POND ISLAND — It was that time of the year again when Calypsonians had the opportunity to launch lyrical attacks on politicians in the manner that suited them. But of the 17 that took to the stage last evening, only 10 have advanced to the finals where they will challenge Alberto Arrindell, aka Fish da Mega Boss for the crown on April 26th. “They better come better than tonight in the finals” said the reigning King who was not required to compete in the eliminations said at the conclusion of the competition. Those making the final cut is the 10…
Author: The Publisher
As a young country with its many political challenges, there is a need to understand the various mechanisms and tools available in a democracy laid down in our Constitution. The past seven and a half years have proven that certain provisions of the Constitution require further interpretation. The good news is that Sint Maarten does not have to reinvent the wheel, as we can learn from the experiences of other countries, and certainly from the countries within the Dutch Kingdom, of which we form part. After research and due deliberation it is up to the elected representatives of the people,…
PHILIPSBURG – In August it will be fifteen years ago that broadcast veteran Francis Carty went on air for the first time with his Good morning Mr. Governor column. It triggered an angry reaction from Lt. Governor Franklin Richards. “He felt personally attacked,” Carty remembers. “He told Glen: I am going to throw your brother off the radio if he continues like this. Glen told him: knowing my brother I would not do that, because it would make matters only worse.” Carty, who turns 71 in June, was not to be defeated. “In my next Good morning Mr. Governor I…
PHILIPSBURG –Finance Minister Mike Ferrier, as the owner of automotive retailer NAPA, has built quite a reputation with his often funny radio commercials. In his most recent commercial, broadcast on Oasis 96.3 FM, Ferrier goes all out against everything that is wrong in St. Maarten – not as the Minister of Finance or the owner of NAPA, but simply on personal title. The commercial runs for 1 minute and 40 seconds and Ferrier maintains a blistering tempo with his statement. It begins with observations about Hurricane Irma. “It kicked us in the gut, slapped us in the face and tried…
PHILIPSBURG – “I do not share your opinion that Member of Parliament Frans Richardson’s letters of credence have been wrongly approved,” President of Parliament MP Sarah Wescot-Williams writes in a letter dated April 12, addressed to stmaartennews.com journalist Hilbert Haar. The letter contains the reasons that underpin this opinion, but a crucial question remains unanswered.
by Wycliffe Smith “It’s already six weeks after the elections and still no government in place!” This is the comment, the cry or even the complaint one hears from people who are anxious to know what is going on. Well, a new government is actually the final result of a parliamentary election. So let us walk through the multiple steps that must be taken before a new Council of Ministers can be sworn in. Immediately after the February 26th election, a step was added, which was skipped after most of the previous elections and that is the phase of the…
Photo caption: The law firm Hoeve & Rogers is pleased to welcome Ms. Azaria R. de Groot (centre) to its team of lawyers. Ms. de Groot was sworn in as an attorney-at-law before the Joint Court of Justice of Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten and of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba on April 6, 2018. She will have a general practice at Hoeve & Rogers with a focus on maritime and corporate law.
PHILIPSBURG — It was a combination of the uses of colors with huge doses of creativity that enabled the Survivors Productions who paraded under the theme ‘Simply Survivors’ to capture the awards for best troupe and best individual piece when the curtains went down on the 2018 Junior Carnival parade yesterday. Ironically, the Survivors were not only the best troupe, they were also the biggest, with a 135 participants divided into two sections. The SXM Zulu Tribe face painting done by Rassheb Illis added the midas touch to the elaborate outfits they wore and the choreography was on point. Janice…
PHILIPSBURG – Al Wathey is going to invest around $1 million in the development of Roxxy Beach, located right next to the Royal Palm in Simpson Bay. The project consists of a restaurant, a bar and a lounge. Project manager Gerald Ravel says that the project will be opening for business next year October of November.
By Hilbert Haar It’s that time of the year again. Carnival. Come and enjoy life. But don’t forget your earplugs. The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) are on to it. Last week the department sent out a press release “urging the population to be aware that loud music can cause hearing damage.” That’s an open door if there ever was one. We all know that loud music is bad for your ears, the way we know that smoking kills and that eating fast food all your life usually leads to lots of health troubles and in some occasions to an early…
