SXMElections.com

Motion For Referendum On Independence Rejected After Vote Tied For Second Time

 PHILIPSBURG--A motion presented by National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) Ardwell Irion, urging government to begin preparations for a consultative referendum on political independence for St. Maarten by December 31, 2027, was rejected on Monday after a second vote resulted in a tie Read more

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Tackling: Allowing Heavily Tinted Vehicles Poses Risks That Outweigh Potential Benefit

A heavily tinted vehicle.

~ Experience support regulating excessive tint ~

PHILIPSBURG--Justice Minister Natalie Tackling made her position on allowing heavily tinted vehicles clear when asked about the matter during the parliamentary debate on the 2025 budget last week. She said allowing heavily tinted vehicles poses unnecessary risks that far outweigh any potential benefit.

The minister said while statistics provide valuable insights, practical enforcement experience and the precautionary principle strongly support regulating excessive tint as a measure to enhance public safety and road security.

Heavily tinted vehicles reduce driver visibility, particularly at night, increasing the likelihood of accidents and also obstruct visibility for other road users, creating further hazards on the road, the minister noted.

While only a minority of tinted vehicles may be used in crimes, the concealment they provide facilitates illegal activities such as transporting contraband or evading recognition after a crime, necessitating proactive regulation to minimize these risks, the Minister told Parliament.

She was at the time responding to questions from National Alliance (NA) Members of Parliament (MPs) Ardwell Irion and Egbert Doran who asked what data is being used to indicate that tint on vehicles will be dangerous Read more

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Irion Says Govt.S Decision To Not Sell Winair Shares A Missed Opportunity

NA MP Ardwell Irion

PHILIPSBURG--Governments decision to not sell its shares in local airline WINAIR wa Read more

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One of the sessions in progress.

CUL DE SAC--In a groundbreaking event for the country and its educational system, St. Maarten Academy hosted its first-ever Self-Care Fair on Friday, September 27.

The school said the event marked the islands first high school self-care fair and the culmination of the schools My Life Has Value Montha month-long initiative focused on mental well-being, self-worth, and holistic health.

The event was organised by the schools Department of Student Care (DSC), which includes Amanda President Joe, Head of Department; Amy Arrindell, Counsellor; Shameda Delaney Weekes, Career Guidance Counsellor and Ashana Bontiff, intern Read more

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From left: Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs, TEATT Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten, Chairperson of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams and Member of Parliament Viren Kotai.

 PHILIPSBURG--The decision on whether St Read more

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Carnival 2024 Wraps Up Challenging Year

~ Carnival 2025 scheduled from April 21 to May 5 ~

PHILIPSBURG--After a year filled with unprecedented challenges, St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) has closed the 53rd edition of Carnival.

Despite facing various obstacles, the SCDF expressed gratitude for being able to reach the finish line, with SCDF President Edwardo Radjouki saying in a press release on Sunday, This can never happen again, this is not who we are.

Reflecting on a Carnival that looked and felt different from previous years, Radjouki referred to the division of Carnival people by one individual to please that individuals personal feelings Read more

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Irion: Being Minister Is Not A Right, It Is An Opportunity

PHILIPSBURG--Being given the chance to serve as a minister is not a right, it is an opportunity, caretaker Finance Minister Ardwell Irion said on Wednesday.

We have a lot of, lets say, frustration or even uncertainty within the public regarding the whole process of the swearing-in. All of us here already went through this process that the current coalition is also experiencing Read more

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Swept Under The Rug

I presented a motion in June of 2021 almost 3 years ago asking that the subject of debt cancellation for St. Maarten be discussed. I was moved to do so after discovering that St. Maarten was paying 12.7 million guilders annually on an almost 1 billion guilders debt. It is no secret that it would take some 100 years to pay it off, hence my motion which was unanimously supported.

