PHILIPSBURG – “The situation at the police force is less rosy than in our previous report,” the Progress Committee writes in its 37th progress report about the plan of approach for St. Maarten’s men and women in blue. “The return of the national police to the Netherlands has decimated the ranks and there is no perspective for new personnel.” Earlier, the Progress Committee, chaired by Nico Schoof, was positive about the developments at the police force. But now, the report notes, “dark clouds are emerging.” This is however not due to any wrongdoing by the force’s management but to several…
Author: The Publisher
PHILIPSBURG – After ignoring instructions from the Central Bank of Curacao and St. Maarten for years, the court in Curacao placed insurance company ENNIA under the rules of the emergency measure in July 2018. The measure gave the Central Bank full control over all relevant decisions and took away this power from major shareholder Hushang Ansary, supervisory boards and directors. Attorneys Karina Keizer and Sabine Altena describe in their petition to the court in great detail how this situation came into being – and how Ansary fought the Central Bank every step of the way. ENNIA had a serious solvency…
PHILIPSBURG – The Management of NAGICO Insurances advises the general public in a press release issued on Friday, October 2, 2020, that the company intends to reopen its head offices on the Cannegieterstreet on Monday, October 5, 2020, albeit partially as some departments will remain closed. Their services will be made available via the internet on the company’s website. “However, out of an abundance of caution, our Medical and Claims Department will remain closed, and services from those departments will be available online only.” the press release explained. “Following the recent confirmation of one of our staff testing positive for the…
CAY HILL — In a press release to the general public issued on September 29, 2020, the management of the Mental Health Foundation, MHF, gives an elucidation on the hiring process of non-BIG medical professionals in its institute and about the recent publications about the foundation. The press release reads as follows: Press Release: General Public of St. Maarten Re: Hiring process NON BIG Medical Professionals. On behalf of the Mental Health foundation, the Management would like to express sympathy to those who may have been emotionally affected by the recent unethical and negative publications about the foundation. It is…
PHILIPSBURG — On Friday, October 2, 2020, the Ansary Group represented by Parman International BV issued a press release with the following headline: ‘ONCE AGAIN JOSE JARDIM OF THE CENTRAL BANK OF CURACAO AND SINT MAARTEN (CBCS) MISLEADS THE PUBLIC’. The press release reads as follows: In a press-release issued on Wednesday, September 30, 2020, Mr. Jose Jardim of the CBCS has once again accused Mr. Ansary to have created “intransparent structures outside of the vision of the CBCS to cause damages to ENNIA, a company owned 95% by the Ansary family, in the amount of Naf 700 million guilders.”…
PHILIPSBURG — President of WITU and member of CCSU, Mrs. Claire Elshot, is disappointed with the statements made by the Minister of General Affairs in the Council of Ministers Press briefing of September 30, 2020, and in the Daily Herald newspaper of October 1, 2020. “It is with great disappointment that as member of the CCSU, I have taken note of the statements made by the Minister of General Affairs, Ms. Silveira Jacobs, during the press briefing of yesterday, September 30, 2020, and in the press release in the Daily Herald of October 1, 2020.” Elshot wrote in a statement…
CAY HILL — Nothing is known about an investigation into the death of 43-year-old Caulette Julien, who suffered from bipolar disorder, and was found lifeless in isolation at the Mental Health Foundation (MHF) on August 25, 2020. The MHF has video footage but has not handed these over to the victim’s mother. Julien’s family is left in the dark about the cause of her death. The Public Health Inspectorate remains silent. Inspector General Earl Best says he cannot comment on the case. Caulette Julien was a patient of Dr. Kitty Pelswijk. According to various sources, Pelswijk informed MHF staff that…
~ Explains Business Continuity Procedures ~ PHILIPSBURG — The Management of NAGICO Insurances advised the general public in a press released issued on Thursday, October 1, 2020, that they have received notice of one confirmed COVID-19 case at the company’s Philipsburg office. “We have taken immediate action in the best interest of our staff, customers, and partners.” the company’s press release states. “Our Philipsburg Office will be closed on 1st and 2nd October 2020 to facilitate the thorough sanitization of the three levels of our building by a professional cleaning firm.” “We are being prudent and responsible in our actions.…
DATE ISSUED: Thursday, October 01, 2020 @ 18:00 LST (22:00 UTC) VALID UNTIL: Friday evening (18:00 LST) October 02, 2020 …A SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR ST. MAARTEN UNTIL 6:00 AM, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2ND… WEATHER: Tonight through Friday evening: Cloudy, hazy and breezy, with isolated showers. Forecast High: 32°C / 90°F Forecast Low: 26°C / 79°F Sunset Today: 6:01 P.M. Sunrise Tomorrow: 6:03 A.M. SURFACE WINDS: Tonight through Friday evening: East to east-southeast with a moderate to fresh breeze of 11 to 20 mph, and higher gusts possible. SYNOPSIS: A strengthened Atlantic high-pressure system will maintain a brisk easterly wind flow across…
PHILIPSBURG — In reply to a letter received from MP Claudius “Toontje” Buncamper of the USP Faction in parliament, Minister of VROMI, Egbert Doran responded to the various questions posed and suggestions made by the MP. MP Buncamper, referring in his letter to the property currently being exploited by Rain Forest Adventure (RFA), questioned the Minister on, among other things, “the illustrious plans for agriculture/reforestation of the Cul de Sac area” and suggested that “we take back at least two thirds of the lands”, seeing the need to have land available for agriculture and that the property was acquired for…
