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Proposal to appoint Rent Committee members by Country Decree approved

PHILIPSBURG--A proposal to appoint members of St. Maarten Rent Committee retroactively by Country Decree (Landsbesluit) has been approved by Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI Marcel Gumbs and the decree was forwarded to Governor Eugene Holiday for signing on June 22, according to VROMI Secretary-General Louis Brown, who answered questions posed by The Daily Herald about the topic.

Attorney-at-Law Joeri Essed of law firm BZSE pointed out on Thursday an interesting quirk in the law whereby Rent Committee decisions since 10-10-10 could be deemed voidable because none of the committee members had been appointed by Country Decree Read more

Minister shares viewpoint, MPs to get GEBE answers Monday

PHILIPSBURG--Parliament’s plenary session on developments at utilities company GEBE, focusing on the ongoing dispute between the Supervisory Board and Chief Operations Officer (COO) and Managing Director Romelio Maduro about his position at the company, was adjourned to Monday afternoon, after Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure VROMI Marcel Gumbs gave some perspective on Friday, but needed more documentation to answer questions posed by Members of Parliament (MPs).

The meeting was adjourned after Gumbs, as shareholder representative for the Government-owned company, gave a summarised overview of developments on the current dispute and questions were posed by National Alliance MPs William Marlin, Silveria Jacobs and Christophe Emmanuel Read more

Freedom Run 2015

~ Participate in history ~

This year, we celebrate the 152nd anniversary of St. Maarten's Abolishment of Slavery. Mark the occasion by participating in the re-enactment of Diamond 26 Escape from Slavery – "Run For Freedom." Come in period dress for a midnight run through the hills, dance the Ponum and give thanks for freedom and emancipation!

The Diamond 26 Escape is a historical event that took place on May 28, 1848, when 26 of the enslaved people from the Diamond Plantation in Cole Bay ran into the hills of St Read more

Skeletons at GEBE Prompted Prime Minister to ask for closed door session -- MPs voted for it to be public session.

>PHILIPSBURG: --- Members of the public and the media almost got shut out of the urgent meeting that was called by the National Alliance Faction to discuss the developments at GEBE when the shareholder representative Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs asked that the meeting be held in closed doors due to a court decision that will be forthcoming on July 9th 2015 Read more

Buncamper’s Home being raided by Landsrecherché and Prosecutor and Judge of Instruction.

>St. Johns:---A team  of detectives from the Landsrecherché, the public prosecutor’s office and the judge of instructionconducted a raid at the home of the Buncamper’s in St. John’s Estate. The current raid has to do with the ongoing investigation and court case against the Buncamper’s and the added charge that the public prosecutor added during the performa hearing some weeks ago.
Prosecutor Tineke Kamps confirmed that a raid is indeed took place on Friday afternoon and it relates to the court case against the Buncampers'.
The case against Maria and Claudius Buncamper started since 2011 when it was discovered that the Buncampers' sold the economic rights of government long lease land to a company called Eco Green owned by a former Public Works employee Read more

St. Maarten 2015 Emancipation Day activities

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The theme for this years "Emancipation from Within - The Voice of Our People." The festivities will start on June 30 to July 1 Emancipation Day. Minister of Culture Rita Bourne-Gumbs invited all to come out and take part in the celebration, which is promised to be a cultural manifestation at Emilio Wilson Estate.

The Voices Foundation in collaboration with the Culture Department will organize a re-enactment of the Diamond Hill Estate Run on Diamond Hill, in Cole Bay. National Institute of Arts (NIA) co-Founder Clara Reyes and President of the Conscious Lyrics Foundation Shujah Reiph, said the run is historical Read more

Plenary Session Of Parliament To Reconvene On Monday Regarding Developments At Nv Gebe

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The House of Parliament will meet in a public plenary session on June 29th.

The shareholder representative Acting Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure Hon. Marcel Gumbs will be present for the session.

The reconvened plenary session is set for Monday at 2.00pm in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelmina Straat #1 in Philipsburg Read more

Ambitious Marigot Bay project advances to the bidding phase

MARIGOT--The Territorial Council adopted the main elements of the current Marigot Bay waterfront project on Thursday, the first time the project has been voted on. Much has been written on the project already and now with the major study phases completed the project moves to the bidding phase for an investor in a few months’ time, it was understood.

It was disclosed that the project is now estimated at close to 300 million euros. The majority voted 16 for, the opposition abstained and independent Councillor Jules Charville voted against.

“The development of modern berthing facilities for yachts and cruise ships, and the expansion and modernisation of our existing interisland ferry terminal, will collectively help St Read more

Patrol to Eradicate Paedophilia urges MPs to make law changes

PHILIPSBURG--Change the laws to impose harsher punishment for paedophiles and institute a sex offenders registry were among the calls the group Patrol to Eradicate Paedophilia (PEP) made to the Petitions Committee of Parliament on Thursday.

