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Grisha Hears Market Vendors Concerns Over New Marketplace

GREAT BAY Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication, Grisha Heyliger-Marten, met Friday, May 10, 2024, with market vendors to hear their concerns about the proposed new marketplace.

The market project had already been awarded to J&J Construction for a total of Nafl 1.2 million, however many of the market vendors were not satisfied with the design.

During the meeting, the vendors highlighted the lack of storage facility for their wares, as well as the need for better lighting, bathrooms, and security Read more

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Minister Jansen-Webster HonorsNurses On International Nurses Day

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — In commemoration of International Nurses Day, the honorable Minister of VSA Veronica Jansen-Webster made a special visit to the St. Maarten Medical Center and White and yellow Cross on Friday. The visit was a heartfelt gesture to express gratitude and appreciation to the unsung heroes of healthcare, the nurses.

Minister Jansen-Webster is deeply connected to the nursing profession through personal experience, having grown up with a mother, the esteemed Cecilia Webster-Cox affectionately known as Sis, who dedicated decades to serving the community as a nurse Read more

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Carnival 2024 Wraps Up Challenging Year

~ Carnival 2025 scheduled from April 21 to May 5 ~

PHILIPSBURG--After a year filled with unprecedented challenges, St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) has closed the 53rd edition of Carnival.

Despite facing various obstacles, the SCDF expressed gratitude for being able to reach the finish line, with SCDF President Edwardo Radjouki saying in a press release on Sunday, This can never happen again, this is not who we are.

Reflecting on a Carnival that looked and felt different from previous years, Radjouki referred to the division of Carnival people by one individual to please that individuals personal feelings Read more

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Money Grows On Trees

St Peters – Its been an amazing past 8 months putting this project together. Every step of the way, everyday you face a challenge that allows you to exercise your mind and actions toward finding the right solution mentally, physically, spiritually or financially.

You can never tell the challenges you may face until you take your journey head on. Some of us may be faced with one of the above challenges, but today we will try to address those that are faced with financial challenges and perhaps offer an ecological solution.

Matshona Dhliwayo is a Canadian based Philosopher, Entrepreneur, and authorand is credited with saying, “Money doesn’t grow on trees, but grows on intelligent minds”.The phrase “money doesn’t grow on trees” is a metaphor that means money is not an unlimited resource that can be easily accessed, like leaves on a tree.It often appears in situations where someone is asking for money without having put in any effort to earn it.

We can agree to a part of this paragraph and respectfully disagree to another.

What we can agree to is the fact that it often appears in situations where someone is asking for money without having put in any effort to earn it Read more

Szv Now Covers Diabetic Foot Care Services

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten Social & Health Insurances SZV is excited to announce a new addition to our medical insurance coverage: services from The Diabetic Foot Care Sint Maarten Foundation (D-FOOT). This new benefit is a big step forward in ensuring our diabetic community has access to the necessary healthcare to improve their quality of life.

“SZV is committed to providing comprehensive healthcare services to our community. The addition of D-FOOT services to our coverage is a significant step in ensuring our diabetic population receives the specialized care they need Read more

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Governor Baly Receives Final Report From Formateur L. Mercelina

HARBOUR VIEW, PHILIPSBURG On April 23, 2024, His Excellency the Governor of Sint Maarten received the updated final report from formateur L. Mercelina.

The formateur has accepted the commission to form a new government which has the support of a majority in Parliament comprised of the fractions of URSM, PFP, DP and NOW Read more

District Governor Visits St. Maarten

District Governor of Sub-District 60B, Lion Dr. Carlisle Goddard, PMJF recently made his official visit to the St. Maarten Leo Club, St. Maarten South Leo Club, and the Sint Maarten Lions Club.

The District Governor was met upon his arrival by a welcoming delegation that included Lion Felix Richards, President of the Sint Maarten Lions Club, Zone Chairperson 2B, Lion Oralie Boirard, MJF, Past District Governor Lion Wally Havertong, PMJF, and Lion Dennis Lake.

The District Governor visit included an enlightening radio interview streamed live on the Viewpoint with Wendell Moore show where he expounded on the responsibilities of a District Governor and shared his experiences in visiting the various of Lion and Leo clubs within his District which comprises of 16 English and Dutch speaking islands with St Read more

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Education Institutes In Kingdom Work Together

Group photo

WILLEMSTAD--Eighteen educational and knowledge institutions from the Caribbean part of the Kingdom and the Netherlands will continue, build and intensify their joint efforts in the fields of education, research and science. For example, they want to pursue and develop joint educational programmes.

  This special collaboration was highlighted during a recent knowledge mission led by caretaker Dutch Minister of Education, Culture and Science OCW Robbert Dijkgraaf in Curaao.

