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SIMPSON BAY – A delegation consisting of the Chairlady of the First Chamber, Mrs. Ankie Broekers-Knol, and the Chairlady of the Second Chamber, Mrs. Khadija Arib, and their support staff were welcomed at the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) on Saturday, January 6, 2018 by the Chairlady of the Parliament of Sint Maarten, Mrs. Sarah Wescot-Williams and staff members of the secretariat of Parliament Read more

PHILIPSBURG – The United Democrats (UD) on Friday presented a full slate of 23 candidates for the February 26 polls.  The party is being led by Member of Parliament Theo Heyliger followed by in the number two position Member of Parliament Sarah Read more

History Made….United Democrats Launched!!!!

Philipsburg– Leaders of the United People’s Party (UP) and the Democratic Party (DP) have unified under one banner and founded the United Democrats, a powerhouse political movement formed to take St. Maarten through the critical reconstruction phase the island faces in 2018. The newly formed party, United Democrats is the historical joining of UP Honorable Member of Parliament Theodore Heyliger and DP Honorable President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams. “If we take a look at the unaddressed realities since the passage of Hurricane Irma, of our crippled economy and our people desperately needing leadership and hope, all lead to the coming together of the United Democrats.” Leading the United Democrats will be MP Theodore Heyliger, with MP Sarah Wescot-Williams as the number two candidate. St Read more

Exclusive: Minister Of Vsa Approved Naf. 25,000.00 As Remuneration For Szv Director.

Carty and Felicie made payments without the approval of Board of Directors.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of VSA Emil Lee approved NAF. 25,000.00 as remuneration for the Director of SZV Glen Carty which was recently paid to Carty without the approval of the Board of Directors of SZV.
Information reaching SMN News states that Glen Carty and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Elton Felicie signed off on the payment which was made last week to Carty while the members of the board of directors sat back and allowed the management team to continue draining the accounts of SZV Read more

History Made With The Launch Of The United Democrats

PHILIPSBURG - Leaders of the United People's Party (UP) and the Democratic Party (DP) have unified under one banner and founded the United Democrats, a powerhouse political movement formed to take St. Maarten through the critical reconstruction phase the island faces in 2018.

The newly formed party, United Democrats is the historical joining of UP Honorable Member of Parliament Theodore Heyliger and DP Honorable President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams.

"If we take a look at the unaddressed realities since the passage of Hurricane Irma, of our crippled economy and our people desperately needing leadership and hope, all lead to the coming together of the United Democrats."

Leading the United Democrats will be MP Theodore Heyliger, with MP Sarah Wescot-Williams as the number two candidate.

St Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Leaders of the United People's Party (UP) and the Democratic Party (DP) have unified under one banner and founded the United Democrats, a powerhouse political movement formed to take St. Maarten through the critical reconstruction phase the island faces in 2018.

The newly formed party, United Democrats is the historical joining of UP Honorable Member of Parliament Theodore Heyliger and DP Honorable President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams.

"If we take a look at the unaddressed realities since the passage of Hurricane Irma, of our crippled economy and our people desperately needing leadership and hope, all lead to the coming together of the United Democrats."

Leading the United Democrats will be MP Theodore Heyliger, with MP Sarah Wescot-Williams as the number two candidate.

St Read more

New Year’S Message From President Of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams

PHILIPSBURG – Leader of the Democratic Party (DP) and President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams said in her New Year’s Day message: ‘Don’t let the disaster that befell us get the better of us.’ “It would take more than a few words to adequately describe the year which has become last year and a year we have put behind us Read more

That the financial state of the country is worrisome is a no-brainer. But we all should be alarmed.
This dismal picture is all the more clear with the presentation of the amendments to the 2017 budget by the Minister of Finance. These amendments have been in the make for some time, but the format had to be changed from one that amended a proposed pre-hurricane Irma amendment, to one that amended the approved budget 2017. At least, this is what government says.
However, Government’s tardiness with the 2017 budget amendment has more to do with government’s reluctance to concede
that while they engaged in a shouting match of “over my dead body”, the country financially was bleeding to death Read more

Sarah: “The Fall Of The Marlin Cabinet Justified By The Horrific Financial And Economic Outlook Of St. Maarten”

PHILIPSBURG - That the financial state of the country is worrisome is a no-brainer. But we all should be alarmed, Leader of the Democratic Party (DP), Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams said on Friday.

