GREAT BAY – The endorsement of the list of candidates took place – as per article 23 of the Electoral Ordinance – today, January 8th 2018 as of 9am thru 4pm. Of the six political parties that submitted a list of candidates, only four were required to be endorsed. The National Alliance and the United St. Maarten Party were exempted from this requirement, as they received one or more seats during the previous Parliamentary election. In this regard, reference is made to paragraph 4 of the aforementioned article, the Central Voting Bureau said on Monday. As per paragraph 1 of…
Author: The Publisher
PHILIPSBURG – Endorsement Day at the former Census Office on Soualiga Boulevard was a subdued event on Monday. After all the hustle and bustle that marked Endorsement Day in 2016, the almost deserted area in front of the Census Office suggested mid-morning that many people have lost their interest in politics, politicians and especially in elections. Earlier on the day there was some activity when the United Democrats came to town. Party leader Theo Heyliger and his second in command Sarah Wescot-Williams were among them and the UD-list easily surpassed the threshold of 142 signatures a party needs to qualify…
PHILIPSBURG – The mutual Dutch-St. Maarten agreement about strengthening border control in St. Maarten remains in place for two years, until January 1, 2020. This appears from the text of the agreement that was published last Friday in the National Gazette. The agreement took effect one day later, on Saturday January 6. The Netherlands and St. Maarten have agreed to deploy officers from the Royal Marechaussee and officers from the Dutch Customs Department in an effort to get a grip on the flow of people, goods and money. The Royal Marechaussee is responsible for the control on people coming to…
By Hilbert Haar The mutual agreement between the Netherlands and St. Maarten that regulates the strengthening of border control through the deployment of Dutch officers from the Royal Marechaussee and the Customs Department officially states that St. Maarten’s Minister of Justice remains responsible for the policy and the execution of border control. It sounds good and may give some people the cozy feeling that St. Maarten remains in control of its own affairs. But further down in the agreement we found the composition of a Progress Committee that will monitor the project. That committee is dominated by representatives from the…
The unsure snap election is on. The parties vying for a seat in Parliament will be knocking on your door as of now straight through February 26th. Some of them are already claiming they need more time to make a difference. But I want to warn my people more time is not the issue, more dedication conviction and work might however do the island and its people some good. Entering 10-10-10 we adapted a pay grade we said because Parliament will be a full time (24/7) job. To date it seems that they themselves interpret that to mean when there…
Dear Editor, As the United Democrats made their way through the makeshift tents at the Philipsburg market place on Nomination Day on Friday last, it was a stark reminder of the current Government’s missteps after the passing of Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The missteps discovered were outlined in the ruling of the Court of First Instance last week, in which Government is instructed to remove the kiosks that were placed on the beach, and in particular from in the front of the Pasanggrahan Boutique Hotel. This is again a clear indication that hasty decisions and indecision by the current government…
PORT ST. MAARTEN – SeaDream 1 anchored in Great Bay on Monday morning in an unscheduled port call. SeaDream 1 is owned and operated by SeaDream Yacht Club. SeaDream 1 has been named “Best Small Luxury Cruise Ship of 2015” in ForbesLife. SeaDream I is an intimate boutique ship that provides a unique travelling experience unlike any other cruise vacation. Port St. Maarten Management is pleased to welcome SeaDream 1 to the shores of the ‘Friendly Island,’ and that the guests and crew will have a wonderful stay on the island. Port St. Maarten is also looking forward to future…
“142 SIGNATURES NEEDED TO ENSURE THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS P.P.A. BEING ELECTED TO SERVE IN PARLIAMENT.” “IT’S A SHAME THAT FOUR MONTHS AFTER HURRICANE IRMA, PEOPLE ARE STILL LEFT IN THE DARK REGARDING FINAL STRATEGIC PLANS TO BE SUBMITTED BY GOVERNMENT IN ORDER FOR SINT MAARTEN TO RECEIVE THE MUCH NEEDED RECOVERY FUNDS” Philipsburg JANUARY 7, 2018 Gracita states: “At the start of this new year, Monday, January 8th will be one of the most important steps taken by the people of Sint Maarten in deciding what direction our beautiful island will head into short-mid and long term. Never in…
Philipsburg — On Nomination Day, Friday, January 5th, the leader of the St. Maarten Christian Party (SMCP), Wycliffe Smith, during an interview recorded by StMaartenNews.com, called on the people of St. Maarten to come out on Monday, January 8th, to endorse the SMCP. The Christian party needs 142 signatures in order to participate in the February 26 elections.
Philipsburg — StMaartenNews.com launches its own video news service. Below is the recorded interview with the leaders of the Democratic Party (DP) and the United Peoples Party (UPP) about the coming together as the United Democrats on Nomination Day.
