SXMElections.com

Educator And Musician Leroy Vlaun Will Run With Ospp

PHILIPSBURG – Musician and educator Leroy W. Vlaun, has joined the political arena and is set to contest the September 2016 elections on the One St. Maarten People Party (OSPP) slate, according to an announcement from Party leader Lenny F. Priest.

This latest OSPP candidate is no stranger to many on the island since he has been a music educator at the MAC elementary School for the past 30 years and at the St Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The St Maarten Nature Foundation initiated their shark tagging program as part of the DCNA Save Our Sharks project funded by the Dutch National Postcode Lottery. This research is aimed to better understand the life characteristics of sharks in St Maarten waters including population structure, abundance and migration.

Jillian Morris and Duncan Brake from Sharks4kids assisted the Nature Foundation with building gear, catching, handling and tagging the sharks Read more

Leroy Vlaun To Run With Ospp

PHILIPSBURG--Musician and educator Leroy Vlaun has joined the political arena and is set to contest the September 26 elections on the slate of the One St. Maarten People Party (OSPP), party leader Lenny Priest announced in a press release on Sunday.

  Vlaun has been a music educator at Methodist Agogic Centre (MAC) for the past 30 years, and at St Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Musician and educator Leroy W. Vlaun, has joined the political arena and is set to contest the September 2016 elections on the One St. Maarten People Party slate, according to an announcement from Party leader Lenny F. Priest. This latest OSPP candidate is no stranger to many on the island since he has been a music educator at the MAC elementary School for the past 30 years and at the St Read more

Rotary Sunrise Inaugurates New President At Change Of Board Ceremony

PHILIPSBURG – The Rotary Club of St. Maarten Sunrise installed new president Okama Ekpe Brook, and 13 board members at a dinner ceremony on Sunday, July 3, at the Melange International Grill Restaurant in Port-de-Plaisance.

The event was attended by 70 Rotarians, family and friends. Also in attendance was Assistant District Governor Rotarian Jasmine Sally and immediate past Assistant Governor Louis Wever and spouse Amanda Wever Read more

Rotary Sunrise Inaugurates New President At It’S Change Of Board Ceremony In Philipsburg, Sint Maarten

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise installed it’s new president Okama Ekpe Brook and 13 board members at a dinner ceremony on Sunday July 3, 2016 at the Melange International Grill Restaurant. Port De Plaisance.
The event was attended by some 70 Rotarians, family and friends. Also in attendance was Assistant District Governor Rotarian Jasmine Sally and the immediate past Assistant governor Louis Wever and spouse, Mrs Read more

Rotary Sunrise Inaugurates New President At It’S Change Of Board Ceremony In Philipsburg, Sint Maarten

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise installed it’s new president Okama Ekpe Brook and 13 board members at a dinner ceremony on Sunday July 3, 2016 at the Melange International Grill Restaurant. Port De Plaisance.

The event was attended by some 70 Rotarians, family and friends. Also in attendance was Assistant District Governor Rotarian Jasmine Sally and the immediate past Assistant governor Louis Wever and spouse, Mrs Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Fifty two young persons were honored at the GIFTED Royalty Awards Ceremony held at the University of St. Martin last Thursday evening, June 30. Nominations for the awards were received from seven high schools for the students they wished to recognize for their outstanding performance in each of five categories. The participating high schools were: St. Maarten Vocational Training School, Milton Peters College, St. Maarten Academy – Academic Section, MAC Comprehensive Secondary, St Read more

Five Young Kings And Five Young Queens For 2016 Gifted Royalty Awards

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Fifty two young persons were honored at the GIFTED Royalty Awards Ceremony held at the University of St. Martin last Thursday evening, June 30.

Nominations for the awards were received from seven high schools for the students they wished to recognize for their outstanding performance in each of five categories.

The participating high schools were: St. Maarten Vocational Training School, Milton Peters College, St. Maarten Academy – Academic Section, MAC Comprehensive Secondary, St Read more

10 Young Kings And Queens Selected For Gifted Royalty Awards

PHILIPSBURG – Some 52 young persons were honored at the GIFTED Royalty Awards Ceremony held at the University of St. Martin (USM0 Thursday evening, June 30.

Nominations for the awards were received from seven high schools for the students they wished to recognize for their outstanding performance in each of five categories. The participating high schools were: St. Maarten Vocational Training School, Milton Peters College, St. Maarten Academy-Academic Section, MAC Comprehensive Secondary, St Read more

Is Sint Maarten Legalizing Prostitution?

