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DcommS Emancipation Day Special

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten On July 1st, the Government of St. Maarten commemorated the end of Slavery with their annualEmancipation Dayceremony and activities. This is the158th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Abolishment of Slavery on Sint Maarten.The theme this year isNo More Auction Block!

The Department of Communication has put together a Special of this days event, and it premiered on the St. Maarten Government YouTube/SXMGOV channel as well as Facebook at SXM Gov.

To commemorate this remembrance, the end of slavery, an Ecumenical Service was held at St Read more

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DcommS Emancipation Day Special.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On July 1st, the Government of St. Maarten commemorated the end of Slavery with their annual Emancipation Day ceremony and activities. This is the 158th Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Abolishment of Slavery on Sint Maarten. The theme this year is No More Auction Block!

The Department of Communication has put together a Special of this days event, and it premiered on the St. Maarten Government YouTube/SXMGOV channel as well as Facebook at SXM Gov.

To commemorate this remembrance, the end of slavery, an Ecumenical Service was held at St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:---  On Monday, July 12, 2021, through Wednesday, July 14, 2021, the Honorable Minister Anna E. Richardson hosted a Conference commemorating Justice Week 2021 at the Simpson Bay Resort. The conference served as an opportunity for each department and external partners of the Ministry to discuss topics related to their operations which included their legal basis, year plans, the budget, challenges, plan of actions aimed at improving the functionality and effectiveness of the same Read more

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Minister Of Justice Anna E. Richardson Pleased With The Results Of Justice Conference

Philipsburg On Monday, July 12, 2021 through Wednesday, July 14, 2021, the Honorable Minister Anna E. Richardson hosted a Conference commemorating Justice Week 2021 at the Simpson Bay Resort. The conference served as an opportunity for each department and external partners of the Ministry to discuss topics related to their operations which included their legal basis, year plans, the budget, challenges, plan of actions aimed at improving the functionality and effectiveness of same. Present at the conference was the Coast Guard, Court of Guardianship, the Police Force of Sint Maarten, National Detectives, Customs, the Admissions and Expulsions section of the Immigration Department, Financial Intelligence Unit Sint Maarten and the Foundation Judicial Institutes Sint Maarten (SJIB).

During the three-day conference, each department delivered presentations to a selected panel tasked with providing critical and structured feedback based on the agenda points Read more

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by Rhoda Arrindell, PhD

PHILIPSBURG:--- While authority figures regularly condemn our youngsters, calling out undesirable behavior, they seem misguided in how to adequately address these behaviors and empower our youngsters.
In 2011, I created the program Get off the Block, Get on the Bus, and Get Busy (GB3) to try to address the immediate needs of our wandering youth Read more

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Emmanuel: Any Recommendation For Property Tax Is Dead On Arrival

~ Tackle tax reform before Dutch do it for you ~

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Independent Member of Parliament Christophe Emmanuel on Thursday said that the government of St. Maarten has to say once and for all if land and property taxes as proposed by the CFT is on the table for consideration and future implementation yes or no.

Plain and simple, the MP said, government has to say whether it will entertain such suggestions and advice from the CFT or if it will inform CFT that such a suggestion is dead on arrival Read more

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~ Tackle tax reform before Dutch do it for you ~

Independent Member of Parliament Christophe Emmanuel on Thursday said that the government of St. Maarten has to say once and for all if land and property taxes as proposed by the CFT is on the table for consideration and future implementation yes or no.
Plain and simple, the MP said, government has to say whether it will entertain such suggestions and advice from the CFT or if it will inform CFT that such a suggestion is dead on arrival Read more

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Mp Buncamper Sends Letter To Minister Of Finance.

The Minister of Finance
Mr. Ardwell Irion,
Government Administration Building,
Soualiga Road # 1,
Philipsburg,
St. Maarten.

Subject: APS local investment questions.

Honorable Minister Irion,
I would like to receive some information on the ROI of the local investments made by the General Pension Fund dating back from when e came country on 10-10-10.
In many discussions and in the reports of the General Audit Chamber the picture painted doesnt truly show a good investment climate locally when it comes to investing, or that the investments made arent really followed up on and thus hampering a proper return on investment Read more

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~ Says budget full of vanity projects ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- Independent Member of Parliament Christophe Emmanuel and MP Claudius Buncamper of the USP faction on Tuesday were critical of the 2021 budget presented by the UP/NA Coalition government, condemning it as a roadmap of vanity projects with no realistic options to solve the issues that matter to people most.

