Philipsburg – Now that all members of the Central Voting Bureau have resigned, the interim elections are in jeopardy and it is at this moment uncertain when they will be able to take place in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations. Under the current legislation it seems a mission impossible, because stipulations in the Constitution –that the new parliament has to take office within three months after the decree to dissolve parliament has been published in the National Gazette – conflict with other requirements from the electoral law and the national ordinance registration and finances political parties. Central Voting…
Author: The Publisher
PHILIPSBURG — The Police Force of St. Maarten (KPSM) in collaboration with the Public Prosecutor’s Office came together on Monday 30th September 2019, to form a Task force aimed at bringing stakeholders together to collectively reduce the number of schools fights among our St. Maarten youth. It seemed imperative that we remind the community of a previously released plea for peace among our youth. The task force consists of individuals of the Police Management Team, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, community police officers and the Juvenile department. Some objectives of the taskforce will be: First and foremost to inform and educate…
PHILIPSBURG – As a result of the decision on October 1st, of all the members of the Central Voting Bureau to make their positions available, the Council of Ministers took the decision to postpone Postulation Day that was scheduled for October 2nd 2019. It is important to note that the decision on the dismissal of Parliament by the Council of Ministers will remain in place while the dates for Postulation Day, Election Day and the new sitting of Parliament will be amended allowing for the proper execution of the election. Additionally, this decision gives the opportunity to all political parties…
Part 3 in a multi-part series about US Pre-Clearance for St. Maarten and the SXM Airport. Read the nuts and bolts of pre-clearance and what it will take to make things happen in this third installment. A review.
PHILIPSBURG – There has been nothing but silence from outgoing Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs Stuart Johnson about the standing of the Princess Juliana International Airport with the American Federal Aviation Authority (FAA), but a few days ago, during the general assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a specialized organization of the United Nations, the Netherlands obtained a seat on the ICAO-council for the next three years, thus giving the Kingdom direct influence on aviation matters. Infrastructure Minister Van Nieuwenhuizen attended the 40th ICAO Assembly in Montreal last week to make the case for the Dutch candidacy…
Is there a cure for the seemingly never-ending battle between an obstinate parliament – that sends the government home – and an evenly stubborn Council of Ministers that reacts by invoking Article 59 of the Constitution and thereby dissolving the parliament and calling for new elections? The topic certainly has the attention of at least some citizens. Antonio Aventurin for instance, opened this can of worms on his Facebook-page by suggesting two changes to Article 59. Currently, this article says: 1. The parliament can be dissolved by national decree. 2. The decision to dissolve includes the obligation for a new…
PHILIPSBURG — Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication the Honorable Stuart Johnson wrapped up his Europe work visit by attending the Monaco Yacht Show 2019 last week. This year’s event has been hailed by the organizers and attendees alike as the largest mega-yacht show and has fittingly received significant attention from Marine Industry service providers around the globe. Johnson was the invited as the “Chief Guest” for the event, and participated in a roundtable discussion at the ACREW IMM Crew Lounge with several Mega Yacht Captains, other stakeholders in the Yachting Industry, Port de Plaisance St. Maarten’s Yacht…
PHILIPSBURG – The St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce Board is requesting urgent action by the House of Parliament and the Caretaker Government with respect to pending Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Legislation and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (CFT) Regulations which are currently pending handling in Parliament. The board in an urgent meeting on Sunday crafted a letter to the President of Parliament Hon. William Marlin with respect to the aforementioned. In August the Chamber of Commerce & Industry met with the Minister of Justice regarding the draft AML and CFT legislation. On two separate occasions, the Chamber was invited to the…
Harbour View – On September 30, 2019, the Governor of Sint Maarten, His Excellency drs. E.B. Holiday, requested the fraction leader of the National Alliance, Ms. Silveria Jacobs, to form an interim government as formateur. The Governor held consultations between September 24 and 30, 2019 with the leaders of the political parties that hold seats in Parliament, (the National Alliance, the United St. Maarten Party, the St. Maarten Christian Party and the United Democrats), with the independent Members of Parliament C. Brownbill en L. Mercelina as well as with the vice chairperson of the Council of Advice. These consultations were a…
PORT ST. MAARTEN, Monday, September 30, 2019 – Port St. Maarten is expected to see a shift in the cruise market by receiving overall 10.6 per cent less cruise calls for the period November 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020 when compared with figures for the same period in 2018-2019. For the same period, Port St. Maarten anticipates 416 cruise calls (November 1, 2019 to April 30, 2020) with approximately 1,049,419 cruise passengers compared to 466 cruise calls (November 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019) and 1,239,707 cruise passengers. Port St. Maarten will be embarking on new investment plans within the…