On January 28, 2016, an article in The Daily Herald reported that effective immediately and due to a court ruling, which stated that the old resident and work permits issued to exotic dancers by the St. Maarten Government amounted to “conspiracy in human slavery,” according to international standards, no new permits would be issued to club owners.

The ruling basically says that the St. Maarten government for decades has been involved as a conspirator in committing crimes in the area of human slavery Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- On January 28, 2016 an article in the Daily Herald reported that effective immediately and due to a court ruling, which stated that the old resident and work permit issued to Exotic Dancers by the Sint Maarten Government amounted to “conspiracy in human slavery” according to international standards, no new permits would be issued to club owners.
The ruling basically says that the Sint Maarten government for decades has been involved as a conspirator in committing crimes in the area of human slavery Read more

Remember Emancipation,
When, Where and Why?
by His Excellency Governor E.B. Holiday
Delivered on the Occasion of the Observance of the
153rd anniversary of Emancipation Day

July 1, 2016
Emilio Wilson Estate,
Sint Maarten

My Fellow Sint Maarteners,
Good Afternoon,
And happy Emancipation Day. I say happy because today we celebrate a triumph of freedom, symbolizing an end of an unpleasant and the beginning of a new promising chapter in our history.
Since 2012, I have talked to you on various topics for Emancipation Day Read more

Fellow St. Maarteners,
Residents of our beloved island,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen.

Good afternoon.
As we gather here once again on these haloed grounds of the Emilio Wilson Park, with the flamboyant tree or July tree in full bloom, we should remember when this place was a plantation where, according to some accounts, One Tete Lokhay, that female freedom fighter of immortal memory, came ransacking for food to feed some of our enslaved ancestors she had helped escape into freedom.

We all know the price she had to pay for her courage and bravery: they cut off one of her breasts to deter others from following in her footsteps.

She may not have saved as many enslaved ancestors as Harriet Tubman did with the Underground Railroad, however, I'm sure like Tubman, she could have saved many more had they realized they were enslaved.

Emancipation is about freedom and freedom is the birthright of every human being Read more

Minister Silveria Jacobs Emancipation Day Address

Black National Anthem
"Lift every voice and sing Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise, High as the list'ning skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us,
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet Come to the place for which our fathers died

We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou who has by Thy might Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee, Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forgot Thee, Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand, True to our God, true to our native land."
- James Weldon Johnson

Having learned this song as a young adult during Caribbean History, it touches my soul every time I hear it and I am reminded of the battle that was fought for freedom.
Today July 1st 2016 as we celebrate Emancipation Day for only the 5th time- I call on all people to remember the atrocities of the past, of how a people were enslaved and fought to be free, declared themselves free and today can say we have achieved what our ancestors have dreamed, prayed and fought for Read more

Minister Silveria Jacobs Emancipation Day Address

Black National Anthem
"Lift every voice and sing Till earth and heaven ring, Ring with the harmonies of Liberty; Let our rejoicing rise, High as the list'ning skies, Let it resound loud as the rolling sea.

Sing a song full of the faith that the dark past has taught us,
Sing a song full of the hope that the present has brought us,
Facing the rising sun of our new day begun, Let us march on till victory is won.

Stony the road we trod, Bitter the chastening rod, Felt in the days when hope unborn had died; Yet with a steady beat, Have not our weary feet Come to the place for which our fathers died

We have come over a way that with tears has been watered, We have come treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered, Out from the gloomy past, till now we stand at last Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou who has by Thy might Led us into the light, Keep us forever in the path, we pray.

Lest our feet stray from the places, our God, where we met Thee, Lest our hearts, drunk with the wine of the world, we forgot Thee, Shadowed beneath Thy hand, may we forever stand, True to our God, true to our native land."
- James Weldon Johnson

Having learned this song as a young adult during Caribbean History, it touches my soul every time I hear it and I am reminded of the battle that was fought for freedom.
Today July 1st 2016 as we celebrate Emancipation Day for only the 5th time- I call on all people to remember the atrocities of the past, of how a people were enslaved and fought to be free, declared themselves free and today can say we have achieved what our ancestors have dreamed, prayed and fought for Read more

Award And Promotion Day Ceremony At Mlk Primary

DUTCH QUARTER – The staff and students of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Primary School celebrated in grand style on Wednesday morning, June 29, during a special award and promotion day ceremony.