The International Monetary Fund had also suggested that the Dutch government look at Debt cancellation, however what came afterwards due to the covid19 pandemic is additional loans of some 300 million guilders Read more

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St. Maarten Commits To 50-Year Pact For Ennia Pension Policyholders Relief

CBCS president Richard Doornbosch (second from left) with on the left CBCS executive director Jose Jardim, and on his right Curaao Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas, Curaao Minister of Finance Javier Silvania, St. Maarten Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion and, via Zoom, St. Maarten Prime Minister Read more

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Roxanne Howell Appointed, Sworn In As Secretary General Of Finance

Governor Ajamu Baly (left); newly appointed Secretary General Roxanne Howell (second left); Ernest Howell (third left); Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion (right).

PHILIPSBURG--The Ministry of Finance on Monday announced the appointment and subsequent swearing-in of Roxanne Howell as the new Secretary General of Finance. Howells appoi Read more

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Government Of Sint Maarten Signs Covenant With Ccsu.

~Secures increase in income/benefits for all Civil Servants~

PHILIPSBURG:---  The Government of Sint Maarten is pleased to share a breakthrough in the ongoing talks between the Union Negotiation Team (UNT) and the Government Negotiation Team (GNT). A crucial agreement was reached between the Ministry of General Affairs and the Committee of Civil Servants Unions (CCSU), marking considerable progress in achieving a mutual understanding where it pertains to employee benefits.

Key Agreements:

I Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- Following the recent introduction meeting and presentation hosted by the Digital Leadership Team (DLT) of the Digital Government Transformation Project (DGTP), on Thursday, November 30th, 2023, at the Government Administration Building, Meeting Room #1, stakeholders expressed enthusiasm for the collaborative efforts underway to revolutionize government service departments which showcased the commitment of the DLT service delivery. Department and Section heads of Government Service Departments gathered to witness the unveiling of the Public Service Centers (PSC) Improvement Plan and its potential impact on working procedures within the respective service departments.

The agenda, featuring key components such as the formal introduction of the DLT, a brief overview of the Digital Government Transformation Project (DGTP), the approved digital strategy, and a detailed presentation of the PSC Improvement Plan which captivated participants and prompted engaging discussions during the Q&A session.

Notable additions to the event were messages from both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance, members of the Project Oversight Committee (POC) Read more

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PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  The Prime Minister and Minister of General Affairs, Silveria Jacobs; the Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure, Egbert Doran; the Minister of Justice, Anna Richardson; and the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport, drs Read more

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~More than 300 registrants, 10 workshops, and opportunities to learn from local and international experts~

PHILIPSBURG:---  Held throughout November, now officially decreed by law as Financial Literacy Month, the SXM Financial Literacy Month surpassed expectations with more than 300 participants, including walk-ins. Islandpreneur and the Ministry of Finance are thrilled to announce the successful completion of this groundbreaking initiative aimed at bolstering financial knowledge and resilience within the community Read more

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~ Says theres no legal impediment for citizens ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- MP Rolando Brison on Monday raised a pressing concern regarding the withdrawal of services from St. Maarten by digital bank Revolut, apparently as a consequence of actions taken by local banks. MP Brison directed his question to the Minister of Finance, seeking intervention and clarity on the matter and expressing his apprehensions about the actions of local banks and the potential hindrance to local economic diversification.

It vexed the MP that the same banks, that offer no innovation of fintech services, are now obstructing opportunities for locals and stifling economic growth Read more

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Government officials, stakeholders and invited guests at the inauguration of St. Maarten Tourism Bureaus new offices.

PHILIPSBURG--Government officials, tourism stakeholders, locals and visitors gathered on Frontstreet Friday evening to witness the inauguration of St. Maarten Tourism Bureaus (STBs) new offices in the St. Joseph Building.

The event also served as the platform for the unveiling of the destination's eagerly awaited logo a vibrant emblem that signifies a renewed commitment to promoting the island's unique charm, it was stated in a STB press release issued Sunday evening.

Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Arthur Lambriex, alongside Tourism Director May-Ling Chun and the building owners, Luis Gioia and Angel Gioia, unveiled the new office and logo, marking a pivotal milestone for STB.

