Articles

To his great surprise, Leopold JAMES was honored along with Frits PANTOPHLET and the Philipsburg Community and Culture Centre with a donation by the president, Dayal ALWANI of the local St. Maarten Indian Merchants Association (IMA) on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 on the occasion of India Republic Day
Although Mr. JAMES had been invited to attend this very important functions, due to other engagements he was not able to attend.
Nevertheless, after learning via the Daily Herald of Thursday, January 28, 2010 that he had been one of three recipients of a donation by the IMA, Mr. JAMES this morning contacted Mr. ALWANI, president of the IMA.
While expressing his thanks and appreciation to Mr. ALWANI for the donation, Mr. JAMES also asked the reason why he merited this public donation.
The answer was clear.
For doing the work under very difficult circumstances of promoting integration within the St. Martin community in general.
Although there have been those in the media, including the well knows 'Free adviser', who have done everything possible over the years, to belittle the work Mr. JAMES has been doing for decades, there is an undeniable and growing awareness within the entire community for his message.
Native-indigenous St. Martin people are absolutely essential in assuming the critical and bonding role as the most appropriate foundation for all sustainable developments on the island.
These include besides all socio-economical developments also constitutional development, nation building and the eventually unification of the island.
As such there is more movement more suited to play this liaison role on the entire island than that grass root nation building movement, initiated and led by Mr. JAMES.
Mr. JAMES also thanked the IMA for having the courage, wisdom and vision to see through all the negative rhetoric about the intentions of Mr. JAMES and to realize that he might be the most unique person to be given the opportunity by Governments, NGO's and others to lead the process of nation building.
That process can result in a balance being reached and maintained between preserving the native-indigenous St. Martin heritage and people in dynamic harmony with all the cultural diverse communities on the island.
In ending his telephone call to Mr. ALWANI, this morning, Mr.Leopold JAMES pledged his continued support as a bridge between the Indian Community and others on the one hand and the native St. Martin community on the island on the other hand.
This obviously is an opportunity that should not be lost, nor taken for granted.
meanwhile, in a separate mail to Council lady,Sarah WESCOTT-WILLIAMS, this morning, Mr. JAMES also thanked her for accepting the donation on his behlaf during the ceremony of the India Republic Day 2010.

Leopold JAMES

Without a doubt we are deeply saddened by what has happened to our brethren in Haiti. Last week Tuesday, a 7.0 magnitude devastating earthquake rocked the country.

Haiti is a nation that is part of our wider regional community of nations, and the damage along with human suffering currently taking place is very distressing. We empathize with our fellow St. Maarteners who hail from Haiti.

The quake was felt in the Dominican Republic, Eastern Cuba and the Eastern part of Jamaica.

A tsunami watch was issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre for Haiti, Cuba, Dominican Republic and The Bahamas. This watch was later cancelled, but in the message issued, it did state that the possibility of a local tsunami could affect coasts located usually no more than a hundred kilometres from the earthquake epicentre and that authorities for the region near the epicentre should be aware of this possibility.

The message also noted that areas further from the epicentre could experience small sea level changes and strong or unusual coastal currents.

The earthquake has left widespread loss of life and injury to thousands as well as massive destruction of property and infrastructure. It is also an eye opener and time for us as nations in the Caribbean to reflect on our preparedness for an earthquake or a tsunami.

An official from the National Earthquake Information Center in the U.S. Dale Grant, says that the Caribbean is actually a seismically active area and that smaller quakes do happen frequently in the region, however the Haiti earthquake was the first large quake in over 25-years.

The quake according to University of Texas representative Paul Mann occurred along a vertical fault line that runs from Jamaica to the southern part of the island of Hispanola.

The U.S. Geological Survey reported last week that there were over 80 earthquakes measuring 2.4 to 7.0 in the Caribbean region with the majority taking place in the area of Hispanola and Puerto Rico.

Earthquakes are unlike hurricanes which has a season from June to November. The former can occur at any time. Where tsunamis are concerned, persons should be aware of the fact that earthquakes of a specific magnitude could generate a tsunami. It has been documented in the past that several Caribbean islands have experienced a tsunami.

Disaster preparedness is not only the business of disaster preparedness and management offices. It's everybody's business, an individual responsibility to protect yourself, your family and property. The better prepared every individual and family are, the better prepared we are as a nation.

A study should be carried out if one hasn't been done already, of our nation's vulnerability to earthquakes and a tsunami. Everybody, including the business community should recognize the gravity of the situation and how critical it is to have an earthquake/tsunami plan in place.

Just like how we prepare for a hurricane every season by checking our hurricane family plan and disaster plan, the same can be said for earthquakes and tsunamis. The more we plan the better we are prepared for the worse case scenario.

Roddy Heyliger

Mobilization of community councils and the formation of a Crime Task Force after the second murder of a businessman within a period of three weeks is an effort to develop a grass roots approach in the fight against crime. In order to deal with crime in an effective manner from the perspective of St. Maarten, we first need to understand the motivation among other aspects.

Over the year's stacks of reports with the most recent one, the "St. Maarten Safety Plan," of 2007 has been compiled about fighting crime. Various stakeholders contributed to the compilation of this plan.

As community organizations ponder on what to do, developments within the region reveal the severity of the situation as well as new trends and developments. The Caribbean and Latin America have been described by the World Bank and United Nations as the most violent region in the world.

Experts say that Caribbean-wide surge in violent crime in 2009 was fuelled by drug trafficking, gangs and an influx of weapons, namely guns. The self-destruction of persons by committing acts of violence has been attributed to bad economic times.

Besides that being a possible factor, the strategic location of the islands at the cross roads of drugs heading to the United States and Europe and guns heading to the Caribbean and Latin America from the United States, have resulted in the current situation the region finds itself.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has linked the recent bloodshed to the surge in regional drug traffic, estimating that as much as 50 per cent of all cocaine bound for the U.S. and European markets from South America transits the Caribbean.

Internal fighting amongst the cartels has spilled over into the Caribbean where for example in The Bahamas, 82 people were killed last year; Puerto Rico, where more than 890 were killed in 2009, and the U.S. Virgin Islands where 56 persons were murdered.

Crime and criminals have become trans-national. Persons travel to one island commit crimes and then move on to another island living as a fugitive from justice and possibly committing additional crimes.

The multi-cultural setting of our society demonstrates that law enforcement authorities have to have a close working relationship with other Caribbean islands. Chairman of the Association of Caribbean Police Chiefs Darwin Dottin, recently pointed out that there is an estimated 1.6 million illegal guns in the region.

Regional governments are working closely with the U.S. Government to deal with the regional gun problem. Last summer nine Caribbean Governments signed a memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), to participate in the "e-trace" ballistic tracking system, since the U.S. has been identified as the main source of guns to the region.

Law enforcement officials have observed a trend within the region of turf wars that can be traced back from one island to the next. For example, in the U.S. Virgin Islands, feuds have been taking place from persons originating from Dominica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Gangs are a region-wide phenomenon resulting in Caribbean Police Forces having to establish special gang units to deal with this challenge to society. A recent report by the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Education said some of the territory's youth get involved in gangs as early as middle school, and that the influence of gang culture is on the rise throughout the public school system. Another study under Project Safe Neighbourhoods U.S.V.I. showed that 47 per cent of local students have seen a weapon at school and 25 per cent had been part of a posse or gang.

Security experts expect crime in the region in the coming years to only get worse as Mexico and the U.S.A. tighten their grip along the border in their fight against the drug cartels. Some believe that the region is already seeing this development – rise in violence - which is referred to as the "toothpaste effect."

The "toothpaste effect" entails that the Mexican drug cartels and their associates will look for alternative routes to get their products into the U.S. This can be done by expanding their operations throughout the Caribbean, and exploiting the islands weak points.

A study is needed with respect to the criminal element. Once we have that information in hand, we are then able to develop the appropriate strategy and intervention measures to fight crime on the island.

Roddy Heyliger

Dear young candidates on the slates of the DP, NA and PPA,

At the time of this letter being written, the outcome of the Federal election still has to become known.
However, although it is not yet know at this moment how the three parties have done, I know for sure that you young people all have won.
You have won, for many reasons.
One reason being, that each of you have accepted the challenge with all of its consequences to join a political party of your choice.
In doing so, you must have endured the heart wrenching experience of not being able to please everyone, even within your own circle of families and friends.
Nevertheless, you have accepted to join the party of your choice because you believed that was the way you could make your contribution.
In doing so, quite a number of you form all three parties, made it your business to visit me on various occasions in order to be informed in an independent and very constructive and analytical manner.
This experience I have appreciated very much and therefore wish to thank you for at least being willing to listen to all voices.
As such I hope that you will take your own parties to the 'next level' by sharing ONE strong consensus.
While there should be honest and sincere loyalty party and party-leader, loyalty to a future UNIFIED St. Martin is yet of a fundamentally much higher level.
This I would hope should become the 'key priority' in the upcoming and all other political campaigns on the entire island, regardless of any party.
Therefore, while commending you for your courageous roles in this presumable last federal election, you should realize that the future of all parties is no more (solely) in the hands of the older, so-called more experienced politicians generation, but far more so in your hands as young people.
So, I invite you to join hands with your brothers and sisters on the 'French'-side and start building on the foundation for a UNIFIED St. Martin.
This 'status' is the only logical and sustainable one for the island, whose natives are ONE indivisible people of ONE blood with ONE ultimate destiny.
As always, we will be there for counseling and guiding you in making this possible.

With respect,
Drs. Leopold JAMES
Proud native-indigenous St. Martiner, with no apologies.

Leader of Government, Commissioner William Marlin has expressed deep sadness at the senseless murder of the manager of the Dutch Quarter Afoo Supermarket, Eric Yuan Sam, two days before the New Year, and one day after celebrating his 48th birthday.
Marlin also uncorked government's plans to combat rising crime in the community saying that several St. Maarteners are being trained to bolster the police force and that the new Police Force being designed for Country St. Maarten will be a modern operation "that is information-driven, and pro-active instead of reacting to calls that come into the station.
Marlin said Eric, as he was affectionately called, was much-loved in the community, and certainly did not deserve this tragic fate.
Describing his killing during a robbery as "cold-blooded murder." Marlin said this was a grim reminder that crime has gotten out of hand in our community.
"This is not who we are; this is not what St. Maarten is about, and we must all come together to take back our island from the hands of those who are intent in sowing fear and tears in our midst," the Leader of Government continued.
He said government was well aware of the current situation where crime is concerned and that is why in his New Year's address he focused on what government is doing to tackle the problem. He reiterated that the Executive Council is initiating a "national crime prevention program" aimed at making St. Maarten safer and more secure for all residents.
"Let me repeat that for this program to be successful, our approach must be holistic and everyone must get onboard," Commissioner Marlin stated.
"These criminals live among us. They have neighbors. It is the duty of every man and woman to be part of our effort to fight crime and make our island safer for all."
"Everyone, in every section in St. Maarten, must support the Police effort to prevent, investigate, solve and prosecute crime and perpetrators of crimes," he stressed, adding that it cannot work any other way.
He said government will seek further reinforcement to put "more police on the streets. The perpetrators of these crimes will not go scot free," he vowed.
Speaking on the new Police Force that is being designed for Country St. Maarten he said: "We have designed a new Police Force that will also be territorially-bound. In other words, it will function in teams distributed around the districts – with the Simpson Bay Police station becoming more or less on the same par as the Police station in Philipsburg. These teams will generate information and be expected to know all that is happening within their assigned districts," the Commissioner revealed.
"We will also establish our own basic Police Training Academy in St. Maarten and provide the Force with the necessary equipment it needs to carry out its duties effectively. This means investment in Information Technology, which has already begun. We will continue with and possibly expand the Bicycle Patrol (the so-called Bike Police)."
At the helm of this new Police Force will be a Chief of Police with experience and expertise, the Commissioner said. "I am happy to announce that our search for that person will soon result in the appointment of a Chief of Police with undisputed credentials. We will however, continue to invest heavily in the training of our own officers to fill in the top management positions in the Force as these become available."
Commissioner Marlin expressed his deep condolence to the family and friends of the late Eric Yuan Sam, whom he had personally known for many years, and called on the community to assist the Police in capturing his killer or killers.
"This senseless loss of lives must stop," Marlin concluded.

Cul de Sac --- Students on a school bus fired shots at a passing vehicle in the Cul de Sac area. SMN News learnt that at least one person has been shot. Police boarded the school bus in question and arrested two students who were in possession of firearms. More information on this case later today.

Cripple Gate: --- The body of a dead man was found at his doorsteps in Cripple Gate on New Years Day. According to reliable sources, the man had several injuries that would suggest that he was murdered. SMN News has been reliably informed that the man was killed by one of his compatriots who are currently locked up on the Dutch side pending extradition. However, our sources say the two cases are linked but somewhat complicated.
SMN News has learnt that the man was either badly beaten or killed sometime during New Years Eve or during the early hours of New Years Day. Authorities on the French side have not released any information on the discovery of the dead man whom it is understood is of Haitian decent.
Efforts made to contact Commandant Stephen Brunet and Captain Stephen Arrousseau for a comment on the case proved futile up to press time on Monday.
On Monday, a Haitian man appeared before the judge of instruction on the Dutch side, as he is wanted by authorities on the French side for attempted murder. It is not clear if the two cases are linked. Prosecutor Jacques Louvier when contacted on Monday said he had no information on the extradition since he is currently on vacation.
It appears that the French sides has already recorded their first murder for the year 2010, but have chosen not to release any information about the gruesome discovery and probable cause of death.

Philipsburg: The following is the message delivered by Leader of Government William Marlin on the occasion of the National Day of Prayer.

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" Thus sings the Psalmist. It is indeed good and pleasant when brethren can come together as one to pray and praise the Lord.

This is what this gathering here today is all about: an offering of prayers to the Lord, asking for his continued protection, provision and guidance for our community, for our island, its people and its governments both in the North and South.
St. Maarten is a blessed island. We are a blessed people; not because we are so special; not because we are so pious; but because we are highly favored by the Almighty.
Amidst all the global economic meltdown that has seriously affected countries all over the world, we are still standing, shaken but not knocked down. That is a special favor of God, no matter how much we would like to claim the honors for ourselves.
In the face of global warming and the resulting climate change, with Europe, the United States and other parts of the world experiencing the worst winter in half a century, we can still bask in the Caribbean sun, and enjoy the warmth of Paradise. That is God's special favor upon us.
While international terrorism stalks the skies, striking fear into the hearts of millions across the globe, our own skies have been spared such horrors and we have not had to lose any sleep over potential attacks. That is God's special favour upon His people.
That is why we are gathered here today: to seek God's favours as we begin this year of the Lord, 2010, a year that holds a lot of promise for us as a people; a year in which our advancement as a people will be measured by how united we are and how committed we will be to the ways of the Lord.
I am, of course, not a preacher. Those of you, who know me, know me perhaps better as a teacher. The two however share quite a lot in common: they are both callings; and both the preacher and the teacher are called to disseminate the truth; to impart knowledge; to educate and edify and mould souls.
The preacher and the teacher also share another thing in common (and this time, presumably with the politician, also): they can often talk for long.
Fellow St. Maarteners, Ladies and Gentlemen, Residents, Friends, it is not my intention to keep you here for too long. I must, however, share a few thoughts with you.

Prayer is putting our faith to work - and work is prayer. Government, like any other person, needs prayers, not just because as Christians we are required to pray for our leaders, but also because as Government, all our plans will come to naught if we do not first seek God's approval.

This brings me to the point of the separation between Church and State. There are those among us who question why we should have a National Day of Prayer, implying that Church and State should not mix.

I have my own views about that. The separation between Church and State, as I understand it, is not meant to be a divorce; to the contrary, it is supposed to lead to mutual respect, and a relationship based on a common belief: that we are ALL God's children.

Some people, on the other hand, lament the fact that the Church generally stays out of social issues, and even moral ones that affect our society.

In my humble view, the role of the Church also includes serving as the moral conscience of the community. This role should not be confined to the four walls of the Church.

The Church should be seen as an agent of fundamental change in the dangerous direction society sometimes takes. A good example of this is the rising crime rate on the island.

Not only the Community Councils should be establishing a Task Force, the Church should also get involved and let its voice be heard loud and clear; after all crime is a sin against man and God. It affects ALL of us, whether you are saved or not saved.

Similarly, the Church cannot and should not remain silent when children are deliberately left out of school because of their immigration status which is no fault of theirs.

Education is not an immigration issue; it is not just a social issue; it is also a spiritual issue. After all, wasn't it Jesus Christ himself who told his disciples, "Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God"?

What I'm trying to say is that we cannot claim to be God-fearing people and yet discriminate against children in such a way that we deny them education.

The Church has been a dominant part of education on our island. And by the same token of the involvement of the Church in education, I dare say St. Maarten cannot develop without the Church being part of that development in an enlightened way.
At the same time, the Church, I humbly submit, cannot progress unless the faithful experience progress in a holistic manner, and by that I mean body and soul.

Fellow St. Maarteners, Ladies and Gentlemen, Residents, Friends, as we begin this New Year, the two – Church and State – "two-gether", and the whole island Together must move forward in order to face the challenges of 2010 and beyond.

These challenges include: reducing crime, creating jobs, improving our educational system, setting up the structures for our new country status; marching towards 10-10-10 together confident that we are the Joshua generation, destined to get to the promised land of country St. Maarten.

This reminds me of that Scripture where a dozen scouts were sent to check out the land of Canaan. Nowadays, the 12 would be known as spies and treated as such. Ten of them, an overwhelming majority, came back and said it was a mission impossible to take the land because it was full of giants.

They saw themselves as grasshoppers. Only two returned with a positive report, confident that those giants could be defeated, and the land promised as inheritance to the children of God would become theirs.

God doesn't work with a misguided majority; He chooses an enlightened (I guess, some of you would say, an anointed) few to accomplish His plans. That is why one with God is a majority.

This Scripture is very relevant to our pursuit of Country Status for St. Maarten. Our Island Council currently consists of 12 members – yes, 12: - 11 elected and one, the chairman, appointed by the Crown.
We may not be the 12 scouts spying on the land of Canaan. But we have been repeatedly told also that it is impossible for St. Maarten to become a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands because there are too many giant problems the island cannot handle.

Fellow St. Maarteners, Ladies and Gentlemen, Residents, Friends, well, I am pleased to tell you that today, 10-01-10, exactly nine months to that glorious date, today, by the grace of God, we are now camping on the outskirts of our own Canaan right now.

My question to you today, therefore, is: are you one of those 10 scouts who see giants and are terrified by them, are you one of the ten who see themselves as grasshoppers or are you one of the two who see victory as a God-given blessing for His people?

Let me quickly add that Country St. Maarten is not going to be a land full of milk and honey. Country St. Maarten will not be Heaven on earth. Country St. Maarten is part of our journey to that eternal Kingdom which is our final destination.

It may take us through the Kingdom of the Netherlands for a while. But we're not stopping there. It may take us through valleys and potholes, but we shall fear not. It will demand of us more work, more sacrifices, but we shall not be moved.

Fellow St. Maarteners, Ladies and Gentlemen, Residents, Friends, I am convinced as leader of your government, that with your prayers, and with God on our side, we shall move this island forward together.

Philipsburg:---- One of the suspects arrested on Friday last week was sent to Statia on Friday after the young man K.A.D appeared before the judge of instruction for extension of his pretrial detention. According to information, reaching SMN News K.A.D was arrested for at least two shooting incidents, which took place in 2008. SMN News learnt that members of the RST raided K.A.D's home on Friday last week, two days after they arrested the mother of his five-month old child. Sources say the young man whose girlfriend is also in police custody was questioned about the shooting and murder of Afoo businessman Eric Yuan Sam. "It seems as if the police are on a fishing expedition to solve this gruesome murder case, since they are questioning everyone they arrest about it." The source said.
Prosecutor Rienk Mud in an invited comment said he could not confirm neither could he deny if K.A.D was sent to Statia on Friday. Mud said the K.A.D was arrested as a suspect in robbery cases. The public prosecutor made clear that he said on numerous occasions that no arrests were made in the Eric Yuan Sam murder investigation.
SMN News has been reliably informed that police found a diary belonging to the female suspect R.D (17) which has incriminating information. Police and RST raided R.D's home on Wednesday last week and she is currently held on firearm charges.
It is further understood that police also arrested the sister of R.D with initials R.D. The source said the second R.D claimed that monies that was found in sister's house belonged to her since she is working at the Princess Juliana International Airport. SMN News also learnt that police also arrested a cousin of the two girls on Wednesday. Even though police arrested several suspects during the past week, they are yet to release any information on the arrests.

Philipsburg:--- Today is election day for voters of the Netherlands Antilles. Contesting the federal elections on St. Maarten are three political parties, namely the National Alliance led by William V. Marlin, the Democratic Party led by Sarah Wescot Williams and the People Progressive Party led by Gracita Arrindell. At 3 pm there were a mere 36% of voters that casted their votes. It is expected that voters would flock the polling stations later this afternoon.
Above are the latest scores from each polling station.

GREAT BAY– Persons who have received their first pandemic influenza A (H1N1-2009) vaccine and it has been more than three weeks, are hereby reminded to revisit their family physician for the second dose, the Preventive Health Department (PHD) reports.

Influenza A (H1N1-2009) has become endemic among global communities. Persons who form part of the risk group are reminded to consult with their general physician to get the vaccine.

The vaccine helps protect your family and other people who are close to you, as it is less likely that they will catch the virus from you.

The vaccine helps protect you against future waves of infection caused by the H1N1-2009 virus.

Besides vaccination against pandemic in¬flu¬en¬za A (H1N1-2009), vaccination against seasonal flu remains important. People, who would normally take their yearly seasonal flu shots, should still get their seasonal flu shot.

The H1N1-2009 vaccine is different from the seasonal flu vaccination and does not protect against the so-called swine flu.

Preventing the spread of germs is the single most effective way to slow the spread of the disease.

Members of the community are still strongly advised to maintain high standards of personal hygiene which entail covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when you sneeze or cough, and washing your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after contact with respiratory secretions (e.g., after sneezing and coughing).

Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it. Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way. Try to avoid contact with sick people.

The symptoms of pandemic influenza A (H1N1-2009) flu virus in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with the virus.

Persons who have flu-like-illness should remain at home and contact their family physician via telephone who will determine whether influenza testing or treatment is needed.

Persons who have traveled in the preceding seven days to affected countries should seek immediate medical attention once they develop influenza-like symptoms. You are advised to stay at home and contact your family physician. This will help minimize the risk of infecting those around them, especially people who are at a higher risk of severe illness and complications of influenza.

Another preventive measure is eating healthy foods, getting a lot of exercise and maintaining an eight hour sleep schedule.

GREAT BAY– Governor Franklyn Richards on Wednesday morning spoke with both Dutch Representatives in St. Maarten and in Curacao, namely Lars Walrave and Rob Vermaas, about the developing situation in Haiti and appealing to them for Dutch assistance.

Governor Richards also spoke with Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles Emily De Jongh Elhage on Wednesday afternoon with respect to the developing situation in Haiti and what type of assistance could be provided by the Central Government.

