PHILIPSBURG:---  Member of Parliament Sjamira Roseburg demanded details about the staffing, training and monitoring arrangements at the wastewater treatment plant, while MP Franklin Meyers called for a system through which visitors contribute to the cost of keeping Sint Maarten clean.

Their contributions to Parliament’s discussion on waste and wastewater management raised questions about the ministry’s operational capacity and the financing of tourism-affected services.

Roseburg asked Minister of VROMI Patrice Gumbs how many ministry employees manage and operate the wastewater treatment plant, which departments they come from, and whether their assignments are temporary or permanent.

She also questioned whether transferring personnel to the facility had weakened other government services.

“How is their assignment affecting operations in the departments they came from?” she asked, requesting details of any tasks or services delayed or reduced as a result.

Gumbs had earlier informed Parliament that the ministry was carrying out daily operations after the previous plant management agreement ended in August 2026 and was not renewed.

Roseburg sought clarification on whether the facility is staffed around the clock, including weekends and public holidays. If it is not, she asked who monitors operations outside normal working hours.

She further requested confirmation that the assigned employees possess the training and certification required to operate a wastewater treatment plant.

Her questions also covered compensation, including whether employees receive overtime, shift allowances, or additional payments for hazardous duties or assigned functions.

On enforcement, Roseburg asked Gumbs to identify the legislative assistance he needs from Parliament.

She said outdated laws were part of the problem and asked for a list of measures MPs could help advance as co-legislators.

“Where do you need the help?” she asked.

Roseburg also asked for an update on a motion she said she submitted with MP Sarah Wescot-Williams during the 2026 budget discussions on illegal dumping and fines.

In particular, she sought progress on a dedicated hotline for residents to report violations. While acknowledging that a contact number already exists, she questioned whether a more specific complaints hotline could be established and whether compensation for people making reports had been considered.

Following earlier remarks by MP Ludmilla de Weever, Roseburg also asked whether the government had examined waste-collection financing arrangements elsewhere in the Dutch Caribbean.

She emphasized that her question aimed to establish the status of that discussion, not to call for additional charges on residents’ current bills.

Meyers, meanwhile, pressed Gumbs to establish the cause of the wastewater overflow shown in a circulating video.

He asked whether it resulted from an operational problem, such as a blockage, or whether it was connected to the end of the previous management contract and an interruption in maintenance.

Meyers also wanted to know whether similar incidents had occurred before.

He argued that Parliament needed to distinguish between a problem that can arise during normal operations and an overflow caused by inadequate upkeep.

His questions echoed De Weever’s earlier request for a clear explanation of whether the incident was linked to the management transition.

Turning to garbage collection, Meyers argued that the government’s financing arrangements must account for the waste generated by visitors alongside that produced by residents.

He suggested that a collection contract sufficient for the resident population could still face pressure from additional tourism demands.

Meyers called on the government to determine how visitors could contribute to the island's cleanliness, including the costs of garbage collection and the landfill.

“We are going to have to figure out a way for them to contribute to the cleanliness of the island also,” he said.

While recognizing tourism as the country’s main source of income, Meyers argued that visitor activity also strains infrastructure and the environment.

He did not outline a specific fee, collection mechanism, or proposed amount during his contribution.

The supplied transcript ends with the MPs’ speaking round. It did not include Gumbs’ responses to Roseburg’s staffing questions or Meyers’ proposals on visitor contributions.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Nation Opportunity Wealth (NOW) Member of Parliament (MP) and Chairman of Parliament’s Justice Committee, Lyndon Lewis, extends his congratulations to Sint Maarten’s prison personnel on Prison Week.

MP Lewis commended correctional officers, administrative staff, support personnel, and all those whose daily efforts support the operation of the Point Blanche Prison and House of Detention, the Ms. Lalie Youth Detention Center, and the justice system.

“Your work requires discipline, patience, courage, professionalism and sacrifice. You carry significant responsibilities, often under challenging circumstances, and your contribution to the safety of our community deserves recognition and appreciation,” MP Lewis stated.

As a former Minister of Justice and law enforcement officer, MP Lewis acknowledged the demanding nature of prison work and the important role personnel play in maintaining security, ensuring humane treatment, and supporting rehabilitation.

“Prison Week is an opportunity to celebrate your service, but it must also remind us of our responsibility to support you throughout the year. Appreciation should be reflected in fair treatment, safe working conditions, adequate resources, and attention to your welfare,” MP Lewis said.

MP Lewis reaffirmed his commitment to advocating for all justice workers and encouraged prison personnel to continue serving with integrity, unity, and pride.

Platform connects consumers with discounted food from local businesses while helping retailers reduce waste.

SCHŒLCHER, Martinique:---  KOPA, a food-deals application developed in Martinique, has won first prize in the “Decarbonization and Economic Sovereignty”  category of the Choose Outre-mer competition, the company announced on October 7.

The platform lets consumers find and reserve discounted food from participating supermarkets, bakeries, restaurants, and other businesses. Offers include unsold food and products nearing the end of their sales cycle that remain suitable for consumption.