“I am so proud of the great strides our school continues to make notwithstanding the unique challenges we face at times. Also, I wish to thank the staff for their commitment and unwavering support,” remarked School Manager of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Primary School Stuart Johnson.

The Award and Promotion Day ceremony was to highlight student achievement in the areas of academics, sports, music and behavior.

Another highlight in the program was a gospel presentation by the G.I.F.T.E.D Foundation and a presentation by Community Police Officer Arcella Leonard.

“We hope today’s special ceremony shall inspire our students to continue excelling both inside and outside of the classroom Read more

Award And Promotion Day Ceremony At Mlk Primary

DUTCH QUARTER – The staff and students of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Primary School celebrated in grand style on Wednesday morning, June 29, during a special award and promotion day ceremony.

“I am so proud of the great strides our school continues to make notwithstanding the unique challenges we face at times. Also, I wish to thank the staff for their commitment and unwavering support,” remarked School Manager of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Primary School Stuart Johnson.

The Award and Promotion Day ceremony was to highlight student achievement in the areas of academics, sports, music and behavior.

Another highlight in the program was a gospel presentation by the G.I.F.T.E.D Foundation and a presentation by Community Police Officer Arcella Leonard.

“We hope today’s special ceremony shall inspire our students to continue excelling both inside and outside of the classroom Read more

GREAT BAY:--- On Tuesday, NAGICO Insurances; awarded six (6) students with a one year scholarship, from the Methodist Agogic Center MAC (Reverend John A Gumbs Campus located in Betty's Estate) under the NAGICO Little Stars Educational Program.
The students were the top achievers and overall the most outstanding students in their respective groups, ranging from groups 1-6 and were rewarded with a full scholarship for the next school year to cover their tuition, book list and school uniforms."We are very proud at NAGICO to be able to reward these students for their hard work throughout the school year," Lisa Brown; Marketing Manager of NAGICO Insurances said Read more

Mlk Host Award Ceremony

DUTCH QUARTER, St. Maarten -- The staff and students of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Primary School celebrated in grand style on Wednesday morning during a special award and promotion day ceremony.   "I am so proud of the great strides our school continues to make notwithstanding the unique challenges we face at times. Also, I wish to thank the staff for their commitment and unwavering support," remarked Stuart Johnson School Manager of Dr Read more

Nature Foundations Increases Sea Turtle Conservation Work

PHILIPSBURG – St. Maarten has recorded its first successful Sea Turtle nest of the 2016 Sea Turtle Nesting Season, with a successful nest being recorded at Gibbs Bay Beach recently.

The Foundation has also been collaborating with the University of Groningen (NL) and IMARES Wageningen UR (NL) on a Dutch Caribbean sea turtle project funded by the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research in measuring and tagging green and hawksbill turtles foraging in the waters around St. Maarten.

“This project is a part of our work to conserve and protect these endangered species from extinction, and we hope that with the results we can conduct better management actions to ensure that these very important animals make a successful recovery,” commented Nature Foundation Manager Tadzio Bervoets.

Sea turtle population numbers have plummeted to dangerously low numbers throughout the past century due to human impacts, bringing many species close to extinction and causing them to be listed as critically endangered Read more

New Politicians Complete Good Governance Course

Party leaders Wycliffe Smith and Mercedes van der Waals-Wyatt show their certificates. Photo contributed

St. Maarten News – Party leaders, Mercedes “Elektra” van der Waals-Wyatt of Hope and Wycliffe Smith of Sint Maarten Christian Party, were part of the first graduating class of Scell’s good governance course offered by the University of St Read more

Corruption Is Not My Culture. Don’T Let It Be Yours

Claude Peterson SMCP Candidate

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone so far that have sent their best wishes via Facebook, WhatsApp, cell and in person. This will not be an easy journey, but I am energized by the positive support and the prayers for my candidacy.

A few weeks ago I was approached by Pastor Wycliffe Smith and Mr Read more

PHILIPSBURG:---- Candidate on the SMCP list Claude Chacho Peterson shared his views on his person in the article below is the full text from Peterson.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone so far that have sent there best wishes via Facebook, whatsapp, cell and in person. This will not be an easy journey, but I am ENERGIZED by the positive support and the Prayers for my candidacy.
A few weeks ago I was approached by Pastor Wycliffe Smith and Mr Read more