Philipsburg — The Police Traffic Department is asking the general public for assistance in the fatal “hit and run” traffic incident which took place early Saturday morning on Union Road, Cole Bay, in front of ACE Mega Center. This is where the victim identified with initials R.F. was fatally struck by a still unknown vehicle. The driver of this vehicle did not stay on the scene and continued their way in the direction of the French Side and has not yet been located. The vehicle should have quite some damage due to the impact. The victim was pronounced dead on…
Author: The Publisher
By Cdr. Bud Slabbaert “We want more private and business aircraft coming to our airport.” – “You’re right,” I responded. “We’re looking for a mover-and-shaker to do it” – “Good thing,” I replied. “We were thinking of you!” – “Who me?”. That was the essence of being invited to an airport board meeting. While driving home, it went through my mind: how on earth am I going to do this? As their PR associate, I had a good sense of the airport’s strengths and weaknesses. I had often suggested that General Aviation deserved more attention, because it’s more lucrative. Two…
Dear Editor, After hurricane Irma the site with the flagpole was set up. A lot has been said about the flagpole. Mostly about the costs of USD 150.000. Despite all the negative, I find it was good idea. From many areas in Simpson Bay you can see the flag. The spot is perfect and it gives me a proud feeling when I pass it. Uhhhh, that means, if the flag isn’t ripped and strangled around the pole. The flagsite as it is now is a disgrace, instead of being a symbol for our country, every time when approaching the flagpole…
Philipsburg — The Bureau of the Ombudsman continues to receive visits from citizens concerned about their housing conditions, as well as complaints about the Rent Committee allegedly not cooperating or responding adequately when addressed by the public. Considering the importance of the Rent Committee, post-hurricane Irma to settle disputes regarding rental price and evictions, and to ensure that both tenants and landlords are able to address the Court regarding such disputes, the Ombudsman Dr. Nilda Arduin initiates a Systemic Investigation pertaining to the operations of the Rent Committee. After more than four months since the passing of the devastating hurricanes,…
More and more I am hearing investors in Sint Maarten described as being greedy and exploitative. Yesterday a posting on Facebook did this without nuance. Whilst in the early years investors in Sint Maarten were welcomed uncritically in many cases, the pendulum seems to have swung to the other extreme and criticism is generalized and overreaching particularly for investors without family ties to Sint Maarten. The early uncritical reception was inappropriate. The more recent over critical reception with much prejudice is also inappropriate. At this time in history investors are particularly essential for Country Sint Maarten. The Ministry of TEATT…
PHILIPSBURG – – On Monday, January 22nd Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Jorien Wuite and members of her cabinet embarked on a series of introductory meetings with critical stakeholders expected to extend over the next several weeks. The Minister, in her capacity of school board to the public schools, found it critical that her first meeting be with the school managers of the public schools. The meeting was held in the presence of the division head Glenderlin Holiday and acting head Marcellia Henry. In what was a conducive meeting, the Minister took the opportunity to inform the management…
COLE BAY – In a breaking news report this morning, 721news reports that the Traffic Department is busy investigating a hit and run that occurred this morning at approximately 5am on Union Road in Cole Bay whereby an unknown vehicle traveling at high speed knocked down a male pedestrian who was walking on the side of the road. The accident occurred across from ACE Mega Center. Apparently, the car was heading in the direction of the French border when for unknown reasons the driver knocked down the pedestrian. The victim has been identified by a family member as 34-year old…
There is a commonly used word here on St. Maarten that, when used, aptly describes a funny but ironical situation in just one five-letter word: “jokey”. We had a ‘jokey’ situation yesterday that promptly forced both Telem and UTS to issue public statements denying any culpability in this jokey situation. We know of one well-known politician on St. Maarten who, after elections, in order to avoid being engaged in conversations with people on the street, often acts like he is on the phone talking. In this situation the phone is used as a tool to avoid contact. Now it is election time, the phone…
THE HAGUE/PHILIPSBURG — In a letter dated January 25 addressed to the Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, Leona Marlin-Romeo, Dutch State Secretary Raymond Knops turned down the request of the Sint Maarten Government to have the dissolution decree discussed in a Kingdom Council meeting with the intention to have it annulled. On behalf of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Kingdom Relations (BZK), State Secretary Knops writes to PM Marlin-Romeo: “In your letter you express reservations about the legality of the National Decree concerning the dissolution of the States. You therefore request an opinion from the Council of Ministers of…
Unsolicited campaign calls irk phone users Philipsburg — UTS received a string of complaints from customers today regarding unsolicited calls and messages received on their mobile phones. The calls and messages originated from campaigns vying for the upcoming parliamentary elections. The telecom provider was contacted by customers concerned about whether the operator provided their information for the purposes of these campaign solicitations. The mobile operator informed that it had no involvement, as the calls are the result of an automated system employed by the campaigns and no cooperation from mobile providers is needed. These so-called ‘robo-calls’ are made by using…