  Together with my fellow ministers from the other three kingdom countries, we have worked hard in recent years to increase cooperation within the kingdom, successfully Read more

The Tg Band Wins 2024 Road March

Mr. Oezy and The TG Band soon after being crowned.

 POND ISLAND--Mr. Oezy and The TG Band took home the title of Road Monarch at the Carnival Road March competition held in Jocelyn Arndell Festival Village last Friday.
The first performer to take the stage was CbgYvngsta, who intrigued the audience with his song Wet Sticky Like Glue.

Next up was Niqo SMW, who brought a unique twist to the competition with his song Madness Read more

Swept Under The Rug

I presented a motion in June of 2021 almost 3 years ago asking that the subject of debt cancellation for St. Maarten be discussed. I was moved to do so after discovering that St. Maarten was paying 12.7 million guilders annually on an almost 1 billion guilders debt. It is no secret that it would take some 100 years to pay it off, hence my motion which was unanimously supported.

The International Monetary Fund had also suggested that the Dutch government look at Debt cancellation, however what came afterwards due to the covid19 pandemic is additional loans of some 300 million guilders Read more

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Collectivit Formally Opens Its School Of Public Management

Collectivit President Louis Mussington talks at the opening of School of Public Management in Grand Case Beach Club on Tuesday.

MARIGOT--The first Public Management School for St. Martin (Ecole du Management Public (EMP)) officially opened in Grand Case Beach Club on Tuesday with an introduction to the first twenty candidates and an overview of the courses starting on the same day.

The opening ceremony was attended by Collectivit President Louis Mussington, Dput (MP) of St Read more

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Get Up And Stand Up With R4cr!

St Peters The 1973 Hit Song Slogan by the great Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, today plays one of the roles towards motivating many community oriented activist. The phrase GET UP, STAND UP, stimulates our minds and souls to ACT ! Act on behalf of nature, cultural preservation, injustice, prejudice, workers rights, quality education, protecting our children, the right for peace and justice, oppertunity and over all love for humanity.

None of the above, is worth giving up the fight, and because some choose not to give up the fight, it brought an abundance of possibilities to those that deserved it.

Resources for Community Resilience (R4CR) has done just that Read more

Brug Says An Approved 2024 Budget Is Good For Sint Maarten!

In a media statement released on Tuesday afternoon, Richinel Brug expressed his appreciation to the Parliament of Sint Maarten for passing the 2024 budget. Brug, who is set to replace the leader of the URSM in Parliament once he swears in as Prime Minister, called this accomplishment significant in light of the current political situation.

Brug acknowledged the peculiar circumstances under which the outgoing Counsel of Ministers presented and defended the budget for the incoming Government, while assuming their roles as opposition members.

Brug highlighted the significance of this budget approval, noting that it not only guarantees the continuation of projects initiated before 2024 but also ensures the availability of funds to initiate the process of paying justice workers.

It is crucial to recognize that receiving a signed decree, without appealing the content, is just the first step in a long process Read more

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My2cents: The Justice Ministry Is Busy Crumbling And Nobody Is Seeing It !!!

By means of this letter I would like to address all the Justice workers, but especially those that are holding a position within the different Justice workers unions.

I have been following the saga of the justice workers for a while with keen attention to the following process regarding the function book and this Justice Minister, Anna Elaine Richardson, that claims to it the right way.

I dont want to delve into the past as to how many persons were appointed or held the function of SG and were rid off under this Justice Minister Read more

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Tourism Office Promotes Destination In Colombia

St. Martin Tourism Offices promotion managers Emile Louisy (right) and Christopher Rodriguez (left) with Colombian travel agents.

MARIGOT--St. Martin Tourism Office carried out major promotional campaigns in South Americas second largest country from February 28 to March 8.

The tourism office notes Colombias dynamic economy and demographic dynamism makes it a prime target for destination St. Martin. With a population of 51 million, Colombia is a market waiting to be conquered with opportunities offered by Copa Airlines since the resumption of SXM-Panama rotations.

To continue to position itself in the Colombian market the tourism office took part in the Vitrina Turistica Tradeshow, the countrys most important tourism fair, organised every year by the Colombian Association of travel agencies ANATO in Bogot Read more

Jacobs Advocates For Domestic Violence Prevention At Un Forum

Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs (left) at the forum.

PHILIPSBURG--Caretaker Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs advocated for domestic violence prevention at the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the United Nations Headquarters earlier this week.

Jacobs led the delegation to the forum, which included Chef de Cabinet Jessica Weeks, Department Head of Community Development, Family and Humanitarian Affairs (CDFHA) Chantale George-Groeneveldt and Women's Desk Policy Worker at Staff Bureau Tatia Brunnings.

