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St. Maarten Day Speeches Focus On Cooperation

From left: Collectivité President Aline Hanson, Préfète Délégué Anne Laubies, Governor Eugène Holiday, Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs, Chief Inspector Denise Jacobs, Franklin Richards, MP Sarah Wescot-Williams, MP Cornelius de Weever, Justice Minister Dennis Richardson and Education Minister Rita Bourne-Gumbs at the border monument in Cole Bay Read more

Unity, Theme Word For St. Maarten/St. Martin Day 2015

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - President of the Collectivite of St. Martin Madame Aline Hanson told her peers and those gathered to celebrate St. Maarten/St. Martin Day 2015 that their aim is to go forward, as they look towards developing the island.

She also spoke of the areas of cooperation between St. Maarten/St. Martin.

Outgoing Prime Minister, the Honorable Marcel Gumbs of St Read more

Sandy Ground school children spread the message for peace

MARIGOT--An estimated 550 children from the Sandy Ground UNESCO-affiliated elementary school (now renamed Aline Hanson School) and the Jérôme Beaupere School took part in a march Monday at 9:00am in observance of the United Nations’ International Day of Peace.

As was the case last year the march followed a short circuit in Sandy Ground, starting from and finishing at the school Read more

Technical Services to start work for Blue Zone parking

MARIGOT--The Collectivité’s Technical Services will begin installing infrastructure and informative signs to indicate Blue Zone parking areas in downtown Marigot as of this Thursday, September 24.

This first phase requires a month-and-a-half of work, the Collectivité noted in a release. Commissioning of the Blue Zone is scheduled for mid-November, just before the start of the new tourist season.

The creation of a Blue Zone was initiated by President Aline Hanson’s majority party in the context of the revitalization of Marigot’s town centre Read more

Doligez leaves Préfecture for new posting in France

MARIGOT--A farewell cocktail party was held in the Préfecture on Tuesday to say goodbye to Secretary-General of the Préfecture for St. Martin and St. Barths Matthieu Doligez who is to assume a new post in Gap in the Alps of Haute Provence, Southern France, as Cabinet Director for the Préfet.

As is customary on these occasions, speeches were given followed by a presentation of gifts.

Those paying tribute to his service included Préfète Anne Laubies, President of the Collectivité Aline Hanson and his counterpart on the Dutch side, André Hoeneveld, Director of the Cabinet of Governor Eugene Holiday.

Doligez spent three years and eleven months in St Read more

Two million euros invested in courses for the unemployed

MARIGOT--The Collectivité has committed to investing 2 million euros in vocational training for the unemployed in keeping with its Youth Policy with 85 per cent of its financing coming from European Social Funds (ESF).

The recent two information days for its 2015-2016 territorial job training programme, supported by the Human Development Department under the portfolio of President Aline Hanson, was deemed a great success with a record attendance, the Collectivité noted in a release Read more

Collectivite invests 2 million Euros for unemployment training

>MARIGOT:---- As part of its dedicated Youth policy, the Collectivite of St. Martin has organized two days of information for its 2015-2016 territorial job training program, supported by the Human Development department under the portfolio of President Aline Hanson.

French Quarter and Sandy Ground, both considered priority areas in the new City contract, have successfully hosted the two days of information with record attendance.

The Collectivite agreed to invest 2 million euros this year in which the European Social Fund (ESF) in vocational training funds 85% Read more

Homeless situation at marina has reached crisis point, says district

~ Authorities given 72 hours to take action ~

MARIGOT--Representatives of District Five and the marina and merchants associations of Marigot have warned they will take matters into their own hands unless authorities take action on the homeless persons’ situation and overall sanitation of the Marina Royale parking area, once and for all.

The merchants association says it is imperative that the situation is dealt with now in low season before the high season starts. Businesses or restaurants have closed in the marina due to the unresolved situation that is negatively impacting tourism and the island’s image.

A press conference at the Marina Royale parking area on the St Read more

Green brigade poised to start Sargassum weed operation

MARIGOT--Eighteen unemployed persons, now referred to as the “green brigade” (brigade verte) officially signed one-year renewable contracts Thursday in Hotel de la Collectivité to launch the start of a major Sargassum weed collection, beginning at the end of September.

The project is based on a unique insertion and access to employment agreement signed between the Employment Office, Centre Symphorien d’Insertion—an association that won the bid to employ the young people—and the brigade members themselves.

