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Busy 2023 Atlantic Hurricane Season Comes To An End. We Must Be Thankful Says Richardson.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---  The 2023 Atlantic hurricane season officially comes to an end on Thursday, November 30th.

There were 20 named storms, of which seven (7) became hurricanes, and of those three (3) became major hurricanes (Category 3+ on the Saffir-Simpson Scale). An average season has 14 named storms; seven hurricanes; and three major hurricanes.

There was no storm activity between July 26 and August 19. From August 20 until October 6, the vast number of storms formed starting with Emily all the way down to Philippe.
Bret and Cindy both formed in mid-June.
Hurricane Lee was the seasons only Category 5 hurricane who achieved such a status in the open ocean east of the Leeward Islands.

In late October, Category 1 Hurricane Tammy, was another system that barely missed the Leeward Islands Read more

~Congratulates bureau staff for execution ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The crucial role that MP Roland Brison played in securing funding through a Naf 5 million budget amendment that he initiated is further highlighted as a significant milestone in the revitalization of St. Maarten's tourism industry with the opening of the new headquarters of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau on December 1, 2023. A new national brand will be unveiled in conjunction with the inauguration.

MP Brisons groundbreaking amendment in the 2023 budget, never before done for the tourism sector, earmarked over 5 million guilders for capital expenditures and investments, emphasizing the need for rejuvenation in the tourism sector Read more

~Presents Five-Point Platform dubbed #BlairCares~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The youngest candidate on the United Peoples Party UPP list Kimberly A. Blair (25), a distinguished graduate of Mercy University in Criminal Justice with a Forensics concentration, steps into St. Maarten's political arena with a committed vision and a comprehensive platform aimed at addressing critical issues in justice and education.
Having returned to St Read more

58 Women From Across The Caribbean Region Graduate Cohort 2 Of The Ebb Programme For Women Entrepreneurs Republic Bank And Bdp Associates Champion Her Success

Port of Spain, Trinidad:--- Fifty-eight successful participants of Cohort 2 of the Entrepreneurs Business Builder (EBB) programme graduated in a moving virtual ceremony hosted by Republic Bank in collaboration with EBB partner BDP Associates
Under the theme, Championing HER Success" the event celebrated and encouraged the graduating women entrepreneurs to continue in the pursuit of their goals, by championing their own success.

The programme, which was launched earlier this year on International Womens Day, saw more than 500 women entrepreneurs submitting their applications for selection Read more

Youth Activist From Sint Maarten Travels To Un Climate Conference Thanks To Local Support From Nagico, Grant Thornton.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Riddhi Samtani, a youth activist and Sint Maartener will be representing the island at the United Nations Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai from November 30, 2023, to December 12, 2023. Part of the 35-strong Caribbean Climate Justice Leaders Academy (CCJLA) founded earlier this year by Island Innovation and the Open Society Foundations (OSF), Samtani was one of 10 cohort members selected to take part at COP28. While in Dubai the group will participate in panel discussions, meet international delegates, and interact with other young climate leaders, providing them with additional skills and experience they can leverage to further their own work in the Caribbean.

Keen to support local activists representing their communities on the international stage, is NAGICO Insurances, a leading insurer in the Caribbean that paid almost 1 Billion USD to the Caribbean community after Hurricanes Irma and Maria and contributed significantly to an improved and more resilient region Read more

Julian Rollocks Jr Empowers Women Entrepreneurship

Sucker Garden, St. Maarten — URSM candidate #9 Mr. Julian Rollocks Jr has always been a staunch supporter of local entrepreneurship and the economic empowerment of the people of St. Maarten. In October, he put his entrepreneurial expertise to good use by offering a beautician and cosmetics workshop to more than 100 women with young professional Makayla Peterson at his headquarters in Sucker Garden.

The workshop, which culminated on the 24th of November, consisted of 15 sessions of cosmetic care and makeup application classes Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- URSM candidate #9 Mr. Julian Rollocks Jr has always been a staunch supporter of local entrepreneurship and the economic empowerment of the people of St. Maarten. In October, he put his entrepreneurial expertise to good use by offering a beautician and cosmetics workshop to more than 100 women with young professional Makayla Peterson at his headquarters in Sucker Garden Read more

Chokehold Movie Delivers The Message That Domestic Violence Is Unacceptable

The Chokehold cast at the Friday press conference: from left; Simeon Henderson, Enyinne Nwigwe, Director Joel Ayuk (standing), Kenneth Okolie, Oremeyi Kareem, and Sherando Ferril. (Robert Luckock photo).