Castin Ironce, a representative of the St. Maarten Haitian Community, visited Governor Richards on Wednesday afternoon where they discussed the situation regarding Haiti and the St. Maarten Haitian community.

Governor Richards also spoke with Antillean Minister of Home & Constitutional Affairs Roland Duncan regarding Haiti.

In the meantime Dutch Minister of Development Cooperation Bert Koenders announced on Wednesday that preparations are underway to send a Dutch Urban Search & Rescue Team to Haiti.

The team comprises of 60 persons along with search dogs to search for missing persons who have been buried under the rubble caused by the magnitude 7.0 earthquake.

The Dutch team will make-up part of an international coordinated effort under the leadership of the United Nations. The team was expected to leave Holland Wednesday night from Eindhoven on a transport aircraft made available by the Dutch Ministry of Defence.

Dutch Minister Koenders has also made available two million Euro in emergency aid.

"Nations around the world are mobilizing resources to aid Haiti after Tuesday's catastrophic earthquake that has left a lot of destruction in the capital city of Port-au-Prince.

"The full extent of casualties is still unknown. This is a major humanitarian emergency and we continue to offer our prayers to our brethren during this difficult period," Governor Franklyn Richards told the Government Information Service (GIS).

Philipsburg: --- The St. Maarten/St. Martin Christian Council along with other radio stations on St. Maarten will be holding a radiothon this Sunday to aid the earthquake victims of Haiti. The radiothon will begin from noon to 4 pm. The decision was taken on January 12 when the council deliberated on the Haiti tragedy a press release from the organization states.

"As living human beings we can sometimes not understand the acts of God, but we have been thought to accept them and know the Lord is in control. He promised not to leave, nor forsake us."
As Christians, we know that we have to get up and strive to assist our brothers and sisters. Therefore the council has decided, as St. Maarten-St. Martin Christian Council, that it will be most fitting to organize, in collaboration with the SMUMF and the Seventh Day Adventist a Radiothon on January 24th, 2010. The funds collected will go to the Red Cross in Haiti to be distributed appropriately.
All churches have been asked to join in and participate in the synchronization meeting this Tuesday, January 19th, 2010 at the Lions Den in Sucker Garden from 4:30 -5:30 pm.
The Radiothon will be from 12.00 noon to 4.00 pm and all radio stations on the Dutch and the French side are being asked to cooperate.
Churches are being asked to donate their offerings of January 23rd and 24th 2010 to this worthy cause. The public at large is being asked to participate and answer to the call to assist Haiti in this difficult time.

GREAT BAY– Chairman of the Main Voting Bureau Governor Franklyn Richards on Thursday afternoon visited the polling station at Milton Peters College as part of an inspection round of polling stations in preparation for Friday, January 22 Election Day.

Governor Richards was accompanied by his Chief of Staff Ligia Stella and a civil servant from the Department of Public Works Mr. Pantophlet.

A total of 16 polling stations are available for persons to exercise their democratic right on Friday. Governor Richards is asking for everybody to come out and exercise their right to vote in an orderly manner as has been customary over the years where there have been no incidents of violence or any disorderly conduct.

Paris/St. Maarten:--- Police arrested a female suspect on Friday as they continue to investigate the slaying of Eric Yuan Sam of Food Club Supermarket. SMN News has been reliably informed that the suspect has been charged with being in possession of illegal firearms. According to well-placed sources the suspect is closely involved in the brutal slaying of the Dutch Quarter Businessman who was killed on December 30th during an armed robbery.
Efforts made over the weekend to confirm our information proved futile, as police are tightlipped about the arrest and ongoing investigation.
On the evening of December 30, at least three armed gunmen entered Food Club supermarket and opened fire as they proceeded to rob the supermarket. During the ordeal two other persons were shot, one a pregnant woman from a nearby hair dressing salon.
On Friday, the arrest team as well as other uniformed police conducted a joint operation in search of the suspects that involved in the murder of Eric Sam as well as other armed robberies.

Police arrested three more suspects on Sunday, all of which are involved in the robbery and murder of Eric Sam of Food Club Supermarket. According to reliable sources, one of the suspects that was arrested on Sunday found the murder weapon and kept it. It is understood that he is from Jamaica. The other suspects SMN News understands is directly involved in the brutal slaying of Sam.

GREAT BAY,– St. Maarten's commissioner of tourism, economic affairs, aviation and sports joins the local Haitian community in St. Maarten and others elsewhere, in expressing solidarity with families and friends of victims claimed on Tuesday, as result of a deadly earthquake in Haiti.
As a sign of sympathy with the victims of the earthquake, Richardson says that the thoughts and prayers of the people of St. Maarten should remain with the relatives of the victims and with members of the local Haitian community, which has been part of the wider community here for decades.
Richardson says that he wishes to convey a message of strength and comfort, to all those affected, at this time of sadness.
"With this catastrophe hitting Haiti, we must be reminded of the substantial damage and casualties, such an event brings with it", says Richardson.
The tragic and untimely developments transpiring in Haiti is a time for St. Maarten to show that it cares about its Caribbean neighbors and that as heart breaking as the ordeal is, it is encouraging to note pledges for international relief assistance coming in.
He called on local relief organizations, charity organizations and the public, to provide assistance, to Haiti, wherever possible, in coming days.
"This is the least we can do, as a community, in order to help all concerned through this difficult time," says Richardson.

Philipsburg: ---On Thursday January 21 the Police and Immigration Department spearheaded by members of the Migroff Social Club, will hold a "Charity Drive" in connection with the January 12 2010 earthquake that devastated the island nation of Haiti.
Recognizing the desperate situation that is ongoing in Haiti, all social organization within the police department came together to contribute to this serious cause. The police department is appealing to all the members of the Police Force of Sint Marten, Saba and Sint Eustatius and other all judiciary departments to donate any non-perishable food items and/or clothing they can afford. The drive will take place on the premises at the back of Philipsburg Police Station between 10.00 a.m. and 05.00 p.m. The organizers are looking forward to the support of the members and the members of all other Judiciary departments to support this effort to help the victims who were affected by this tragedy.

GREAT BAY,– The Government Information Service (GIS) and the Main Voting Bureau have launched an election website to keep web users on the island and abroad informed of hourly incoming election results for the last parliamentary elections for the country of the Netherlands Antilles.

Persons can go to www.sxmelection.com and get all their official election results along with pictures. The site is powered by Computech.

The website is very easy to use. There is a welcome address by Governor Franklyn Richards who is Chairman of the Main Voting Bureau.

The main menu links are "Hourly Polling Station Update," "Federal Election Results," and "Federal Election Images."

The website gives the opportunity to St. Maarteners studying, working and living abroad the opportunity to keep track as the official election results are released.
Every election is an important one and the January 22, 2010 parliamentary election is expected to be the last one for the Netherlands Antilles as a constitutional entity.

Persons elected to serve will be part of a historic process on the final leg where the country of Sint Maarten will be established, Governor Franklyn Richards, told the Government Information Service (GIS).

On January 22, do your part. Exercise your democratic right to vote. Actively participating is a social duty, an obligation we owe not only to ourselves, but to our fellow citizens.

Philipsburg:---The Democratic Party of Sint Maarten thanks the people of Sint Maarten for their support as expressed in the election of January 22, 2010. The 3645 voters who voted for the Democratic Party have our utmost admiration for their loyalty and support.
To all 11.505 voters, thank you for exercising your right to vote and voting for the party of your choice, DP, NA or PPA.
We have expressed to the leader of the National Alliance our sincerest congratulations for the overwhelming victory attained at the polls and we wish the NA much success in the negotiations for a central government.
For the 2032 persons who voted for me individually, thank you for the confidence placed in me. The Democratic Party will continue to represent the people of this island as we have been doing unselfishly for the past 55 years.
The road ahead is quite challenging, but we must embark on it with the hope of being able to conquer any obstacles in our path.
These coming months will be quite testing for Sint Maarten, reason for us to be even more determined that we will remain vigilant as a people to ensure St. Maarten gets its rightful share from the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles.

Philipsburg - While we have shifted into first gear on the "paved" road to country status, the dust has not settled on the back roads, where day to day challenges remain a balancing act for local government officials. Officials who should give sufficient attention and public accountability on various tasks that affect our (business) community directly. This is no different for St. Maarten's Local Chief of Police, Lt. Governor Franklin Richards, who recently received a request for more clarification on the recent rise of criminal activities, from Island Council Member Maria Buncamper-Molanus.

In a letter to the Chief of Police, Buncamper-Molanus asked for statistical information to clarify whether an increase in crime has indeed occurred, in particular the ones of a more violent nature that have resulted in the deaths of local business men, in comparison to previous years. While she acknowledged that the responsibility of Justice falls under the Central Government, she also questions if we including the Office of the Local Chief of Police should be viewing things differently considering that the challenges we face with crime seem to be escalating.

Various efforts to combat crime were highlighted in Buncamper-Molanus' communication to the Chief. Including: The Central Government's proposed reorganization and coaching of the Windward Islands Police Management Team, an ongoing campaign to recruit new police officers, an established cooperation between the police forces of the Windward Islands and Rotterdam and various project proposals submitted by St. Maarten, to ultimately improve the police force as a whole and provide the St. Maarten citizens and visitors alike, with a sense of higher security and peace of mind. Mrs. Buncamper-Molanus requested more clarification on what exactly the agreement is between Rotterdam and St. Maarten and more facts and figures on the current recruitment status. Basically, she is requesting an update on the aforementioned initiatives and an explanation on the results of all these efforts, negative or positive.

After a list of eight queries, Buncamper-Molanus stated: "More police presence and proper equipment appear to be the recurring calls from those involved. If this is indeed the main issue, why are these issues not given priority? Yes indeed the Central Government is responsible for Justice. We have had Justice Ministers come and go and we have the same problems recur. The constant factors in this equation are the people of St. Maarten, crime and the responsibility of the Local Chief of police on the island. So should we be doing things differently leading up the constitutional reform? Should there be more involvement from the Island Government and the Local Chief of Police?"

The Island Council Member concluded by stating that fighting crime is everybody's business and requested a prompt response from the office of the Local Chief of Police as this issue is a critical concern and would benefit the people of and the visitors to St. Maarten.

MARIGOT---The gendarmes arrested a 20 year old man for whom a warrant was out from the Courts of Saint Martin. According to a press release the man was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for violent robberies. he was tranferred to Guadeloupe where he began serving his time.

The gendarmes also apprehended a female who was caught stealing items from an abandoned hotel. A press release from the gendarmes states that the security guard on duty contacted them when he noticed a male and female were stealing from the hotel. The male culprit managed to escape while the female was apprehended. The woman was released after being warned about her actions.

 

 

Philipsburg:----Several St. Maarten Academy PSVE students were honored on Wednesday for their Academic achievements during the first half of the academic year. In commenting on yet another positive showing of by our youth, the Council lady Sarah Wescot Williams said that we often complain that not enough is publicly said about the positive sides of our youth in general.
'We need to continue to "big up" our young people when they excel, achieve or even when they give their best efforts. Equally important is to give them a chance to do all the above, at the same time teaching them that success does not come easy; that life's path can be a treacherous one, and many more of the lessons that we were taught as youngsters ourselves."
"As former commissioner of education, it is satisfying to see our students excel and given the recognition for such."
"In this light, I congratulate the St. Maarten Academy PSVE students who have excelled during the first half of the 2009-2010 academic years. I encourage them to set an even higher standard towards the end of the school year. To challenge themselves even more. Positive peer pressure works."
To the students directly: "It is my hope that the pressure to excel will rub off on many of those around you".

Philipsburg:--- A few extraordinary police officers took the oath on Friday. Reading the oath was chief of the governor's cabinet Ligia Stella, while the oath taking was done in the presence of Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards. Richards admonished the civil servants who have been in the civil core for some time now to make sure they do not buckle to any type of pressure, neither should they be carried away with the extra power granted to them.

Philipsburg:---Terry Peterson believes the most pressing issue facing the Netherlands Antilles and the Island Territory of St. Maarten is the issue of Poor Safety and Security. According to Peterson, over the last decade, crime-the so-called nagging Central Government responsibility-has ripped through the very soul of our communities. Communities which were once peaceful and safe are now "no go" areas. Many of our citizens are afraid to venture out of their homes and some feel incarcerated in their own homes. In addition to this we have become saturated with news of one scandal after another and reports of wrongdoing among some of our elected representatives and civil servants. Accountability, Integrity and Transparency apparently have lost all meaning.

However, with the establishment of Corporate Governance Council, the office of the Ombudsman, and the dismantling process and transfer of responsibilities to Country St. Maarten now on track, I believe together we can return decency, good governance, transparency, integrity, law, order and justice to our society, and provide for the safety and security of all citizens and visitors. I believe we can achieve the feeling of peace and tolerance again in our community by restoring confidence in the justice system; by strengthening the institution of the family and by enlisting the support of all stakeholders, including religious groups, in ensuring that our justice system has all the resources and support to be quick, responsive and accessible to all. We can have safer homes, safer schools and safer streets.

If elected, I will continue dialogue with our Justice Minister to promote our national vision for responsible family and community life, safer schools and neighborhoods, and invest more in modern policing methods, surveillance equipment and new technologies to ensure that the police are adequately trained and equipped to detect, solve and prevent crimes. In addition to this, I will explore ways to:

-Work with social partners to establish a new facility for juvenile offenders.
-Increase the number of police officers to provide the police with the capacity to reintroduce a properly coordinated beat and patrol program.
-Invest in and set up Crime Scene Investigation Units (CSI) or Crime Investigation Units (CIU) units.
-Implement a new forensic lab and require better evidence handling.
-Increase training of police officers at all levels particularly in Human Rights and Criminal Investigations.
-Revise or introduce new laws with stiffer penalties for antisocial behavior such as littering, noise pollution, degrading of public spaces, abandonment of derelict vehicles and buildings which can serve as precursors to more serious crimes and can engender the perception of a lawless society.
-Reverse the years of neglect of the police and improve the conditions of work of the police by providing adequate incentives, promotions etc. thereby enhancing career development, job satisfaction and performance standards.
-Strengthen significantly the public prosecution service to ensure a more efficient and effective prosecution of criminals.
-Initiate social-skills building programs and Security Awareness and Sensitization programs that will help to reshape the minds of our young people so that they develop a greater appreciation of societal values, life, their own worth and their contribution to society.
-Recognize, expand and support youth NGOs and uniformed groups such as the Boys and Girls Brigades, Girl Guides, Scouts, Pathfinders, and VKS to promote life skills and community values.
-Reduce dropout rates among our youth through mentorship.
-Institute adequate compensation for victims and witnesses of violent crime and abuse, and provide legal aid so that persons who are financially unable can be assured of legal representation.
-Institute an independent police complaints commission to resolve or address any grievances or complaints against the police.
-Revamp the penal system to allow for better correctional services, rehabilitation and vocational training for specific offenders, and the establishment of a proper probation service that can track repeat offenders.
-Expand small business opportunities and create new jobs

Terry J. Peterson has served as the executive assistant to two State Secretaries For Public Health and Social Development and as a consultant to Caribbean governments on Youth Entrepreneurship and Poverty Reduction. He is also a part-time Lecturer in Philosophy and Sociology at the University of St. Martin. He presently holds a LL.M: Masters of Law in International Law and Human Rights from Coventry University, United Kingdom and a Bachelors of Arts from Andrews University, Michigan, USA. He also possesses a certificate in International Criminal Law from the Grotius Center for International Legal Studies, Leiden University, The Netherlands. He has also pursued professional development studies in Drugs, Alcohol & HIV: Policy and Intervention with Imperial College, University of London, UK, and was the community coordinator for Drug Prevention at the Turning Point Foundation. Terry J. Peterson is #10 on the National Alliance list for the Federal Election.

 

Paris/ St Maarten:-- While crime might be rising and residents of St. Maarten are on the verge of losing hope the police department is doing their best to solve several murders which to date are still fresh in the minds of the citizens.
Normally each year St. Maarten would receive added manpower during the Christmas season, which is aimed at reducing crime during the holiday season, however in 2009 the St. Maarten Police Force was forced to do it alone since they were not given the required assistance from Curacao.
It has been years now the KPSSS has been operating with limited manpower and an estranged management team and to date nothing concrete has been done to reinforce the local police core. While crime is on the rise and St. Maarten on its way to country, safety and security is left behind as there is limited resources and manpower. Speaking anonymously to SMN News a long time officer told us that they have been working tirelessly to reduce crime in schools as well as armed robberies that are plaguing the community. The officer said they are called to neglect their families in order to reduce crime. "The men and women in blue are called to work overtime on a daily basis and they are forced to leave their families behind. Many of us did not even get to do our regular Christmas Shopping because we were all working overtime."
The officer said they are of the opinion that the community is not grateful for the sacrifices they are making since the only serious crime committed during the holiday season was the murder of Eric Sam. "This was one of the safest Christmas season on St. Maarten even though there were limited resources."
The police management requested more manpower from Curacao for months and to date the extra men in blue were not sent to assist the drained officers on St. Maarten.
The officer said suddenly a decision was taken to send a large group of officers from the "Special Task Force Curacao" who would be assigned to assist with the ongoing murder investigations on St. Maarten. The Police Department he said need men in blue on the streets, most of all they were needed during the Christmas season. He said St. Maarten does not need extra police officers to sit in air-conditioned offices to do nothing. He also called on the Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba to take stock on what Ronald Dongor has done for St. Maarten since he took office. "The so-called coach has a huge salary , and other benefits that is not available to locals, yet he does nothing for St. Maarten." While there is talk that St. Maarten does not have qualified officers, they are the ones keeping the people safe while those coming in are for their own interest. The officer said if they had reinforcements during the Christmas season the senseless killing of Eric Sam would not have taken place and now they are coming here to either harass the population with unnecessary traffic controls so that they can get the fame and recognition when the murders are solved.
The officer also called on local politicians to do what is necessary for St. Maarten and not to use the state of affairs of the police department to gain political mileage.

 

Philipsburg: ---FirstCaribbean International Bank has expressed disappointment at the surprise industrial action, which impacted its business on St. Maarten and Statia on Monday January 11 2010
FirstCaribbean very much appreciates its customers' patience during this surprise industrial action. The union did not provide any prior notification of its intended actions. The Bank was therefore unable to inform the public and our valued customers about any potential disruption to customer service.
FirstCaribbean continues to be committed to resolving any union negotiations in the normal practices. It is not the Bank's practice to discuss details of such negotiations in the public domain.

GREAT BAY– An "Election Window," will be open at the Civil Registry Department for persons who still have not received their voting card through the postal system.

Persons should visit this office as of January 18 up to January 21 from 8.00am to 8.00pm.

The Post Office has returned 1231 voting cards to the Civil Registry Department.

The Civil Registry Department has identified 16 polling stations for the upcoming Netherlands Antilles Parliamentary elections scheduled for January 22, 2010.

The total number of persons eligible to cast their vote on January 22 is 19,355.

Of these, 10.006 are persons born in the Netherlands Antilles, which also includes those born on St. Maarten (5,841).
For further information you can call the Civil Registry Department at 542-2457.

Philipsburg -- On January 22nd 2010, the people of St. Maarten will be asked to elect representatives in the Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles to defend and work on behalf of our interest. Stuart Johnson, who is twenty-five (25) years old, is running as the youngest candidate in the entire Federal election. Johnson is running on the Democratic Party of St. Maarten as the seventh candidate on the slate of the party.
Johnson, being one of the few candidates, has now officially launched his web-site www.wevotingjohnson.com which clearly outlines his active community involvement, biography and a video message, just to mention some of the content which could be found on it. In addition to countless media interviews in the printed media and broadcast media, Johnson felt it imperative to inform voters both locally and abroad through his own web-site. "The web-site is a welcome addition to the campaign, as we approach Election Day, but it will updated continuously even after Election Day" Johnson said. The web-site was created by a young professional named Glenton Pantophlet, who Johnson considers to have exceptional skills in web-site design and construction.
"We are approaching the finals days of this campaign and so voting is the only option as not voting sends the wrong message at this stage in St. Maarten's constitutional quest," Johnson said. "It cannot be business as usual, as we need to address not only our new constitutional desire, but also many of the social and educational issues affecting us all daily," he concluded. "It's time we place our confidence in young professionals, who are ready to take up the challenge of building and propelling our island into new frontiers."

Basseterre, St.Kitts:-Leader of the People's Action Movement, Lindsay Grant at a massive meeting in Market Street launched his party's Manifesto on Tuesday evening. The 34 page document was launched under the theme, Platform for Change and saw several of the candidates speaking on various issues that has been addressed in the the manifesto.

Grant declared that his party has a track record of delivering to the people noting that they are not a party of promises as is being promoted by the Labour Party. He pointed out that under a PAM administration young people would be able to own a piece of the rock'.' Grant told thousands of his supporters that while the Government continues to boast about their housing policy it is nothing more than them giving with one hand and taking with the other.

Owning a piece of the rock is pivotal to the self determination of our people. It does something to our psyche as a people when we live like huddled masses and in turn watch foreigners come from the four corners of the world and buy our birthright for a penny and a son," Grant noted. He declared that this will not and must not continue, giving the assurance that under his administration it will not continue. Pointing to his land policy he told supporters " Within the PAM governments first 100 days in office, we will sell Government land to locals, in particular the youth, at the price of $0. 99 cents per square foot for all sizes of residential lots,". This announcement was met with a massive roar or appreciation from a very jubilant and enthusiastic crowd

He went on to stress that within its first year in office, individuals who paid what he dubbed as Labour's higher land prices will be refunded in the form of duty free consumption taxes when constructing their houses. "Owners of the so called affordable homes' will receive a 25% reduction in monthly payments. This too will result in the lowering of the cost of living. Nationals will get preference over non nationals when purchasing government lands," he said.

Grant went on to stress that the housing policy of the People's Action Movement will be built on fairness and transparency. He noted that his party guarantees the people of the federation that government properties will be allocated by an independent committee free of political interference and election manipulation. He stressed that the youth will be able to own a plot of land and obtain special incentives to build their first home.

He added that his party's manifesto seeks to create a new transformation of the people of the federation. The Harvard trained lawyer said that the manifesto is the new vision for St Kitts and Nevis. "These are not promises. They are serious commitments and this PAM team is a serious team. I urge each and everyone of you to read this document set for yourself, make the comparison and I am sure you will find that you want to be a part of this platform for change," Grant said.

He urged supporters to embrace a new future filled with hope and inspiration stressing the need for them to take a bold step with him as the Leader so that together they can build a brighter future for the federation's children and their children. A number of other issues were addressed at the launch which according to Grant is geared at ensuring that the people of St Kitts and Nevis are able to recover from the high crime rate, high cost of living and corruption that he said have plagued the federation for the past 15 years.

Rotary Club of St. Maarten during its last meeting discussed the efforts being made by Rotary to assist victims of the recent earthquake that hit Haiti.

Rotary and ShelterBox are joining financial and logistical forces to provide temporary relief and shelter to the victims of the Haiti quake.

