SXMElections.com

Peace concert and fireworks on the Marigot waterfront

MARIGOT--The Collectivité in collaboration with artists association Kalaboom Team will organise a grand concert on the Marigot waterfront on Thursday, January 1, 2015, from 6:00pm to 11:00pm.

The Peace Concert will feature a number of artists including Akoustyle, DJ Outkast, Dutty Sham, Marc G Kalaboom DJS, DJ Biggers, N.I.A., Jackson, Red Eye Crew, King Vers, Oswald, Patou, Shanda Webster, Jahneral Blunty, Odd Brothers, Tamalia Theo, Anais Dancers, and more.

At 9:00pm precisely there will be a fireworks display to usher in the New Year Read more

Majority adopts Urban Code at Council meeting

MARIGOT--The majority party adopted the new Urban Code at the year’s last Territorial Council meeting on Thursday despite the Opposition voicing several concerns before abstaining on the vote. The Code will now come into effect on March 1, 2015.

The vote followed the public meeting and presentation on December 4 with the specialist and editor of the Code, Philippe Baffert. On December 5 technicians correlated the Urban Code project with the Plan Local Urbanisme (PLU) and on December 9 the urbanism commission harmonised further aspects of the Code.

Since April 2012 St Read more

Pascal Averne takes up new post in Guadeloupe

~ Leaves Collectivité after 10 years' service ~

MARIGOT--The Collectivité's Director General of Services (DGS) Pascal Averne is to leave St. Martin on December 23 after ten years at the helm of the administration, to take up a new posting in his native Guadeloupe.

As of January 1, 2015, he will serve as Chef de Cabinet for UMP politician Marie-Luce Penchard who is the Maire of Basse-Terre and daughter of former Regional Council of Guadeloupe President Lucette Michaux-Chevry.

The Collectivité bid a fond farewell to Averne at a function held in his honour in the Sandy Ground Cultural Centre cinema on Tuesday evening attended by colleagues with whom he worked, the four presidents who held office during his tenure and former Mayor Albert Fleming during the Commune era.

Such was the scope of his function – he needed to be fully conversant with not only the running of the Collectivité, but also the issues of the day concerning State, Department, Region and the new untested organic law that ushered in the new status – that he was the most-sought-after official for clarification or consultation on any topic and acted as adviser to the former Mayor, the first President Louis-Constant Fleming, subsequent Presidents Frantz Gumbs and Alain Richardson, and Aline Hanson today.

He was in regular contact with sectors such as health, education, justice, Gendarmerie, Chamber of Commerce, district councils, economic council, etc Read more

Fatal accident victims to be remembered by silhouettes

MARIGOT--In view of the high death toll from scooter accidents this year, the Préfecture and the Collectivité have decided to strategically place symbolic reminders of the deceased in the form of a black silhouette of an accident victim in the districts where the accidents occurred.

The first silhouette was installed outside French Quarter Collège on Monday in the presence of Préfet Philippe Chopin, President of the Collectivité Aline Hanson, representative of the Recteur of Guadeloupe Jean-Marie Jespere, representatives of the Gendarmerie and French Quarter Collège Principal Daniel Gumbs.

The black silhouettes in the shape of a person have a red flash through the head that represents blood Read more

More surveillance cameras to be installed on French side

MARIGOT--The Executive Council voted at its most recent meeting last week for sixteen more surveillance cameras to be installed on the French side, as well as four cameras that can read number plates on cars.

The total cost of the cameras, installation and the necessary infrastructure work amounts to 4,281,357 euros. The project has been awarded to the company GETELEC.

The Executive Council also authorised the President to sign off on two lots of office and school furniture to be provided by Cariburo.

In addition, the President signed and confirmed the engagement for the rainwater management study in Belle Plaine that will be undertaken by the companies SAFEGE and Independent Consulting Engineers (ICE) N.V., financing for which has been provided by Interreg Caraïbes Read more

Collectivité inaugurates bus terminal in Marigot

MARIGOT--The central bus terminal in Marigot on Rue de Hollande was inaugurated Thursday afternoon in the presence of President Aline Hanson, and other elected officials and representatives from bus transport associations on both sides of the island.

The facility, named in honour of retired bus driver Antoine Julien Gumbs, is being used on a daily basis since its completion a few months ago Read more

Delegation satisfied with outcome of youth meeting

MARIGOT--A delegation led by union representative Cédric André from Union Général des Travailleurs de Guadeloupe (UGTG) said it was “very satisfied” with the outcome of a meeting held Monday with President Aline Hanson and other officials and technicians to resolve issues that sparked a demonstration by some 50 youths in Sandy Ground last week Thursday.

The youths blocked the main road in protest at the lack of sports facilities and activities in Sandy Ground, as well as other issues.

Complaints centred on infrastructure for basketball, volleyball and football, the problem of abandoned cars, garbage situation, inadequate street lighting in the district, sewage and drainage issues, rain water evacuation and stagnant pools of water that encourage mosquito breeding Read more

Collectivité notes 198 cases of violence against children

MARIGOT--The Collectivité recorded 198 cases of violence or abuse against children in 2013, an increase of 141 cases compared to 2012, Second Vice-President Ramona Connor responsible for the Department of Solidarity and Families disclosed Thursday.

