~ 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…
Author: The Publisher
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…
POND ISLAND – On Monday September 9, Sint Maarten’s 12.5 per cent share of United Telecommunications Services (UTS) was acquired by Liberty Latin America Ltd. (LLA). The governments of Curaçao and St. Maarten held stakes in UTS of 87.5 per cent and 12.5 per cent, respectively. In March this year, LLA acquired Curaçao’s 87.5 per cent of UTS and the acquisition of the remaining 12.5 per cent now results in LLA owning 100 per cent of UTS. Minister Geerlings said that the sale of shares means an additional cash flow for government which will be used mainly to pay off…
PHILIPSBURG — The board of the United St. Maarten Party (USP) on Monday asked the population of St. Maarten to be keenly aware of one simple fact: government broke government. The party board responded to what it called “veiled attempts to spin facts” by care-taker Prime Minister Leona Marlin-Romeo to blame her government’s collapse on others to justify forcing a face-saving election on the population of St. Maarten. The USP board stressed that the faction leader of the United Democrats (UD) MP Franklin Meyers broke government two weeks ago when he pulled his support (verbally and in writing) from the…
~ allowing the voters of Sint Maarten the opportunity to decide ~ PHILIPSBURG – On Monday September 23rd, Prime Minister Leona Romeo Marlin and the Council of Ministers held a press conference in which the Prime Minister elucidated on the decision of the Council of Ministers. Prime Minister Romeo Marlin stated, “Good morning to my colleagues, the press, and a hearty good morning to the people of Sint Maarten. In my last press briefing, I indicated that once the Governor was back we would address the political impasse and seek further clarity and once known, I would then inform the…