The Rotary Club of St Martin Nord is coordinating the project for all three islands of St Maarten/St Martin, St Barths and Anguilla.
Because of the lack of access to the airport in Haiti, a ShelterBox technical group, landed in the Dominican Republic on Jan 14, and are heading toward Port au Prince using trucks and cars.
Meanwhile, Rotary with the help of the Red Cross (France) have received 200 ShelterBox in Chalon-Vatry (Champagne area) and this shipment will leave today Friday and is expected to land in Haiti early Saturday the 16th. There are also 224 ShelterBox in Curacao being transported to Haiti by the Dutch Navy 200 other ShelterBox are being sent from England while 75 ShelterBox Stocked in El Salvador are also on their way.
Rotarians are working hard to collect funds and Rotary Club of St. Barths must be commended for reaching their USD 100.000 target which translates into providing housing for 1000 people as each box can accommodate 10 people. Thus far 3300 ShelterBoxes have been made available providing accommodations and needed facilities to 33000 people.
Reports reaching our ADG Louis Wever reveal that Rotary is assisting the Red Cross with getting their material into Haiti and delivered to their organizations. CNN also showed the delivery of the Shelterboxes, while Rotary is now also being asked to assist with the removal of bodies from destroyed houses.

Asked "How might Rotarians best respond" Barry Rassin, FACHE, RI (Rotary International) Director 2006-08, responded as follows:

"You ask a great but very big question which, as you said, many are asking. What is the best thing to do? As each day comes our needs change and we are now going through some transition. We have been providing medical supplies and teams up to now. WE have sent in portable x-ray and have just located a sterilizer for the instruments to send in. Food, water and shelter are ongoing.

Many Rotarians and clubs are donating Shelterboxes. It is my understanding that 3,000 have already been commissioned.

Locally we have divided the funds between immediate relief and long term rebuilding. We have been paying for fuel for the 57 airplanes that have taken our supplies down to our Haitian Rotarians on the ground. We have received significant donations from our medical suppliers in Nassau and then purchased antibiotics and other supplies to send down. Tortola has two Rotarians with planes flying back and forth with supplies. USVI has sent a ship of supplies. St Maarten has 40,000 pounds of supplies on the way. All these are our district helping our friends in Haiti. We have a direct conduit to the head of medical activities, Dr. Claude Surena, who is a Rotarian. He guides us as to the needs each day.

With the migration away from PAP the needs in all the other regions have grown enormously. We have had our success going to airports outside of PAP where our Rotarians meet the planes and drive the supplies to where they are needed.

Food, water and shelter will be needs for a while but now that "search and rescue" is officially over there will be an effort to clear areas to find bodies. Control of disease is going better than expected as the tent communities are extremely close quarters but there is some clean water and they keep it clean.

I believe that our greatest needs will be going forward in helping them to rebuild their country. Our DAF will primarily be used for that effort, I believe. Our district fund may still provide some of the immediate relief but will go significantly to helping the rebuilding efforts. Our funds in Nassau will probably continue going to immediate needs as we are doing the coordinating with the local Rotarians from here.

The clubs in our district have already committed close to $1M to the cause which is incredible as many of our countries are poor. Rotary has stood up to be counted here and are working side by side with our Rotarians in Haiti. Of course, in our efforts to help rebuild the need for cash to spend in the right projects will be the greatest need.

I probably have not answered any of your questions yet. Already many thousands of ShelterBoxes have been sent and many have been donated and we still don't really have a good count so premature to ask for more in my opinion. Perhaps later when the needs are more focused.

In my humble opinion clubs should donate to the DAF in order to be able to magnify the impact Rotary can make by pooling our resources and picking projects that will make a major difference in the years to come. Also they should plan on doing their own projects when we are able to start putting the "big plan" together as to what the rebuilding needs are. Meantime if they wish to contribute to immediate needs then we still need antibiotics, pain killers, antiseptics and bandages. Down the road there will also be opportunities for hands on projects.

I can assure you that we are very close to the Haitian community and whatever we send in to help gets to the people who need it. I know of the horror stories of the well intentioned who have sent items that have gone astray in one manner or another and they are probably true. However, with the Haitian Task Force that we created for Rotary we have been able to control all items that we have sent through them and gotten the biggest success. This has created a joint responsibility with the clubs for any TRF projects so that we have oversight of the activities. It will always be of some concern but we are feeling very comfortable with this infrastructure we have put in place. Our Caribbean Partnership www.caribbeanpartnership.org has also worked very well with enabling quick communications and assistance between clubs within zones 33 and 34.

Sorry to be so long but this is a major effort with many pieces to it. Some of us have done nothing but focus on this effort since January 12 and will continue as long as it takes. We need all the help we can get for as long as we can get it."

The president of the United Haitian Community Dutch St. Maarten, Mr. Castin Ironce informed members of the Rotary Club of St. Maarten about efforts being made by the organization to assist those affected by the earthquake. A fact mission to Haiti is also being organized to assist where possible and to assess the situation in order to determine what type of assistance can best be provided.
Rotarians on St. Maarten/St.Martin, St. Barths and Anguilla continue with efforts to assist the victims of Haiti. The general public can be certain that we will continue knocking on their doors and that their charitable contributions will effectively and efficiently reach those in need.

Philipsburg: --- Police removed the body of Christian Lloyd a well-known pageant trainer from his Watermelon Road home early Monday morning. According to reports, the man was found on his bed covered in blood. Eyewitnesses say that it appeared as if Lloyd was shot in the head, however, SMN News was not able to confirm whether Lloyd was indeed shot.
SMN News learnt that when police reached the scene they found Lloyd on his bed covered in blood with a severe head injury. One eyewitness said the body was in its first stage of decomposition and it was clear that Lloyd died more than a day ago. SMN News also learnt that the neighbors and friends of Christian Lloyd saw him late Saturday night as he was going home.
At the scene police and other law enforcement officers were seen wearing mask as they enter the home where the body was discovered. Also on the scene were a number of bystanders including neighbors who were wailing as they heard the news of Lloyd's demise.

Prosecutor Rienk Mud confirmed that police found the body of C.L in a house on Watermelon Road St Peter. Mud said that due to the ongoing investigation he is not able to confirm neither deny if the dead man had severe head injuries. The Public Prosecutor said the body of Christian Lloyd has been confiscated pending an autopsy.

Philipsburg:---Friends of the St. Maarten 12 Metre Challenge have responded to a call of help from the victims of the Haiti Earthquake by participating in a charity regatta on Sunday January 31st 2010. The St. Maarten 12 Metre Challenge will be 'donating' three America's Cup boats for this special occasion, with all proceeds going to Haiti Disaster victims.
The goal of the HAITI DISASTER RELIEF REGATTA: To provide Disaster Relief Housing with basic life sustaining implements; cooking and eating facilities for 200 disaster victims.
So far nine generous donors pledged their support. Avalon, Budget Marine, Caribbean Liquors and Tobacco, Electec, Learning Unlimited, MNO, Soualiga Waste Management, Windward Roads have donated $1500.00 each to this worthwhile cause and will be racing in the blue waters and brisk trade winds of St. Maarten.
After the race participants are invited to the Tiki Hut in Little Bay. Tiki Hut staff will be preparing a BBQ, sponsored by Grand Marche; Caribbean Liquors and Tobacco; Heineken and B&C Beverages Distributors N.V.
To help us reach our goal of 200 homes and learn how YOU can help please call Hiltsje van Dijk at 542 0045 / 542 0046 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

GREAT BAY ---At the Parliament Building on Backstreet, the Justice Committee of the Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles met with members of the Crime Task Force St. Maarten to discuss solutions to the crime situation on the Windward Island, and more specifically on St. Maarten.
The Justice Committee is scheduled to meet with two other groups on Friday, after which they will draw up a report to bring to Parliament.
Acting Chairman Senator Reginald Zaandam opened the meeting and welcomed everyone on behalf of the Chairman Pedro Atacho.
Present at the meeting were St. Maarten's Crime Task Force Vice Chairman Lenny Priest and member Sydney deWeever Jr. and Wally Havertong as Judge of Instruction in the Court of First Instance.
PHOTO: Acting Chairman Senator Reginald Zaandam of Justice Committee of the Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles and St. Maarten's Crime Task Force Vice Chairman Lenny Priest holding discussions.

GIS

Willemstad, Curacao--- Minister of Constitutional and Home Affairs, Roland Duncan, today released to the media, the draft ordinance to amend the Island Regulation in connection with the transition of the islands of Curacao and St. Maarten to country status. The draft federal ordinance has been submitted to the Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles on January 26, 2010, under the responsibility of Prime Minister Mrs. Emily de Jongh-Elhage and Minister Roland E. Duncan.
The draft ordinance pertains only to the island territories of Curaçao and St. Maarten and contains several important and noteworthy amendments to the Island Regulation 1951:
a) Dissolution of island councils and early elections: One-time dissolution of the island councils and scheduling of elections within three (3) months.

b) Expansion of the Island council of St. Maarten. The island council of St. Maarten is to be expanded to fifteen (15) members after the election resulting from the dissolution of the island council. (The island council of Curaçao will not be expanded)

c) Expansion of the Executive Council of St. Maarten. The maximum allowed amount of Commissioners in the Executive Council of St. Maarten will be increased to seven (7), with the provision that the number of commissioners that are also members of the island council cannot be more than half of the number of island council members. In other words, the maximum number of Commissioners that are also members of the island council shall continue to be five (5).

d) Dualism. After the aforementioned elections, the functions of island and executive council members will be separated. In other words, a commissioner cannot be a member of the island council at the same time or vice versa.

e) Other technical amendments. The draft ordinance also contains necessary technical amendments to the island regulation.

By increasing the number of commissioners, the Executive Council of St. Maarten will be better able to handle the additional authority, powers and workload resulting from the transfer of powers and authority to the territory from the Central Government. In country St. Maarten there shall be seven (7) ministries, which can be mirrored before the new status goes into effect because of this amendment to the Island Regulation.
The increase of the Island Council of the island territory of St. Maarten to fifteen (15) council members is in conformity with draft new constitution of country St. Maarten, which prescribes a parliament of fifteen (15) members.

Minister Duncan will be available during the course of the coming week to answer any pertinent questions and provide further information is so desired.
For more information please contact Ms. Ari Sutton at the Ministry of Constitutional and Home Affairs at Brooks Towers, Phone 542-9081.

Philipsburg: --- Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said the police have not arrested anyone for the murder of Eric Yuan Sam. Henson denounced the report that was published on Saturday in one of the daily newspapers. Yuan Sam was brutally murdered during an armed robbery at the Food Club Supermarket on December 30 2009.

Henson said the investigation into the murder of Yuan Sam is in full swing
in addition, the Police Department, Prosecutors Office, and all other judiciary departments involved in this investigation are looking forward for total cooperation from the entire community. Any-one having information that can shed some light on this investigation or any other crime(s) or criminal activities, should not hesitate and make use of the "tip line # 9300" and pass on this information.

SMN News has been reliably informed that the police are on the trail of the cold-blooded killers, however, they are not at liberty to share any information with the media due to the ongoing investigations.

GREAT BAY— On January 4, 2010, at the Philipsburg Cultural & Community Center, the Government of the Netherlands Antilles and the Island Territory of St. Maarten held a joint information session for the Management staff of the Island and Federal Government Civil Service regarding the dismantling process and personnel matters. There will be 5 other more such sessions to inform the Civil Servants on the island and federal level.

Present were Sector Directors, Department Heads, and Federal Civil Servants from different sections.

For the opening session, Commissioner Xavier Blackman provided the opening words of welcome.

"Let me first say," Commissioner Blackman said, "Happy New Year, and I wish you the very best. I hope that the days off allowed you to renew your energy for the work ahead."

"As commissioner of personnel, I am happy to be here. A special 'Thank you' to you for being here this afternoon. Your presence here is proof of your commitment to your job."

"I want to thank the central government as well for these sessions, and for passing the very important law to begin the transfer process."

Commissioner Blackman said that though the time is limited, this joint information session signals the actual start of the transfer. Change always presents challenges. With the merging of 2 governments, this change will present many opportunities. It is up to us to meet these challenges head on. We have been going through and will go through some more training in the areas of change management courses.

The only way for both governments to achieve what is outlined is to keep on track, to execute well with the staff. We all have to support each other. We owe this to the people we serve, the Netherlands Antilles and St. Maarten."

Commissioner Blackman ended with the hopeful words: "I will continue to actively participate, and I look forward to your input."

The Minister of Constitutional Affairs, Roland Duncan gave a presentation to those present, outlining the historical process and explaining the current situation. Minister Duncan touched on several points, namely: the Road ahead; 10-10-10; phased dismantling; getting files updated; and responding to concerns of public servants.

Basically, the Minister said, the Kingdom Charter will be scratched. The Netherlands Antilles will disappear. While the BES (Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba) will be part of the Dutch constitution, St. Maarten and Curacao will become entities on their own. Provisions were made, Minister Duncan said, in case Curacao or St. Maarten is not ready to comply with all requirements. Thus, if necessary, there will be phased dismantling.

There are some exceptions, however, that the Minister pointed out and those are the Common Court of Justice, which is an autonomous court, an entity on its own; Law of procedure, family law, civil law. There will be an effort to try as best to keep them the same, Minister Duncan pointed out.

Every civil servant will "follow" his or her tasks. Current federal Civil Servants will function as such, on island level. However, their "bosses" will be the Executive Council. The federal workers will report to the EXCO. This will end when the transfer of tasks/job takes place, which should be before 10-10-10. For now, the LMA, the labor laws of the Netherlands Antilles, will be continually enforced. There might be adjustments in time.

The next presenter was Luud Hakkens, of Personnel Affairs on the Island Level, who gave a break down of personnel matters.

He dealt with such issues as the new organization, becoming country St. Maarten, transfer of tasks, transfer of personnel, the current stage and progress of the OBF (organization development, remuneration, performance improvement project), and the social charter, among other issues.

There will be other information session through this week for the civil servants of different sectors and departments.

 

Marigot: --- SMN News has learnt that several persons who are linked to the Office du Tourism are being questioned by the gendarmerie. According to well-placed sources, several persons that are working at the Tourist Office have been questioned while several others are still to be questioned.
SMN News also learnt that the investigation has to do with the former director Yann Claeysen, however, details of investigation are not forthcoming. Notably Claeysen had filed a complaint against the President of the EPIC who fired him when she took over from the Vice President who was also president of the association managing the Tourist Office. The source said monies have disappeared from the tourist office while Claeysen was a director of the institution.
"This has to do with the liquidation of the association since an audit is also taking place. Those in charge have to give accountability of how monies were spent."
Prosecutor Jacques Louvier when contacted on Monday said the investigation is nothing new neither abnormal. Louvier who is currently on vacation did not divulge any information on the ongoing investigation.

SUCKER GARDEN—Alexander York and his teenage son, Richmer, in Suckergarden won first prize of $1500 in the GEBE Christmas Lighting Competition just barely edging out the two-time winners in Cole Bay. Julia Peterson and her family in Cole Bay won second prize of $1000 and Melda Carty in Philipsburg took third place of $500.
The father-son team won in the Most Popular category in the 2008 competition and came back this year with a bang. "We told them that we are coming in 2009 to win!"
The use of LED lights is what gave the Suckergarden home the edge in the competition putting it a mere two points ahead of Cole Bay. "My son, Richmer, kept insisting that we make sure we had LED lights in our display since it was one of the criteria. And when he saw the judges inspecting the LED lights, he said I told you so. Turns out that was the reason we won this year."
GEBE has been promoting the use of energy saving and LED lighting technology and that is reflected in the competition's criteria. The houses are judged by a panel of five judges in five different categories namely creativity, traditional display, first impression, special effects and use of energy saving technology.
The Suckergarden home was also the clear winner in the Popular Vote, receiving more than 2,000 votes from the community through the online and newspaper poll where residents could vote for their favorite display.
In the new category of Best Newcomer, Hendrika Serrant Martina in the Reward area clinched the prize. Although no newcomer to lighting competitions, since they have been participating in the French Side competition for many years, this is the first time they took part in the GEBE competition.
This is the third year that GEBE has organized the Christmas Lighting Competition with the goal to spread the Christmas cheer and light up our community. In response to the rising electricity costs, GEBE is strongly encouraging the use of LED lighting to reduce the amount of electricity needed. LED technology is much more efficient and allows participants to create amazing lighting displays at a fraction of the cost of traditional lighting. LED lights are 80% more efficient, last for years and come in a large variety of shapes, colors and brightness. Plus LED lights have color changing technology which adds a significant wow factor to the displays. A comparison of a 50-string incandescent Christmas lights to a 50-string LED Christmas lights rendered approximately NAF. 7.50 savings per string. LED lights are available on St. Maarten at many stores.
GEBE would like to congratulate the winners in the competition as well as all those that participated. The lighting displays were beautiful and many houses took the competition to an even higher level this year. The competition was very close with more than 50% of the participants within one point of each other. GEBE is looking forward to encouraging more participants for the 2010 competition as part of the company's 50 years celebrations. GEBE. Powering a Brighter Future.

 

Philipsburg:----Foundation EWA, that will be celebrating her twentieth year of existence and consecutive broadcasting on television of the elections results live as well as producing two political books, is proud to announce that this year again they will on January 22nd 2010 be hosting in collaboration with GIS & AVS & SXM Cable T.V. and Telecuracao, the live-broadcast of the last Central Government election-results.
The Broadcast will be done live by FoundationEWA anchor crew Edgar Lynch, Julian Lynch Henry Lynch and Myrna Lynch from the dr. Claude Wathey Legislative Hall in the Government Building. The crew of Bytez Computer Services of Edgardo and Lucrecia Lynch will provide the statistical support and information.
As an anniversary special the only book that contains all the Antillian election data from 1949 through 1999 and interviews with Engineer Don Martina and the late dr. Claude Wathey will be on a special sale that evening. The book is a must for all to have, young and old and it was produced by FoundationEWA and written and compiled by the authors were Edgar & Julian Lynch and published by the famous and well respected House of Nehesi Publishers. Boardmembers Doris Lynch & Nilda Lynch & Myra Lynch will coordinate the sale of the book after providing the opening of the programme.
The evening will carry parts of past broadcast starting with the first live emission of 1990 done then with FBN of Edsel Hooker and his group, interviews, day footage and live conversations with persons on St. Maarten, Saba, St. Eustatius, Bonaire and Curacao and of course the election results of those islands. Do not miss this historic broadcast.
The broadcast is the only entity carrying the official results live from the Lieutenant Governor's office. This year the office has designated Mr. Cedric Peterson to give the results on behalf of the honourable Lieutenant Governor, Franklin Richards.

Basseterre, St. Kitts, - People's Action Movement leader, Lindsay Grant has announced an amnesty, which he said, will commence on January 26 for illegal persons from CARICOM and CARIFORUM countries living in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Grant said that the amnesty will last for 90 days as the party seeks to regularize the current immigration issues regarding non nationals, especially hundreds of our brothers and sisters from sister Caribbean states like Haiti, Guyana, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

Grant speaking to a massive crowd on Friday evening, (January 15th), announced that under his administration the foreign policy will no longer be divorced from the national development policy, in an effort to prioritize a stronger relationship with CARICOM and the wider CARIFORUM. This said the PAM leader would allow his small country to avail itself to all the assistance and expertise available, including human capital.

He stressed that his administration will ensue that the International Labor Organization's (ILO) Convention of the Treatment of Migrant Workers, will be given urgent attention and he will make the signing of that convention, a major priority.

Grant declared that migrant workers must not only be treated fairly, but they must be paid decent wages. "The issue of migration is one about which the debate has been vigorous and often full of emotions, both here in St Kitts and Nevis and in the wider region. At this very moment, it is the varying views on migration and the knee jerk reactions to the issue that have led to the paralysis of the integration process. But integration is about the people," Grant said.

He noted that the people of the Caribbean region have been integrating for many years, in search of new opportunities and a better life for their families, driven in part by the harsh economic realities and circumstances of underdevelopment. In these difficult times the people who come here from Haiti, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, and Guyana, amongst other nations, are simply looking for a new start and his party, the Peoples Action Movement, is of the firm conviction that the time has come to show action by helping those illegal residents to become full legal citizens of St. Kitts & Nevis.

Grant said that the time has come for a change, and that change must benefit everyone, including those who are propelled to risk everything in search of some prosperity for their children.

Grant added that, persons leaving their countries in search of betterment leave their kith and kin behind, sometimes never to see them again, because they are residing in the country illegally and would be unable to return should they leave.

He reiterated his party's position that this kind of lifestyle has had a continued impact on families across the region as children have had to grow up without mothers and fathers.

"This is why we pledge tonight that within the first 90 days of office we will announce an amnesty for all undocumented or illegal persons from the CARICOM and CARIFORUM region and this includes the Dominican Republic," said the PAM leader.

Mr. Grant also pointed out that, "We will also be reviewing the length of time required to obtain citizenship and residency in this country with a view to shortening the length of time."

Philipsburg: --- Assistant Chief Commissioner of Police Dafnis Francesca along with the contractors signed a contract agreement at the Philipsburg Police Station on Tuesday to begin the expansion of the Simpson Bay Police Outpost.
The three-story expansion is geared at building a special space for holding illegal immigrants. Ivan Fraites of the PVNA told members of the media that the construction work will be completed by November 2010.
Fraites said the work is scheduled to last a maximum of ten months. The facility has a price tag of four million guilders that is provided by the Dutch Government through USONA, the new building would accommodate 64 persons. Office spaces for lawyers, doctors and a prison cell for those that are badly behaved are all part of the plans. Fraites said the building would be divided into three sections, namely sleeping area, recreation and an area for fresh air.
Fraites said illegal immigrants would no longer be held in prison cells after the new building is completed. He said the entire area would be open space furnished with beds. He stressed that the building would be secured with iron bars and a special louvers window. Immigrants whose status is not in order would no longer be taken to Philipsburg when arrested. The processing of these persons will take place at the future location when it is completed.

Fraites confirmed that the Federal government does have plans to renovate the Pointe Blanche including the kitchen and adding more office spaces.
The police are also planning to build at least two other police outposts, one in the St. Peters area and the other in Dutch Quarter. Fraites said the only reason those projects have not kicked off is because they need to find the land space to build the outposts. He said while the Dutch is willing to provide the funds for the building of these infrastructures the island government has to provide the land space. Asked when this project would take off Assistant Chief Commissioner of Police Dafnis Francesca said they are now looking for monies to buy the land. He confirmed that the police are also looking into the possibility of moving some officers into the Rupert Maynard Community Center in St. Peters and in the Belvedere Community Center temporarily. Francesca said if the police cannot find land space then they would begin using the two facilities as police outposts.

Philipsburg – Today, Thursday, January 21, 2010, St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) officially signed off on the launch of a series of the instructional and interactive St. Maarten SuperHost Customer Service Training and Certification programs for approximately one hundred and fifty (150) of their employees. SMMC's multi-disciplinary team includes emergency room attendants, in- and out-patient departments, nurses, administrative, maintenance, kitchen and housekeeping staff, as well as the SMMC's core management team. The St. Maarten SuperHost training sessions will begin in February, 2010 and conducted over a 3-month period onsite at the SMMC training facilities with the goal of empowering employees to be service-centered ambassadors at every point of contact with patients and/or visitors throughout the hospital.

