Articles

Royal Caribbean Lines (RCL) Vice President (VP) of Government Relations Michael Ronan told a St. Thomas Chamber of Commerce gathering that even venerable cruise ship destinations can get stale if they don't freshen their product. "Don't take anything for granted," warned Michael Ronan.

Ronan pointed out to the St. Thomas business owners that one of the things lacking in St. Thomas is the need for some sort of water transportation (taxi). He said that vessels buzzing about Charlotte Amalie harbor taking passengers from one destination to another would add a whole new element to the island while reducing pressure on infrastructure.

RCL VP of Government Relations Ronan indicated that Sint Maarten was the USVI's stiffest competition in the region, and already has three drop-off points in their harbor (Port of Sint Maarten), which brings customers to three different business areas (Bobby's Marina, Capt. Hodge Wharf and Sea Palace Pier) to shop and eat. "It's a no-brainer," he said.
Ronan also said St. Thomas Main Street needs to be "pedestrianized," something that has been done in many major shopping areas elsewhere. "In other areas of the world this has been done successfully ... allowing people to move freely, thus maximizing their enjoyment," he said. Again, the investments made in Philipsburg (Front Street and Back Street) over the years are testament to the vision provided by past Commissioner of Port Affairs Theo Heyliger in making Philipsburg an attractive shopping area for cruise passengers and stay-over tourists.

St. Thomas business people agreed with the point of view of Ronan and acknowledged that the chamber's membership has been unsuccessfully able to move forward in redeveloping the Port of St. Thomas. Ronan recommended to them that they should open a regular dialogue with the cruise ship industry, also acknowledging the role of government in the process as well.

Ronan added that he couldn't help but point out several other ominous signs that could point to trouble for St. Thomas and St. John. He spoke of Atlantis Submarine leaving, as well as another sailing shore excursion moving elsewhere. Sint Maarten as a preferred cruise destination has to look at what additional excursions can be offered and here comes into play entrepreneurship.

RCL VP of Government Relations Michael Ronan said it was up to the business people to rework how they operate in order to function in the new realities, which include economic downturns, new competition in the market and new ships that can take passengers farther faster.

An interesting cruise industry trend that is currently taking place is Europeans avoiding U.S. territories because of complicated visa requirements. Here is an opportunity for our island nation to explore becoming a homeport for cruise lines in the Northeastern Caribbean based on the aforementioned trend.

We already have direct air-links with Europe and according to figures released by the European Cruise Council, 4.9 million European residents booked a cruise holiday in 2009, a rise of 50 per cent in five years and representing nearly 30 per cent of the world's cruise passengers. Our harbour officials have already had the experience of home porting of small cruise vessels with less than 300 passengers, and without a doubt they will explore the feasibility of the aforementioned – home porting of larger cruise vessels.

Another cruise industry trend that RCL rep Michael Ronan informed St. Thomas Chamber of Commerce members is a new law being considered that would require ships cruising the U.S. East Coast and the U.S. overseas territories to use lower sulphur, higher cost fuel and the U.S. Virgin Islands would be wise to consider in its long-term planning. Here again we need to be innovative as a premiere cruise destination and look at how this would impact our industry.

Sint Maarten has always been heralded as a port of example for the region. The year 2010 so far has been a very important year for the nation. Within days we will be heralding in country Sint Maarten and by year end the island could accommodate 1.5 million cruise passengers barring any disruption caused by weather.

Sint Maarten as a country, as a premiere cruise destination has a bright future ahead. We need to continue to be innovative in our thinking and plan ahead of the competition in order to remain at the top as we have been successfully able to do over the years.

Roddy Heyliger

Remember when people everywhere were outraged at a Cuban diplomat's remark that Elian Gonzales is the property of the Cuban state. If only their outrage extended to their own homelands! We are living under a system of state schooling, or as it is commonly termed, public compulsory schooling. Under compulsory-education and compulsory-attendance laws, the state requires parents to deliver their children to a state institution to receive a state-approved education from a state-approved schoolteacher using state-approved textbooks and follow a state-approved curriculum. (Socialism) People block out of their minds that through public schooling, children are effectively made the property of the state. Fidel Castro's two proudest socialistic accomplishments are free public schooling and free national health care. If a parent in the country St. Maarten resists these policies, the state will ultimately punish him/her by removing his children from his/her control and placing them in the custody of state officials. On the other hand, the state can and will impose an even harsher sanction on the parent. Over the years, many irresponsible women and men made children with no means of supporting them the result of this is the juvenile criminal delinquent problems that we are dealing with today. Under our form of socialism, the state punishes the wrong party the parent for disciplining the juvenile instead of the juvenile criminal delinquent for stealing and lying to the mother the state is effectively encouraging criminality by rewarding bad behavior by juvenile delinquents. Now, you wonder why we have so much crime. The first order of business of our new country's parliament should be the revision of the criminal justice system, stiffen the penalties' on all criminals' juveniles that commits an adult crime should be prosecuted as adults. Let us give back the power to the parent to discipline their children. Furthermore, it is also about time we empower the victims of crime instead of the criminal.

Peter Gunn

People of St Maarten wake up. Our conservative life style of correcting our children is being punish by a liberal court system that believe no parent should correct a child. No one advocate child abuse, and the case about the mother correcting a child with the belt is strange to me. I do not know all the facts. However the way the prosecutor puts it is like at no time you should use a belt to correct your child. We live in a Democratic country that is rule by laws. In a democracy governments and courts system rules or applies laws in their ideological principles. Holland is a very liberal country where children can legally have sex at a much early age or may I say it is accepted for children to have sex at a very early age. Marijuana is accepted as a normal habit and parents are not allowed to hit their children with the belt. I hope that people of StMaarten begins to understand that our values and ideology about life is different than our fellow Dutch citizens in Holland. Can anyone tell me when the government has the right to punish parents for correcting their child and you know I am not talking about abuse or ill-treatment of children. Our St Maarten values of right and wrong or our moral values of right and wrong is being dictated by a liberal socialist system that hates our conservative moral values of right and wrong. Our liberal legal system gives the children leadership over the parents. Imagine your ten year son or daughter telling you I am going to do what I want and if you hit me I am going to the prosecutor? What we are seeing is a clash of ideologies the left verses the right or Liberalism verses Conservatism. The same method of governing is applied in political ideology. People living in St Maarten are mostly from a conservative life style, but we elect socialist and liberal political parties which bring in liberal judges and prosecutors who believe in rehab and not in punishment. These people believe in humanism, they do not believe that God is the one we should worship and follow. These people may have education but they do not have values, this can be very destructive on our society. We need education with values. Imagine a PhD degree who is an atheist. God forbid that will be destructive. I remember Jesus, John the Baptist, Noah, Moses taking on governments to stand for right and wrong, unfortunately I do not see the strong Conservative preachers willing to protect morality to please God. If the Church cannot take a stand who will. The Church should be the last line of defense to fight for morality if they cannot who will? Slowly but surely the people in StMaarten is becoming property of the state, socialism is here. A local politician tells me but we are property of the state, I told him I am property of God almighty. I did not get chance to finish I would have ask him if you are property of the state that means the government own your house your wife and children. In short conservative believe in small government and private ownership which is capitalism, socialism believes in government ownership of the people and government should own the private sector. (Socialism or communism). That is why Liberals believe it is the government right to tell you how to correct your child which is very dangerous. God gives us laws to follow, which mean it is your responsibility to live by the law (personal responsibility). People of StMaarten make it your business to find out how the people we choose as politicians and judge's mentality is, because they will determine how much freedom we will live by. Conservative are rightwing and God fearing people, Liberals are leftwing and usually hate moral values. We as people must decide which people we will love not only to govern us but whom we love to lead our courts or legal systems. I respect every person choice of life style, but we have to ask ourselves do we believe in hope and I mean true hope if our values are not of who we are as a people. Again I ask you the question is our children property of the state?

Yours truly
Miguel Arrindell

Dear Editor,

As St Maarten move into country status we have no choice but to wish our government success in governing St Maarten to a successful country.
Sadly our crime situation is deteriorating to unacceptable levels. We must institute moral values and God back in to school and society; we can choose to live free or die hard. We need leadership not only to create wealth (conservatism & capitalism) but more important we need a system to ensure personal responsibility for each and every individual action. The lack of money might enhance crime but the strength of moral values and personal responsibility including loving your family is what will alleviate crime and will make a successful nation or country. I promise myself and the people of St Maarten I will help seek and find solutions to make St Maarten a better country. Unfortunately most of our politician does not understand political ideology so they not know what system to apply to tackle a financial crisis or criminality. To tackle criminality we must understand that human nature stay obedient to laws by punishment and not the Dutch way of rehabilitation. After punishment then we must teach them moral values and personal responsibility. Giving money to people without teaching values and personal responsibility is a waste of time. You can be rich and still commit crime. Many rich people continue to steel. But teaching our children in school about moral values (right & wrong) which can be also instituted in sex education will make people understand it is right to do what is right and it is a choice to do what's wrong. Leadership is not only about creating wealth but more importantly by living and setting the example of how we should treat each other with respect to all regardless of race, religion, color and sexual preference even when we disagree with each other position. No person is perfect in life, however we must stand for what we believe in and live free or die hard. To change our financial situation we must institute a tax system that allow people to keep more of their earn money. Government must cut waist. I would have prefer we build a 10 storey building that can house all governmental department including offices for the ministries and a legislative hall for members of parliament, we should make the new government building opposite of the university of St Maarten more bigger. A march against crime is nice but the power and knowledge of God is greater than any man made institution. We can spend and hire any criminologist but without the teaching of right and wrong we will be fighting a loosen war against crime. Many young girls does not get love at home or have a father to lead and head the home and they look for a father love by getting involve with a gang or being seduce by older men who has money which they see gift as a expression for true love. Until we have leaders ( political or pastoral) who can come out and speak about these realities in life we will never attain a society of true hope that will foster success in all avenues be it financial or improvement of family values. We need men of character who has the courage to do and say the right things even if they are hated but which will prove right in the long run. We must have the courage to call bad things evil and right principles and values good. We must have the courage to tell our friends and family when they are going wrong and reward them when they are doing good things. Building a nation or a country is not an election procedure; it is an all inclusive daily way of life which should be values and principles including culture of a nation. Our constitution mentions God in the beginning. If we are a Christian nation under God then we should act like it. We need leader that lead and live by example and not give in to self interest business people friends or family members. We must demand honesty and fairness in all governmental decision as to unite all people in St Maarten. My friends and people we can either live free or die hard.

Miguel Arrindell

With country Sint Maarten 2011 budget still pending, additional provisions will have to be made with respect to investing in our own national development as the Dutch Budget for 2011 reveals that subsidy support from Holland will start to decline in 2011 and cease to exist within three years.

The amount budgeted for Curacao and Sint Maarten in 2011 is 73 million Euros. The cooperation funds in the Dutch Government will be reduced in 2011 by 17 million Euros and by 36.4 million in 2012 and will be zero in 2013. Development funds from USONA and AMFO will not be subsidized by the Dutch Government after 2012; no more money for the programme Education and Youth after 2012 and the Netherlands Antilles Safety Plan PVNA will cease at the end of 2012; financial support for the Social Economic Initiative (SEI) will be terminated at the end of 2010.

Holland will provide 10 million Euros per year for Curacao and Sint Maarten starting from October 10 until 2015, in technical assistance/supervision to build up the government apparatus.

With development assistance going to dwindle in the coming years; as a nation we need to make our own provisions first and foremost from within our own national budget and then look else where for additional assistance. Country Sint Maarten should be able to tap into funds from multilateral institutions and receive assistance from other countries.

As Jamaica's Prime Minister Bruce Golding recently pointed out at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, developing countries must help themselves towards sustainable development. "We must recognize that there is a lot that we can and must do for ourselves. Each of us must adopt and pursue with fixity of purpose the appropriate economic and social policies and good governance practices," Golding said.

Golding added, "...long term development must not be decided by strength alone, but through cooperation. The existing international financial system and multilateral trading arrangements will not enable these imbalances to be redressed. They have not done so up to now and they are unlikely to do so in the future.

"Market forces and competitiveness are indispensable for economic development but the new millennium cannot be defined by the survival of the fittest. We must make it our business to assist the weak to become fit in order to not just survive but prosper," Golding explained.

Cayman Islands Premier McKeeva Bush told a UN roundtable last week that associate member states, like the British island dependency Cayman Islands, are being excluded from certain development assistance programmes begun as part of the UN's Mauritius Strategy.

The Mauritius Strategy is an agreement that seeks to promote sustainable development in Small Island Development States (SIDS) aimed at tackling poverty and controlling debt levels. The strategy also is aimed at improving governance and consistency of international financial and trading systems to help smaller island states participate in the decision-making process for those industries.

Premier McKeeva Bush added, "...the Mauritius Strategy for the Caribbean cannot be fully implemented if some islands are excluded on political or constitutional grounds." "We are just as vulnerable to hurricanes, earthquakes and sea level rise as our neighbours." Bush added, "We need to move away from relationships based on post-colonial guilt, and trade preferences that has the unintended effect of discouraging diversification and prolonging dependency." "We need a new relationship between partners, based on mutual interests and shared benefits."

This is an effort – the inconsistencies of the international financial and trading systems towards SIDS - which we need to take up at the Dutch Kingdom level. As a SIDS ourselves, along with Aruba, and Curacao, we need to bring forth the challenges faced by SIDS and have the Kingdom of the Netherlands play a role in working towards creating a level playing field for all nations.

Roddy Heyliger

For the past few weeks, Mr Daniel Gibbs, Vice President of French St Martin has been all over the newspapers and radios selling HIS water front project. An operation seduction in order to get the population of French St Martin with him for the validation of HIS project at the Conseil Territorial. Mr Gibbs is telling us that he has a Dream for us St Martiners!
This Dream, he says, he has since 2001 when he was elected municipal council of St Martin commune.
Now my question is, who you dreaming for Mr Gibbs?? The population of St Martin? Who you trying to fool Mr Gibbs???
I would like to remind you that the population of St Martin is not completely stupid, not all of us are ignorant!! Since when are you bothered about St Martin's population?? After 9 years of being an elected member, by the population, you suddenly realised that you actually need the people of this island? But Mr Gibbs, you never bothered with the St Martin population, your whole life time!
The first thing you did when elected Vice President is bring one of your good friend from France Mr Claysen and give him the post of Director de l'Office du Tourism. Was Mr Claysen one of us? I don't think so. And I'm not going to remind the readers of the whole nightclub saga that followed that episode!
What about your Directrice du Tourisme? Mme Bessiere. Where exactly is she from? But what a lovely exposé she gave us at the last Conseil Territorial! If I have one good advice to give you is stop making the Collectivité pay foreigners to tell us what we already know about OUR Island!
What about the locals that you got rid of Mr Gibbs? What about Diane Fleming with whom you never saw eye to eye. Isn't she back in Guadeloupe now? What about Sabrina Charville?? When last you had a meeting with her? Aren't you in charge of the airport in Grand-Case? But now we have to hear that you want to give our airport to some foreign country!
But what about the rest of them? All of sudden, still part of your Operation Seduction a la Population, we have to hear the most gorgeous profile on Mr Moreau, godfather of your child he described himself. Now who are you trying to fool?
The truth is that you have never liked the local population on a personal level and on a political level but now you're asking them to back you up! Now you say you're doing all of this for us! What exactly happen for you to start doing things for us because you're track record does not show you doing anything for us before.
5,000 jobs for St Martin Mr Gibbs you're shouting on the radio! 5,000 jobs for who exactly? The way I'm seeing things, those are 5,000 jobs for 10,000 more metropolitans to come on our island! Last time the French side had investors building projects on our island it became the invasion of the French metropolitan population here. The same people your surround yourself with, by the way! Why should it be any different this time?
The point is Mr Gibbs, YOUR project looks very nice but any project looks very nice on paper! The details are what important Mr Gibbs is. And for that I have a few questions here for you. After YOU put all this extra land and change the shape of our island, who will own this land?? Since we know that the Collectivité cannot pay for it. Those 800 M Euros, who is going to pay for it? And how will they be reimbursed ?
What I'm asking you Mr Gibbs is stop talking about doing things for us! You are not one of us ! You never were one of us before, you're not that worthy!

Name with-held upon author's request.

It is said love conquers all, question is what is love? Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing (sin), but rejoices with the truth (righteousness). Love never ends. Next question is what is education? Education is knowledge acquired by learning and instruction. Education can produce very good solutions to our problem when it comes to science, at the same time it can produce havoc to society or this world. Education is the knowledge of good and evil. So that is why education alone will destroy the world. Family values are togetherness. In families cohesion would be defined as the feeling of being loved, of belonging to the group and being nurtured by it. Although closeness is good in a family unit, there must be a balance between being together and being separate. A person must be able to develop their individuality, while being supported and confident within the family. A few things that bring a family together are the commitment of other family members, and the spending of time together. A person that was love from young with good family values usually study well and achieve greatness, the problem with us as a people it is our nature to sin (Doing the wrong thing or breaking of God laws). Often times we use our intelligence or education to hurt people or fool people for our self-interest, that manner of thinking can lead to murder or in greater terms can lead to war. If we have values then we will not look to steel our brother or sister property or spread false rumors of him or her. In-fact we will be using our expertise to benefit them and us which is love proven in actions. The key to success and happiness in this world is education along with love which is a value. Spiritual knowledge is from God that knowledge cannot sin nor do no wrong. But we as human do not posses it so we must teach and practice God principles and laws to promote peace and to lessen crime. Rehab and education cannot do it. In reality most of us will go church and prey, but by choice we reject to live by God norms and foolishly expect we can bring up a society of peace. It will never happen. We must teach our children right from wrong and give them love. Punish them when they break the rule of law and reward them when they practice love and affection and respect to their fellow man. Many times as human we complain, but most of us do not have the courage to make a difference by making life our personal responsibility to teach help promote good deeds by living it in action. I am sure there is many people right now that hates to hear about God and hate me for this, how ever it is my duty to still respect them even if my feelings say do not respect them. Remember it is always more difficult to do what's right than the wrong. Ask your self this question what has our grand parents and parents done so well in the past that we turn out to be good people? The answer is simple, church was a must, togetherness was a must taking care of your younger brother or sister was a must. So we were taught and practice the golden rule of loving
one another. Politicians suppose to make sure the law is enforce, but the best crime prevention in my opinion is parents and church responsibility. Yes we must have separation of church and state, but their must never be separation from God and state. Our very purpose here in this life is not to please ourselves but more important to please God. We can never get a good society if the author and creator of good which is God almighty continue to be omitted. Our failures in life is that we are to concern about pleasing people or man and we should be much more concern by pleasing God. Good comes from God, Evil comes from the devil. Ad the letter o in the word God it will write good, ad d in front the word evil it will read devil. My point is this, we choose God way of doing things then good things follow us, if we choose other than God way which is evil or the devil way is what we will get. Many politicians hate bringing God into state affairs, but they foolishly wants the church to prey to the very source they hate to bring in to state affairs. Remember as I said in the beginning the key is education and values. Education with out values will continue to fail. Education with values and the blessing and recognition of God as our creator is destine to success. That form of political ideology is conservatism. In closing if we continue to make the wrong choice and live the wrong life style we will continue to create criminality. People like me who have a passion for good are now call extremis. Law breakers and deceivers and haters of the word of God are call good people and smart they admire by many people. Until we get and live by the correct values only then we have a good chance of reducing crime.
For the love of God is to hate evil (sin). But the love and acceptance of God is everlasting life, the choice is yours choose wisely.

Yours truly,

Miguel Arrindell

The Sint Maarten Tourist Bureau has embarked upon a new marketing initiative to further improve upon 2010 tourism figures which resulted in a 7.9 per cent increase in arrival numbers for the first quarter of 2010 and an overall 2.1 per cent increase in visitor numbers for the first six months of the year. The bureau recently completed a series of marketing strategy sessions which should lead to more visitors coming to the island in the high season.

Other Caribbean nations are not sitting by and are also in the forefront of attracting more visitors to their shores. The Cayman Islands Tourism Advisory Council reports that the winter season is looking pretty good in terms of bookings. The General Manager of Carlisle Bay in Antigua reports that bookings are double the pace of last winter, reflecting a high season trend seen at many Caribbean properties.

According to the Barbados Central Bank Governor, the tourism industry should pick up in the final quarter of this year with construction also playing an important supporting role for the economy. So far for the year, the Barbados economy has contracted 0.5 per cent while the island's tourist arrivals have increased three per cent between January and September when compared to the previous year.

A drop in visitor spending has been and remains still a major challenge for the tourist industry in the region. The reduced spending by tourists is a reflection of caution due to the uncertainty about the world economy and this is impacting regional tourism businesses.

The prognosis is that recovery in the international economy is driven mainly by the performances of emerging market countries such as China, India and Brazil, and growth in the countries where the Caribbean sells its tourism remains weak and uncertain. Some economists say that the U.S. economic downturn is part of a seven-year cycle, of which almost three years have passed with four more to go.

A survey of airlines during the third quarter of 2010 indicates that confidence is high in the industry. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), 77 per cent of those who responded had reported improvements in profit during the second quarter of 2010, which was based on stronger revenues and tighter control of costs. IATA adds that demand and revenue are both still growing in terms of passenger traffic, but at a slower rate than the initial rebound at the start of 2010.

Nations around the globe are reviewing economic policy after the financial crisis of 2008-2009. The idea that competitive markets are sufficient to ensure efficient outcomes and stable economies is under heavy fire. The crisis has prompted a fundamental re-think of the relationship between markets and governments. There seems to be a re-think between the political economy and models of governance. President of France Sarkozy said, "Laissez faire is finished," and attention should be focused on the model stakeholder capitalism and social consensus.

Today, the discussions continue about the balance between markets and government; what is the role of governments in promoting economic growth? What can governments do to seize the opportunities of globalization while minimizing its downsides? The global economic crisis has revealed a number of significant imperfections along with the limitations of governments.

Our new country is also at the cross roads and in the midst of the prolonged global crisis. While the big countries have no clarity on the way forward, Sint Maarten as an island nation has to look outside the box. Stakeholders need to come together to chart our way forward under our new constitutional structure.

We need to set up an economic early warning system which would allow us to mitigate the impact in the event of a major economic crisis. Some island nations within the region have had the experience where it took more than a year after the onset of the global crisis to put a stabilization package and mitigating strategies into place.

Each country will have to find its own balance between markets and government. The balance between markets and government may have to be reviewed continually, adapting to circumstance and context. Our approach as a country to policymaking will have to be based on pragmatism and the willingness to adapt to the local context best practices from around the world.

Roddy Heyliger

It is totally ridiculous in this day and age in the 21st century to have persons forming a line out onto the sidewalk waiting for service at the SVB Social Insurance Bank offices on Ch. E.W. Voges Street. This has been an on-going annual phenomenon.

A person having to go to that office before sunrise is also not good service. I've had the same experience on more than one occasion as many others experience on a regular if not daily basis.

The community is aware that local management and staff have to work with the tools and facility provided to them by SVB management in Curacao. I'am sure that over the years that this problem has existed, local management has complained to the head office on Curacao, and to no avail have these cries for help gone un-noticed and un-heeded.

The time has come for change at the SVB. Customer service has to be priority number one under country status. Additional branch satellite offices need to be opened in the coming months in other districts to assist SVB clients with the service they deserve.

Now, under country status, a new health care system is envisioned. The transition from that system to the Sint Maarten home grown system will take some time and in the meantime a Service Level Agreement (SLA) is being negotiated with SVB Curacao to continue providing service to SVB Sint Maarten clients.

The five-day old UP/DP Executive Council pointed out last week in a press conference that the SLA proposal by SVB Curacao was not in the best interest of Sint Maarten as the Curacao based entity wanted to manage all the funds for the country until January 2012, with little input from Country Sint Maarten.

A counter proposal from Sint Maarten to SVB Curacao is to have the latter manage SVB Sint Maarten until December 31, 2010 pending the establishment of our National Health Insurance System.

Provisions have to be made to facilitate having branch offices opened in Belvedere, St. Peters/South Reward and Cole Bay/Simpson Bay, and its all about putting people first and given them the best of service.

It's time for Sint Maarten, time for SVB Sint Maarten customers to finally get the service they deserve.

Roddy Heyliger

Dear Mr. Roland DUNCAN
Minister of Justice St. Maarten.

RE; Your responsibility towards the Antillean people.

