PHILIPSBURG:--- Sint Maarten’s government has officially crossed a line. Instead of fulfilling its most basic duties — keeping the public safe and ensuring functioning infrastructure — it is now begging businesses for donations to fund holiday security and festive lighting. Yes, you read that correctly: your tax dollars are not enough, so the government is turning to private pockets to do its job.

A Disturbing Mix of Mismanagement and Indulgence

This isn’t just poor planning; it’s a blatant display of misplaced priorities. While citizens struggle with skyrocketing prices and stagnant wages, government officials are apparently free to jet around the globe, attend parties, and spend it on lavish travel, all while leaving essential services underfunded. Now, they ask local businesses to pick up the tab.

Suppose these “donations” are accompanied by tax write-offs — as is likely — it doesn’t just shift the cost to the private sector. In that case, it reduces government revenue, further straining an already fragile budget. Effectively, the people and businesses of Sint Maarten are paying twice: first in taxes, then in “donations” to cover what the government should provide.

Extortion in Disguise?

One cannot ignore the coercive undertones here. Businesses are being asked to fund the very system that is supposed to protect them. Decline, and one can only imagine the subtle pressures: delayed permits, inspections, or simply falling out of favor with officials. The government presents this as collaboration, but in reality, it smells disturbingly like extortion.

The People Pay, the Government Plays

Meanwhile, ordinary residents face inflation, low wages, and the ever-rising cost of living. How is it justifiable to ask businesses to bankroll security for tourists and seasonal lights while the local population struggles to make ends meet? This is governance turned upside down — indulgent, irresponsible, and disconnected from the suffering of the people.

Where Is the Accountability?

Transparency is minimal. Who will audit these “donations”? How can the public be sure these funds won’t be diverted to other frivolous spending? With an administration already known for lavish travel and party expenses, confidence in accountability is low. The government is effectively monetizing public safety and gambling with the well-being of citizens.

Conclusion: A Call to Shame and Reform

Sint Maarten deserves a government that prioritizes its people over optics, parties, and international travel. Asking businesses to pay for basic public safety is not just irresponsible — it’s morally indefensible. If the government cannot fund security and infrastructure from its budget, it should step aside and let those who can govern responsibly take over. Public safety is not a donation drive; it is a fundamental obligation of governance.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Foresee Foundation’s NPOwer Academy is inviting local non-profits to participate in two practical workshops designed to strengthen how organizations communicate, collaborate, and safeguard important information using Google Workspace and Microsoft Teams.

Many NGOs on St. Maarten are small, volunteer-driven, and experience frequent changes in

their boards. As a result, essential documents such as notary papers, Chamber of Commerce

extracts, meeting minutes, and financial reports often get misplaced or remain inaccessible.

These workshops were developed to help organizations make the step toward using a secure,

shared digital workspace where such information can be safely stored and easily accessed by

authorized board members and volunteers.

Both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 provide professional solutions that go beyond email, offering powerful tools for communication, file sharing, and teamwork. The upcoming

sessions will introduce NGOs to each tool separately, and they can get a sense for which platform is right for their size and needs. Google Workspace, which is simple, cloud-based, and ideal for smaller organizations; or Microsoft Teams, which offers a more advanced and integrated environment for medium-sized NGOs looking to expand and access tools like Office 365.

The Introduction to Google Workspace session will be led by Sahar Thomson on Tuesday,

November 4th, 2025, while the Getting Started with Microsoft Teams for Non-profits session

will be facilitated by Delano Samuel on Wednesday, November 5th, 2025. Both sessions take

place from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM and are hands-on, participants are asked to bring their

Laptops.

“Having a shared digital workspace is one of the simplest ways NGOs can build continuity and

transparency,” says the NPOwer team. “When information is secure and accessible,

organizations can focus more on their mission and less on searching for lost files.”

Anyone in the NGO community can register at https://bit.ly/2024-NPOwer-Workshops. For

more information, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or follow @npowersxm on Facebook. You

can also join the NPOwer Announcements WhatsApp group via bit.ly/NPOwerWhatsAppGroup.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling detailed a comprehensive vision for reforming the prison system, focusing on meaningful rehabilitation programs designed to help inmates successfully reintegrate into society. The Minister emphasized that the goal is to ensure individuals leave prison better than they entered, which ultimately benefits the entire community.

Current Programs and Future Enhancements

Currently, the prison offers a "prison education program," often referred to as a GED program. Minister Tackling clarified that this initiative is much broader than just exam preparation. Upon entry, inmates are assessed, and many are found to be at a pre-K or kindergarten level of literacy. The program then provides tailor-made education to bring them up to a higher standard.

