SXMElections.com

PHILIPSBURG:--- As a board, we wanted the people of St. Maarten to know that we are EXTREMELY proud of our leader Prime Minister William Marlin. We realize that some people have been trying to discredit him as a politician and a person. We know the real man, the man devoted to family and friends and loyal to St. Maarten. We also felt the need to remind ourselves of some of his many accomplishments.

Many politicians can claim to have vision or a record of accomplishments but upon scrutiny, their claims are easily discarded Read more

~ Bringing the DP stalwarts back together ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The United Peoples Party headed by Theodore Heyliger and Democratic Party headed by Sarah Wescot Williams have decided to merge the two political parties to contest the February 2018 snap elections.
Stuart Johnson who is representing the United People’s Party submitted the credentials of the new political party “United Democratic Party (UDP) to the Electoral Council on Thursday for vetting.
SMN News has learned that the main reason the leaders of the two political parties came together was to bring the former members and stalwarts of the Democratic Party back together on one slate since the Democratic Party has been losing votes these past years while the UPP could not muster enough votes on its own to win an election outright Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister William Marlin tendered the resignation of his cabinet to Governor Eugene Holiday on Thursday afternoon following the motion of no confidence against himself and the other ministers.
Marlin also presented a draft National Decree to the Governor to dissolve Parliament. Once signed, the Parliament of Sint Maarten will be dissolved on January 31, 2018 Read more

~ Ship jumping places instability on country, talks should be held for National Government ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister William Marlin said on Wednesday that the Democratic Party was in discussions with other political parties months ago because the DP was hell-bent on breaking the government through ship jumping Read more

Port St. Maarten Welcomes Dutch Navy’S Largest Vessel Hnlms Karel Doorman

PORT ST. MAARTEN – A number of officials namely Prime Minister William Marlin, the Vice President of Parliament Rodolphe Samuel, Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Mellissa Doncher-Arrindell, Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure Management (Ministry VROMI) Christopher Emmanuel, Member of Parliament Theodore Heyliger, along with Port St Read more

PORT ST. MAARTEN:--- A number of officials namely Prime Minister William Marlin, the Vice President of Parliament Rodolphe Samuel, Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Mellissa Doncher-Arrindell, Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure Management (Ministry VROMI) Christopher Emmanuel, Member of Parliament Theodore Heyliger, along with Port St Read more

Mp Tamara Leonard Queries Functioning Of Airport, And If There Is Any Truth To Board Member Johan “Alex” Dijkhoffz Threatening To Have Employees In Management Fired.

PHILIPSBURG:--- MP Tamara Leonard claims that in the absence of an official Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs at the time, several questions were posed to the Minister of Justice, Mr. Rafael Boasman who also functioned as acting Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs.

An attempt to answer these questions took place in the meeting regarding the affairs of the Princess Juliana International Airport, by Minister Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher on June 28th, 2017.

Member of Parliament Tamara Leonard requested the answers from the minister in written form during the adjournment which was not given before the meeting resumed Read more

Update: Court Of Appeal Quashes Acquittals, Sentences Three ‘Masbangu’ Suspects

PHILIPSBURG--The Court of Appeals, on Wednesday, sentenced three of the four suspects in the so-called “Masbangu case” concerning the buying and selling of votes on behalf of United People’s (UP) party during the September 17, 2010, parliamentary election.

  Defendants Robert C.H. James (65), C.J.L.C. (48) and Ashwin R.W. Martina (46) were suspected by the Prosecutor’s Office of selling their votes Read more

Mp Heyliger: Questions Lack Of A Minister Of Tourism And Economy

PHILIPSBURG – The United People’s Party Leader the Honorable Member of Parliament Theo Heyliger is very concerned that the country still does not have a Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunications, and is wondering why the present NA/USP/DP coalition is so quiet.

“It’s remarkable how silent this coalition is today in regards to their lack of having a Minister, to complete the present Council of Ministers.  The most important portfolio in Government, as tourism drives our economy remains unfilled for several months, and it seems that we are on a rudderless ship as the economy nosedives without any direction being provided, “said MP Heyliger.

“The UP Party was subjected to endless comments and persons good characters were dragged through the rumour mill when we were going through the formation of a government Read more

Up Requests Urgent Meetings On New Hospital, Public Health And Prison

PHILIPSBURG – The United People’s (UP) Party Board announced on Wednesday, March 29, that the party’s parliamentary faction has called for two meetings of Parliament.

The UP faction has requested an urgent meeting via the President of Parliament to have the Minister of Public Health be present to provide information related to developments surrounding the proposed new General Hospital, the current state of affairs at the St Read more

Up Board And Leader Congratulates Team Gibbs On Election Win 

PHILIPSBURG – The United People’s (UP) Party Board and Leader the Honorable Member of Parliament (MP) Theodore Heyliger, extends their congratulations to Mr. Daniel Gibbs and the entire Team Gibbs on their election victory on Sunday.

“The people have clearly spoken and we extend our congratulations to everyone that expressed their opinion by voting during this second round last Sunday,” the UP Board and Leadership expressed.

“Cooperation between both sides is vital especially in the areas of tourism and economy.  Much can be accomplished by working closer together Read more

Parliament’S Right To Question Government

One of Parliament’s roles is to supervise the functioning of government. And one of its tools to carry out this supervisory function is the right to ask questions as laid down in article 62 of the Constitution.

