Author: The Publisher

“The Road network of St. Maarten was subject of much debate during the handling of the amended budget 2024 in the Parliament”, MP Wescot stated in a recent letter to Min of VROMI, MR. P. Gumbs. Before minister Gumbs’ tenure, information was provided by the ministry regarding dirt roads to be paved etc. as it related to the capital budget 2024. However, a detailed calendar of works with respect to the paving of side roads, the so-called Side Road Pavement project which was promised to parliament, has not been received, MP Wescot explained. “I have reminded the minister to share…

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Philipsburg, Sint Maarten – The Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM) held its first official introductory meeting with the newly appointed Minister of Justice, Ms. N.M. Tackling, on Friday, December 6, 2024. The meeting took place at the Philipsburg Police Station, bringing together the Minister and the management team of KPSM. During the meeting, the management team provided an overview of the police organization, including its structure, ongoing efforts, and preparations for the upcoming busy holiday season. Key challenges faced by the organization were also discussed, highlighting areas where support and resources are most needed. Following the discussions, Minister Tackling…

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Dear Editor, The article in The Daily Herald of St. Maarten of December 4, 2024: “PJIAH asserts Government has no role to play in CEO selection for PJIAE” prompts one to check what are the rights of the shareholder and if Good Corporate Governance is being upheld. According to rules and regulations (Civil Code Book 2 of St. Maarten, Articles of Incorporation, Jurisprudence) the rights of the shareholder (government or private sector) are: Issuing additional shares, Reducing the share capital; Adopting the annual accounts; Distribution of dividend; Amendments to the articles of incorporation; Appointment or dismissal of directors; Mergers or…

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Phillipsburg- In response to significant budget cuts that have left schools struggling with resource shortages, Member of Parliament Darryl York has taken a deeply personal step to support education in his community. The MP has officially “adopted” his former primary school, Marie Genevieve De Weever Primary School, pledging financial aid, mentorship programs, and his own time to ensure students have the tools and opportunities to succeed. This initiative underscores his commitment to fostering a culture of care and responsibility for the next generation. “I walked those halls, sat in those classrooms, and was shaped by the values I learned there.…

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CAY HILL, ST. MAARTEN: St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) wishes to address recent claims regarding conditions at our facility and provide accurate information to our patients, staff and the wider community. The recent heavy rainfall has caused some drainage issues at our facility, resulting in water backup from regular drainage pipes. We want to clearly state that at no point was there sewage water in the Sterilization Department, contrary to recent reports. SMMC management has been actively addressing this situation: Multiple meetings were held with department supervisors earlier this week to address and resolve the drainage issues. A requested union…

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HARBOUR VIEW, PHILIPSBURG  — Today November 26, 2024, members of the incoming Council of Ministers Cabinet Mercelina II were appointed and sworn in by His Excellency the Governor of Sint Maarten, Mr. Ajamu G. Baly. Governor Baly gave the following speech: Government Prefet of Saint Barthelemy and Saint Martin; Chairlady of Parliament; Members of Parliament; Acting Vice-chairlady of the Council of Advice; Acting Chairlady of the Audit Chamber; Ombudsman; Prime Minister; Ministers; Minister Plenipotentiary; Secretary general of the Council of Minister: Acting Vice-President of the Joint Court of Justice; Chief Public Prosecutor; Acting Chairlady of the Central Voting Bureau; Chairman…

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SIMPSON BAY — St. Maarten, an island renowned for its many beaches, vibrant nightlife and busy tourist seasons, is facing an increasingly urgent challenge: traffic congestion. While many issues plague developing nations, our tiny Caribbean island seems to be gridlocked by its own popularity. The sheer number of cars on the island—compounded by narrow roads, poor infrastructure, and unregulated vehicle imports—has turned our daily commutes into a test of patience and creativity. This past week, StMaartenNews.com engaged the public in an active discussion about the island’s traffic woes. Through a social media post, residents shared a myriad of perspectives on…

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GREAT BAY, St. Maarten (November, 2024) – I have taken note of an article attributed to Member of Parliament Egbert Jurendy Doran, that seeks to call into question my stand on the sale of Mullet Bay in view of the Ennia Outline Agreement and can only ask where has the honorable MP been in the last four years? First, if the good MP has any concerns about the Ennia Outline Agreement, which his colleagues in the National Alliance (NA) signed a little over six months ago, I never heard him express those publicly until now. But what is the real…

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PHILIPSBURG — On November 18, 2024, Minister of Justice Lyndon Lewis, representing the Government of St. Maarten, officially signed an agreement to initiate Phase 2 of the New Prison Project. This phase, supported by a joint investment of $52 million USD from St. Maarten and the Dutch Ministry of Internal Affairs and Kingdom Relations, marks a pivotal transition to the construction of a state-of-the-art correctional facility designed to meet the highest international standards. The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has been designated to oversee the project management of the new prison’s construction. UNOPS has also developed the prison’s…

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PHILIPSBURG — November 19, 2024 — Following severe weather impacts over the past week, Chair of the VROMI Committee, MP York, has formally submitted an urgent request for a committee meeting to address the state of Sint Maarten’s infrastructure. The flooding and widespread damage across the island have raised serious concerns about the country’s readiness for extreme weather, revealing vulnerabilities that need immediate attention. The purpose of the meeting is to assess the condition of Sint Maarten’s infrastructure and evaluate the government’s immediate and long-term responses to these challenges. With increasing climate-related incidents, addressing these vulnerabilities proactively is essential. A…

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