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Soualiga Corporate Toastmasters Celebrates Its 20Th Anniversary With A Grand Gala

Soualiga Corporate Toastmasters Club (SCTMC) proudly Celebrated its 20th anniversary Saturday November 23, 2024, at the Paradise Hall. Among the guests were the keynote speaker, the founding members and First president the Honorable President of Parliament Sarah A, Wescot Williams, past presidents and members of the Club.

Celebrating milestones is one way that Toastmasters reflect on the progress made over the years and as well as consider opportunities for the future.

As our Keynote Speaker, the President of Parliament said that it is an incredible honor to stand before you today as we gather to celebrate the 20th anniversary of our beloved Soualiga Corporate Toastmasters Club! Two decades have passed since we first came together with a visionto cultivate communication, leadership, and personal growth in a supportive community.

Speech by MP Sarah Wescot-Williams on the 20th anniversary of the Soualiga Corporate TM Club.

As the founder of this club, she remembers our initial meetings filled with excitement and a hint of uncertainty Read more

Edson Hato To Leave As Representative Of Vnacs

WILLEMSTAD – Mr. drs. E. (Edson) Hato, MBA, has announced that he will continue his career elsewhere. As of the 1st of December 2024, he will stop as the representative of the Netherlands in Aruba, Curaao and Sint Maarten.

Mr. Hato: I have fulfilled the role of representative of the Netherlands in Aruba, Curaao and Sint Maarten with great passion. An educational and intensive period, in which I have worked for a fruitful cooperation between the four countries in the Kingdom. Although I can agree with the ultimate objective of this cooperation – a good relationship between the countries – I have a different view on the way in which we can achieve that goal Read more

Annual Thanksgiving Service This Sunday

New Testament Baptist Church

 PHILIPSBURG-Some 25 years ago, the first public Thanksgiving Service was held on December 5th, 1999, following the decision of the then Executive Council on December 1st 1999, to mark the passage of the Atlantic hurricane season without significant incident or impact to St. Maarten.

According to a release from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (ECYS), In understanding and respecting the multiple religious practices on the island and ensuring that all are present to participate in this moment of Thanksgiving for carrying us through another safe Hurricane season Read more

Lions Club To Host Its Annual Christmas Bingo Spectacular

Lion Wally Havertong calling the bingo balls at last years Lions-held Christmas Bingo.

 PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten Lions Club is gearing up to host the highly anticipated Annual Lion Wally Havertong Christmas Bingo Spectacular. This years event will take place on Saturday, December 14, at the Aleeze Convention Center in Madame Estate. Doors open at 7:00pm, with the bingo games starting promptly at 8:00pm.

Lion Ketty Paines, Fundraising Chairperson for Sint Maarten Lions Club, confirmed that preparations are in their final stages Read more

Community Meetings Give Feedback For Trust FundS School And Library Projects

A scene during the presentation at John Larmonie Center.

PHILIPSBURG--The National Recovery Program Bureau (NRPB) said it has concluded the latest round of community consultations for the Fostering Resilient Learning Project (FRLP).

These events, held in early October, were designed to inform and engage residents about the project, which focuses on reconstructing safe educational and cultural spaces as part of St. Maartens ongoing recovery efforts post-Hurricane Irma. This phase of the FRLP includes rebuilding Sister Marie Laurence and Charles Leopold Bell schools, as well as reconstructing the St Read more

Green Light For Motion To Protect Environment, Zone Mullet Bay, Mullet Pond A National Park

Section of Mullet Pond.

PHILIPSBURG--Parliament late Tuesday evening unanimously approved a motion from National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) Darryl York urging government to zone Mullet Bay, designate Mullet Pond as a n Read more

Eggs Harmed When Turtle Nest Dug Up Prematurely

Some of the eggs and hatchlings that were found.

ST. EUSTATIUS--A few days after St. Eustatius National Parks Foundation STENAPA took part in nest excavation on Zeelandia, the organisation got a call from Scubaqua Dive Center Statia about exposed sea turtle eggs. After inspecting the scene, STENAPA determined that a nest had been dug up by a dog (paw prints were present) Read more

St. Maarten 37Ers Youth Baseball Team Shines In Opening Game At Aruba Tournament

Aruba The St. Maarten 37ers U10 baseball team has kicked off their campaign in Aruba with an impressive 7-2 victory over the Aruba Stars on Monday. Competing at the Xander Bogaerts Baseball Field, the young athletes delivered a standout performance in their first game of the annual Baseball in Paradise tournament.

