PHILIPSBURG — With keen interest SHTA has followed the recent political shifts and the debate in the Parliament of St. Maarten. The dismissal of the Marlin Cabinet and the subsequent call for snap elections will most definitely further hinder our recovery; taking precious resources and energy away from critical decision making and action. The additional and prolonged hardships inflicted on the residents (both individuals and businesses) of St. Maarten are significant and could have been prevented. At the time of these events, valuable time had already been wasted and the in-action had already caused untold damage to our Tourism Product…
Author: The Publisher
Dear Editor, In Tuesday’s edition of The Daily Herald, member of the Second Chamber, Mr. Van Raak paid for a full page ad, which he claimed was his effort to promote “Free Press”. Strangely enough as long as I’ve lived here I never heard of attacks on the freedom of the press, but again as with everything else, if the Dutch perceive something that makes it factual. The cartoon or caricature used is nothing short of a pure sick and racist attempt at sick humor to display their contention that might makes right. The drawing shows in clear terms a…
SXM Airport — Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT) Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher “broke ground” on Friday for the construction of the new Fixed Based Operator (FBO) facility at the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA). The project (a private jet terminal) should take about 18 months to complete and will give St. Maarten a world class facility to effectively handle and enhance the private air travel business that is vital to the airport and by extension St. Maarten. Calling the moment a “momentous occasion for St. Maarten and for SXM Airport”, the Minister said “though we are currently not…
“Urgent meeting” with Governor stalls central committee meeting PHILIPSBURG – Shortly after DP-MP Perry Geerlings had presented his motion of disapproval against Prime Minister Marlin, the latter said that he had received a call from Governor drs Eugène Holiday and that he had to leave to attend an “urgent meeting.” Initially the central committee meeting was adjourned for half an hour, but once more than an hour had gone by, the Parliament’s president MP Sarah Wescot-Williams announced that the prime minister would be unable to come back until the evening. She therefore decided to adjourn the meeting until Friday morning…
PHILIPSBURG — Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication (TEATT) Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher on Thursday said Management of the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) is completing the insurance phase of the repairs at the airport and progress is continuing. Arrindell-Doncher said the repairs and reconstruction of the PJIA will focus on hurricane resistance and ensure that the structures withstand Category 5+ storms in the future, as much as that is possible. The minister has requested that management ensure that he best standards are used for the reconstruction process. Information on this progress will be forthcoming. In the meantime, larger temporary…
Philipsburg — The Minister of General Affairs, Prime Minister William Marlin, hereby makes the following known. The Minister of General Affairs is responsible for designating a location where meetings of the Main Voting Bureau are held, this in accordance with article 12 sub 6 of the Voting Ordinance. The meeting to allow political parties to submit their slate of candidates will be held on November 13, 2017 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the New Government Building at Soualiga Road Pond Island. Endorsing of the slates of candidates will take place on Tuesday November 14, 2017 from 9 :00…
Philipsburg — Prime Minister William Marlin said on Thursday afternoon that he had to suddenly leave the meeting of Parliament for an urgent meeting with the Governor, his Excellency drs Eugene Holiday. The meeting had been adjourned for 30 minutes and as the meeting lasted much longer, the Prime Minister informed the Chairlady of Parliament that he could not return to the meeting until late in the evening. Without consulting the Prime Minister, the Chairlady then adjourned the meeting to 10:00 am Friday morning. The Prime Minister then informed her that he could not attend then either but would be…
It is with a deep sense of sorrow and personal loss that I received news of the passing of Mrs. Yvette Hodge Fleming Beauperthuy better known as Ma Fleming, in Miami today. It seems like only yesterday that I had the privilege to spend some memorable time with her on her 100th birthday last year and again when she not too long ago celebrated 101 years. She was a good spirited, loving daughter of the soil who was a trailblazer, especially in the field of business on the island. A devoted mother, she considered all the young people of St.…
Photo caption: UTS recently picked a well-deserved winner for their Summer Travel Voucher campaign held over the summer on the island of St. Eustatius as a promotion. This offer was valid for all St. Eustatius Chippie customers activating a 3-in-1 data bundle during the campaign period. In photo: The winner, Mr. Percy Spanner received his $1000 travel voucher from UTS’ representative on St. Eustatius, Mr. Gerald Berkel. UTS wishes Mr. Spanner safe travels wherever he decides to visit with his winnings.
Oranjestad, Aruba — Aruba National Library and schools are celebrating 25 years of Children Book Week. All primary schools are visited by local writers, illustrators and actors from abroad. Loekie Morales is the representative author for Sint Maarten. The theme is ‘Wanta, sigui Lesa, no spanta!’ and it is SCARYNESS all over the place with zoombies, spookies, witches and strange obstacles and people. Morales is presenting her the latest book, playing the Weird Woman. Ten schools will be visited by Morales who will have a multi-interactive presentation whereby she makes use of all senses (zintuigen) of the children. Morales: “…
