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Plasterk prefers cooperation to new instruction for St. Maarten

THE HAGUE--Issuing another instruction to St. Maarten, this time in the area of Justice, does not have the preference of Dutch Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk. He would rather strengthen St. Maarten's Justice System and improve integrity together with the local government, he told the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament on Wednesday.

"That doesn't have my preference," Plasterk replied to the question of Member of the Second Chamber Roelof van Laar of the Labour Party PvdA, who asked the minister whether a new instruction for St Read more

Editorial - Sooner rather than later

Today's report that Dutch Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Minister Ronald Plasterk prefers cooperation to another instruction for St. Maarten in the area of Justice is a positive development. Coupled with the news that "formateur" Theo Heyliger has submitted the names of proposed ministers for what now appears is the incoming UP/De Weever/Marlin-Romeo coalition – no longer backed by DP leader Sarah Wescot-Williams (see related story) – to Governor Eugene Holiday, it could spell a start in restoring the lately disturbed relations between Philipsburg and The Hague.

This conclusion has a lot to do with the fact that Heyliger did not include himself Read more

Sarah makes position as Parliament head available

PHILIPSBURG--President of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams has made her position as head of the legislature available to the United People's (UP) party-led coalition.

This move by Wescot-Williams comes a month and two days after she was appointed to the post on October 10 Read more

Minister candidates submitted to governor

HARBOUR VIEW--The names of the minister candidates for the new cabinet were submitted to Governor Eugene Holiday by formateur United People's (UP) leader Theo Heyliger on Wednesday. The security and judicial screenings of the candidates for the post of prime minister, the six other ministers and minister plenipotentiary has commenced, according to the governor's cabinet.

Holiday and Heyliger met yesterday to discuss the progress of the formation process Read more

style="text-align: center;">Formateur Shuffled the pack again this time appointing Petrus Leroy De Weever as Minister of VSA, the Doc was fooled.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Leader of the Democratic Party Sarah Wescot Williams was fully played by formateur Theodore Heyliger and Democratic Party member Cornelius de Weever Read more

Dp Outlines Role In Coalition Formation Process, Takes A Step Back To Evaluate

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Leader of the Democratic Party (DP) of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams, held a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

During the conference the caretaker Prime Minister who also holds the function of President of Parliament, outlined the role that her party played and is playing in the current formation process leading towards a new government for the island led by the UP party and MP Cornelius de Weever.

Formateur MP the Honorable Theo Heyliger who is now not a candidate for Minister, announced that he has submitted the names and dossiers of candidates Ministers to His Excellency the Governor of St Read more

Parliament Still To Handle Agenda Szv To Expand The Pension Plan

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - The House of Parliament will meet in a plenary public session on Thursday, November 13th.

This session is related to Bureau Intellectual Property which was initially held on Monday, November 10, but due to a lack of a quorum it was closed and rescheduled for the aforementioned date.

The plenary session is set for Thursday at 2.00pm. High on the agenda is the draft National Ordinance regarding the Bureau of Intellectual Property, the current rules, responsibilities and obligations.

Meanwhile, the House of Parliament has some pending matters to handle.

They include the annual account of St 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

No Quorum to hold Parliamentary Meeting.

>PHILIPSBURG:--- The public meeting of Parliament called on Monday was postponed for the second time since the Parliament of St. Maarten did not have a quorum to continue the meeting. Those present were the President of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams, MP Cornelius de Weever, MP Johan Janhci Leonard, MP Leona Marlin and MP Lloyd Richardson.
The chairlady of Parliament announced at 3pm on Monday that there was no quorum to continue the meeting therefore she would have to reschedule the meeting within the next two days Read more

style="text-align: center;">Curacao Policy Advisor to be Appointed Minister of VSA by MP Lloyd Richardson

PHILIPSBURG:--- Two months and days after the August 29th Parliamentary Elections there is still no Government on St. Maarten and while the Governor of St. Maarten has extended the formation period for the UPP/De Weever/Marlin coalition to appoint a Ministerial cabinet Read more

Editorial: Follow The Money

The enormity of former Finance Minister Roland Tuitt’s move to take all tax debts from 1976-2006 off the books is beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. According to the Social Economic Council Tuitt let go of 4.47 billion guilders in arrears – approximately ten times the country’s current national budget.

If the policy document Tuitt signed in 2013 – ten days after the fall of the second Wescot-Williams cabinet – is indeed unlawful as the SER claims, one may well wonder whether this measure fits within the framework of departure policy.

If that is so, it begs the question who would stand to benefit the most from this unexpected Christmas gift Read more

MAC opens high school amidst heavy downpour

EBENEZER--A number of persons braved heavy showers to witness the official opening and dedication of Methodist Agogic Center Comprehensive Secondary Education (MAC CSE) building in Ebenezer on Friday afternoon.

