PHILIPSBURG — The Dutch parliamentary committee Kingdom Relations postponed handling a draft initiative kingdom law submitted by VVD parliamentarian André Bosman this week until there is an advice from the Council of State. The draft law aims to give Curacao and St. Maarten more leeway in case they opt for independence; it also makes it possible for Statia, Saba and Bonaire to leave the kingdom if they wish to do so. This Bosman-law stipulates that “Aruba, Curacao and St. Maarten are able to declare by national ordinance that they wish to leave the legal order as described in the Kingdom…
Author: The Publisher
PHILIPSBURG—The comments “gay cruise” made in Monday’s sitting of Parliament by Member of Parliament for the National Alliance Christopher Emanuel are according to the Tourism Minister, the Honourable Stuart Johnson irresponsible and have offended one of St. Maarten’s biggest International partners in the hospitality industry, the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association FCCA and members of the LGBTQ community. Johnson said Emanuel’s comments puts St. Maarten at risk as this kind of negative and discriminatory comments are heard around the world and harm an already fragile tourism economy. There are lessons to be learnt from the challenges of other Caribbean tourism destinations…
PHILIPSBURG — It took the four men 40 days, almost 1,000 hours rowing, nearly 1 million calories, 700 litres of water, 52,000 watts of solar power, unimaginable inner strength and a large dose of humor to row the 3,000 miles, unsupported, from the Canaries to the Caribbean island of Antigua. The distinctive green NAGICO branded ocean rowing boat, Ellida, rowed into English Harbour at (insert date and time), to complete the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge in sixth place, taking 40 days, 23 hours and 33 minutes. The sinewy, tanned and bearded men were given an emotional, rousing welcome from their…
Willemstad/Philipsburg – The Centrale Bank van Curaçao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) recently presented the ‘CBCS Best Economic Research Award’ to the winner on Bachelor Level, Ms. Talisha de Vries. Talisha earned the award for her thesis “Assessing Money Laundering Risk (MLR) of Local Financial Institutions with the AHP-Model”. The prize consisted of a unique award and a NAf 5,000 cheque. Talisha graduated from the University of Curaçao Dr. Moises Da Costa Gomez (UoC), where she studied Accounting & Control. Talisha is currently studying for her Master’s degree in Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing. CBCS wishes her much success with…
Photo Caption: Marie De Weever was sworn in as a Mortgage Custodian for the Kadaster on St. Maarten by his Excellency Governor Eugene Holiday on Tuesday morning. She has a wealth of experience about the inner workings of the Kadaster office where she worked for several years. Her addition to the Kadaster office according to Chef Du Cabinet for the Minister of Finance Wilgo Lieveld is to assist in clearing up some of the backlogs that remains at the Kadaster. The ceremony was held at the Governor’s Cabinet in the presence of Interim Director of the Kadaster Robert Boekhold, Lieveld,…
PORT ST. MAARTEN – Port St. Maarten received the ‘PAMAC Award Caribbean for Everyone’ on Tuesday this week during the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Platinum Associate Membership Advisory Council Cruise Summit (PAMAC). On receiving the award, the Cruise Executives reminded the Port St. Maarten Management Team that St. Maarten “is the destination of choice.” A release issued by Port St. Maarten on Wednesday stated, “Once again, we have been recognized for all our hard work. This hard work is not only of the port, but also of all stakeholders throughout the country who have been working very diligently during the…
PHILIPSBURG — The long awaited repairs and mold remediation of the Police Head Quarters in Philipsburg and the Simpson Bay Police station has finally started on Monday January 21st. Both police stations were severely damaged by hurricanes Irma and Maria. Since the passing of these hurricanes the process to get the funds to have these two buildings repaired has been a challenge. Nevertheless the funds have now been allocated and the contracts with contractors have been signed. The first phase of these projects started at the Police Head Quarters in Philipsburg where the roof is being cleaned for repairs, windows…
PHILIPSBURG—Another Emergency Income Skills training program which was initiated by the Ministry of Health Social Affairs and Labor to assist vulnerable groups that were unemployed and under-employed following the passage of the hurricanes of 2017, will again commence on February 8. The training focuses on persons who were unemployed after their places of work were damaged by the hurricane and experienced loss of working hours can also participate in these courses. The idea behind the course is to increase the student skills, making them employable and provide financial support to those who are employed and underemployed. The persons who attend…
PHILIPSBURG — On Thursday 17th January 2019, the Sint Maarten Police Force in cooperation with the St. Maarten Academy P.S.V.E section successfully concluded their Teens and Police Service academy program (TAPS). This eleven week program, which was headed by Community Police Officer Josepha with assistance from various other officers within the department, commenced back in October 2018 with the goal to help bridge the gap between KPSM officers and at risk youths on the island. It provided a better understanding on what it means to be a police officer through scenarios and specific topic areas associated with children and youth…
PHILIPSBURG—The Minister of Education Wycliffe Smith has issued a strong statement with regard to pedophiles who molest children. He said that the gravity of the situation that the pedophiles inflict on the children should be reflected by the consequences that is meted out to them by the laws and the judicial system. He indicated that his ministry will be working with the Ministry of Justice to provide support needed by the Police Department especially the department that deals with crimes against juveniles and youth at the Court of Guardianship. He noted that the Court of Guardianship are responsible for bringing…
