~ Says time will tell ~ PHILIPSBURG — In response to the latest political developments, Member of Parliament Franklin Meyers, states: “I hope that the People of Sint Maarten now better understand why I declared myself independent two weeks ago. Other than what my political opponents now want to make you believe; I didn’t create the chaos, rather I took a stance from within the chaos that was created by a few.” Meyers continues: “at the time of declaring myself independent, the plans by others to form the next Government were already in full swing, character assassinations of our very…
Author: The Publisher
PHILIPSBURG — “Late Monday afternoon I received a request for a meeting, signed by 9 members of parliament, to appoint the chairperson and 2 vice-chairpersons of parliament.” according to a press release issued on behalf the Chairlady of Parliament, MP Sarah Wescot-Williams. The release further states that “The MPs requested that these agenda points be added to the continuation of the public meeting no 35 on September 25th, which meeting deals with the status of Education and is an ongoing meeting.” The release goes on the conclude that “Given the urgency of the request/matter, I have scheduled a new public…
PHILIPBURG — The 2nd edition of the Free NAGICO Health & Fitness Fair will be held on Saturday October 5th, at the Raoul Illidge Sports Complex. NAGICO has announced that with over 20 vendors participating, the event will be twice the size of last year with double the fun sure to be had. “We are extremely excited this year as we have added a number of new health and fitness services to our program which we are positive the public will appreciate and enjoy,” a statement from NAGICO said. “The objective of this event remains to provide each member of…
~ Fire Dept./ODM/Ministry MECYS: Schools Closed on Tuesday. Coastal residents advised to be vigilant. Swimmers stay away from the beach. ~ GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports (Ministry MECYS) has decided to close all schools on Tuesday, September 24 as a precautionary measure. The aforementioned decision was taken due to the anticipated deterioration in weather conditions going into Tuesday. According to the Meteorological Department of Sint Maarten (MDS), even though Karen has been downgraded to a Tropical Depression, the system could still impact the country as it heads towards Puerto Rico, and…
The times they are a’changin and so is the political makeup of St. Maarten’s government. Once upon a time – and not all that long ago – appointments to key positions, be it as policy advisors or in executive roles – did not depend on what you knew but on whom you knew. In other words: cronyism and nepotism ruled in those days. Now we have young professionals in those positions who earned their spot based on their qualifications. That’s not only good for those youngsters, it also benefits the quality of the civil service and that of the supporting…
PHILIPSBURG — In a series of prerecorded messages sent to our news desk, Member of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams gave commentaries on the recent political developments and fired off a series of critical questions at the newly formed coalition headed by NA-leader Silveria Jacobs. In the first voice note Wescot-Williams explained why she submitted her resignation as Chairperson of Parliament. “I did this on Sunday evening, September the 22nd, after having learned that, firstly, a new coalition has been formed, but in addition to that, that the position of chairperson of Parliament, as part of those negotiations to come to a…
PHILIPSBURG — The Sint Maarten Christian Party (SMCP), represented by the party leader and Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Wycliffe Smith and Member of Parliament Claude Chacho Peterson issued a joint statement on the recent collapse of the Governing UD-SMCP coalition on Monday. In their statement, they made it clear that another snap election would not have been their choice. “The SMCP would have preferred to avoid going to the polls. However, given the reasons mentioned in the rest of this article, the SMCP is of the opinion that invoking article 59 is the only right thing to…
POND ISLAND — On Monday, September 23rd 2019, Mr. Patrice Gumbs Jr tendered his resignation as member of the Central Voting Bureau. In the letter to the Prime Minister, with copies to the Governor and members of the Central Voting Bureau, Gumbs indicated that the decision was taken as endeavors that he is currently pursuing stand in conflict with his ability to execute his role as a member of the bureau. Gumbs, a member of the Bureau since June 2016, indicated that it was an honor and privilege to work alongside colleagues of such professional and capable esteem and thanked…
Harbour View – On September 9, 2019, Member of Parliament Mr. Franklin Meyers withdrew his support from the UD/SMCP government and subsequently declared himself an independent Member of Parliament. His Excellency the Governor of Sint Maarten, drs. E.B. Holiday, immediately convened meetings with the Prime Minister and Member of Parliament Mr. Franklin Meyers on the same day to discuss the political developments. Governor Holiday also held meetings with Chairlady of Parliament, Mrs. Sarah Wescot-Williams of the UD, NA Fraction Leader Ms Silveria Jacobs, USP Fraction Leader, Mr. Rolando Brison and SMCP fraction leader, Mr. Claude Peterson. On Sunday September 22,…
~ Chamber Reminder to Register for Grow Your Business Workshop with Attorney Jason Rogers ~ PHILIPSBURG – Hoeve & Rogers Attorney Jason J. Rogers, will be the next speaker at the St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce & Industry (COCI) “Grow Your Business” workshop series on September 26. COCI reminds those interested in attending the workshop to register in the next couple of days and pay a registration fee of US$20 as seating is limited. You can register via email: chamberbusiness@chamberofcommerce.sx or call 721-542-3590 for further information. The second workshop will be about the Legal System for Businesses. The workshop will…