"The SuperHost program aims to empower SMMC's staff with the skills, and expertise for providing quality service in an environment where patients and their families require quality care, empathetic communication and patient-focused service," says Jacqueline Louis, General Manager of Innovative Marketing Creations (IMC), the local agents of St. Maarten SuperHost. "This is only the beginning of an ongoing initiative to assist SMMC with their management's vision to improve patient and visitor services by providing them with the tools during the trainings, as well as ongoing reinforcements."

For the SMMC team, the SuperHost training program will touch on the fundamental skills for providing quality customer service, with a focus on personal employee self-development. This further translates into the improvement of interpersonal skills for team-building, as well as patient and general customer service. In addition, the program will encompass, the power of first and last impressions, great communication skills, how to be attentive and empathetic to patients' needs, the power of listening, SMMC's brand essentials, frontline management solutions, and the importance of patient-focused care.

"SMMC has had a long-standing dedication to the ongoing training and development of our team," says Dr. George Scot, General Director of St. Maarten Medical Center, "and we remain steadfast in our commitment as part of the overall delivery of quality medical services to the local community, as well as visitors. The St. Maarten SuperHost program was selected after careful review and deliberation of the most suitable customer-service training program to complement our extensive training initiatives, and employee development needs."

SMMC's efforts do not go unnoticed, as was evidenced by SHTA's recognition for the Crystal Pineapple Award for Outstanding Employee Training Program for the past four years, among other awards won by SMMC over the years.

"The movement to bring back our friendly island continues!" declares Jacqueline Louis, "We commend SMMC for their leadership in launching this initiative, and challenge local businesses and organizations to better prepare their workforce, through programs like St. Maarten SuperHost, to provide customers, tourists and in this case, patients with excellent customer service; our livelihood depends on our ability to treat people with courtesy, respect and quality service."

SuperHost customer service training was first introduced in 1985 to prepare British Columbia's tourism workforce to host the world at EXPO '86. The programme's excellence is recognized internationally. After an extensive search for the best in the world, American Express selected SuperHost as its customer service programme.

St. Maarten SuperHost is one of several prestigious agencies certified and licensed to give this consumer service enrichment programme, and has been endorsed as the official consumer training programme for St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association (SHTA).

Philipsburg: ---The St. Maarten Bar Association is pleased with the construction of the new Holding Facility for undocumented persons in Simpson Bay. For many years, the bar has been sharply critical about the holding facility in Philipsburg. Criminal suspects, undocumented person, young, or old have been locked up together in cramped unhygienic circumstances. The fact that change is coming is good news. "Better late than never" the Bar's secretary attorney Remco M. Stomp stated in a short press release. It is imperative to separate undocumented people from criminal suspects and children from grownups.
The situation for detainees presently is still far beneath all civilized standards, little to nothing has improved. For that reason every initiative to improve this inhuman situation is welcomed, however the given timeframe of ten months will be closely monitored Stomp said. The construction at the police station took almost 3 years to finish and is still not finalized.
As long as St.Maarten is economically, doing better than the surrounding islands in the region the island must expect immigration form abroad to continue. For this situation, the island must have a properly working immigration system in place including proper institutions with well-trained personnel and capable management.
Holding spaces for undocumented individuals will remain essential in order to return the unwanted guests to their place of origin. Locking up people for immigration reasons should however be last resort for government to turn to in case immigrants do not return voluntarily, the law states. In addition, the holding facility should meet minimum standards. The fact that St.Maarten will be getting such a facility is a step in the right direction and shows that the Island is seriously preparing for its new status Stomp concluded.

Commissioner of Public Health, Labour & Social Affairs, Youth Affairs, Mr. Hyacinth Richardson candidate # 11 of the National Alliance list "The Man for the People" would like to express his sincerest thanks to all persons for their continued support leading up to the 2010 Parliamentary Elections on January 22, 2010. I would like to commend all 11,766 people who exercised their democratic right to vote as we move forward to achieve Country St. Maarten.
Special mention should be made of the 6940 voters who have indicated by their outstanding showing at the polls that they believe and are willing to work, for the betterment of St. Maarten, with the current leadership. To the 558 persons who voted and supported me I thank you for your confidence in me. There is much more work ahead of us as a people working towards a historical moment for this country. I will need your continued support and suggestions to help stair our course during the upcoming period.
Congratulations should also be extended to all of the candidates for their work and valor during the elections.

Philipsburg:---Home Away From Home Taking Care Of The Golden Age Foundation, gave a Birthday Party Bash, on behalf of the seniors,(see group photo), that celebrated their birthdays between September and December 2009.

Leader of Government Mr. William Marlin and staff, congratulates the birthday celebrants and wishes them God's strength and guidance as they celebrated yet another year.(Mr. Marlin was off Island during the celebration).

MARIGOT—The gendarmes have transferred a 26 year old woman to the Baie Mahaut penitentiary after she was arrested on Wednesday morning. The culprit committed several burglaries. The first incident occurred in May last year.

Philipsburg – The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) is announcing the closing of the registration for booth holders in preparation for Carnival 2010. Stuart Johnson SCDF Vice-president is encouraging all booth holders to meet the deadline, which is February 5th 2010 at 4:30pm. The booth registration forms could be picked up by the security desk at the Government Administration Building. For additional information members of the board of SCDF can be contacted.

Basseterre,St.Kitts :-Immediately after taking office a People's Action Movement Government will ensure that proper broadcast legislation are implemented thus ensuring that the culture of no access to the opposition is immediately ended. This is the firm commitment made by Leader of PAM, Lindsay Grant who said that despite numerous and continuous efforts they continued to be denied access to the state radio and television stations.

He further said that the situation is even more alarming as attempts in the past and more recently to have Christmas and New Year's speeches broadcasted by the party leader and more so PAM's lone parliamentarian have also been met with refusal. Grant went on to note that there have been several instances in which ZIZ continues to deny them airtime pointing out that advertisements from the party, messages for meetings, Public Relations releases and most even messages from the party's lone parliamentarian, Hon Shawn Richards. He further stressed that denying the party access to airtime is unprofessional, unethical and unlawful declaring that ZIZ is owned by tax paying public which also includes PAM supporters.

Grant said that there is an urgent need for the setting up of a broadcast legislation and a broadcasting authority noting that it will serve to ensure that every individual and party have a vote. Grant stressed that politics influence every sphere of our lives to the extent of empowerment, exclusion, discrimination and marginalization. He stressed that under the reigns of the Dr Denzil Douglas administration they have maintained a stranglehold on decision-making, even if it requires violating the rule of law and conventions.

Grant said that despite public and private condemnation as to regards of how government continues to deny the opposition party access to ZIZ Radio and television, "some people are of the firm view that we are too tolerant and that is why we have this abuse of the airwaves by Dr Douglas and Labour. As a mater of fact, they have been saying like us that it needs to be strongly regulated," Grant said.

Grant noted that the refusal of the Government to grant access to the opposition n is a clear case of attempting to deny the public fair and uninterrupted access to information so as to afford them an opportunity to make informed decisions. "They (Labour Party) talk about fair access to the state media but we see the continuous and appalling abuse that is being committed by the government in their desperate attempt at remaining in office," he charged.

The PAM leader noted that once an individual is seen as being hostile to the government they are immediately denied access, this is certainly against the law of any land. "The Government is so clouded with their abuse of the state Radio and Television stations that that everything must be political for their personal advantage rather than recognizing that ZIZ have a responsibility to play in ensuring effective and fair dissemination of information to the public," he declared.

Grant declared that an examination within the region points ton the hash reality that St Kitts and Nevis remains the "only major country in the Caribbean without modern broadcasting law instituting a politically independent broadcasting authority to administer and regulate broadcast licenses, while also ensuring that there is fair access to the state radio and television stations."

The PAM leader stressed the urgent and immediate need for the government to ensure the administering of equal and fair access to the state media through the establishment of "an independent and autonomous authority empowered by the relevant legislation to issue public, commercial and community radio and television licenses, enforce regulations, monitor compliance and increase public awareness, among other functions."

He added that what the people of St Kitts and Nevis are witnessing a disservice by Government declaring that if continued unchecked will result in further dictatorial approach by the government which he said is unlawful and unethical.

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts,(PAM Secretariat) - Despite getting a friend of the nation to make a US$10, 000.00 donation, it is only a pin being dropped into the ocean to what is needed to help Haiti. Therefore Government should come forward with a much more meaningful donation for the people of that earthquake-ravished country.

This is the sentiment expressed by Leader of the People's Action Movement, Lindsay Grant at a recent Haitian-Releif Concert organised and staged by opposition People's Action Movement PAM party. Grant is of the firm belief that St. Kitts and Nevis's gesture is disappointing, taking into consideration that the Prime Minister only responded to help because of the enormous pressures he received after PAM got immediately involved.

Grant said he believes that the people of St. Kitts and Nevis would give generously through voluntary contributions of cash and kind.

"We have a responsibility to assist our brothers and sisters of Haiti as they have been suffering immensely, and we in St. Kitts and Nevis can relate to suffering as we are experiencing our sufferings as well. But we should recognize the importance of giving," he said.

"I must admit that when I perused the internet and saw the international media reports, it was the first time that I was emotionally affected to such a level by a national tragedy...It is horrendous, it is painful, it is unbearable, it is heartbreaking knowing that people are still trapped, some are missing, and buildings are still collapsing. I have to admit that it is a really sad situation with some 100,000-odd people dead," Grant told an exceptionally massive crowd last night (Jan. 15) at a concert held to raise funds for relief assistance for Haiti.

Addressing the Haiti dilemma, Grant said that he and his party understand the meaning and implications of disaster for any country. He questioned the Prime Minister's lackadaisical approach, noting that they should have responded earlier, taking into consideration that Haiti's international superstar Wyclef Jean is slated to perform at a Labour concert in the Federation.

He disclosed that in an effort to ensure smooth collection of assistance for the people of Haiti, he had identified the Red Cross organization to which his party would turn over all contributions for distribution to Haiti. He said that emphasis has been placed on financial contribution as a start and measures have already been put in place for the acceptance of pledges for material support.

"We recognize that there will be some challenges in terms of getting material support to Haiti, therefore, we are focusing on financial donations and contributions as it would make the Red Cross' job much easier," he explained.

"I want to guarantee that transparency will be maintained so as to ensure that people's funds are accounted for, thus our choice of Red Cross as we are very confident that an effective job will be done by them," he added.

Grant admitted that he would not rush to prescribe additional solutions, but rather strongly believes further action should come after CARICOM's intervention and subsequent discussions with the people of Haiti.

"What I would say immediately, is the need for providing financial and other relief to them right there. We should be concentrating on what assistance we can take there, which is far from telling somebody who has tons of rubble still on them that we are hoping to resettle them. What we need is physical help to rescue the thousands who may still die.
For every hour of delay, the possibility exists that more people will die," the opposition Leader lamented.

Grant declared that the tragic events in Haiti should provide the occasion for St. Kitts and Nevis to seriously review the Federation's own disaster preparedness strategy so as to ensure if faced with eventualities the nation could respond appropriately and effectively.

He stressed that St. Kitts and Nevis is located in the hurricane belt and could also be affected by other disasters. Therefore, the public should know that the people of this Federation are not immune from natural disasters.

He declared, "...as Kittitians and Nevisians mobilize their resources to assist the suffering people of Haiti, it is perhaps an appropriate time for us here in St Kitts and Nevis to review our own system."

Allegations of corruption continue to soar

Stinging criticism and widespread disgust over allegations of corruption, high cost of living and crime being leveled against the Labour Party have forced the Dr. Douglas-led Labour Party Government into reverse gear, as it continues with measures deemed by many as being very "oppressive."

At the same time, the opposition People's Action Movement, through its Leader Lindsay Grant, continues to highlight evidences of corruption demanding that Dr. Douglas tells the electorate the complete truth.

According to inside sources, Dr. Douglas and his Labour Party have been working feverishly to hide certain mistakes made by several Labour candidates and also by the Prime Minister himself. The Government source said that a number of irregularities occurred under the leadership of Dr. Douglas and they have triggered public backlashes.
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The opposition Leader noted that voters should be cognizant in what the Prime Minister had reportedly been involved. Grant stressed that the Prime Minister should give voters an opportunity to have their fears removed, thus being able to make an informed decision.

He made reference to the US Bank Account in which he publicly leveled a series of allegations against Dr. Douglas at a political meeting his party recently held in Bank Street.

Commenting on what he said is a desperate ploy by the Labour Party to play unfairly, Grant said he and his party would like the Commissioner of Police to desist from allowing the Force to be part of Dr. Douglas' scheme. He explained that permission would be given to his party for the holding of public meetings at specific venues; however, a day or two before he would be informed that the permit was revoked because permission was granted for the Labour Party to hold their meetings at the same venues.

"The police are playing cat and mouse with us and this should cease immediately. This para-military institution should not be politicized because the security forces have to protect all, irrespective of one's political affiliation," he said.

Grant declared that despite the actions of the police, he and his party would continue to seek permission to hold their meetings. He added that when elected, his party would certainly address a number of burning issues affecting the police.

Grant also called on the Labour Administration to recognize and demonstrate equality to opposition parties, stressing that on January 26th the Labour Party would form the opposition.

GREAT BAY– Governor Franklyn Richards urges the public to continue donating to the Haiti Relief Appeal and commends ongoing efforts by community, religious, business groups and non-governmental organizations, in raising funds and material to assist the people of Haiti.

Last week Tuesday afternoon, Haiti was struck by a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake followed by a number of aftershocks measuring over magnitude 5.0. Thousands of people have been injured and killed.

On Monday the Dutch Government launched another humanitarian airlift out Holland by sending a chartered plane carrying 30 relief workers goods to Haiti.

The relief workers are from a number of organizations namely, Wereldkinderen, de Nederlandse Adoptie Stichting, de Samenwerkende Hulp Organisaties, the Immigration & Naturalization Service, and the Fast Consular Services Support Team (SCOT) from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Dutch humanitarian flight was scheduled to arrive in Haiti on Monday and depart for Holland on the same day with expected arrival at Schiphol on Tuesday. The aircraft would return with approximately 100 children who have been placed for adoption.

"I call on the nation to continue to give generously. Every little bit helps as it increases the amount of aid that can be delivered to help the millions of people affected by this terrible natural event. The scale of this tragedy is beyond belief," Governor Richards told the Government Information Service (GIS).

According to the United Nations (UN), the January 12 earthquake is believed to have impacted one third of Haiti's nine million people – three million.

The main focus by relief organizations and other groups on the ground in Haiti is the continued need for search-and-rescue; emergency relief (food, water and tents); and proper coordination of the emergency operation.

The UN and its partners last week launched an appeal last week Friday for nearly US$600 million to help the victims of the earthquake.

The funds are intended to help the estimated three million affected people over a period of six months, with half of the funds going towards emergency food aid, and the balance for health, water, sanitation, nutrition, early recovery, emergency education and other key needs.

PAM Calls on US Authorities to Investigate.
Basseterre, St. Kitts, As more damaging and conclusive evidence emerges linking the Prime Minister of St. Kitts & Nevis, Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, to a US company and its bank accounts, that have seen the movement of transactions totaling over $76 Million Dollars, in the last decade, the leader of the opposition Peoples Action Movement, (PAM), Mr. Lindsay Grant, is issuing a call to the US Treasury Department, the IRS and other authorities to launch an urgent investigation, into the Lex Consulting LLC company, which is said to be registered in the name of the girlfriend and mother of the Prime Minister's children, Ms. Kate Alex Woodley.
Documents previously released by PAM, also provided evidence showing that the registered offices of the company, is in fact the home of the same Kate Alex Woodley, at 3265 Bainbridge Ave, Apt. B52, Bronx, NY,10467-3000.
The two main accounts for which proof has been established, are 000002391182553 and 000779501106365.
The PAM leader said that given the huge sums of monies that have been moving through this company, both the media and the US Authorities need to take a close look, to satisfy themselves about the appropriateness of the financial dealings.
Grant said that the media in St. Kitts & Nevis and the international media should launch their own independent research to verify the authenticity of these very serious charges. Grant said that the media have a responsibility and duty to undertake such investigation, on behalf of the public.
New startling revelations were made on Monday night, (January, 18th, 2010), during a political meeting in Cayon, St. Kitts, by the PAM leader, while he addressed thousands on a campaign stop to endorse his candidate for the Constituency 8 district of Cayon and surrounding villages.
Mr. Grant released a series of recent checks that showed the name of the Prime Minister and his Labour Party Committee, in amounts totaling EC$367,000 or US$135,000.
What was even more telling was that the checks were actually written out in the well known and recognizable hand writing of the Prime Minister, but signed by Alex Woodley.
Mr. Grant says that what these documents prove is that the Prime Minister, as we have said all along is very much aware of the company called Lex Consulting and that he has in fact been writing checks and receiving large sums of monies, with the latest check being paid out last week.
This means said Grant, that since the existence of this US Bank account was made known to the public on Tuesday January, 12th, 2010, during a PAM meeting in Basseterre, the Prime Minister has been arrogant and brazen enough to continue receiving payments from the said account.
Would you believe that on Tuesday January 12th, we revealed the financial documents and by the very next day, Wednesday January 13th, the Prime Minister was insensitive and uncaring enough to prepare another check in the amount of US$40,000.00, payable to the Labour Office Committee, drawn on a US checking account, held right here in St. Kitts at the government owned National Bank Ltd?
Grant said that the Prime Minister must answer, not to him, but to the people of this country. Tonight, one week before the general elections of this country, we are still waiting for an answer from the Prime Minister, said Grant
The greatest effects of this is what this money could have done, said the PAM leader. He continued by asking, "(do) you know how many houses $76 million could build? Do you know how many scholarships could have been given to young people in this country? Do you know how many young people could have been empowered and how many job opportunities could have been open up for the young people of this country?"
This why we say, that this election is about the future of this country. It is either we have more of the same, or change, explained Grant.
A lot of you out there are hurting and crying for change, but change does not come easily, you have got to work for it, said the PAM leader.
The labour campaign meanwhile has been filled with oversized billboards, hugely expensive banners, charter flights for hundreds of overseas supporters, well paid advisors and strategists from England, Canada, Barbados and elsewhere.
Their events have also included appearances from well known international artistes, such as Wyclef Jean and Serani, with more costly bookings to come later this week. Expansive stages, lighting companies, sound systems, production and creative directors from Europe have been brought in by the labour organizing committees, for the upcoming polls. The public continues to wonder, where this money is coming from.
The question we have to ask ourselves as Kittitians and Nevisians is where all of these millions of dollars are coming from and why is the Prime Minister receiving payments and writing checks from the Lex Consulting LLC account. But we must also ask the Prime Minister, why is he eligible to actually prepare checks for payment?
The PAM leader reminded supporters that this is exactly why a new PAM Administration, if given the opportunity by the people will immediately introduce Integrity in Public Life legislation, A Freedom of Information Act, Term Limits and Set Dates for elections in the twin-island federation. He said that his party would also change the requirements to have both federal and local Nevis Island Elections at the same time.
Grant concluded by saying that if governments like the current one in St. Kitts & Nevis cannot police themselves, then the appropriate legislation must be urgently enacted to protect the people from politicians who after serving for too many years, begin to feel that the country is their private club.

Philipsburg: --- The attorney at law representing detective Carlton Philips has sent a letter reacting to the articles published on this site and one of the daily newspapers on Tuesday. Attorney at law Reynold Groenveldt in his letter openly appealed to both the prosecutor's office and the management of the police force to stop the victimization.
Below is the full test of the text of the letter sent by Groenveldt...

STOP THE VICTIMIZATION

On behalf of my client, police inspector Carlton PHILIPS, I would like to make the following statement:
On, February 10 2009, the Acting Police Chief, Mr. Doran, informed him of an accusation against him pertaining to the destruction of information several years ago when he worked at the CID.
This malicious accusation was immediately, vehemently denied by client. On February 11, 2009, he requested an investigation to prove his innocence and to clear his name and restore his honor.
After he did not receive any answer on his request, he repeated his request in the months of March and April 2009.
During the months that followed, several influential persons were approached and requested to help in securing an investigation. Unfortunately, all his efforts were unsuccessful.
On September 10, 2009, after waiting for seven months for management to clear his name and restore his honor, he took a very painful decision to go public with this matter and expose some of the wrongs in the police force in the hope that things will change for the better..
First and foremost, he wanted his name cleared and the victimization stopped..
In less than a month after going public, two members of the internal affairs division of Curacao arrived in St. Maarten. An investigation was carried out, clearly with the aim to establish if he did anything criminally wrong in order to prosecute and punish him.
The investigation has been completed since the end of October 2009.
A request was forwarded to the Minister of Justice and to Mr. Doran requesting a copy of the report and or information concerning the outcome of the investigation. The Minister of Justice referred him to the Public Prosecutor's office.
My client has since been waiting for the results of the investigation.
He read in the media that the Chief Prosecutor Mr. Mos indicated that he did nothing criminally wrong, and that there are no grounds to prosecute him and that the report was handed over to management of the Police force.
To his great surprise recently while working on a murder investigation he was suddenly removed from the case and he learned that the acting chief prosecutor had informed the management of the Police force by letter dated November 26, 2009 that the prosecutors had decided that they will not be working with him. The exact reason(s) for this was not communicated to him.
From a newspaper article in the Today newspaper of Tuesday, January 19,2010. I understand that the Act Prosecutor is of the opinion that my client alleges that he conspired against him to block his appointment. This opinion is absolutely not correct and totally in accurate. Client did not make any such allegations but was informed by his superior that the Prosecutor's office has expressed a preference not to have him appointed as Head of the CID. My client simply requested also to investigate what role the Prosecutors Office played in this matter.
My client finds this very unfortunate and is of the opinion that matter should be dealt with in an more professional manner. Prosecutors are not working for themselves and should not because of personal reasons determine who they will work with or not. If anyone in this office has a personal problem with any colleague in the Police force or any other sector in the judicial chain, this should be resolved in a professional manner without jeopardizing the main tasks and responsibilities of the Police and the Prosecutors office. One cannot decide with whom he/she would want to work without valid reasons substantiated by professional arguments. This office is not a " Private Dutch club".
As for the misleading statements concerning not prosecuting and requesting an apology, supposedly attributed to Mr. MUD, he should take into account the fact that one is innocent until proven guilty. If in the year 2002, my client had destroyed any evidence, he most certainly would have been prosecuted and punished. He did not destroy any evidence, consequently he is in his full right to demand that any such allegation levied against him be thoroughly investigated and his good name be cleared, and his honor restored in the minds of the Public and for the record.
For that reason, he insisted to have this done and also in order to put a stop to the practice of victimizing colleagues for no apparent reasons. Competition for a higher position should be based on performance, knowledge, competence and dedication and not victimizing others in order to prevent them from succeeding. It is my hope that the Minister of Justice, the Police Management as well as the Public Prosecutors Office this take this matter into serious consideration and desist from further victimization of my client and that this matter be resolved in a professional manner as soon as possible. Instead of doing battle against each other, parties should cooperate and bundle your energy so that you can focus on the Main Tasks of Protecting the Community and the Maintenance of Law and Order, instead of victimizing your own. Mr. Philips has done nothing, wrong consequently, he will never issue any apology for seeking Justice.