“This dismal picture is all the more clear with the presentation of the amendments to the 2017 budget by the minister of Finance Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- The CFT advised the Kingdom Council of Ministers to issue an instruction to the government of St. Maarten for the 2018 budget. A letter dated December 22nd, 2017 was sent to the chairlady of Parliament regarding the advice given by the CFT to the Kingdom Council of Ministers.
Even though the CFT gave the advice to the Kingdom Council of Ministers up to the time this article was written no instruction has been issued.
SMN News contacted Minister of Finance Richard Gibson Sr Read more

HARBOUR VIEW:--- On December 22, 2017, the Governor of Sint Maarten, His Excellency drs. E.B. Holiday, requested the fraction leader of the Democratic Party, Mrs. Sarah Wescot-Williams, to finalize the formation of an interim government as formateur.
After Mr Read more

Parliament Scheduled Three Meetings On Tuesday December 12

Permanent Committee of Kingdom Affairs and Inter-Parliamentary Relations scheduled to meet on Tuesday

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The Permanent Committee of Kingdom Affairs and Inter-Parliamentary Relations (CKAIR), will meet on December 12, 2017.

The CKAIR Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 09.00 am in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda point to be discussed is:

Appointment of a chairman and vice-chairman of the committee

Continuation Central Committee meeting of Parliament about discussion with USM Board on the motives for the closure of USM on Tuesday morning December 5

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The House of Parliament will sit in a Central Committee meeting on Tuesday, December 12, 2017 Read more

Continuation Central Committee Meeting Of Parliament About Discussion With Usm Board On The Motives For The Closure Of Usm On Tuesday Morning December 5.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in a Central Committee meeting on Tuesday, December 12, 2017. USM Board members will be present.
The continuation of the urgent Central Committee meeting which was adjourned on November 28, and again on December 5, 2017 is scheduled for 10.00 hrs in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda point is:
Discussion with USM Board members to discuss their feedback on the motives for the closure of this esteemed establishment (IS/142/2017-2018 dated November 22, 2017)

(This meeting was requested by MP T.E Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- A meeting that could have brought some answers to many lingering questions was obstructed again by NA members of parliament. I dutifully followed the rules and vacated the chair’s seat to speak on the topic, only to see the same old games being played. This would have been the right place for ministers to clarify and respond to concerns that exist in the community.
I expected the Minister of VROMI, who continues to rant on radio programs about the Simpsonbay Lagoon to provide proof of his allegations; I expected information regarding the border control agreement, to allay fears that this agreement would infringe upon the open borders between the 2 sides of the island;
I expected the answers to how the government was dealing with the finances of government, knowing that we have a serious budget deficit, and the 50 million guilders budgeted for extra coast because of hurricane Irma; as well as answers on the roof repair program and food voucher program.
I wanted to know what government plans are for the homeless persons still in shelters at the Festival Village and the Little League ballpark.
I want(ed) to know what new labor policies are being devised, given the “new realities” of our labor market.
I want(ed) to know the truth about pledges from (government-owned) companies.
I wanted government’s take on the election resolution and the fact that the 3 months period, stipulated in the constitution, has not been observed.
I wanted to know about insurance, adjusters, and payouts in general, and for government and government companies in particular.
“Some argue that there is much happening and there is some truth to that Read more

Continuation Central Committee Meeting Of Parliament About Discussion With Usm Board On The Motives For The Closure Of Usm On Tuesday Morning.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten – The House of Parliament will sit in a Central Committee meeting on Tuesday, December 5, 2017. USM Board members will be present for the first agenda point.
The continuation of the urgent Central Committee meeting which was adjourned on November 28, 2017 is scheduled for 10.00 hrs in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda points are:

Discussion with USM Board members to discuss their feedback on the motives for the closure of this esteemed establishment (IS/142/2017-2018 dated November 22, 2017)
(This meeting was requested by MP T.E Read more

Minister Jacobs Hosts Attitude Of Gratitude Thanksgiving & Tree Lighting Ceremony

Philipsburg – Today Dec 3rd, the Government of St. Maarten in collaboration with the St. Maarten United Ministerial Foundation (SMUMF), Christian Council (CC) successfully hosted and celebrated the annual Thanksgiving Service and Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony heralding the end of the Hurricane Season 2017. His Excellency Governor E.B. Holiday and Mrs. Holiday, Chairlady of Parliament S. Wescott-Williams, Honorable Prime Minister R Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- Today Dec 3rd, the Government of St. Maarten in collaboration with the St. Maarten United Ministerial Foundation (SMUMF), Christian Council (CC) successfully hosted and celebrated the annual Thanksgiving Service and Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony heralding the end of the Hurricane Season 2017. His Excellency Governor E.B. Holiday and Mrs. Holiday, Chairlady of Parliament S. Wescott-Williams, Honorable Prime Minister R Read more