"On top of being nine months late, this budget is remarkable for what it doesn't mention, the MPs said Read more

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From left: Sergeant Major J.G. De Bruin of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and Asha Stevens-Mohabier outside the Hillside gym.

Cu7bCAY HILL--Ahead of the upcoming hurricane season, the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps and the Royal Dutch Army will set up headquarters at the Asha Stevens Hillside Christian School campus in Cay Hill for the annual hurricane exercise HUREX.

  Between May 25 and June 6, the marines and military, as per new operational orders, will simulate different scenarios before, during and after a category three storm or higher Read more

Real Madrid Foundation Football Clinic For Boys And Girls

CAYHILL, Sint Maarten — We are pleased to inform you that our organization FUNDACION REAL MADRID CLINICS DUTCH ANTILLES, together with the REAL MADRID FOUNDATION and our Local Partner Flames United FC, will be organizing a Real Madrid Foundation football clinic for boys and girls (6 till 13 years) between 19 and 23 of July this year on the friendly island of Sint Maarten.

The collaboration of our main sponsor Coca Cola (CC1 Sint Maarten) to provide opportunities to some 75 kids to participate in the Clinic.

The goal of our organization in conjunction with our Sponsor, is to motivate the practice of football on the island as well as to encourage the values inherent in the sport, to give them the opportunity to train as their idols do and contribute to their personal development.

“The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sport, Rodolphe Samuel, supports the endeavors by Flames United FC and the Foundation Real Madrid to provide further opportunities for the development of the sport of football, the athletes and the coaches here on St Read more

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An Elitist Defending The Entitled, WhatS New?

Dear Mr. Editor,

Allow me to start by telling you a short story. Once upon a time there were a handful of entitled people on St. Maarten who believed that they controlled everything, even peoples thoughts. This group of elitists carved up St. Maarten for themselves and extended families, sometimes even stole land from other local people who werent well off. Thinking back today, it reminded you of a modern-day sci-fi movie when you werent allowed to utter their names in any critical fashion out of fear of reprisals.

Open vindictiveness was rife in the country and not every local was viewed as equal Read more

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PHILIPSBURG: --- Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs said on Wednesday that St. Maarten still did not receive the NAF39M liquidity support from the Netherlands neither the loan agreement even though St. Maarten has fully complied with all conditions set forth by the Dutch Government, said liquidity support since April 2021.

The countrys Prime Minister further stated that the goalposts are being moved for different reasons that have nothing to do with the conditions and agreements made between the government of St Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The MP explains: While the drama in the NA/UPP governing coalition continues to escalate, the people of this country are left to wonder with the ominous words of the minister of finance regarding the state of St. Maartens liquidity, with the lack of information regarding the food assistance program, and are left in the dark about the status of the airport reconstruction.
The picture that these 3 items represents are:
No money for salaries and the like at the end of this month; no information about food assistance from this month onward; uncertainty regarding the continuation of the reconstruction of the airport.
MP Wescot further stated that government is not forthcoming with direct and timely information and yet the government seems annoyed when faced with questions from members of parliament, let alone from the general public Read more

~ Political talks begin with USP, and incoming UP MP.~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Council of Ministers officially suspended the Managing Director of the Princess Juliana International Holding Company Dexter Doncher. Doncher was informed of the suspension by letter late Wednesday night after the Council of Ministers held an emergency meeting and voted. Dexter Doncher was given a warning letter two days prior to the three months suspension.

The Council of Ministers wanted to fire Doncher who followed the instructions of the government to officially dismiss the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Princess Juliana International Airport, Brian Mingo on April 7th Read more

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Minister Of Vsa Ottley Thanks Vaccination Manager For His Contribution To The Vaccination Campaign

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) TheMinister ofPublic Housing,Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA)Omar Ottley, has officially thankedHenk Veerdig for his contributions to the vaccination campaign over the last three months as the Vaccination Manager of SintMaarten.

Henk Veerdig came to the island in February to head the Vaccination Management Team (VMT), based on his earlier experience with the Red Cross during the first wave of COVID-19 infections on Sint Maarten. 

