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Timeshare, The Sick Cousin Of The Tourism Industry

After many years, legislation remains in limbo

St. Maarten – Trouble in the timeshare industry probably dates back further than December 2010, when the controversial sale of the Pelican Resort caused uproar among employees and timeshare owners alike, but it is a good starting point for getting an impression of the state of this industry and the lack of action on the part of successive governments.

When the Pelican Resort changed ownership in December 2010, the jobs of 182 employees were suddenly on the line Read more

Jakisha Brooks On Student Athlete Visit In Miami

MIAMI/ ST. MAARTEN – Jakisha Brooks is ending the year on a high note. The 18-year old 5’ 11” starting forward for the Learning Unlimited team in the Ladies Basketball Championship is on an official NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) student athlete visit at the St. Thomas University in Miami, Florida.

Brooks is the reigning ‘LBC Defensive Player Of The Year’ for 2014-2015 and was selected to the LBC All Star Game 2014, LBC All First Team and as a top-20 player for the 2014-2015 season Read more

Mp Lake: Taking The Issues Affecting The People In 2016 To Another Level

ST. PETERS, St. Maarten - “I would like to wish the people of St. Maarten a Happy New Year.  I have to say 2015 was a good learning experience for St. Maarten. St. Maarten is at a crossroad, so the decisions we make today will affect the next generation of tomorrow. 

“That's why I am looking to 2016 to take the issues affecting our local people to another level in an open and transparent manner to better serve the people of St. Maarten. I know it's going to be a short challenging year with a lot of manmade obstacles to keep me back from achieving for the people, but that won't keep a good man down,” Member of Parliament Maurice Lake said."Once I give it my best for 2016, and work along with the people, I believe the LORD will do the rest for his people. I am a firm believer in my principles of Philippians Chapter 4:13, ‘I can do all things with Christ which strengthen me.’ I have set some goals and I can't wait to execute them in the general interest of the people.“I am not going to get in the old way of politics with tic for tac, planning against each other, or predicting like some of our leaders that I would never be elected again, but I am going to focus on the issues and come with a plan of action in an open and transparent manner. Last election, some of our leaders within taught the same that my team was all rookies and I wasn't going to get elected. I would like the people to judge me on the upcoming election in September 2016 based on my work, performance and accomplishments for the people.“It's high time we stop saying or working behind the scenes in self-interest and start being open with the people’s business and focus on providing a stable economy and putting our people first and creating work for them. Parliament and Government needs to start putting our people first, and focus and communicate better with our local people and bring priority projects, quick wins or laws that are going to empower our people for the betterment of the island.“The Coalition of Eight main focus should be reform, balancing the draft Budget 2016, stimulating the Economy, creating jobs and developing a plan of action for the Crime situation.“As an Independent MP, my main focus would be in 2016 on passing the amended initiative law to make the processing or application fee for residence permits non-refundable; recognizing the University of St Read more

Academy Closes Year By Graduating 81

CUL DE SAC, St. Maarten - St. Maarten Academy’s academic campus closed the calendar year with a bang by graduating 81 of its students who successfully completed their CSEC examinations, offered by the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) in May/June.

The ceremony was held on December 16, 2015 at the Belair Community Centre under the theme, “Education: The Passport to Our Future”.

Clifford Francois emerged as valedictorian and recapped the years of hard work that brought him and his fellow graduates the successes they have achieved Read more

Open Government

Our government wishes to be open and transparent. We have seen some examples of this given by Public Health Minister Emil Lee and only last week, Education Minister Silveria Jacobs confirmed that she is on the same page – actually, that the whole government is on the same page.

Well, let’s test those statements against an initiative that came up in the Netherlands and that seems to fit St Read more

Former Pm Marcel Gumbs Reacts To Dr. Martha “Not Possible To Revoke Dissolution Decree”

St. Maarten / By Hilbert Haar – “I think that not all the facts were presented to him,” former Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs told this newspaper yesterday in a reaction to the interview with Dr. Rutsel Martha. “He is a good friend and very clever, though somewhat controversial, but his specialty is not in constitutional law.”