 MARIGOT--Timed to coincide with International Day to Eliminate Violence against Women, the premiere of locally-produced and -directed film Chokehold, written and directed by Joel Ayuk, took place at Caribbean Cinemas on Saturday night with the main actors in attendance.

Replicating a Hollywood premiere with red carpet, photo calls and a VIP reception, the international cast were dressed to the nines for the occasion.

Among prominent personalities from the community, Vice Presidents of the Collectivit Alain Richardson, Bernadette Davis and Dominique Louisy were present to support the film, as well as Territorial Councillor Martine Beldor.

Anticipating a large turnout, the 1-hour film produced by CANI TV Studios was shown in two theatres Read more

Mp Wescot-Williams, Focus Should Be On What Is Coming After.

THE APOLOGY FROM THE DUTCH GOVERNMENT ON ITS SLAVERY PAST.

The apology has been issued and with as much remorse as you could get in a situation like this, also with the acknowledgement by Prime Minister Rutte that he personally had it wrong all along, was MP Sarah Wescot-Williams reaction, after being present at the ceremony at USM on Monday, December 19th.

Having been present at the location on St Read more

National Alliance Failed Education; 21.2% College Rate Is Poor

Dear Editor,

I write this letter with deep concerns about the state of our country’s education sector, particularly in light of recent revelations about the low percentage of adults who have completed tertiary education. The statistics from the 2022 population census, presented by the Department of Statistics STAT, are alarming. Only 21.2% of adults in St. Maarten have completed tertiary education, while 54% have finished secondary school. This raises questions about the effectiveness of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sports, especially considering its substantial allocation in the national budget.

It is disheartening to note that our tax dollars, which contribute significantly to the education budget, are not yielding a satisfactory return on investment Read more

~ Statements made against Ottley were made to harm Ottley. Ordered to rectify or face penalty ~

PHILIPSBURG: --- A packed courtroom with relatives and supporters of Minister of VSA Omar Ottley witnessed as the judge ruled against Olivier Arrindell on Friday morning.
Arrindell was ordered to make specific rectifications within 24 hours of the verdict being served to him or face a penalty of USD Read more

~ Rectification must be made within 24 hours or face a penalty of USD 5000.00 per day with a maximum of USD 1M.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The court of First Instance has condemned Olivier Arrindell on all counts brought against him by Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs in an injunction case that was before the court on November 3rd, 2023. The courtroom was packed to capacity with supporters who attended the session Read more

Collectivit And Partners Sign Local Health Contract To 2025

Signing the Local Health Contract between partners Collectivit, Regional Health Agency ARS and Social Security Department CGSS).

MARIGOT--The Collectivit, Agence Rgionale de Sant (ARS) and Caisse Gnrale de Scurit Sociale (CGSS) have signed a Local Health Contract (Contrat Locale de Sant (CLS)) valid until 2025 Read more

United People (UP) Party candidates and supporters arrived at the Parliament Building in luxury cars. One shiny SUV after another rolled past, with Minister Omar Ottley standing in the open roof of a black car waving the party flag. A sound truck played the UP Party song, which included Ottley's message: I am here to stay.

UP Party Leader Rolando Brison presented the Central Voting Bureau a full list of 23 candidates, according to Brison the most capable selection Read more

~ National Alliance with the largest turnout of supporters on Postulation Day. ~

PHILIPSBURG: --- On January 11th, 2024, voters would have eight (8) political parties to choose from when they reach the polling stations to cast their votes.
The eight political parties lit up Philipsburg as they marched to the Parliament Building to submit their lists of candidates to the voting bureau that will be contesting the upcoming parliamentary elections.
At 9 am the Party for Progress (PFP) marched from Clem Labega Square chairing their leader Melissa Gumbs to submit the PFP lists of candidates Read more

The Democratic Party (DP) says their slate of 23 candidates are passionate and dedicated to being that change for St. Maarten. The party made a grand entrance on nomination day, parading down Front Street as the last party to submit their list of candidates.