On behalf of Inspector Carlton Philips

R.A.Groeneveldt, Attorney

CAY BAY—The two new 11.3 MW generators have to complete a few final tests before the engines will be officially turned over to GEBE. The engines are running to full production while this testing phase continues. It is expected that the final tests will be completed within two weeks.
The engines have been online since December 21, 2009. The technicians from manufacturer Wartsila, along with the GEBE technicians, have been monitoring the engines' performance and outputs during this period as part of the ongoing testing and fine-tuning process to ensure that the engines are meeting the required performance standards.
The waste heat boilers, the lube oil separators, and the fire detection system are some of the areas that still need to be officially tested and signed off. "The engines consists of many different components and GEBE wants to be sure that everything is properly tested and meets all the manufacturer's technical specifications, especially when running at full power for longer periods of time."
The GEBE technicians attended several training sessions to become acquainted with the latest technologies that are used in the generators. Both the operators and the electrical maintenance crew received training in general operations, new electrical components and circuitry and radiator cooling system. No special training was required for the mechanical maintenance crew because the general mechanics of the new engines are similar to the other Wartsila engines in the GEBE power plant.

GREAT BAY,) – The Preventive Health Department (PHD) has received a report from health care providers that there are approximately 30 cases of scabies within the community.

The PHD recommends that parents, care givers and adults in general closely observe their children as well as themselves for signs of rash, pimples or mosquito bites, and to consult their general practitioner. Practicing good hygiene is also a good preventative measure.

Scabies is an infestation of the skin with a microscopic mite. Infestation is common, found worldwide, and affects people of all races and social classes.

Scabies spreads rapidly under crowded conditions where there is frequent skin-to-skin contact between people, such as in hospitals, child-care facilities, and nursing homes.

Persons at risk for severe infestation are people with a weakened immune system and the elderly. This severe infestation is called Norwegian or crusted scabies.

For a person who has never been infected with scabies, symptoms may take four to six weeks to begin. For persons who have had scabies in the past, symptoms appear within several days.

Signs and symptoms of scabies are: a pimple-like irritation, burrows or rash of the skin, especially the webbing between the fingers; the skin folds on the wrist, elbow, or knee; the penis, the breast, or shoulder blades.

There is intense itching, especially at night and over most of the body. Sores on the body are caused by scratching; these sores can sometimes become infected with bacteria.

Scabies can be treated with several lotions. Once you have the symptoms, you should visit your family physician who can prescribe the appropriate lotion for treatment.

Persons who have close and prolonged contact with a person who has scabies should also be treated. A quick handshake or hug will usually not spread infestation.

Infestation is easily spread to sexual partners and households members. Infestation may also occur by sharing clothing, towels, and bedding. Treatment should be taken at the same time in order to prevent re-infestation.

Once you receive treatment, itching may continue for two to three weeks, and this does not mean that you are still infested.

The PHD adds that pets do not spread scabies.

Persons seeking additional information should contact Preventive Health Department at telephone numbers: 542-3003 or 542-3553.

Oranjestad -- PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) a market leader in an era of Global Crisis and Recovery, reacted generously today to the heartbreaking Haitian crisis.

As a private sector entity, it reached out to its network of regional branches in Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao and St Maarten and to the offices of its affiliate Caribbean Accounting Services in Bonaire and Curaçao to encourage and stimulate donations from individual associates and corporate sources, contributing to a substantial, Awg/Fls 57,420 check, designed to help Haiti in a time of great need.

The donation collected on four islands, from PwC employees and owners was presented to Greg Peterson, President Red Cross Aruba by PwC's employees Adeline Marie Blanchard and Sicilia Joseph Jean Mary, who are both of Haitian descent.

In his warm words of acceptance Peterson declared that the world shares the grief and the concerns over the fate of the stricken Pearl of the Caribbean and wished the members of the Caribbean Haitian community strength and resilience in view of the horrors seen on TV. Peterson declared that the funds collected in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba will be funneled to the Red Cross Haiti, in a matter of days.

PwC's spokesperson reported that the donation was given to the Red Cross, as an international relief organization that operates around the world, and is always prepared to mobilize, save lives and provide much-needed assistance.

PwC is of the opinion, the spokesperson stated, that it is the private sector's obligation to operate in ways that benefit society, and foster the well-being of the community on an ongoing basis.

The people of PwC, he concluded, are committed to playing a leading role in achieving a better future, as they understand and accept their Corporate Responsibility.

PricewaterhouseCoopers (www.pwc.com) provides industry-focused assurance, tax and advisory services to build public trust and enhance value for their clients and their stakeholders. More than 163,000 people in 151 countries across the network share their thinking, experience and solutions to develop fresh perspectives and practical advice.

Winair's activity committee joined with other employees of Winair and some of the management their company's building a well needed face lift. The event held on Saturday last saw a large number of employees along with members of the Management Team painting the company's building on Saturday. The activity which was held by the activity club saw several employees busy at work as they sought to paint the building changing the colors. The colour blue which represents the company was used along with yellow.

According to the airline's Managing Director, Edwin Hodge the event was very well supported which he said is a testimony of the harmony and unity that exists among the staff. He noted that he is overwhelmed with satisfaction and appreciation for all those who got involved stressing that volunteerism was exhibited by all.

Commenting on those who participated in the event he said that persons from several departments got involved noting that seeing members of the management team, along with staff socializing while lending their assistance was a commendable gesture by the activity club which he showered with praise.

"We had pilots, revenue accounting, corporate accounting, maintenance, customer service, IT and operations team members participating in the Winair Paint Party," Hodge said.

The Winiar MD expressed thanks to all involved stating that he and the rest of the management team and the supervisory board members are extremely grateful and thankful to the activity club for its noble gesture. He added that his Management Team remains committed and willing to support and lend whatever assistance to the club for future and continued initiatives declaring that helping to forge unity, harmony and volunteerism among staff continues to form part of Management's objectives.

"We are very thankful to the activity club as this event was truly a success and I would like to see our employees getting involve in other such initiatives. It will help in instilling a spirit of love, appreciation, unity and the desire to volunteer thus raising our level of service," Hodge said.

Declaring the event as being historic Hodge stressed that he is confident that the activity club aided with the support of the employees who volunteered will continue to execute and promote similar initiatives. He added that it is the contributions like these that continue to keep the doors of Winair open for the past 48 years despite the continued growing economic and other challenges.

"It is the demonstration of contributions like these that reassures me that Winair has a team of employees who are truly committed and dedicated in ensuring that Winair remains a viable, efficient and customer service ready airline company as they understand the importance and benefits of working together.

Sucker Garden:-- Traffic backed up on Sunday afternoon when the rider of a motor cycle lost control of his bike and end up under a jeep. The ambulance and fire truck responded to the scene. No information on the rider has been available up to press time.

GREAT BAY– For persons who have relocated overseas, these persons should get in contact with the Civil Registry Department to have their information updated.

Persons who are still registered on the island, but have died while abroad, a family member is requested to visit the Civil Registry Department in order to have the persons file updated. The family member must declare the death with a legalized death certificate (apostille stamp).

Individuals who have moved from one address to another on the island are also requested to inform the Civil Registry Department.

The aforementioned requirements are based on Article 13 sub.2 of the Basic Administration Legislation AB 1999, nr.1 that says that registered individuals who have changed their address are responsible for ensuring that this information is given to the Civil Registry Department within five days. Persons who do not adhere to this are punishable by law.

For the January 22, 2010 Parliamentary elections, an amount of 1031 voting cards remained unclaimed. Probable reasons for this are unknown address; relocation of the individual; or the person died.

Persons who did not collect their voting card are hereby advised to report to the department and verify their address.

For further information, you can call the Civil Registry Department at 542-2457.

Philipsburg: --- The St. Maarten Police Department are currently investigating five murder cases, four of which were committed in 2009 and one in 2010 said Prosecutor Rienk Mud. Mud made clear that his office has determined that a crime has been committed in the death of Christian Lloyd whose body was removed from his St. Peters home on Monday. However, he is not able to give any details on the gruesome killing, which rocked the St Peters neighbourhood.

Asked how the investigations are progressing in the Haresh Dayalani case Mud said that case is progressing well but they have chosen to remain tight-lipped on the investigations. The public prosecutor who is also over the detective department said they are making progress with the investigation into the shooting death of David Eustace Priest but he is not willing to divulge any information to the media since the investigation is currently ongoing.

Mud further explained that the detectives are also investigating the killing of the Haitian man that was found in his Middle Region home, the Eric Yuan Sam killing as well as Lloyd. "We have decided not to give out any information on these murder investigations because none of them are closed. I am sorry I cannot give you or your colleagues anymore information on these investigations except to say they are progressing well," Mud said on Tuesday.

Philipsburg: --- Director of USONA Reginaldo Doran and leader of government William Marlin signed off four projects on Wednesday. Marlin in his opening statements said all four of the projects are being financed by the Dutch Government through USONA. He said the total costs for all four projects are to the tune of nine million guilders. Parties signed off the project that is geared at enhancing legal affairs department. Marlin said this department needs strengthening since they are the ones responsible for working and giving advice on the legislations for country St. Maarten.
The project is expected to take at least 21 months before it is completed and would cost some 2.4 million guilders, the island government he said would be hiring three experienced persons in legal affairs. Marlin said the three new persons who are expected to be brought in from abroad would have the task of jump-starting the process; however, their time on St. Maarten would be on a short-term basis. Government he said would also hire four persons who recently graduated who would be hired on a long-term basis. Marlin said one of the tasks that would be given to those coming in is to train policy advisors in various departments for country St. Maarten.
The island leader also signed off the agreement, which is designed to secure as well as safeguard sensitive documents. Marlin said of the four projects this one is the smallest which would last about one year before it is completed. The cost for the project Marlin said costs 670,000 guilders.
The intention Marlin said is to build a conveyor system that would be used to transport documents such as passports.
Government also signed off on an educational project that is expected to last three years. Marlin said the project is geared at giving school drop outs a second chance in education. Marlin said there are several young people in the community who simply cannot find work because they are not qualified neither they do not have a skill or trade. Marlin said this project will not be attached to any single institution. Trainings for computer repairpersons (technicians) will be given since there is a market for such persons. The project he said will last for three years to the tune of 1.6 million guilders. Marlin said they are hoping that with this project several young persons who are not able to find work would be taken off the blocks. He said while one would hear that persons cannot find work, often time skilled labourers cannot be found. Marlin said this program would target young people between the ages of 16 to 24 years old. He urged the young men and women who are interested in computer training to get involved since this is the opportunity for them upgrade themselves. He said almost every home has computers and there is need for computer repairpersons. He said this training is not offered within the walls of the schools thus those interested should register. Coordinating this project is Drs. Angela Dekker.
The fourth agreement that was signed off on Wednesday is for the construction of 24 three-bedroom homes in Hope Estate. Marlin said there is a large demand for low-income homes. He said while the waiting list is long, government is doing all it can to build more low in-come homes. The island leader said the rent for a decent home surpasses people salaries and because of this several families are living in undesirable conditions. He said there are people who are paying over $1000 for a two-bedroom apartment. Marlin said the Hope Estate Project is mostly for persons who are earning minimum wage. Already the two bedroom apartments are almost complete and tenants would be able to move in by the first week of March. Marlin said government is also in discussion with one of the local banks for a commercial loan with a three percent interest rate so that they can build more three-bedroom homes. Marlin said there are families of five or six that are still living in one-bedroom homes and this he said is creating a social crisis. The island leader said he is of the opinion that when these homes are completed it would bring about a remedy to the current situation.
Marlin said one of the trends now seen in St. Maarten is subletting. He said there are persons from the Caribbean islands that are renting larger homes in residential areas but inside that house there are several families living only in bedrooms. "This is because people who come here to work cannot find affordable houses so they are forced to combine their income." Marlin said explained that because of high renting several persons are living in shacks or shantytowns. Government he said has embarked on building several low-income homes over the years in the hope of rectifying the situation.
Marlin explained that there are people who need proper housing but they simply cannot afford the rents since renting depends on the supply and demand. The island leader said the 24 homes that would be constructed on high-rise on the land that was purchased since 1998. The Dutch government is said will be providing 4.4 million guilders while the island government 900.000 guilders. Marlin said based on the plans these homes will be completed in two years time.

Philipsburg: --- Former Democratic Party Commissioner of labour, youth, and cultural affairs Louie Laviest pleaded with the joint court of appeals on Thursday telling them he is no criminal and that he does not have any bone or hair that is of criminal nature. Laviest admitted to the court that he made several administrative errors regarding his foundations but none of it was of criminal or mal-intent. "When I was elected in 1993 I was young and green, I wanted to impress everyone, and I believe that is where I went wrong. I have learnt a valuable lesson your honor and I would make sure I think things through thoroughly before committing myself in the future." Laviest told the three panel judges.
Laveist was quizzed on the forged minutes of the Culture Club Foundation. Laveist maintained that he and the other members of Culture Club foundation did not forge the minutes, but said he could not understand why Lydia Arnell and Virgillo Brooks would deny attending the meeting or why they would say they were not members of Culture Club. Laveist said he did resign as president of the Culture Club based on advice given to him by AMFO after he requested funding for the "Rally around the Flag project". AMFO he said told him it was best that he resign to avoid conflict of interest. Laveist said even though he resigned as president he did remain a member of the foundation and was instrumental in advising the team.
However, Laveist said he neither the appointed president Roberto Richardson did not follow up with regular procedures by changing their board members at the notary. He said it was an oversight since both him and his team was busy with other projects such as "Christmas Village" Laveist told the judge that Lydia Arnell was the person who was writing checks and making deposits for the Culture Club. He said she was the one doing the administrative work while Virgillo Brooks was the one taking out the invoices and picking up the checks for the foundation. In fact, Lydia Arnell was the project coordinator. He said he does not know if these persons panicked when they were questioned by authorities but maintained that when he resigned both Arnell and Brooks were appointed members of the foundation. Asked if he realized that the mere fact he was acting behind the scenes it was still a matter of conflict of interest? Laveist said there was nowhere he could have stayed out completely because he was the commissioner of culture and he is the one who suggested the project "flag day." Quizzed about the statements he made to the investigating officers Laveist said when he was arrested and questioned he did not know what hit him and as such he probably did not give all the right answers. He told the judges that it was after he was released he did his research and realized that some errors were made during the administrative process. Laveist said he kicked himself for the mistakes he made but insisted it was all hindsight. Laveist said even his wife Betty Laveist got nervous and made a wrong statement when she was questioned about the forged minutes. "It was only after my wife saw her signature she remembered she was in fact at his office and attended the meeting."
The prosecution claimed Laviest defraud AMFO Naf 22,750 which was transferred to the Culture Club Foundation that was to be used for the celebration of Flag Day. The prosecution said some Naf. 5000.00 were transferred to Laveist's personal account. The former commissioner said that is indeed so, but explained that he took his personal monies and advanced the foundation since they had to find monies to pay an advance on the purchase of the flags. Laveist said the team also took monies from his other foundations to make the payments but the intention was to reimburse everyone when AMFO give them the monies. He said he not think he was doing anything wrong since he took monies out of his account to pay Escobar for the purchase of 6000 flags so they could have met the deadlines. Laveist told the judge that the Culture Club Foundation was established long before he entered politics since he was the host of a radio program, a book and play writer.
The prosecution charged that Laviest took some $6,000 from Bargains Unlimited to provide the company with working permits for their personnel since he was the labor commissioner. Laveist said that company sponsored his cultural radio program for one year. He said the company committed $500 monthly for the program and in return they got two advertising spots and an honorary mention. Laveist said he did not give any of the 15 businesses he lobbied for sponsorship the impression that he would grant them any favors. He said that Bargains Unlimited chose to write one check of $6000.00 to Culture Club instead of monthly payments. As for the 13 working permits the company requested Laveist said he was not aware that they had requested these permits. "It was after one year when that company did not get a response from the labor department they contacted me and I discussed it with the executive council. I also voiced my opinion to the council saying it was unfair to any company to wait for one year and then get a negative advice. I also asked them to reconsider their decision" Laviest said even though there was a moratorium in place it was not illegal for businesses to file their request for labor permits, he further explained that he was not present when the executive council agreed to grant eight of the permits to Bargain Unlimited.

Trip to Canada paid by Bemal Enterprises.

Laveist was also accused of taking $13,000 from BEMAL Enterprises. The monies were used for Laveist and his executive assistant Roberto Richardson to travel to Canada where they went to see the type of furniture that is manufactured there. The prosecutor believes the only reason BEMAL enterprise gave this money to Laveist is because they were promised the contract to furnish the new government building. Laveist said he does not know anything about the $10,000 since he never received any monies from the company. He did admit that BEMAL provided the tickets for both him and Richardson to travel to Canada. Laveist said there was nowhere he could have promised or discussed the contract with Bimbo (BEMAL) since there was not even a terms of reference in place for the government administration building.
Laveist said his trip to Canada was one of sight seeing and that the owner of BEMAL is his neighbor. "I thought Mr. Bimbo was just being a genuine friend, I did not promise him any contract for the new government building, but he did furnish my house which I paid for." Laveist said he felt the businessman was trying to form a relationship with him since they were neighbors. He further stated he would not take even a sweet from anyone since he really learnt a valuable lesson now. Laveist made clear that he did not take any $10,000 from BEMAL instead he paid for his lodgings and sight-seeing himself. The former labour commissioner felt the trip served to be educational for both him and his executive assistant. However, he agreed accepting the tickets from BEMAL was bad judgment since that businessman clearly taught he was going to get something in return.

Sammy the Barber--- Who Owns Barber Shop.

Laveist was also charged and convicted for hiring an illegal barber, Samuel Boney, Laveist said he is not the owner of any business on St. Maarten. He said the barbershop is owned by his sister and nephew. Laveist said when his phone was tapped and he was heard saying that he was at his barber shop it was just a figure of speech, since he would say, "my bank, my doctor" in speaking. He admitted that he lone his nephew monies to open the barbershop since his nephew was looking for work for at least two years. Laveist said he was not the only relative that lone his nephew monies but his two sisters also did the same. The former labour commissioner also admitted that he assisted his nephew with the filling out the forms to request a residence permit for Sammy the barber and he is the one that submitted the forms signed by his nephew. Asked if he believed that he misled people with his actions Laviest said he did but all of it was stupid mistakes.
Laveist admitted that he would sometimes go to the barbershop when his nephew had to run errands.
The panel of judges also want to know why Laveist did not resign from the island council, he responded by saying that he did not feel it was right for him to resign and leave the people who voted for him. They also quizzed him on his future career and wanted to know if he would continue his political career. Laveist said that he does not know what he wanted to do next since the only thing on his mind right now is to vindicate himself and politics for sure is far from his mind for the moment.
The former commissioner known as "Man of Action" broke down in tears when he was asked what he does now for a living. Laveist said he is the only one caring for his bedridden mother who is dependent on him. He said he also takes care of his only daughter who is now four years. Laviest explained the panel that he worked as a civil servant for 26 years as well as for a bank and he never once committed any crime. He said once he was approached by someone who offered him $5,000 for expired passports and he reported the matter. Asked if he would serve on foundations Laviest said that he would stay far away from that even though he is a man who loves to assist people and his community.
Attorney at law Cor Merx surprised both Laviest and those in the tribune when he asked Laveist if he was willing to do community service if for some reason he is convicted. After pondering on the question Laveist said he was ready to do anything for the community if that is what it takes to make things right.
Defense attorney Cor Merx in his pleadings said the prosecution simply did not provide evidence to prove their case. Merx argued viciously against the prosecution case, saying it would not stand up in the supreme courts. Merx made several references of the law as he poked holes in the prosecution case. Merx said AMFO agreed that the time span was short and they approved the monies for Flag Day because the amount was small. According to their own statements, it is clear they don't feel as if they were cheated.
Merx pleaded with the court to acquit Laveist on all of the five charges that was laid against him.
While Attorney General Ton Van der Schans is of a different opinion. He said it does not matter how one looks at this case, it is clear to him that Laveist used his public function to serve his private interest. He said Laveist was switching hats, one time he was commissioner, the other time he is doing things for his foundations.
Van der Schans said the facts of the case were proved and one thing that should not be allowed is that no one should be allowed to entangle their public function with their private business.
He urged the court of appeals to uphold the verdict of the lower court, Van der Schans maintained that Laveist should serve 24 months behind bars and banned from holding public office for five years. The court will pronounce its verdict on February 11 2010 from Curacao.
When Laveist was given the opportunity to speak for the last time, he said he hoped that the judges believed him since he did nothing with criminal intent. He also apologized for the administrative errors that were made on behalf of his foundations.
In the court room on Thursday it was clear the supporters of Laveist was worried at times while they were fully satisfied with his defense lawyer former prosecutor Cor Merx.

GREAT BAY,– The Netherlands Antilles Bureau of Foreign Affairs and the Haitian Consulate in Willemstad, Curacao, are working together to assist Haitians in the Netherlands Antilles with getting information about their love ones in Haiti.

Specific telephone numbers have been assigned broken down into two groups where persons can call to register their name and provide information about family and love ones in Haiti.

The first group are Haitians residing in the Netherlands Antilles who have the Dutch nationality, can call the Bureau of Foreign Affairs in Curacao at 09-4613933 and ask for R. May or S. Nicolaas. Family members who also have the Dutch nationality can also call the aforementioned number between 7.30am to 5.00pm from Monday to Friday.

The persons name once they call will be noted along with their request pertaining to family members in Haiti who they are not able to reach.

Haitians who left the Netherlands Antilles and are in Haiti, and are not able to get back, this information should be relayed to the Bureau of Foreign Affairs.

The Dutch Embassy in the Dominican Republic is also involved in the coordination of a possible air or sealift out of Haiti of persons from the Netherlands Antilles who may now be stranded in Haiti due to the disaster.

Haitian residents in the Netherlands Antilles without the Dutch nationality should contact the Haitian Consulate Office in Willemstad, Curacao at the following number 09-4613434 and ask for Interim Consul General Renan Chery or Vice Consul Jean Claude Selime.

The reason this has been broken down into two groups is for efficiency and to have an effective process of registration and getting the information to the correct persons during this dire situation currently unfolding in Haiti.

Haiti suffered a devastating earthquake on Tuesday around 5.00pm having a 7.0 magnitude followed by a number of aftershocks measuring over magnitude 5.0.

The earthquake was centered about 10 miles west from Port-au-Prince and had a depth of approximately five miles.

GREAT BAY-----On Wednesday, January 13, at the Telem Building in the conference room, Commissioner William Marlin handed over 500 $5.00 Telcel cards to representatives of the Haitian Community, namely Dominique Vital, Host of Transparence Kompa and Thevalys Lazarre, President of Sensible Hearts for Haiti's Children Foundation in the presence of Telem's Chief Financial Officer Helma Etnel and the Sales & Marketing Manager, Carmen Lake-Reyes.

Firstly, I want to express my sympathy on behalf of government to the Haitian community. The devastation is tremendous. As time goes by things seems to get worse, Commissioner Marlin said.