Gumbs said that he had acquired advice from three constitutional experts – professors Arjen van Rijn, Tijn Kortmann and Joop van den Berg Read more

Christmas Village Can Now Be Viewed At Starz City & Casino

CUPECOY, St. Maarten – The Island’s Christmas activities and decorations this year have really been amplified versus the previous years in St. Maarten.

The Starz City & Casino did not hesitate to partner with the Dominican Roots Foundation to add their magic touch to the Island’s Christmas Spirit.

The Christmas Village became a reality and in order to give back to the community, various groups of less privileged children were invited free of charge to the event Read more

“Governor Holiday Made Gumbs Look Like A Fool”

Dr. Rutsel Martha: revoking dissolution decree perfectly legal

By Hilbert Haar – LONDON / GREAT BAY – The decision by the Marlin-cabinet to withdraw the October 29 dissolution decree and to replace it by another one that pushed the elections back to September of next year is perfectly legal. That is the opinion of Dr. Rutsel Martha, a former Minister of Justice in Curacao who is now based in London as an international legal consultant. From a distance, Dr. Martha has followed the political developments in St Read more

Maho Group Appreciates Dedicated Team Members

St. Maarten – The Maho Group recognized its outstanding and dedicated team members as Stars of the Hospitality and Tourism Industry this week at Sonesta Resorts’ End of the Year Team Appreciation evening.

The resort group singled out a number of team members in various categories such as Employee of Year and Supervisor of the Year and in novelty categories like Best Smile and Punctuality and Grooming. All team members were observed throughout the year as they conducted their regular assignments and when they went above and beyond the call of duty.

Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor Emil Lee, who was very active in the field of hospitality and tourism prior to his current post, was a guest at the appreciation evening. 

The awardees were pulled from Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino, Sonesta Great Bay Beach Resort Casino and Spa, Ocean Point, Casino Royale, Diamond Casino, and Golden Casino.

The recognition of Employee of the Year was received by Diane Burnett and Maria Mercedes (Sonesta Maho), Soledad Van Lamoen Rivera and Pierre Banno Charles (Ocean Point), Ruby Coby and Marie Philippe (Sonesta Great Bay), Elmira Hodge and Richard Renjifo-Tinini (Casino Royale), Juan Nunez and Maria Bryson (Diamond/Golden Casinos). 

The Best Smile Award were presented to Anna Nelson (Sonesta Maho), Clarissa Clement (Ocean Point), Jonathan Puente (Sonesta Great Bay), Karoll Gil-Huertes (Casino Royale), and Celine Oliente (Diamond/Golden Casinos)

The Supervisor of the Year nod was given to Preciosa Teleisi (Sonesta Maho), Alma Harry (Ocean Point), Miguel Felix (Sonesta Great Bay), and Daniel Ottley (Diamond/Golden Casino).

The Leadership Award went to Irene Correa (Sonesta Maho), Damion Bailey (Ocean Point), Unelta Cherry (Sonesta Great Bay), Yacqueline Rivera (Casino Royale), and Rosa Isaac (Diamond/Golden Casinos).                                                    

The resorts have also paid keep attention to punctuality and grooming of team members and those who have exceeded the ordinary were commended for their commitment to being on time and being well put together Read more

Minister Of Education Jacobs Tells St. Dominic’S High School Graduates That Sint Maarten Needs Them In Order To Grow

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Honorable Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs Silveria Jacobs, was recently present for the graduation ceremony at the St. Dominic’s High School (SDHS).

The theme of the SDHS graduation was: “Some people drink from the fountain of knowledge, while others just gargle” - Robert Anthony.