When his contract ended two weeks ago, Henk returned to the Netherlands after three very eventful months Read more

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Minister Of Vsa Ottley Thanks Vaccination Manager For His Contribution To The Vaccination Campaign.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):---The Minister of Public Housing, Social Development and Labour (Ministry VSA) Omar Ottley has officially thanked Henk Veerdig for his contributions to the vaccination campaign over the last three months as the Vaccination Manager of Sint Maarten.
Henk Veerdig came to the island in February to head the Vaccination Management Team (VMT), based on his earlier experience with the Red Cross during the first wave of COVID-19 infections on Sint Maarten Read more

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Better Rehabilitation/Reintegration Programs Needed, Says Mp Ottley

PHILIPSBURGThe alarming rate of major crimes in St. Maarten has the attention of United People’s UP Party Member of Parliament Omar Ottley, who says better rehabilitation and or reintegration programs are urgently needed to reintegrate formerly convicted persons into society.

He also has some robbery prevention tips for businesses to apply in their daily operation immediately Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The alarming rate of major crimes in St. Maarten has the attention of United People's UP Party Member of Parliament Omar Ottley, who says better rehabilitation/reintegration programs are urgently needed to reintegrate formerly convicted persons into society.

He also has some robbery prevention tips for businesses to apply in their daily operation immediately Read more

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Government Of Sint Maarten Launches Multi-Purpose Shelters Project For Vulnerable Residents

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten On Friday,March 26,2021,the Government of Sint Maarten achieved a large milestone for the country as it pertains to disaster preparedness and resilience building. In the presence oftheDirector of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO)Dr. Carissa Etienne, Headof the EuropeanUnionDelegation Responsible for Sint MaartenFernandoPonzCanto andother pertinent stakeholders, the 11thEuropean Development Fund B-Envelop Shelters project under the theme: building resilience by improving emergency response and disaster preparedness for the people of Sint Maarten, was launched.During the event, Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs delivered the keynote address.The project will be funded fully by the European Union and will be executed and implemented by the Pan American Health Organization, the Americas arm of the World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO).

In December 2020, the Contribution Agreement was signed between the EU and PAHO, solidifying the projects actions and their mutual commitment to enhance the islands resilience Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- On Friday, March 26, 2021, the Government of Sint Maarten achieved a large milestone for the country as it pertains to disaster preparedness and resilience building. In the presence of the Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) Dr. Carissa Etienne, Head of the European Union Delegation Responsible for Sint Maarten Fernando Ponz Canto and other pertinent stakeholders, the 11th European Development Fund B-Envelop Shelters project under the theme: building resilience by improving emergency response and disaster preparedness for the people of Sint Maarten, was launched Read more

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Quality Sweepers And Maintenance B.V. Files Complaint At Ombudsman.

Questions solid waste tender 2021-2026 procedures, process and guidelines

PHILIPSBURG:--- St. Maarten-based local cleaning company Quality Sweepers and Maintenance B.V. (QSM) has filed an official complaint at St. Maarten Ombudsman. QSM was one of the 23 companies that participated in the Solid Waste Tender 2021- 2026 held on February 2nd, 2021.
The publication of a press release by MP Christopher Emmanuel on February 21, 2021, raised many doubts and questions, resulting in QSM losing all confidence in the bidding process and procedures Read more

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PHILIPSBURG:--- The US$12 million Digital Government Transformation Project was approved by the Sint Maarten Recovery, Reconstruction and Resilience Trust Fund. This project aims to enhance the access, efficiency, and resilience of public services for citizens and businesses.

Given Sint Maartens vulnerability to natural disasters, business continuity and systems resilience are critical. Bringing key government services online can make the country more resilient to future disasters, while also making citizens and businesses daily lives easier, said Michelle Keane, World Bank Program Manager for the Sint Maarten Trust Fund.

The project will finance digital platforms and associated institutional, regulatory reforms to lay the foundations for digital government Read more

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Stay-Over Visitors Figures Show Recovery Is Underway

SINT MAARTEN, PHILIPSBURG The Sint Maarten Tourism Bureau (STB) says that the number of stay-over visitors to the destination is on the increase and this is a sign that recovery of the tourism sector is underway.

In the months of November, December, and January the destination welcomed 32,669 stay over arrivals Read more

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