Author: The Publisher

PHILIPSBURG – Parliament of Sint Maarten has launched its official Facebook page, titled Parliament of Sint Maarten. The official launch took place on Wednesday, October 4, 2017 in the conference room at the House of Parliament. Members of the Presidium were present for the launch. With this move, Parliament steps into the fascinating and constantly evolving world of social media, with the intention to inform the public more effectively on its day to day operations. This tool will make it easier for the public to have access to updated information from Parliament. The Facebook page contains essentials such as contact…

GREAT BAY — Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Mellissa Arrindell-Doncher on Wednesday announced that Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA/SXM Airport) will open to accept all commercial flights as per October 10, 2017. “We will be back in business,” the Minister said. The symbolism of the date was also important to the Minister, marking seven years since St. Maarten obtained its new constitutional status. The airport, the Minister explained, was given time following hurricane Irma and Maria to get back to a suitable operational level that falls within international safety standards. She re-iterated that the damage to PJIA was severe…

PHILIPSBURG — In the early morning of September 6, 2017, Hurricane Irma made landfall on the island of Sint Maarten. When she left, she took a great deal with her. She took lives, roofs, cars and complete buildings. Next to these material goods, she also took the island’s feeling of safety, predictability and control, leaving the people of St. Maarten with a lot of questions and worries on how to move ahead. Experiencing such a shocking event can severely impact the citizens of Sint Maarten emotionally. In the aftermath of Irma, The Association of Psychologists and Allied Professionals of Sint…

PRESS RELEASE  Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor Department of Labor Affairs and Social Services Topic: Responsibilities of the Employers, Rights of the Employees On Wednesday 6 September, 2017 our island was hit with a devastating hurricane. As a result, many persons lost their lives, homes, businesses and other property. We sympathize with all who lost property and loved ones. However, in the wake of hurricane Irma, we appeal to all employers to practice good business practices and integrity when dealing with your employees. We understand the extenuating circumstances at hand, and therefore, encourage both employers and employees to…

It takes just one rotten apple to spoil the whole barrel. That is the image one gets when one looks at the infamous video clip circulating on social media wherein police officers can be seen beating a suspected looter. The use of excessive violence can not be condoned no matter the good work being done by the police force in quickly capturing looters after the looting and plundering they committed during the passing of hurricane Irma. Let’s call a spade a spade, this was just plain police brutality. No form of proportionality nor subsidiarity can be seen in their efforts…

PHILIPSBURG — Police Chief Carl John and his management team are addressing a video-clip which is circulating on social media regarding the use of excessive force by police officers on Sint Maarten. The police chief and management are stating that they are well aware of this video. An internal investigation into this incident has been launched. All police officers involved and witnesses of this incident are being interviewed and all documents regarding this investigation will be sent to the Public Prosecutor for review.

In times of crisis you get to know not only yourself but also your friends and, if you have any, your enemies. The role of the media during a crisis is ambiguous, though the bottom line remains the same. A free press is there to keep its readers abreast of whatever the authorities are up to. So where should our focus be? On everything that goes wrong? Or on the tireless energy utilities companies, government workers, private companies and individual citizens are putting into making St. Maarten whole again? We’re aware of the Peter Principle: everything that can go wrong…

PORT ST. MAARTEN – The British Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) Mounts Bay L3008, one of three Landing Ship Docks (LSD), arrived on Monday morning at Port St. Maarten to pick up two fire trucks and seven containers of hurricane relief goods. The aforementioned along with fuel was transferred from the HNLMS Karel Doorman A-833 to RFA Mounts Bay. RFA Mounts Bay was docked at Cruise Pier Northwest where the Royal Netherlands Navy’s biggest ship, the HNLMS Karel Doorman A-833, a Joint Support Ship (JSS), brought in disaster relief supplies along with a number of vehicles for the emergency phase of…

PHILIPSBURG – His Excellency the Governor of Sint Maarten, drs. Eugene Holiday, hosted a visit aboard the Navy Ship Zr. Ms. Karel Doorman on the afternoon of Tuesday, October 3. Representatives of French Saint Martin – Prefete  Anne Laubies and 1st Vice President Valerie Damaseau -, the Minister of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations, Mr. R. Plasterk, Prime Minister William Marlin, Minister of Justice Rafael Boasman and the Commander of the Dutch Military in the Caribbean, General Vin, gathered on board before the Commander of the ship, Colonel Schot provided a tour. His Excellency expressed his appreciation on behalf of…

POND ISLAND — The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) has warned that housing people in the Festival Village is a humanitarian and health disaster waiting to happen. The board of the foundation issued its warning following comments made by at least two Ministers (Marlin and Lee) that the village was being considered for housing. The board of the foundation stressed that its concern has nothing to do with Carnival itself, but what it knows to be the realities of the Festival Village. The facility, the board said, is especially hazardous for children and their susceptibility to catch insect bound…