GREAT BAY — As the reality of the impacts of Irma, Jose and Maria become clearer and the realization of the daunting tasks ahead settle in, it is important for the public to be reminded of the resilience of our people and our beloved country. Undoubtedly, there will be many challenging days ahead, all the more reason to make sure we acknowledge the successes and accomplishments as we move to rebuild our country. The first responders which included the Police Department, the Ambulance Department, the Fire Department, the Department of Community Development, Family & Humanitarian Affairs (CDFHA), the Department of…
Author: The Publisher
PHILIPSBURG — The investigation into the mass looting continues to expand as more suspects are being identified and arrested. Many looted items are being found and confiscated. This investigation will continue to move forward with the assistance of the police forces of Aruba, Curacao, the Netherlands, V.K.C, V.K.S, the Royal Marechaussee and the Customs Department. Vital information regarding looting continue to reach the police department which without any doubt demonstrates that the community of Sint Maarten will not accept this type of criminal act and the will do what is necessary to assist in solving this case. A stern warning…
PHILIPSBURG — Business representatives from a large number of local businesses which have been looted in the aftermath of hurricane Irma are now filing official complaints with the detective department. These official complaints are filed in order the have an official investigation done and have those involved stand responsible for their actions. At least 20 well-known establishments, such as jewelry stores, furniture and electronic stores, air-conditioning and motorcycles stores have filed official complaints. More complaints are expected to be filed other businesses. The investigation into the mass looting continues to expand as more suspects are being identified and arrested. Many…
PHILIPSBURG– In a press release from NV GEBE and the Dutch ministry of Internal Affairs it was stated that as of Sunday, October 1st, at 12.00 noon NV GEBE will be making drinking water available to the public on the eastern side of the island by means of three storage tanks located at McDonalds at the Belvedere roundabout, Fresh Market parking lot and at the entrance Festival Village. This drinking water is purified water and originates from the reversed osmosis (RO) unit at the Festival Village that was brought to Sint Maarten from the Netherlands. The Dutch Ministry supplied the…
GREAT BAY — Zr.Ms. Karel Doorman has arrived in St. Maarten. The joint support ship left a week and a half ago from Den Helder. Today it has docked at the port in Point Blanche with more than one million kilos of goods on board. The logistics support ship left loaded with supplies on the 20th of September from the port of Den Helder in The Netherlands. This is to assist the people of St. Maarten in the recovery process of the heavily damaged island. The ship includes supply equipment and materials such as construction vehicles, transmission masts and building…
The Parliament of Sint Maarten finally convened last Monday, September 25th, to be updated by the Minister of General Affairs, the Honorable William Marlin, on the passing of hurricane Irma. An update, after two and a half weeks, to the highest representative body in the country, is unacceptable! It took the Dutch Parliament less than a week (they met on September 12th) to deal with the hurricane situation in Sint Maarten. Two days after hurricane Irma, Minister Plaster of Interior Affairs and Kingdom Relations had already informed the Dutch Parliament by letter of the situation. In addition, the Dutch government…
Motorworld Group of Companies (MWG), comprised of Motorworld, Dollar/Thrifty Car Rental, Caribbean Auto, and Audi stand resilient as the only automobile dealerships open for business and operational since the recent devastating impacts by hurricane Irma and Tropical Storm Maria. “Though our companies have sustained millions of dollars in extensive damages, we are progressively working to improve our operations, while providing essential services to our customers,” says Tariq Amjad, MWG’s Managing Director. Many of MWG’s dedicated employees have also suffered numerous personal losses. Nonetheless, they continue to rise above the challenges and work diligently daily in order to repair the damages,…
Who do we think we are, to destroy, neglect, damage and abuse nature and most of all don’t expect nature to hit back? Nothing is more powerful than nature, if you have doubts about that, ask anyone who went through the category 5+ hurricane ‘Irma’. By damaging and destroying nature we destroy ourselves, because we are part of nature, something a lot of people seem to forget… Before ‘Irma’, the once abundant mangroves around the lagoon were already competed out by buildings and marinas, a magnificent ecosystem which protected the lower areas the most against flooding and storms. Many trees…
PHILIPSBURG – The opening of school is on track with the Minister of Education, Culture Youth and Sport’s vision and goal. On Friday October 29th, the School boards met with the Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (MECYS), the honorable Silveria Jacobs and the MECYS Recovery Team for the final meeting before the reopening of schools. The school boards updated the recovery team on the status of the schools and the availability of teachers. The recovery team provided vital information on the school hours as well as the bussing of the students to and from school. ‘School board meeting…
GREAT BAY – Minister Jeanine Hennis (Defense) has canceled a visit to St. Maarten because she has been called to the Dutch parliament for a debate about an incident in Mali whereby two Dutch soldiers were killed. Minister Ronald Plasterk (Kingdom Relations) will replace Hennis. Plasterk will be in St. Maarten on Monday and Tuesday to witness the unloading of relief material from the navy vessel Zr. Ms. Karel Doorman. Shortly after Hurricane Irma hit the island, Plasterk was in St. Maarten in the company of King Willem-Alexander. The Dutch parliament wants to question Hennis on Tuesday about the incident…