The games winning pitcher, Kris-Anthony Williams, led the charge on the mound. A highlight moment came from Jadiel Williams, who smashed a pivotal three-run home run, sealing the win for the 37ers and setting the tone for the teams strong start.

“Were really proud of how the boys performed in their opening game Read more

Small Property Owners Workshop Focuses On Digital Marketing And Business

In celebration of World Tourism Day 2024, Alicias Inn, LEsperance Hotel and Joshua Rose Guest House honored for their un waving commitment to their propertys growth and commitment to our tourism sector.

Great Bay The St. Maarten Small Properties Association in collaboration with digital marketing and branding expert Ms. Kenty Lichtenberg successfully facilitated a comprehensive workshop aimed at empowering small property owners. The event, held on October 4th at LEsperance Guest House Pavilion, Cay hill focused on equipping participants with the knowledge and tools to build their online presence and leverage digital marketing strategies for business growth Read more

Night time view of Dock Maarten filled with mega yachts. (Edward Penagos photo)

By Robert Luckock

PHILIPSBURG--The construction of Dock Maarten in Great Bay is nothing new. Its evolvement has been progressing steadily in different phases over the years, mostly unseen from the general public. While not fully completed in other areas on shore, the marina itself has now reached its zenith, poised to welcome to its newest slips some of the largest mega-yachts in the world for the 2024/25 season.

As of this writing, the marina is fully booked Read more

Lt. Colonel Hugues Loyez: I Have The Best Job, In The Best Location

Lieutenant Colonel Hugues Loyez. Robert Luckock photo.

MARIGOT--On meeting Lieutenant Colonel Hugues Loyez, the new Commandant of the Gendarmerie of St. Martin and Saint Barthlemey, one is struck by two things: his youthfulness for such an important assignment (hes 36), and his good command of English, better than that of his predecessors.

He officially started in St. Martin on August 1 but benefited from a one-month induction period in July with his predecessor, Colonel Maxime Wintzer-Wehekind, to make the relevant contacts and discover the lay of the land Read more

Marinka Gumbs: Addendum To Ennia Outline Agreement Will Save St. Maarten Nafl. 37 Million

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs, will be in Parliament on Monday, October 7, 2024, for the second round of questions posed by the MPs regarding the Addendum she negotiated.to the controversial ENNIA Outline Agreement.

I am optimistic that Members of Parliament will approve the ENNIA outline agreement and its accompanying addendum, as the approval carries significant implications for St Read more

Nv Gebe Hosts St. Maarten Parliament Members For Power Plant Tour

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, NV GEBE hosted several Members of the Parliament of St. Maarten for an insightful presentation and tour of the Power Plant.

The delegation in attendance included: the Hon. Chairlady of Parliament Sarah A. Wescot-Williams, along with the following Honorable MPs: Melissa D Read more

Usm President Strengthens Ties With Dutch Universities Of Applied Sciences

POND ISLAND — University of St. Martin (USM) President, Dr. Antonio Carmona Bez, visited two leading universities of applied sciences in The Netherlands during the last week of September, furthering USM’s long standing relationships with Dutch higher education institutions Read more

Grisha Meets With Cma-Cgm Over Transshipment Issues

GREAT BAY, St. Maarten After reports that CMA CGM, a leading ocean freight company, decided to re-route its transshipment operations from Pointe Blanche to Guadeloupe, Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten took action.