Yes your Excellency,
You would be legally in your rights-, if you would now deem it fit to deny any more responsibility towards the people of the (former) Netherlands-Antilles.
However, the spiritual universe has its own 'justice' and no-one ever can escape its ultimate 'sentence'.
Point in case here.
Judging from the media-, it is very clear that after all the 'hype' about '10-10-10'-, it is finally dawning on the ANTILLEAN people what really means-, or does not mean for them.
While this new constitutional 'concoction' might be regarded as a 'dream come through' for certain politicians-, and as a POLITICAL success-, on 'ground zero' for the ordinary ANTILLEAN people-, it is quite another story.
Just to give one little example.
The fact that there has not been any arrangement made for the free movement for the ANTILLEAN people as it was before your most coveted '10-10-10', is becoming a real 'nightmare' if not properly resolved.
While power-struck politicians did everything to point out differences between the islands-, the ANTILLEAN people are one in-divisible people by blood links-, and cultural ties as well.
You have now placed 'barriers' between members of the same ANTILLEAN family.
in the past-, we have repeatedly expressed our deep concern-, and distrust at the 'modus operandi' of the process to achieve status change.
Not so much against any necessary change in-, and of itself.
But-, because a critical-, objective observation revealed that the process was NOT transparent-, but based on deception, betrayal, manipulation, discrimination, intimidation etc by the politicians.
On many occasions-, we explained what we meant by this and many people did not (want to understand.)
Now-, it is becoming clear to many that the status change was NOT meant for the ANTILLEAN people, but for the POLITICIANS.
Therefore-, they did not first seek to guarantee the protection of the rights of ANTILLEANS to maintain their rights on ALL islands of the Antilles-, as has been for generations.
For instance, the rights to free movement-, free residence and work etc.
Now AFTER the politicians have secured THEIR political positions- and fat salaries-, they realize-, and admit that 'oops' we forgot all about the ANTILLEAN people.
In other words, we come in as an 'AFTER-THOUGHT".
This is pure BETRAYAL in our books.
Now the ANTILLEAN people realize that they have been deliberately 'trapped' on the individual islands, without any protection against others, whose trumped up International Human rights' are secured in our constitution.
Wattating..
It should be clear , Minister DUNCAN that as Minister of Constitutional Affairs-, you failed miserably in your task to protect the ANTILLEAN people.
To now, stay on the 'side-lines' because you are no more in that function-is a very 'lame' excuse.
The least you can-, and should do is to take the lead-role in finding a solution to this betrayal.
After all-, as Acting Governor, Mr. GROENEVELDT in a radio-program, with Fernando CLARK on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 pointed out reference the 'French St. Martin drivers-license issue'.
Any time rights of a people/individual are RETRO-ACTIVELY taken away, that can be taken to court...and won.
Back to our case in point.
Going to any (international-)court to fight the retro-actively removal of the 'rights of ANTILLEANS' can be a very strong case.
Hopefully-, the powers that be-, will not let it come to that point.
However-, it should not be taken for granted that we the ANTILLEAN people will simply 'role over' and become victims of the '10-10-10 genocide' of the ANTILLEAN people.
It will not happen!

To be sent to all relevant authorities.

Drs. Leopold JAMES

President SNBF/ Association L' Esprit de Concordia

Mark RUTTE, Prime-minister of the Netherlands,
Gerrit SCHOTTE of Curacao,
Sarah WESCOT-WILIAMS of St. Maarten.

RE; New law on admission and expulsion BES-islands, perfect legal precedence for all islands to follow.

Dear Prime-ministers,

On Thursday, October 21, 2010 an article entitled 'Wet Toelating en Uitzetting begint bij nul' appeared in www.amigoe.com-, the online version of the AMIGOE newspaper.
In this particular article-, an explanation is given pertaining to workings of the new admission-, and expulsion laws which now govern the BES-islands as per '10-10-10'.
>From what we understand-, these new laws will not be applicable to Dutch nationals-, who themselves-, or whose parents have been born on Boanaire-, St. Eustatius-, or Saba.
Again-, if we understand that new law well-, it means de facto-, that the Dutch Government has made a very wise decision to recognize the BIRTH-RIGHTS/HERITAGE of those people as a LEGITIMATE reason for the new law of admission-, and expulsion not to be applied on these persons.
This is something we certainly applaud-, and are grateful to the Dutch for.
In addition-, it serves as a great example- and motivation-, if not as a LEGAL precedence the leaders of the other islands, St. Maarten-, and Curacao can use to apply for the natives of their respective islands as well.
We therefore urgently recommend the above-mentioned prime-ministers to come together and to in fact re-instate the birth-rights-, and heritage of ALL Antilleans to be able to reside-, and work on ANY of the former islands.
This provision is the 'missing link' in the entire constitutional process which we have been clamoring for from 'day one'.
We are convinced that without this right being re-instated-, there will NEVER be any sustainable-, and genuine tranquility within the Kingdom.
At the same time-, adjusting the new constitutions to include this right which can never be legally retro-actively removed-, will make it irrelevant whatever constitutional status there will be.
That simply because the ANTILLEAN PEOPLE'S existence as such would have been guaranteed regardless what status- and regardless who is in power.
In any democracy, the interest of the PEOPLE should benefit first- and foremost of any development-, and not complying with this basic principle-, would do much harm to the reputation of the Dutch Kingdom around the world.
We do not see the slightest reason not to finally include this 'missing link' in the constitutional equation-, and look forward to you as leaders finally bringing closure to this very 'stormy' phase in the relationship within the Kingdom.
In ending-, addressing this very essential issue-, can create a perfect opportunity-, to also in due time also include Aruba-, and Suriname in the total 'equation'.
After all-, we are all tied by a common history- and social ties-, and sooner or later we should consider reciprocating the same freedom of movement-, residence-, and work for another.

dr. Leopold JAMES,
President grassroots St. Martin nation building-, and unification movement.
Proud St. Martiner-, without apologies.

Crime is on a rampage in StMaarten. Many people are scared of their children. We have let tolerance of evil destroy our way of life. Our so call justice system gives children rights over parents. The courts system aloud criminals to go free because of a technicality even when overwhelming proof shows criminals are guilty. Many churches stay politically correct because their first interest is to receive government funds. Homosexuality is now call alternative life style. Women believe it is their rights to murder children if they do not want it. Voodoo is a way of life and is use for financial gains. We even advertise voodoo in our newspapers. What we are seeing is that sin or wrong doing has become acceptable way of life. We have value sin as okay once money is in our interest. We in StMaarten are living a false hope. What you accept badly today will come back in hunt you and hurt you tomorrow. We can pray to God to bless this new country, but then hold fast steadily on the devil and then foolishly ask God to bless us. God is not foolish and does not bless sin, he curse sin. Remember he said for the fear of God is to hate evil, and the wages of sin is death. The strength of sin is the law. When we give in to evil, God will let evil destroy us. Crime comes from when people loose respect for mankind and when rehabilitation replaces punishment.
When we loose courage and will to do what is right which is sin or evil (crime) becomes the way of life. God said above all things the heart of man is desperately wicked, he said who can know it. My friends the best criminologist cannot stop crime, they only tackle the effects. It is our nature to sin (do wrong things). The laws suppose to punish breaking the law, but if the law does not call wrong bad, then people commit what they call circumstances beyond their control, which is a lie (God call it sin). People will sit down all day talk nonsense and mind other peoples business, but from the moment you talk about God their gone. That's the human nature we love to sin. The only power that can correct crime or sin is God. But God will not help you. God said you must be willing to turn away from your wicked ways. The average person feels shame to speak about God, but men and women proudly boast and talk about how much women or men they had. That is so irresponsible and childish. We must act like responsible adults and mind our own business. If children are making children which are already wrong, how can we accept them to have values if we do not teach them? More importantly we need the courage to stand for right teach it and be it. Until we are good leaders in all aspects of life then we have a chance to harvest a good future. Leaders with out values are prone to lead a nation to destruction. What is most surprising to me so call Christians do not believe a man of God should be into politics? Ask God who he prefers to lead the world between Martin Luther King or Hitler; I am sure he will say Martin Luther king. That how it was in the past, leader had to be a man of values. No person is perfect, but a leader must and should be a man with the will to do justice, peace and righteousness which will foster wealth and health and prosperity.
Education alone is not wisdom, for the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Wisdom is all inclusive; it comes with character, values and education with love for your people. The only way to defeat crime is to practice values and teach it. If we don't do that we will continue to live in sin. Sin is the breaking of God law. And the wages of sin (or your earnings of sin) is death. This crime wave in StMaarten is because we do not want God into our daily lives; this in turn invites evil (crime). If you hate to hear about God you might be already loss, but if you welcome him hope lives on and the turn for a better life can be. A sin full man like your self cannot save you. Putting more police on the street is good but that is only the effect. To deter crime human must be taught the difference between wrong and right, more importantly we must make our fellow man understand the wages of sin is death. We have to change the man heart and mind to think good only then we can deter crime along with real punishment. Stay tune for more as next time I am back into political mode.

Yours truly,

Miguel Arrindell

Dear Editor,

The article in yesterday's paper about genocide on St. Maarten definitely caught my attention. And many of what the person said is true. The person is a St. Maartener born from foreign parents. I do not agree with everything the person said. However what is nice to see is that people born here in St. Maarten is proud of being born here and should become first in their country when it comes to rights. I champion that option. While I feel the person pain, imagine the people of St. Maarten heritage who was around for hundreds of years and is still being treated not fairly. We welcome you once you acknowledge us and you should join us. We are fighting for the same cause. The cause is greater than any individual, but seniority and charity begins at home should be always first. If I do not acknowledge that my grandmother and grandfather come first then how would I be from here. What I will like Tania Pedro to do is bring all born here St. Maarteners once they truly love here and we will welcome them into SNBF. (St. Maarten Nation Building Foundation) We include not to be excluded and together as a St. Maarten team we will win the day. Log on to http://www.stmartinnation.org.
I agree with you when you said having a French and Dutch passport but owning nothing and being treated as a foreigner is not right. That is why you should help us help you. Think about this, imagine people from all parts of Europe that is part of the European Union come from far and is giving privilege over you because they are consider European and you is consider a foreigner even if you born here. That is why we see one St. Maarten as a people from heritage. Nationality can be taken away by government, but heritage can never be taken away. Germany which was east and West Germany did the same. I am St. Maarten man from both side, I do not rejoice when any person be it legal or illegal is mistreated. You are right, there is no unity among StMaarten people; prove yourself wrong by joining us who love St. Maarten and willing to fight for our rights. You are right again when you said St. Maarten should come first before foreigners. Together we achieve, do not give up the fight.
You together with us can bring unity among all St. Maarten people of heritage, born here and nationalize Dutch. Again I say we do not include to be excluded.
Our cause is noble and is right. Feel free to join it is not about you and me it's about the greater cause love of country St. Maarten.

Yours truly,
Miguel Arrindell

Belvue:--- A very successful handing out ceremony of first St. Martin ID-cards on '10-10-10' took place on Sunday last October 10, 2010 ('10-10-10') a very special special-, and symbolic ceremony was held that was meaningful to the St. Martin people.

During this event, content was given to the celebration of '10-10-10', in recognition of the native St. Martin people.
This was done by handing out the first cultural St. Martin ID-cards to a number of native St. Martiners-, and long-time residents of the island as well.
The following were recipients of the first St. Martin ID-card indicating them to be rooted in the Traditional period of St. Martin.
Miguel Arrindell, Max Choisie, Lino Hughes, Adeline Thomas-James, dr. Aurelius Scot, drs. Mark Williams.
Also receiving their St. Martin ID-card based on honorary recognition of their contribution to the grassroots St. Martin nation building movement were, Kishore Mirchandani (Kishu) and Damodar Ghanshamdas (Damu)

The St. Martin ID-card does not replace the nationality of its holder- rather it is an added identity-value to the nationality of those whose ancestry is rooted in the Traditional Period of St. Martin (1848-1963) and who therefore can be considered as St. Martiners, regardless their color, race-, religion, place of birth- and/or nationality.

Clearly-, this document not only gives St. Martiners a renewed- and necessary sense of pride in their St. Martin heritage- and culture, but it also creates a sense of bonding with other card-holding St. Martiners anywhere in the world as well as a bonding with the homeland 'Sweet SMaatn' land.
Needless to explain that eventually this group of St. Martiners, can become a very powerful constituency in their own homeland, something many had long given up on.
In addition by offering this ID-card to other ethnic residents on the island, who have contributed towards the preservation of the St. Martin heritage on the island, in a very convincing manner a contribution has been made towards St. Martin nation building-, unification and inclusion.
By publicly recognizing- and accepting Damu-, and Kishu as brothers and fellow St. Martiners, the false accusations of hatred against foreigners and of xenophobia have been completely dispelled once and for all.

While the official-, Government organized '10-10-10' celebration was experienced as a real 'bourgoisie' event, the grass roots version has created an enormous demand for the cards.
Preparations are being made by the movement to facilitate the official procedure of accepting somewhere between November 1 and 11 of 2010.

Philipsburg:--- On Friday October 1st, scores of high school students gathered at the Sundial School for the re-launching of the Readers are Leaders reading campaign.Readers are Leaders is a program developed by the Philipsburg Jubilee Library and the Rotary Sunrise Club which aims at turning St Maartens teenagers into avid readers.
For many students it was the first time that they participated in a Readers are Leaders event and there was a buzz of excitement in the air as students were eager to be part of the new book club for teens. Snatra Bauld opened the evening's event with an astonishing version of The St Maarten Song and later on entertainment was given in the form of great music by DJ Ramesh.
The teenagers were encouraged by prominent leaders in society like the president-elect of the Rotary Sunrise Club Mr Hendrik-Jan van Iperen and English teacher, Mrs Chantal Schaminee, of the St Dominic High School.
This book club promises to be exciting, as it is an approach to reading which will be enjoyable to young readers. The teens will be awarded gifts at the end of the program which culminates in March 2011 to mark the Rotary's literacy month. The goal is to get these students to read 1 book per month till March.
Students can connect with Readers are Leaders on Facebook by becoming friends of Readers are Leaders, where they will receive updates and detailed information on the reading campaign.
Though there were only 3 schools represented on Friday, we encourage and invite all high school students on the island to take part in this program. Parents and Teachers are asked to motivate their children and students to take part as we endeavor to produce effective leaders for country St. Maarten.

Residents and motorists advised to avoid low lying areas in event of additional rainfall; Island remains under a Heavy Rainfall Watch.
GREAT BAY:--- The Department of Disaster Management would like to inform the general public that a test was conducted in certain districts with respect to the Emergency Siren Alert System.
The island is currently under a Heavy Rainfall Watch; this entails that there is still the possibility of heavy rainfall within the coming hours.
Residents and motorists are advised to avoid low lying areas in the event of additional rainfall. The ground is saturated due to several days of persistent rainfall. Flooding is still likely across roadways.
Persons residing on hill sides and those driving along hill sides are advised to drive with caution and be alert for possible rock falls. This is due to the saturated soil.
According to the Wednesday 11.00am Meteorological Service of the Netherlands Antilles & Aruba weather advisory, widespread showers and isolated thunderstorms are forecasted through Thursday. Fresh and fairly strong winds and heavy gusts can be expected near heavy showers.
Current weather conditions are being caused by Tropical Depression #17 that is North of Puerto Rico and is tracking very slowly out into the open Atlantic Ocean.

Philipsburg:--- On Tuesday afternoon the Dutch representative in Philipsburg, Mr. Lars Walrave paid a working visit to the Prime Minister of St. Maarten, the honorable Mrs. Sarah Wescot-Williams.

Philipsburg:--- The eleven member of the island council of St. Maarten voted unanimously to accept the recently elected members of the council and parliament of St. Maarten. The new island council now has 15 members and they are scheduled to take the oath of office on October 5th.
An island council meeting was called on Thursday to check and validate the credentials of all fifteen members of the council who was elected on September 17. The procedure which was expected to last just about an hour took about five hours because of minor mistakes and or glitches on the part of the governor's cabinet and the census office.
Three members of the council namely William Marlin (Chairman), Sarah Wescot Williams and Louie Laveist formed a committee to check the credentials while Theo Heyliger an independent member of the council was not present when the committee was installed.
Upon checking the credentials Marlin said the declaration from the governor's cabinet stated that Island council lady Sarah Wescot Williams was born on St. Maarten rather than St. Martin and that had to be corrected. In the case of commissioner Hyacinth Richardson they omitted to state that he is currently a commissioner and island council member, the same error was also made for Frans George Richardson. Marlin said in the declaration for island council member Louie Laveist, they omitted to state that he is an island councilmember and civil servant who is on leave of absence to serve in the council, while in the case of Patrick Illidge mention was not made that he is a non active civil servant of the government owned company UTS.
In the case of Silvia Meyers Ollivachi the census office declaration omitted the candidate's marriage name. Marlin said the necessary corrections were made which is in accordance to the law. After reviewing the documents, the necessary corrections were made allowing the committee to declare that the credentials were in order and the council admitted all 15 members to the council.
The members elect representing the National Alliance are, Hyacinth Richardson, Louie Laveist, William Marlin, Patrick Illidge, George Pantophlet, Frans Richardson and Dr. Lloyd Richardson. While those from the United Peoples Party slate are Theodore Heyliger, Silvia Meyers, Rhoda Arrindell, Jules James, Romain Lavelle, and Gracita Arrindell. Representing the Democratic Party in the new council is Sarah Wescot Williams and Petrus Leroy De Weever.

CAY BAY:--- GEBE technicians have been working around the clock monitoring the seaweed filters and cleaning them in order to maintain power generation levels, thereby avoiding any outages.
Seaweed in the Cay Bay area near the intake pipes out in the bay is presenting a problem, however due to the efforts of the staff, there have not been any problems therefore ensuring a reliable supply of electricity to consumers.
Predicting the amount of seaweed and the severity of the situation in the bay near the GEBE seawater intake pipes which is used to cool the majority of generators, is difficult to gauge, but GEBE Power Plant technicians do not expect any problems.
As Tropical Depression #17 which is located North of Puerto Rico, as it moves further out into the open Atlantic Ocean further away from Sint Maarten, sea conditions are expected to subside.

GREAT BAY:--- The Executive Council has decided to give Monday, October 11, 2010 off to all civil servants and teachers of public schools with respect to the transition to country status that fell on a Sunday.

This decision by the Executive Council is a thank you to all civil servants and staff that played a role in preparation for 10-10-10 over the course of the 10-year period, the length of time it took to achieve country status.

GREAT BAY:--- The Ministry of General Affairs is now responsible for Disaster Management, and this Ministry falls under the direct responsibility of the Prime Minister.

Therefore the Prime Minister is now responsible for the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and will act as Chairperson of the EOC in the event of a national emergency.

The aforementioned also includes EOC meetings that are called to deal with the threat posed by an approaching hurricane.

The Prime Minister will be responsible for calling an EOC meeting that includes meeting with several or all the 10 Emergency Support Functions (ESFs).

The Ministry of General Affairs will also be the ministry responsible for drafting the curfew decree on behalf of the Prime Minister via a Government Resolution. The Prime Minister has the responsibility to also inform Parliament in a reasonable time about the curfew, the purpose and duration.

The Ministry of General Affairs, Office of Disaster Management & Preparedness, is responsible for the issuing of hurricane passes on behalf of the Prime Minister.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Chef Marc Forgione, currently a contestant on the Food Network's The Next Iron Chef and owner of New York's Marc Forgione restaurant, has been added to the first "Flaavors of St. Maarten Food & Wine Festival" (www.Flaavors.com), taking place Nov. 10 – 14, 2010. The "Flaavors of St. Maarten" offers five days of cooking, wine pairing, instruction and culinary excitement for food lovers from around the world.
The "Grand Champagne Tasting with Iron Chef Contestant Marc Forgione" will take place at Porto Cupecoy on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010 at 7 pm and will feature renowned French champagnes of Piper Hiedsieck and Louis Roederer. The cost for the event is $150 per person.
"We are thrilled to have Chef Marc Forgione participate in the inaugural Flaavors of St. Maarten Festival," said Regina LaBega, director of tourism for the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau. "Chef Forgione's expertise in the culinary world raises the bar and adds even more excitement for the event as participants can walk away with tips and culinary know-how from a renowned television personality," LaBega added.
Chef Marc Forgione recently received a two-star review from the New York Times for his namesake Tribeca restaurant as well as a second consecutive Michelin Star from the 2011 New York City guide, making him the youngest American-born chef and owner to receive the prestigious honor. Forgione's formative years were spent learning from his father Larry Forgione, an American culinary legend and under industry luminaries like Patricia Yeo and Laurent Tourondel, as well as several posts in France studying classical technique and enhancing his relationship with ingredients. The Marc Forgione restaurant and Chef Forgione have garnered many awards and distinctions including "Star Chefs Rising Star of the Year Award 2010," "Key Newcomer" by Zagat Guide 2009, and "Rising Star 2008" from Restaurant Hospitality magazine.


"Flaavors of St. Maarten" will bring together the island's top chefs with celebrity chefs from around the world. Participants will be able to experience intimate winemaker dinners, a Grand Champagne Tasting, and formal sit-down celebration dinners. On the final day of the event, visitors and locals alike will be able to enjoy festivities while sampling hundreds of different types of foods and wines along the Philipsburg beachfront and boardwalk.
Participants will be delighted by the food of great chefs and the sublime wines of the best vineyards from around the world. Additionally, those who attend will have the opportunity to learn to cook from master chefs, the correct way to taste great wines, and experience what it takes to achieve culinary greatness.
Following is the Schedule of Events for Flaavors of St. Maarten which can be accessed via: http://www.flaavors.com/events.html.

• Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010 - The Grand Champagne Tasting with Iron Chef Contestant Marc Forgione at Porto Cupecoy, 7 pm. Tickets: $150 per person.
• Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010 - The Oakville Ranch Winemaker Dinner with Chefs Wayne Nish, Doug Psaltis and Dino Jagtiani at Temptations Restaurant, 7:30 pm. Tickets: $150 per person.
• Friday, Nov. 12, 2010 - The St. Maarten Celebration Dinner & Benefit Auction at the Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, 7 pm. Ticket: $150 per person. Auction proceeds will benefit the St. Maarten National Culinary Team.
• Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010 - Celebrity Chef Cooking Demonstrations by Chef Wayne Nish at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino, 10 am, and chef Ken Frank at the Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, 10 am. Tickets are $40 per person for each event.
• Saturday Nov. 13, 2010 - "Napa Valley Rocks" conducted wine tasting by the Napa Valley Vinters Association, 12 pm. Tickets are $50 per person. Participating wineries: Flying Horse Winery, Grgich Hills Winery, The Hess Collection, Jones Family Vineyards, Luna Vineywards, The Miner Family Vineyards, Oakville Ranch Vineyards and Peju Vineyards. Participating panelists: Dan Bailey, The Jones Family Vienyards; Paula Kornell, Oakville Ranch Vineyards; and Michael Davis, Hart Davis Hart Wine Company.
• Saturday Nov. 13, 2010 - The Luna Vineyards Winemaker dinner with Chef Ken Frank at Aura Restaurant, 7:30 pm. tickets: $150 per person
• Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010 - St. Maarten Flaavors Festival (Phillipsburg Beachfront and Boardwalk), 12 pm - 5 pm. Tickets: $45 per person. Participation by 40 of the top restaurants and wine distributors in St. Maarten as well as the Napa Valley Vintners Association, among others.

Pond Island:--- Despite heavy rains firemen fought hard on Tuesday to save a partly wooden house that was on fire. According to the fire men on the scene the fire started when the lone male occupant was cooking.

Fire officer Frans Nieuwenhoven said the inside of the house was totally destroyed but no one was injured.

