In the midst of GEBE’s disheartening and contentious development, Member of Parliament Omar Ottley has raised significant concerns regarding the government’s recent proposal to allocate Naf.75.6 million from the Capital Expenditure budget for 2024 to purchase generators for the GEBE. During a press release MP Omar Ottley underscored the critical need for transparency and fairness in the use of taxpayer money, especially in light of the ongoing challenges faced by the citizens. “Let us be clear: this money belongs to the people,” MP Omar stated emphatically. “We are already being overcharged for electricity that is suppose to be a basic…
Author: The Publisher
By Richard Gibson Sr. To determine whether a system is democratic, several key components must be present: the existence of free and fair elections, the protection of individual rights and freedoms, the separation of powers, the presence of political pluralism, the rule of law. The rule of law provides a mechanism to check the abuse of power by political leaders and institutions. A democracy without rule of law would be vulnerable to corruption, unchecked authority, and the erosion of civil liberties. Against this back drop a review of the “Fuel Clause” GEBE charges and collects from its customers cannot pass…
GREAT BAY, St. Maarten – Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs clarified here this week that “the issue is not whether the previous Council of Ministers held discussions with some entities about the possible sale of shares in WINAIR.” “The real issue,” said the finance minister, “is that none of those discussions resulted in a concrete offer, and consequently, the potential income from such a sale should not have been booked as revenue in the 2024 Budget.” The Minister said that “Good financial husbandry and proper budgeting practice require that expected revenue sources should be realistic. A possible sale of shares…
~ Unpaid Advice to Government About Winair From Local Aviation and Travel Specialist, Terrance Rey ~ The recent acquisition of Winair’s third ATR42-500 aircraft marks a milestone in the airline’s growth and commitment to service improvement. This strategic move not only demonstrates Winair’s focus on expanding routes and enhancing customer satisfaction but also presents a unique opportunity for local citizens to invest in the nation’s success. Terrance Rey, a local aviation specialist and travel consultant, has been advocating for Winair’s growth to be shared with the people of St. Maarten—arguing that allowing locals to buy shares in Winair could be…
PHILIPSBURG — Recent false statements by the current Minister of Finance, Marinka Gumbs, asserting that no discussions regarding the sale of WINAIR shares took place prior to their public announcement by former Finance Minister Ardwell Irion, have sparked significant controversy. This revelation has stirred debate about the transparency and strategic planning involved in the future of the regional airline. In light of these developments, StMaartenNews.com is aware of documents revealing significant potential investment interest in the sale of shares in WINAIR. The existence of these documents, confirmed by our sources in the financial and aviation sectors, outline the strategic interest…
New Orleans, LA, October 15, 2024 — Pan-American Life Insurance Group (PALIG) has appointed Youil Homsi as CEO Caribbean Region, effective October 1st. Mr. Homsi steps into the role following Ms. Greer Quan’s departure at the end of August. Over her 10 years with the company, most recently as PALIG’s Caribbean Region CEO, Greer played a pivotal role in guiding the regional strategy and shaping PALIG’s portfolio in the Caribbean. She led the business with a results-oriented, customer-focused approach, consistently upholding the highest standards of service. Greer leaves behind a strong platform for future growth. Mr. Homsi joins Pan-American Life…
PHILIPSBURG–In response to MP Roseburg’s call for more transparency and accountability regarding the management of St. Maarten’s Crime Fund, MP Omar E.C. Ottley has expressed his strong support for Roseburg’s push to allocate the fund toward community project initiatives. Ottley pointed out a general concern that the Crime Fund appears only to be used to destroy locals to the detriment of local communities while its true potential remains untapped. Citing the success of Curacao’s crime prevention strategy, where nearly 30 million Netherlands Antillean guilders have been funnelled into 18 distinct projects focused on education, sports, and community engagement, Ottley questioned…
Whereas the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA) supports some important steps made recently by the government of St. Maarten, it has serious concerns about a possible “tourism tax” being discussed. Its concerns especially pertain to unintended effects of such. In an editorial of the Daily Herald of September 10th, 2024, the following was stated: “Caretaker Finance Minister Marinka Gumbs recently confirmed that a so-called ‘tourist tax’ proposed by the former government is still on the table.” It is important to note that the St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA) has consistently communicated to various members of government…
PHILIPSBURG — In yesterday’s budget debate, alarm was raised over the government’s recent approval of a tax holiday for a major developer, while enforcing budget cuts totaling over 30 million guilders, including a 13.1 million guilder reduction in education funding.Confused by this administration’s hypocrisy, given that some coalition members had previously opposed developments and tax breaks for large corporations. Yet, this significant tax relief was granted just before elections, while vital sectors like education, public safety, and utilities face austerity. “What about tax holidays for our start-up-, small business owners, especially in their first two years? At a time when…
Philipsburg, St. Maarten – The Office of Disaster Management (ODM) in Sint Maarten has issued a renewed call for vigilance and preparedness following the devastating impact of Hurricane Milton in Florida. Clive Richardson, St. Maarten’s Fire Chief and National Disaster Coordinator, emphasized the critical importance of early preparation, highlighting the storm’s rapid intensification as a stark reminder of the unpredictability of hurricanes. Hurricane Milton transformed from a Category 1 to a Category 5 storm in just nine hours, one of the most explosive intensifications ever recorded. Experts have attributed this to record-high ocean temperatures, which fueled the hurricane’s rapid growth.…