Jacobs spoke on behalf of the Kingdom during the High-Level Group of Friends for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls Read more

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Huhcf Adult Literacy Graduation 2024

In a heartwarming ceremony filled with pride, determination, and celebration, the Hearts United Holistic Care Foundation marked the successful completion of its Adult Literacy Program for the second time. On March 7th, 2024, amidst cheers and applause, 19 students donned blue graduation gowns and silver stoles, symbolizing their achievement and dedication to self-improvement. The event, held at the John Larmonie Center in Philipsburg, was a testament to the transformative power of education and the unwavering commitment of both students and educators.

The journey of these remarkable individuals began in June 2022, when they embarked on a path to literacy and empowerment Read more

We Live In A World That Is Becoming More And More Anti-Social

The world we live in is becoming more and more Anti-Social as time passes and it will continue to increase. What is the cause of this you might ask and my simple answer is the fast advancement of technology.

I wish I knew about the presentation of Ms. Julia Davich (forgive me if the spelling is wrong) that she gave at the University of St. Maarten. I heard part of her presentation this week on the radio and I think one of the things she mentioned was the matter of paying online and what this does to the physical interaction of people with each other Read more

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Sundial School Staff Enjoy 7Th Annual Retreat At Royal Palm

Sundial School staff went on their 7th annual retreat with their School Coach on Friday, March 1, 2024.

The Retreat started after the passing of Hurricane Irma to facilitate teachers and staff of Sundial School strengthening interpersonal connections. The yearly activity is highly anticipated and facilitated by the School Coach who plans and organizes this annual event.

The Retreat this year remained on island. Staff were hosted by the Royal Palm Beach Hotel in Simpson Bay in the Porte Cochere Room Read more

Chris Believes Report Recommending Return Of Unused Per Diem Biased

MP Christophe Emmanuel

PHILIPSBURG--Nation Opportunity Wealth (NOW) Member of Parliament (MP) Christophe Emmanuel says the General Audit Chamber report which recommended that ministers and Members of Parliament (MPs) return unused per diem (daily allowance) is biased.

Dont just paint the Parliament and the ministers as the bad crop when everything we do concerning government monies is regulated, said Emmanuel.

He made the remarks during an interview with Lady Grace on PJD2 radio on Thursday Read more

DATE ISSUED: Monday 26th February 2024 @ 12:00 LST (16:00 UTC) 

VALID UNTIL: Tuesday midday (12:00 LST) 27th February 2024

PLUME OF SAHARAN DUST PERSISTS

WEATHER:

This afternoon and evening: Hazy with isolated showers.

Tonight, through Tuesday midday: Partly cloudy and hazy. Isolated showers are likely.

Forecast High: 30C / 86F               Forecast Low: 25C / 77F

Sunset Today: 6:18 P.M.                   Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:33 A.M.

SURFACE WINDS: 

Today through Tuesday midday: East to northeasterly with a light to gentle breeze of 4 to 10 mph; becoming lighter and variable at times.

SYNOPSIS: 

A plume of Saharan dust is affecting the region Read more

Dr. Richardson Presents Caretaker Pm Jacobs With Legal Reference Book

Dr. Linda Richardson (left) presenting her lifes work to caretaker Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs.

PHILIPSBURG--On Monday, Dr. Linda Richardson unveiled her latest literary contribution, Trilingual Terminology in Criminal Proceedings, to caretaker Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs Read more

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Windward Islands Teachers Union (Witu) Launches Comprehensive Policy Handbook For Members

Philipsburg – The Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) proudly announces the release of its groundbreaking Policy Handbook, aimed at fortifying and streamlining operations for its esteemed members. This comprehensive handbook addresses vital areas including Communication Procedures, Membership Dues Payment Policy and Procedure, Membership Withdrawal Policy and Procedure, Legal Support, Reporting a Complaint, Frequency of General Meetings, and Board Meetings.

Under the leadership of President Stuart Johnson, the WITU remains committed to advocating for the rights and welfare of educators in St Read more

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Informateurs Complete Assignment And Submit The Final Report To The Governor.

Harbour View His Excellency the Governor of Sint Maarten, mr. Ajamu G. Baly, received the final report of the current information process from informateurs Dr. Nilda Arduin and Drs. Candia Joseph RO EMIA. The informateurs presented the Governor with their final report entitled Beyond the coalition handshake which for the purpose of transparency will be published in its entirety.

In their report, the informateurs have made an in-depth analysis of the positions of the six parties that have obtained one or more seats in the parliamentary elections of January 11, 2024 Read more