Editorial These two photographs above tell a story that every St. Maartener should reflect on. In May 2023, I photographed the statue of the late Dr. Claude Wathey standing in front of what was once the Government Administration Building in the heart of Philipsburg. The irony was impossible to ignore. Behind the man who helped transform St. Maarten into the tourism and economic success story we know today stood an abandoned government building, left to decay for years. In front of it stood a statue erected in his honor, itself weathered, neglected and visibly in need of restoration. Eventually, the…
Author: The Publisher
By Terrance Rey As St. Maarten commemorates the centennial of Dr. Albert Claudius “Claude” Wathey, the island finds itself revisiting one of the most consequential chapters in its history. The speeches have praised his vision. His family has recalled his determination, practical leadership, and impatience with bureaucracy. Government is even considering giving permanent national recognition to his legacy through an annual national observance. Yet perhaps the most provocative perspective on this centennial did not come from a politician or historian. It came from retired jurist and longtime constitutional activist Denicio Brison during a private WhatsApp exchange. His argument is as…
Today July 23, 2026 a coordination meeting was held at the KPSM Headquarters, bringing together representatives of the Ministry of VROMI, contractors responsible for the construction of the new Point Blanche Prison, and KPSM representative. The meeting focused on developing and coordinating road safety measures to be implemented throughout the various phases of the prison construction project. Discussions centered on the safe transportation of construction equipment and trucks, with the objective of minimizing disruptions and ensuring the safety of residents, motorists, pedestrians, and other road users in the Point Blanche area. Participants also discussed strategies to reduce the project’s impact…
By Hilbert Haar Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten – responsible for tourism and economic affairs – has called an emergency meeting of the justice department, the police and the public prosecutor’s office. The objective? The minister wants to get a complete picture and to make a concrete plan for the protection of citizens, companies and the economy. In itself, this is a commendable initiative. The call for this meeting comes after what has been described in a report on koninkrijksrelaties.nl as “a strong increase in criminality.” Said report mentions that criminals are becoming more violent, so tackling this issue does not seem…
By Terrance Rey I just came across the welcome announcement that Government is moving forward with the establishment of a Sint Maarten Investment Promotion Agency. It is encouraging to see concrete action finally being taken to improve our country’s investment climate and strengthen our economic future. Credit where credit is due. Only a month ago, I wrote the column “Curaçao Is Showing Us the Way. Will Sint Maarten Follow?” in which I argued that our country needed to modernize its approach to attracting investment and creating a more business friendly environment. After sharing that article with Minister of Tourism, Economic…
There is perhaps no greater paradox in Sint Maarten than this: if the Sint Maarten Anti Poverty Platform (SMAPP) is even remotely correct in its analysis, then the majority of our electorate is struggling to make ends meet. Yet poverty has never become the defining issue of a general election. How is that possible? How can thousands of households reportedly be unable to meet their basic needs, while election campaigns continue to revolve around personalities, political alliances, jobs, road repairs, permit disputes and promises of “change” that rarely address the most fundamental question of all: Can people actually afford to…
PHILIPSBURG — The Sint Maarten Anti Poverty Platform (SMAPP) is seeking to fundamentally change the way Government and Parliament approach the country’s annual budget, arguing that balancing the government’s finances is not enough if thousands of households remain unable to meet their basic needs. In an open letter addressed to Government and Parliament, supported by a detailed policy presentation and accompanying briefing speech, SMAPP coordinators Drs. Raymond Jessurun and Claire Elshot Aventurin call for the 2026 Country Budget to be amended so that poverty reduction becomes a measurable national objective rather than simply a stated policy intention. According to the…
CAY HILL: As part of its transition to the new St. Maarten General Hospital (SMGH), St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) has announced the launch of its new website, www.SMGH.sx. The new website, built by Dutch Caribbean web developer Let’s Build That Site, offers a user-friendly digital experience designed with the hospital’s patients and visitors in mind. In addition to basic features such as news, job vacancies, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section and information about the hospital, the site also features digital forms for compliments, complaints and job application submission. Additionally, patient information brochures on various health-related topics are also…
CAY HILL: St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) is pleased to announce that the first two manuscripts from the RISE and CARE-SAFE Studies, in-depth investigations into the epidemiology of respiratory infections in children on St. Maarten (RISE) and all six islands of the Dutch Caribbean Kingdom (CARE-SAFE), have been accepted for publication and are now available online. The RISE Study is a joint research collaboration between SMMC and Radboud UMC in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, designed to strengthen pediatric respiratory care on St. Maarten. CARE-SAFE is also a collaboration of a team spanning institutions across all six Dutch Caribbean islands, including St.…
Congratulations are in order. MP Darryl York has finally earned his PHD in Parliamentary Legislation. No, not a Doctor of Philosophy. A Pot Hole Degree. Forgive our sense of humor, but sometimes satire is the only way to describe the state of our politics. His first legislative initiative seeks to strengthen the legal framework for road infrastructure and the Road Fund. On its face, that is a worthwhile proposal. Every motorist on St. Maarten has contributed enough to the local tire shops and suspension mechanics to appreciate the importance of better roads. The real question, however, is not whether this…
