We are amazed how often we hear or read a statement saying the media should write about this, publish a story about or that the media should do more investigations. Surprisingly, when the media do write about certain issues, it is then written off as melee, gossip and yellow journalism. A big complaint on the island is that the media does not do enough investigative journalism. But guess what, a big part of investigative journalism is that people need to go on record and make statements about whatever the issue is that is affecting them. However, the problem is many…
Author: The Publisher
PHILIPSBURG — United St. Maarten Party (USP) Member of Parliament Claudius “Toontje” Buncamper on Friday fired off a number of questions to Prime Minister, Silveria Jacobs, regarding government’s failure to appoint new board members to the board of the Social Economic Council (SER). The MP questioned the reason why the new board members have not yet been appointed and when does government expect to do so. In addition to government’s negligence to appoint new board members, the MP enquired about the number of members of the current board and the legality thereof, and how many members does government intend to…
There are so many loopholes in our laws that we can rightfully be called the land of the lawless. Time to plug those loopholes. Do you agree? Leave a comment below…
PHILIPSBURG — The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) and the newly formed Calypso association SKA (Soualiga Kaiso Association) met on Friday last to discuss areas of cooperation moving forward to Carnival 2021, with the ultimate goal of enhancing and ensuring the further development of the art form of Calypso. SCDF was represented in the meeting by its President Alston Lourens, Vice President Paula Gordon and Treasurer Michael Granger. SKA was represented by its President Marvin “King Stunky” Dollison, Vice President Leroy “King Beau Beau” Brooks, Treasurer Jean-Louis “X-Ray” Rey, Assistant Secretary Andrew “Baker Jr” Richardson and Assistant Treasurer Alberto…
~ Says financial realities unavoidable ~ PHILIPSBURG — The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) is moving ahead with its plans towards hosting a safe Carnival 2021 and stressed that St. Maarten’s festival situation cannot be compared with others. “People are beaming with anticipation to have our traditional Carnival, and we are ready with our plans to give them their Carnival,” SCDF said. With the news of two acceptable COVID-19 vaccines now on the market, the foundation also looks forward to the world being in a better place come April 2021. The foundation has its extensive plans ready and…
A presentation by constitution expert Prof. Jan De Boer started off by explaining that the emergency legislation is not a government initiative but an obligation under the Constitution that should have been regulated since 10-10-10. And there are more obligations under the Constitution that must be put into effect via national ordinances. Or that already exist but have not been put into operation via enforcement laws. Such as the Mental Health Law, a Complaints Committee, a proper functioning Rental Committee and a Child Abuse Reporting Point. But an additional consequence that functions as the primary explanation of why these laws…
Dear Editor, More than fifty years after gaining independence in 1968, Mauritius, an island nation located in the Indian Ocean, was not fully decolonized according to The International Court of Justice (ICJ). The ICJ in its Advisory Opinion of February 2019, declared that “the process of decolonization of Mauritius was not lawfully completed when that country acceded to independence.” Prior to gaining independence in 1968, Mauritius entered into the Lancaster House Agreement in 1965 with the United Kingdom, its administering power, regarding the detachment of the Chagos Islands from Mauritius who were then a territory of the United Kingdom. Recalling…
The effect of lack of the rule of law is a problem that does not discriminate, whether you are a corporation or a start-up, rich or poor, educated or illiterate, employed or unemployed, born in St Maarten or from another country. Being democratic is not enough for St. Maarten to function as a country. Good, healthy democratic societies are built on three pillars: peace and stability, economic development, and respect for the rule of law and human rights. One of the challenges of a democratic government is making sure that even in the midst of a pandemic, natural disasters, emergencies…
“PRINCIPLE OF EQUAL TREATMENT VIOLATED” Philipsburg, November 19. 2020. Gracita Arrindell said: the billion dollar question facing government and our citizens is, where do we find the right balance between much needed austerity measures as demanded by the Dutch government in exchange for temporary liquidity (cash support) and the right balance to get the economy moving in the right direction and still take care of our people. After fierce resistance from the islands against the first ‘Caribbean Entity’ proposal, the Dutch cabinet through its State Secretary for Kingdom and interior government relation Mr. Knops finally signed separate agreements with respectfully…
~ Prime Minister Jacobs cautions Parliament about Decolonization chatter ~ PHILIPSBURG — In a letter dated November 17, the Prime Minister of St. Maarten apprised Parliament of her most recent contact with State Secretary Knops regarding the continued liquidity support in the form of a third tranche. This interaction took place on November 11, as per the Prime Minister’s letter received on November 18, 2020. “I was pleasantly surprised to receive this update, given government’s lackluster performance in keeping parliament timely informed. However, the conclusion of the letter gives away the true reason behind this letter to parliament. Although the…
