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Harold Jack Passes Away Friday

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Well known entertainer Harold Jack passed away at the St. Maarten Medical Center on Friday afternoon.

The late Harold Jack in his later years was well known for his operation on the "look out point" from where he sold refreshments to the islands visitors who stopped at the location to take picture and enjoy the scenic view of the islands South and Western coastline including Cay Bay, Cole Bay, Simpson Bay and the Lagoon.

At the "look out point" Harold would only sell non-alcoholic beverages.

Harold Jack died who was in his 70s, died after a short illness at the St Read more

The Case Against Dollarization

The fact that there is still a discussion on the dollarization issue is somewhat strange to me and not because I think it would the worst thing that can happen to us in St. Maarten but because of the total lack of actual benefits proposed by those supporting dollarization.

The symposium on dollarization organized by the Council on Advice at the University of St. Maarten only confirms what I have believed all along, that dollarization is not a valid option for St. Maarten. Although I am basing my article on what was published in the media since I was unable to attend the actual meeting.

In the media, supporter of dollarization, Mr Read more

Implementation Counterpart Policy Is Still Far Away

Ministry publishes rules in National Gazette

St. Maarten – The labor department will deny work permits to companies that refuse to hire “a counterpart found suitable by the department and made available to the employer.” This is one of the rules laid down in the counterpart policy the government published in the National Gazette last week. It will still take some time though, before the private sector is going to feel the effects of the controversial counterpart policy because the ministry first wants to do a pilot project that will last one year from the moment it begins.

“The quality of the execution of the policy by the labor department is a determining factor for the success of the counterpart policy Read more

Integrity Chamber Meets Resistance From Coalition

St. Maarten – The draft ordinance for the establishment of St. Maarten’s Integrity Chamber met with unexpected opposition from within the governing coalition yesterday. Members of the opposition also expressed their doubts. Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs said that he is facing a May 5 deadline. On that date, the Dutch Council of State renders judgment on the advice the Kingdom Council of Ministers has requested about a looming instruction for St Read more

Silver Medallist Returns To Rousing Welcome

St. Maarten – Shakeba Pink wrote her name boldly in the sporting books of Country St. Maarten when she won a Silver medal at the 44th Annual Carifta Games which took place in St. Kitts over the Easter weekend.

Pink, the leading middle distance runner on the island, follows the footsteps of Claude Paul, a former member of the Lab Sports Academy who was also the first male runner to medal at the same event several years ago under the Netherlands Antilles. Ironically, this is Pink’s second time at the Carifta Games, she was unable to secure a place on the podium in her first outing, but this time, she did it and that is a plus for St Maarten Read more

Public Notice For Sunday April 12 (Cycling Race)

In connection with the upcoming cycling race which is organized by Soualiga Riders and scheduled to take place on Sunday April 12th the police department is announcing the following:

The race will start at 01 p.m. on the Welfare road in the vicinity of Willy’s Restaurant and Mini Mart and head towards the Kruythoff round about and turning right on to A.J.C. Brouwers road, round about on the top of the hill, A.J.C. Brouwers road, Church hill round about, Bush road, Zagergut road, The Cottage round about, A Read more

1,000 to jam in Lighted Parade, motorists should note diversions

~ Zero tolerance in effect ~

PHILIPSBURG--Police on Thursday called on motorists to take note of the traffic diversions that will result from road closures associated with Rio Productions' fourth annual Lighted Parade on Saturday, April 11, from 8:00pm to 2:00am.

Front Street will close as of 5:00pm on Saturday in preparation for the parade, and vehicles parked on the road after this time will be towed at the owner's expense.

Brenda Wathey of Rio Productions told reporters at a press conference on Thursday that the parade has grown tremendously with some 1,000 persons registered to jam this year Read more

New law on transport expected in mid-2016

PHILIPSBURG--“To professionalize, promote and enhance public transportation equally for consumers and operators alike” is the goal of the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication, Minister responsible Claret Connor told Parliament’s Permanent Committee for Transport on Thursday afternoon.

Conner was at Parliament House to talk with the committee about the state of the country’s transportation sector Read more

Halley land saga heard by Petitions Committee

~ 'Something wrong,' way forward to be determined ~

PHILIPSBURG--Marlon Halley, supported in particular by community spokesperson Yvette Halley, had the transfer of land rights plaguing him heard by Members of Parliament on Thursday during a Petitions Committee meeting at Parliament House.

The meeting was the result of a petition submitted March 4 that called for Parliament to thoroughly investigate "fishy business" surrounding the land deal that entailed government taking ownership of the land where Marlon Halley has operated a business for some 28 years, and long-leasing it to developers without his knowing Read more

Hennis-Plasschaert: Kingdom partners have to ‘hold hands’ and work together

PHILIPSBURG--The countries in the Dutch Kingdom have to "hold hands" and continue to cooperate in the best interest of their citizens and in the interest of security.