These phone cards are meant for persons from the Haitian community to call their family and friends. The commissioner said that though for now the communication may be difficult for persons to reach Haiti, when the time arises, you can a make call to a loved one. He added that we are here to lend our support.

The TelCell phone cards will be distributed via Vital and Lazarre.

Haitians have helped built St. Maarten, now it is out duty to help them, Commissioner Marlin said.

"When I heard of the news, I immediately contacted the Telem management and that of UTS to see what kind of relief could be had for the Haitian community on St. Maarten. Although difficult to communicate now, I thought that nevertheless we have to try."

Nothing is as frustrating as not being able to communicate with family members, especially during times like these. We are as well grateful for any assistance from the community that they may assist in providing donations to the Haitian community, whether by dropping off goods or by donating clothes.

In addition, Commissioner Marlin said that the government is trying to establish a relief office, that will help those in need during trying times, but also to have a psychologist on hand for free consulting.

The public is also urged to donate non-perishables, clothes, and other canned goods.

Telem's CFO Helma Etnel also spoke to provide information about the cyber café located in the lobby of the Telem building.

We are making the cyber café available for a period of time to persons who want to communicate with their family and friends in Haiti via email or any other application. Though there is a time limit, we urge the Haitian community to utilize the Telem facilities.

In addition, Etnel said, our employees have set up collecting stations at all TelEm Group locations to collect non-perishable food items, clothes, and other emergency supplies for the earth quake victims. Please drop your donations into these boxes located at the entrances of each office.

The gesture was much appreciated by the two representatives of the Haitian community.

Dominique Vital said that on behalf of the Haitian Community, I want to thank the government and Telem. I would like to ask the St. Maarten community to pray for Haiti and its people. It is nothing small, he said. I have not been able to speak to my family back in Haiti.

Pastor Lazarre said that St. Maarten loves Haitians, and the Haitians love St. Maarten. I urge you to contribute whatever you can. I want to thank you again.

Marigot: -- The gendarmes arrested an 18-year-old female who was caught in a house in Orient Bay. The suspect who has to appear in court in February is also suspected of six other house robberies. A press release from the gendarmes stated that the suspect was caught inside a home in Orient Bay by the owner; however, she managed to escape but was captured by a vigilant neighbour who held her until the gendarmes arrived on the scene.

Philipsburg: --- The prosecutor's office has sent an official letter to Assistant Chief Commissioner of Police Ademar Doran informing him that the Prosecutor's Office would not prosecute detective Carlton Philips for alleged criminal acts he committed some seven years ago when he was working for the Criminal Intelligence Department (CID).
However, they also informed Doran that it is up to the Police Department to take disciplinary measures against Philips for the statements he made in the media about the police management team, thereby harming the image of the police.
SMN News learnt that the Prosecutor's Office also indicated to Doran that the prosecutor's office would not be working with Philips unless he makes an open apology for the statement he made against a member of the Public Prosecutor's office.
During the month of September Detective Philips sent an open letter to the media explaining that the police management team accused him of destroying evidence while he was head of that department. Philips said ever since he solved a double murder case, which had involved the son of one of his colleagues he suffered discrimination from the police management team. The detective also accused members of the police management team of self-enrichment.

Sources told this reporter that Doran did not inform Philips about the decision taken by the Prosecutor's office. SMN News learnt that Philips was assigned to work on one of the ongoing murder investigations. It is understood that one day after working on the case Philips was told that the prosecutor's office would not be working with him and that he was taken off the case. The source said Philips requested that he be notified of the decision in writing which was eventually given to him.
SMN News also learnt that the Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba has also invited Philips to Curacao and that he is expected to travel there sometime this week. It is still not clear if the KPSSS intends to take disciplinary measures against Philips since an investigation to clear his name was conducted by the Police Internal Affairs. So far the report on that investigation remains secret and Philips neither his lawyer was not made aware of the conclusions of the investigation which took place during the month of October 2009.
In an invited comment, Prosecutor Rienk Mud said the Prosecutor's Office decided not to launch a criminal investigation against Philips now. The facts happened years ago and it was already decided then not to pursue a criminal investigation. Mud further explained that on his own request Philips left the CID seven years ago to go and work for the Detective Department. With that move, the case was considered closed and no disciplinary measures were taken either.
The prosecutor said it is the opinion of the Prosecutor's Office that Philips should make a public apology with regards to the disqualifying remarks he made about a member of the Public Prosecutor's Office, before they can resume any working relations with him.

In an invited comment Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba confirmed that she indeed invited Philips to meeting however, she was not willing to say what the meeting is about since it had not taken place yet.
SMN News also contacted the attorney at law Reynold Groenveldt who said he is currently working towards finding the root cause of the reaction from the Public Prosecutor's Office. Groenveldt said that so far his client neither him has received a copy of the letter that was sent to the Assistant Chief Commissioner Ademar Doran by the Public Prosecutors Office. Groenveldt said that unless he gets that letter he would not be able to comment on the case.

CAY BAY— A disruption in the cooling water system caused a three-and-a-half hour island-wide power outage on Tuesday. Most areas were without electrical service for two hours with the last neighborhood coming online at 1:30 pm.
At 10:15 am the electricity grid shut completely down when emergency protection systems were automatically activated after detecting that cooling water levels were dropping to a dangerous level. In order to protect the power generation equipment the entire system shut down.
Maintenance work was being carried out on one of two cooling water basins. A combination of low tide and the malfunctioning of a major intake pump resulted in water levels dropping to critical levels. Due to the lack of sufficient water coming in and the low tide, the protection systems on sea water cooled engines were automatically activated and the engines were shutdown to protect them from overheating.
The two new air-cooled generators were able to pick up most of the load (approx. 22.6 Megawatts), however the voltage and frequency protection of the two new generators were activated as a result of disruption of the electrical grid as a result of the older engines being taken offline.
GEBE technicians worked diligently to fix the malfunctioned pump in order to get the water cooling system back up to normal operational levels.
This was successfully achieved with electricity being restored at approximately 11:30 am to the Cay Bay Power Plant. The start-up of generators began shortly after with the first residential district coming back online at 11:45 am and power being restored to the entire island by 1:30 pm.
Disruption in electricity production due to a cooling water issue has happened in the past. Continued investments in air-cooled generators are the only solution to resolving this matter from happening again.
GEBE currently uses sea water to cool the majority of its generators, however, Managing Director William Brooks is working on a plan to have these generators phased out in the coming years and replaced with new air-cooled generators similar to the two new generators currently undergoing testing at the Cay Bay Power Plant.
In the meantime, the two new 11.3 megawatt generators are still in a test phase, but running to full capacity and providing electricity to the St. Maarten community. Some additional tweaking and fine tuning is needed and this is being carried out by manufacturer Wartsila engineers.
Tuesday's outage caused by a lack of cooling water has taught GEBE technicians and Wartsila officials some invaluable lessons and data collected from the event will be analyzed and the production systems adjusted in order to further improve the provision of a reliable electricity production supply to the community by further limiting as much as possible unexpected malfunctions wherever humanly possible.

Philipsburg:---NAGICO's Haiti appeal launch on January 14th in quick response to the recent tragedy has netted good results in the first 6 days. The first of the items were loaded up on January 19th for delivery to the Red Cross. The collections which came from the NAGICO family -staff agents and associates- poured into NAGICO'S Philipsburg head office.
Coordinators of the collection drive, staff members Subrina Elgin Khan and Peta-Gaye Harriot were both pleased with the response and noted that this was the first delivery; the next one is scheduled to be done after the next collection date set for February 1st.
The collection drive called for foodstuff, clothing and other essentials and the NAGICO staff delivered; the donations included tarpaulins, sheets, clothing foodstuff and water. Some of the NAGICO family went the extra mile and donated money totaling US $420.55. The money was also donated to the Red Cross to assist in their relief efforts.
The organizers indicated that some staff and agents have already indicated that they will be donating items for the second phase of the relief drive which ends on February 1st.

GREAT BAY– Every election is an important one and the January 22, 2010 parliamentary election is expected to be the last one for the Netherlands Antilles as a constitutional entity. Persons elected to serve will be part of a historic process on the final leg where the country of Sint Maarten will be established, Governor Franklyn Richards who is also Chairman of the Main Voting Bureau, told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Wednesday.

"As Chairman of the Main Voting Bureau, allow me to emphasize the importance of the January 22 elections, when one takes into consideration the present on-going process aimed at assuming the status of country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands by October 10, 2010.

"Voting is embracing our responsibility to continue to provide and ensure free democratic values in our future constitution of country Sint Maarten as we depart from the Netherlands Antilles.

"All eyes are on Sint Maarten. Within the Kingdom and beyond, we are being looked at closely on how we are preparing ourselves to take over the status of country. The higher the turnout of voters to vote on January 22, the louder the message, that we are ready for country status. In 2006, 60 per cent of the electorate came out to vote. Let's do better this time by sending the strongest message ever.

"There should be a high turnout of voters for this last election for the parliament of the Netherlands Antilles, thereby confirming our democratic sense at the eve of transformation towards assuming more responsibilities for our own future.

"This election is just as important as the day of 10-10-10, as it tells about our desire and preparedness to take on the responsibilities and obligations of country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

"On January 22, do your part. Exercise your democratic right to vote. Actively participating is a social duty, an obligation we owe not only to ourselves, but to our fellow citizens.

"Allow me therefore on this particular occasion that in principle reflects our readiness for our new status, to call on all eligible voters to come out and cast their vote, this Friday, January 22," Governor Richards appeal to voters.

In accordance with articles 38 and 39 of the Dutch-Antillean Voters Regulation (Publication Sheet 1989, No. 78, as amended), every employer is obliged to provide his or her employee, who is eligible to vote on Friday, January 22, 2010, at least four (4) consecutive hours off from work, between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m., in order for that employee to cast his or her vote.

This obligation does not exist if the employee has four (4) consecutive hours off from work, within the hours in which he or she can cast his or her vote.

All persons eligible to vote in the upcoming elections, are asked to carefully look at their voting cards, before Election Day, and to acquaint themselves with the polling station in their respective district, at which they will be expected to cast their votes.

Voters should walk along with one of the following, either a valid ID card, a passport or a driver's license and their voting card when going to the polls.

Article 134 of the penal code of the Netherlands Antilles states: "he who intentionally impersonates another person, and participates in a legally prescribed election, is punished with a prison term of a maximum of one (1) year".

The general public is also asked to take note of article 131 of aforementioned penal code, which states:

'He who, during a legally prescribed election, obstructs a person from casting his vote, freely and unhindered, is punished with a prison term of a maximum of one (1) year".

With regards to outdoor rallies organized by political parties contesting Friday's elections, it should be noted that the final day when public political meetings may be held is this Wednesday, January 20.

The taking of photographs inside of polling stations is not allowed; nor camera phones or video cameras. Cellular phones must be turned off prior to entering the polling station.

In the interest of a smooth transition of the elections, an appeal is made to the general public to contribute towards having the day transpire in a quiet, dignified and peaceful manner.

In contrast to previous years, no formal ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages on Election Day 2010 will be in effect. This measure had been established in the past with an eye on contributing towards a quiet and otherwise unhindered going about one's business on Election Day and during the period that votes would be cast.

Notwithstanding, the objective of safeguarding a quiet and peaceful atmosphere on Election Day, remains unchanged.

The reason why there is no formal ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages on January 22 is that experience has shown that the measure was easy to circumvent but that the general public also conducted itself in such a mature and responsible manner, on past election dates, that the measure is not deemed necessary for Election Day 2010.

It must be emphasized that, on Election Day, voting at the various polling stations must be conducted in a neutral environment. Misuse of alcoholic beverage will, in any case, not be tolerated, particularly when this threatens the normal course of events at polling stations.

Philipsburg: --- The National Alliance under the umbrella team St. Maarten has made history early Saturday morning when the final results of the parliamentary elections was delivered. Gathering 6, 939 votes the National Alliance won all three seats in parliament. The Democratic Party came out with 3,560 votes, which was not enough for them to hold on to their only seat. While the Peoples Progressive Party 920 votes. Of the 11,419 votes that were casted, some 194 of them were invalid while there were 153 blank votes. For the first time 61% of the voters showed up at the 16 polling stations to cast their votes in a federal election.
Supporters of the National Alliance knew they were going to be victorious in this election as their party led the each of the 16 polling stations. The National Alliance supporters gathered outside of the Government Administration building as the results came in. As the scores were given the NA, supporters screamed out as they celebrate their party's victory. In 1975 the Democratic Party captured all three seats in parliament says moderator Edgar Lynch while this is the first time the National Alliance won an election outright.
Marlin made sure he thanked councilman Louis Laveist for his endorsement and his show of confidence towards the National Alliance. He said from day one Laveist wanted nothing in return for his support. Also witnessing the landslide and historical victory was Daren James the keynote speaker of the National Alliance congress. James flew back to St. Maarten to make sure he cast his vote on Friday. Also expressing gratitude to the supporters was commissioner vice president of the National Alliance Frans Richardson.

Leader of the National Alliance in his address said every member of the team worked hard to make sure they won, he said even though the campaign period was short it was an intense one. Marlin told his supporters that even though he and his vice president of the National Alliance Frans Richardson won the senate seats they would not be going to parliament since they are already commissioners in the island government.
Marlin made clear that the National Alliance or no one party can take St. Maarten to the finish line constitutionally and he called on the members of all other political parties especially the Democratic Party to return to the team St. Maarten. He said even though the people has given the mandate to the National Alliance they need to work hands in hands to realize what the people voted for some ten years ago. Marlin said the campaign is over and now is not the time to bicker since the clock is ticking and negotiations will have to begin as early as February 11.
Marlin said his party has been contesting elections for the past 32 years under the parties SPM, SPA and then the National Alliance and he thanked GOD for Friday's victory. He also thanked the voters who made sure they made use of their voting rights by making sure they cast their ballots. He said the winning is not for any one party instead it is St. Maarten that won and they must come together in the interest of the entire island.

Airport: --- The Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE) was thrown into darkness for more than an hour on Sunday. According to information reaching SMN News the power box that is connected to the generators failed when electricity from GEBE went off.
Sources told this reporter that no one on duty was able to re-program the power box, leaving the airport in darkness as well as all doors closed for more than an hour. Several passengers and other persons who were at the airport at the time were heard using profanity, as they could not get out of the building. SMN News learnt that only one employee working at the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE) knows how to reprogram the power box and management had to go looking for the employee to get power back on. The airport did not release any information on this incident up to press time.

Bellevue/St. Peters: --- Twenty-Two year- old Leonado Carter better known as Nado is the first person to lose his life on the roads on the French St. Martin. Carter died on the spot on Bellevue road after losing control of his motorcycle on Sunday morning. According to his, mother Valerie Carter her son left home around 7 am to go to the racetrack in Bellevue. She said Leonado built the bike he was riding from scratch as he first ordered a manual and then the parts online to build this bike, which he considered very special.
Mrs. Carter said two of her late son's friends came to her home around 5 am and woke up Leonardo so he could go to the racetrack where he was supposed to ride the bike for the first time. "Leonado is always at the track even if he is just a spectator at times," his mother explained.
The distraught mother said shortly after 10.00 am one of her niece went to her and informed her that her son had gotten into an accident and the French gendarmes were not releasing him unless someone could identify him. The mother said she was taken to the scene where she saw her son's body on the ground. "When I saw him there I asked them why he was still there and why no one took him to the hospital. I also wanted to know why they could not identify him since Leonardo always walks with his documents. It was then I learnt from some of the bystanders that a "white French woman" took his belongings and left with it. This person stole my son's telephone, his necklace, ring, and a backpack containing all his documents for the bike as well as himself." Mrs. Carter said the gendarmes told her that when they arrived on the scene they did not find anything on her son's body. "What I don't understand is why no one stopped the person who stripped my dead son of his belongings. I also want to know where are the two friends who came to my home early in the morning to take Leonado to the racetrack. How is it they could not identify him and why they never came back to the house to let me know what took place." She asked.
However, late Sunday evening the two friends visited Mrs. Carter and informed her that what she heard were all rumors. Mrs. Carter told SMN News late Sunday evening that the friends told her they are in possession of all her son belongings including another bike, all of which they promised to hand over on Monday.
Mrs. Carter further explained that her son was fully dressed in his biker suit, shoe, and helmet yet he suffered severe head and bodily injuries. The mother said they are of the opinion that her son broke his neck during the accident but that could not be confirmed.
She said she learnt her son lost control of the bike and hit on a huge rock. "I found his gloves and shoe in a tree on the side of the road.
At her home, she had small pieces from the bike as well as parts of the helmet, which she picked up from the side of the road. So far, there is no official communication from the gendarmes about the deadly accident has been released. Commandant Stephanne Arrousseau said an investigation into the fatal accident has just begun.

SMN News learnt that Leonado was racing along the Bellevue road with another person side by side when he lost control and crashed into a concrete wall. It is understood that the two bikers began racing from the Cole Bay border toward Marigot when the accident occurred. Up to press time no one could say who was the other biker.
Leonado Carter, was born in Rhode Island USA, he was a former student of the St. Maarten Academy and employee of Seaview Hotel. He leaves to mourn his mother, father, sister, and girlfriend.

Marigot: -- The gendarmes have arrested a 22-year old man who is suspected of snatching a handbag from a tourist as well as stealing a laptop from a boat in Sandy Ground. The culprit has been summoned to court on April 15.
In a un related incident a motor cycle rider was transported to the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital with head injuries. The rider collided with a car next to Match Howel Centre. An investigation into the accident has started.

Philipsburg:----The St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association's Visitstmaarten.com Call Center is pleased to introduce its first staff member, Ms. Ayanna Guy, who has been employed as the Call Center agent.

Ms. Guy, born and raised on St. Maarten, left for the Netherlands to pursue her studies in 2000, where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Hospitality Management. Her work experience includes traineeships and posts at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide and the prestigious Ritz Carlton Company.

The SHTA chose Ms. Guy, because of her education, skills, and ability to not only assist in the development of the call center but also to eventually manage it. The SHTA is certain that Ms. Guy will make a great addition to the team.

The initiative of the call center was suggested during the Economic Summit held earlier this year and was subsequently listed in the Economic Stimulus Report as a private sector initiative. Due to the fact that revenue generated from stay over tourism accounts for 80 per cent of the island's overall income, SHTA and UTS decided that the obvious stimulus approach would be to increase the number of visitors to our destination. Therefore, both organizations hope to accomplish this by steadily increasing the number of travelers to SHTA's consumer website: www.VisitStMaarten.com. The goal is to then convert these potential travelers into visitors through calls via the 1-800 number on the website, which would be directed to the local call center. The call center will provide tourist information and the option to book reservations.

All member resorts, hotels, small hotels, activities, and other tourism related services now have a great opportunity to have their products and services sold from our very own call center. For more information on the VisitStmaarten.com call center, please contact the SHTA office on 542-0108.

Philipsburg: --- The investigations conducted by SOAB at the Public Works Department made several suggestions as to how the executive council should proceed with the change of management at ROB. However, months after the reports was issued and copies sent to the Prosecutors Office to date ROB commissioner Theo Heyliger has not taken any action as suggested by SOAB.
SMN News learnt that Heyliger did not want to entertain any discussion on the topic with the other members of the executive council even though a decision was taken by the council to remove both the director and his immediate subordinate. According to the SOAB the executive council should hire an interim manager to manage ROB since several rules and regulations at the department was not upheld.
SMN News learnt that at least two of the commissioners have expressed their concern as to how to handle the other staff that is equally responsible for the gross mismanagement. Sources say that the two commissioners made clear that an assessment must be conducted on all sector heads namely head of domain affairs, inspections, maintenance and on the director and if necessary sanctions must be given to each one.
According to reliable sources, the two top heads of ROB are being questioned by law enforcement but the prosecutor's office remains tightlipped on the ongoing investigations.
Below is the full report that was delivered on November 12 to the chairman of the island and executive council Franklyn Richards.
We sincerely apologize to our English readers since the document is in the Dutch Language.

Philipsburg:---Former Democratic Party Commissioner and island councilmember Louis Laveist is scheduled to appear in joint court of appeal on Thursday morning. Laviest was charged with bribery, forgery and forging of documents relating to work permits. Laveist was convicted on April 28 last year on all counts. Judge Rick Smid convicted Laviest on all charges and banned him from public office for five years.
The court found it proven that Laveist forged the minutes of the Culture Club Foundation to defraud AMFO of Naf. 22, 750. It was also found proven that Laveist and his executive assistant Roberto Richardson accepted a bribe from BEMAL NV in the form of two plane tickets to Canada and $10, 000 as he had intended to use his influence as a commissioner to grant the company the contract to furnish the new government administration building.
Also found proven is Laviest accepted $6,000 from Bargains Unlimited to his foundation Culture Club, the judge found that Laveist again used his influence as the commissioner of labor who was responsible for the granting of working permits used his influence to grant the businessman a working permit while there was a moratorium in place. Laviest was also found guilty as an accomplice for a hiring Samuel Boney (Sammy) the barber to work illegally in a barbershop belonging to his sister.
Laveist was condemned to serve 18 months in prison, nine of which are conditional; less time spent behind bars during his pre-trial detention. Laveist must pay a fine of Naf.5, 000 or spend 55 days behind bars, with three years probation. The judge also banned Laviest from holding any position in the civil core or any public office even if elected or appointed for the next five years.
In the ruling, the judge said the suspect did not give the impression that he cared about conflict of interest. Judge Smid concluded that the suspect did not behave himself as a commissioner in a transparent manner nor with integrity. Judge Smid felt the suspect (Laveist) has misused the power granted to him for personal gain, which made him guilty of corruption.
Laveist is represented by attorney at law Ralph Richardson who is currently on sick leave. SMN News learnt that Attorney at law and former prosecutor Cor Merx will be representing Laveist in the absence of Richardson.

Philipsburg - Justice Committee of the Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles held a press conference at the Parliament building to update the media, and in turn the community, on the outcome of the meetings they held with Community groups and the Crime Task Force St. Maarten regarding the surge in violent crime on the island.
Present at the Press Conference was Marlon Jamaloodin, Chairman of the Justice Committee of the Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles, Senators Nelson Navarro, and D. Isenia, and Rodolphe Samuel from St. Maarten, Elco Rosario of the Crime Task Force St. Maarten.
Senator Rodolphe Samuel said that although some community groups are well organized and active, there are other community organizations that need to improve their organization workings. In addition, these groups would do well to work together in assisting, preventing and solving crime.
When compared to the year 2008, last year 2009, crime has decreased; however, violent crime has been increasing.
Senator Samuel added that the Justice Committee will request more information on the crime situation, and they will look closely at the numbers, and come up with some solutions and preventive measures that could be taken within the short-term, but also look for ways to decrease crime in the long run.
Elco Rosario said that the meetings have been informative and fruitful. He added that efforts have been made to curb crime, but we have not seen the results as yet. There needs to be more organized groups that are well functioning.
This press conference culminates 2 days of the Justice Committee meeting with various community groups on St. Maarten regarding crime in the Windward Islands and in particular St. Maarten.
The Justice Committee will construct a report and have discussions in Parliament to address the issue of crime in the Windward Islands and on St. Maarten.