Connor disclosed the figures during the official opening ceremony to commemorate International Rights of the Child Day in the new public library in Concordia, adding the figures for 2014 will most likely be higher.

She was joined at the opening by President Aline Hanson, Préfet Philippe Chopin, Senator Guillaume Arnell, St Read more

Minister of Youth Affairs Lourens-Philip: November 20 is International Day on the Rights of the Child.

>GREAT BAY (DCOMM):-- The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports Hon. Patricia Lourens-Philip would like to wish every child and youth of the nation happy International Day on the Rights of the Child which is observed globally on November 20th.
The day 20 November marks the day on which the Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989.
Minister Lourens-Philip will be joining President of the Collectivite Saint Martin Aline Hanson on Thursday morning at the Multi-Media Library in Concordia for an official ceremony related to this universal day celebrating the rights of children.
"The world made a promise to children: that we would do everything in our power to protect and promote their rights to survive and thrive, to learn and grow, to make their voices heard and to reach their full potential, and as country, we are committed to this.
"On a global level, in spite of the overall gains, there are many children who have fallen even further behind Read more

Minister Of Youth Affairs Lourens-Philip: November 20 Is International Day On The Rights Of The Child

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports Hon. Patricia Lourens-Philip would like to wish every child and youth of the nation happy International Day on the Rights of the Child which is observed globally on November 20th.

The day 20 November marks the day on which the Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, in 1989.

Minister Lourens-Philip will be joining President of the Collectivite Saint Martin Aline Hanson on Thursday morning at the Multi-Media Library in Concordia for an official ceremony related to this universal day celebrating the rights of children.

"The world made a promise to children: that we would do everything in our power to protect and promote their rights to survive and thrive, to learn and grow, to make their voices heard and to reach their full potential, and as country, we are committed to this.

"On a global level, in spite of the overall gains, there are many children who have fallen even further behind Read more

Sandy Ground youths protest unfinished basketball court

SANDY GROUND--A crowd of youths blocked the main road in Sandy Ground on Monday afternoon, protesting a still unfinished basketball court that apparently had been promised to be delivered completely renovated in July.

The disturbance began around 3:00pm with barricades of garbage bins placed in the middle of the road, as well as a basketball post and hoop. A section of the road near the Cultural Centre was completely blocked to traffic for a few hours.

Gendarmes and Territorial Police were on the scene immediately to control a gathering crowd, but the Gendarmerie indicated that despite the tension, the situation remained calm and the youths were not aggressive Read more

Report: Turnover tax at 4% earned less revenue than 2%

MARIGOT--The Collectivité recouped less revenue from the increase of Taxe Général sur le Chiffres d'Affaires (TGCA) to four per cent than it did when it was at two per cent, Independent Territorial Councillor Jules Charville has disclosed, citing a 2013 report.

He warned that now the TGCA has been imposed across the board to all services at four per cent the result will be more business closures, more unemployment, and significantly more people applying for the Revenu Solidarité Active (RSA) benefit, potentially bumping its cost to the Collectivité up to 20 million euros per year from 16 million.

"People could either not pay the four per cent for whatever reason or businesses closed because they were in trouble," he explained Read more

Sarah Wescot’s ‘fire in the belly’ speech reaffirms solidarity on St. Martin Day

FRENCH QUARTER--Words such as unity, togetherness, and cooperation have become clichéd over the years in St. Martin Day speeches but while this was still a favourite theme on Tuesday's 66th November 11 celebration, some speakers looked at it in a different context, alluding to derogatory remarks about tearing up the Treaty of Concordia and establishing borders attributed to a French Parliamentarian some months ago. It caused a stir on the Dutch side.

No one dismissed such outside threats more forthrightly than caretaker Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams in a typically rousing and patriotic speech that elicited rounds of applause.

"In the hearts of St Read more

style="text-align: center;">People of St. Maarten need to rise up and protect their heritage and culture – PM

PHILIPSBURG:--- The official and traditional St. Martin's Day celebration that was hosted by the French side did not see much Members of Parliament from the Dutch side. Even the ten seat majority in parliament did not show their faces on Tuesday at the church service that was held at the Methodist Church. In attendance were Member of Parliament Leona Marlin Romeo, Minister/Member of Parliament Maurice Lake and Minister/ Member of Parliament Cornelius de Weever along with Prime Minister/ President of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams Read more

St. Maarten/St. Martin Day Celebrated Tuesday, Celebrations Hosted By St. Martin

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The 66th anniversary of St. Maarten Day was celebrated on Tuesday, November 11th.

This year's celebrations were held on the French side, as it was their turn to host the activities marking the occasion this year.

The day started with an ecumenical service at the Methodist Church in French Quarter. This was then followed by the wreath laying ceremony at the frontier between Dutch Quarter and French Quarter in the morning.

