PHILIPSBURG — According to press release issued the night of Sunday, September 15, hours after giving a presentation on the Philipsburg Dumpsite, Minister of VROMI Christopher Wever foiled what appears to be an attempt by unknown person(s) to start a new dump fire. The press release stated that many persons in the Philipsburg area including Minister Wever who was driving along the Walter Nisbeth Road in Philipsburg around 6:30 pm on Saturday spotted the flare in the sky before it landed at the Dumpsite. Wever, who is the Minister of Public Housing, Physical Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI) and responsible…
Author: The Publisher
Philipsburg – Now the issue that is polarizing the community of St. Maarten is the planned US preclearance presence at the PJIA. Not the Dutch aid, or the pace of the Trust Fund Program, not the reconstruction of the airport, but US preclearance! I am of the opinion that a US preclearance presence at our airport could be beneficial for the island. In fact, in all Government programs of recent times, US preclearance is mentioned, including the one that governs the current Government. I also can attest that since I was a member of the Executive Branch of Government, negotiations…
CAY HILL – The National Institute for Professional Advancement (NIPA) is continuing to strengthen its forward trajectory into the world of professional training and advancement. Following the recent extension deal with MIC-IT, the Advanced Vocational Education (AVE) Supervisory Board of Directors for NIPA wasted little time and dove right into strategic planning with NIPA Management and Support Teams. On Monday, September 9, planning sessions were held in the Conference Hall at Divi Resort. Chairlady of the AVE Supervisory Board of Directors, Drs. Peggy Ann Dros, accompanied by Vice-Chair Mrs. Annuska Friday-Illis, Treasurer Aisha James and other members of the board were…
PHILIPSBURG — In a press release issued by the United St. Maarten Party (USP) on Thursday, the board is asking that the now minority supported Leona Romeo-Marlin led-government cease and desist with any decisions in government. The board of the United St. Maarten Party (USP) also called on Governor Eugene Holiday to break his silence and tell the people of St. Maarten if Prime Minister Leona Romeo-Marlin has submitted her cabinet’s resignation now that she has minority support in Parliament. The USP board said that since MP Franklin Meyers pulled his support from the UD/SMCP coalition, thereby throwing down government,…
PHILIPSBURG — On Monday September 2, 2019, a member of parliament of Sint Maarten was detained by agents of the Anti-Corruption Taskforce (TBO). He is suspected of accepting bribes, (co)committing official coercion and abusing his position. In connection with the same investigation, a member of the board of a government company was arrested earlier this week on Monday, September 9, 2019. He is – among others – suspected of the same criminal offenses but also of making decisions which are to the disadvantage of this public company. The criminal investigation which has been named ‘Aquamarine’, focuses, among other things, on…
PHILIPSBURG — MP Franklin Meyers has declared himself an independent member of Parliament. A copy of his signed letter to the president of Parliament has not reached our news desk as yet. However, sources close to him have confirmed this to StMaartenNews.com. He will continue his discussions with the coalition as to how they can work together. As it stands right now, we understand the discussions centers around the position of Minister of TEATT, Stuart Johnson, within government. Another minister whose head may also be on the chopping block is Minister of VROMI, Chris Wever. These two ministers (see photo…
Port of Spain, Trinidad – Republic Financial Holdings Limited (RFHL) is now one step closer to expanding its reach within the Caribbean region. The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) has approved the application for the transfer of the assets and liabilities of the Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS) to RFHL in Anguilla, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines, pursuant to Section 43 of the Banking Act of 2015 that governs the various territories. The ECCB made the announcement in a September 6, 2019, news release after its Monetary Council…
PHILIPSBURG – During the Council of Ministers press briefing on Wednesday September 11th, Prime Minister Leona Romeo Marlin took the opportunity to clarify the position of the Council of Ministers on the financing of the Airport Reconstruction project. Prime Minister Romeo Marlin in her opening remarks said, “Over the past few days, there has been quite some speculation through the media about new financing options for the reconstruction of our airport. As Prime Minister and chair of the Council of Ministers, I regret that this speculation has been fed by press releases from within the Government itself. Whatever the underlying…
PHILIPSBURG – The government of St. Maarten remains in limbo day two after United Democrats faction leader Franklin Meyers withdrew his support for the governing coalition of UD and SMCP. Meyers made his announcement in a brief speech during the closing of the parliamentary year on Monday morning. Meyers’ decision means that the coalition has no longer a majority in parliament. The opposition is currently however unable to claim a majority either because United St. Maarten party (US) leader Frans Richardson is detained on suspicion of bribery and abuse of power. Meyers’ decision is, according to his address to parliament,…
THE GOVERNOR’S ADDRESS 2019 DELIVERED ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF THE PARLIAMENTARY YEAR 2019-2020 BY THE GOVERNOR OF SINT MAARTEN HIS EXCELLENCY DRS. EUGENE B. HOLIDAY Madame Chairlady, Members of Parliament, Today September 10, 2019, we are gathered in this chamber for the opening of Sint Maarten’s tenth parliamentary year 2019-2020. To mark the opening of our tenth parliamentary year I have the privilege of addressing you as prescribed by our Constitution. Today I do so amid trying and challenging times. As we gather here today, we think of the victims and devastation caused by hurricane Dorian in…
