KRALENDIJK – Clyde van Putten calls the new State Secretary of Kingdom Relations Raymond Knops “arrogant” and “a modern Napoleon,” Ronald Muyden reports on Caribisch Netwerk. Van Putten made the statements during a pro-autonomy symposium in Bonaire last weekend. He refused to receive Knops during his recent visit to Statia. Van Putten said that Knops’ statement during a recent visit to neighboring island Saba that he will financially reward it for good governance, is totally out of bounds. ”The story is that Saba will get more autonomy, not based on more responsibilities as established in the United Nations Charter, but…
Author: The Publisher
Philipsburg – The Ministry of VROMI is very disappointed that persons found it fit to dump a huge amount of garbage on the parking lot of the Jose Lake Cooper ballfield which has already been cleaned up fully and disinfected. The ministry has requested all contractors and residents to please make use of the sanitary landfill. The continuous illegal dumping of garbage all over the place doesn’t help the island regain a clean status which is very important for our touristic product and our over social and hygienic well-being.
CRUISE TERMINAL — In an interview with StMaartenNews.com, President of the Dutch St. Maarten Taxi Association (DSTA), Conrad ‘Sisco’ Richardson, had a positive message of hope to pass on to the membership and to the people of St. Maarten after the first call of a cruise ship on the island on Monday, December 4th, since hurricane Irma. “We are getting there.” was his first response to the question how we are looking as the first cruise ship, the Viking Sea, made it first inaugural call bringing the first cruise tourists back on to the island after hurricane Irma passed in…
PHILIPSBURG — Presenting the candidates to the public via the media gives the people the opportunity to become acquainted with their prospective parliamentarian prior to the upcoming elections. In this article the Leader of the Sint Maarten Christian Party (SMCP), Wycliffe Smith, takes pleasure in introducing Richard Patrick, candidate #11 on the SMCP slate. Richard A. Patrick was born in the Dominican Republic on March 3rd, 1980. Six years later, in 1986, he became a Dutch citizen and resident of Sint Maarten where he grew up in the district of Sucker Garden. He is a well-rounded person who lives his…
PHILIPSBURG –Today December 5th is International Leo Day. Leo Clubs all over the world celebrate this day with special community projects. The Leo Club program, an integral part of the Lions Family, Leos also have their own global network of over 6.000 Leo Clubs in more than 140 nations. Leo Clubs provide young people with an opportunity for development and contribution, individually and collectively, as responsible members of the local, national and international community. In 1957, the Glenside Lions Club from the U.S. state of Pennsylvania sponsored the first Leo Club “The Abington High School Leo Club” with 35 students.…
POINT BLANCHE — Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher was present at Port St. Maarten on Monday morning to welcome the Viking Sea cruise ship to St. Maarten as well as the first passenger off the ship. The ship is the first to call on St. Maarten since the passing of hurricane Irma. The Minister was joined by board members of the Supervisory Board of the harbor and harbor management. The first guests off of the ship was welcomed with steelpan music, stilt walkers and cultural dancers. The Minister also went aboard for the customary plaque ceremony with…
SIMPSON BAY — On Saturday the 2nd of December the Sint Maarten Nature Foundation gave an update to Their Majesties King Willem Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands on the environmental impacts and the organization’s activities post Hurricanes Irma and Maria. The Royal Couple, accompanied by State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Mr. Henk Knopps, were in Sint Maarten to get an idea how the island is recovering after suffering catastrophic damage during the 2017 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The Royals were also interested in the impacts on nature and the measures the Nature Foundation has been taking to address challenges…
PHILIPSBURG – The luxury cruise liner Viking Sea docked at the port in Philipsburg on Monday morning at 7 a.m. – the first cruise vessel to arrive at St. Maarten after Hurricane Irma destroyed the island on September 6. There was no fanfare on the cruise pier to receive Viking Sea; no steel pan band, there were no government or tourist bureau representatives in sight. From the top of the hill in Pointe Blanche that overlooks the port, a female security guard expressed her happiness with the arrival of the Viking Sea. It almost felt like a new beginning for…
PORT ST. MAARTEN – Viking Cruises cruise ship Viking Sea made its inaugural visit on Monday which was also the first commercial cruise ship to call at Port St. Maarten post-Irma. A delegation boarded the vessel for the welcome and plaque exchange ceremony mid-Monday morning. Minister of Tourism Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher presented a plaque of the Courthouse to Captain Mikael Hilden. Captain Hilden said it was great to be back in Sint Maarten and he was sure that his guests will enjoy the island. Minister Arrindell-Doncher welcomed the Captain and his guests to the island and wished them an enjoyable stay.…
Philipsburg – Today, December 3rd, the Government of St. Maarten in collaboration with the St. Maarten United Ministerial Foundation (SMUMF), Christian Council (CC) successfully hosted and celebrated the annual Thanksgiving Service and Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony heralding the end of the Hurricane Season 2017. His Excellency Governor E.B. Holiday and Mrs. Holiday, Chairlady of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams, Honorable Prime Minister Rafael Boasman, 1st Vice President of the Collectivite Mdme. Valerie Damaseau, Minister Silveria Jacobs, Deputy Governor Mr. and Mrs. Reynold Groeneveldt, along with several other Members of Parliament and the High Councils of State were among the dignitaries present. Under…