GREAT BAY:--- Sector Public Health, Social Development & Labour (VSA) Inspectorate of Public Health Pharmaceutical Department, is urging any establishment selling unregistered pharmaceuticals and pharmaceuticals registered as pharmacy or prescription only other than local pharmacies, to cease the sale of these pharmaceuticals immediately.
During the past months the Inspectorate of Public Health has come across the illegal sale of pharmaceuticals by establishments such as supermarkets and cosmetic stores on the island.
The Inspectorate is also aware of individuals approaching supermarkets and other establishments selling pharmaceuticals.
Please be aware that these persons are operating illegally and that the quality and safety of these pharmaceuticals cannot be guaranteed in the interests of public health. Only licensed pharmaceutical wholesalers are allowed to import (registered) pharmaceuticals (medicines/drugs).
The Inspectorate of Public Health will continue inspecting establishments for the sale of pharmaceuticals on a regular basis and will take the necessary measures if infringements are encountered.
All pharmaceuticals that are imported by licensed pharmaceutical wholesalers come directly from the manufacturer and must undergo evaluation on efficacy, safety and quality by a group of experts prior to import. This process is called the registration of pharmaceuticals.
There are three registration categories for pharmaceuticals;

1. Over the counter: These drugs can be sold freely by anyone under the condition that they are bought from a licensed pharmaceutical wholesaler.
2. Pharmacy only: The sale of these pharmaceuticals are restricted to only pharmacies.
3. Prescription only: These pharmaceuticals can only be sold in pharmacies, upon receipt of a valid prescription from a registered physician on the island of Sint Maarten

Pharmaceuticals that have not undergone this registration process are not allowed to be imported or sold anywhere on the island!
If you have any questions or would like a list of the registered over the counter pharmaceuticals and where these can be bought, please contact the Inspectorate of Public Health at #542-3579/80 or visit the office at Kanaalsteeg #1, third floor of the Diamond Casino building at the head of town.

St. Maarten Youth Development Program organized violence prevention weeks for students in the preparatory phase of its program. The program solicited the assistance of the PEACE IS foundation which is a non-profit organization promoting non-violent solutions within the school system. PEACE IS conducted workshops for students where students were exposed to gang related issues, controlling one's own temper and discussing recent violent incidents occurring in the community to name a few. For the workshops, students from the SBO Maritime and Carpentry courses were also in attendance.
Additionally, PEACE IS provided the program with DVDs entitled "Conflict Resolution for Students" that dealt with issues such as peer conflict and sexual harassment. These were shown and discussed during the students' Social Skills class and provided students with skills needed to address dilemma-filled situations effectively and in a non-violent manner.
The St. Maarten Youth Development Program and SBO are part of the Education & Youth program project. It is a corporation program between the island government of St Maarten and the Dutch government and funded by USONA. The Youth Development Program is especially for youngsters between the ages of 16 and 24 years who were unable to finish secondary education. With this program youngsters obtain the basic qualifications needed to enter the job market at an assistant's level or further their studies at the SBO schools. SBO is mainly for PSVE/VSBO graduates who wish to continue their education to achieve professional vocational qualifications however SBO level one is available to youngsters who did not complete secondary education. Both YDP and SBO are executed by the Department of Educational Research, Policy and Innovations (DERPI) of Island Government which forms part of the Ministry of Education, Youth, Culture and Sports.
For more information on YDP or SBO, please feel free to call 543-0497 or 543-0498. For more information on PEACE IS foundation, please contact Peta-Gaye Harriot at 542-2739 ext 232 or visit their website www.peaceissxm.org

Philipsburg:--- Two staff members of the Mental Health Foundation (MHF) received training and were certified as Crisis Prevention Instructors by the Crisis and Prevention Institute (CPI), in order to provide care, welfare, safety and security to staff and patients, by being able to properly contain uncontrollable patients found on the premises as well as off-site.

In addition to the training received, the two staff members, Nurse Shineca Carty and Psychologist Aisheline Maduro, will in turn train the rest of the MHF staff on proper non-violent crisis prevention and intervention methods, disruptive behavior management and personal safety techniques.

Consequently, various areas (care products) of The Mental Health Foundation (MHF), such as Psychiatric Care and the Faraja Center, will benefit as a result of the training obtained.

Such training is crucial in cases pertaining to Crisis Intervention patients and handling clients who visit the Faraja Center.

The program was a four-day training, and was held from September 28th to October 1st at the Crisis and Prevention Institute (CPI), an international institution that works along with many companies, foundations and school organizations to train in nonviolent, and personal safety methods.

In the first session the CPI participants received an introductory course into Crisis Intervention emphasizing on early intervention and non-physical methods for preventing or managing disruptive behavior.

On Day two they were given a more in-depth look at Crisis Intervention focusing on restraint positions, transport techniques and team strategies

Revision of the past knowledge and skills learned earlier were tested on Day 3 after evaluations were given out as well as role play assessment.

Our two Staff members received Certifications after successfully passing evaluations with a passing rate above 96%, and also participating in an extensive train-the-trainer program in order to train staff within MHF base of employment.

The MHF Certified Instructors are currently busy setting up policies and procedures pertaining to care, welfare, safety and security of both Clients and staff based on the training received.

Philipsburg:--- Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams told reporters on Wednesday that the Minister of Finance is busy discussing the 2011 draft budget as was presented to them earlier this year. The Prime Minister said the 2011 budget has a deficit of 100M guilders. Wescot Williams also indicated that the council of ministers are looking to have an amendment for the 2010 budget to accommodate country St. Maarten.
While the council of Ministers held their first live press briefing on Wednesday, three of the seven ministers did not show up for the press conference including the Minister of finance Hiro Shigemoto.

Listen to the First Council of Ministers:

The Prime Minister said the Minister of Finance is trying to secure a different type of agreement with the CFT compared to the one that is currently in place. She said the government of St. Maarten is trying to secure a transition agreement with the CFT since something has to be done with the 2011 budget since they are not able to wipe away the deficit of that draft budget. "We cannot take a pen and erase a 100M deficit... absolutely not."
The Prime Minister said this has nothing to do with the CFT giving St. Maarten advice on policies since that is not their job. Asked if the current Minister of Finance and the staff of the finance department are not the ones that prepared the draft 2011 budget, the Prime Minister said that while there are discussions taking place the draft budget is not being reworked but the Minister of finance is the one leading the discussions so as to come to an agreement with the CFT as to how to proceed with the draft that is on the table. Asked if the council of ministers have accepted the 100M deficit, the Prime Minister said the council of ministers did not discuss the deficit in the draft budget but they have agreed that the needs for country St Maarten are huge compared to the expected revenue and as such there needs to be a transition agreement with the CFT.

...

St. Maarten born Shawn York, who is currently a student at the Grafisch Lyceum Art School in Rotterdam, embarked on a project to highlight St. Maarten both locally and abroad through the use of promotional shirts containing a text design: "37 Square Miles" in the colors of our flag: red, white and blue. Basically the message the student is sending is that our 37 square miles island, has a lot to offer in relation to its size. At the same time the recent constitutional changes call for the implanting of national pride in our people, and to some degree redefine who are as a country within the Kingdom. The shirts will be available in black, on sale at the Upholstery World on the Bush Road 53.

Shawn's aunt June Peters and cousin Tamara Vanterpool have been jointly assisting with the distribution and promotion of the shirts. NAGICO's Marketing Officer Jimmy Challenger accepted a shirt on behalf of the company: "We must as individuals, through our workplaces or volunteer work, promote and build our island nation in every sense of the word. There are many challenges ahead for our government and people. NAGICO recognizes the importance of nation building and will continue to support sound projects that support this cause."

Philipsburg:--- Two police officers, a VKS officer and civil servant attached to the St. Maarten Police Force will have to brace themselves for the decision that will be taken by the prosecutor's office in the near future. SMN News learnt that the Chief of Police Peter de Witte has handed over the report of an investigation that was conducted by Police Internal Affairs to the prosecutor's office for them to take a decision on whether or not they would prosecute the cops for selling their votes to the United People's Party. Chief of Police Peter de Witte confirmed on Friday that the report has been completed and it was turned over to the prosecutor's office. The top cop said he will not discuss or release the contents of the report, but one should be able to read what might be in the report if it was sent to the Prosecutor's office for further evaluation.
According to reports reaching SMN News is that the four officers took a police car and went to the United People's Party head office in Pointe Blanche claiming they were called to restore order. However, it turned out that the two cops, VKS and civil servant went to the UP office seeking money in exchange for their votes. Other sources say some officers requested television and other electronic gadgets from the leader of the United Peoples Party Theo Heyliger.
The source said those at the UP main office told the cops they would call them when their envelopes were ready. Later that day the officers were called at the police station and told that the envelopes were ready and the VKS was sent to pick up four envelopes containing $300 for each of the officers. However, the VKS officer got greedy and he opened one of the envelopes and shared the monies in that envelope among the three others. SMN News learnt that the civil servant is the one who did not get the envelope that was sent to her and she created a commotion inside the police station which sparked the investigation. The officers are C.L.R.C and A.M with VKS R.J Sr. and civil servant G.W.
De Witte said based on the rumours where police personnel had been involved in taking monies from political parties a fact finding investigation was conducted by Police Internal Affairs and the results have now been forwarded to the Prosecutor's Office for further evaluation.
Based on article 126 of the penal code any person who offers a bribe is equally responsible as the person or persons who accepted the bribe. If proven guilty the culprits can face as much as six months in jail for bribery.

Philipsburg:--- Great chefs from around the globe come to St. Maarten to be part of the most important culinary event in the Caribbean. Flaavors will showcase the best that St. Maarten has to offer, in combination with visiting chefs that are eager to be part of this grand event and its culinary excellence.
Chef Ken Frank who has spent more than two-thirds of his life in the kitchen will come down to St. Maarten to participate along side Luna Vineyards to create a delighting dinner on Saturday night (Nov. 13). He will share his tricks and culinary knowhow's with you during his cooking demonstration on Saturday morning. Also sharing his culinary secrets will be Chef Wayne Nish and his assistant Chef Doug Psaltis. They will both prepare several dishes for the crowd to see and taste. Both cooking demonstrations are open to the trade (Chefs, Sommeliers, Students and Restaurant Owners) free of charge. There is limited seating and only those who call in and reserve a spot will be signed up to attend.
Chefs Nish and Psaltis will participate in the Winemaker Dinner taking place at Temptation Restaurant on Thursday, November 11. In collaboration with local chef and restaurant owner Dino Jagtiani; Chefs Nish, Psaltis have all created a fantastic menu around the wines of Oakville Ranch. This will be an amazing event not to be missed.
In addition, five chefs from the Netherlands will be forming part of the Celebration Dinner and Benefit Auction. Chefs Jan Klein, WicherLohr, Niven Kunz, Gerard Wollerich and Gerrit Graveling will be participating in this year's Fete de la Cuisine will be forming part of this Flaavorsevent along side Nish, Psaltis and Frank to create an unforgettable night to benefit the Sundail School and the St. Maarten National Culinary Team.
During the Celebration dinner, a live auction will take place giving back to the St. Maarten community. The Sundail Students and the Culinary Team will be receiving these funds to take local students and prep them to keep up with St. Maartens gastronomic reputation and keep it as the culinary capital of the Caribbean.
To start up all the Flaavors Festival, Iron Chef Contestant Marc Forgione will be participating in the Champagne Tasting to take place at Porto Cupecoy on Wednesday, November 10.Forgione is known as one of the rising stars in the culinary industry and is stunning audiences around with his incredible recipes in The Next Iron Chef.
For more information on Flaavors of St. Maarten please visit our website www.flaavors.com or call 523-1491/520-7067. Where you will find a detailed schedule of events and how to purchase tickets.

Philipsburg:--- Area 6 Toastmasters is pleased to announce that it will host the Area Fall Speech Contest to be held on Tuesday, October 5, 2010. The Area Fall Speech Contest is a semiannual event of Toastmasters International's. Area 6which covers the clubs on St. Maarten and Puerto Rico. The purposes of the speech contest are to show-case the mastering of public speaking skills in competition, and to recognize the best exemplary achievers in this field in the public sector.

The contest features evaluation and humorous speeches – demonstrating the uniqueness of Toastmasters' success in speaking skills learning, and the special techniques of incorporating humorous and entertaining elements in public speaking. Contestants are selected after winning in their respective club, area level and consequently on District level. The district contest will take place on St. Vincent and the Grenadines on October 16, 2010 during the Fall conference.

The theme of this year's Conference is "Teamwork makes the Dream Work.
Area Governor for Area 6, Emilia Thomas says that "from the Conference we hope that each one will be empowered and motivated to further advance our skills in communication and leadership, to foster a better community relationship with our fellow Toastmasters, and to reinforce our common bond with each others for personal growth and success together. These skills are especially in these critical times. The community is welcomed to attend the Evaluation speech contest, schedule to take place on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 7.00 p.m. in the A.C.W. Legislative Hall, in the Administration Building.

PHILIPSBURG:--- St. Maarten's Tourist Bureau just completed a week-long exercise in which it brought together its veteran team of marketing experts from around the world to share ideas and collective experiences on how to promote the destination. These firms are the Tourist Bureau's contracted marketing, advertising and public relations experts from the U.S., Canada, Holland, Puerto Rico, Brazil and South America, which met and planned strategies to promote tourism to the destination from the various markets across the globe.
"We have been working with most of these companies for the past year or more and felt that we could all gain from each other's expertise if we could sit down in one room and strategize together," said Regina LaBega, Director of Tourism for St. Maarten.
"The synergies that we just developed among these independent companies from around the world was amazing to see and we are confident that this meeting will result in an increase in activity among our marketing team members and ultimately an increase in visitor arrivals to St. Maarten," she added.
The companies meeting together included:
Tambourine Creative, a Florida-based brand marketing and advertising agency with Rafael Cardozo, president, Joe Grasso, Advertising Creative Director and Shannon Defries, account executive.
KTCpr, a New York-based public relations firm with long ties to the Caribbean with Richard Kahn, president and Kelly Graham, account executive.
Cynthia Miller Aird, a sales representative covering the U.S. travel industry.
energi, a dual Toronto and Montreal-based public relations firm with Esther Buchsbaum, Partner and Julie Lepsetz, Director and Anne Brobyn for travel industry sales.
Lydia Haveman, Director for Interreps, a Holland-based marketing firm which oversees the public relations for the Benelux countries with Susan van Egmond, the online marketing and sales from Laura Boldingh, Leads2Travel, and the advertising from Wouter Leydes, Managing Partner, for Thielenpeters, the Holland-based advertising agency.
Ricardo Roman, Vera Achcar and Danielle Clouzet Roman, with Interamerican Travel Industry Network, covering marketing, branding, advertising and public relations for Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Columbia and South America in general.
Guillermo Ramis, President and CEO of Puerto Rico-based Paradigm Associates along with Francisco Ramis and Inez Ramis, covering advertising and public relations for the Puerto Rico market.
Each of the companies presented reports on activities and accomplishments from the past year in which a new brand awareness campaign was launched with television advertising in key markets and public relations across all markets. This campaign resulted in the 7.9% increase in arrivals for the first quarter of 2010 and an overall 2.1% increase in visitors in the first six months of the year.
But more crucial to the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau was the creation of a expanded marketing strategy in which all markets from Holland to Brazil, from the U.S. to Canada and Puerto Rico, would be working together with the same messages in five different languages to drive year-round tourism business for the destination.
Tambourine presented two innovative tools that will help expand awareness of St. Maarten. First there is an iPad that sales representatives and public relations firms could use to educate and inform travel agents, tour wholesalers and media about the destination in a unique format using the latest technology.
Second, Tambourine demonstrated a smartphone optimized mobile website version of the www.vacationstmaarten.com web site and iPhone application which, once fully populated with detailed information about St. Maarten, will enable both cruise passengers and land-based visitors to use their personal mobile smart phones (iPhone app pictured right) to view attractions, shops, restaurants, hotels and anything else that the Tourist Bureau includes. Use of the information on the mobile telephones will facilitate more activities and spending by visitors on island, even when just for the day during a cruise stop.
KTCpr presented several innovative ideas that are designed to attract attention on major nationwide television shows in the U.S. as well as a sweepstakes plan using short free stays to draw visitors through morning talk shows on both radio and television and departments stores and other retail outlets in the U.S.
There is also an on-island cuisine promotion planned that will help target restaurant usage and drive further awareness through viral marketing online and across social media.
A series of press trips will be held throughout the year bringing appropriate writers for the Heineken Regatta, a food writer's trip, a bridal and romance press trip, a travel trade media trip and others. Individual writers will also be brought down based on assignments. Canadian travel and food writers will be included in the U.S. organized press trips.
Cyndi Miller Aird, presented her sales and education plans which includes attending travel industry trade shows across the U.S. as well as focus sales presentations for individual travel agents and tour wholesalers and online sales representatives from Expedia, Travelocity, JetBlue, Travel Impressions and others.
The Brazilian team presented a balanced marketing plan focused on increasing flight schedules from South America to St. Maarten and supporting these flights with sales, advertising and public relations. Ricardo Roman and his team have been working with Copa Airlines to launch expanded service via Panama to St. Maarten. They have also orchestrated several promotions with GOL airlines out of Brazil which have been successful in increasing arrivals to St. Maarten.
Ricardo's team has been using games online to generate interest and usage of the website plus press trips and fam trips for agents. Most of the vacationers from South America travel to St. Maarten in the Spring, Summer and Fall months which fills in for the low season out of North America.
The Canadian marketing focus from energi also includes sales representation via Anne Brobyn. The Canadian team has also developed several innovative public relations plans including promotions which focus on the niche markets such as dining, shopping, outdoor activities, sightseeing and more.
In the short period that energi has been working with the Tourist Bureau they have generated a quick large response from media including some well-place features in major newspapers and consumer magazines. Social media is a primary focus as well as using virtual online opportunities to show and promote the destination, the hotels, attractions, restaurants and shops.
Planning from energi includes taking social media to the next level by using individual influencers such as personal trainers, hair stylists etc. to create a "buzz" about the destination following their own vacations to St. Maarten.
Anne Brobyn, who has been training travel agents for years, will head up the collective marketing team to create a travel agent education and accreditation program that can be used in all markets and all languages.
The Holland team under Lydia Haveman, a 30-year veteran in the Caribbean market, presented research into the travel purchasing habits of the Dutch vacationers and utilized the new experiential branding campaign with a Dutch twist to fit the differences of language. This team focuses on the Benelux countries with advertising, marketing, public relations, sales and a concentration with online promotions and direct sales.
A lot of what they do in the Benelux market stems from co-op funds with tour operators and public relations. They have promotional partners for culinary websites which draw consumer interest. They also are sending out a regular newsletter to more than 21,000 consumers.
Their public relations efforts use social media and all press releases are sent out via Twitter with links to the full release for further information.
The Paradigm team has been doing a lot of co-op promotions with Telemundo, the primary television network in Puerto Rico, in particular on Verano de Pelicula. Advertising funds have been moved from newspapers to Internet opportunities and the company has created several movie-like trailers to promote vacationing in St. Maarten.
Paradigm has also been working on the first Flaavors of St. Maarten Food and Wine Festival which will be taking place November 10-14, 2010. They are bringing in wine experts from the Napa Valley in California to participate in the hopes of elevating the respect for cuisine choices in St. Maarten.
The entire St. Maarten Team Marketing group also met with the private sector to share the destination's plans and obtain feedback as well as develop a closer working relationship with as many of the private sector participants as they could. Reaction from the private sector including hotels, attractions, ground operators, restaurants and shops has been very good and they appreciate the willingness of the St. Maarten Team Marketing to learn how to better promote their products.
"It was really great hearing all the plans for ongoing promotions to make St. Maarten stand out among the destinations in the Caribbean," said LaBega. "We are now seeking the funding to enable St. Maarten to achieve the goals of increasing tourist visitors which will, in turn, raise the level of visitor spending on island and improve the economic atmosphere for all our residents," she added.

Her Ladyship Justice Indra Hariprashard- Charles is expected to hand down judgement in the Cedric Liburd vs. Hon. Eugene Hamilton Election petition case on Wednesday October 13th 2010 . Justice Hariprashard-Charles will deliver her judgement via tele-conference from Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
In February defeated labor candidate for constituency# 8 Cedric Liburd filed a petition claiming that Hamilton was ineligible for election on nomination day January 15th and further asking the court to declare his election null and void and of no legal effect.
The basis of Liburd's petition was that Hamilton was the holder of a US Passport which made him a US citizen and as such in violation of the consitution which states that one cannot stand for nomination for election if they hold citizenship of another country. Despite claiming that they were in possession of documents to confirm the allegation made in the petition, Liburd failed to present any such evidence.
The Attorney Generals office intervened in the case on behalf of the petitioner Cedric Liburd according to the government "in the interest of the public". This means the taxpayers of the country are baring the burden of the bill on behalf of Liburd. After it was revealed that Liburd in fact had no evidence to support his allegation of a Hamilton US Passport or citizenship his legal team and the Attorney General;s office shifted the claim and focus of the petition from US Citizenship to the pledging of allegiance and adherence to a foreign power which they claim was applicable in Hamilton's case. Hamilton voluntarily declared to the court that he in fact holds a US Green Card and the argument of his legal team was that the holder of a US Green CARD does not have any adherence or pledged allegiance to the United States. Hamilton's argument was well supported by expert witnesses including noted US Immigration Lawyer Sherfield Bowen as well as Liburd and the government's own star witness Mr. Ted Sciapari who both declared that the holder of a US Green Card DOES NOT have any adherence or pledged allegiance to the United States of America.
The Hon Hamilton had contended since day one of the petition that it was nothing more than the labour party's continued and sustained smear campaign. During the lead up to the January 25th elections Hamilton was the focus of the most vicous smear campaign ever unleashed on a political candidate in St.Kitts-Nevis. Hamilton was not only the victim of character assassination and defamatory statements but was also physically attacked when an unknown assailant struck him in the face with a rock which resulted in him having to travel overseas for medical treatment.
The respondent Mr. Hamilton was represented by the Hon. Vincent Byron Jr. and Terrence V. Byron.
Liburd was represented by the Attorney General's office through Dr. Henry Stogumber Browne and noted Jamaican Lawyer Dr. Lloyd Barnet.

GREAT BAY:--- The Department of Internal Affairs and Kingdom Relations (BAK) is busy drafting a plan of action related to country Sint Maarten's role in the process of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Sint Maarten's Prime Minister will be most probably the political representative on MDG's.

In 2000, 189 states, members of the United Nations (UN) adopted the Millennium Declaration, 147 of which were represented by their Head of State. This was a defining moment for global cooperation in the 21st century.

Holland signed the agreement with the UN and Sint Maarten now a country within the Kingdom, the agreement is now applicable to the country and the Government has to put mechanisms in place to comply with the MDG.

Loekie Morales of the department BAK is the Government's representative on MDG's for Sint Maarten.

Morales told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Tuesday that together with the MDG Work Group comprising of representatives from different ministries, representatives of Non-Governmental Organizations, and representatives from the private sector, will address the MDG issues and see to it that they form part of the police plans at ministerial level.

The MDG declaration brought together past agreed goals on international development, and gave birth to a set of concrete and measurable development objectives known as the MDG.

Leaders from both developed and developing countries committed to achieve these goals by 2015.

The MDGs are the highest profile articulation of the internationally agreed development goals associated with the UN development agenda, representing the culmination of numerous important UN summits held during the previous decade, including summits on sustainable development, education, children, food, women, population and social development.

The aforementioned are tied to targets for addressing extreme poverty, hunger and disease, and for promoting gender equality, education and environmental sustainability.

They are also an expression of basic human rights: the rights of everyone to good health, education and shelter. The eighth Goal, to build a global partnership for development, includes commitments in the areas of development assistance, debt relief, trade and access to technologies.

The MDG promise is not based on pity or charity, but on solidarity, justice and the recognition that we are increasingly dependent on one another for our shared prosperity and security.

Marigot/Basse Terre:--- The court of grand instance Basse-Terre will give its ruling on December 15 in the case initiated by former president of the Semsamar Louis Constant Fleming. The injunction hearing was presented on Wednesday October 13.
Director General of Semsamar Marie-Paule Belenus Romana said in a press release on Thursday that the legal representative of Semsamar has requested a postponement during the hearing on Wednesday.

According to information reaching SMN News Fleming is contesting the validity of a proxy vote that was used against him on September 10th when he was ousted from the Semsamar board.
The judge will have to determine if the municipal councillor in Basse Terre whose proxy was used on September 10th still has voting rights since she has resigned and if the proceedings is in compliance with the law.

Sources close to Fleming said that the motion to vote against Constant Fleming's dismissal on Semsamar board was added the same day of the meeting and the proxy vote was only issued to vote on the points on the "orde du jour" agenda points.
The administrative board of Semsamar took a decision on October 7th by 10 votes out of 11 that the general director of the company will mount a defence in the case initiated against them. The board also voted 8 votes to 11 to request that the court include on the agenda for the next board meeting which is scheduled for October 29th the official dismissal of L.C Fleming and the nomination of a new president.