The heavy downpour prompted District Secretary Reverend Dr. Joan Meade, who performed the dedication, to delay blessing the new buildings and classrooms with holy water.

The new location has three buildings containing, amongst other things, five classrooms. A fourth structure on the property, which had existed at the location previously, had been refurbished.

Chairman of MAC School Board Reverend Moreland Williams told attendees that it was originally a long-term plan of the institution to construct a building for the secondary school Read more

A New Level Of Acceptance Being Sought By New President Of Parliament

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - President of Parliament, the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams is looking at ways to bring parliament to a level of acceptance.

That sentiment was echoed by the President, whist speaking at a press conference on Thursday.

Whilst addressing that subject, the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams also noted that legislation was a joint responsibility of Parliament and the government.

Mrs Read more

style="text-align: center;">"Wear your St. Maarten Colors, fly your flags, and show your Pride"

PHILIPSBURG:--- Caretaker Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams encourages the community to show their support for the celebration of the National Holiday on the eleventh of November. The Prime Minister stressed for the community of St Read more

style="text-align: center;">Lets Move a Step Forward

PHILIPSBURG:--- The President of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams called on all Members of Parliament to improve the image and perception of St. Maarten's Parliament which she said has been criticized.
Wescot Williams said that on November 5th, 2014 a central committee meeting of Parliament could not be held due to a lack of quorum, she further stated that when it comes to dealing with legislations from government Members of Parliament should put aside their political differences and deal with the legislations in order to send back a report to the government Read more

Pm Encourages Community To Commemorate And Celebrate St. Maarten's Day Celebrations, "Wear Your St. Maarten Colors, Fly Your Flags, And Show Your Pride"

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - Caretaker Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams encourages the community to show their support for the celebration of the National Holiday on the eleventh of November.

The Prime Minister stressed for the community of St. Maarten to come out in force to celebrate St. Maarten's Day "I would like to urge the community to Celebrate St Read more

Letter From St. Maarten’S Council Of Ministers To Rutte And Plasterk: No Cooperation With Additional Screening

St. Maarten – The Council of Ministers will not cooperate with the instruction to Governor Holiday to subject candidate-ministers for the new cabinet to additional screening. In a letter, signed by outgoing Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams, the council makes this position clear to Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Kingdom Relations Minister Ronald Plasterk Read more

St. Maarten formally objects to instruction

THE HAGUE/PHILIPSBURG--St. Maarten's caretaker Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams confirmed in a letter to the Dutch Government on Monday that St. Maarten will not cooperate to execute the instruction given to Governor Eugene Holiday to hold off on the ratification of the appointment of the next Council of Ministers until after a profound screening of the candidate ministers.

In her letter, addressed to President of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament Anouchka van Miltenburg and sent also to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Ronald Plasterk, Wescot-Williams outlined the reasons the St Read more

No quorum stalls meeting on Intellectual Property Bureau

PHILIPSBURG--Only six Members of Parliament (MPs) were signed in for the plenary session of Parliament to formalise the Intellectual Property Bureau on Wednesday afternoon, two short of the quorum of eight MPs needed for the meeting to start.

The meeting now will have to be reconvened by Chairwoman of Parliament MP Sarah Wescot-Williams within four days (four times 24 hours) as stipulated by Parliament's Rules of Order Read more

style="text-align: center;">PM/President of Parliament dispatched letter to the Dutch Second Chamber on Instructions given to St. Maarten's Governor

PHILIPSBURG:---- The Prime Minister and President of St. Maarten's parliament penned a four page letter to the Dutch second chamber informing them of the standpoint of St. Maarten's Council of Ministers. Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams states clearly in her letter that the Council of Ministers on St Read more

Youth Parliament wants more of a role in decision-making

PHILIPSBURG--The Youth Parliament wants a more active role in the decision-making process of the country.

A delegation of the Youth Parliament, headed by Dwayne Griffith, presented a motion requesting the possibility to make recommendations on the findings of the various integrity reports to the Parliament of St. Maarten on Tuesday afternoon in a Central Committee meeting in Parliament House.

The "emergency" meeting during which the motion was presented to the Parliament was requested by the Youth Members of Parliament (YMPs) Read more

Prominent Lawyer Allegedly Failed Screening due to Molestation Investigation.

style="text-align: center;"> Coalition dispute ongoing

PHILIPSBURG:--- Well placed sources have informed SMN News that a prominent lawyer on St. Maarten has failed the screening process to become a Minister in the UP/DP/ Marlin coalition. SMN News learnt that the candidate is allegedly under investigation for molesting a teenager. According to the information SMN News received a relative of the victim filed charges against the prominent citizen and lawyer on St. Maarten about two months ago Read more