Cul de Sac --- Students on a school bus fired shots at a passing vehicle in the Cul de Sac area. SMN News learnt that at least one person has been shot. Police boarded the school bus in question and arrested two students who were in possession of firearms.
Prosecutor Rienk Mud confirmed that two students were arrested the two students were in possession of a firearm. Mud said the shooting took place somewhere in the St. Peters area but based on information he received no one was injured.
In the meantime, Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson in a press release said between 01.00 pm and 02.00pm a clash between gangs from Cul de Sac and a gang from Philipsburg broke out. Henson said the clash began somewhere in the vicinity of Cake House L.B Scot Road. He said a group of students attacked a school bus with license plate G-53, he said the bus was on its way from South Reward to Philipsburg.
According to eyewitnesses, the group of young students on the L.B. Scot road attacked another group of students in the school bus by throwing bottles. Witnesses further stated that they heard at least two gunshots going off and at least one of the shots came from the school bus. The driver of the school bus tried to keep the situation under control by continuing to drive towards Philipsburg.
Police responded to the scene immediately Henson said. Hensons explained several police patrols were sent to the area to investigate the circumstances of the gunshots.
Police caught up with the School Bus on Bush Road in the vicinity of Suki Restaurant. Police also spoke to the driver of P-8215 who told police that one of the bullets hit his vehicle during the shooting. A bullet hole was in the upper left corner of the windshield of the car.

The bullet had also entered the headrest of the passengers-seat. No one was sitting on that seat during the incident. Henson said an intense search took place on the school bus to locate the firearm. During the search, a black school bag belonging to a female student with initials G.D. located under the seat and in this bag a revolver brand Smith and Wesson caliber .38 with five bullets and one spent cartridge found. This firearm was confiscated along with two machetes and three knives that were found. In total nine students that were on the bus have been taken to the police station for questioning to try to determine exactly what took place. The investigation is ongoing by the Detective department.

The police on St. Maarten have been calling on parents on several occasions to take charge of their children since they are not able to do it alone. Last year the police department took special time out and conducted several controls on these schools buses. Each time a control was conducted the police confiscated several weapons. The police also left their normal duties and went to schools where they lectured students regarding violence and weapon. However, something seems not to be working because the students who were controlled during these random controls had the guts to take guns and machete to school and to use it in public domain.
It appears that students attending schools on St. Maarten are losing respect for their parents, teachers, their peers, as well as themselves. Somehow, there is a feeling that these youngsters have no respect for life anymore. In several homes, minors are left to care for themselves since their parents are working overtime to make ends meet.
Government on the other hand is yet to provide more sports ground and organized activities to occupy these youngsters who are left alone at home with their television as their guardians.
It is said that it takes a community to raise a child, something that parents and grandparents of the past utilized well. There was less crime on the Caribbean islands among youths when the older folks coordinated their efforts. Moral values and respect was high on the agenda of these parents while today's parents are focusing on material gains and not the lifestyle of their children.
However, the so-called civilized parents do not see the need to work hand in hand with their neighbors and teachers to keep their children in line. Teachers would say that they are not allowed to use corporal punishment in schools since it is against the law, however they are allowed to suspend minors with behavioral problems. Suspending these students is not the answer to the moral issues facing St. Maarten schools. It is time for the justice department to consider prosecuting the parents of these students who are caught breaking the law. Let the parents go behind bars and the youths in a correctional facility, which might be one of the solutions if we are to curb youth violence.

PHILIPSBURG – The University of St. Martin (USM) hosted over 50 Oranje School sixth grade students on Wednesday as part of USM's Upward Bound Initiative program. The program, now in its third year, is designed to encourage students to do well in school, focus on completing high school, and consider college and career possibilities from a younger age. On Wednesday, the students, accompanied by teachers, were given a tour of the USM's campus by Admissions Director Angeligue Hazel (photo left) and they then attended a workshop facilitated by Marketing Director Michel Chance (photo right). During the workshop they received information on career areas they are interested in and the educational paths needed to accomplish such. The workshop concluded with study tips and basic information about USM being given to the students. The sixth grade students will be sitting exams later this year to determine which secondary schools they will be attending. Earlier this month sixth grade students from Sister Marie Laurence and Learning Unlimited schools visited USM as part of the program. More of the island's elementary schools are expected to participate in the Upward Bound Initiative in the coming months.

Philipsburg:--- The United Telecommunications Services (UTS) management has launched an SMS service which is aimed at raising funds to assist Haiti said Glen Carty of UTS St. Maarten. Carty said that the moment UTS learnt of the devastation Haiti suffered on Tuesday afternoon with the 7.0 earthquake they have decided to drop their rates by 75% to that country for an indefinite period. Carty said they contacted their counterparts in Haiti and was told that communication to Haiti is very difficult since they also suffered damage. Apart from that, Haitians from around the world are trying to make contact with their love ones, which is congesting their systems. Carty said UTS has decided to keep the reduced rate for an indefinite period. UTS is also offering members of the Haitian community to take advantage of their free internet services at any of their Chippie locations on St. Maarten, namely Cole Bay and Philipsburg to make contact with their relatives. He said the internet is working well in Haiti and since the phone lines are practically jacked up they have decided to allow members of the Haitian community to have free access to the internet.

Carty said UTS also launched a SMS code which is aimed at raising monies to send to Haiti. Persons interested in donating to Haiti can type the word "HAITI" in their SMS messaging by sending the message to 4357 (HELP). UTS would then deduct $1.00 from the callers prepaid account or they would add $1.00 to the caller postpaid account which would go towards helping Haiti. UTS already contacted the Red Cross who would assist UTS St. Maarten in making sure the funds reached its rightful destination.
Carty made clear that the Haitian community on St. Maarten has helped in the island's economic development and this is one way Chippie has chosen to help them in their time of need.
He said the dropping of the rates on Tuesday night is not new to the company since they have done so in the past when other nations are in distress.

GREAT BAY :----The Conscious Lyrics Foundation (CLF) will invite the audience at its 23rd annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. lecture on Friday, January 15, to donate funds for earthquake relief in Haiti, said Shujah Reiph, the CLF president.
"We are inviting all of our island's people, all people of good will to the MLK lecture at the Chamber of Commerce Building in Spring Concordia, Marigot, starting at 8 pm," said Reiph. The guest speaker will be attorney-at-law Denicio Brison, addressing legal and other aspects of the 2010 theme, "Truths About Democracy." This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
The audience collection and all monies from books and poetry/music CDs sold at the lecture will be donated to the Red Cross to assist survivors of the earthquake in Haiti, said Reiph. The 7.0 quake of January 12 is reportedly the most devastating to hit the Caribbean in 200 years.
Reiph and Lasana M. Sekou from House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP) met on Thursday to discuss a concrete way for both foundations to contribute, in connection with the already planned lecture that honors the great compassion and universal courage of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, said Reiph.
"Many people are so sad, and feeling overwhelmed about what to do. The idea on Friday is to involve folks. Let's show our concrete support in this grave hour of need being suffered by our Caribbean brothers and sisters, by our children and the elderly in Haiti," said Reiph.
CLF will host the table of books and poetry/music CDs published here and offered by HNP. The money from each book or CD bought by audience members on Friday will be donated to Red Cross earthquake relief in Haiti, where millions of people are "directly and badly affected," said the duo, well known for their activism on the island.
"The Haitian people have been a very resilient and prevailing people. Their tireless and ongoing struggle for freedom, socio-economic independence, solidarity, justice and peace has influenced or impacted all Caribbean peoples, including St. Martin, and a number of countries in the Americas, including the USA," said Reiph, who is also a labor union leader.
Reiph and Sekou said that the St. Martin people are already joining a regional and world community of prayers and donations. "This Friday lecture serves as another moment of unity as an island-wide community, and to give what we can to relieve human suffering from this latest natural disaster," said Reiph.
The International Red Cross estimates that between 40,000 to 45,000 people were killed in the quake that devastated the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince. Millions of people are suffering from loss, injury, hunger, lack of security and other severe hardships said Reiph and Sekou.
"The Red Cross, Partners in Health www.pih.org/inforesources/news/Haiti_Earthquake.html, and Doctors Without Borders, along with key Haitian NGOs and volunteer PVOs, have a tested track record of on-the-ground successes in alleviating poverty and assisting with the tough but ongoing process of human development in Haiti," said Sekou, who is also an author. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Philipsburg:--- A mentally ill elderly man who was held at the police holding cell in Philipsburg had to be transported the St. Maarten Medical Center on Monday morning by ambulance.
SMN News learnt that the prisoner fell ill while in police custody. So far, police did not release any information on the prisoner. It is still not clear if the man committed any crime and why he has been detained.

Airport: --- A national of Jordan doing business on St. Maarten was taken off American Eagle early Monday morning. The businessman had intended to travel to Puerto Rico but was taken off since his name is on the FBI no fly list. The businessman who operates a clothing store in Philipsburg was transported to the Philipsburg Police Station where they checked his immigration status prior to releasing him.
In an invited comment, Prosecutor Rienk Mud said he was informed of the incident but he could not say why the businessman was placed on the FBI no fly list.

MARIGOT—The gendarmes have arrested a 23-year old man from Grand Case for firing gunshots in the air. According to a press release, the suspect fired the shots during a fight with another man over a woman. It is believed the man fired the shots in an attempt to scare the other man away and to end the fight. The suspect is to appear in court in March this year.
The gendarmes are also asking the public for assistance in locating a hit and run driver. The driver who is now at large knocked down a pedestrian in Grand Case sometime during the night of January 15. The release said the hit and run accident took place at Rue Franklin Laurence. They said the victim is a 48-year old woman whose medical condition is not known. So far, no official report has been filed with the gendarmes regarding the accident. Persons having information on this case are asked to call the gendarmerie at number 17.

GREAT BAY (GIS)—The Sector of R.O.B., department of maintenance, Traffic Police, NV GEBE would hereby like to inform the general public that trenching works alongside the Bush road, from Blijden Drive until the Prins Bernard Bridge will start on Monday the 25th of January, 2010 and is scheduled to be completed by mid April.

First the south part of the road will be worked on, where the contractors will bury the high tension cables; then the Northern side for lower tension cables.

Sergio Hodge site engineer for Windward Roads provided some details about the project.

The trenching works and the laying of cables will be executed partially under the main water drainage trench. The laying of the cables is the continuation of the trenching work executed alongside the Welgelegen road to the Blijden drive last year.

Benjamin Ortega of the Department of Maintenance indicated that due to the work space needed, considering the safety of the workers and the motorist, a section of the road will be partially closed off with barricades. This entails that the roadway (in two directions) will become smaller/narrow.

To allow a smooth flow of the traffic, all heavy traffic (large vehicles and container transport) will be diverted thru the Zagersgut road and the A Th Illidge road, and vice versa.

The general public is also advised to make use of the Link One and/or Zagersgut Road/A Th Illidge Road.

General contracting will be executed by Windward Road Infrastructure under supervision by the Sector ROB and NV GEBE.

In addition to the traffic detour and narrowing of the Bush Road motorist should take note of the traffic rules and adhere to the traffic speed and men at work signs. This small inconvenience will allow Sector of ROB to execute the necessary upgrading of the Utilities on the Bush Road along with its infrastructure.

The Sector of ROB, N.V. GEBE and Contractor Windward Roads apologizes for any inconveniences this may cause.

Chief of the Traffic Department and Dispatch Benjamin Gout said that the public should drive carefully through the area, and that no dump trucks, trailer trucks or tour buses are allowed. The Police will monitor the area consistently.

The Department of Maintenance has considered the gut next to Ernest Williams Motel and preparatory works will be made.

In addition, the department is looking into installing proper bus stops along the bus road.

For more information regarding the above mentioned work interested persons can contact the Sector of R.O.B., New Works and Maintenance department Head, ing. C.A. Buncamper.

Philipsburg: --- On Saturday January 23 at approximately 05.00 a.m., police and detectives were sent to St Maarten Medical Center where a man who was victim of a shooting was taken for medical attention.
Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said at the hospital the investigating officers spoke to the victim with initials M.N.M. The victim had a serious "in and out" gunshot wound to his left leg. The victim told police that the shooting took place at the Lucian bar not long before.
He further stated while at the establishment he was walking towards the bar which at the time was very busy and accidentally walked into an unknown man. According to the victim, he immediately apologized to this man and continued walking towards the bar. Shortly after the victim noticed, the man he had accidentally walked into had also come to the bar.
This man spoke to another man standing at the bar. The first suspect pointed out the victim and the second suspect came towards the victim. The second suspect pulled a gun a shot the victim in his left leg at close range. Both suspects then fled the scene. The victim was then transported in a private car to the hospital to seek medical attention. Witnesses are being questioned in this investigation to determine exactly what happened and who is responsible for this shooting.

Philipsburg:---On Monday February 1st, six police recruits from the Windward Islands who are presently attending the police academy in Curacao, will start a three week practical training course with the local police department. The training is expected to conclude on February 21st. This practical training is the fourth of seven modules of the entire police training. The objective of this training is for the recruit to:
1. get more insight of the complex work environment within the police department.
2. gain more confidence with police organization.
3. get a more realistic image of the possibilities within the police department.
4. discover which his or her realistic possibilities are.
5. stimulate the interest of the trainee for the work when he or she is assigned to do.
Each one of these recruits will be assigned a certified mentor within the local police department for the duration of the course. At the end of the course the recruits will be evaluated by the mentors based on their knowledge, skills and attitude. A complete evaluation report will be forwarded to the Police academy in Curacao.
The recruits are, I.O. Schmidt and R.S. Courtar from Sint Eustatius and G.A. Jacobus, J.A Boyrard, S.A.F. Doran and R.C.R. Rogers from Sint Maarten.

Great Bay, – Two young students have been chosen to represent S. Maarten at the 2010 FCCA Children's Environmental Poster Competition. Juda-El sam, (15 years old), of the St. Maarten Academy who won in the senior category and Shemar Abdul Hamid, (11 years old), of the Rev. John A. Campus, Methodist Agogic Center, (MAC), winner of the junior category, are the two artists whose posters have been forwarded to the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Selection Committee for judging to determine who the overall regional winner will be.

According to Regina LaBega, Director of Tourism, "the competition seeks to promote and stimulate environmental awareness among Caribbean students, while effectively educating our younger generation on the importance of environmental protection."
It is also a way of sharpening their creative skills, especially in the arts, she added.

For the St. Maarten leg of the competition, the Florida Caribbean Cruise Association along with the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau invited all students from the Primary and Secondary schools on the island to participate in the two categories of the annual contest. A total of 32 entries were received from various schools and were judged on island.

The posters depicted three ways in which the student's destination can make a difference in preserving the environment.

The FCCA will now choose a first, second and third prize winner from the two age categories and award cash scholarships to the overall winners and their schools as follows:

1st place $3000,- for the student and school
2nd place $1500,- for the student and school
3rd place $1000,- for the student and school

"This is a competition in which St. Maarten has been participating for a long time and we wish the two winners this year the best of luck in the regional contest," said LaBega.
The FCCA will notify all winners by Friday, February 12th , 2010.

Philipsburg: --- Motor vehicle owners would have to dig deeper into their pockets as of this Saturday. The executive council has adjusted gas prices that would go into effect this Saturday January 30.
Consumers would be asked to pay Naf.1.93 for a litre of unleaded gasoline instead of Naf.1.77, the new price for gasoil Naf1.70 from Naf.1. 55. LPG bulk would now cost Naf.1.40 per pound from Naf.1.35. The new prices for cooking gas have also been increased from Naf. 30.60 to Naf. 35.60 (20lbs) and Naf. 125.00 for (100 lbs) compared to Naf.102.60

Philipsburg:--- Teachers teaching at the undocumented schools on St. Maarten attended a two-day workshop at the UTS training center. The workshop is sponsored by the Ceespot funds said vice president of the St. Maarten United Multipurpose Educational Foundation (S.U.M.E.F) Claire Elshot. Elshot told reporters that the instructor for this third workshop is Ms. Dimph Rubbens of the Academic Pedagogic Center in Holland.
There were some thirty teachers from the Starlight Education, ACE foundation, and School of Arts (Sophia Camp) that attended the workshop Elshot explained.
The instructor also visited the schools on Tuesday to both observe and gain experience with how the teachers work at these undocumented schools. Rubbens said two of her colleagues visited St. Maarten to conduct the same kind of training. She said while visiting the classrooms she immediately realized that the teachers at these undocumented schools were applying the skills and knowledge passed on to them by Ceespot. Rubbens felt that the training provided to them will bring about a greater good in education on St. Maarten. She said that with these trainings the teachers enhanced their skills. "During my school visits I realized that these teachers love their jobs and the students they teach."
President of the SUMEF Carmen Hodge said the changes in the teachers are visible to the owners of each school. Hodge said the trainings provided by Ceespot is a plus for the private schools since they are not allowed to make use of the FBE training provided by the education department. Mrs. Hodge, director of Starlight education said they managed to secure a two-year grant from Ceespot in the form of trainings. Hodge said the teachers still have to participate in two other workshops before they are certified by Ceespot. The SUMEF board said the trainings that are provided are similar to the FBE training. One of the strategies taught on Thursday is how to deal with students behavioral problems. Claire Elshot said the training on Thursday focused on structures and or ways to deal with students that have behavioral problems in the classroom. She said in several cases they would find that certain structural models have to be used in problematic cases, many of which has to involve the students that need special care. Elshot said one of the issues they are faced with is that students are being suspended from school when they misbehave but there are never alternative measures to occupy the students. "We are in a period where corporal punishment cannot be used in schools and teachers today have to find ways and means to embrace their troubled students so that they can be streamlined or more productive in their class." Elshot said they are currently looking for new strategies to address children with disruptive behavior. She said in many cases students act out because they are not accepted. Students she said have to be analyzed and streamline, something they are currently working on. One of the of the options that teachers could use is to give students with behavioral problems awards as they change their pattern of behavior.

Philipsburg: --- Constant rumors around the island are linking a former police officer to one of the recent murders. SMN News has learnt that the officer was fired from the force over a year ago after he allegedly was involved in a kidnapping case. This media house understands that the officer was subsequently fired.
SMN News on more than one occasion contacted Prosecutor Rienk Mud for a comment. Mud said on Wednesday that he would not confirm neither denies if the rumors have any bearing on any of his five murder investigations. SMN News also contacted Chief of Police Franklyn Richards who said he was not aware of the case. On Friday when contacted again on the information we are receiving, Mud said that he had no comment to make about the rumors. On Friday, we provided the name of the former police officer to Mud but he maintained that he had no comment to make.
Over the past months, reporters on St. Maarten are being pushed aside when questions are posed about the ongoing murder investigations. The police and prosecutor's office on more than one occasion have refuted media reports about arrests they have made regarding these murder investigations. Photographs of several suspects were published online when the suspects were taken to court yet there is no information forthcoming from the police and prosecutor's office.
While we fully agree that these investigating officers as well as the prosecutor's office cannot try their cases in the media neither can they give us their case files we believe that there must be some level of transparency with the community. The community of St. Maarten has a right to know and if they are included, enough they are the ones who are going to assist both the police and prosecutor's office with their investigations, which might lead them to the culprits involved in these senseless killings.
Early last year the prosecutor's office published some photographs as well as released names of suspected criminals to the media and within days the police managed to arrest their wanted men and women and safely put them away. Due to the fact that the police and prosecutor's office have seen that the general public are willing to assist them in fighting crime, we strongly believe that its time they embrace the community and allow them to assist in solving these murder cases. The records can show that St. Maarten, "a dot on the map" have far too many unsolved murders that have gone cold. For the sake of transparency, we are going to list the names of a few of those victims whose families are still waiting for closure. They are Brenda Azille, Jack Gumbs, Josnersabre, and Derrick Smith.
SMN News insisted on Mud to react to our story and he said he do not believe that by giving detailed information about ongoing investigations to the media the people on St. Maarten would step forward and supply the police or prosecutor's office with information that could help them solve the pending murder cases. The public prosecutor said if people really have information that is important, they need to come forward or call the tip line 9300. Mud made clear that his office does not deal with rumors and stories that are going around. He felt that people are generally scared and are not willing to "snitch" or help the police department.

Philipsburg: --- The head of the Census office Leona Marlin is furious about an article, which appeared in one of the daily newspapers on Wednesday. In the article Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards has been quoted as saying that the Civil Registry (census office) does not have the mandate to shred passports that were not picked up on time or out of circulation. Marlin in an interview with SMN News said she is in possession of the St. Maarten Safety Plan "Beveilingsplan Reisdocumenten" which gives the civil registry the authority to shred these passports based on article 77.
Marlin refered SMN News to the "Beveilingsplan Reisdocumentn" under article 33, which gave the Civil Registry authority to shred these passports. Copies which we managed to obtain to verify the facts.

Marlin said shredding of these passports are customary both on St. Maarten and the Dutch municipalities where she was trained. However, someone she said gave a reporter some information on the administrative procedures on the shredding of these passports. Marlin said the information published was erroneous and ever since then the matter is being discussed. Marlin said some days ago she had a meeting with the Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards who informed her that the Governor General of the Netherlands Antilles never gave St. Maarten the mandate to shred passports, however, the census office got their mandate from the Lt. Governor of St. Maarten.
"I am not going to jail for anyone and I will do what is necessary to make sure my name is cleared. If the Lt. Governor did not get the mandate from the Governor General he should say that, and explain the people why he gave Civil Registry the mandate to shred passports instead of turning them over to the governor general." Marlin said she gave an interview to another reporter but she did not have the documents at the time in her possession to prove her point. "This is unfair and I refused to take any blame for anyone. I already contacted the office of the governor general and copies of the "Beveilingsplan Reisdocumenten" including the newspaper article that was published on Wednesday was sent to him." Marlin said.
Marlin said the Census Office was audited more than once and if they were not mandated Holland would have taken the necessary steps against them. Marlin said the shredder is at the Census Office

SMN News managed to secure a copy of the "Beveilingsplan Reisdocumenten" for 2007, which was also renewed in 2008. Both documents were signed by Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards.
Quizzed on how the department was shredding passports prior to 2008 Marlin said there was some sort of mandate in place but she would have to search the records for it. She said when she took the helm of the department she had to reorganize and get several things in order since that department was in total chaos. Marlin said that is how the Safety Plan St. Maarten came about and is being renewed. She said the Census Office is the place that issuance and shredding of passports are done and not at the Governor's Office.
Marlin said with the governor's statements it would appear as if she is committing a crime and that is far from the truth. Marlin said she don't know if the Lt. Governor forgot about this plan but she is calling on him to apologize as well as to conduct an investigation to see who leaked the information to the media and what was their intention.
For the sake of clarity, we have decided to publish the "Beveilingsplan Reisdocumenten" for 2007/ 2008 as well article 77.
Efforts made to contact Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards for a reaction on these developments proved futile on Wednesday.

GREAT BAY:---Governor Franklyn Richards says that our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti at this point in time after the country just suffered a devastating earthquake according to preliminary reports.

Late Tuesday afternoon, Haiti was struck by a 7.0 magnitude earthquake followed by a number of aftershocks measuring over magnitude 5.0.