Response To Usp

The Democratic Party has been one of the longest serving parties in the history of St. Maarten.  We have had our ups and downs, but we have been there for the people of St. Maarten, now more than ever before. Our main goal was and continues to be, “how can we make our island a better place for the people of St. Maarten”.

To hear a political party, who welcomed the leader of the Democratic Party as the chairlady in one breathe and denounce her in the next, say some of the most unprofessional things is a shame to say the least.  This berating article from the USP board comes as no surprise, because the same lowdown type of message was previously shared in the NA/USP/DP coalition WhatsApp chat.

Yes, the “testicular fortitude” message from the hand of a TEATT cabinet staffer, singling out 2 leaders of the coalition and calling the other (female) leader “spineless” Read more

The Democratic Party has been one of the longest-serving parties in the history of St. Maarten. We have had our ups and downs, but we have been there for the people of St. Maarten, now more than ever before. Our main goal was and continues to be, "how can we make our island a better place for the people of St. Maarten".
To hear a political party, who welcomed the leader of the Democratic Party as the chairlady in one breathe and denounce her in the next, say some of the most unprofessional things is a shame to say the least Read more

Central Committee Meeting Of Parliament About Discussion With Usm Board On The Motives For The Closure Of Usm On Tuesday Morning.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in a Central Committee meeting on Tuesday, November 28, 2017.
The urgent Central Committee meeting is scheduled for 10.00 hrs in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. USM Board members will be present for this meeting.

The agenda point is:

Discussion with USM Board members to discuss their feedback on the motives for the closure of this esteemed establishment (IS/142/2017-2018 dated November 22, 2017)

(This meeting was requested by MP T.E Read more

Vromi Did As They Should In The Salvaging Of The Wreckages In The Lagoon.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry has been working diligently with the processing of salvaging permits. Thus far 90 salvaging permits have been given between the two companies Aquatic Solutions NV and Seacure Marine Construction.

VROMI understands the severity of the state of the Simpson Bay lagoon but also needs to make sure that companies working have the proper documentation in place.

There was some confusion post hurricanes Irma and Maria pertaining to salvaging wrecks and the barge “Titan” that was brought by Marine Management & Consulting.

Chairlady Sarah Wescot Williams brought the barge to the attention of the coalition members as well as the council of Ministers and questioned why the barge was not being operated at the time Read more

Exclusive: Up/Dp/Brownbill Coalition Pulled Back Candidate Minister George Willems.

~ Michael Ferrier next possible candidate Minister ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The UP/DP/ Brownbill coalition recently pulled back George Willems as the candidate Minister for the interim position as Minister of Finance Read more

~ Bringing the DP stalwarts back together ~

PHILIPSBURG:--- The United Peoples Party headed by Theodore Heyliger and Democratic Party headed by Sarah Wescot Williams have decided to merge the two political parties to contest the February 2018 snap elections.
Stuart Johnson who is representing the United People’s Party submitted the credentials of the new political party “United Democratic Party (UDP) to the Electoral Council on Thursday for vetting.
SMN News has learned that the main reason the leaders of the two political parties came together was to bring the former members and stalwarts of the Democratic Party back together on one slate since the Democratic Party has been losing votes these past years while the UPP could not muster enough votes on its own to win an election outright Read more

PHILIPSBURG:--- “I have not heard it myself, but it caused some persons to get quite upset, so I can only imagine the ranting that took place during the weekly Tuesday night program on 95.9 FM (SOS radio) on November 21st. This particular program is the mouthpiece for a political party, so its biased content should be taken with a grain of salt.
However, that does not mean that slander and bluffs should go unchallenged.
Our honorable Minister of VROMI allegedly was livid about my questions regarding the salvaging operations in the Simpsonbay Lagoon and on that particular program on 95.9 FM was fencing about a letter he had in his possession regarding the salvaging operations.
He alluded to this letter and me, as if there was something sinister about my questioning of the lagoon cleanup in general.
A couple of comments:

The Minister should at least try to act his role as Minister Read more