Lambriex praised the opening of the new state-of-the-art tourism office as a major milestone for the St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---  On the memorable evening of Friday, December 1st, government officials, tourism stakeholders, locals, and visitors gathered on Front Street to witness the grand inauguration of the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB) new offices located in the St. Joseph Building. The event, brimming with festivity and significance, also served as the platform for the unveiling of the destination's eagerly awaited logo a vibrant emblem that signifies a renewed commitment to promoting the island's unique charm.

The Honorable Minister of Tourism, Arthur Labriex, alongside Tourism Director May-Ling Chun and the building owners, Luis Gioia and Angel Gioia, unveiled the new office and logo, marking a pivotal milestone for STB Read more

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Info Session For National Career Fair Thursday At Govt. Building

PHILIPSBURG--Minister Plenipotentiary Rene Violenus and his cabinet have reached out to the Council of Ministers and the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry (COCI) regarding one of their economic outreach activities that has the potential of contributing to De Nationale Carrirebeurs (National Career Fair). 

  Violenus personally initiated constructive discussions with the Dutch company Memory Group, the main company for the National Career Fair that promotes Working in the Caribbean. 

  The main goal is to mobilise the diaspora of St Read more

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Working In The Caribbean Information Session For The National Career Fair.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  Minister Plenipotentiary, Rene Violenus, and his cabinet have reached out both to the Council of Ministers and the Sint Maarten Chamber of Commerce and Industry (COCI) regarding one of their economic outreach activities that has the potential of contributing to the labor market issue on Sint Maarten, namely De Nationale Carrirebeurs Read more

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Mp Akeem Arrindell Advocates Transition Of Ats To Government Oversight For Enhanced Tax Compliance.

PHILIPSBURG:--- In a strategic move aimed at bolstering tax compliance and fortifying government revenues, Member of Parliament Akeem Arrindell has proposed the transition of the Audit Team Sint Maarten (ATS) from the Social and Health Insurances (SZV) to direct government oversight.

In a letter addressed to the Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion, MP Arrindell outlined his key recommendations to harness the potential of ATS and ensure its continued contribution to the economic growth of St Read more

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~Financial Literacy Month Event Deemed a Success~

PHILIPSBURG:--- As part of the ongoing Financial Literacy Month, a highly informative information session titled, "Taxation Explained," was successfully hosted at the Government Administration Building on November 6th, 2023. This event, organized in collaboration with The Ministry of Finance and Ms. Ife Badejo of Islandpreneur, aimed to provide the public with comprehensive insights into various tax obligations and the critical role of the Tax Administration in promoting compliance and cooperation Read more

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Benae Dawkins Fitzpatrick, Deveshi Varidani Win 4Th Annual Courtney Gibson Spelling Bee

Winners Benae Dawkins Fitzpatrick (fourth left front row) and Deveshi Varidani (third left front row) are holding up their trophies along with the runners up in the two categories. They are flanked by Finance Minister Ardwell Irion, judges, announcer and representatives of the St. Maarten Guyanese Association and Tzu Chi Foundation.

PHILIPSBURG--St Read more

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~Says Marketplace project started years ago and is partially financed by a cruise line. ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- In response to questions posed by SMN News regarding the marketplace project that was announced by the Minister of TEATT Arthur Lambriex and was highlighted by a former cabinet staff of TEATT on Tuesday evening accusing the Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion of holding up the project and playing politics with the peoples business Read more

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Oranje School School Closed On Wednesday

Oranje School on Front Street.

~ Urgent measures for repairs and relocation to be implemented ~

FRONTSTREET--In an effort to prioritise the safety and well-being of pupils and faculty, Oranje School will undergo a one-day closure on Wednesday, November 1. The closure is necessary to carry out essential roof repairs, air-conditioning upgrades, and general maintenance.
The Minister of Justice made the announcement in a press release on Tuesday evening, highlighting the urgent need for electrical rewiring and repairs in some of the schools classrooms Read more

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