SXMElections.com

Our Budget, Our Reality.

PHILIPSBURG:--- When 2022 was brought in with many fireworks and festive activities all around the island I wondered if this would be the year of recovery or if this would be another year of drama for the country. Will we allow our future to determine our present decisions and actions, or must our present time take precedence at the expense of our future? Based on our experience it would seem as though we as a country are incapable of creating a situation in which we do not suffer at present while actively enhancing the prospective future.

I believe some good news thus far for the Caribbean islands was the departure of State Secretary Raymond Knops whose own party told him there was no place for him in the new government moving forward Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG:--- President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) Stuart Johnson in an e-mail to all school boards over the weekend reminded the parties to honor last months pact brokered at the University of St. Martin (USM).

I sent an e-mail correspondence to all school boards requesting our agreement be upheld, Johnsons missive said about the joint December 13th, 2021 pact among the school boards and WITU.

Johnson is concerned that the government has scheduled a meeting for early next week with the school boards while sidestepping two WITU correspondences seeking a meeting with the education ministry and finance ministry.

I took note of the apparent scheduling of a meeting on January 18th, 2022 by the Honorable Minister of Education drs Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

~ Emergency Crew manning ATC~

AIRPORT:--- The Princess Juliana Airport Air Traffic Controllers are currently on strike as they protest various grievances, one being the 12.5% cuts in their salaries.
SMN News learned that the air traffic controllers are being supported by their unions the Windward Island Civil Servants Union (WICSU) as they continue to protest the way their Collective Labor Agreement goes.

In a letter to the CEO Brian Mingo, the Union WICSU/ PSU informs Mingo that their members from the Air Traffic Control Department requested an urgent meeting with them on Saturday, January 15th which will begin from 7 am to 5 pm to discuss the frustration being experienced due to the indecisive communication that has been going back and forth between management and the union regarding the way forward.
"The union is hoping management and the board of PJIAE understand the serious effects their decisions are having on their members.
This should not be taken lightly as our members carry the title of Air Traffic Controllers and if they are frustrated they will not be able to perform their duties optimally Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Brison Initiates Draft Law For Tourism Health Levy

UP Leader MP Rolando Brison.

~ Draft at Advisory Council ~

PHILIPSBURG--United Peoples (UP) party leader Member of Parliament (MP) Rolando Brison has initiated a draft na Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Brison Initiates National Tourism Health Levy

Law still at council of advice, hopefully with parliament soon for approval
PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – Leader of the United Peoples Party, MP Rolando Brison has initiated a National Ordinance introducing a Health Levy on all tourists. The law, which he drafted himself, codifies the existing mandatory insurance for arriving tourists but adds a basic accident insurance Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

~Law still at council of advice, hopefully with parliament soon for approval.~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Leader of the United Peoples Party, MP Rolando Brison has initiated a National Ordinance introducing a Health Levy on all tourists. The law, which he drafted himself, codifies the existing mandatory insurance for arriving tourists but adds basic accident insurance Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  On Wednesday, January 12, 2022, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Hon. Rodolphe Samuel, presented a plaque of recognition to 2021 Most Valuable Player of Dutch Baseballs Hoofdklasse Denzel Richardson.

Minister Samuel in his presentation of recognition stated: Now that you are here visiting for a few days, we have been reading about your success Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

A Realistic Decision

Member of Parliament George Pantophlet disagrees with MP Sarah Wescot-Williams’ remarks in her article Stop the cat and mouse game Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Nightlife Business Hours To Scale Back To 11 Pm.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maaretn — The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley informs the public, that in accordance with his COVID-19 phased approach for the night life; business hours will be scaled back to 11 pm.

The phased approach is based on the hospital’s occupancy rate and capacity, to avoid a possible collapse of our health care system, while maintaining a balance in our economic activity on the island.

For clarity, the Ministerial Regulation goes into effect on Wednesday January 12th, with the understanding that all nightlife establishments must be closed by 11 pm.

Phase 1:

4 – 7 hospitalizations (20%), scale back to 1 am Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Witu Deeply Concerned About State Of St. MaartenS Education

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten — President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU), Stuart Johnson has expressed deep concern about the current state of St. Maartens educational system and the quality of learning for students.

---

Candidates in this article:

El Ministerio Teatt Busca Diferentes Fuentes De Alimentos

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – El Ministerio de Turismo, Asuntos Econmicos, Transportes y Telecomunicaciones (TEATT) est investigando diferentes fuentes de alimentos en caso de que una escasez relacionada con la pandemia afecte al pas.