Philipsburg:--- On Thursday Minister of Justice Roland Duncan visited the Immigration Administration Office on the A.T. Illidge Road as part of his orientation of the various departments that fall under his responsibility as Minister of Justice.

GREAT BAY:--- Registration for the Grand Unity National Parade to celebrate the achievement of country status is now open.

All uniformed groups, schools, interested persons, foundations, organizations, service clubs are invited to register to participate in the event. Due to a number of factors including the bad weather and partial flooding of Philipsburg and surrounding environs, the parade had to be postponed and other activities for 10-10-10 had to be scaled down.
All interested entities are to contact Ms. Jennifer Thomas at the Bureau for Foreign Relations (former Bureau of Constitutional Affairs) located at the Imperial Building #23 on W.J.A. Nisbeth Road next to the Police Station or call Tel: 542-0640 or Cell: 523-2585 or Mr. Urmain "Youmay" Dormoy at Cell: 522-1647.

Philipsburg:--- The St. Maarten Youth Development Program is now registering youngsters interested in following one of the upcoming courses. These courses are Room Care Attendant (Maintenance) and Bartending (which includes training for Waiter/Waitress) of which the preparatory programs for these courses are set to begin in January 2011.

The St. Maarten Youth Development Program is a program (funded by USONA) for youngsters between the ages of 16 and 24 years who were unable to finish secondary education. With this program youngsters can get the start qualifications needed to enter the job market at an assistant's level or further their studies at the SBO/ASVE school. The Youth Development Program is executed by the Department of Educational Research, Policy and Innovations (DERPI) of Island Government.

The preparatory program is a three month phase in the program where the students focus on developing their social skills, computer skills and if needed English reading and writing skills. Students need to complete this phase in the program before being able to move on to their career courses that they have chosen. The main goal of the preparatory program is to provide the youngsters with not only the knowledge but the social skills needed to succeed in the workforce.

The Room Care Attendant course aims to train youngsters in the maintenance field in the hospitality industry. The Bartending course aims to train youngsters as certified Bartenders and also provide training in becoming a professional Waiter or Waitress. Both courses will take 6 months to complete and will be taught by the Caribbean Institute for Social Education Foundation (CIFSEF). All courses include mandatory job training.

Registration for the mentioned courses will take place throughout the entire month of October and November. Interested persons are asked to please bear in mind that there are a limited amount of spaces available for these courses. All you need to register is a copy of your St. Maarten identification (I.D) card. Registration will be held at the Youth Development Program office upstairs of Carl and Son's Bakery on the Walter J Nisbeth Road in Philipsburg. The office is open Monday thru Friday from 8 am to 5 pm. For more information, you can contact Janelle Presentacion at 543-0497 or visit the program's Facebook page; SXM YDP.

Philipsburg:--- Minister of Health Maria Buncamper Molanus told reporters on Wednesday that the council of Ministers have made the medical coverage and other benefits including that of the employees of SVB (Social Insurance Bank) their number one priority. Minister Buncamper said while she met with the SVB representatives from Curacao on Tuesday no definite agreement has been made. "We are not where we ought to be yet but we are making progress. Information still has to be provided from the main office from Curacao." However, the services that SVB provides to the people and its clients have been guaranteed and also the employment for those persons working at SVB St. Maarten.
The Minister said she will continue to gather information as well as further work on the relationship they have with Curacao for a limited period of time. The Minister said St. Maarten is looking into ending its formal relationship with Curacao by the end of this year. "While this is a tall order for us all parties have expressed their willingness and are conducting themselves in such a manner that they can conclude that all hands are on deck properly resolving the issue of SVB coverage and its employees.
Minister Buncamper said St. Maarten has to establish an organization to take over the responsibilities that SVB is carrying out. She said right now the government of St. Maarten is getting the necessary cooperation but there is need for more information for this organization to be established. She said with respect to the monies that are to be invested, St. Maarten could have claimed it since October 10th but a safe place had to be found which would generate an income.

Philipsburg:--- Tee shirts that are being used as a promotional item and was designed by one of St. Maarten's students Shaun York was presented to members of the council of Ministers on Wednesday. Presenting the tee shirts was York's aunt Ms. June Peters.

Philipsburg:--- Last Saturday, close to 170 seniors took to the waters for an afternoon of fun courtesy of the Rotary Club of Sint Maarten. In its 22nd annual Senior Citizen's Cruise, the island's seniors were treated to a sumptuous luncheon served by representatives of the Milton Peters College, Learning Unlimited and St Maarten Academy Interact Clubs. Following lunch, guests took to the dance floor and enjoyed to the music of Tanny & the Boys. The lagoon cruise was held on the Ocean Explorer. President Kishore Idnani explained that the cruise is one of the Club's signature events and is a way to say 'thank you seniors for all that you have done for us.'

Later that night, Rotarians, their families and friends braved the rains to raise money to cover the costs associated with hosting the afternoon cruise. Guests danced the night away to the Control Band and enjoyed a buffet dinner that featured cuisine donated from a variety of local restaurants.

The Club wishes to thank everyone for their generosity in making this event such a success!

Plans for the 5th Annual Crystal Pineapple Awards are moving along smoothly with just over 50 nominations in and 10 silent auction items confirmed thus far. Efforts to secure sponsorship are also on track with GEBE paving the way as the first platinum sponsor of $1000.
Since the Crystal Pineapple Awards is also the SHTA's fundraiser, keeping costs down by way of sponsorships is key. Therefore the CPA committee hopes that other large organizations would follow in GEBE's footsteps by supporting this event which recognizes and honors individuals for their outstanding performances.
Organizations willing to sponsor can do so through one of our sponsorship packages: Platinum $1000, Gold $750 or Silver $500. Depending on the level of contribution, the organization will either receive complimentary tickets to attend the event or name recognition for a particular award. Sponsorships 'in kind', such as discounts on products, services or donations to the silent auction, are also appreciated. Each contribution will be recognized in all promotional activities, the SHTA Awards ceremony booklet and during the evening.
Companies interested in sponsoring the 2010 Crystal Pineapple Awards can call the SHTA office on 542-0108 or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

Guana Bay:--- Well known businessman Michel Deher was the latest victim of robbery and ill treatment by bandits. On Friday midday residents of Guana Bay alerted police as well as the businessman that bandits were busy invading his home. According to police spokesman Ricardo Henson when the suspects realized they were caught in the act of breaking and entering they tried to flee in a small car.
Deher who was nearby then used his jeep to block the suspects in their path as they attempt to flee the area. Henson said when the suspects realised they were not able to go any further, they jumped out of the car they were driving and attacked the businessman. The bandits pulled Deher out of his jeep and seriously ill treated him.

The suspects then jumped into jeep belonging to the victim and fled the scene leaving him at the scene. Shortly after the suspects lost control of the jeep on the Guana Bay road and struck a light pole causing extensive damage to the vehicle which could not drive any further. The suspects then abandoned the jeep and fled into the nearby Guana Bay hills. Several police patrols and detectives were sent to the area in search of the suspects. However, the search did not yield any positive results. Michel Deher was treated on the scene by paramedics and then taken to the St Maarten Medical Centre for further treatment. The vehicle the suspects used was confiscated for further investigation. The investigation is ongoing.

Philipsburg:--- Businessman and former detective Etienne Meyers better known as Toochi Meyers filed a complaint with the police internal affairs on Thursday in the presence of his lawyer Cor Merx against some arresting officers.
Meyers told SMN News that he was driving along Longwall Road on Thursday shortly after leaving a funeral with his nephew Tyrone Meyers in his vehicle. The businessman said suddenly a host of police officers in their Zero Tolerance uniforms surrounded his car and arrested his nephew.
The businessman said while he has no problem with the officers carrying out their duties he did not think he should be subjected to such humiliation where officers pointed a number of guns at his vehicle. Meyers said the police told him they had nothing against him but they would have to search his vehicle since the wanted man in his vehicle is considered to be armed and dangerous.
SMN News learnt that officers of the law was staking out the Royal Funeral home where the funeral ceremony of Auggie was taking place and it appeared as though the officers were looking for Tyrone Meyers whom they said was walking around with a gun to go after the assailants of his best friend Auggie.
Press prosecutor Rienk Mud confirmed the arrest of Meyers. Mud said details of the investigation could not be released but admitted that the investigation had something to do with firearms.

Cole Bay:--- Workers who are working and living on St. Maarten before the year 2001 and has had gaps in their permits are now able to request a five year residency permit. Those workers who believe that the recipients of the Brooks Tower Accord permits were given preference because they were able to get a three year permit also has the same opportunity to obtain a three year permit as long as they have been working and living on the island since 2001.
Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba and the coordinators of the Brooks Tower Accord (BTA) told reporters on Thursday that the law has already been implemented and she met with the incoming government for country St. Maarten requesting that they continue the process after the island has achieved its country status.
Myra Bieglaar said the law states that persons working on St. Maarten can obtain as much as five one year work permits. After that the worker or resident would not need a working permit, instead they would be granted a residency permit which would give them the right to work. Normally after the five one year working permits were granted the law states that the applicant can obtain a two year, three year and five year resident permit before obtaining their indefinite residency.
The BTA permits have two criteria that must be kept at all times, that the recipients must have a valid medical insurance at all times, while they also have to be financially stable to remain on St. Maarten. Persons falling under category 2 also have to make sure they are working for the same company each time they are asking for an extension of the permit.
Minister Jacoba said the BTA process that was executed on St. Maarten beginning early June was very successful since 95.7% of the persons who obtained a BTA permit earlier this year has applied for their extensions. Jacoba said that 4,310 permits were issued during the first phase of the project while 4,126 of those persons have requested their extensions. So far 184 persons did not apply for the extension mostly because they are encountering problems with their passports. The Minister said while the make shift office at the Salvation Army has closed the federal government and country St. Maarten would resume the process at a smaller location on October 11th , one day after the island achieved its new status.
The Minister also made clear that those persons have until November 2 to apply and it is imperative that the process be continued. Already some 959 of the BTA extensions were issued while there are over 3000 permits that were recently signed to be delivered. Persons who did not pick up their permits as yet must check with at the window at the police station to see if their permits are ready. Persons uplifting their permits must have a valid passport, two photographs, a valid medical insurance and a proof of payment for the federal receiver's office.
The BTA team processed 2,206 BTA permits under category 1(a) those are persons residing and working in the island before 2001, 148 permits for persons under category 1(b) sole proprietorship while 828 permits under category 2 were processed.
Some ten persons studying on the island applied for the BTA and 810 permits for single parents with children or single husband working and providing for his wife/companion and children. Eight persons who went to apply with fraudulent documents were arrested and faced deportation those persons would not be able to get another permit. Hasselhoef explained.
Jacoba said it is clear that the immigrants working and residing on St. Maarten wanted to follow the law and to obtain their permits and the BTA was the opportunity for them to do that.
Project coordinator Tiara Hasselhoef said they hired 42 locals who worked with them to execute the project and they did a fantastic job because so far there have been no flaws. Hasselhoef said St. Maarten is leading with the entire project which was done on all the islands of the Netherlands Antilles.

Maho:--- A simple but well organized ceremony was held on Friday evening to bid farewell to the council of Ministers of the Netherlands Antilles. Past, present and future dignitaries of the island territory and country St. Maarten and Curacao were present to mingle with the Ministers. Minister of Home and Constitutional Affairs Roland Duncan thanked his colleagues for the work they have done together especially for finalizing the constitutional process which began some ten years ago
.Prime Minister Emily de Jongh-Elhage presented tokens of appreciations to her colleagues on St. Maarten including Leo Chance who served as the longest Minister of the Netherlands Antilles. Prime Minister de Jongh-Elhage also presented a token to incoming Governor Eugene Holiday and acting Lt Governor Reynold Groeneveldt who for the first time met with the Prime Minister in person.
The Prime Minister said that she admires St. Maarten for the cooperation the politicians show when dealing with the constitutional process. "The politicians here worked for St. Maarten even when they are on the opposition benches. "When Sarah was in power and was in charge of the constitutional process William was always by her side to negotiate the constitutional process and when William was in power Sarah was by his side", the Prime Minister said.
Acting Lt. Governor Groeneveldt also presented a token of appreciation to the Prime Minister on behalf of St. Maarten.

GREAT BAY:--- The new Island Council will be sworn in on Tuesday, October 05 at 9.00am in the Dr. A.C. Wathey Legislative Hall.
The 15 members of the Island Council will take the oath of office and they will also automatically become members of Country St Maarten parliament.
The road in front of the Government Administration Building will be closed to vehicular traffic and only accessible to official government vehicles and the guests who will be attending the official ceremonies.
Barricades will be erected and the area cordoned off. Security staff will be available to allow access to the cordoned area. Parking won't be allowed on the shoulder near the building.
The Chairman of the Island Council will open the meeting followed by an official introduction to the session. This will be followed by the appointment of members of the Executive Council, the chairperson of the Central Committee and vice chairperson, and speeches by members of the Island Council and Commissioners.

Philipsburg:--- Minister of Telecommunication Patrick Ilidge finally broke his silence after signing an accord of inclusion with the United Peoples Party on Monday. Ilidge called in during the "Talking Point Show" hosted by Lloyd Richardson to say that he plans to hold a press conference on Tuesday where he would explain the people of St. Maarten why he joined the United Peoples Party and he would at that time answer the questions the media has for him. However, the host of Talking Point asked him to use his forum and to give an explanation as to why he jumped ship from the National Alliance to the United Peoples Party.

Listen to the interview with Patrick Illidge:

The Minister said the opportunity presented itself when the leader of the United Peoples Party Theo Heyliger called him and told him that election has passed and its time they bury the hatchet and work together for the people of St. Maarten. Ilidge said he was in Curacao working when he received the call and he pondered on it and after that he consulted with his people, supporters including his family prior to taking the decision.
The Minister said he took the decision based on the fact he started a lot of work and needs to see them through. Illidge said when he received the call from Heyliger the opportunity presented itself and he believes that when they took the oath it was for them to work for the people of St. Maarten. He said the moment came to him and he decided he would move forward and do what he has to do for St. Maarten for the next four years.
"We went to Holland and work hard to get country status for St. Maarten and I think if I can contribute in whatever way, form or fashion I will give my part and do my best by giving it my all for the people of St. Maarten." Illidge referred to projects such as the roof of the Post Office that is currently under construction as the projects he worked on including housing.
The Minister said he just wants to do what is right for his people. "For me it is no longer about what party color but as long as the opportunity presents itself then we must take it. It is a pity that the National Alliance which I was part of was not able to clinch the situation with the UP party or the Democratic Party, but at the end of the day whichever party is in government the intention is to work for the people of St. Maarten and since I got the opportunity to work I will do so."
Illidge then publicly thanked the leader of the National Alliance for the time he spent with him in his party. He said the first time he contested an election was in 1999 with the National Alliance SPA team. Illidge said he would always cooperate and communicate with the National Alliance. He went on to say at the end of his term he is sure he could live with himself for making the choice he made since for him it is about the opportunities he could bring to the people to better their standard of life on the island.

No Notification to National Alliance
Despite calling in on Talking Point and promising to communicate with the National Alliance and saying that the newspapers reports are wrong when they said he started out politics with the PPA. Illidge is yet to inform or notify or resign from the National Alliance. Leader of the National Alliance William Marlin said Illidge did not make contact with him neither did he receive any notification from the president of the National Alliance board to say a resignation was submitted.
SMN News contacted the president of the National Alliance Debby Abraham to see if Illidge had submitted his letter of resignation or if he had informed them that he was going to be an Independent member of the island council and parliament. Abraham responded by saying "I have no comment and I do not knowing anything about a resignation or notification from Patrick Illidge."
It is to be noted that Debby Abraham is the Minister's sister while she is the president of the National Alliance board.

Philipsburg:--- The Executive Council hereby informs that the final negotiations are ongoing pertaining to the Service Level Agreement (SLA) between Social Insurance Bank SVB Curacao and Sint Maarten.

In our efforts to guarantee continuation of adequate health insurance services and social security, all procedures will remain as customary as of October 11th, 2010.

Persons in need of SVB related services such as medical insurance and social benefits can contact the SVB office located at W.J. Nisbeth Road #1.

Persons entitled to services provided by the BZV can contact their office located at A.T. Illidge Road 56.

All insurance cards and guarantee letters of the SVB and BZV will therefore remain valid.

GREAT BAY (GIS):--- On October 10, 2010, the idea and name of Island Territory of St. Maarten will no longer exist; Country St. Maarten will be created.

The Island and Federal Receivers offices as we now know it will cease to exist.

These entities will be replaced with the new entity Receivers Office St. Maarten.

The new entity Receivers Office St. Maarten will be located where the current Island Receivers Office is now located on the University Blvd. # 6.

The current Federal Receivers office will be closed as of Monday, October 11th, 2010.

As of Monday, October 11th, 2010 all payments due to the Island Receivers Office and all payments that in the past has been due to the Federal Receivers Office must be paid to the Receivers Office St. Maarten, University Blvd. # 6.

Payments via the bank can be made at:
The Windward Islands Bank Ltd. Account # 324800 03NAf.
324800 05 US$

Or at RBTT Bank. Account # 542504 Naf and US$.

Please ensure to mention your crib number when making payments via the bank.

Philipsburg:--- Several dignitaries and other invited guests attended the ecumenical service at the New Testament Baptist Church early Sunday morning as they began to herald in the dawn of Country St. Maarten. Immediately after the church service the dignitaries were transported to the Bel Air community center where the new parliament was established.

Listen to the audio of the event:

The 15 members of parliament took their seats as the meeting opened chaired by Dr. Lloyd Richardson before the chair person of parliament was elected in the person of Drs. Gracita Arrindell. Arrindell received nine of the 15 votes that were cast by secret ballot , while five of members of the first parliament voted blank and one person voted for Dr. Lloyd Richardson.

Immediately after, the appointed Governor of country St. Maarten Drs. Eugene Holiday was escorted in where he presented his acceptance and oath taking to the St. Maarten's parliament. Governor Holiday in his address to St. Maarten's parliament spoke of the long journey and the amount of work it took before St. Maarten was able to attain its country status and reforming the Kingdom. Governor Holiday said the road to attaining country status was not smooth but the island and its people made it to their destination which was to become a separate country within the Kingdom, while the challenges ahead for the new country are immense. Governor Holiday said the task ahead for the country's elected representative is great since they would have to build institutions for the functioning of parliamentary democracy, the council of advice, the general audit chamber and ombudsman and others from the ground up. Country St. Maarten would have to improve its financial management and its judicial chain.
These institutions he said are intended to safeguard the basic rights of the people as it is imbedded in the constitution of country St. Maarten. Governor Holiday said that building these institutions will not be easy especially since it has to be done during an unfavorable global economic and financial environment. Governor Holiday also spoke of the joint cooperation between the two sides of the island. Working together and strengthening cooperation between the Dutch and French side was also shared by Minister of Justice of the Netherlands Ernest Hirch Ballin and Prime Minister of Country St. Maarten Sarah Wescott Williams.
Governor Holiday gave credit to his mother, his late father, siblings and his wife Marie Louise who gave him the strength and inspiration to be where he is today. Most of all he thanked the government of St. Maarten and the Queen her Majesty Beatrix for the confidence she placed in him for being her representative for Country St. Maarten.
The historic parliamentary meeting continued with the oath taking for the Prime Minister designate Sarah Wescot Williams the appointed Ministers, council of advice, audit chamber members and the Acting Lt. Governor Reynold Groeneveldt.

Those appointed to the Ministers cabinet are as follows:-

• Prime Minister – Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams, who will hold the portfolio of general affairs.
• Deputy Prime Minister Theodore Heyliger, whose portfolios are the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment & Infrastructure,
• Minister Roland Duncan, Ministry of Justice.
• Minister Hiro Shigimoto, has the Ministry of Finance
• Minister Franklyn Meyers, Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport & Telecommunications.
• Minister Rhoda Arrindell, Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports Affairs
• Minister Maria Buncamper-Molanus, Ministry of Health Care, Social Development & Labor

The appointed Members for the council of advice are:-

• Mrs. Mavis Brooks-Salmon, Chairlady
• Mr. Dennis Richardson
• Mr. Gaston Bell
• Mr. Jan Beaujon
• Mr. Miguel Alexander
• Mr. Mathias Voges

Appointed Members to the General Audit Chamber:-

• Mr. Roland Tuitt, Chairman
• Mr. Ronald Halman
• Mr. Alphons Gumbs
• Mr. Daniel Hassel, substitute member
• Mr. Mark Kortenoever, substitute member

Appointed Ombudsman

• Drs. Nilda Arduin-Lynch

At the end of the parliamentary meetings St. Maarten's governor Eugene Holiday inspected the guards of honor before leaving to the Cyrus Wathey Square where they saluted the uniform parade that marched through Front Street in honor of St. Maarten becoming country.
The dignitaries then left by bus to the Great Bay Hotel where they had lunch to finalize the day's ceremony.
While country St. Maarten has been featured as the people's business and it is the people who would benefit from the status change it was clear that the people of St. Maarten was not involved in this historic proceedings. It was expected that a large crowd of people from around the island would have gathered at the various locations to witness the installing of the first parliament, and the appointment of the ministers cabinet but that was far from what took place.
Those that attended the ceremony were persons who were related to those that were appointed to the various ministries of councils.
A huge tent that was placed across the Government Administration building some days now and was supposed to be used for the ceremonies on Saturday and Sunday was left unused. SMN News had learnt that that swearing in ceremony was supposed to take place under the tent since the parliament building was not ready for these ceremonies. It is also understood that the change of venues for the swearing in was because of the inclement weather.
Below are the photographs taken throughout the proceedings on Sunday.

"There was no need for the Intervention by the Attorney General" says Judge Hariprashad – Charles.

Basseterre, St.Kitts:--Judge Hariprashad – Charles delivered a stinging blow to Attorney General Patrice Nisbet and the Denzil Douglas Administration in her judgment delivered in the petition case brought by Cedric Liburd.
The esteemed office of the Attorney General was embroiled is what was clearly a political vendetta brought by the Labour party through the failed candidate Cedric Liburd. An election petition case is a private matter brought by individual candidate; it has no constitutional or public interest to warrant government involvement yet the government, through the office of the Attorney General, inserted itself in this case.
The Denzil Douglas administration incurred hundreds of thousands dollars of costs to the public for the entirely unnecessary and unwarranted intervention of a Queen's Counsel and a regional expert in the frivolous Liburd petition. The final bill is as yet undecided however it is certain that the Treasury will be hit for a substantial amount.
Observers have suggested that the Queens' Counsel alone, Mr. Delano Bart QC along with the learned and noted Dr. Lloyd Barnet will command fees in excess of a quarter of a million US dollars.
"This unscrupulous expense raises serious questions about the state of priorities that this government has with taxpayers' money in these difficult times" said People's Action Movement Political Leader Lindsay Grant. "How can Denzil Douglas justify this when his government is laying off hundreds of civil servants and cannot even keep the lights on" Grant added.

GREAT BAY--- Since the beginning of the year, more than 236,000 people have been killed by disasters and nearly 256 million have been affected by earthquakes, floods, tropical storms and landslides according to the latest figures released by the Centre for Research in the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED). Most of these persons live in cities.
This past Wednesday, was International Day for Disaster Reduction. This year's theme is "Making Cities Resilient: My City is Getting Ready!" The objective is for countries to play a more active role to protect cities against disasters.
For 2010, many cities have been disrupted this year by disasters such as earthquakes in Haiti, Chile and New Zealand.
Floods and heavy rainfalls have impacted Pakistan, Eastern Europe, Mozambique and other parts of Africa.
Forest fires have taken a toll in Russia and volcanic eruptions have caused disruptions in Indonesia and Iceland.
The aforementioned has caused huge human suffering and economic change and cities have never been so at risk.
"Our island nation and in particular the business center of the island, Philipsburg, and surrounding residential neighbourhoods suffered from the overflow of the Fresh Water and Salt Ponds.
"This was caused by the passing of a slow moving low pressure system which later became Hurricane Otto that brought several days of continuous rainfall. Global climate change has been blamed for much of the natural destruction around the globe and this must also be taken into consideration for our island nation.
"The future calls for urban planners to have foresight and place more attention on disaster risk and mitigating those risks to the Philipsburg and surrounding residential neighbourhoods. It is a fact that up to 3,351 cities around the world are located in low-lying coastal zones which may be affected by rising sea levels.
"It is our responsibility as a nation to develop workable solutions to reduce disaster risks and the Government of St Maarten will be looking into what additional measures needs to be taken to protect Philipsburg and surrounding residential areas from future flooding," Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Thursday.
CRED estimates that disasters have cost countries US$81 billion in losses from the beginning of the year to 1 September 2010.

GREAT BAY (GIS):--- The Labour Affairs Agency is hereby informing all Brooks Tower Category II holders to come to the office to renew their permit before November 2nd 2010.
The documents needed to renew the Brooks Tower Employment permit are as follows:

1. Labour registration 2010.
2. Copy of a valid passport non-national.
3. Copy of the BTA permit valid till November 2, 2010.
4. Copy labour agreement signed by both parties.

Philipsburg:--- The Prime Minister of Country St. Maarten, The Honorable Mrs. Sarah Wescot-Williams and the 1st Prime Minister of Country Curacao, The Honorable Mr. Gerrit Schotte held talk at the Holland House Hotel earlier this afternoon.

The economy of the Western Hemisphere's poorest and most devastated country, Haiti, is expected to grow 8 times as fast as that of St.Kitts-Nevis.

The IMF (International Monetary Fund ) World Economic Outlook Report is stating that St.Kitts-Nevis is projected to have the worst or the slowest growth rate in the entire world up to 2015. The report indicated that St.Kitts-Nevis' growth rate over the next 5 years of 0.3 percent will be the slowest of any of the 150 nations included in the report.
Analysis provided by the Jamaica Observer suggests that the region is projected to outperform the world economy at 4.5 per cent on average over the period. However despite the favorable performance of the region on a whole as compared to the world economy St.Kitts-Nevis will remain at the bottom of table in economic growth and underperform despite the fact that the global economy has gotten better. The St.Kitts-Nevis economy will grow almost 15 times slower than the world economy according to the report.
The economy of the Western Hemisphere's poorest and most devastated country , Haiti , is expected to grow 8 times as fast as that of St.Kitts-Nevis.
"This revelation is quite startling when one considers that prior to the last general elections massive sign boards were mounted all over the country declaring that the economy is working," says Opposition People's Action Movement Leader Mr. Lindsay Grant
According to the World Economic Outlook Report table A4, Emerging and Developing Economies: Real GDP report in 2010 St.Kitts-Nevis had a negative growth rate of 1.5% IN 2010 and is projected to have the lowest in 2011 with .5% and the lowest in the world in 2015 with a.3% growth rate.
"The economy is not working in St. Kitts and Nevis but beyond stating the obvious what the IMF data shows is that even without being able to blame the "global economic crisis" Dr. Denzil Douglas as Minister of Finance has been and will continue to be an unmitigated disaster," said People's Action Movement Leader Mr. Lindsay Grant.
Grant further opined "The most critical failure of the management of the economy under this Labour government has been the reckless accumulation of debt. With a National Debt to GDP ration at over 180% St. Kitts and Nevis is going nowhere fast. The attitude of Minister of Finance Prime Minister Douglas and his now infamous "public debt me ass" statement, has left the people holding the bill not just VAT but almost no realistic prospect for growth over the next five years."
According to the IMF World Economic Outlook "growth in most of the Caribbean countries will be subdued amid weak prospects for tourism and remittances and limited room for policy support in light of chronic public debt burdens."

PHILIPSBURG :--- Forty University of St. Martin (USM) students who attained grade point averages (GPAs) of 3.2 or higher were named to the Dean's List for the Spring 2010 semester. Six of these 40 students achieved perfect 4.00 GPAs.
Only full-time students taking 12 or more degree credits who are fully matriculated into the university and who have earned grade point averages of 3.2 or better, with no grade lower than a "C" and no "I" grades for the semester are named to the Dean's List for that semester.
The students on the Spring semester Dean's List are: Maria Alvarez-Valencia, Odele Anderson, Stephanie Auguste, Arun Balani, Mary M. Bary, Barbera Benders, Robin Boasman, Ingrid Delgado, Cheyenne Douglas, Kennedy Drapin, Kimberley Duzong, Jhonella Fitzpatrick, Jessica Gumbs, Magdiona Gumbs, Altagracia Hawley, Cameron Hyman, Michel Hyman, Shanirah Illidge, Shelitah N. Illidge, Corinne Isaac, Chirag Jagwani, Simon Jeffrey, Ramzan Juman, Mohit Kapoor, Georginette Lake, Esthesia Lasternnet, Moreland LeBlanc, Zola Maison, Rishma Mirchandani, Jamila Oliver, Shiera Richardson, Jennifer Rombley, Pamela Saith, Tiffany Samuel, Zamada Solomon, Deidrae Thompson, Liesel Toss, Danissa Walker, Julietta White and Roxana Williams.
Other degree students who, although not enrolled in full-time college credit courses, have demonstrated high achievement during the semester were also recognized. These students, who took at least two degree-credit courses and less than 12 degree credits, are Maria Alexis, Marc Boasman, Rhea Courtar, Tamisha David, Leandra Edwards, Felicia Euson, Guerda Fremont, Linnett Gordon, Clifford Gumbs, Allison C. Harry, Micaela Hart, Isabelle Hodge, Igmaar Hunt, Jade Maccow, Maria Peterson-Yarde, Noelani Riley, Amaris Slac, Stacy-Anne Spence, Andrea St. Luce, Shaniel Thomas, and Erika Van Putten.
Dean of Academic Affairs and Acting USM President Mrs. Joyce Watson congratulates all the students on their performance.
The University of St. Martin takes pride in giving special recognition to these students who have achieved a high level of academic success in their studies, and wish them much success on their future endeavors.

Philipsburg:--- At the Mental Health Foundation (MHF), a great deal of effort is put into safety yet Staff members are mindful of how quickly a crisis could arise. Therefore, MHF have implemented preventative measures to ensure that we operate in a safe and friendly environment
Prevention:
The Faraja Center's goal is to motivate the clients to achieve the self-confidence they need to actively participate in society regardless of their personal challenges.
Presently the Faraja Center is the only division of the Mental Health Foundation (MHF) that accommodates clients on a daily basis, thus creating more personal interactions between the clients, psychiatric aids (psych aids) and volunteers.
Therefore, Psychic aids and volunteers follow safe guidelines and are always attentive in an attempt to avert the chance of any behavior escalating into physical violence.
Assigning personal lockers to clients is Faraja's first approach to safety. If a crisis should arise, the locked lockers would delay the client from searching for an object to use as a weapon and allow psych aids and volunteers to act quickly.
Secondly, observing behavioural and mood patterns is essential. Certain "Red Flags" are carefully watched for, they include: uncombed hair, skin blemishes, isolation, Irritability, outbursts, severe mood swings, refusal to eat.
When these signs appear, Psych aids take quick action to get to the root of the problem by allowing clients to freely express what they are feeling and experiencing. Clients are invited to sit in the quiet therapy room, to have some alone time if need be.

Crisis:
However, if a crisis does occur on the premises, whether it is a disturbance or suicide attempt, the client will be cautiously contained to prevent further danger to himself/herself and to others; after that a doctor will immediately be contacted.
The doctor and nurse will then assess the situation and administer appropriate treatment.
As protocol, family members are informed immediately and are provided counseling and
Psycho-education from a qualified Crisis Intervention nurse and Psychologist
As a result of not having a functioning Psychiatric ward to house severe cases, clients must fly to Curacao if they require more attention and treatment than what is available on Sint Maarten.
Crisis at Home:
It is important to note that one should not attempt to manage a disorderly person or loved one by oneself instead one should get help as soon as possible
While it is evident that mental treatment is necessary, if you have a loved one at home who is demonstrating disruptive behaviours, the police should be contacted first.
Shaniela Jonge, MHF's social psychiatric nurse explains that "Many people come to the Mental Health Foundation first before calling the Police...it is only after the police are called that we can smoothly and efficiently accomplish what we love and do best, to give treatment".
Subsequently, MHF will then be informed after which the aforementioned protocol would take place.
The Mental Health Foundation (MHF) aims to provide preventative care by raising awareness of Mental Health issues in our community with the purpose of reducing problems before they turn into illnesses. However if there is an illness, the community can find support and acceptance from staff and volunteers who are always ready to assist.

Philipsburg:--- A French side bus driver identified as A.A.H.V turned himself in at the Philipsburg Police station on Thursday and informed police that he was the person who was involved in the hit and run accident on the Oyster Bay road early Thursday morning claiming the life of Franceduoard Grandin(54) a security guard of Captain Olivers. Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said the suspect has been arrested and is now in police custody as the investigations continue. Henson said as result of the investigations being conducted jointly between the detective and traffic department police learnt that the victim did not show up on Wednesday night for work.

GREAT BAY:--- The loss of some-one close and dear to us is never easy to accept and though we were aware that Prime Minister David Thompson had been ailing for some time, his passing is unsettling for all.
Mr. Thompson's untimely death is a great loss, not only for Barbados but also for the entire Caribbean region.
An attorney at law and politician, his was a life of service. He served his clients and more broadly, he served the people of Barbados and the wider Caribbean.
At only 48 years of age, in the prime of his life, it was natural to expect that he would have had many more years with us. Many more years to carry out his work and many more years to be of service to people. But, alas, it was not to be.
Mr. Thompson became Prime Minister of Barbados in January 2008 and now, less than three years later he is no later with us. Yet during that short space of time, he made worthwhile contributions to his country and to the Caribbean.
He respected others and that in turn earned him respect.
Country Sint Maarten came into being on October 10 this year. That, unfortunately, denied us the opportunity of being in contact with Mr. Thompson.
The Prime Minister, the Government and the people of Country Sint Maarten express sincere condolences to his wife, Mara, and his children as well as to the Government and people of Barbados.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away.
From the Revelation of St. John (21:4)

Marigot:--- A second group of persons recently filed a complaint with the Public Prosecutor of the Republic of France against Senator Louis Constant Fleming, President Frantz Gumbs and former liaison officer Marcel Gumbs. SMN News managed to receive an electronic copy of the complaint where they asked that the trio be investigated for treason, corruption and conspiracy as well as unlawful self enrichment. The complaint was filed under anonymity for fear if harassment and retaliation.

The complaints states that following an error of electronic transmission, it has been revealed recently that Senator Louis Constant Fleming, President Frantz Gumbs and Mr. Marcel Gumbs, all of them from the Collectivity of Saint-Martin, engage themselves in an understanding with a foreign power to affect the integrity and the national sovereignty of our republic. They have agreed to sacrifice the heritage and the future of our fellow citizens for the sole advancement of their personal interests.
The plaintiff also enclosed a copy of the email exchanges between the liaison officer of the French and Dutch side Marcel Gumbs, the CEO of the Dutch side port and the senator and president of the Collectivity of St. Martin.

The truthfulness of these documents which have recently been intercepted as well as their authenticity was verified and you can easily proceed with the same verification with various addressees and recipients identified.
The group is asking the prosecutor's office to make a thorough inquiry on the facts included and they are asking that he proceed with issuing charges of treason and unlawful taking of interest against these individuals:

1. I. The first mail comes from Mark Mingo, the director of the port facilities of Philipsburg of Saint-Maarten. It is sent to Marcel Gumbs, who is acting as representative of the Collectivity, between Frantz Gumbs, Louis-Constant Fleming, and the Dutch authorities of the island. He is revealing the existence of an understanding with President Gumbs and Senator Fleming to protect Dutch investments.
2. II. The answer from Marcel Gumbs indicates that the President "honors" the understanding and emphasizes the participation of Louis-Constant Fleming to this understanding:
3. III. President Gumbs confirms his participation in the exchange of mails with his close collaborators
4. IV. The facts are that in the exchange of mails was triggered when a docking company informed the Port of St. Maarten of a possible development of a deep-water pier in Galis Bay on the French territory of the Overseas Collectivity of Saint-Martin. If this development on the French side of the island comes into effect, it will create a direct link by sea between the mother country and the Overseas Collectivity of Saint-Martin:

The statements made by the CEO of the Dutch side port Mark Mingo confirm that there is an understanding, which took place between Messrs Louis-Constant Fleming and Frantz Gumbs, they even presented themselves as being "in charge" of the Collectivity of Saint-Martin. According to the exchanges that were brought to light, the understanding would be to the effect that Messrs Senator Louis Constant Fleming and President Frantz Gumbs would insure that no "risk" would come from the French territory of Saint-Martin to endanger the US 100 millions dollars invested in the port of St. Maarten.
And more importantly, your attention must be drawn to the passage of the text where Mr. Mingo indicates that Dutch authorities will not engage in any cooperation until "corrective measures" are undertaken; that is, measures to stop the docking company from investing in the port of Galisbay. According a response mail by Mr. Marcel Gumbs, President Frantz Gumbs confirmed that the port belongs to the Collectivity and that the understanding made with the Dutch authorities still stands.
However, it appears that this understanding would be an understanding stopping all development of the port of Galisbay in Saint-Martin likely to threaten the investments and the Dutch territory.
The Territorial Council of the Collectivity has not been informed of the secret understandings made and no understanding or motion appears on the registers of the collectivity. The Territorial Council of Saint-Martin, on the contrary, has adopted a mission of development of the commercial port of Galisbay, such as it appears especially in the incorporation act of its port facility.
For many years, it is publicly acknowledged that the Collectivity must give priority to the development of the commercial port of Galisbay, as proven by the numerous studies and bids carried out these last years. The dealings of Messrs Fleming and Frantz Gumbs are contrary to their elective mission, contrary to the interest of the French people, and to those of the Collectivity. Those dealings explain the difficulties of the Collectivity to advance with this project structuring necessarily the economic development. Therefore, it is obvious that the "cooperation" mentioned by the Dutch authorities in their mail would exclusively be reserved to projects and persons connected with Messrs L.C. Fleming and Frantz Gumbs. It must be indicated that according to the intercepted mails, the understanding was made as much with the port of St. Marten as with the government authorities of the Dutch part and especially Mr. Theo Helliger, the former commissioner and now deputy Prime Minister of Country St. Maarten.
Mr. Marcel Gumbs participated and facilitated the acts of corruption and treason herein detailed; he is therefore an accomplice and active member of this conspiracy against the French Nation.
Messrs L.C. Fleming and Frantz Gumbs are the custodians of the public authority. Frantz Gumbs, as President of the Territorial Council and upon authorization of the Republic could negotiate and sign international agreements, whereas he is simultaneously engaging secret relations with a foreign country. He could participate and influence negotiations within the European Union whereas he represents the interests of a foreign nation.
Louis-Constant Fleming, as Senator of the Republic, functions within the executive assembly of our nation. The purchasable nature of his political implication is already proven.
This is the second complaint filed in recent weeks as blogger and reporter Jabiru has also filed a complaint of the same nature since the COM and senator denounced the Canadian Investors who are currently on the island selling the plans of the multi-million dollar project.

Recently Minister of Justice Roland Duncan met with representatives of the Office for Suspicious Financial Transactions (MOT) as part of his orientation visit to the various judicial and laws enforcement entities that falls under the Ministry of Justice or is part of the judiciary of the country.

Great Bay:--- With less than two weeks to go to the first ever Flaavors of St. Maarten Food and Wine Festival, the countdown has begun for what is expected to become the biggest and best gastronomic party in the whole of the Caribbean.
The event, an initiative of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, is scheduled to begin on November 10, and end on November 14, 2010 with a Flaavors Fest on the Boardwalk.
According to Director of Tourism, Regina LaBega, "the dates were deliberately chosen to fall around St. Maarten Day as a symbol of the unity of the island and what unites us more than our food?"
"We decided to create and establish an annual event that will help showcase our positioning as the Culinary Capital of the Caribbean. With more than 300 restaurants offering a diversity of cuisine, the idea is for Flaavors to bring together in St. Maarten some of the best chefs in the world along with some of the most sought-after and critically- acclaimed wineries in the world, who jointly with the chefs, wine and food distributors, hoteliers and other stakeholders of the St. Maarten hospitality industry will help us celebrate the best that St. Maarten has to offer," LaBega said.
She added that proceeds from one of the events, the St. Maarten Celebration Dinner and Benefit Auction, scheduled for Friday, November 12, at the Westin Resort will go towards the Sundial School culinary department. "The Sundial School will be featured prominently in this festival because we believe our youngsters who have decided for a career in this very important sector should be encouraged in every way possible," LaBega added.
The program of events also includes champagne and wine tastings, as well as cooking demonstrations that will be held simultaneously at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and the Westin Dawn Beach Resort.
Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, and Telecommunications, Frankie Meyers is upbeat about the significance of the festival for the island. "Flaavors, by its very nature, will apart from celebrating the diversity and richness of our food, also help attract visitors to the island, generate new business as well as representations for our wine and food distributors," Minister Meyers said.
"I am happy to note that world-class chefs like Iron Chef participant Forgione will be here to share their skills with our own award-winning chefs during the festival. I am looking forward to a very successful event," the minister said.

Following is the Schedule of Events for Flaavors of St. Maarten which can be accessed via: http://www.flaavors.com/events.html.

• Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010 - The Grand Champagne Tasting with Iron Chef Contestant Marc Forgione at Porto Cupecoy, 7 pm. Tickets: $150 per person.
• Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010 - The Oakville Ranch Winemaker Dinner with Chefs Wayne Nish, Doug Psaltis and Dino Jagtiani at Temptations Restaurant, 7:30 pm. Tickets: $150 per person.
• Friday, Nov. 12, 2010 - The St. Maarten Celebration Dinner & Benefit Auction at the Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, 7 pm. Ticket: $150 per person. Auction proceeds will benefit the St. Maarten National Culinary Team.
• Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010 - Celebrity Chef Cooking Demonstrations by Chef Wayne Nish at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino, 10 am, and chef Ken Frank at the Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, 10 am. Tickets are $40 per person for each event.
• Saturday Nov. 13, 2010 - "Napa Valley Rocks" conducted wine tasting by the Napa Valley Vinters Association, 12 pm. Tickets are $50 per person. Participating wineries: Flying Horse Winery, Grgich Hills Winery, The Hess Collection, Jones Family Vineyards, Luna Vineywards, The Miner Family Vineyards, Oakville Ranch Vineyards and Peju Vineyards. Participating panelists: Dan Bailey, The Jones Family Vienyards; Paula Kornell, Oakville Ranch Vineyards; and Michael Davis, Hart Davis Hart Wine Company.
• Saturday Nov. 13, 2010 - The Luna Vineyards Winemaker dinner with Chef Ken Frank at Aura Restaurant, 7:30 pm. tickets: $150 per person
• Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010 - St. Maarten Flaavors Festival (Phillipsburg Beachfront and Boardwalk), 12 pm - 5 pm. Tickets: $45 per person. Participation by 40 of the top restaurants and wine distributors in St. Maarten as well as the Napa Valley Vintners Association, among others.

The new institutions anchored in the Constitution of young country Sint Maarten will be the focus of The Law in Focus as of Thursday October 28, 2010, starting with a three part series on the Bureau of the Ombudsman. All are invited to tune in to get familiar with the tasks and functions of the Ombudsman and the Bureau, starting tonight. The Ombudsman, or Public Defender, will be at work to protect your fundamental human rights and the Constitution.
"The Law in Focus" is an informative and educational program for the entire family, aired every Thursday night from 9.30 – 10.00 p.m. on Sint Maarten T.V., Channel 15, with rebroadcasts on the Wednesdays following from 6.00 - 6.30 p.m., on Sundays from 4:00-4:30 pm on Radio Soualiga 99.9 FM, on Mondays on Cable TV Saba and Tuesdays on Cable TV Statia from 7.00 – 7.30 p.m. The program is aired on Statia radio on Tuesdays at 12.30 noon with a repeat on Sundays at 6.00 p.m., and on Channel 9, MSR Cable TV on French Saint Martin. The public is encouraged to send questions on legal issues to email: lawinfocus@ burofocus.com or fax # 5473754.

Philipsburg:--- Persons who have loans and are depositors at the Christian Kingdom Credit Union (CKC) have to brace themselves for the worst come Monday. Reliable information reaching SMN News on Friday states that the head of supervision of the central bank Mr. Salesia along with the appointed curator to CKC Chris Peterson met with the managing director of the CKC Franklin Brison and his advisors on Friday to notify them that the Central Bank has taken a decision to withdraw CKC license, forcing the company to declare bankrupt on Monday.
Shortly after notifying CKC and its management of the decision, Salesia and Peterson met with the Minister of finance Hiro Shigemoto to inform him of the current situation facing CKC and its depositors.
SMN News further learnt that several of the clients of CKC are in default with their loan payments due to the economic hardships on the island. One source said there has not been sufficient cash flow for CKC to survive even though the Central Bank had appointed Chris Peterson as curator to assist the management of CKC to bail out. One source that is linked to the finance department of government said CKC has an outstanding loan of 1.5 million dollars while they would owe their depositors some 1.7 million dollars.
Efforts made to contact Brison on Friday for a comment proved futile since he has been in meetings all day. Last week CKC announced that they were closing their doors to conduct some clean up when in fact they were preparing for Friday's news. SMN News also made contact with the Minister of Finance Hiro Shigemoto for a comment who said he was not able to comment until later on Friday as he was still in meetings with the Central Bank officials and CKC.
SMN News further learnt that the CKC has asked the Central Bank for additional time since they are busy negotiating with a sister credit union in Nevis to take over the CKC. It is further understood that the Central Bank has given CKC one month to see if they would be able to finalize a deal with the Nevis Credit Union.

Philipsburg:--- The prosecutor's office in Curacao has decided that prosecutor Jan Bart Develing will be prosecuted for the hit and run accident he was involved in on August 28th 2010 in Middle Region.
Press prosecutor G.M. Veen-Jonkhout said Develing is set to appear in court on October 6th Veen-Jonkhout said the decision to prosecute Develing was taken by the prosecutor's office in Curacao. Currently Develing is on leave pending the outcome of the investigation and subsequent prosecution.
Prosecutor Develing was accused of driving under the influence of alcohol on the day of the accident. He told police he had three beers on the day of the accident and the only reason he did not stop when he was involved in the accident was because he was of the opinion that someone was about to attack and rob him. Develing was arrested moments after the accident not far away from the scene of the accident by officers who were conducting a road control.

PHILIPSBURG:--- St. Maarten Chamber of Commerce has team up with local runner Andi Siegers to herald in Country St. Maarten. The chamber has sponsored Siegers' participation on the annual Chicago Marathon on October 10.
Chamber President Glen Carty said when he learnt about the run and the significance of the date, the business association was immediately on board. The marathon of some 45,000 runners is an excellent forum to send the message to the world that St. Maarten is now a country in the Dutch Kingdom.
While in Chicago, Siegers will deliver messages to the Chambers of Commerce there about the status change and inviting the people of the city and state to visit and consider doing business on the "Friendly Island."
Carty said the chamber is always seeking ways to improve the visibility of St. Maarten in the region and the rest of the world, because with proper and positive exposure the island's economy will grow and strengthen in the benefit of its people.
Siegers, the only St. Maartener in the race, is honoured and overwhelmed to have been named the chamber's ambassador. He has been training intensely for the marathon and expects to complete the race in just over three hours.
As for his task of representing his island of birth on such as historic day, Siegers said he couldn't think of a better way to tell the world of the achievement of the people of St. Maarten. "The right to self determination was ours and we took it and I will run with that in my heart."
The local runner, who owns the Little Cigar Factory, will be wearing a shirt printed with the St. Maarten flag and 10-10-10 and the Chamber logo. When he crosses the finish line, it will be like the high point of this island's new status. The end of the marathon will be the beginning of more to come just like the attainment of country is just one hurdle in the run to a better St. Maarten.
Andi Siegers has participated in the Charlevoix Marathon in Michigan in June.

Philipsburg:--- The prosecutor's office on St. Maarten is expecting an additional prosecutor next week confirmed press prosecutor Rienk Mud. Currently the prosecutor's office is short staffed. Mud said his new colleague Bart Denhartigh will join them next week and he was requested as a back-up prosecutor.
The press prosecutor said the prosecutor's office will do well with some interns since they are overloaded with criminal cases while it is very time consuming of the prosecutors to do all the necessary paperwork.

Philipsburg:--- The police internal affairs and the chief of police of the KPSSS Peter de Witte is yet to inform the commander of the Voluntary Korps(VKS) about their ongoing investigation involving a VKS officer. The VKS officer identified as R.J Sr. is accused of taking monies from the United Peoples Party in exchange for his vote. On Wednesday the Chief of Police confirmed to SMN News that internal affairs are busy investigating two police officers, a civil servant and the VKS accused of taking monies from the UP Party. De Witte said the motive of the investigation is for the police management team to find out exactly what transpired and what the officers were paid for.
Jean Illidge of the VKS told SMN News that to date he did not get any official notification from the police force about the investigation. The commander said he learnt of the incident via the news and he believes that if the management of the police force is investigating one of his officers then they will follow proper procedures and inform him so the VKS will also be able to take action. "As the commander of the VKS, I would need to know what the officer is accused of and the outcome of the investigation so we too can take measures to prevent such incidents." Illidge said.
De Witte said police internal affairs started the investigation while he was off island on working business. The VKS officer allegedly transported monies destined for two police officers a civil servant and himself from the headquarters of the United Peoples Party, but on his way to the police station where the monies were distributed he opened an envelope belonging to the civil servant and shared the money up.
Asked about the notification Chief of Police Peter de Witte said he could not say if the commander was notified since he was off island and just recently returned. "However, if that was not done then I will personally inform him today Friday." De Witte said. De Witte also said when the investigation is completed a decision will be taken as to how the police management would deal with the matter.
SMN News further learnt that while these four officers were caught taking monies from the UP Party several other officers took monies from other political parties and individual politicians. "I received text messages from police officers who have identified themselves as officers of the law that was looking for something in exchange for their vote and the votes of their family members. But I texted these persons back telling them that I do not engage in such behavior. This election I lost votes considerably and that was because I decided not to engage in vote buying." Said one politician that contested the September 17 elections.
In the meantime Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba who was on St. Maarten on a working visit said even though she was on the island and met with the management of the police force no one informed her of the investigation. However, the minister said she learnt of the investigation via the news and as such she is commending the police organization and especially the management team for initiating the investigation. "This year's election was not about who worked and who could work for countries St. Maarten and Curacao, instead it was about who had the most monies on both islands." Jacoba said voters were given laptops, blackberries, monies and other material items in exchange for their votes on Curacao and St. Maarten and if officers of the law were caught selling their votes they should face the consequences.

Philipsburg:--- In accordance with its articles of incorporation, the St. Maarten Carnival development Foundation (SCDF) held elections this past week for a new board which will guide Carnival for the next two years. The SCDF consists of an Executive Board of three supported by seven board members.
After serving the foundation for nine years in various forms, Stuart Johnson was elected as President of the SCDF. Rounding up the Executive Board are two former presidents of the SCDF. Erno Labega and Michael Granger were elected by acclamation as Treasurer and Secretary respectively.
Immediate past President Gina Illidge will remain with the board, along with Roland Rommy, Edgardo Lynch, Edwardo Radjouki and Vida Boyrard. Board member Martin Wilson was appointed as Vice President of the foundation.
"The organizing of carnival is a daunting task requiring the support of the entire community. Carnival is bigger than any individual or group. The board of SCDF is calling on your support and cooperation as we continue to prepare for Carnival 2011," Johnson said.
"We would like to extend my thanks to all those individuals who have contributed in making our annual cultural celebrations possible every year. We shall be celebrating the first carnival as Country St. Maarten, so let us make sure to embrace it as we celebrate it in grand style.
"Special appreciation goes out to the outgoing President Gina Illidge and all members of the outgoing board. Your work and dedication is appreciated and hasn't gone unnoticed. On behalf of SCDF, we thank you for your dedication and commitment," he concluded.

Philipsburg--- As seen on ESPN, "The And 1 Street ball Live Tour" of the B-Ball and Company Inc will be brought to St. Maarten for the first time by the Youth Beat Foundation on 29th October. The basketball Tour promotes education, health awareness, and encourages youth of all cultures to stay away from negative behavior such as drugs, gangs and violence.
The B-Ball and Company Inc: "In 2010 our mission is to present this exiting form of basketball not only to the major cities in the United States, however to many international countries around the world. Some of the countries we have travelled to include Taipei and Hong Kong in China, Toronto-Canada, Bangkok-Thailand and forty states in the United States. Our mission is to stress the importance of education and healthy lifestyles within all cultures."
The event will be held at the L.B. Scott Sports Auditorium. Tickets will be on sale at PJD2 Radio Station and Van Dorp Offices in Simpson bay and Madam Estate. The And 1 Team will feature stars like The Professor, Hot Sause, Highrizer, 50, Springs, Bone Collector and the Showstoppa.
The organizers of the event include President of the Youth Beat Foundation Mr. Emmanuel York with support from Mr. Lennox Fleming.

Philipsburg:--- The island council meeting called on Monday to ratify the Service Level Agreement between the Social Insurance Bank and Country St. Maarten (ZBO) was accepted unanimously after a heated and long debate on the floor of the island council.
Commissioner of Health Hyacinth Richardson urged the council to vote in favor of the SLA a proposal given by the SVB some days ago. Richardson said the National Health Insurance (NHI) is not ready and this is why the island needs the SLA which would last until the end of the year.
The members of the opposition posed several questions when the SLA was discussed in the Central Committee meeting and some of the answers they said were not provided to them for the meeting. Questions pertaining to how much this would cost St. Maarten and what would happen to the SVB employees after 10/10/10 they said are yet to be answered.
The opposition also spoke of how long the NHI is being worked on and to date it is not ready even though the NHI was scheduled to be implemented last January. Former Commissioner of Health Maria Buncamper said government began working on the NHI since 2006 and to date it is not completed. She criticized the National Alliance Government for not having the NHI in place and having to opt for an SLA.
Island Council member Louis Laveist obviously having enough of the bickering and questions posed by the opposition reminded them that the people of St. Maarten do not want to hear what was done and what not done since they were at the helm of government for almost ten years and they did not ensure everything was in place for country St. Maarten yet they were the ones who said the island was ready for Country.
Laviest looked squarely at the opposition and told them that he knows they are the ones who are going to be handling health in the new setting and what the people wants to hear from them is how and when they are going to finalize the NHI.
"The NHI is going to affect each and everyone on St. Maarten and the people do want to hear any bickering. I am also urging the speakers who spoke before me to change their attitude when attending to the people's business. This blame game must stop. When we are talking about the health insurance plan for the people the blame game does not cut it." Laviest said the people are sick and tired of the blame game.
The island council man said he could also take the lectern and play the same blame game because he knows who was at the helm of the constitutional process for ten years. He asked if he did so if that would benefit the people regarding their status after 10/10/10. Laveist said the people do not care who was in charge all they want to know is who will get the NHI done. He said the people just want to know if they will have health insurance and when it will be done. "These people in here including my family and your family do not want to hear anything about tires on a police car at this point in time."
The people know that you the opposition members will be part of the incoming government and they also know that you will be responsible for the health portfolios. So, come here and tell the people if you will get the NHI done and when and how it will be done. The people know that when this process began you were the captain of this wheel and they also know that there was no parliament building in place. They also know who said the island was ready and that the civil servants positions were not in place too. Laveist said the time for petty politics has long gone and no one cares who is teaming with whom to run their affairs.

GREAT BAY:--- The Collective Preventive Services (CPS) is calling on the Sint Maarten community to support Breast Cancer Awareness activities for the month of October.
The health survey of 1999: "How Healthy is St. Maarten", revealed that for self-examination of the breast, a preventive action against Breast Cancer, 89% knew about the test and 57% did the test, while only 27% had done the test with the recommended frequency of once a month.
Regular breast self-exams can help women learn how their breast normally feels and make it easier to notice and find any changes. Remember doing a breast self-exam regularly is not a substitute for regular mammograms.
CPS is encouraging women to make breast cancer screening a regular part of their life.
Breast Cancer is linked to the uncontrollable division or growing of cells. Cells in the body normally divide (reproduce) only when new cells are needed. Sometimes, cells in a part of the body grow and divide out of control, which creates a mass of tissue called a tumor. If cells that are growing out of control are normal cells, the tumor is called benign (not cancerous) If however the cells that are growing out of control are abnormal and don't function like the body's normal cells, the tumor is called malignant (cancerous).
Cancers are named after the part of body from which they originate. Breast cancer originates in the breast tissue. Breast cancer refers to a malignant tumor that has developed from cells in the breast. Usually breast cancer either begins in the cells of the lobules, which are milk-producing glands, or the ducts, the passages that drain milk from the lobules to the nipple.
Like other cancers breast cancer can invade and grow into the tissue surrounding the breast. It can also travel to other parts of the body and form new tumors, a process called metastasis.
At present there is no known cause on what causes breast cancer; however there are certain risks factors, which may put individuals at higher, risk of developing breast cancer, e.g. person's age, genetic factors, personal health history and diet.
Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women after lung cancer and is the leading cause of cancer death among women ages 35-54. As a woman ages the risk of developing, breast cancer increases.

Philipsburg:--- The three bodies representing the Christian churches of St. Maarten have been for days now in contact with the organizers of the 10-10-10 celebration since the newspaper article surfaced, that a parade was being organized on Sunday, starting 8.30am in the morning.
The churches on October 5th 2010 sent out a joint letter that they advised to delay the start of the parade until mid-day.
After waiting for a confirmation the churches up till now have received not and therefore have no other alternative than making their concerns public.
The churches stress that they are not against the people culturally celebrating the 10-10-10, however especially, since this is a Christian community and the government having adhered to the churches proposal to recognize God in the constitution, they believe that the time of worship and fellowship must be safe guarded and respected.
The churches –SMUMF, Foundation SDA and the St. Maarten/Saint Martin Christian Council- will like to make known that they are committed to:

1. Invoking God's presence during the flag ceremony on October 9th 2010 at 11.00pm;
2. The ecumenical service to be held on Sunday October 10th at 6.00am in the New Testament Baptist Church.

The churches are further committed to having the parade start at mid day.
May we all be blessed to have attained the Separate Status within the Dutch Kingdom and may the good Lord continue to bless St. Maarten and her leaders.

Philipsburg:--- The executive council has taken a decision to implement the National Health Insurance Organization as of Monday announced commissioner Roy Marlin. Marlin told reporters that since there is no agreement between Curacao SVB and St. Maarten, the council has decided to go ahead and implement the NHI.
Marlin said the island council already approved an independent organization to handle the NHI but government also has to enter into a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Curacao. He said so far there is no agreement reached with Curacao because the proposals sent to St. Maarten is not in the island's best interest. Marlin said SVB Curacao wants to manage all funds (ABZ, AOV) while St. Maarten would have very little input into the management of these funds. Marlin said the executive council believes that this would be very risky and as such no agreement has been reached. Government he said will be dispatching another letter to Curacao with a final proposal. However, government wants those persons who are insured with SVB to receive continuity.
Marlin said the executive council intended to meet with the staff of SVB on Thursday where they will present a proposal which is to take the staff of SVB into the employment of the island government's territory temporarily and place them at Sector Health Care until the NHI institution is fully established. Marlin made clear that when the NHI is established then the staff of SVB will be employed by that institution.
The commissioner also said that the island government is not yet out of the woods with the SVB discussion. He said the proposal they are sending to Curacao is to allow them to manage the SVB funds until December 31 2010 until the establishment of the NHI is finalized. Marlin said it is too risky to turn over millions of guilders that are part of the reserve funds to an institution while government has very little say into the management of the funds.

CAY BAY:--- Despite best efforts of GEBE technicians during the past several days, due to a change in the wind direction on Thursday, an excessive amount of seaweed and sand entered the seawater intake cooling system in Cay Bay forcing all but two generators to shut down knocking out electricity to 60 per cent of the island for approximately five hours.
The two new generators which are radiator cooled were able to supply 40 per cent of the island.
It took technicians almost five hours to clean the filters and other pieces of equipment of sand and seaweed.
Once sand and seaweed entered the filters, the generators started to overheat and the emergency shutdown systems were activated thereby shutting the engines down to protect them from serious damage.
The Meteorological Service of the Netherlands Antilles & Aruba in its 5.00pm Thursday advisory stated that winds were South to Southwest of 12 to 22 miles per hour mainly in or near heavy showers to near gale or even gale force of 40 miles per hour. Waves were five to eight feet or higher during heavy showers or thunderstorms.

Cyrus Wathey Square:--- While country St. Maarten was dubbed as the people's affair and that having a new status is all about the people that was not what politicians and those that organized the official ceremony for the official dawn of Country St Maarten displayed.
According to the program that was released by the island government the reception held at the Holland House was only for those invited by those that would be in government and their VIPS. Members of the various media houses were told they were not invited to work or even be part of the reception. Festivities and other entertainment that was supposed to begin at 7pm at the Cyrus Wathey Square got under way at 9:30pm. Persons who came out to witness history were left to loiter around until the dignitaries and their invited guests arrived at the Cyrus Wathey Square at 11pm.
The seating that was prepared in the court yard of the court house (Cyrus Wathey Square) was also for those that were invited and the dignitaries while the people of St. Maarten, and the younger generation that left their homes to witness history was forced to stand around the court house and to peek over the fence to witness this historic event. Organizers claimed that the activities was scaled down due to the weather conditions and that the official ceremony will be announced at a later date.
Among those invited were the Minister of Justice of the Netherlands Ernst Hirch Ballin, President of the Collectivity of St Martin, the Prefet Jacques Simmonet, representatives of Anguilla, and other local dignitaries.
The only speaker for the evening Acting Lt Governor Reynold Groeneveldt told the gathering the Kingdom is now reformed after years of negotiations and hard work. He said during the last 50 years the islands under the Netherlands Antilles enjoyed prosperity, and growth while some had to face austerity measures.
Groeneveldt said St. Maarten has become a beacon of hope for many persons from many parts of the world and the people should be proud of the Netherlands Antilles and what it meant for them.
The acting Lt. Governor thanked all those persons and island's that were part of the Antilles and most importantly he thanked Queen Beatrix for the cooperation and that of the Dutch Government.
Groeneveldt said while there were times the negotiations for the islands to go their separate ways was not at all easy at no time there was need for revolt, violence or war, like in other countries.
The governor said that while St. Maarten has embarked on another stage in pursuit of full internal self government within the Kingdom it is his hope that the island can continue to count on the support of all the partners in the Kingdom while they look forward for closer ties and more cooperation which would result in the mutual benefit for the people.
The official ceremony started off with Pastor Allen's invocation, then the bringing down of the Antillean Flag which was given over to Minister of Constitutional Affairs Roland Duncan who the presented the flag to the Acting Lt. Governor Reynold Groeneveldt who immediately turned over the flag to a representative of the St. Maarten museum who would have it their marked as a piece of St. Maarten's history.
Immediately after the removal of the Antillean flag, the St. Maarten flag was hoisted signaling the dawn of country St. Maarten. Those in the crown began cheering at the hoisting of the St. Maarten flag while they joined in singing the St Maarten's song with the Methodist men's choir. The moment the flag was in its place the dignitaries began moving around congratulating each other now that the island has officially become a country within the Dutch Kingdom. The official ceremony closed off with fireworks which lighted up the sky.

Philipsburg:--- A well known Simpson Bay resident John Halley was the lucky winner Caribbean Lottery jackpot last week. Halley bought his winning ticket at the Li Far East located in Simpson Bay. The lucky winner received a check of $4,800,000.00 after taxes. The lotto jackpot was at $5.4M, while the restaurant will receive $13,500 for selling the winning ticket. The winning numbers were 7, 8, 14, 19 and 23.
Management of Caribbean Lotto said the winner had three chances to win. The agents they said are very excited about the win. It is the first won locally since the game was introduced last year, which is played in six different territories.

Guyana:--- Under the theme Reflection and Renewal, the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP) will commence observing its decade of existence at its Tenth Annual General Meeting from 31 October to 2 November 2010, in St. Maarten.
Keynote speaker at the official opening, former United Nations Secretary-General Dr. Kofi Annan, Chair of the Kofi Annan Foundation will address several Caribbean Heads of Government, high-level government officials, regional and international representatives of the Partnership and other specially invited guests.
Also during the opening, Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General, His Excellency Edwin Carrington and Executive Director for the Global Fund, Professor Michel Kazatchkine will sign the PANCAP/Global Fund Round 9 Agreement on behalf of their respective institutions. PANCAP received US$31 million from that initiative.
Other highlights of the official opening include the inauguration of the PANCAP Award. Several Caribbean citizens will be recognized for their outstanding contributions over the past 10 years, to the Region's response to reverse the spread of the HIV and AIDS epidemic. The Juanita Altenberg award for Excellence conferred by PANCAP member, the Caribbean Vulnerable Community Coalition (CVC), will also be presented.

The agenda for the meeting includes three special plenary sessions which reflect on the key successes and challenges of the Partnership and defines the essential agenda for its further progress.
Titled, PANCAP at Ten, the first session explores the main factors that have contributed to the development, growth and sustainability of the Partnership. It is intended to analyse critically main achievements, challenges and lessons learned.
The second session: Towards strengthening the country focus on PANCAP, seeks to obtain a country perspective of the main programmatic achievements since its inception and to provide concrete examples of how regional goods and services provided, have advanced the national responses to HIV and AIDS.
Session Two will also look at the ways and means by which PANCAP can assist Haiti in meeting some of its current and future needs with regard to universal access to HIV-related services.
Session Three: Members' Forum, will receive the input of PANCAP's constituents on what ought to be the future strategic directions of the organization, in order to maintain partner interest and to accelerate universal access to HIV-related prevention, treatment, care and support services in the Caribbean.

The meeting opens at 6:30 p.m. on 31 October at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino. A number of addresses will be given by key leaders in the Region, including the Honourable Sarah Westcott-Williams, Prime Minister, St. Maarten; the Honourable Dr Denzil Douglas Prime Minister, St. Kitts and Nevis and Chair of PANCAP; Mr. Michel Sidibé, UNAIDS Executive Director; and Professor Kazatchkine.
PANCAP is a regional Partnership which was established in February 2001 to respond to the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the Caribbean. Its vision is to substantially reduce the spread and impact of HIV and AIDS in the Caribbean through sustainable systems of universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. Its goals are
By 2012, to reduce:

• the estimated number of new infections by 25%;
• HIV mortality by 25%
• the social and economic impact of HIV and AIDS on households by 25%

Philipsburg:--- The trustee representative for the Eastern Caribbean Cellular (ECC) Lucas Berman in interview with SMN News explained that the company has total debt of $22M to its creditors while their income was a mere $20,000 and its operational costs stands at $200,000.00 per month.

To listen to the interview, select the audio from the list below:

Berman said that the trustee for bankruptcy cases are appointed by the judge and their job is to investigate in the interest of everyone. He said right now they are busy investigating the estate in order to make the necessary payments.
Already, the trustee held meetings with the tax department whose claim is very high. As for the employees, he said they were paid based on the labor laws while they still have a claim for their six weeks' notification payment.
After that he said SVB or National Health Insurance has to take over the employees, while the trustee still has to deal with the other expenses such as the bills coming in from GEBE, land and other property rents. SMN News learnt that the total claim from the employees stands at $80,000 and the company does not have assets that can be sold to meet that sum.
He said the employees were paid their last salary up to October 7th and were sent home as of Wednesday. Berman said for the interest of everyone it was necessary for the company be closed to limit the damages.
Attorney at law Berman said he already indicated to another telecommunication company that these employees were terminated and that company might be willing to hire some of the workers. However, the trustee believes that the employees should begin looking for work in the job market where they will be guaranteed a salary at the end of the month since this other company will not hire the entire group of workers.
He said bankruptcy cases are complicated and it takes an enormous amount of time to get a fair settlement.
Berman said the next step is to deal with the creditors whose interests they are representing. Furthermore, the trustee is trying to see where they would make the most money in order to save the creditors further loss.
Berman said the tax department submitted a very excessive assessment on ECC and they are looking to see if this can reduced to save the estate some monies which would ultimately benefit the creditors of ECC.
Asked if the trustee is negotiating the sale of the company, Berman said there are few people who said they are interested in buying the company but so far no one made a fair proposal. While the trustee may want to entertain the sale of ECC, SMN News has been reliably informed that the license for the company has been seized by government.
A circular from the employees lays most of the blame on the company's managing director Beulah Jonis. The employees also vow to take their case further as they intend to seek justice. A scanned copy of the circular is posted at the end of this article.

Great Bay:--- The organizers of the annual breast cancer awareness walkathon; the Positive Foundation and Elektra have stepped it up a notch this year and are incorporating a number of other activities for the participants this year.
The walk which is playfully dubbed the "Pink Phit and Phabulous walkathon" will begin at 6:30 am this Sunday at the Grand Marche parking lot to the Princess Country Club and Spa at Port de Plaisance via the Cake House Hill Road.
President of the Positive Foundation; Shelly Alphonso said that although the walk begins at 6:30am; participants are asked to be there in advance to receive some of the goodies they have in store.
"We want everyone to be there on time so that we can begin on time before the sun comes up, this way the walk will be more comfortable and enjoyable," she said. "Also at 5:30 am we will be distributing T-shirts to the participants; free of cost."
The St. Maarten Road Runners will lead off and guide the walkers along the route to the Port de Plaisance destination, where breakfast including croissants, apples coffee, bush tea and water will be served, free of cost to all participants. After the walk a number of fitness activities like: zumba, aerobics, spinning, stretching among others will be demonstrated to the group, then a brief tour of the Princess Country Club and Spa will be given.
"In addition, to highlight the main reason behind the walk, we will be showing an eight minute video presentation on how to do breast self examinations and students from AUC S will be doing demonstrations on how to do these breast self examinations," Miss Alphonso said. "We want to ensure that the message gets across and that the people who participate and attend will be armed with the knowledge to be able to detect breast cancer early so they can better protect themselves."
The St. Maarten Diabetes foundation will also be on hand at the Port de Plaisance Country Club and Spa to do free blood sugar and blood pressure screenings.
"There will also be two other booths set up solely for the purpose of disseminating weight loss and fitness information," Alphonso explained. "And of course our table, the Positive Foundation will have breast cancer awareness literature, breast cancer awareness pins, bracelets and other signature material for sale."
Participants are also advised to wear or bring their bathing suits, as the pool will be available to the participants until 3pm and a 15% discount on spa treatment will be available only for that occasion.
"You may lounge and swim in the pool up until 3 pm and for those who have children and would like to bring them, we encourage you to do so and allow them to take advantage of the beautiful play area on the premises," she said. "Should you decide to stick around until lunch; the Port de Plaisance staff will be serving lunch buffet style at a simple cost of US$12.00."
For others who do not want to participate in the walk, they are also invited to attend and be part of the other events and to support the event.
Sponsors for this event are Divico, Princess Country Club and Laser 101.

GREAT BAY--- The theme for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) World Food Day on Sunday is, "United Against Hunger."
The theme was chosen by the global organization to recognize regional and national efforts around the world to combat hunger.
Minister of Public Health Maria Buncamper-Molanus said that country Sint Maarten fully supports all initiatives to alleviate global hunger.
The Minister added that, World Food Day reminds us that nearly a billion people around the world suffer from hunger and this prevents them from leading healthy, active, and safe lives.
Last year the global hunger crisis reached unprecedented levels, where one billion people were left hungry. The UN's World Food Programme along with other stakeholders around the globe, are working together to curb rates of hunger.
"Food security is an important challenge of the 21st century and a key issue in view of realizing the international commitments of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
"The right to food is the inherent human right of every human being. The right to food is the right to be able to produce or purchase safe, nutritious and culturally acceptable food. The right to food is not the right to free handouts.
"The right to food was first recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948, and it has been gradually strengthened by the ratification of the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights of 1966," Minister of Public Health, Social Development & Labour Maria Buncamper-Molanus told the Government Information Service (GIS).
This recognition of World Food Day is also part of the Ministry of Public Health annual calendar of observances.

GREAT BAY:--- Minister of Public Health Maria Buncamper-Molanus commends the Mental Health Foundation (MHF) in its efforts to increase awareness about mental wellness during its Mental Health Month activities.

A mental illness is a disease that causes mild to severe disturbances in thinking and perception, and behavior.

If these disturbances significantly impair a person's ability to cope with the ordinary demands and routines of life, then he or she should immediately seek proper treatment from a mental health professional.

With the proper care and treatment, a person can recover and can resume normal activities.

This years MHF theme is "Mental Health in Primary Care: Enhancing treatment and promoting Mental Health."

"A one-month period set aside to create awareness about mental health and the importance of mental wellness would allow members of the community to have an understanding of what it's all about. As they say, knowledge is power.

"Our own MHF has come a long way since its inception and is now an entity that is working diligently in building healthy relationships and therefore building healthy communities.

"I wish to recognize families and caregivers of persons who suffer from any form of mental illness as well as those who have devoted their lives to the care of those who suffer from mental illness.

"Government is committed to further assist where necessary in building a healthy Sint Maarten," Minister of Public Health, Social Development & Labour Maria Buncamper-Molanus told the Government Information Service (GIS).

There is a wide range of mental illnesses, and many mental illnesses are believed to have biological causes just like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Some mental disorders are however caused by a person's environment and his or her experiences.

Mental illness can strike anyone as it knows no limits of age, economic or social standing, race, creed or colour.

This recognition of World Food Day is also part of the Ministry of Public Health annual calendar of observances.

Philipsburg:--- As part of the activities to commemorate its 50th anniversary, The Windward Islands Bank Ltd. will be hosting an educational treasure hunt. The event will be held on Friday October 22nd.
A total of 8 local High schools will each have three representatives competing for prizes in this unique event organized by WIB.
The purpose of this event is to have youngsters learn more about St Maarten's history, Social studies, Government etc. in a friendly, yet competitive atmosphere.
Participating High Schools are MPC; Sundial; St Dominic; SXM Academy; CIA; LU & Sint Maarten Vocational School. The Bank is collaborating with the United Student Government Front in organizing the student treasure hunt.
Each high school will be represented by three students
A total of 15 locations (companies) throughout the Philipsburg area have been secretly selected. Information placed in the form of an educational riddle will be used to point participating students to the locations. Participating students must find the place by solving an educational riddle for the first set of points
Once they solve the riddle and find the location(s), at the location they will be provided with an envelope with questions for the second set of points
The questions will be on areas such as history, social studies, Government, Monuments etc.
Total points per participating group will depend on the amount of correct responses to riddles and questions.
Prizes will then be awarded based on the total amount of points.
Activities have been organized by WIB to involved different segments of the community and we feel that the Student Treasure Hunt is a great way to get the youngsters involved, while having them learn at the same time; Chairman of WIB 50th anniversary committee Rolando Tobias stated.
Companies throughout the Philipsburg area are being requested to cooperate with the youngsters as they move around the capital solving the riddles and collecting clues in the WIB 50th anniversary student treasure hunt on Friday afternoon.
For questions, please contact Rolando Tobias, Chairman of WIB's 50th anniversary Committee at 580-5915.

GREAT BAY:--- Nativity, the new poetry book by Lasana Sekou, is being taught at the University of Birmingham, in the United Kingdom, said Jacqueline Sample, president of House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP).
Nativity is one of two core books for the course "Introduction to the Spanish Caribbean: History, Literature & Popular culture." The class is taught by Conrad M. James, professor of Latin American and Caribbean Studies.
One of the course objectives is to allow students to "Demonstrate an understanding of the creative strategies used in Caribbean literature, film and music to respond to major issues in the region's history," said Dr. James.
"Nativity is a quintessentially Caribbean work," said Dr. James, "It is partly this commitment to understanding the Caribbean in regional rather than narrow national terms, which accounts for the brilliant erudition of the text" by the St. Martin writer.
Nativity was published here and launched in Marigot last June as an English, French and Spanish edition. Its extensive glossary of cultural, political, and historical terms, personalities, places, events, and dates, is also in the three languages, said Sample.
In other news reaching HNP this week, Sekou is featured in Poetas del Caribe inglés: Antología edited by Canadian professor Keith Ellis, said Sample.
"With Nativity and Poetas del Caribe inglés among the 2010 books getting attention, more people will come to know about St. Martin and Caribbean people, their writings and cultures," said Sample.
The Venezuelan book is part of the country's "unprecedented" boosting of literature among the population and making books available at affordable prices, said the publisher Perro y la rana.
In the book's preface the novelist Austin Clarke writes that Poetas del Caribe inglés (Caribbean Poets Writing in English) "is a marvelous collection of the very best of West Indian poetry." The Spanish-English book is a Poetry of the World series title from the Simon Bolivar Center geared toward the Venezuelan academic and mass market.
Sekou's poem "Liberation Theology" was selected for the book.
The title includes works from rising literary stars, established authors, and lyrical poetic legends such as Christian Campbell, Jennifer Rahim, Kamau Brathwaite, Frank Collymore, George Lamming, Rei Beroa, E. Markham, Jan Carew, Claude McKay, Derek Walcott, Louise Bennette, Martin Carter, Obediah Smith, Merle Collins, Arnold Itwaru, Afua Cooper, Bob Marley and Mighty Sparrow.
About 69 poets from 13 countries and territories in the Caribbean are found in the two-volume Venezuelan anthology.

Philipsburg:--- On Friday, five members of the Royal Marechaussee who was sent to St Maarten to assist the Police Force of St Maarten was sworn in. The oath of these officers were taken by the Minister of Justice for Country St Maarten Mr. Roland Duncan, in the presence of the Chief of Police Chief Commissioner Peter de Witte, Secretary General Ligia Stella, Chief Public Prosecutor Hans Mos, Commander of the Marechausse Jan Ploegstra, and head of the Judicial Department Chief Inspector Denise van Geertruij-Jakobs.
The officers will be working in the Detective Department and directly under the leadership on the St Maarten Police force. After the swearing-in of the officers the Minister of Justice and the Chief of Police congratulated them and gave them a warm and hearty welcome and told them to be looking forward to fruitful working relationship.
The incoming officers are Eric Wagenmakers, Jan Hendrik Steenge, Robert Jan Bakker, Klaas Rollema, Lana Martiene Coenradie.

GREAT BAY:--- The Head of the Office of the Dutch Representation in Philipsburg Lars Walrave, on Friday met with President of Parliament Drs. Gracita Arrindell.

Besides expressing congratulations on behalf of the Dutch Government, according to Arrindell, Walrave also expressed his assistance to the parliament. He was given an update on the state of affairs regarding the islands legislative body, parliament.

"Some of the issues that we discussed were the current status of the parliament building, voting bureau, incoming new members of parliament and the position of vice president of parliament. The meeting was of an informative nature," President of Parliament Arrindell told the Government Information Service (GIS).

Cole Bay:--- Dignitaries such as Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams, Deputy Prime Minister Theo Heyliger, President of Parliament Gracita Arrindell, formers Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards and his wife Angela and former Lt. Governor Denis Richardson were among the invited guest to witness the official opening of the Princess Club and Gym on Saturday evening. Prime Minister Wescot Williams did the official cutting of the ribbon just after her short speech. Wescot Williams said is amazed to see what Cathy Oscan has to done with the remodelling. Wescot Williams said she was a visitor of the gym and salon in the past and only those who knew what the facility looked like can appreciate what it is today.
Wescot Williams said if more people join the centre it will be more affordable to maintain. She said she is calling on government to pool their resources together and join the centre since health and fitness goes together. Cathy Oscan told the gathering that the fitness centre is not about the quantity but the quality of services that would be offered at the Princess Country Club.

Sucker Garden:--- Scores of friends and co-workers gathered at the Royal Funeral Home on Monday to pay their last respects to Radford Seaford aka Skinny who was murdered a week ago by his lover. Among them was his sister Kimelia Austin who arrived on the island just days ago to take her brother's corpse to his native country where he will be laid to rest. Several friends and persons who knew Skinny in the Dutch Quarter wailed as they saw his body lying in a white casket. Some of them kept screaming that what happened to Skinny was not fair, "the children has lost their father, what will they do now?" were words coming from the female mourner.
Other neighbors who once lived at the Dolly's Apartment Building where Skinny was a caretaker spoke highly of him as being a man of compassion, one that went out of his way to make other people happy and most importantly a jovial person in their neighborhood.
His sister Kimelia described him a s sports man, one that loved to play marbles, cricket, table tennis, a great kite maker and flyer, yet he excelled in school and was part of the tactical unit of the Guyana Police Force prior to migrating to St. Maarten where he lived for the past 22 years. The body of the late Radford Seaford will be taken to Guyana on Wednesday for the funeral services thereafter.

Great Bay:--- The island's leading restaurants and chefs are signing up to set the Boardwalk aflame with their "taastys" offerings when Flaavors of St. Maarten Food and Wine Festival hits the Boardwalk in its final day Sunday, November 14, 2010. Dubbed Sunday Flaavors Fest, the event will gather more than 30 local restaurants under a giant tent on the Boardwalk from 12 noon until 5:00pm, who will be offering bite-size samples of their food to the public.

"Flaavors of St. Maarten Food and Wine Festival is an innovative concept that will back up our claim as the 'Culinary Capital of the Caribbean'," says the island's first Minister of Tourism, Frankie Meyers. "The event on the Boardwalk is the highlight of this festival which is the initiative of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau," the minister revealed. "As such, it is important for all those involved in the food business to take full advantage of it to promote their establishments."

The organizers offer to purchase up to $200 in food ingredients from Merchants Market for registered participants to use in the preparation of the signature food they will be showcasing at Flaavor Fest.
In addition, they will be provided free of cost with a booth, a table size 8' x 24", electricity and ice. They will even receive free paper plates and napkins for food sampling.
"This is a good opportunity for our food specialists to come together under one roof – so to speak – to offer samplings of their specialties to the public in a relaxed and festive atmosphere," noted Director of Tourism Regina LaBega.
Registration forms for the Sunday Flaavors Fest can be obtained at Merchants Market as well as the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau. Registration is free. Some of the restaurants that have already registered for the event include Taloula Mango, Johnny B Under the Tree, Plantation, Barefoot, Bamboo Bernies, Oyster Bay Beach Resort, Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino, Ocean Terrace at Holland House hotel and others.
Tickets for the event are available at $45 per person at the two locations of Van Dorp bookstores and at the Mailbox in Simpson Bay.
Following is the Schedule of Events for Flaavors of St. Maarten which can be accessed via: http://www.flaavors.com/events.html.
• Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010 - The Grand Champagne Tasting with Iron Chef Contestant Marc Forgione at Porto Cupecoy, 7 pm. Tickets: $150 per person.
• Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010 - The Oakville Ranch Winemaker Dinner with Chefs Wayne Nish, Doug Psaltis and Dino Jagtiani at Temptations Restaurant, 7:30 pm. Tickets: $150 per person.
• Friday, Nov. 12, 2010 - The St. Maarten Celebration Dinner & Benefit Auction at the Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, 7 pm. Ticket: $150 per person. Auction proceeds will benefit the St. Maarten National Culinary Team.
• Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010 - Celebrity Chef Cooking Demonstrations by Chef Wayne Nish at Sonesta Maho Beach Resort & Casino, 10 am, and chef Ken Frank at the Westin St. Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, 10 am. Tickets are $40 per person for each event.
• Saturday Nov. 13, 2010 - "Napa Valley Rocks" conducted wine tasting by the Napa Valley Vinters Association, 12 pm. Tickets are $50 per person. Participating wineries: Flying Horse Winery, Grgich Hills Winery, The Hess Collection, Jones Family Vineyards, Luna Vineywards, The Miner Family Vineyards, Oakville Ranch Vineyards and Peju Vineyards. Participating panelists: Dan Bailey, The Jones Family Vienyards; Paula Kornell, Oakville Ranch Vineyards; and Michael Davis, Hart Davis Hart Wine Company.
• Saturday Nov. 13, 2010 - The Luna Vineyards Winemaker dinner with Chef Ken Frank at Aura Restaurant, 7:30 pm. tickets: $150 per person
• Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010 - St. Maarten Flaavors Festival (Phillipsburg Beachfront and Boardwalk), 12 pm - 5 pm. Tickets: $45 per person. Participation by 40 of the top restaurants and wine distributors in St. Maarten as well as the Napa Valley Vintners Association, among others.

Philipsburg:--- Police received several phone calls on Wednesday informing them that a man was being robbed in the Dawn Beach area. Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said that a man identified as J.A. told police that he was the victim of an armed robbery which took place in the Dawn Beach area by two unknown men.
The victim said while driving in his rental car with license late R-155 in Dawn Beach after leaving West Inn hotel he was suddenly blocked by a white car with very dark tinted windows. At that same moment two men jumped out of the white car. One of the men was armed with a shotgun while the other had a machete in his hands. The victim said he was attacked, taken out of his car and threatened by the two suspects. He was forced to hand over an envelope containing cash and some cheques. After being robbed by the culprits he was forced in the trunk of his car. The victim further stated that the calls to the police station were done from the trunk of his car. Police patrols were sent to the area to investigate the case and located the car shortly after and then freed the victim from the trunk of the car. The Special Robbery Unit was immediately informed and investigation into this case is ongoing.

La Savane:--- SMN News has been reliably informed that the two public ambulances operating out of the fire station in La Savane are in deplorable condition. Sources close to the Pompier de St Martin told SMN News that the fire men and rescue workers are working under severe stress and a complex situation since both the ambulances are not in proper working condition.
The source said there are times when both the public ambulances are down and rescue workers would have to go to crime scenes and homes with fire trucks to induce emergency care then they would be forced to call a private ambulance to transport the patients to the hospital. "Fire trucks do not have materials and equipments for emergency care and such people in need of assistance either die on the spot or on their way to the hospital for the lack of emergency care. Another hazard for these emergency workers is that they are forced to drive a vehicle that is not in proper working condition. The shocks and cross-member on the ambulance are not good yet the vehicle has to be driven at high speed."

The source said the first ambulance is almost un-repairable while the second ambulance cannot even take 50% of its capacity. It is further understood that the head of the fire service Cleo Gumbs told his workers that two new ambulances were arriving on the island late August to early September but to date they have not seen or heard anything about the new vehicles. "Right now we do not think the Prefet or those at the Collectivity know what is happening regarding the ambulances and the risks that are facing the French side. "Government and the State are obligated to provide emergency care to anyone in need in the territory and people who do not get the necessary care can take these people to court and win." The source further explained that providing emergency care is one of the most basic things for any civilized nation but that seems to be impossible on the French St Martin.
On Thursday SMN News camera lens managed to capture a photograph of one of the ambulances under the shed on a jack. It is clear that the ambulance is not working and repair work is being conducted on the vehicle.
Several efforts made to reach the head of the fire station Cleo Gumbs on Thursday proved futile as we were told that Mr. Gumbs was not in office. This is not the first time SMN News has tried to contact Gumbs to no avail. Many times we are told he is in Guadeloupe.

Philipsburg:--- The police and detective department is asking persons who witnessed the brutal killing of the young man who was murdered on Wednesday night to come forward with the information so they can solve the case.

The police said on Wednesday evening several police patrols responded to the Churchill round-about where the body of an unknown man was on the street. Police later identified the victim to be Woodson Lazarre.
The victim it is believed was shot while he was lying on his back. Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said it appeared as though the victim was abducted from somewhere in the vicinity of the Jose Lake Sr. ballpark.

Oyster Pond:--- Relatives and friends of the late David Eustace Priest proprietor of the Casa Blanca Exotic Club are still mourning their lost. While Saturday October 2nd will remain a day the relatives of Eustace Priest will never forget, not knowing who killed their loved one is more painful and worrisome said a relative of the late Priest.
"This could happen to anyone of us and the killer is walking free out there. It appears to us that this case has been placed in the cold files. What we heard is that there are 25 detectives working on one case while the investigation into the other murders slowed down." The relative continued.
David Eustace Priest was shot to death on October 2nd 2009 just around 2pm said close relatives. "David was leaving Casa Blanca to go meet his lawyers when he was brutally murdered in his van."
Police was sure they got the killer when they arrested a well known convict from the French side but this person refused to cooperate with police even though convicted on previous crimes. The case of Eustace Priest is yet to go before the courts.
In an invited comment press prosecutor Rienk Mud said the detective department is short staffed and the detectives are working overtime on these cases. The press prosecutor also said that people who saw what happen the day Eustace Priest was murdered should come forward. "The detectives are doing their very best but they are not able to do it alone." Mud said.
The press prosecutor further explained that the TGO team has taken up 25 detectives which indeed slowed down the other investigations. "I can assure you that even though the detectives and prosecutor's office have a lot on their hands, they are not neglecting any of these cases."

Philipsburg:--- Police officers, the public prosecutors, acting Lt. Governors and leader of Government were among some of the dignitaries who attended the church service at the Roman Catholic Church on Front Street on Friday in celebration of the 61st anniversary of the police force of the Netherlands Antilles.
Officers of the law sang several choruses before the actual sermon took place. Also singing was police choir and the choir of the St. Joseph School.
The chief of police who took up office on St. Maarten last June told the gathering that while the police forces of KPNA and KPSSS share special cooperation within a few days these organizations would dissolve and become independent organizations of their future country. De Witte said when he took office he immediately began working on the plan for the future organization however, crime did not stop they still had to deal with three murders and other violent incidents all of which led to public outrage. He said because of police reinforcements and cooperation with the French side crime has decreased as many criminals were caught and placed behind bars.
The new police chief said in just a matter of days the organization will have to build an independent police organization and this can only be possible with professionalism, leadership, integrity, service-mindedness, result orientation, and accountability.
Acting Lt. Governor and Chief of Police Reynold Groeneveldt said that he is thankful for the services of the police and especially the men and women who work endless hours to keep the community safe.
Groneveldt said the work of the police is not an easy task they are called to do many things some of which requires specific social skills. The police on St. Maarten, he said are called to deal with all sorts of people who come from different places speaking various languages and have different cultural backgrounds. The police also have to deal with the homeless, and the helpless and to make sure everyone is safe, secure and satisfied therefore it is fitting to thank the men and women in blue that have an enormous task ahead of them.
The service concluded with a recommitment and dedication prayer.After the official ceremony, a parade was organized through Front and Back Street.
The 61st anniversary the last ceremony under the umbrella of the Netherlands Antilles concluded with lunch in front of the police station and a symbolic washing of one of the police cars with the hose from one of the fire trucks marking the end of the KPNA and the KPSSS.

Dawn Beach:--- A fatal accident on Tamarind Hill and Defiance Road has claimed the life of a Learning Unlimited School Teacher. SMN News has confirmed that teacher Brigitte Van der Waals better known as Miss Brigitte succumbed to her injuries on her way to the St. Maarten Medical Center. Press Prosecutor Rienk Mud confirmed that the victim who was the driver of her car was going up Tamarind Hill when she lost control of her vehicle and bumped into a wall. Mud said the teacher's death has been determined to be an accident since no other vehicle was involved.
SMN News also learnt that a passenger a young female was also in the vehicle but she escaped uninjured.

Philipsburg:--- Minister of Home and Constitutional Affairs Roland Duncan decided to put all rumors to rest when he gave an on the record comment to SMN News on Sunday about the possibility of him being the Minister of Justice under the United People's Party and Democratic Party coalition.
Duncan said he was approached by the UP party and while he was offered the position to serve as Minister of Justice he has not taken a final decision as yet. "I may take a decision ten minutes from now and I can tell you that I am considering the proposal favorably as I have always said I will serve my country to the best of my ability. However, I have one more week to serve in the Council of Ministers of the Netherlands Antilles and I would like to complete my job." Minister Duncan said on Sunday.
Duncan said he was not elected as a parliamentarian during the September 17th election and as such he has not jumped ship as is rumored on the island. "I do not have a parliamentary seat to discuss or negotiate and the positions of Minister, Advisor and Ambassadors are all appointed positions at the discretion of the government. Those that contacted me did so because they know that I am competent to hold the position they offered me."
SMN News also learnt that a part of the deal to support the UP/ DP government is that Duncan will be the shareholder representative for WINAIR, now that the new government of St. Maarten would be accepting St. Maarten's shares in WINAIR.
Asked if he already notified the party on which he ran. Duncan said he did not take a final decision and when an agreement is reached then he will do the honorable thing by notifying the board of the National Alliance.
Roland Duncan was appointed to serve St. Maarten by the National Alliance in the year 2006 as Minister of Home and Constitutional Affairs he served until 2010. He was re-appointed in January 2010 by the National Alliance after they won all three seats in Parliament.
SMN News has learnt that Minister of Telecommunication Patrick Illidge has also met with the United Peoples Party on Friday evening and has reached an agreement to support the UP/DP coalition. Sources say that Illidge will be going independent in parliament and he has reached an agreement with the UP leader to support them in parliament, which would leave the National Alliance with six seats.
SMN News tried contacting Illidge on several occasions on Sunday for a comment on the meeting and to confirm if he in fact jumped ship but Minister Illidge did not answer his telephone. In an invited comment Duncan said Minister Illidge is a good friend of his and someone he respects very much and whatever decision the Minister takes he will support him fully. SMN News further understands that National Alliance Ministers Patrick Illidge and Roland Duncan are working closely to support the UP/ DP government since Illidge is one of the seven candidates on the National Alliance slate that was elected to Parliament.
In an invited comment UP leader Theodore Heyliger confirmed that the United Peoples party and Patrick Illidge has signed an agreement to work in the best interest of St. Maarten. Heyliger did not release the contents of the agreement that was signed.
Below is a copy of the agreement between the United Party Leader Theo Heyliger and Patrick Illidge which was signed on Sunday October 3rd 2010.

Cay Hill:--- A native of St. Kitts is in the intensive care unit of the St. Maarten Medical Center after he was shot during an armed robbery on Friday evening at the Cuchara Alegre Bar on Cannegitter Street. Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson in a press release said police patrols and detectives responded to the scene about 10:30 am on Friday morning. According to the victims on the scene, while they were in the bar two unknown men with dark complexion entered the establishment armed with handguns, threatening everyone and demanded their monies and other valuables.
Police Spokesman Henson said that one of the patrons identified as E.J a licensed firearm carrier shot one of the suspects as one of the robbers snatched his gold chain during the robbery. The police spokesman said the suspect identified as C.D was dropped off next to the St. Maarten Medical Center. He was spotted by the security guards who assisted him to the hospital where an emergency surgery was performed to remove the bullet from his stomach.

GREAT BAY:--- The Department of Disaster Management is advising motorists to stay off the road network or only drive is necessary and when driving to exercise caution due to flooding of streets, roads and low lying areas.
Persons residing on hill sides and those driving along hill sides are advised to drive with caution and be alert for possible rock falls. This is due to the saturated soil.
According to the Monday 5.00pm Meteorological Service of the Netherlands Antilles & Aruba weather advisory, heavy rainfall is expected to continue. Showers will be widely scattered along with an isolated thunderstorm. Heavy showers may be accompanied with high wind gusts.
Current weather conditions are due to the passing of a Tropical Wave with an area of low pressure. The system is moving through the island chain very slowly.

Philipsburg:--- At the Round Table Conference held in March 1983 in The Hague, the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles and the individual Island Territories of the Netherlands Antilles acknowledged the right to self determination of each island of the Netherlands Antilles.
On October 30th 1998 the Island Council of the Island Territory Sint Maarten adopted a motion, resolving to among other things invoke the right to self determination and consult the people of Sint Maarten on the constitutional future of Sint Maarten. The subsequent referendum held on Friday, June 23rd 2000 offered 4 options; Sint Maarten becoming a country within the kingdom of the Netherlands won. As a consequence of this referendum, a framework was put in place to execute the wish of the people. The framework included a new Constitution for the Country Sint Maarten, which come 10-10-10 will go into effect.

How did we get here?