PEP's request for laws to be changed now heads to the Permanent Committee for Justice. Committee Chairman Member of Parliament (MP) Johan Leonard said he would call the Justice Minister to the committee after Parliament's July recess.

PEP representative Peggy Ann Dros-Richardson urged MPs to have Government boost its assistance to the Mental Health Foundation, to help the foundation increase awareness about paedophilia and have the required treatment for the mental disorder Read more

CFT may call for ‘targeted instruction’ if no settlement

PHILIPSBURG--The Committee for Financial Supervision CFT “in all likelihood will ask for a targeted instruction” to be handed down by the Dutch Kingdom Council of Ministers if government does not settle its arrears with Social and Health Insurance SZV and the General Pension Fund APS.

Government has missed the May 30 deadline set by CFT to settle its arrears with SZV and APS. The targeted instruction will focus on dealing with the payment arrears amounting to some NAf Read more

GEBE and Maduro face off in court over suspension, contract renewal

PHILIPSBURG--The Supervisory Board of utility company GEBE N.V. and GEBE Chief Operations Officer (COO) and Managing Director Romelio Maduro squared off in the Court of First Instance on Thursday morning in an injunction concerning his suspension. The case is also aimed at the decision of Country St. Maarten as GEBE's shareholder to extend Maduro's contract by two years.

A delegation of GEBE's Supervisory Board, led by Chairman Rene Richardson and comparison attorney Zylena Bary, Veronica Webster-Jansen and Edwin Gumbs, was present during the hearing of the injunction in which GEBE was represented by attorney Jairo Bloem.

Maduro had lawyers Safira Ibrahim and Nerissa de la Rosa present to speak on his behalf.

GEBE wants to get Maduro's reappointment off the table and wants government to retract its decision Read more

Plenary Session of Parliament scheduled for Friday regarding developments at NV GEBE

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The House of Parliament will meet in a public plenary session on June 26th.  The shareholder representative Acting Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure Hon. Marcel Gumbs will be present for the session.

  The plenary session is set for Friday at 1.00pm in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelmina Straat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda point is developments related to NV GEBE and the position of the Managing Board and the position of the Chief Operations Officer.

This plenary session was requested by the National Alliance (NA)in Parliament, namely Members of Parliament (MPs) Hon Read more

Notices June 26

Teachers, Volunteers Needed

I Too Can Learn (ITCL) Foundation is seeking teachers (Special Ed) and volunteers for their Center. For more information call 547 0890 or 524 6067. Your resume can be sent to: \n This e-mail address is being protected from spambots Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- In connection with work which has to be carried out at Joe’s Jewelry on Wilhelmina straat on Friday June 26th 2015, this road will be closed to motor vehicle traffic from 05.30 a.m. to 07.00 a.m.

In connection with a public event that will be held on Sunday June 28th 2015 from 11.00 a.m. to 05.30 p.m., at the Risen Christ Catholic Church on Carrot road in Reward, this road will be closed to all motor vehicle traffic. In connection with celebration of Emancipation Day organized by the Department of Culture the following:The event will start on Tuesday June 30th at Diamond Estate at 10.00 p.m Read more

Minister of Tourism Connor Orders Two Calibration Tanks. Saba provides temporary assistance

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Hon. Claret Connor announced on Thursday that Ministry TEATT will be purchasing two fuel calibration tanks that would be used to test and re-calibrate fuel meters to make sure customers are getting what they purchased from a petrol station.

In the meantime, the Public Entity of Saba will loan the ministry their calibrating tank until the Sint Maarten tank which is currently in Curacao is repaired Read more

Sint Maarten's Uts Training And Development Centre In Top 15 Of 2015 Leadership 500 Awards By Hr.Com

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten – The United Telecommunications Service (UTS) Eastern Caribbean Division Training and Development Centre (TDC), which is managed by a dedicated and dynamic management team, namely, David Charles McGregor, Training Manager and Christine McGregor-Pennock, Operations Manager, has recently won the prestigious leadership award by HR.com, the 2015 Leadership 500 Awards, for exceptional leadership development programs.

For the past 30 years, Leadership Excellence, now a part of HR.com has identified and recognized the top 500 leadership organizations and their strategies and solutions in their yearly ranking.

"I am elated with the results that TDC has been able to book whereby UTS' our own home-grown TDC has been able to come out in the top 15 for human resources development programs.

"I congratulate all the entities, public and private sectors for utilizing TDC over the years and who continue to do so, for their human resources development needs.

This achievement and award is not only for TDC, but for all those who have participated and moved forward in their development using programs developed by TDC," Glen Carty, UTS Eastern Caribbean Division Chief Executive Officer (CEO) said.

TDC is also the proud winner of the 2010 Crystal Pineapple Award for outstanding employee training and development, and has shown since 2007 impressive advancement in credibility, popularity, and the regained confidence and trust of customers in Government and private sector.

