van der Steur earlier this week following reports in the Dutch media that Dutch National Police Chief Gerard Bouman did not want to work together with the St 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

Crime meeting postponed due to Hurricane Danny

PHILIPSBURG--Finalising plans to tackle the country’s spiralling crime rate will have to wait, at least until after the passing of Hurricane Danny.

Parliament was scheduled to continue an in-camera Central Committee meeting with the Council of Ministers today, Friday, in Parliament House at 10:00am. However, that session has been postponed, according to a Parliament press release, based on a call from Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs Read more

Aviation Training Academy ‘brilliant idea’ say journalists

AIRPORT--A proposed Aviation Training Academy by Princess Juliana International Airport SXM is a "brilliant idea," said Adam Twidell, a former Air Force pilot with the Royal Air Force (RAF) of the United Kingdom (UK), and one of the eleven journalists to participate in the media tour organised by the airport.

Twidell, speaking at the final session of the packed media tour last Friday, said not only would the academy cater to those who wish to pursue aviation studies, but could also result in their families coming to St Read more

Residents are urged to re-check preparations

~ As Danny churns in Atlantic ~

PHILIPSBURG--Residents are urged by Prime Minister/Emergency Operations Centre Chairman Marcel Gumbs to re-check their preparations for the hurricane season, as Tropical Storm Danny makes its way across the tropical Atlantic.

The Office of Disaster Management (ODM) and the Meteorological Department of St Read more

St. Maarten Prime Minister wants critics to commit suicide

Dear Editor,

“Tie a stone around your neck and jump off the pier. Seek help from a psychologist, jump out of an airplane.” St. Maarten Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs told his critics recently that they can better commit suicide. He also made suggestions on how this best could be done. In a society of 45,000 people, such a statement has a big impact Read more