A few years ago when I was a student at the University of St. Martin (USM) I was fortunate enough to do two political science classes. One with Khalilah Peters and another with Arjen Alberts. Both classes were very insightful: Khalilah’s class was an introduction to political science and Arjen’s class focused on politics in the Caribbean and examined governance in various non-independent and independent Caribbean countries. These classes allowed me to see the big picture and develop an informed opinion on Independence. This opinion is that neither side of the island is ready or will ever be ready for…
Author: The Publisher
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POND ISLAND – Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs Mellissa Arrindell Doncher will lead a delegation from St. Maarten to the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Cruise Conference and Trade Show. The event will be held in Merida, Mexico from October 23 to 27 and is the largest cruise conference and trade show in the Caribbean and Latin America. In the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the Minister views the FCCA conference as “beyond crucial” in being able to re-assure St. Maarten’s partners in the cruise industry that the destination will be ready to provide a terrific experience for cruise…
THE HAGUE — Four parties in The Netherlands finally reached an agreement today and presented their governing accord for the next cabinet period under Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s leadership. The four leaders of VVD, CDA, D66 and the ChristenUnie (CU) addressed the press about what this agreement meant for each of their parties. The governing accord is considered a highly detailed and extremely ambitious plan packed with measures that will cost enormous amounts ranging from millions to billions of euros. The extensive document consisting of 55 pages was handed over to the Chairlady of the Second Chamber, Khadija Arib, by…
The Tzu Chi Foundation continues to touch many lives with their community outreach programmes, offering free breakfasts to the schools and donating waterfilters to the MLK primary school, as you can read elsewhere on this news site. Nothing starts the day off effectively like a hearty breakfast and especially for young children, a solid breakfast is the cornerstone to good growth, both physically and mentally. You cannot learn on an empty stomach and too many children are going to school hungry. It is time our society as a whole understands that problem and start following the example of the Tzu…
Simpson Bay — On the 6th of September powerful category five storm Hurricane Irma struck Sint Maarten with 185 MPH winds, causing widespread damage to the island and its infrastructure. The storm also caused significant damage to the island’s nature and environment. Beaches were also significantly damaged and water quality was strongly diminished, therefore the Sint Maarten Nature Foundation conducted initial beach assessments to determine the level of impact. Beach assessments were carried out from the 3rd to the 8th of October 2017 and will continue for some time. St Maarten beaches were mainly patrolled for damage assessments and possible…
PHILIPSBURG — On Friday, October 6th, the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, held a meeting with the school managers of the public schools. The meeting was held to give clarity to the concerns of the school managers and their management, teachers and staff members. Minister Jacobs expressed her sincerest apologies for the misunderstanding to the school managers, teachers, and staff due to lack of proper communication for several reasons. On September 30th, the Head of Division Public Education met and informed school managers of the new start time. It was decided that the group 7 & 8 students…
Philipsburg — The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Primary School (MLK) received an innovative portable water filter container dubbed AquaBox from Sandra Cheung of the Tzu Chi Foundation. “Contributions for our school and especially those benefiting our students does not go unnoticed. I deeply appreciate these initiatives as it will take the entire community to rebuild education in all facets,” remarked Stuart Johnson, School Manager of MLK. The simple boxes filter deadly bacterias like cholera and typhoid out of contaminated water making it safe to drink. Johnson thanked the foundation for their contribution and looks forward to a healthy working…
Philipsburg — Tzu Chi Foundation St. Maarten has broadened its humanitarian efforts and has adopted six schools for a breakfast programme to provide students with fresh breakfast each morning. Tzu Chi donates supplies to 1,560 students The foundation has also donated much-needed packages with school supplies to 1,560 students. A total of 2,825 students benefitted from the breakfast programme and the school supplies package donation thus far, which involved the efforts of 54 volunteers, who assisted in the process. The breakfast programme began when school reopened on Monday, October 2, and will continue for one month. It is being done…
Hurricane Irma has exposed the truth about our parliamentary system. Our parliamentarians, for whom we voted directly, have no say. It has been more than a month, since the passing of the most devastating hurricane ever to hit Sint Maarten, and Parliament has not yet been fully briefed on the post-hurricane disaster management situation and on the recovery plans ensuing Irma. It is sad, when the highest legislative and supervisory body in the country is still unable to get clarity on what transpired in the wake of Irma. Likewise, it is unacceptable that this body has not yet been apprised…
Cul de Sac, St. Maarten (October 9, 2017) — The Government of Guyana will conduct evacuation exercises from St. Martin to Guyana on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 and Wednesday, October 11, 2017, announced that country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday. All persons who had previously registered with Mrs. Lucas-Felix (721-527-0704) will be given first preference. Please note the below flight details: Tuesday, 10 October, 2017 Jags Aviation Sky Truck Estimated Time of Departure from St. Maarten – 11.00h on Tuesday, 10 October 2017 Estimated Time of Arrival in Guyana – 17.00h on Tuesday, 10 October 2017 This aircraft can accommodate…