Minister Jacobs during her speech congratulated the graduates on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports which continuously strives to meet the needs of the youth in these very important areas Read more

Mp Lake Wants Update On Emilio Wilson Estate

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Maurice Lake has sent a letter to Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI Angel Meyers, via the President of Parliament seeking an update about plans for Emilio Wilson Estate. 
 â€œThe Estate is of invaluable natural, cultural, historical and social significance Read more

Government About To Collect 13 Million From Casino Sector

Parliamentarians happy with withdrawal increased road tax

St. Maarten – By providing the receiver’s office with a mandate, the government is able to collect 13 million in tax arrears from the casino-sector, Finance Minister Richard Gibson said yesterday afternoon during a meeting of the Central Committee where he, as announced on Wednesday, withdrew the draft law to increase the road tax in 2016.

In a brief introduction, the minister told parliament that he would like to make some changes to the draft the previous government had submitted Read more

University Launches Online Journal

Partial screenshot of the website that hosts the online journal. Image usmonline.net

University of St. Martin (USM) President Dr. Francio Guadeloupe launched the online journal Commentaries at an informal ceremony. The university will host an official launch at the end of January 2016. Joshue Ferrol maintains the website and Pedro de Weever edits the journal

“Commentaries features scientific and popular essays from the Dutch Caribbean (and St. Maarten in particular),” Guadeloupe said in a press statement Read more

New Parties Come With Joint Statement About Elections

St. Maarten – The five newly established political parties will come with a joint statement about the decision to move the elections from February 9 to September 26, Christian Party leader Wycliffe Smith told this newspaper yesterday evening. He declined to make an individual comment on the situation, but it stands to reason to assume that the five parties are not happy with the outcome of the process.

The Christian Party, Hope, led by Mercedes van der Waals-Wyatt (aka Elektra),MAP, led by Peter Gittens, SMD, led by Benjamin Ortega and Beyond St Read more

Nagico 2016 Calendar Features Artwork From Local Students

NAGICO Insurances CEO Dwayne Elgin presents winners Carina Alcin and Tracey Aloma with a copy of the 2016 calendar displaying their handy work and a gift certificate for Boolchands. Photo contributed

St. Maarten – Nagico Insurances launched its 2016 calendar, entitled My Heritage, My Culture – a compilation of art submitted by students from across the Caribbean, two (2) of whom are from St Read more

Lisa Alexander: Canceling National Decree Is Unconstitutional”

St. Maarten – “His Excellency Governor Eugene Holiday’s attempt to cancel the national decree of October 29 is unconstitutional,” Lisa Alexander said in a press statement last night. “There is absolutely no provision in the Constitution that gives the governor the authority to cancel a published National Dissolution Decree. This decree affects the fundamental rights of the citizens of St Read more

Mp Maurice Lake: Vital Role For Gebe In Renewable Energy

St. Maarten – Independent Member of Parliament Maurice Lake says he foresees GEBE playing a vital role in renewable energy in St. Maarten. “Based on the coalition of eight’s governing program, we will continue where the steering committee within government left off with the waste-to-energy plant discussions and review the latest draft agreement,” he said in a press statement.

Government is continuous and the previous Government should never have attempted changing plans that were in the best interest of the people, Lake noted. “Based on the shareholder’s meeting that took place yesterday, Gebe Management and supervisory board will inform the Council of Ministers about its current state of affairs.  The Minister of Vromi, who is shareholder representative of GEBE, needs to put as an agenda point the historical and current status of renewable energy.  We need to work towards the future by starting investments into renewable energy and alternative sources of energy through LPG/ LNG, also by promoting solar energy to the community in addition to having the necessary policies in place.”

Those who have invested in solar energy production in our community should be commended for taking the initiative on their own, Lake added. “All stakeholders, Gebe and government, need to put in place what is necessary for local solar energy producers to receive back what they contribute on a daily basis based on their solar energy investment and contribution to the electricity grid.  Gebe needs to adjust its meters to accommodate solar energy to residential homes Read more

Carpha Continues To Battle Dengue And Chikungunya And Prepares For Zika

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago - Vector borne diseases, such as Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika, continue to emerge in the Caribbean, threatening health, tourism, social and economic development. 

