GREAT BAY – The new Dutch government will not have a Minister for Kingdom Relations. Instead, the portfolio has been downgraded to the level of a State Secretary. The successor of Minister Ronald Plasterk (Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations) in the new cabinet is Karin Hildur (Kajsa) Ollongren but her portfolio covers Home Affairs and Housing. Her state secretary at the ministry of Home Affairs in charge of Kingdom Relations is Raymond Knops – and that is the man St. Maarten will have to deal with. Knops turns 46 on November 10. He is a former soldier and currently a…
Author: The Publisher
PHILIPSBURG — Winair’s CEO, Michael Cleaver, in an interview with TODAY News Online used the opportunity to highly commend the staff of Winair. “I am really proud of the employees. They have come through like champions.” Cleaver said. “The same goes for the workgroup working on our rebuilding efforts and for the many people, who to our surprise, even people you would not expect it from, came out and helped us tremendously. They are all champions in my book and people know I don’t say that easily.” Cleaver told Today News Online that the old office building has been gutted…
PHILIPSBURG — As a way to commemorate their 28th Anniversary, Office World donated 1000 composition books and other school supplies to the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, Silveria Jacobs. The books are welcomed at an ideal time, especially after the passing of Hurricane Irma whereby many children may have lost their books and/or school supplies. Minister Jacobs expressed her congratulations and gratitude to the management and staff of Office World for serving the community and businesses with supplies for the last 28 years. “Every little bit counts and we are very happy for the donation of school supplies…
PHILIPSBURG – It is with deep concern and mounting frustration that the St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA) is witnessing our Government’s ongoing reluctance to engage in a cooperative dialogue with Holland with regards to securing much needed recovery funds for the country. Our unconcerned Parliament seems to sit by and let Government get away with unnecessary political games to the detriment of the recovery of the nation. This while people are without roofs, without secure income and without a strong economy to look forward to. The conditions put on the table by the Dutch, the installation of an…
PORT ST. MAARTEN – Port St. Maarten Management welcomes the news that the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), has committed to a multifaceted million-dollar campaign to display that the majority of Caribbean destinations are operating normally, unhindered by Hurricanes Irma and Maria, and are ready to welcome visitors. “The FCCA and our Member Lines have been working tirelessly toward hurricane relief efforts, and this initiative is also a vital tool to assisting the Caribbean by stimulating the economy,” said Michele Paige, President, FCCA in a statement. “Many Caribbean destinations fortunately missed any impact from the hurricanes, and most affected destinations worked…
COLE BAY — The Nature Foundation conducted an underwater check of Kim Sha/Pelican Beach for sharp, harmful objects up to two meters in depth. Numerous zinc and other hurricane debris has been removed, taken out of the water and disposed of. The beach was already extensively cleaned up by Buccaneer Beach Bar and their crew and is now ready to receive their customers. The visibility of the area is still not optimal, therefore caution when entering the water is advised and protective footwear is recommended. Hurricane debris can still wash up ashore and could cause potential injury.
PHILIPSBURG — On Tuesday October 24th,2017, from 9 am to 5pm, the Philipsburg Jubilee Library will reopen to the general public after two challenging months. The library remained closed through the month of September and partially through October to allow the staff the time to complete necessary clean up and repairs. The management and staff are happy to once again provide their services. Opening hours will be Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5pm, Thursdays from 2-5pm, and Saturdays from 10 am to 1pm. Unfortunately, the inner library will not be accessible to the public. Thus we have created…
The Caribbean is being stuck with economies that are over-proportionally depending on revenue from tourism and related activities. No, this is not just about hurricanes. If it wasn’t the weather, then it was the Zika virus or a recession. It is an economy that was directed in an unsafe direction. by Cdr. Bud Slabbaert What was in the past is history and what evolved over the years shall not be judged. There is no time for blame games and this is not around politics or politicians from the past until today. It is not about one particular territory but rather…
Philipsburg — UTS will open its doors on Saturdays to cater to the steady flow of visitors since reopening after hurricane Irma. The UTS store in Philipsburg will be open on Saturday October 21st, 28th and November 4th from 10AM to 2PM. The expanded opening hours are to allow customers who are not able to come in during the week to handle their business. “This is a time for us to connect with our customers and if needed, we’ll adjust to better meet their needs.” says UTS Marketing & Communication officer, Ivy Lambert. “We know that during the week might…
GREAT BAY — Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher on Thursday announced that jetBlue will resume service to the island twice-weekly on its New York route as of November 1, 2017. As of November 1, jetBlue flights will service the JFK-SXM route on Mondays and Thursdays. The airline will resume its regular daily service out of New York as of January 2018. The Minister along with Head of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau Rolando Brison and her Chief of Cabinet Cecil Nicholas met with jetBlue on Thursday in New York. The airline’s representatives used the opportunity to re-assure…
