As the INTEGRITY Advancement Movement Foundation, I have been watching and keenly observing all that has been happening and developing on Sint Maarten; in and out of all Levels of Government, within the Private Sector, our Communities and Neighborhoods, our Churches and Religious Denominations, our Schools, as well as within our Homes and Families. All from INTEGRITY Perspectives. And when I sum it all up, words like, a) Good upbringing, b) Respecting our elders, authorities, and leaders, c) Being honest with each other, d) Correct behavior, e) A good role model and one of good example, f) Transparent in what…
Author: The Publisher
PHILIPSBURG – The parliamentary ad-hoc committee Electoral Reform has to become more active ahead of the elections that are scheduled for 2024, Gracita Arrindell, leader of the extra-parliamentary political party People’s Progressive Alliance (PPA) says in a press statement. The ad-hoc committee consists of ten members of parliament: four from the National Alliance (MPs Duncan, Marlin, Pantophlet and Roumou), two from the United People’s party (MPs Bijlani and Heyliger-Marten), two from the Party for Progress (MPs Gumbs and Peterson), and one each from the United St. Maarten party (MP Buncamper) and the Democratic Party (MP Wescot-Williams). Since its inception, the…
PHILIPSBURG — The Function Book of the Ministry of Justice is in the final phase of the legislative process towards its completion to become law, confirmed the Minister of Justice, Honorable Anna E. Richardson. As per Friday, October 22, 2021, the function book is officially in final review at the Department of Legal Affairs. In conjuction with the function book, the National decree containing general measures “Rechtspositie Regeling KPSM, amendments to the Police Ordinance (Politie Landsverordenning), the Organization decree for the Justice Ministry (Organisatie besluit Justitie), and several decrees relating to the Immigration & Border control division of the Ministry…
PHILIPSBURG — After seeing the numerous outcries on Facebook and reading the headlines on the front page of the Daily Herald of Friday/Saturday, October 15 – 16, 2021, “Beacon Hill residents angry about permit-less six-story development”, MP Claudius “Toontje” Buncamper, leader of the US (United St. Maarten) Party faction in Parliament, expressed his concerns about recent disseminated information published recently in various media regarding the demolition and excavation work on three plots of domain land in Beacon Hill, by a private developer, without having the necessary demolition or building permit from VROMI as is required by law. The concerned Beacon…
by Cdr. Bud Slabbaert Having aspirations to be part of the Caribbean tourism industry? Get education in hospitality programs of universities or academies, right? Not always right! Webinars or workshops of hospitality or tourism consultants, right? Not necessarily right either! Then what the heck seems to be right? Think of the “Disney Institute” and it is no Micky Mouse! It is not about turning the Caribbean into Disney World. It is all about the Caribbean learning about and then applying some of the principles that made Disney beloved and successful. Caribbean authenticity can not only be preserved, but it can…
Life insurance is insurance based on a specific payment to one or more beneficiaries upon the passing of the insured. The reasons that motivate people to take out insurance on their lives can be many and have far-reaching consequences. First, most life insurance policies are taken out as guarantees for loans. If the borrower passes, the policy will pay, mainly to the bank, the policy’s face value to cover the loan. The balance is then remitted to the heir(s) of the policyholder. The second reason most people take out life insurance is to cover the expenses of passing. We all…
PHILIPSBURG — Gambling became an issue after StMaartenNews.com revealed how old slot machines have surfaced at several locations around the island. Just last month, the General Audit Chamber published its mini audit entitled Responsible Gambling. The audit shows that there are no reliable data and that the government hardly allocates any funding to battle gambling addiction. The data that are available present wildly different views on the scope of gambling addiction. An American study (Alegria et. al) states that problem gambling affect 5 percent of the population. An article by Anna Goudriaan (Amsterdam University Medical Center) published in December 2012…
By Hilbert Haar Minister Kajsa Ollongren (Home Affairs) has suggested that the residents of Caribbean Netherlands (Saba, Statia and Bonaire) ought to spend less time in the shower and go easy on the use of air-conditioning systems to make the islands more sustainable. Energy-saving measures can help local households to lower their utility-bills, the minister wrote in a letter to the Second Chamber, adding that the average electricity-consumption per household on the islands is higher than in European Netherlands. The minister based her remarks on research by Milieu Centraal (Environment Central). This research shows that there are three simple savings-options:…
PHILIPSBURG — With an eye on the future and living up to its founding principles, the United St. Maarten (US) party is in the process of restructuring its board, party platform and representation in preparations for the upcoming electoral cycle, according to a press statement issued by the party. The board of the USp said that it is vital for any political organization to re-examine and plan for the future, especially in changing times. “Political parties are the major players in the democratic transitions. However, some have been unable to change their practices and/or adapt to ever changing realities, and…
PHILIPSBURG — Party for Progress (PFP) Members of Parliament (MPs) Melissa Gumbs and Raeyhon Peterson are pleased that their Motion of Disapproval against Minister of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) Egbert Doran received a substantial majority in the Public Meeting of Parliament on Wednesday, October 20, 2021. The motion – the first of its kind in St. Maarten’s history as an autonomous country – had a total of ten (10) votes in favor and two (2) votes against. Stemming from Minister Doran’s questionable handling of the Vineyard Heights long-lease land controversy, the Sint Maarten Parliament has sent…
