Philipsburg — On Friday afternoon, October 13, 2017 the Ombudsman, Dr. Nilda Arduin, met with approximately 40 vendors, many of whom filed a complaint against the decision of the Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transportation and Telecommunication (TEATT), Mrs. Melissa Arrindell- Doncher, to demolish the kiosks in Philipsburg. Considering the urgency of the matter, the Ombudsman promptly requested the Minster to answer a number of questions relevant to the issue by Monday, October 16, 2017. The most irresponsible action, is inaction at Philipsburg Market In a press statement issued by the Minister’s cabinet, the Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs…
Author: The Publisher
HAARLEM – A group of fifteen homeless citizens from St. Maarten has hired attorney Leandro Thomas. He has to make sure that they are able to register in a Dutch municipality, Natasja Gibbs reports on Caribisch Netwerk. The group of fifteen became homeless due to Hurricane Irma and they came on an evacuation flight to the Netherlands. There are five children in this group. Dutch municipalities, like for instance Haarlem, refuse to register them. “If there is an emergency situation they can be assisted with emergency shelter; but really only with emergency shelter,” the Ministry of Home Affairs and Kingdom…
THE HAGUE – Members of the Dutch parliament are astonished about threats made by Island Council member Clyde van Putten towards Dutch military personnel on Statia, John Samson reports on Caribisch Netwerk. Van Putten said that they would “murder the soldiers and burn them in the streets of Statia.” “I said this to Minister Ronald Plasterk with my finger directly at his nose,” Van Putten said during a conference about autonomy and independence hosted by attorney Eldon Sulvaran’s pressure group KFO. Several islanders expressed their displeasure about the way the Netherlands deals with the islands. But according to members of…
By Hilbert Haar Minister Plasterk said it during his last visit to St. Maarten: the Netherlands is not just going to open a bank account and let the island help itself. That makes sense. Funds that are available from the European Development Fund (EDF) are not forked over to the government either; a project needs to be tendered and executed and then the EDF pays the bills. Not a penny flows through the government’s financial system. It comes therefore as no surprise that the Netherlands wants to appoint a High Commissioner to oversee the rebuilding efforts. For this position, the…
PHILIPSBURG — The Executive Agency Social and Health Insurance (SZV) of Sint Maarten hereby makes the following known to all SZV insured persons currently staying on Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. The SZV card does not entitle you to free medical treatment outside Sint Maarten unless you have been referred abroad for specific medical treatment by SZV. Due to the state of emergency after Hurricane Irma, a temporary provision was established for those insured persons that needed doctor consult or medication while staying on Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao. Now that the state of emergency has been lifted and airlift with Sint…
Philipsburg — As of Wednesday, October 11th, the Police Force of St. Maarten (KPSM) with the assistance of the Police force of the Netherlands, Aruba, Curacao, the Royal Marechaussee, the VKC and VKS intensified the general controls at different locations on the island. Police controls took place at the roundabout at the former Eddy’s Auto Supplies store and the Churchill roundabout, where a total of 40 private vehicles were checked with illegal tinted windows which were removed. A total of seven scooters were brought in because the riders did not have valid documents for them including one stolen car which…
Philipsburg — After the passing of hurricane Irma all day care centers suffered damage, some more extensive than the other ones and were left without power and potable water. In accordance with the law, day care centers must be able to operate in a safe and healthy manner. Power, being form the grid or through a generator, drinking water, proper ventilation and suitable and safe playground are some of the requirements. An inspection team consisting of inspectors from the Ministry VSA, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of VROMI have conducted inspections on health, safety, infrastructural and educational aspects.…
PORT ST. MAARTEN – Port St. Maarten has sent a message to members of the Caribbean Shipping Association’s (CSA) 47th CSA Annual General Meeting (AGM), Conference & Exhibition, hosted by Barbados Port Inc. and the Shipping Association of Barbados. Port St. Maarten Management provided a post-Irma/Maria update report that was read out at the 47th CSA AGM to shipping executives, shipping personnel such as agents, customs and maritime authorities, port and terminal operators and shipping agents from more than 20 countries from across the Caribbean, North, Central and South America and Europe. Part of the report reads: “Prior to the…
National Institute of Arts – NIA students Jeremiah David, Kiara Vanterpool, Ray Angel Simon to perform at Dance Curaçao Dance Festival and Workshop. Dance Curaçao is a dance event organized especially for talented dancers from the Dutch Caribbean. This event creates a platform for talented dancers by bringing international influences, teachers and skills closer to home. The aim is to provide a basic expertise for the dance sector on Curaçao and the other islands of the Dutch Caribbean. This unique event contributes to the development, deepening and broadening of our local talents and skills, with the goal to stimulate and…
Philipsburg — ENNIA recently paid out the first insurance claims in connection with hurricane Irma through its St. Maarten branch. The insurance company’s chief executive officer, Ralph Palm, confirmed that ENNIA strives to resolve all claims as soon as possible. ENNIA is also willing to advance a portion of the loss payment to eligible clients in order to speed up recovery from the catastrophe. According to Palm, a rapid recovery is primarily in the interest of the client, but will also benefit the country as a whole. Currently, a high number of insurance claims have already been filed. “We expect…