Looking ahead, the ministry is actively working to rebuild and expand these programs. A four-year project managed by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is central to this effort. The plan is to introduce a variety of vocational classes, such as woodworking and mechanics, as well as entrepreneurship courses. These programs aim to equip inmates with practical skills that can help them find employment or start their own businesses upon release.

Overcoming Challenges and Building Sustainable Systems

The Minister acknowledged past challenges, noting that programs like the woodworking class fell apart after Hurricane Irma destroyed the workshop and the instructor departed. To avoid future dependence on a single individual, the government is exploring sustainable models. One promising initiative involves a partnership with the European Solidarity Corps, which would bring volunteers from Europe to lead short-term projects such as jewelry-making or mural painting. This model, which has been successful in Aruba, provides stipends to both volunteers and participating inmates, creating a structured, rotating program system.

Another significant challenge is inmate participation. The Minister spoke about the "machismo" culture that can prevent inmates from admitting they need help or from wanting to be seen in a classroom. To counter this, the ministry is exploring incentive-based systems. One example mentioned is a program from Brazil where inmates earn time off their sentence for each book they read, making self-improvement more attractive.

A Holistic Approach to Reintegration

Minister Tackling stressed that successful reintegration requires a holistic approach that extends beyond the prison walls. The ministry is looking at long-term strategies to reduce the stigma faced by ex-inmates. This includes plans to incentivize businesses to hire former prisoners potentially.

The Minister's vision is clear: investing in prisoner rehabilitation is an investment in the community's future. By providing education, vocational skills, and a supportive framework for reintegration, the Ministry of Justice aims to break the cycle of recidivism and empower individuals to build productive lives after their release.

PHILIPSBURG:--- During the Council of Ministers press briefing, Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling addressed several critical immigration and justice-related issues. The session provided clarity on the government's handling of exemption letters, the backlog of residency permits, and the approach toward individuals born in St. Maarten who lack legal status.

The Challenge of Exemption Letters

A significant point of discussion was the number of exemption letters granted by previous administrations to individuals not registered on the island. While unable to provide an exact figure due to poor record-keeping, Minister Tackling acknowledged that the number could be as high as 2,000.

These letters are intended to be an exception, not the rule. They allow a person who has applied for their first residency permit to remain on the island while awaiting a decision, a process that should legally occur while the applicant is abroad. Over time, these letters have been issued for various reasons, including to business directors needing to set up operations for school-aged children.

However, the Minister noted that the system has been misused, with many recipients viewing the letter as a permanent right to reside without following through on their permit applications. The current administration is taking a stronger stance, aiming to regulate the issuance of these letters and reduce what has become a significant administrative burden.

Tackling the Residency Permit Backlog

The Minister also addressed public concerns about the backlog in processing residency permits at the Immigration and Naturalization Department (IND). She assured the public that the department is working diligently to clear pending applications. The goal is to process all 2025 permit applications by the end of the year, ensuring no backlog carries over into 2026.

To streamline the process and improve efficiency, a new, more user-friendly immigration system is set to launch in the coming weeks. This system will guide applicants to the correct permit category and provide a clear, revised list of requirements. The Minister explained that many of the previous requirements were deemed excessive and are being trimmed down to request only necessary information. While acknowledging that progress has been slower than hoped, she expressed confidence that these changes will lead to significant

A Humanitarian Approach for Undocumented Persons Born in St. Maarten

A key topic was the government's plan for individuals born in St. Maarten who have lived their entire lives on the island but were never documented by their parents. Minister Tackling emphasized a humanitarian approach for these cases.

She publicly stated that adults over 18 in this situation can qualify for a humanitarian permit. The government recognizes that a child is not at fault for their undocumented status. Applicants are encouraged to provide proof of their lifelong residency, such as primary and high school records, to support their case.

The situation is more complex for those who have ended up in the justice system. For individuals in prison who were born or raised in St. Maarten without legal status, the ministry is evaluating how to handle their cases upon release. Deportation is often not an option, as they have no other country to be sent to. The ministry is looking at these situations on a case-by-case basis, aiming to prevent a cycle of recidivism by helping these individuals reintegrate into society. The Minister shared an anecdote of an ex-inmate who returned to crime after being unable to secure a job without an ID, highlighting the importance of finding a solution.

Through these focused efforts, the Ministry of Justice aims to create a more regulated, efficient, and humane immigration and justice system that addresses long-standing challenges while ensuring fairness and security for

the community.