SXMElections.com

BONAIRE:--- With regards to The Dutch government uses internetconsultatie https://www.internetconsultatie.nl/wolbesfinbes/b1 to collect ideas from residents and organizations, including NGOs, about legislative proposals. That these so-called consultations would be your chance to have your say on new laws before they become final.
The call for organizations to react or give input to the Law change WolBES and FinBES process, please find Bonaire Human Rights Organization's reaction and objection hereunder to the intention to legitimize the illegal BES laws:
Unjust acts do not create law.
The BES laws with respect to Bonaire in particular were created on an unjust unlawful base, as the democratic power and responsibility of the Bonaire people were reversed and subordinated back under The Hague overseas colonial rule on October 10, 2010 Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---  Minister Silveria Jacobs engaged in a productive meeting with the President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Mr. Hyginus Leon, to discuss the potential benefits of Sint Maartens membership in the esteemed regional financial institution.

The meeting highlighted the shared vision of both parties to foster greater regional collaboration and towards achieving sustainable development in the Caribbean Read more

DATE ISSUED: Thursday, August 17, 2023 @12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)

VALID UNTIL: Friday midday (12:00 LST) August 18, 2023

A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

WEATHER:    

This Afternoon: Partly cloudy to cloudy at times with slight haze, isolated showers and a chance of isolated thunderstorm.

Tonight through Friday midday: Partly cloudy to cloudy, hazy and breezy with isolated showers possible.

Forecast High: 32C / 90F             Forecast Low: 27C / 81F

Sunset Today: 6:38 P.M Read more

Election Date Set But Feedback Needed Before Announcement

Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs

PHILIPSBURG--Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs said on Wednesday that the date for election has been set, but indicated that she need Read more

Mp Akeem Arrindell Calls For TransparencyAnd Accountability In Justice Department

PHILIPSBURG Sint Maarten — In response to mounting concerns about the state of the justice workforce, particularly within the Customs Department, Member of Parliament, the Honorable Akeem Arrindell, has taken proactive steps to address the issues affecting this crucial sector. Recognizing the significance of a well-functioning justice system, Arrindell has written a letter to the Honorable Anna Richardson, Minister of Justice, requesting comprehensive clarifications on pressing matters.

According to MP Arrindell, Over the past 2 to 3 years, the Customs Department has faced a significant staff shortage, with approximately 20 officers leaving their positions Read more

Brug Says We Have To Move Our ChildrenS Stomach Gauges From Empty To Full

PHILIPSBURG Unified Resilient Sint Maarten Movement (URSM) prospective candidate Richinel Brug, expressed in a press statement his dissatisfaction with the level of political rhetoric at the start of each school year. Beautiful words do not improve the quality of education, the labor conditions of teachers, nor fill empty stomachs.

I find it quite disturbing that at the start of each school year Government officials are able to summarize the list of challenges parents face: expensive school uniforms, school contribution (referred to by most in the community as school fee), school material, etc., while they refuse to do anything about it Read more

Central Committee Meeting Of Parliament Regarding An Update By The Prime Minister On Government's Electoral Reform Trajectory.

 PHILIPSBURG:---  int The House of Parliament will sit in a Central Committee meeting on August 17, 2023.

The Central Committee meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 14.00 hrs. in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of General Affairs will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:
Update by the Prime Minister on Government's electoral reform trajectory as per the Prime Minister's letter dated March 15, 2023, IS/584/2022-2023 (IS/759/2022-2023 dated May 10, 2023)
This meeting was requested by MP S.A Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Department of Sport & Culture is excited to announce its continued partnership with NAGICO Insurances to host the Annual Health, Sport & Culture EXPO. The event will take place at the Raoul Illidge Sports Complex on Saturday, August 26th, from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm and admission is free.

We want to applaud NAGICO Insurances for their continued partnership in this event, and for seeing the importance of such a collaboration with the Sports & Culture Departments, Drs Read more

DATE ISSUED: Wednesday, August 16, 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) 

VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) August 17, 2023 

WEATHER:     

This afternoon through Thursday midday: Partly cloudy, breezy, and hazy with brief showers possible. 

Forecast High: 33C / 91F             

Forecast Low: 28C / 82F 

Sunset Today: 6:39 P.M.                

Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:55 A.M.  

SURFACE WINDS: 
This afternoon through Thursday midday: East-northeasterly to easterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 10 to 18 mph, and higher gusts possible. 

SYNOPSIS:   

Increased concentrations of Saharan dust are expected over the region for the next few days Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- In the early hours of Wednesday morning, August 16, 2023, a serious vehicle accident occurred on A.J.C Brouwers Road involving a blue AUDI SUV and a white DACIA. The accident, which took place around 02:30 AM, resulted in significant damage to both vehicles and injuries to one of the drivers.

According to initial reports from the police central dispatch, multiple calls were received regarding the accident on A.J.C Brouwers Road Read more

Justice Minister And St. Dominic Students Discuss Alcohol And Drug Use, Peer Pressure

The enthusiasm of the students at St. Dominic High School was infectious, Justice Minister Anna Richardson (right) said.