The parade was a spectacle of Moko jumbies, drums, and percussion, with the song "My Team Lit" playing as the candidates and their supporters marched up the street Read more

 

DATE ISSUED: Wednesday 22nd November 2023 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC)  

VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) 23rd November 2023 

WEATHER:  

This afternoon through Thursday midday: Partly cloudy to cloudy with isolated showers.  

Forecast High: 30C / 86F                  Forecast Low: 25C / 79F 

Sunset Today: 5:35 P.M.                     Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:23 A.M.   

SURFACE WINDS:  

This afternoon through Thursday midday: Northeasterly with a light to gentle breeze of 4 to 12 mph. 

SYNOPSIS:   

Lingering moisture and instability, associated with a frontal boundary will support light precipitation Read more

Armand Meda To Run On Upp Slate, Resigns From Democratic Party.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Sunday, November 19th, 2023, Democratic Candidate Armand Meda resigned from the party. This took place on the same day as the Democratic Party Candidate & Manifesto launch.

The former number 14 candidate on the DP list, has had a vigorous campaign under the slogan Forward, for almost a year that became very popular on Social Media and households on St Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- In a momentous move, Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, Omar Ottley has officially signed the National ordinance containing a general measure increasing the AOV/AWW pension. The ordinance, which had previously received approval from His Excellency Governor Baly on November 15th, will now be enacted to benefit pensioners Read more

Gebe Bulk Bills Not In General Interest Of The Public

I, Julian Rollocks Jr, noticed with great concern that on November 9th, 2023, it was reported in the media that GEBE intends to give its clients their outstanding bills in bulk with a distinct possibility of clients getting twenty outstanding bills simultaneously. GEBE also announced that clients would only have a thirty day grace period to settle their outstanding bills Read more

Mp Akeem Arrindell Advocates Transition Of Ats To Government Oversight For Enhanced Tax Compliance.

PHILIPSBURG:--- In a strategic move aimed at bolstering tax compliance and fortifying government revenues, Member of Parliament Akeem Arrindell has proposed the transition of the Audit Team Sint Maarten (ATS) from the Social and Health Insurances (SZV) to direct government oversight.

In a letter addressed to the Minister of Finance Ardwell Irion, MP Arrindell outlined his key recommendations to harness the potential of ATS and ensure its continued contribution to the economic growth of St Read more

Strong Correlation Between Homelessness, Poverty And Mental Illness

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — There is a strong correlation between homelessness, poverty and mental illness. For years, government has stated that it would create a country-wide plan of action for the prevention and treatment of mental health disorders.

This is just what we need for when we look around our beautiful island, so many people are walking the streets with hopelessness in their eyes, hoping for hope again. We need to stop the quick fixes and temporary remedies, and examine the role of society in preventing and responding to mental health problems beyond the health system.

To protect people’s mental health, we need a country plan that focuses on prevention in schools, and the lingering social issues that plague our communities leading up to intellectually disabled people.

We see homelessness, poverty and mentally disabled people highlighted right now in our communities Read more

Nv Gebe Clarifies Financial Management Position, Counters Misleading Allegations

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — In response to recent comments made by MP Christophe Emmanuel regarding the financial management of NV GEBE, the management would like to take this opportunity to issue a comprehensive statement that aims to clarify the facts and defend the integrity of our company.

The allegations of financial mismanagement by NV GEBE are based on selective and misleading information. NV GEBE has carefully planned its finances and sought professional advice to ensure that the company recovers from a severe cyber-attack.

Upon current managements assumption of leadership, it met with a company that had diminished financial reserves, primarily due to a significant loss of income Read more

Timing Slots For Political Parties On Postulation Day.

The Central Voting Bureau is pleased to announce the schedule for Postulation Day, Thursday, November 22nd, 2023, at the House of Parliament.

On Postulation Day, representatives or deputy representatives from each political party will formally submit their candidate lists to the Central Voting Bureau. Tofacilitate an orderly process, each party has selected a specific time slot for submission, as listed below. Each party is urgently requested to arrive on time.Time Political party 1 Read more