"The prayers of the nation and government are with the people of Haiti. Reports on damage and loss of life are not fully known and would become more apparent on Wednesday."

"Our hearts go out to the people of Haiti first and foremost and to the St. Maarten/St. Martin Haitian community. We expect that many of our brethren have friends and family members living in Port-au-Prince and surrounding neighbourhoods. We are in solidarity with you and you are in our prayers," Governor Richards told the Government Information Service (GIS).

The earthquake was centered about 10 miles west from Port-au-Prince and had a depth of approximately five miles.

PHILIPSBURG - In view of attaining Country St. Maarten, Commissioner Hyacinth Richardson has embarked on a mission to attract local professionals where ever they may be to fulfill all available vacancies in Government service as well as Private sector.
"The commissioner stated that this has always been one of his dreams even before taking office and now as a commissioner he is following through with his commitment to the people."
Today he is happy to inform the people of St. Maarten that he has been successful in acquiring Drs. Miliane Bienvenue who started working on January 5th, 2010. This aspiring young lady will be working primarily in the section of Youth Health Care affairs.
After accomplishing her elementary school education Drs. Bienvenue did six years of 'Voorbereidend Wetenschappelijk Onderwijs' at the Radulphus College. She ended her prominent high school career by going to holland to study medicine at the Rijksuniversiteit in Leiden and completed this endeavor successfully in six and a half years in May of last year. After accomplishing her studies, Drs. Bienvenue worked seven months in an intensive care unit in the Netherlands.
Directorate of Public Health has secured an active role for Drs. Bienvenue in the vaccination programs, which involves the vaccination of all school children and also helping with the development of a screening program for youth visual, hearing problems and growth development.
"Drs. Bienvenue stated that she will also have an active role in the development of programs concerning certain groups within the population of St Maarten such as elderly workers."
She hopes to use her knowledge to help make improvements in the health of the youth of St. Maarten, and also the health of other groups within the population. Drs. Bienvenue is 25 years of age and hopes to specialize further in the field of medicine. Her mother, Ms. Eliane Thomas who hails from the Cole Bay district, has indicated that she is very proud of her daughter. Mr. Milton Bienvenue her father is also very proud of her accomplishments as a person but foremost as a young professional.
Commissioner Hyacinth Richardson will continue to work diligently in trying to bring young ambitious persons back to St. Maarten to assist in strengthening country St. Maarten.

Philipsburg:---17 year old Miss Carnival St Maarten, Shanouelka Hodge did her country and family proud when she represented the island at the first ever International Queen Pageant. The pageant which attracted other beauties from Brazil, Mexico, Tenerif, Venezuela, Isla de Magarita, Suriname, Aruba, Curacao, Barbados, India, Colombia and Puerto Rico among others was held in Curacao.

The captivatingly beautiful Shanouelka stunned those in attendance as despite her dominance of the pageant she was rewarded with the first runner up position. The pageant which was attended by a large crowd was held on January 9th and saw 13 beautiful young ladies vying for the coveted title.

The Miss Carnival St. Maarten will return to the Island on January 17th, 2010 at 11:30 AM from Curacao and is expected to be greeted at the Princess Juliana airport by several of her fans and officials along with family members. Commenting on her performance, an elated Shanouelka said, "I am very grateful and thankful to almighty God for allowing me the golden opportunity of representing my country and secondly for doing so well," she said.

She noted that she is very pleased with her performance noting that while she did not win the title she is satisfied that she did her best at this very important pageant. She added that she has laid the platform for other beautifies from St Maarten to emulate. "I am hoping that from this other young ladies like myself can build on what I would have started and hopefully next year we can bring home the crown," a confident sounding Hodge said via telephone.

She expressed thanks and appreciation to her parents for what she described as their overwhelming and continuous support which she noted has helped her significantly in the build up and execution of the pageant. She also expressed similar sentiments to her sponsors, Windward Islands Airways N.V., Insel Air B.V. who ensured that Shanouelka was able to keep her pageant date.

Hodge also said that her sponsors were very gracious in their sponsorship of her dancers and costumes to and from Curacao. She also pointed out that the support and assistance that she got from Carol Tackling and Alberto Brooks for her costumes, Miguel Alexander for her preparation, her dress and her makeup and Clara Reyes; her choreographer was significant thus enhancing her performance.

Shanouelka said that the valuable experience that she gained participating in this pageant will enhance her confidence and dreams of aspiring to achieve her childhood dreams. She noted that a lot was learnt from the pageant while she was able to make friends who came from different parts of the world. "I learnt a lot and as such, I am grateful for the experience and would like to reiterate my thanks and appreciation to my parents for their support and confidence in me as hadn't it not been for them I may not have been able to attend such a prestigious pageant," the St. Maarten Queen noted.

She also thanked her dancers stressing that they played a pivotal role in her performance adding that everyone played a meaningful role thus she is forever grateful to her entire contingent.

Great Bay --In keeping with the 2010 slogan of the [RED] Campaign, which is Act [RED], Go Test, the HIV/AIDS Programme Management Team had new posters designed bearing the message "Positive? Negative? Not Sure? Act [RED], GO TEST."
These posters were distributed to all 12 plus [RED] businesses along with signature Act [RED], Go Test pens.
The [RED] Campaign is in its third year, and this year the campaign will be encouraging the community to know their HIV status by getting tested. With the assistance of the established [RED] businesses who will encourage their employees to get tested, designate every Friday as [RED] day to encourage customers to Act [RED], Go Test and have their employees wear their [RED] Campaign t-shirt every Friday during their designated month.

Philipsburg:---The Island Government, similar to any organization or for that matter a household can have many plans to achieve its objectives and carryout its obligations but to do so, one of the tools it needs to be effective and efficient is a budget. A budget that has been explained to all the members will without a doubt garner even better support, and may even result to all hands on deck during inevitable challenges we will face.
It is in this light of "clarification" that Island Council Member Mrs. Maria Buncamper-Molanus submitted a letter to her fellow Island Council Member and Chairman of the Central Committee, Mr. George Pantophlet, with a list of questions on St. Maarten's draft budget 2010. Her questions cover important sections of the budget, including expenditures on General Governing, Public Order and Safety, Education and Economic Affairs and Tourism, the latter being the heart of our revenues. Answers to over eighty questions were neither received nor an explanation given for the delay. For this reason, Mrs. Buncamper Molanus followed up via another letter, only this time, to the Chairman of the Execuctive Council, Lt. Governor Franklin Richards.
While she understands that the task of preparing and finalizing the budget is challenging, Mrs. Buncamper also wants her colleagues to understand that questions posed by members of the island council are done so for the sake of being prudent in their responsibility as representatives of the people of St. Maarten in general and for the sake of actively participating in what is often considered the most important legislation that is dealt with annually by the island council. The process of possing questions also functions as an instrument to be used by the Executive Council to make necessary adjustments that would have otherwise gone unnoticed. The people also need to know how much of the tax payers money has been set aside for various projects and programs including upkeep of government buildings and sports Centers, recruitment of government personnel, and the set up of new departments such as a functioning Research and Statics Bureau. A Research and Statistics Bureau garners information that allows for better planning and execution of all government tasks to the people. As crusial as this department will be, Mrs. Buncamper does not see any provision being made for it. Island Council Member Buncamper stated: "This budget is key to the successful execution of many responsibilities of the Government towards Country St. Maarten, in fact it forms the basis upon which the Government must carryout its work. I look forward to answers to the questions posed prior to the continuation of the debate. My hands were on deck as a Commissioner and they still are for the people of St. Maarten, as an Island Council Member."

Marigot/Anguilla: ----- Fishermen on St Martin have decided to block all fishing and regular passenger boats coming to St. Martin from Anguilla on Wednesday as they protest against the decisions taken by authorities in Anguilla. According to information, reaching SMN News, authorities in Anguilla began imposing fines on St. Martin fishermen who have been fishing in their waters.
It is understood that two local fishermen has to pay some $750 or EC750 for fishing in the Anguilla waters illegally something that does not sit well with the local fishermen who decided that they would block the maritime port on Wednesday so that Anguilla fishermen would not be able to sell their fish on St. Martin.

Emile Larmonie of Cul de Sac said he was supposed to be part of the protest on Wednesday but decided not to because the fishermen on St. Martin have been going further into Anguilla waters to fish for a very long time now. Larmonie a former deputy mayor who was in charge of maritime affairs said the French has not determined which and what belongs to St. Martin fishermen. Larmonie said the French fishermen have to contest the unfair treatment with their government since the little water space they had to fish was taken away by the Natural Reserve. "The French did not protect its fishermen and our people have been going somewhat too far, the fines that are being imposed by Anguilla are something that has been taking place a long time ago." Larmonie said he also participated in a meeting some three months ago and he is well aware of the situation.

Larmonie said it was made clear during the "grenelle de la mer" that the Natural Reserve was disproportionate and that something needs to be done for St. Maarten Fishermen. He said the action taken by the local fishermen on St. Martin including those from Cul de Sac is fair and that the locals are simply defending their daily bread. Larmonie further explained that local authorities have to now step up to the plate to find a solution to the ongoing problem between Anguilla and St. Martin fishermen.

The vice president of the Grand Case/ Cul de Sac community council said he already sent a letter to the Natural Reserve asking them to free up the Cul de Sac and Orient Beach reserve, which would allow the young men of St. Martin to occupy themselves by fishing. Larmonie said he even wrote the President of the Collectivity of St. Martin asking him to intervene since it has been recognized during the "grenelle de la mer" that the Natural Reserve has been disproportionate but to date nothing has been done by government. "The Natural Reserve is even charging people to snorkel at the Cul de Sac Bay as well has been charging restaurant owners on Pinel Island rent for using Pinel Island." Larmonie said.
"Our people have to defend their daily bread and by blocking the Anguilla fishermen from entering St. Martin are sending a clear message to both governments. Our fishermen are like goats locked in a pen, since they are fined for fishing in Anguilla and prevented to fish around St. Martin by the Natural Reserve."
St. Martin he said only has 12 miles in the Anguilla channel to fish and that is definitely not sufficient for them, Larmonie explained. Larmonie said the commune of St. Martin and Anguilla had an agreement, which would allow St. Martin fishermen to fish in Anguilla if the names of the boats and registrations were given to them. Larmonie said the reason why Anguilla was taking measures was because fishermen from Guadeloupe was fishing in their waters and the Anguilla authorities could not determine St. Martin boats from those from Guadeloupe since both islands had the same registration letters (PP) meaning Pointe Pitre.

Larmonie said the persons whose boat registrations were from St. Martin and were provided to Anguilla were given permission to fish in Anguilla during the commune's time. However, he could not say if that agreement is upheld by those managing the COM.

In the meantime, Anguilla police said they do not know what sparked the protest in St. Martin, but admitted they stopped a boat about one mile from Forest Bay on January 5. They said the two men on board the boat did not have any documentation to show ports authority and as such were asked to leave. SMN News learnt one of the men on board that boat was the president of the fishing association Tony Page. However, efforts to reach Page proved futile on Wednesday.

The following is a press release issued by the government of Anguilla on Wednesday evening.

Early this morning the authorities at the Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications, Utilities, Housing, Agriculture and Fisheries learnt that some French fishermen were blockading both the Port of Marigot in St Martin and the entrance into the lagoon; when the first ferry leaving from Anguilla the "Ocean Three", was denied entry to the port. After learning of the incident and recognizing the impact on the ferry services and the travelling public, numerous phone calls were made to the various St. Martin port officials and an emergency meeting was held at the Chief Minister's Office, where a decision was made that a delegation from Anguilla should go over to St. Martin to speak with the local authorities there. The delegation from Anguilla included: Honourable Chief Minister, Mr Osbourne Fleming; The Honourable Minister of Finance, Mr Victor Banks; The Honourable Minister of Infrastructure, Communications, Utilities, Housing, Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr Kenneth Harrigan; The Honourable Minister of Social Development, Mr Evans Mc Neil Rogers, The Public Relations Officer in the Chief Minister's Office, Mr Curtis Richardson; The Permanent Secretary responsible for fisheries, Mr Larry Franklin; the Director of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Mr James Gumbs, and Mr. Maurice Connor of the Anguilla Tourist Board.

On arrival in St. Martin the delegation was met by a representative of the President of the Collective, The meeting was held at the Mayorie The St. Martin delegation which included a number of French and Dutch fishermen (including the head of the St. Martin fishermen association Mr Tony Page), and other French authorities.

After the customary introductions, Mr Frans Gumbs (Chairperson) open the meeting by indicating that it is unfortunate that we are having this meeting given the close relationship, which the people of Anguilla and French St. Martin have had over the years. He proceeded by asking the President of the fishermen association Mr Tony Page to explain the reason why the French fishermen were blocking the port.

Apparently, the St. Martin fishermen were reacting to an incident which happened on Tuesday 5th January 2010, where a fisherman from St. Martin was asked by Officers of the Marine Division of the Royal Anguilla Police Force not to fish in Anguilla waters without a valid fishing licence. The fisherman was obviously not happy with being unable to fish that day because he was under the impression that there was some unwritten agreement where French fishermen were allowed to fish in Anguilla waters without the appropriate fishing license. Hence, the unofficial blockage of the port a week later by the fishermen.

The Anguilla delegation reiterated the sentiments of Mr Gumbs in that Anguilla and St. Martin have always had a good relationship and that the Government of Anguilla recognizes the longstanding relationship and interdependence between Anguilla, St. Martin and St. Maarten in the area of transport, commerce, maritime and fishing matters. However, there is a need for persons to adhere to all legal requirements when they are in the territorial waters of Anguilla. The Anguilla delegation also stressed the need for Anguilla to protect its marine resources for the benefit of Anguillians while recognizing the traditional relationship with fishermen from St. Martin and St. Maarten.

It was agreed:

that the port should be immediately opened. The port was opened around 12:15 pm.

Indigenous fisherman from St. Martin and St. Maarten will adhere to Anguilla's legal requirements in order to fish in the territorial waters of Anguilla including obtaining the appropriate license and permissions.

The Department of Fisheries and Marine Resources in Anguilla and its counterpart organization in St. Martin will collaborate to ensure that issues are resolved in a timely and amicable manner.

Indigenous fisherman from St. Martin will be granted one month to apply to the Department of Fisheries and Martine Resources for the appropriate license. The license issued to the local St. Martin fishers will be for line fishing for pelagic fish species only (dolphin fish, wahoo, tuna etc.) and they will not be allowed to set fish traps targeting lobsters, crayfish, and reef fish.

 

Philipsburg: ---The various Community Councils on the Dutch side of St. Maarten came together for the first time on the island to join forces against the ever-growing problem of crime.
The United Task Force Against Crime, a task force consisting of representatives of each community council, organized a panel discussion on Sunday at the Belair Community Center.
The event was open to the General Public.
On the panel was Prosecutor Mud, Chief Inspector Carl John, Police spokesman Ricardo Henson, Acting Chief of Police Ademar Doran, Pastor Philbert, and child psychologist Alexandra Halley.
The public had the opportunity to pose questions to the panelists and come up with their own solutions to crime in their neighborhood.
Clarence Richardson who is the Chairman of the Community Councils Task Force Against Crime urged the public to do their own part, to start to play a greater role in their own community against crime. He stressed that crime is everybody's business and should not be left up to the police alone to solve and prevent crime but that each and every individual can contribute in their own way. Pastor Philbert noted that parents have to go back to basics and bring up their children with good morals and respect for their elders and the law.
Several panelists also told the audience that it is important to know your neighbor and to be a good neighbor.
Acting Chief Ademar Doran presented a list of the crime statistics to the audience dating from 2005-2009.
Doran noted that the list is a preliminary report and police will be looking into the data to find out if certain crimes are going unreported.
Doran told the audience that the police force is understaffed and what they have been able to accomplish with solving crimes is a testament that his small police force is a hard working one.
Many from the Chinese and Indian community groups attended Sunday's panel discussion.
The Community Councils Task Force Against Crime will continue with organizing more events in the near future as well as seeking an audience with the relevant authorities to discuss the Councils findings and presenting solutions to the crime situation, as well as pledging a working relationship with the police force.

(Jadira Veen Press Release)

Basseterre, St.Kitts:-In what political observers and analysts described as an uplifting and hopeful New Years address, leader of the St.Kitts-Nevis Opposition Party the People's Action Movement Lindsay Grant announced and outlined part of the visionary plan that will enable the people of the Federation to feel much needed relief from the first day of the new PAM Administration.
In this time of a skyrocketing cost of living that has made luxuries of the most basic necessities the incoming PAM Administration pledged to remove all duties and consumption taxes from foodstuff imported into the Federation.
"No more will struggling merchants be made scapegoats for costs that have spiraled out of control," said the Harvard Law School Trained PAM Leader and Prime Minister in waiting.
"This policy will immediately put money back into the pockets of ordinary people because the price of food will fall significantly. No more will workers on a fixed salary or wage see their disposable income shrink each month as they stretch ever fewer pennies in order to save for the now almost weekly trips to St. Martin or Statia in order to eat. A major hardship will be alleviated," Grant continued
According to many economists the increase in disposable income as a result of the removal of duties and consumption taxes from foodstuff imported into the Federation will have a significant multiplier effect as there will be more money available to spend in other parts of the economy. This will provide a real stimulus which will be quickly redound to government coffers in the form of revenue.
"The removal of these duties and consumption taxes will give ordinary people more control over their incomes and they will be given a hand up instead of a hand out; the benefit to the economy as a whole will be permanent and far reaching," said PAM Shadow Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Hon. Shawn K. Richards.
It is therefore clear that the incoming PAM Administration will take full responsibility for the role of government to improve the daily lives of the citizens immediately upon assuming office. Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas announced a January 25th General Elections. Recent polls have suggested that the Opposition People's Action Movement and Leader Lindsay Grant are enjoying an extremely high favorability rating.

For more information visit the People's Action Movement Website at http://www.pamforchange.com or contact.

Basseterre, St.Kitts:-St. Kitts & Nevis Prime Minister, Dr. Denzil Douglas was on Monday 11th January, 2010, condemned by one of his fellow Labour parliamentarians, as a man who is unfit to continue to serve the twin-island federation as head of government.
This scathing attack came not from the opposition party, but one of Douglas' own Labour colleagues, Dwyer Astaphan, who has held some of the most senior portfolios in the Cabinet, including Minister of National Security and Tourism.
Astaphan, who was one of the most influential and powerful Labour Parliamentarians, serving with Douglas, told thousands of listeners during a half hour address on one of the local radio stations in St. Kitts, that Change is Necessary and that he did not believe that Dr. Douglas was the right man to lead St. Kitts & Nevis in the future.
Astaphan further stated that, it is only when that change comes, would the nation be able to heal from the current turmoil dividing the country.
The Labour MP expressed the sentiment that the upcoming elections will be one that will be keenly scrutinized by the historians and viewed with much hope and interest by our children.
Astaphan said that "The Caribbean is watching. The world is watching. And the historians are waiting with their pens and laptops at the ready to hail or condemn us".
He declared that he was still a staunch supporter of the principles of the labour movement but maintained his desire to see a CHANGE in the direction and leadership of the party and a firm willingness to respect a new PAM government.
"If the people of this country elect PAM to office I would be among the first to respect and acknowledge the new government," the Labour Parliamentarian continued.
In 2009, just before it was widely felt that new elections would be announced, Astaphan resigned from the Douglas Cabinet, accusing the Prime Minister of being a dictator and a man all for himself and not for the good that he can do for the nation.
He also cited among other things, the lack of proper leadership of the Labour Party and the country by Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas.
Astaphan said that he has always maintained his support of the principles of the Labour Party, but has expressed grave concerns over the leadership and direction of the party which he feels has strayed significantly from the principles of which he supports.
The labour party replaced Astaphan with Ms. Marcella Liburd who would be challenging PAM candidate Roy Angus Fleming in what many political observers have considered to be a pick-up seat, to be re-taken by the opposition Peoples Action Movement, PAM, led by Lawyer Lindsay Grant.
Mr. Fleming's party, PAM has been running a strong campaign for change, highlighting critical issues of Crime, Cost of Living and Corruption.
Recent polls in 2009 have all indicated that the new labour candidate Marcella Liburd, is trailing the PAM candidate Roy Fleming in what is the federation's largest constituency.
In his 30 minute long address, Astaphan outlined his political journey which began back in 1992. He spoke about the hope of a unification of the political parties for the overall good of the nation.

For more information visit the People's Action Movement Website at http://www.pamforchange.com or contact.

Pinel Island: --- Workers of the Reserve Naturelle (Natural Reserve) were seen mixing cement on Pinel Island as they build a small shed with tables and benches. Owner of several hectares of the Pinel Island Emile Larmonie is angry at the fact that members of the Natural Reserve are allowed to build on the island using cement and steal. Larmonie told reporters on Thursday that he was fined 50,000 francs ($10,000) some ten years ago when he tried to build a shed for fishermen on that island.
Larmonie said that even though he owned much of the land, government declared that Pinel Island is part of the domain land. He produced an attestation that is signed by the President of the Collectivity of St. Martin that states that Pinel Island is located in a natural zone and the Collectivity neither the commune in its days never issued any building permits neither did they give anyone permission to be on Pinel Island. Based on the attestation Larmonie wants to know if COM has changed its rules and suddenly granted a building permit to those of the Natural Reserve.
Larmonie said he has been trying to find out if the Natural Reserve received a building permit to construct the shed they said is for everyone. He said he wants to know if a building permit was granted to foreigners while St. Martiners are being penalized when they build or even try to use the beach. Larmonie said a few days ago members of the Natural Reserve fined some students that were camping on the beach, "the students had to pay Euros 50 for the space they occupy with a tent. Right now the locals have no place on the beaches, neither the sea" He said the natural reserve is even charging people money to snorkel around Pinel Island.
Larmonie who is also vice president of the Grand Case/ Cul de Sac community council said he sent letters to both the Natural Reserve and the President of the Collectivity to free up two of the beaches so locals can use them, but to date he has not received any response from either party.
Efforts made to contact the President of the Natural Reserve proved futile up to press time.

The second winner of Island Water World's Online Game prize of a dinghy-outboard combo, worth US $ 3200, is Vassil Kurtev from Bulgaria. He arrived in December in St. Maarten from Tenerife, after crossing the Atlantic on his 38' custom designed S/V Bizone.
Vassil, nicknamed Vasko and 74 years young, built 'Bizone' in the early 1990s in Bulgaria together with his son. Due to the lack of well stocked chandleries Kurtev fabricated a great deal of the parts himself. Kurtev is an avid sailor and participated in 1984 in OSTAR (Observer Singlehanded Transatlantic Race from Plymouth, England to Newport, Rhode Island). Back then he sailed a 24-foot folkboat and finished in 40 days.
Until the end of January every online shopper at Island Water World's new e-commerce website – www.islandwaterworld.com - will be automatically eligible to win Walker Bay Air Floor Hypalon AF240 Dinghy and a Mercury-5HP-outboard Combo. "The draw is cumulative – meaning if you bought something in November or December you will still be eligible for the draw in January - the more often you buy, the more chances you have", says Sean Kennelly, Managing Director of Island Water World.