During her official trip to a yachting conference in Monaco, the St. Maarten government minister met with Jean-Baptiste Lumineau, Director of Finance and Infrastructure, at the companys headquarters in France Read more

DATE ISSUED: Wednesday 25th September 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Thursday midday (12:00 LST) 26th September 2024 WEATHER:This afternoon: Hot and humid despite isolated showers. Isolated thunderstorms are likely.Tonight, through Thursday midday: Variably cloudy with scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms. Forecast High: 33C / 91F               Forecast Low: 26C / 79F Sunset Today: 6:06 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:02 A.M. SURFACE WINDS: This afternoon through Thursday midday: Northeast to southeasterly with a light to moderate breeze of 4 to 16 mph; higher guts may accompany heavier showers. SYNOPSIS: Moist conditions promote hot and humid conditions today and a gentle breeze brings some relief Read more

In Light Of Global Financial Market Expectations Cbcs Reduces The Pledging Rate

Willemstad/Philipsburg The Centrale Bank van Curaao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) decided to ease its monetary policy stance by reducing the pledging rate1 by 0.50 percentage point to 5.25%. This decision is based on the solid and stable foreign exchange position and import coverage in the monetary union, and the expected reduction of the federal funds rate. However, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the CBCS will continue monitoring the domestic and international economic developments closely, particularly the key indicators for monetary policy in the union, and will adjust its policy if necessary.

According to the latest projection, the deficit on the current account of the balance of payments of the monetary union is expected to drop from 15.8% of GDP in 2023 to 13.9% in 2024, due mainly to an increase in net current transfers from abroad, stated executive director, Dr Read more

Lewis Receives Quality Inspection Report ForPublic Schools: Urgent Improvements Needed

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — A comprehensive Quality Inspection Report has been conducted and presented to Demissionair Minister of Education Lyndon Lewis by the Inspectorate of Education. The report, finalized in June 2024, examines the quality of education in public schools across St. Maarten and provides detailed recommendations for improvement.

The inspection, which took place between October 2023 and March 2024, included lesson observations, interviews, and desk research Read more

Lewis Announces Subsidy ForSt. Maarten Folksong Project

Anastacia Larmonie

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Demissionaire Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport Lyndon Lewis has announced the approval of an incidental subsidy for the amount of ANG 129,682.08, which will be used to produce a book of original St. Maarten folksongs, record these songs, and document the process, including interviews with renowned music educator Mrs Read more

Govt. Allocates Funds For Sweet SMaatin Land Folksong Recording And Songbook

Music educator Anastacia Larmonie.

PHILIPSBURG--Caretaker Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Lyndon Lewis has announced the approval of a subsidy of NAf. 129,682.08 for a cultural project. The funds will be used to produce a book of original St Read more

Unbelievable ~~~To Say The Least~~~

Dear Editor,

It is with great admiration that I watch the interview done by Mr. Oral Gibbs with the Minister of Justice Mr. Lyndon Lewis a few days ago. It was interesting to listen to all that the Minister had to say regarding his position after the results of the last election.

What baffled me (and I guess many others) was the expression by the Minister about the performance of the Chief of Police, Mr Read more

Island Initiatives To Restore Coral Reefs

Each of the six islandsAruba, Bonaire, Curaao, Saba, St. Eustatius, and St. Maartenhas taken unique and proactive measures to address the challenges facing their reefs. The restoration efforts by local nature conservation organizations were presented during the recent Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA) Reef Restoration Workshop and are critical in ensuring the health and longevity of these underwater treasures for many years to come.

Aruba: Building a Future for Coral Reefs

Arubas reef restoration efforts are spearheaded by the Aruba Conservation Foundation (ACF), which has been actively working to revive and sustain the island’s coral ecosystems Read more

Governor Outlines Govt.S Plans At Opening New Parliamentary Year

Members of Parliament during the session.

 ~ Robust post pandemic recovery ~

PHILIPSBURG--The establishment of a sustainable solid waste management system; the restructuring and redesign of the tax system and stimulating the agricultural sector are amongst the list of the policies to be pursued by government in the new term (see related stories).

Governor Ajamu Baly outlined the plans during his remarks at the opening ceremony of the 2024-2025 parliamentary year on Tuesday Read more

Anguilla United Front Opposition Party Presents Gst Relief Plan

From left: Jose Vanterpool, Kyle Hodge, Cora Richardson Hodge, Cardigan Connor and Shellya Rogers.

ANGUILLA--Members of the Anguilla United Front (AUF) party that currently holds five elected seats in the House of Assembly, have over the months stressed the struggles of the population due to the high tax burden created by the Goods and Services Tax (GST) implemented since July 2020 Read more