Soon after the wreath laying ritual, dignitaries were transported to in front of the Cultural Center in French Quarter, where they witnessed the parade of the various uniform groups.

After the parade, dignitaries were shuttled to the Thelbert Carty Stadium, where the official ceremony for St Read more

St. Martin/St. Maarten Day message from Collectivité President Hanson

St. Martin and Sint Maarten are once again celebrating another St. Martin Day together, a day that symbolises the union of our people, our culture, our heritage and our fate.

With an eye on history, culture and the future, St. Martiners claimed the right to decide their fate. Love of country and the will to be actively involved in the decisions connected to the future of the island are as vital as the desire for peace and harmony within our community.

This is the way both sides of the island undertook major constitutional changes that correspond better to the reality of our respective territories and the aspiration of the population.

Since the statutory evolution in 2007, the Collectivité now assumes all of the responsibilities granted to us Read more

First workshop held on revitalisation of Marigot

MARIGOT--Third Vice-President Wendel Cocks presided over the first workshop and meeting on Friday, October 31, with the consortium of business partners, including Semsamar, engaged in the study to restructure and revitalise downtown Marigot as announced in early 2014 by President Aline Hanson.

This group of experts will be working with the elected officials and technicians of the Collectivité on the project Read more

RSA beneficiaries to be taxed 30 per cent on aid

MARIGOT--The Territorial Council passed a number of tax increases on Thursday that, although controversial and vigorously opposed by the Opposition and former President of the Territorial Council Alain Richardson, will bring in extra income for the Collectivité to execute essential projects.

Beneficiaries of the much-maligned social aid Revenu Solidarité Active (RSA), that has become a thorn in the side of the Collectivité due to its exorbitant cost will see a 30 per cent flat rate levy deducted from their compensation as of January 1, 2015 Read more

Minister praises ‘quick’ recovery efforts on visit

MARIGOT--French Minister of Overseas Territories George Pau-Langevin has praised the "very quick" efforts of the territory to get back on its feet following the passing of Hurricane Gonzalo, on her visit to St. Martin and St. Barths on Sunday.

She especially thanked law enforcement, SNSM sea rescue, EDF and all service providers for working flat out to assist the population in getting back to normal daily routines.

"As the tourist season is starting shortly, it was important for us to see areas like Orient Beach that depend on tourism," she said before departing for St Read more

Hanson reacts to assault on teacher

MARIGOT--President of the Territorial Council Aline Hanson gave her reaction Thursday to the assault on a teacher in the French Quarter primary school on Tuesday around 4:00pm, which led to a brief strike by fellow teachers.

"I would like to share my indignation at the assault of teacher C.P. on Tuesday, September 30, 2014, in a primary school in Quartier d'Orléans," she said Read more

Préfecture confirms list of Senatorial candidates

MARIGOT--The Préfecture officially confirmed last night the list of candidates who will contest the September 28 election for senator of St. Martin. The deadline to declare candidacy was 6:00pm Friday.

The list has seven candidates, more than first expected. They are as follows: First Vice-President Guillaume Arnell (substitute Aline Hanson), Territorial Councillor René-Jean Duret (substitute Rosette Gumbs-Lake), President of Economic, Social and Cultural Council Georges Gumbs (substitute Carole Gumbs), Union for Democracy (UD) member Dominique Aubert (substitute Dominique Riboud), Territorial Councillor Alain Gros-Desormeaux (substitute Rollande Questel), Grand Case district representative Patricia Chance-Duzant (substitute Steven Patrick) and Boniface Hodge (substitute Marise Dixon).

The second election for the St Read more

Governor Holiday At Opening Parliamentary Year: “There Are Real Opportunities For Economic Growth”

St. Maarten – Ravel’s Bolero was once more floating through the parliament building yesterday morning ahead of the official opening of the parliamentary year 2014-2015. What stood out apart from the music was the absence of United People’s party leader Theo Heyliger – who had sent notice – and of Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams who was for undisclosed reasons off island.

Other Members of Parliament who passed on the festive occasions were Jules James, who missed his re-election by a mere three votes, Dr Read more

St. Martin’s GDP per inhabitant lowest of all French territories

MARIGOT--Estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per inhabitant in French St. Martin is 14,700 euros, the lowest of all French territories with the exception of Mayotte (6,575 euros), and less than Dutch St. Maarten where the equivalent GDP is estimated at 16,018 euros per inhabitant.

The above was just one of the findings in the 98-page 2013 report on the French-side economy presented Monday by officials from Institut d'Émission des Départments d'Outre Mer (IEDOM) Read more

Arnell receives Knight of National Order of Merit

MARIGOT--Territorial Council First Vice-President Guillaume Arnell was the latest recipient of the Knight of the National Order of Merit medal at a ceremony held in his honour at the Chamber of Commerce, Concordia, Thursday evening.

As has been customary at these ceremonies, a number of speeches were made before the award was bestowed upon Guillaume Arnell by Préfet Philippe Chopin.

President of the Association of the National Order of Merit in St Read more