This was the main message from Dutch Minister of Defence Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, who wrapped up her visit to the islands of Curacao, St. Eustatius, Saba and St. Maarten on Thursday.

The minister and her delegation will depart for the Netherlands today, Friday. While in St. Maarten, Hennis-Plasschaert met with the armed forced in the defence ministry, Governor Eugene Holiday, Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs and Justice Minister Dennis Richardson Read more

US and Cuba hold highest-level meeting in more than 50 years

PANAMA CITY--The U.S. and Cuban foreign ministers were to meet in Panama on Thursday, the U.S. State Department said, in what would be the highest-level meeting between the two sides since the earliest days of the Cuban revolution more than half a century ago.

The discussions between U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez would be the first time the two nations' chief diplomats have met since a historic opening by President Barack Obama and his Cuban counterpart, Raul Castro, that was announced on Dec Read more

Stephane Earl Duzong ready for Eruption in Paradise

PHILIPSBURG--Stephane Earl Duzong will represent the SXM Rock Boxing Club on the pro-am boxing card Eruption in Paradise at L.B. Scott Sports Auditorium May 30.
    Duzong has been in the sport for one year. He trains with former pro St. Maarten fighter Claudette Alexander.  Eruption in Paradise will be his first fight Read more

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The Council of Ministers approved the long lease that is to be granted to Rainforest Adventure on March 18th 2015.
According to documents SMN News obtained showed that an advice prepared by Domain Affairs which was signed off by the head of VROMI Louis Brown on March 9th 2015 and booked in at the Department of General Affairs under Div Read more

Heated Debate by Members of Parliament as to how they will deal with the Petition sent to Parliament regarding the Simpson Bay Development.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- Chairlady of the petitions committee of Parliament MP Leona Marlin-Romeo opened a pandora box on Thursday when she asked the Members of Parliament to establish how they will handle petitions sent to Parliament. While the debate on how the committee will handle petitions, the three residents of Simson Bay were sitting in Parliament to be heard Read more

Central Committee Meeting reconvened for Friday about Draft National Ordinance to Establish Integrity Chamber

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The Central Committee of Parliament will meet in public session on April 10. The Minister of General Affairs Hon. Marcel Gumbs will be present for the House session.

The public Central Committee meeting is was adjourned on April 8 is now being reconvened for Friday at 9.00am in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelmina Straat #1 in Philipsburg.

The three point agenda is: the draft National Ordinance for the establishment of a Integrity Chamber; second agenda point is approval of the travel schedule for the year 2015 in connection with Committee and Board of Directors meetings of the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino); and the third agenda point is approval of the composition of the delegation and provisions for General Assembly of Parlatino from May 15-16.
Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary session will be carried live on St Read more

Central Committee Meeting Reconvened For Friday About Draft National Ordinance To Establish Integrity Chamber

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The Central Committee of Parliament will meet in public session on April 10. The Minister of General Affairs Hon. Marcel Gumbs will be present for the House session.

The public Central Committee meeting is was adjourned on April 8 is now being reconvened for Friday at 9.00am in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelmina Straat #1 in Philipsburg.

The three point agenda is: the draft National Ordinance for the establishment of a Integrity Chamber; second agenda point is approval of the travel schedule for the year 2015 in connection with Committee and Board of Directors meetings of the Latin American Parliament (Parlatino); and the third agenda point is approval of the composition of the delegation and provisions for General Assembly of Parlatino from May 15-16.

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary session will be carried live on St Read more

Main Voting Bureau Chairman Jason Rogers Addresses Parliaments Concerns With Possible Electoral Discrepancies

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Main Voting Bureau and the Civil Registry Department concerning alleged discrepancies during and in preparation of the August 29th parliamentary elections last year, was the focus of a parliamentary meeting on Wednesday.

The meeting was at request of Members of Parliament Leona Marlin-Romeo, Read more

Integrity Chamber In The Best Interest Of St. Maarten Say's Pm Gumbs

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Central Committee of Parliament handling the National Draft Ordinance for the establishment of a Integrity Chamber, which started on Wednesday and adjourned, will be continuing on Friday at 9 am.

However, during the meeting on Wednesday, Prime Minister with the responsibility for General Affairs, the Honorable Marcel Gumbs made clear that the law as is being proposed is not in the interest of Holland, but rather for that of the people of St Read more

Motion calls for corruption probe St. Maarten, Curaçao

THE HAGUE--The Dutch Government has no objections to a motion of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament calling for an investigation of the flow of money between criminal organisations and the governments of Curaçao and St. Maarten.

