PHILIPSBURG — Parliament elected MP Sidharth Bijlani (UP) as the successor of MP Grisha Heyliger-Marten for the function of chairman. MP Rolando Brison (UP) was elected as the second vice-chair. MP Heyliger-Marten was “relieved of her function,” as vice-chair MP William Marlin put it, on October 27. While that event was surrounded by quite a lot of (political) drama the election of her successor was stripped of all emotion. Not a single MP wished to speak before the voting took place, most likely because there was not much to say anyway, and because the decision about Heyliger-Marten’s successor had already…
Author: The Publisher
PHILIPSBURG — Aviation expert Cdr. Bud Slabbaert, a columnist for Bluesky and Business Airport International has expressed on many occasion his thoughts about what a proper FBO (Fixed Base Operator) at any airport ought to look like. So far, the FBO-facility at Princess Juliana International Airport is falling short of expectations. Slabbaert’s key observation is this one: “Business aviation airports and FBOs should generate 50 percent of their revenue from non-aviation and land-side activities.” So how does any FBO achieve that? Slabbaert points out that there is a difference between American FBOs and similar facilities elsewhere. But it does not…
PHILIPSBURG — The government paid out millions of guilders through its stimulus and relief program (SSRP) in 2021, but the Audit Chamber has been unable to establish whether this program was effective. ”During the investigation it became evident that it is difficult, if not impossible, to establish whether the SSRP was effective. Mass layoffs seem to have been prevented but we cannot substantiate this conclusion due to a lack of data,” the Chamber writes in the conclusion of its audit report. “The funds used to implement the program originate from the Netherlands but these loans will have to be repaid.”…
PHILIPSBURG – Former Minister of Finance Roland Tuitt is out of a job again, after the Aruban Court in First Instance dissolved his labor contract with FLDP (Fundashion Lotto da Deporte), an organization that organizes lotteries on Aruba. Tuitt wanted compensation for his dismissal, but the court ruled that FLDP does not have to pay him anything. It also appears from the ruling that Tuitt dodged wage taxes for more than 150,000 guilders (around $83,800) during his tenure. The relationship between FLDP and Tuitt, described in the court ruling as a “(former) Certified Public Accountant,” began on September 17, 2017,…
Dear Editor, What are in the plans for St. Martin’s people? Nothing? At one time I brought notice to the then Minister of TEATT, Mr. Heyliger, about the taking away of the little beach from the people of Point Blanche close to Chesterfield’s restaurant and giving nothing back in return; as where to I did asked him in a personal conversation what about including a nice state of the art Gym, to the side of all that development, that especially Sucker Garden, Philipsburg, and Point Blanche people can use, not for free but a fee. It would of been giving…
PHILIPSBURG — Dr. Edward Joonho Lee, a board certified anesthesiologist base in Sarasota, Florida, intends to set up a “pop-up vet clinic” in St. Maarten for the treatment of stray animals, dogs and cats in particular, it appears from a press release (see below) issued by Member of Parliament Rolando Brison. According to the press release, Lee studied at the “American University College in Cupecoy St. Maarten” (the actual name is American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, or AUC) from 1999 to 2001. However, Lee transferred to Ross University in 2001 so he could complete his third and…
PHILIPSBURG — Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs speaking at the NYP Competition finals on Sunday, Novembe 20, 2022, said she wants these young entrepreneurs to be featured on the front page of our newspapers on Monday. Well, she is getting her wish. The National Youth Pitch Competition is the very first of its kind on St. Maarten. Islandpreneur and the Ministry of Finance, partnered to create a competition that would develop financial literacy, hone entrepreneurial skills, and foster innovative culture among the youth. See related news: Application Opens for the First Ever National Youth Pitch Competition Over the past few months,…
PHILIPSBURG – The Council of Ministers recently approved a “vision plan” for the development of what is now called the Quarter Development, situated next to the A.C. Wathey Cruise and Cargo Facility. Minister of TEATT Announces Vision for Waterpark and Boutique Hotel Development Near Port St. Maarten More than seven years ago, on March 26, 2015, the same Council of Ministers approved the master plan for what was then called the St. Maarten Quarter, a $120 million mixed-use waterfront development at the same location by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. That plan never became a reality and there have even been…
PHILIPSBURG — The Supreme Court has firmly closed the door on a request from the Public Prosecutor’s Office to order a civil inquiry into the St. Maarten Harbor Holding company and twelve associated businesses. The Common Court of Justice denied the request in a ruling dated December 11, 2020, and the Prosecutor’s Office went to the Supreme Court to challenge this decision in cassation. The prosecutor’s office wanted clarity about the causes of shortcomings in the way the port companies were conducting their business and about structural remedies to prevent future abuse. “How can it be prevented that another stooge…
PHILIPSBURG — Eighteen energy professionals received their specialist certificates from the international industry cooperative Oil Spill Response Ltd. (OSRL) upon completion of their large-scale oil spill response training, Sol Antilles announced in a press release. “This training is in line with Sol’s dedication and focus on safety as the foundation of its operations,” the company stated. Sol Antilles operations manager and lead coordinator of the training sessions Renaldo Sealey is proud of the participants. “The sessions were well attended and included participants from the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard, Nature Foundation, the harbor, GEBE, various marinas and Sol’s operations and response…