KOPA says it aims to help families spend less while allowing businesses to recover value from products that might otherwise go to waste.

Local Deals Through a Mobile App

Users can browse offers near their location, select a discounted product or food basket, reserve and pay through the application, then collect their purchase at the business during the designated pickup period.

The company presents the service as a way to make saving money and avoiding food waste part of everyday shopping habits.

For participating businesses, the platform provides another outlet for unsold products. For consumers, it offers access to lower-priced food close to home.

Innovation Developed Around Island Challenges

According to the company, KOPA was conceived and developed by a team based in Martinique with the realities of overseas territories in mind, including island geography, import costs, logistical constraints and the high cost of living.

Founder and president Meggan Cavalier described the award as recognition that innovation developed in the overseas territories can achieve national relevance.

She said the next priority is practical: encouraging consumers to make KOPA a regular tool for finding nearby deals, saving money and reducing waste.

The company also announced that, in 2026, it was selected among the successful applicants in the French Directorate General for Enterprise initiative “Accelerating the Circular Transition of Businesses,” in the category covering management of unsold goods and waste.

Expansion in Guadeloupe

KOPA operates in Martinique and is expanding its deployment in Guadeloupe.

The company says increased consumer use can attract more participating businesses, broaden the range of available offers, and ensure more food is sold rather than discarded.

Beyond the consumer application, KOPA also supports food-sector professionals in preventing waste and finding ways to recover value from unsold products.

The service is operated by SAMEV CARAIBES FOOD AND SERVICES, which the release identifies as a social and solidarity economy enterprise.

The announcement did not provide figures on the number of users, participating businesses, average savings, or quantities of food diverted from waste.

Further information is available at kopa.fr.

Angelique Romou welcomes extension as “Loving Our Teachers Out Loud” celebrates its fifth anniversary.

PHILIPSBURG:--  Teachers will have additional time to benefit from Simpson Bay Resort, Marina & Spa’s special Teacher Appreciation midterm offer, which has been extended through October 16, 2026, under the “Loving Our Teachers Out Loud” coupon initiative.

Angelique J.G. Romou and A BETTA PLACE Foundation welcomed the extension, saying it allows educators who experienced delays receiving their coupon sheets to enjoy the offer during the midterm break.

The resort has also agreed to accommodate eligible teachers without a physical coupon. Educators must identify themselves as teachers, provide proof that they are currently teaching, and indicate the school where they are employed.

Extension Helps Teachers Affected by Coupon Delays

Romou thanked the resort for ensuring delayed coupon distribution would not prevent teachers from accessing an offer intended to provide rest and relaxation.

“This is what Loving Our Teachers Out Loud is about, making our teachers feel seen, valued, and appreciated,” she said.

She described the resort’s decision as an example of a business going the extra mile to recognize educators and their contribution to the community.

Business Partners Turn Appreciation Into Action

Celebrating the initiative’s fifth anniversary, Romou thanked participating businesses for providing discounts, complimentary items and services, and other exclusive offers for teachers.

This year’s partners include Obersi Xerox; Domino’s Pizza Sint Maarten; Sal & Pepe; Pineapple Pete & Wasabi Charlie; KFC St. Maarten; Georgina’s Nails; Polo Ralph Lauren; Armani; Beirut SXM; Officeworldsxm Coffee Lounge; Victors Cosmetics; T’s Closet SXM; Ace Homecenter; Inglot; Addicted Hair Lounge; Lucky Shopping Center SXM; Shop and Take; Bold Buddha; Marks Place; Sparkle Hair Lounge; Beautylicious Beauty Supply; Divico Distributors and Cash & Carry; Dollar Smart; Natural Heath Store; The Sugar Mill Cafe; Overstocks; and Simpson Bay Resort, Marina & Spa.

Romou offered special thanks to businesses that have repeatedly supported the initiative, saying their continued generosity makes it possible.

“You have demonstrated that Teacher Appreciation is not simply something we talk about; it is something we can put into action as a community,” she said.

Recognizing Teachers’ Daily Contribution

Romou emphasized that teachers contribute far beyond classroom instruction, nurturing, encouraging, guiding, and inspiring the children entrusted to their care.

“Every profession begins somewhere in a classroom, with a teacher who helped someone learn, discover a talent, overcome a challenge, or believe that they could become something more,” she said.

As educators enjoy their midterm break, she encouraged them to make time for rest, relaxation, and rejuvenation after continually giving to others.

Invitation to Join the Initiative in 2027

Romou and A BETTA PLACE Foundation are already looking toward expanding Loving Our Teachers Out Loud in 2027.

Businesses interested in participating next year can contact the foundation by WhatsApp at +1 721 528 6006 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Contributions may include discounts, complimentary services, special experiences or other gestures recognizing educators.

Romou reiterated that the initiative’s message extends beyond an annual observance.

“Teacher Appreciation should never be limited to one day or one month,” she said. “Our teachers deserve to be appreciated 365 days a year.”