In mid-July the Collectivité and the Préfecture announced the release of 200,000 euros, financed equally, for 2015 to fight the Sargassum phenomenon Read more

Tropical Storm Danny Update

St. Maarten – Hurricane Danny lost power over the weekend and is now a tropical storm. Nevertheless, the meteorological services expect the storm to bring winds of 80 to 100 kilometer per hour on Monday. The government on the Dutch side has ordered all business to close by 10 p.m. on Sunday, including restaurants and casinos, until further notice. School and daycare centers are closed on Monday.

All government departments will remain closed on Monday as well.

The courthouse is also closed on Monday Read more

St. Martin ... Orange Warning : Get Ready

MARIGOT, St. Martin - According to the last reports from Météo France, violent winds with gusts from 80 to 100km/h, heavy rains with thunderstorms, are planned for tomorrow, Monday, August 24th.

Caution is thus strongly recommended. I invite you to continue to follow the weather reports, and safety instructions broadcasted by the media.

As the flood risk is high for this Tropical storm, check the rise of the water level on gullies and exposed sectors.

Remaining at home seems to be the best protection Read more

Renovated basketball court the pride of Sandy Ground

MARIGOT--The Sandy Ground basketball court inauguration by President Aline Hanson on Saturday as a highlight of the Sandy Ground Fête celebration has marked a new beginning for the aspirations of the district’s young people.

The 430,000 euro basketball court can double as a volleyball court and soccer pitch while a half court at the rear is for children Read more

400,000 euros earmarked for Sandy Ground, French Quarter

MARIGOT--A contract signed recently in the Préfecture between President of the Territorial Council Aline Hanson and Préfète Anne Laubies will see the districts of Sandy Ground and French Quarter benefit from 400,000 euros this year under the scope of credits available in the annual programme Politique de la Ville 2015-2020.

The decree of December 30, 2014, redefined geographical areas to focus on poorer districts and established a priority list in the overseas territories, in which Sandy Ground and French Quarter in St Read more

Schoelcher Commemoration In Grand Case: Chance-Duzant Wants “Support For The Little Things We Ask”

Attorney Patricia Chance-Duzant is on a roll during her address. Photo Today / Leo Brown

GRAND CASE, St. Martin – Victor Schoelcher, the 19th-century abolitionist writer who had a large influence on the abolition of slavery in the West Indies, leaves his mark every year in Grand Case when a celebration is held to honor his legacy. Also this year there was the traditional church service, the cultural parade and the speeches on the field next to the village’s cultural center. However, by inviting the chair of Grand Case’s community council Patricia Chance-Duzant to speak, the Collectivité called a lot of criticism upon itself, because the speaker did not mince her words.

“We have a lot of work to do in Grand Case,” Chance-Duzant said Read more

Grand Case holds all-day festivities

~ To commemorate Victor Schoelcher ~

GRAND CASE--St. Martin Territorial Council President Aline Hanson and fellow Territorial Council members led a well-attended festive host of activities for the traditional Victor Schoelcher Celebration, also known as Grand Case Fête, in Grand Case on Tuesday morning.

The celebration commemorates both Grand Case and the contributions of Schoelcher against the institution of slavery and towards liberation of the slaves.

Festivities kicked off with a religious service at St Read more

Gendarmes, Firemen, honoured in Bastille Day pinning ceremonies

MARIGOT--The usually predictable format of the Bastille Day programme took on a different twist Tuesday when military medals were bestowed on six Gendarmes and, in a separate ceremony, three professional firemen promoted in rank received their stripes.

The medal ceremony for the Gendarmes of St. Martin and St. Barths conducted by Colonel Thiriot, second in command of the Guadeloupe Gendarmerie, preceded the wreath-laying ceremony at the war memorial in the garden of Hotel de la Collectivité.

Dignitaries from both sides of the island and Anguilla had attended a service in the Catholic Church just earlier.

The Military Medal, France’s third highest military distinction, was pinned on the lapels of Adjudant-Chef Nicolas Heslon (48) of the St Read more

Prime Minister Gumbs Attends Bastille Day Celebrations

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten – Prime Minister Hon. Marcel Gumbs and Minister Hon. Claret Connor represented the Council of Ministers at the 14 of July Bastille Day Celebrations that took place in Marigot on Tuesday.

His Excellency Acting Governor Reynold Groeneveldt and several Members of Parliament were also present.

President of the Collectivite of Saint-Martin and Members of the Territorial Council extended an official invitation to the Council of Ministers to observe the July 14 celebrations.