This entails parliamentarians submitting their queries in writing to the government via the President of Parliament. Article 63 of the Constitution mentions that a Member of Parliament may also invite the ministers to provide information. Article 62 of the Rules of Order of Parliament states that this invitation will be considered by the President of Parliament, if it is supported by at least one other member of parliament Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- One of Parliament’s roles is to supervise the functioning of government. And one of its tools to carry out this supervisory function is the right to ask questions as laid down in article 62 of the Constitution. This entails parliamentarians submitting their queries in writing to the government via the President of Parliament. Article 63 of the Constitution mentions that a Member of Parliament may also invite the ministers to provide information. Article 62 of the Rules of Order of Parliament states that this invitation will be considered by the President of Parliament if it is supported by at least one other member of parliament Read more

Theo Seeks Meeting With Integrity Quartermaster

PHILIPSBURG--United People’s (UP) party Member of Parliament (MP) Theo Heyliger wants to meet with the Dutch Government-appointed quartermaster for the integrity chamber. He has submitted his request via the Office of the Dutch Representative in Philipsburg for a sit down with the quartermaster the next time he is in St Read more

Theo Questions Why Regatta Has Not Received Any Funding

PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten Heineken Regatta, one of the country’s premier events, is fast approaching and organisers are still waiting on funding from government for promotion and marketing. The reason for “de-funding” has been questioned by United People’s (UP) party leader Member of Parliament (MP) Read more

Mp Heyliger: Laws Should Be In English For People To Know Rights

PHILIPSBURG--The laws and amendments, in particular the ones with immediate and direct impact on the lives of the people of St. Maarten, must be presented to Parliament by Government in English, the language of the people of St. Maarten, says United People’s (UP) party leader Member of Parliament Read more

Heyliger: Government Must Ensure Execution Of Gebe Concession Terms

PHILIPSBURG--Government only uses utilities company GEBE as a cash cow to deal with its own budget woes; in doing this, Government has depleted the company of millions of dollars which could have been spent in buying new efficient engines and updating the country’s electrical and water infrastructure or at the least giving the consumers a reduction in tariff, says United People’s (UP Read more

Heyliger: Govt. Must Ensure Execution Of Gebe Concession Terms

PHILIPSBURG – Government only uses utilities company GEBE as a cash cow to deal with its own budget woes; in doing this, Government has depleted the company of millions of dollars which could have been spent in buying new efficient engines and updating the country’s electrical and water infrastructure or at the least giving the consumers a reduction in tariff, says United People’s (UP) party leader Member of Parliament (MP) Theo Heyliger.

“It is completely unacceptable for the country, its people and businesses, to continuously be left in the dark from constant power outages,” said Heyliger on Sunday.

“GEBE has obligations set out in its concession of 2010 to the people of our country Read more

Let Us Not Blame The Dutch

The appointment of Quartermaster Hans Leijtens, last week, came as a shock to our politicians. The Honorable Prime Minister said he was flabbergasted. The Honorable President of Parliament called the appointment provocative and Member of Parliament, Theo Heyliger, described it as vindictive.

And of course, the Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk, gets the blame Read more

St. Maarten Parliament Passes A Law That Infringes On The Rights Of The People --- Mp Frans Richardson.

Kingdom must respect, PM, Parliament and its people.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Frans Richardson in his opening remarks on the floor of parliament on Thursday afternoon during the discussion on the appointment of a Quartermaster by the Minister of Interior and Foreign Affairs Ronald Plasterk said it’s a shame that the Kingdom has stopped so low when they chose not to inform the Prime Minister of St Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The appointment of Quartermaster Hans Leijtens, last week, came as a shock to our politicians. The Honorable Prime Minister said he was flabbergasted. The Honorable President of Parliament called the appointment provocative and Member of Parliament, Theo Heyliger, described it as vindictive. And of course, the Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations, Ronald Plasterk, gets the blame Read more

Reporting Human Rights And Civil Rights In St. Martin And The Caribbean

by Fabian A. Badejo

(Panel discussion organized by the Conscious Lyrics Foundation, on occasion of the 30th anniversary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture, Jubilee Library, St. Maarten, Friday, January 13, 2017.)

I wish to start by thanking Conscious Lyrics Foundation for the honor to participate in this panel discussion 30 years after I gave the first MLK Jr. lecture at the Mairie under the auspices of SMECO.

At the time, the evil regime of apartheid was still in full force and Mandela was still behind bars and considered a terrorist by the US and other western powers Read more

Reporting Human Rights And Civil Rights In St. Martin And The Caribbean.

(Panel discussion organized by the Conscious Lyrics Foundation, on occasion of the 30th Anniversary Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Lecture, Jubilee Library, St. Martin, Friday, January 13, 2017.)

1. I wish to start by thanking Conscious Lyrics Foundation for the honor to participate in this panel discussion 30 years after I gave the first MLK Jr. lecture at the Mairie under the auspices of SMECO. At the time, the evil regime of apartheid was still in full force and Mandela was still behind bars and considered a terrorist by the US and other western powers Read more

Heyliger: Dutch Victimisation Against St. Maarten Continues

PHILIPSBURG--The victimisation of St. Maarten by the Dutch Government continues in the latest appointment of a quartermaster for the so-called Integrity Chamber without a law even being in place, said United People’s (UP) party leader Member of Parliament (MP) Read more