In fact, Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk suggested expanding the motion of Members of Parliament (MPs) Ronald van Raak of the Socialist Party (SP) and André Bosman of the liberal democratic VVD party to include drug smuggling and trafficking in women in the investigation.

Van Raak and Bosman requested the Dutch Government to facilitate an investigation into the (illegal) flow of money between the underworld and upperworld in Curaçao and St Read more

Jamaica says ‘We’re ready’ to President Barack Obama

KINGSTON, Jamaica--Roads were paved, beautification of the main thoroughfares completed, security heightened and even stalls demolished as Jamaicans eagerly anticipated Wednesday's arrival of Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States.

Police also suggested that some persons might want to remain indoors as restrictions on vehicular traffic would be enforced in areas that may be used by the president's entourage.

According to the police, some of the areas to be affected temporarily include sections of the business district of New Kingston and roads in the vicinity of the Mona campus of the University of the West Indies (UWI), where Obama will meet with regional leaders for their summit today, Thursday.

Head of the Police Border and Security Branch, Deputy Commission of Police James Golding told reporters that business owners would be advised of closure of their businesses as the second United States president ever to visit Jamaica continued his visit.

Information Minister Sandrea Falconer said due to security concerns, the details could not be revealed immediately.

"What we will be doing is contacting the business owners on Knutsford Boulevard, in addition to all the mass media announcements that we will make and they can make that determination as to how they will treat it," she said.

Head of the Traffic Division, Senior Superintendent Calvin Allen said members of the public who wished to watch the presidential motorcade could do so from sidewalks and other pedestrian areas, except in instances where there are restrictions such as police barricades and service vehicles.

National Security Minister Peter Bunting added that given the nature and size of the operation, more resources have been brought in from across the island to boost security in the Corporate Area.

However, in the midst of all the activities, the government has been criticised for tearing down the stalls of vendors located on the outskirts of National Heroes Park, one of the venues to be visited by the US President.

On Monday, the food vendors – known for selling boiled crab, roasted and boiled corn, roasted yam and saltfish – demonstrated to protest the removal of their stalls by the Kingston and St Read more

Acha Symposium

First Anniversary of ACHA

Acha will be holding another interesting and informative program at Philipsburg Jubilee Library this evening, April 9, at 7:00-9:00.

The program includes the singing of the St. Maarten song by Ifelola Badejo before the welcome introduction to ACHA where Drs. Okama Ekpe Brook will speak about positively reconnecting the Caribbean with Africa and the vision of ACHA.

There will be a summary of activities and upcoming events throughout the year as well as a poem by Julie Alcin Read more

MPs share concerns on integrity chamber, but open to discussion

~ Expect more answers on Friday ~

PHILIPSBURG--"Looking forward to further discussion" was the point Members of Parliament (MPs) reached on Wednesday night after hearing answers to shared main points of concern given by Justice Minister Dennis Richardson during a public meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament on the draft National Ordinance for the establishment of an Integrity Chamber for St. Maarten.

Although many individual questions had been posed, paired with statements of concern about what the Ordinance will mean for St Read more

St. Maarten Quarter master plan approved by Ministers

POINTE BLANCHE--The Master Plan for St. Maarten Quarter, a US $120 million mixed-use waterfront development project by Royal Caribbean Cruise Line (RCCL), officially received approval by the Council of Ministers (COM) on March 26, which RCCL Vice President of Commercial Development John Tercek described as the last step needed before the project can "go full steam" ahead.

Tercek was notified officially by a letter signed by Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs on behalf of COM, although government previously had expressed satisfaction after a well-received presentation in early March.

During the presentation, the group urged swift approval so that the project could be announced at the global Seatrade Cruise Shipping Conference in Miami in the week of March 17, amongst international industry players and travel and trade media.

The project still was announced at Seatrade in the presence of Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) Claret Connor.

Prime Minister Gumbs called the proposed project something that, in COM's opinion, would enhance the tourism product "tremendously."

According to the presentation, the next steps entail commencing detailed design and attaining relevant permits Read more

Voting Bureau petitioned court twice to allow inmates to vote

~ Says it's up to MPs to amend laws ~

PHILIPSBURG--The Central Voting Bureau petitioned the court twice prior to the August 29, 2014, parliamentary election to legally allow inmates who were registered to vote in another district to cast their ballot at the polling station at the prison and to allow a prison official to vouch for the identity of inmates who did not have identification cards.

The issues at the polling station at the prison were amongst several electoral concerns broached during a meeting of the Central Committee of Parliament on Wednesday.

Central Voting Bureau Chairman Jason Rogers told Members of Parliament (MPs) that it was up to them to change the legislation to rectify this issue in future elections.

Rogers said "a number" of inmates initially had not been allowed to vote because, although they were in possession of their voting cards, they were assigned to vote in another district Read more