The delegation from the Sint Maarten attended a Religious ceremony at the Catholic Church in Marigot; this was followed by a wreath laying ceremony at the Memorial Monument of the Collectivite; then an official parade at Boulevard de France, Marigot Waterfront; Saint-Martin's Fire Department Pinning Ceremony, Marigot Waterfront.

The official ceremony concluded with speeches and cocktails Read more

Préfecture takes measures to fight Sargassum weed

MARIGOT--The Préfecture announced Friday it has created a brigade of twenty workers who will be solely charged with removing Sargassum weed from beaches and returning beaches as much as possible to their original state.

These workers will be employed by a local company and paid by the State and Agence de L'Environment et de la Maitrise de L'Energie (ADEME). They will be given all the necessary equipment to work with.

In addition, a committee of observers to monitor the movements of the weed was also installed.

The decisions were made following a meeting on Thursday between Préfète Déléguée Anne Laubies, President of the Territorial Council Aline Hanson, and various services and partners concerned with fighting the Sargassum weed invasion.

A protocol was signed between the State, Collectivité and ADEME Read more

Court of First Instance project delayed, to start January 2016

MARIGOT--The project to create a branch of Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe's, Court of First Instance (Chambre Detachée) in St. Martin will not start until January 2016 with a forecasted opening in October 2016 due to the preparation of a decree, it was disclosed Thursday. General preparations are ongoing however.

Originally the plan, according to President François Hollande's announcements during his official visit on May 8, was for the project to start this July with an intended opening in January 2016.

The Court of First Instance annex will be located in the former Municipal Library, at the rear of the court house in Marigot.

President of the Territorial Council Aline Hanson met with Basse-Terre Prosecutor Samuel Finielz on Thursday to discuss the project's progress Read more

Charville: ‘Bay of Marigot project lacks detail, precise information’

MARIGOT--Independent Councillor Jules Charville said Thursday, disclosure that the main impact studies for the current version of the Bay of Marigot Project will be passed onto the investor throws it into a different light, not least in terms of cost, and is contrary to the belief these studies would have been done before the investor came on board.

As it stands following last Thursday's Territorial Council vote, where the project was presented by Philippe Ricochin from Cabinet Tropisme, the estimated 300-million-euro project now moves from the diagnostic/ preparation phase to a bidding phase Read more

Collectivité to seek legal counsel regarding Semsamar indictments

MARIGOT--The Territorial Council on Thursday authorised President Aline Hanson to obtain legal representation over the recent indictments handed down by the court on the present and former Director Generals of Semsamar in case the Collectivité is implicated in any way by virtue of being a 51 per cent shareholder of the company.

The motion was passed by the majority, however, Wendel Cocks who is President of the Semsamar board and other board members had to leave the room before the vote was taken.

Hanson said the Collectivité does not have access to the file and needs to have a specialist lawyer to represent the Collectivité as a precaution.

“The objective is for the Collectivité to be directly informed on elements of the case, not to come into conflict with Semsamar,” she said Read more

Parliament committees to look into French/Dutch joint issues

Representatives of the French side Territorial Council with Members of Parliament in Parliament House on Tuesday.

PHILIPSBURG--A meeting between the French side Territorial Council and Members of Parliament (MPs) in Parliament House on Tuesday resulted in various topics discussed being sent to Parliament’s permanent committees for further deliberation and solution seeking.

Among the topics discussed was pensioners living on the French side, but who have contributed to the Dutch side’s General Pension Fund by working on the southern side of the island accessing their benefits Read more

EU Funding Available to Construct Waste Management Plant at Bellevue Border --- Deadline to Obtain EU Funds has to be completed by December 2015.

style="text-align: center;">What will this do to the MOU signed with GB Energy and GEBE?

PHILIPSBURG:--- Members of the French Executive Council met with members of Members of Parliament on Tuesday to discuss the usage of European funding that are available to both sides of the island.
Both President Aline Hanson and Vice President Guillaume Arnell told the Members of Parliament that the two sides of the island have to take matters seriously and work efficiently in order for the island to obtain the funding to construct some main projects, one being a waste management plant in the vicinity of Bellevue border Read more

Préfète Anne Laubies begins first day of her new posting

MARIGOT--New Préfète Déléguée Anne Laubies, who succeeds Philippe Chopin, began her first day of work on Monday by laying a wreath in the garden of Hotel de la Collectivité, the traditional signalling of the changeover of Préfets, and was introduced to the Territorial Council and separately to the press.

Prior to arriving in St. Martin she had been Secretary-General of the Préfecture of Pas-de-Calais since 2013.

She told reporters she was happy to be nominated the Préfete for St Read more