TDC is privileged to be supported by a team of experienced international trainers from Canada, Holland, Curacao, U.S.A., the United Kingdom and St Read more

Bourne-Gumbs outlines plans for current governing period

PHILIPSBURG--Transforming an existing English public primary school into a Dutch one; creating incentives for teachers to obtain "favourable" mortgage rates and expanding public school hours were amongst the plans Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs Minister Rita Bourne-Gumbs outlined to Members of Parliament (MPs) on Wednesday.

The plans cover the current four-year governing period. Bourne-Gumbs said when she took office as Minister the various department heads had already established a plan and parties had to see how to incorporate her ideas and "not take their entire plan and dismiss it."

The ministry's plans include putting in place a "strong" foundation for Dutch as a foreign language for all schools in the country Read more

Parliament committees to look into French/Dutch joint issues

Representatives of the French side Territorial Council with Members of Parliament in Parliament House on Tuesday.

PHILIPSBURG--A meeting between the French side Territorial Council and Members of Parliament (MPs) in Parliament House on Tuesday resulted in various topics discussed being sent to Parliament’s permanent committees for further deliberation and solution seeking.

Among the topics discussed was pensioners living on the French side, but who have contributed to the Dutch side’s General Pension Fund by working on the southern side of the island accessing their benefits Read more

ExxonMobil to continue exploring in Guyana waters despite Venezuela claim

GEORGETOWN, Guyana--Don't expect Guyana to stop its offshore oil exploration because Venezuela is claiming territorial waters where the "black gold" was recently discovered.

President David Granger has made it clear that his government will continue to back oil giant ExxonMobil in its work because the exploration is taking place in Guyana's exclusive economic zone.

He said he had met with officials from the company and assured them that they had nothing to fear as far as their operations in Guyana's waters were concerned.

Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro issued a decree on May 25, claiming sovereignty over Guyana's territorial waters in the Essequibo region of the Atlantic Ocean Read more

An Integrity Committee is most definitely needed

Dear Editor,

Okay, I have read the document on the establishing of the Integrity Committee (IC) and I must say that I CANNOT DISAGREE MORE with my good friend MP Christophe Emmanuel. I do not think that the establishing of this Committee is "bad for business" unless it is the business of nepotism and corruption that have plagued us for the last 25 years.

I also believe that some of the comments made by many members of Parliament misrepresent what is actually in the document. I am not saying they are lying but they are taking a very extreme view of what powers the Committee actually have.

MP William Marlin in his comments stated that a simple relationship with a Minister or MP can disqualify you from a contract or job, which according to me is really stretching the meaning of the document Read more

Notices June 25

Saturday, June 27

FREE HIV TESTS

Organised by St. Maarten AIDS Foundation and Scotiabank

Place: Scotiabank Philipsburg (Next to KFC)

Time: 10:00am to 4:00pm

Free and confidential results in 15 minutes

Saturday, June 27

PET FOOD DRIVE

Organised by PAWSITIVE SXM

Place: Le Grand Marche

Time: 11:00am to 6:00pm

For dogs in shelter and for free cat colonies

NOTICES

Teachers, Volunteers Needed

I Too Can Learn (ITCL) Foundation is seeking teachers (Special Ed) and volunteers for their Center Read more

Ganzevoort new Chairman of Kingdom Relations Committee

THE HAGUE--Member of the First Chamber of the Dutch Parliament Ruard Ganzevoort of the green left party GroenLinks is the new Chairman of the Senate's Permanent Committee for Kingdom Relations.

Ganzevoort (50) was recently appointed by the Presidium of the First Chamber for four years. A fair division of the portfolios of the political parties in the Senate was taken into account in this decision of the Presidium.

Ganzevoort, a Member of the Senate since June 2011 and a member of the Kingdom Relations Committee, is replacing Marijke Linthorst who chaired the Kingdom Relations Committee for the last five years and who left the Senate late May this year.

Ganzevoort had indicated that he was interested in becoming the committee's chairman Read more

SZV allowed to fire fraudulent employee

PHILIPSBURG--The Court of First Instance ruled in favour of Social and Health Insurance SZV on Wednesday. SZV had sought the intervention of the Court in a procedure to dismiss one of its registration supervisors, who is suspected of having committed fraud with the distribution of health-insurance cards.

SZV requested that the Court terminate the labour agreement with its employee S.T.M. (27) as per March 17. The woman started her career with SZV in August 2005. She was promoted to the function of registration supervisor in June 2013.

The health insurer sought S.T.M.'s dismissal after it emerged there had been "irregularities" concerning the registration and issuance of health-insurance cards Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs chairs first EOC Meeting

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Hon. Marcel Gumbs chaired his first Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Meeting last week Thursday.
Coordinators from the 10 Emergency Support Functions (ESFs) of the country’s disaster management system were present.
The two main agenda points was the Hurricane Exercise 2015 and preparedness for the Read more