PHILIPSBURG — Sonesta Maho Beach Resort can forget about tax exemption for its investment of 59,148,000 guilders (a bit over $31.3 million) in the renovation of its resort after it was severely damaged bij Hurricane Irma in September 2017. It will only get this exemption for the expansion of its resort, an investment of 12,852,000 guilders (around $7.2 million). The dispute between the Minister of Finance and Resort of the World, the entity that owns the resort, ended with a decision by the Common Court of Justice that handled the appeal against the refusal to offer tax-exemption for the complete…
Author: The Publisher
PHILIPSBURG — The Court in First Instance sentenced Clarence Derby, the former manager of The Towers at Mullet Bay to pay insurance company Ennia more than $2.1 million for payments he received without a legal basis between 2008 and 2018. The amount consists of unlawfully paid salaries and legal costs. Derby started working for Sun Resorts in 1973. Fifty years later, on January 18, 2023, Sun Resorts placed Derby on non-active duty and stopped paying his salary. Derby stated in court that he received a monthly payment of just over $14,900 from Sun Resorts and that part of this amount…
The 2024 WBSC Premier12, the third installment of the prestigious baseball championship, brought together the world’s top 12 national teams under the banner of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC). The tournament, widely regarded as the second most significant event in international baseball after the World Baseball Classic, featured two pools of six teams. From each pool, only the top two advanced to the Super Round in Tokyo, Japan. This year’s edition saw standout performances from St. Maarten’s very own Denzel Richardson, a key player for Team Kingdom of the Netherlands. Richardson played alongside renowned former Major League Baseball stars,…
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (December 15, 2024)—The One St. Martin Association (One SXM) participated in the consultation of the United Nations Permanent Forum for People of African Descent (PFPAD) on December 12, said Dr. Rhoda Arrindell, president of One SXM. The meeting, held in Barbados, focused on the draft declaration on the human rights of people of African descent. It was a “packed and impactful day of discussions,” said Arrindell. According to June Soomer, Chair of the Permanent Forum, the meeting marked the first public consultation on the draft declaration. In her opening address, Soomer acknowledged attendees who had been laying the…
PHILIPSBURG — As a Member of Parliament of St. Maarten, I acknowledge and validate the concerns raised by the employees of Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) regarding the recruitment process for the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) position. Their frustrations are understandable given the clear inconsistencies in the airport’s hiring practices. Currently, the vacancy for the Chief Operations Officer (COO) position is being conducted internally, prioritizing qualified local candidates for the role. While I take no personal issue with the selection of the COO or CEO, the differing approaches to these two key positions raise significant questions. If the COO…
PHILIPSBURG — The General Audit Chamber has released its findings on the effectiveness of Parliament’s membership in Parlatino, an intergovernmental organization, and the fiscal prudence of government travel expenditures in 2022. The report sheds light on the high costs associated with Parlatino participation and the lack of accountability in travel-related spending, prompting recommendations for more stringent policies to ensure transparency and value for money. Since joining Parlatino in 2010, St. Maarten has paid ANG 518,999 in membership fees and incurred over ANG 2.1 million in travel-related expenses. These costs include per diem allowances and airfare for attending Parlatino assemblies, with four trips recorded in 2022…
“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…
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…
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…
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.…