El ministro suplente del TEATT, Omar Ottley, brind la informacin en respuesta a una pregunta durante la conferencia de prensa del Consejo de Ministros del mircoles Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Samuel: No Se Encontraron Csos Concentrados De Covid-19 En Las Escuelas

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – El ministro de Educacin, Cultura, Juventud y Deporte, Rodolphe Samuel, dijo durante la conferencia de prensa del Consejo de Ministros el mircoles que el ministerio continuar monitoreando la situacin de COVID-19 y tomar otra decisin sobre el camino a seguir en tres semanas.

Dijo que de acuerdo con los Servicios de Prevencin Colectiva (CPS) no hay casos conglomerados registrados de COVID-19 en las escuelas desde que reabrieron despus de las vacaciones Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Minister Samuel Recognizes 2021 Most Valuable Player Of Dutch BaseballS Hoofdklasse Denzel Richardson

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) On Wednesday, January 12, 2022, Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Hon. Rodolphe Samuel, presented a plaque ofrecognitionto2021 Most Valuable Player of Dutch Baseballs Hoofdklasse Denzel Richardson.

Minister Samuel in his presentation of recognition stated: Now that you are here visiting for a few days, we have been reading about your success Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Teatt Ministry Looking Into Different Sources For Food Items

Minister Omar Ottley during the press briefing on Wednesday.

PHILIPSBURG--The Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) is looking into different sources for food should a pandemic-related shortage affect the country.

---

Candidates in this article:

Samuel: No Covid-19 Clusters Found In Schools

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Rodolphe Samuel said during the Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday that the ministry will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and make another decision on the way forward in three weeks.

---

Candidates in this article:

Pm: Intro Talks With Van Huffelen Offer A Renewed Sense Of Hope

Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs during Wednesdays Council of Ministers press briefing.

PHILIPSBURG--Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs left an introductory meeting with new Dutch Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

~ Official transfer from INSO to FINSO only finalized two months ago~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Health Omar Ottley said on Wednesday that he conducted some investigations to see what exactly was the problem with FINSO and the banks on St. Maarten. Ottley said that the transfer from INSO to FINSO was only completed two months ago. He said that the company has been trying to open a bank account on St Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Health and Labor Omar Ottley did not mince with words on Wednesday when he called out the nightclubs and bars for not following protocols and set guidelines when the country reopened its business sector late last year. The Minister said that these establishments signed agreements and agreed to test and other guidelines but they simply did not follow through Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

A Realistic Decision.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament George Pantophlet disagrees with MP Sarah Wescot-Williams' remarks in her article Stop the cat and mouse game. MP Pantophlet insists that this is not a game Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Richardson Signs Contract With New Provider Of Electronic Monitoring

PHILIPSBURG--Minister of Justice Anna Richardson signed a three-year contract with a new electronic monitoring (EM) provider company, Buddi Ltd., on Monday, January 10.

---

Candidates in this article:

El Horario Comercial De La Vida Nocturna Se Reduce A Las 11:00 Pm

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten  El Ministro de Salud Pblica, Social Desarrollo y Trabajo, Omar Ottley informa al pblico, que en de acuerdo con su enfoque gradual COVID-19 para la vida nocturna; el horario comercial se reducir a las 11:00 p.m.

El enfoque por etapas se basa en la tasa de ocupacin y capacidad del hospital, para evitar un posible colapso de nuestro sistema de salud, manteniendo el equilibrio en nuestra actividad econmica en la isla.

Para mayor claridad, el Reglamento Ministerial entra en vigor el mircoles 12 de enero, para todos los establecimientos de vida nocturna los cuales deben estar cerrados a las 11:00pm.

Fase 1: 4 – 7 hospitalizaciones (20%), escala a las 1:00 am Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

Nightlife Business Hours To Be Scaled Back To 11 Pm.

PHILIPSBURG--The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley informed the public on Tuesday evening that in accordance with his COVID-19 phased approach for the night life; business hours will be scaled back to 11 pm starting Wednesday.

---

Candidates in this article:

Nightlife Business Hours To Scale Back To 11 Pm.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten  The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley informs the public, that in accordance with his COVID-19 phased approach for the night life; business hours will be scaled back to 11 pm.

The phased approach is based on the hospital’s occupancy rate and capacity, to avoid a possible collapse of our health care system, while maintaining a balance in our economic activity on the island Read more

---

Candidates in this article:

PHILIPSBURG:---The Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley informs the public, that in accordance with his COVID-19 phased approach for the nightlife; business hours will be scaled back to 11 pm.

The phased approach is based on the hospital's occupancy rate and capacity, to avoid a possible collapse of our health care system, while maintaining a balance in our economic activity on the island.

For clarity, the Ministerial Regulation goes into effect on Wednesday, January 12th, with the understanding that all nightlife establishments must be closed by 11 pm.

Phase 1:
4 - 7 hospitalizations (20%), scale back to 1 am Read more

---

Candidates in this article: