PHILIPSBURG — In a statement issued today, the Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that MP Frans Richardson, identified as suspect F.G.R. (1968), has been released. The statement quickly points out that he remains a suspect in the “Squid” and “Emerald” investigations. F.G.R., was arrested on St. Maarten on Wednesday, February 14th, 2018, by the National Detectives of St. Maarten, as a suspect in 2 investigations. The “Squid” investigation concerns an accusation of “vote buying” during the 2016 Parliamentary Elections and in the “Emerald” investigation F.G.R. is accused of accepting $370,000 in bribes and is accused of tax evasion. In both investigations,…
Author: The Publisher
Dear Editor, I have listened keenly to the discussion about the land awarded by former Minister of VROMI Christopher Emmanuel to a number of local persons on the ring road and the issues surrounding the land in Great Bay where a basketball court was being constructed for the youth in the neighborhood. Finally, Theo Heyliger, Emil Lee and Michael Ferrier have come out to say what the real issues are with these two locations. ‘Prime property’! Both Minister Ferrier and Lee have this week stated publicly that the land that was awarded is ‘Prime property’. Minister Lee went on to…
Dear Editor, Every politician knows that the key to winning elections is to make great promises. This is the season where politicians mount platforms and sell cures to all the ills of the country. In the spirit of the election season Sint Maarten’s longest serving Minister has once again dusted off his promise to construct a much needed hospital. Minister Lee, a top underperformer, is now trying four years later to redress the wounds of his broken promise with the application of the same dirty dressing on his broken promises. But like old wounds dressed over with old bandages, its…
GREAT BAY — Former Prime Minister William Marlin says the move by the government to launch something as important as the National Employment Registration Drive this coming Monday, the day of the snap parliamentary elections, seems untimely, illogical and a distraction. Marlin said the registration drive is important as is the importance of residents exercising their constitutional right to vote in the upcoming snap parliamentary elections and another more appropriate day should have been chosen to launch the event. Many persons would be caught up in the election and in casting their ballot on the same day that this is…
PHILIPSBURG – Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Jorien Wuite invites all teachers, administrative and management staff desirous of exploring the possibility of owning their own home to an information session organized in collaboration with the General Pension Fund (APS) on Thursday, March 1st from 3-4:30pm at the Belair Community Center. APS will make a presentation on their latest housing development project aimed specifically for civil servants. The session, organized by the Minister’s cabinet, is a follow-up to a recent meeting held between the Minister, President of the Windward Island Teachers Union President Claire Elshot-Aventurin and representatives of APS…
Philipsburg – Postal Services St.Maarten (PSS) Management and Moneygram Head of Caribbean, Peter Smith, met on Thursday morning. The outcome of the meeting ended positively as PSS will resume Moneygram services until March 6th, 2018. During this time, the particulars of a new agreement will be further explored for the longevity of the service. PSS Management is finalizing plans for securing a better flow of its operations at the original location by use of office containers. “I am seeking the cooperation of the public at large to maintain good conduct while seeking to render the services of PSS especially Moneygram.…
Dear Editor, I have been following news in which Minister of Education, Honorable Jorien Wuite met with representatives of the APS about their plans to develop affordable housing for civil servants, teacher and employees of government related organizations. “This project is one that I hold very dear to my heart,” MP Connor stated. He recalled when the notarial deed for the commencement of this project was signed with APS on November 19, 2015, when he held the portfolio of Minister of VROMI. A total of 48-60 homes was envisioned to be built on the Vorst property in Cay Hill. A…
POND ISLAND – Acting Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunications (Ministry TEATT) Cornelius de Weever, says he welcomes the news about an agreement that has been signed this week between the Netherlands and Winair that would establish a direct air link between Bonaire and the Windward Islands of Saba, St. Eustatius and Sint Maarten. The first flight under the banner CN-Express is scheduled for February 26. “Air transportation links between the Caribbean Netherlands islands of Saba, St. Eustatius, Bonaire and country Sint Maarten are essential when it comes to economic development (tourists), air transportation for family and friends,…
PHILIPSBURG – No serious prison sentences for the first two defendants in the Emerald tax fraud case, but community service and relatively low conditional jail terms. The Court in First Instance sentenced firefighter Keith Gastia Fleming on Thursday to 120 hours of community service and a conditional prison term of 6 months. A second defendant, police officer Akeem Emile Arrindell was sentenced to 240 hours of community service and a 12-month conditional jail term. In both cases, the court imposed 3 years of probation. The sentences must be a disappointment for the anti corruption task force (TBO) and the public…
PHILIPSBURG – Collin Anthony J. is looking at a 10-year prison sentence for three armed robberies during which he allegedly also robbed his victims of their freedom. The Court in First Instance will pronounce the verdict against the 30-year old defendant on March 15. The defendant attended the trial in Philipsburg on Wednesday morning via a video link from the prison in Zutphen, the Netherlands, where he is detained since three months. While J. ranted and raved during an earlier court hearing on January 24, this time he was composed; at the end of the trial he offered his apologies…