SOUTH REWARD--Minister of Justice Anna Richardson recently visited St Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Today Claudius Buncamper generously lends his support to the group of VWO 5 students, who will visit the Anne Frank Realschule in Ahaus Germany in October of this year. Students of that school had visited Sint Maarten and MPC last schoolyear and the VWO 5 students will pay them a return visit just after the October break Read more

~Increase in the interest rates, if conditions are not met, is exacerbating the already precarious situation of the countries and AGAINST our development.~

PHILIPSBURG:--- In assessing where we are financially and economically, the DP leader did not mince any words when she first directed her view to the Dutch government: Even though they are in a caretakers state, I continue to remind the Dutch government of their responsibility to assist in our countrys sustainable growth Read more

BONAIRE:--- Since June 2023, Mr. Arno Willems has been serving as the Royal Representative of Patroness Her Royal Highness (H.R.H.) Princess Beatrix for the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA). He succeeds Mr. Jaap van Leeuwenburg, who held the position from 2009-2023 and has recently retired Read more

DATE ISSUED: Tuesday, August 15, 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) 

VALID UNTIL: Wednesday midday (12:00 LST) August 16, 2023 

WEATHER:     

This afternoon through Wednesday midday: Partly cloudy, breezy, and slightly hazy with brief showers possible. 

Forecast High: 33C / 91F             

Forecast Low: 28C / 82F 

Sunset Today: 6:39 P.M Read more

United People's Party Extends Gratitude For Successful 2023 Convention, Recognizes Outstanding Contributions.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The United People's Party (UP Party) has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the general public and the more than seven hundred attendees who made the UP Party's 2023 Convention an unparalleled success. Held on Sunday, August 13, at the esteemed Aleeze Convention Center, the event was a remarkable display of unity, strength, and meticulous organization.
Distinguished by an impressive parade, the convention saw the dynamic leadership duo of Member of Parliament, the Honorable Rolando Brison, securing his reelection as the UP Party leader, and Minister Omar Ottley officially being elected as the Deputy Leader Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- This Saturday, August 12, 2023, Ms. Tefari Prevoo Francisco, returned from a five-week summer intensive music program at the prestigious Berklee College of Music. She successfully completed this preliminary course to the Bachelor program and received a glowing introductory letter from Mr. Witness Matlou, a South African Jazz Pianist and a music theory professor at Berklee. Ms. Tefari Prevoo Franciscos participation in the course was made possible through assistance by the Division of Study Financing, the Department of Culture, and the Cabinet of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport (MECYS) Read more

Rogerrel Mauricia Concern By Custom Officers Working Conditions

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — President of the NAPB, Rogerrel Mauricia, has responded to a recent article circulating on social media and in newspapers in Sint-Maarten. The article highlights the concerns raised by custom officers regarding their working conditions and salaries. The president of NAPB Sint-Maarten was also contacted by his counterpart from Curacaos union S.T.R.A.F.F., which represents custom officers and police, when the news broke.

During the meetings held by NAPB Sint-Maarten in early August 2023, this union leader visited the custom office and observed that the current structure of the custom department is problematic, potentially leading to issues Read more

Napb President Lending Support To Customs Workers.

PHILIPSBURG:--- President of the NAPB, Rogerrel Mauricia, has responded to a recent article circulating on social media and in newspapers in Sint-Maarten. The article highlights the concerns raised by customs officers regarding their working conditions and salaries. The president of NAPB Sint-Maarten was also contacted by his counterpart from Curacaos union S.T.R.A.F.F., which represents customs officers and police when the news broke.

During the meetings held by NAPB Sint-Maarten in early August 2023, this union leader visited the customs office and observed that the current structure of the customs department is problematic, potentially leading to issues Read more

DATE ISSUED: Monday, August 14, 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)

VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) August 15, 2023

WEATHER:    

This afternoon through Tuesday midday: Partly cloudy and breezy with light haze and brief showers possible.

Forecast High: 33C / 91F             Forecast Low: 27C / 81F

Sunset Today: 6:40 P.M.                Sunrise Tomorrow: 5:55 A.M. 

SURFACE WINDS: 
This afternoon through Tuesday midday: East northeasterly with a gentle to moderate breeze of 08 to 17 mph.

SYNOPSIS:

Patches of moisture drifting across the region may cause brief showers Read more

Fifteen St. Maarten Students Depart For Us On Saturday To Pursue Studies

Minister of Education Rodolphe Samuel (right) speaking with students at the Princess Juliana International Airport prior to departing for Florida.

SIMPSON BAY--Fifteen study financing recipients from St. Maarten left for the United States (US) on Saturday, August 12, to pursue their studies.

Read more

Customs Officers Are Calling On The Minister Of Justice To Address Their Concerns.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Customs workers on St. Maarten have reached their limit and have made a public call to the Minister of Justice Anna Richardson to address their concerns as well as their working conditions.
The Customs officers that reached out to SMN News said they held a meeting with the Minister of Justice and the ABVO union where they expressed their grievances but to date, the Minister has not taken any action to resolve the issues and she did not reach out to them.
The customs officers claim in a letter said they need working dogs since the trained working dogs play a vital role in detecting contraband while safeguarding the countrys borders Read more

Witu Concerned About Cba

Philipsburg — “I am deeply concerned about the situation at the Charlotte Brookson Academy (CBA),” remarked Stuart Johnson President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU). Johnson sent a email correspondence to the board of CBA over the weekend questioning a number of concerns. One of the most alarming concerns was the situation regarding the Financial support of the CBA. “What is the situation regarding the Financial advisor of CBA? Has the staff of the CBA been fully informed about this development? Has a contingency plan been put in place? Who is responsible for the financial responsibilities now?” Johnson questioned. He minced no words in expressing, “if any negative impact happens to the staff or by extension the students, you will bare the full strength of the WITU Read more

~ The UPP was not formed to benefit one individual or their families Franklyn Meyers.~

PHILIPSBURG: --- Despite the infighting and political backstabbing, the United Peoples Party led by Rolando Brison is back as their supporters showed up in large numbers showing their support for the new and reformed UPP the green machine.
On Sunday evening persons within the St Read more