According to Dr. Joy St. John, Director of Surveillance, Disease Prevention and Control at CARPHA “in the last decade, the Caribbean has been wrestling with wave after wave of vector borne diseases Read more

Mp Lake Says Gebe Must Play Vital Role In Renewable Energy For St. Maarten

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Independent Member of Parliament Maurice Lake says he foresees GEBE playing a vital role in renewable energy in St. Maarten. â€œBased on the Coalition of Eight’s Governing Program, we will be continuing with where the Steering Committee within Government left off with the Waste to Energy Plant discussions and review the latest draft agreement,” he said. Government is continuous and the previous Government should never have attempted changing plans which was in the best interest of the people.  Based on the upcoming Shareholder’s meeting on December 15th, GEBE Management and Supervisory Board will inform the Council of Ministers about its current state of affairs.  The Minister of VROMI, who is Shareholder representative of GEBE, needs to put as an agenda point the historical and current status of renewable energy.  We need to work towards the future by starting investments into renewable energy and alternative sources of energy through LPG/ LNG, also by promoting solar energy to the community in addition to having the necessary policies in place, pointed out Lake.
 
“Those who have invested in solar energy production in our community should be commended for taking the initiative on their own.  All stakeholders, GEBE and Government, need to put in place what is necessary for local solar energy producers to receive back what they contribute on a daily basis based on their solar energy investment and contribution to the electricity grid.  GEBE needs to adjust their meters to accommodate solar energy to residential homes Read more

Upnext Starts To Give Back

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - UPNext, the youth wing of the United People (UP) party, have begun their annual holiday tradition of giving back to the less fortunate children in the community.

This past weekend the group visited Antonia Hodge and the Hope Outreach Home in St. Peters to deliver gifts, setup and decorate a Christmas tree, also provided by UPNext.

The group will visit a number of children's homes in the coming days.

The expressed thanks to the businesses and individuals who continue to work with them as they try to give St Read more

Scell & Women’S Island Network Set Big Enrollment Goal For Usm/Uvi

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - On Friday, December 4, 2016 SCELL, The University of St. Martin’s School of Continuing Education and Life-Long Learning, appointed the Women’s Island Network Board and Honorable Board Members.

WIN was founded by Dr. Natasha J. Gittens, Ph.d., CHE, SCELL’s Director.

The Women’s Island Network Board consists of women of power, professionalism and all who share the desire and conviction to support other women embrace educational opportunities.

The Board and Honorary board were hand selected based on their commitment to the St Read more

Universal Health Coverage Saves Lives, Alleviates Poverty And Boosts Growth Message By Guy Ryder, Ilo Director-General On The Occasion Of Universal Health Coverage Day 12 December 2015

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago - On Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day we acknowledge that more needs to be done to ensure that every person, everywhere, has access to quality health care without suffering financial hardship.

The ILO estimates that in 2015 more than 90 per cent of the global population living in low-income countries has no health protection and that more than half of the global rural population does not have access to needed health care Read more

Mp Leona Marlin-Romeo Queries Mp Wescot-Williams On Climate Change And Sint Maarten’S Role

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Independent Member of Parliament (MP) Leona Marlin-Romeo, has sent a letter to the President of Parliament requesting answers to the statement/comment made by MP Sarah Wescot Williams in her capacity as member of the CKAIR committee Read more

International Launch ‘Welkom Op Sint Maarten!’ In The Sint Maartenhuis, The Hague, The Netherlands

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The launch of the second edition of ‘Welkom op Sint Maarten! The Friendly Island’ edition 2016-2017, took place on the 17-th of November in the Sint Maartenhuis in the Hague, the Netherlands. Mr Perry F.M. Geerlings, Director of the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary of Sint Maarten, received the first copy of this second edition.

In 2014 the international launch took place at Sint Maarten when former Minister President Mrs. S. Wescot-Williams received the first copy of the first edition (edition 2014-2015).

Meanwhile ‘Welkom!’ has become a standard book for newcomers and travellers from the Netherlands who want to come to Sint Maarten for a short or longer period, and who want to know all kinds of practical information about the island, like moving, finding a place to stay, electricity, finding a car, telecom providers, insurances, health care issues, leisure activities, etc Read more