It was not until 1922 that the Constitution provided the Dutch kingdom to encompass not only the European territory, but also Indonesia, Suriname and Curaçao (read: Curaçao and its dependencies), giving the pertinent institutions in these territories limited powers to regulate their internal affairs. This in accordance with the contemporary views at the time, that Holland had an obligation towards her people stationed in the overseas territories.
The events of World War II prompted Queen Wilhelmina on December 7th 1942 to announce a kingdom conference to discuss new relationships within the kingdom. After the war Indonesia ("Nederlands-Indië") was however no longer interested to be part of a new order within the kingdom. The protocol subsequently signed between the United States of Indonesia and the Dutch kingdom, which then constituted of the Netherlands, Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles, was notwithstanding protest from Holland unilaterally dissolved by Indonesia even before the new order within the kingdom was officially established in December 1954. The Caribbean territories however preferred to continue ties within the kingdom, with greater autonomy and equal rights ( Dutch: "gelijkgerechtigdheid") within the realm. As such two Interim Regulations (1949: Suriname; 1950: Netherlands Antilles) were enacted, as a prelude to the "Statuut", the kingdom Charter. Suriname insisted that the right of self-determination was included in the Charter, which became an instrument of higher order than the then existing Constitution for the kingdom. A new era was born, without severing cultural and economic ties within the kingdom. The contrary, cultural and economic ties were somewhat intensified through development aid and economic preferences among the kingdom partners. As such Suriname and the Antilles were incorporated in various treaties between the European Community and other countries. According to the motherland, the Netherlands, the enactment of the kingdom Charter signified the end of the colonial period.
Question in an earlier articles series written by the undersigned, and published in 2004, was: Are we in the Caribbean part of the kingdom after fifty years of the Charter prepared and ready to accept full responsibility for our actions and institutions as provided for by article 43 of the Charter, i.e. taking care of, and guaranteeing fundamental human rights and freedoms, legal security and good governance?
The answer is clear, hence the choice of a separate status within the kingdom by Sint Maarten and Curaçao. Failure to take decisive actions in the Caribbean part of the kingdom often resulted in the European partner taking the decisions, not necessary from a Caribbean perspective. Our cultural tradition of being oral societies, lack of trust and confidence in our own, combined with a culture of political patronage -perceived or real- should not be underestimated as sources of obstacle to take charge of our own affairs. These are issues that are in general rather ignored than faced, and as such difficult to overcome as a nation.
The combined Workgroup Financial and Administrative Relations within the Netherlands Antilles installed by the governments of the Netherlands Antilles, the island territories and the Netherlands, chaired by Mr. E.A.V."Papi" Jessurun, had its work cut out after the Referendum. The introduction to the first Interim report drafted by the Workgroup, dated July 1st 2004, was -like most of the many reports written regarding restructuring, and or new relations within the Netherlands Antilles, and or kingdom- very promising. The report entitled "Geef sturing aan veranderingen, voordat veranderingen jou sturen" (Give direction to changes, before changes direct you) outlined the preliminary findings during the evaluation stage and points of departure. All islands were given an extensive questionnaire for self-assessment, included in the interim report. An inventory and analysis was made of all reform procedures of the past. Government models applied in foreign territories, mainly the United Kingdom, were also researched. Good governance as the key to an effective approach to the big problems that the islands and the Netherlands Antilles are facing, as well as for long term economic and social development, was the overall conclusion in the report.
From slavery to the kingdom Charter, the Maydays of 1969 and the "Friendly Anger" on Sint Maarten in1974; from born there to born here's, nationality and citizenship; from colony to overseas territory; from "Curaçao and its dependencies" to the Netherlands Antilles, being a partner in the Kingdom of the Netherlands; and now, come 10-10-10 the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles!
"The people" of Sint Maarten –after a failed attempt to restructure the Netherlands Antilles in the nineties- has voted to obtain a status as an autonomous partner in the kingdom. "The people" chose to maintain ties with its European heritage. Self-reliance though with the will to support one another as partners in the kingdom, the foundation on which the new order was established on December 15, 1954 still applies. "The people" of Sint Maarten will continue to have the right of self-determination, until according to international constitutional law it has exhausted this right.
In previous essays I argued, that the paper work alone will not bring about the results we hope for with the new status. Building a nation is not just socially right; it is a matter of strategy and economic survival. 10-10-10 is here; Did we do so during the past ten years? In the constitution of the UNESCO is written: "Since war begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed ". It therefore has to start with reconditioning our minds. Did we invest our energy to develop positive thinking to overcome our differences, and focus on our common goals?
If country within the Dutch Kingdom is an interim stage, which will ultimately lead us to becoming an independent state as many of us proclaim is the ultimate desire, then building a nation is a must in preparation for statehood. To execute the rights and duties assigned to a state, we need to have and use our manpower, and prepare our human resources to assume the responsibilities assigned to, and required of a state.
As many of our recently elected councilmen and -ladies, soon to be the first Members of Parliament of country Sint Maarten, stated, and I would like to single out Dr. Loyd Richardson, a professional, who made his entry on the political stage: We have the human resources, let us make use of them, rather than alienating them. We have to consider our human resources to be our natural resource. Through collaboration we can create and promote a strong nation. We need to create a sense of belonging for each one of the citizens living on the island. Sharing and combining our strengths in all sectors of our community from one group to another is a means to promote common welfare. I believe that we should get ready to reach the stage to build that strong nation where fraternity, sharing our strengths, our know-how, our experiences, and our expertise become our way of life.
I wish one and all nothing but the best and prosperity come 10-10-10 and beyond!

GREAT BAY:--- The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) met this morning and after a review of the current situation on the island, all citizens are requested including employees of businesses to be off the roadways and indoors by 3.00pm until further notice.
Workers of essential services such as the Hospital can proceed to work after 3.00pm. Businesses and other entities that don't necessarily have to be open and don't provide essential services are advised to follow the advice given above such as being indoors and off the public road by 3.00pm. This measure has been taken in the interest of public safety and if persons venture out it will be at their own risks. Police will be out on patrol and persons will be stopped and advised to go home. This is a precautionary measure due to current weather conditions.
Businesses are requested to allow their employees to go home as of 1.00pm, today, Thursday. Everyone should be indoors and off the roadways by 3.00 pm today.
Only essential government and emergency services are allowed to move around after 3.00pm.
Periods of heavy rainfall will continue through Friday and may cause street and urban area flooding according to the Netherlands Antilles/Aruba Meteorological Service report of 5.00am Thursday morning.
Authorities are out on the road monitoring the situation and will take the appropriate actions on the spot where road closures are concerned should it be necessary.
There will be periods of isolated thunderstorms with gusty winds to even gale force.
Avoid low lying areas which can be easily flooded. If driving along hill sides drive with caution because of possible rock falls due to the saturated soil. Additional information will be released as warranted.

Philipsburg:--- In connection with the upcoming 10-10-10 celebration and ceremonies the Police Department is making the following announcement to the general public.
Front Street between Sea Palace Hotel and Diamond Casino will be closed off to all motorized traffic as of Saturday October 9th 2010 from 04.00 p.m. until Sunday October 10th 2010 at 03.00 a.m.

The closing off of Front Street is a precautionary measure taken to insure the safety of all persons attending the activities taking place in Front street and Board walk areas during those hours mentioned.

Normal business and government activities on Friday.

GREAT BAY– A number of Emergency Support Function (ESF) agencies have been very busy Thursday afternoon dealing with disaster operations which conducted the evacuation of six senior citizens from the emergency houses in Foga (Arch Road).

The six persons were evacuated by the Red Cross with the assistance of ESF-7 Sector Welfare and moved to the Rupert Maynard Center in St. Peters. The Red Cross has supplied sleeping cots and blankets.

After a review of conditions on the island, EOC officials are confident that normal business operations and government activities can resume as of Friday morning. Those commuting and have to pass adjacent areas near the Salt Pond should bare in mind that certain areas are covered by water, so persons leaving for work should take this into consideration and leave earlier than plan and drive with caution.

ESF-5 Police, ESF-3 Public Works and ESF-4 Fire Department were busy taking measures that fall under their respective responsibilities.

After a preliminary assessment, water levels in the Fresh Water Pond and adjacent areas have gone down a bit, however the water level in the Salt Pond is still high and although the water pumps are operating around the clock, it will take some time before the water level goes down.

This is due to the saturated hillsides where runoff water instead of soaking into the ground is running into the Salt and Fresh Water Ponds.

Philipsburg, especially areas adjacent to the Salt Pond and Pond Island remain high points of interest and the situation will be closely monitored.

Other areas of interest are parts of the Pondfill Road, Suckergarden Road and the Arch Road. The section of the Pondfill Road between the old Van Dorp and the Prins Bernhard Bridge will remain closed on Friday due to the high water.

Authorities are pleased that the advice to stay off the roadways and remain indoors has been adhered too. This allowed emergency agencies to move around unhindered and at the same time there was no accidents or persons getting hurt, due to the precautionary advice given.

Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Chairman Acting Lt. Governor Reynold Groeneveldt would like to thank and congratulate the general public for following the advice issued earlier on Thursday.

Groeneveldt would also like to commend the ESFs who diligently worked to manage a serious and potential dangerous situation of flooding caused by several days of continuous rainfall.

Philipsburg:--- "I am not going anywhere and I did not give up my seat in Parliament to go to work in the embassy in the Dominican Republic. I am in politics because I want to work and serve my people, are some of the words the number eight candidate of the United Peoples Party Johan Janchi Leonard said on Friday as he reacted to an article published on SMN News which stated that Leonard is expected to go to the Dominican Republic as St. Maarten's representative.

Leonard said while there are rumors saying he is the one appointed to take up an appointed position in the Dominican Republic Dutch embassy no one from the United Peoples Party approached him to discuss the matter. Leonard also said that the persons who will be representing St. Maarten in the different embassies will not be an ambassador as some people perceive it to be. He said the ambassador is appointed by the State and the new country representatives are going to be employees at these embassies. "Do you really think that I am going to give up my seat in parliament to take up a position somewhere else where I have no power?" Leonard asked.
Leonard said he is the next person in line to become a senator and he has no intention to step aside since his desires are to serve the people of his island and not the citizens of any other country.

SMN News has been reliably informed that the leader of the UP as well as it board members suggested that Leonard should take up the position in the Dominican Republic because Leonard is fluent in Dutch and Spanish and most importantly he has a vast amount of knowledge on immigration procedures. Other sources say the UP insiders are trying to get Leonard out of the way since he is the next person in line to take up one of the seats in parliament the minute any of the six candidates become Ministers. However, there are those who prefer Jesus Richardson who is right after Leonard to get the seat in parliament over Leonard.

Raphael Christian, campaign manager for Johan Janchi Leonard told SMN News that Leonard did not receive the support he was expecting from the UP and others that were closely aligned to the party. "Janchi is a generous man and there are people who he assisted and supported enormously and they did not support him in the election." Christian said Leonard is accustomed of getting close to 400 hundred votes and he was expecting over 1000 persons to have supported him but that did not happen. Furthermore, Leonard campaigned and ran in this election because he wanted to become the next Minister of Justice but according to Christian God's Glory and majesty tends to suffer when someone is clean and straight. "A person that is clean and cannot be bought will never become the Minister of Justice in St. Maarten politics." Christian concluded.

GREAT BAY:--- The Collective Preventive Services (CPS) is promoting Oral Hygiene Month amongst students. On Tuesday representatives from CPS visited the Montessori School in Cole Bay, the first educational institution to participate in the activity.
The age group three to eight years old received information on oral hygiene which was done in the form of a video presentation. Students of Montessori were also asked to participate in preparing a poster and an art gallery.
Montessori School students will have to work along with their teachers on a special classroom project related to Oral Hygiene.
The World Health Organization (WHO) goal is to build healthy populations and communities and to combat ill health and therefore the organization has a Oral Health Programme.
During the commemoration of Oral Hygiene Month, a presentation will also take place at the Belvedere Community Center for kids attending the After School Program.
Students will learn how to take care of their teeth, and which healthy snacks to consume, how to protect their teeth and how to brush their teeth.
During the school year 2009/2010, the Youth Dental Care Program within Youth Health Care visited the schools Ruby Labega, Prins Willem Alexander, the Oranje School, Martin Luther King, and the Charles Leopold Bell School to share information on the dental program with principals and parents/guardians.
During this period the information on maintaining a healthy smile was shared with the students of these schools.
Dental decay (cavities) is the most common chronic disease of childhood, affecting 50 per cent of children by middle childhood and nearly 70 per cent by late adolescence.
Chronic gingivitis is also common among children. The mildest form of periodontal disease, gingivitis is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene which leads to plaque build-up.
The best way to ensure that your child does not get cavities or periodontal disease is to instil proper oral habits early. Good oral hygiene routines should be established as early as infancy and continued throughout life.

Philipsburg:--- The Mental Health Foundation (MHF) is joining the UN and the rest of the world in observing Mental Health Month.

The theme for the year is "Mental Health in primary care: Enhancing treatment and promoting Mental Health", which the World Health Organization (WHO) describes as a day to "promote more open discussion of mental disorders, and investment in prevention and treatment services. The treatment gap for mental, neurological and substance use disorders is formidable especially in poor resource countries"

"450 million people world-wide, currently suffering from mental or neurological illnesses, are being failed by their communities, many of which have no mental health policies in place" announced WHO almost a decade earlier.

For this reason, MHF joins with the rest of the world in promoting Mental Health in Primary Care while still providing Secondary care to patients and families who need it most.

MHF has 5 Care Products from which the Foundation is able to execute mental health care in its utmost capacity.

Psychiatric Care product involves Psychiatric evaluation and consultation, which requires general practitioner referrals. At the moment the Foundation operates with visiting Psychiatrists who are able to prescribe treatment when onsite. When not on the island MHF has an on call physician for emergencies or a crisis.

When a crisis occurs MHF has its Crisis intervention product, which services individuals at their home or other location when deemed necessary. Other than stabilizing patients, the foundation provides psycho education to family and friends through the help of their equipped nurses and psychologist.

The Faraja Center, which is situated on the premises of MHF, operates as a haven for clients with many different situations. Their day is filled with planned activities, discussions and followed by a hot meal. They interact with each other, their mentors and Psych aids that provide encouragement and support.

For those who are not able to leave their home, the Psychiatric Home Health Care (Ambulant care) delivers the same care to homebound patients as well as those who are homeless.

The Information and Prevention product provides information concerning the Foundation and its care products to the community at large. Conducting workshops, school presentations and Public awareness activities.

During the month of October The Mental Health Foundation would like to make its existence and services known and admonishes Sint Maarten to reflect on the issue of Mental Health and its importance.

Philipsburg:--- Police apprehended a man identified with initials S.S from St. Maarten as a suspect in a number of armed robberies. Police spokesman Ricardo Henson said the suspect was spotted on Sucker Garden and Arch road on Monday October 11 with three other persons in a vehicle. S.S. Henson said is wanted for a number of armed robberies and a warrant was out for his arrest. Police also arrested three other persons who were in the vehicle with S.S because police found a large plastic bag containing marijuana. The other suspects have been identified as G.J., R.M. and G.D and they are from Curacao.

...

Philipsburg:--- The chairlady of the parliament of St. Maarten Gracita Arrindell and her assistant general secretary Frank Hanse is busy preparing for the second parliamentary meeting which is scheduled to be held in the week of October 25th 2010. Arrindell told reporters on Thursday that while the entire process is new to St. Maarten they are doing their very best to make sure the state of affairs and parliament are secure.

To listen to the interview, select the audio from the list below:

The chairlady said government is expecting to have their location ready by October 25th where the second meeting will be held. She said while the intention was for them to get the building on the night of October 9th the preparations were delayed due the passing of hurricane Earl and the rain from tropical depression Otto.
On the agenda for the second meeting are, the validation of the credentials of the incoming members of parliament, to approve the rules of order, and to establish the committees for the different ministries in parliament. The members of parliament will also be preparing that which is necessary for proper functioning of the parliament of country St. Maarten.
Arrindell said so far the parliament of St. Maarten does not have the required amount of staff and the members of parliament is currently located at the old parliament building will be reviewing applications from persons who applied for certain positions.
The chairlady made clear that parliament will be using a speedy procedure to hire persons to occupy key positions since these positions must be filled for her to carry out her duties. Arrindell said a decision was taken on Wednesday to appoint some interim staff members so that she can function and to move the people's business forward.

Philipsburg:--- Proprietor of Bobby's Marina Bobby Velasquez confirmed that a court case he initiated against the government of St. Maarten will be heard on Friday. Velasquez said he started this court case some two years ago but government has been asking for postponement each time and they have refused to respond to the letters his lawyers sent them. However, the lawyers representing the government of St. Maarten have already indicated to the lawyers representing Bobby's Marina that they want another postponement.

To listen to the interview, select the audio from the list below:

Velasquez said he bought a property belonging to Risdon some two years ago for 1.1million dollars. The former proprietors he said sold him their long lease rights which was Naf.0.85 per square meter. "The judge already ruled that the island government has to honor the long lease for said property. When I bought that property I built exactly what was on the property which was a gas station, a warehouse and an office space. To my surprise when government billed me they charged me Naf.10.00 per square meter and the property I bought is 1900 square meters. I received a bill for Naf 20.000" Velasquez explained.
The CEO of Bobby's Marina further explained that he did not lease any land from government, instead the owners of Risdon sold him their sixty (60-years) long lease rights. He said when he received his first bill he went to see the former head of ROB Joseph Dollison who said what was done was not right. Velasquez further explained that he is of the opinion that the head of Domain Affairs Marieke Van Zadelhof took it on her own to bill him that way simply because he believes she is involved in politics. The CEO said it appears that someone was trying to be mischievous when they billed him ridicously.
Velasquez further explained that his neighbors bought properties from the same owners and they have added on to their property but they are paying far less than him. Asked if he knew how much his neighbors are paying, the businessman said he did not have the figure but he is sure that they are paying less. He further explained that if government increased the fees to their long lease then it is understandable because the new owners added more buildings on the property.
Velasquez also responded to the comments that are on SMN News alleging that he owned the properties by the Red Cross in Simpson Bay. "The property where the marina is located belongs to the Red Cross I am paying them a rent of $3000 per month. The Red Cross needed monies to keep them afloat. Furthermore the property next to Duedeck I bought it for half of a million dollars ($500.000). I am also of the opinion that government will look to increase the long lease for that property also."
Velasquez also addressed some of the comments on SMN News regarding his detention and alleged rape or inappropriate touching of a minor that was related to him. The businessman made clear that he was detained for questioning and has never been indicted or convicted. He said people need to allow the judicial process to take its course and not mix apples with oranges when it comes to him or the businesses he owns. Velasquez said he was treated like everyone else when the case was being investigated meaning he spent the maximum amount of time behind bars as the prosecutor and police conduct their investigations.

Philipsburg:--- The Police traffic department have reported to be investigating several traffic accidents which took place between Friday October 15th and Sunday October 17th. One accident took place on Friday at approximately 01.25 a.m. in where the driver of P-478 lost control of the vehicle due to the wet road conditions at the time.
The car struck the guard rail and headed back to the other side of the road and then overturned ending up on the side. The driver came out of the car on her own however had several bruises to her body. She was treated by paramedics and then taken to the St Maarten Medical Center for further treatment.

On Saturday evening at approximately 09.15 p.m. on the W. J. A. Nisbet road another accident occurred involving two cars, M-8895 and the M-5937. The M-8895 reversed from the parking lot of Souvenirs Gift Shop not paying sufficient attention to the traffic on the road causing a collision with the M-5937. Both vehicles received extensive damage and both drivers sustained injuries from the accidents having to be treated on the scene by paramedics and then transported to the St Maarten Medical center for further treatment. The driver of the M-5937 remained for observation.

Dutch Quarter:--- A Jamaican national and security officer identified as Sandra Hall of the Sherriff Security is now in police custody for the brutal murder of her Guyanese lover identified as Radford Alexander Seaford(45) better known as Skinny. Seaford is a Dutch citizen and has been residing on the island for a number of years.
The brutal killing took place early Monday morning neighbours of Seaford told SMN News. According to Angela Paul, the landlady of the late Seaford, the 45- year old man was always peaceful and jovial. "Skinny was no trouble to anyone, he lived here for years and we never had problems with him. We did not even know he was killed until the police and the doctor arrived here last night. As for the woman I don't know her, the first time I saw her was when the police brought her down to go with her." Other neighbours who lived close by said they did not hear any arguments or fighting. "We don't know the woman it's only about a week now she moved in with him. Skinny was hardworking and very jovial person," another neighbour said.
SMN News learnt that Hall stabbed Seaford at least three times, before calling her boss at the Sherriff Security to inform him of what she had done.
Prosecutor Rienk Mud confirmed that someone was stabbed to death and the killer had been arrested. However, the prosecutor said the two people had some problems in their relationship.
In a press release issued by the police department states that the police and detectives were directed to Christiansted Drive Dutch Quarter about 01:20 am for a stabbing incident, on the scene the patrols encountered the male victim identified as R.A.S better known as "Skinny" from Guyana who was lying on the ground and bleeding profusely from several stab wounds. Furthermore the victim was not showing any signs of life when police reached on the scene.
The suspect in this case, the lady with the initials S.M.H. from Jamaica and with whom the victim had a relationship was arrested on the spot. The suspect claimed that she had a very abusive relationship with the victim who would regularly beat her. She further stated that she was threatened by the victim with a knife at which time she also took up a knife and started swinging it in the direction of the victim fatally wounding him. The body of the victim has been confiscated for further investigation. The suspect is also in custody for further investigation.

Dutch Quarter:--- Relatives and friends of murder victim Radford Seaford better known as Skinny will be holding a candlelight vigil at the residence of the late Seaford.
Guyanese representative Diane Smith who is assisting the relatives said that the vigil will be held to honour Seaford a well known resident of Dutch Quarter. Friends of the deceased man can begin gathering at Christiansted Drive Dutch Quarter from 8pm on Saturday October 23 2010.
Radford Seaford better known as Skinny was stabbed to death by his Jamaican lover early Monday morning. The woman who has been identified as Sandra Hall is in police custody assisting them with the investigations. An autopsy was conducted on Seaford Wednesday and his body has been released for burial.

French Quarter:--- The body of a 19 year old young man was discovered in the Lamegeot French Quarter area on Wednesday afternoon. According to information reaching SMN News the relatives of the now dead lad reported him missing some days ago. SMN News learnt that the victim is known French Quarter community as "Yardie." Sources say when the body was found it was all wrapped up tied next to a pig pen. SMN News further learnt that the young man was living in his car and he had no fix place of abode. It is also reported that the gendarmes took possession of victim's car on Wednesday afternoon.
Commandant of the Gendarmerie Stephanne Brunet said the body was recovered sometime after midday and that the body has been confiscated to determine the exact cause of death. Brunet said they are not sure if the body that was recovered is that of the missing person since he has not yet been identified. However, the description of the victim matches that of the missing person. "Right now we are trying to determine the cause of death and to identify the victim." Brunet said.

GREAT BAY:--- Preparations for the offices of members of parliament, the parliament secretariat and the parliamentary chamber, are progressing, and the majority of the facilities in the new parliament building on Front Street should be ready by the end of October 25 week.

The first order of parliamentary business can then take place early November.

The first meeting of parliament is expected to handle the Rules of Order, credentials of three new members of parliament, the establishment of parliamentary committees on education, finance, justice among others.

The role of parliament will be to examine what the Government has been busy with, making new laws or adapting existing laws, and debates the issues of the day.

The Parliament of Sint Maarten has 15-members; six from the United Peoples (UP) party, six from the National Alliance (NA), two from the Democratic Party (DP), and one independent member namely Senator Patrick Illidge. President of Parliament is Gracita Arrindell.

Philipsburg:--- On Sunday, The International Coastal Cleanup came to end on St Maarten with the last beach cleanup held at the Point Blanche Beach.
77 Volunteers from the Seventh Day Adventist Adventurers youngsters, Educators, and Master Guides in training took to the beach and made an inventory of all pieces of trash found.
The group collected 25 bags of trash, 3 tires, and several pieces of metal.
The Seventh Day Adventist Church are annual volunteers during the International Coastal Cleanup period, with the Pathfinders participating a few weeks ago at the Belair Beach.
This year several beaches were cleaned and inventoried for the International Coastal Cleanup, those are:
Mullet Bay Beach with over 511 volunteers in attendance-others included
Cupecoy Beach, Simpson Bay Beach, Cole Bay Beach, Belair Beach, Guana Bay Beach and Point Blanche Beach.
The data of all trash will be summarized and the results sent on to the Ocean Conservancy to be added to the annual Ocean Conservancy report on marine debris.
The 2010 Ocean Conservancy report (with data from 2009) can be found online at www.oceanconservancy.org, the report titled: Trash Travels, From Our Hands to the Sea, Around the Globe, and Through Time.
The International Coastal Cleanup is starting a SEA Change in the way people think of a healthy planet, by cleaning up trash they are doing their part to clean the oceans. Two thirds of the Earth's surface is covered by Ocean. The Ocean is the engine that drives our climate and provides much of the food we eat, the oxygen we breathe, and home to 97 percent of all life.
Sint Maarten PRIDE foundation would like to extend gratitude to all volunteers who participated during the ICC period, and to the sponsors that provided us with the necessary clean up tools and trash removal.
A full report of all itemized pieces of trash collected at the beaches will be made available in the coming weeks.

Philipsburg:--- The driver's license section at the census office has been closed indefinitely. SMN News learnt that several persons who just recently passed their driving license examination and those persons applying for a renewal of their license are not able to get the required services to obtain a drivers license.
SMN News learnt that the section has been closed since the machine that is used to process the driver's license is not working. The source said the section is closed until further notice.
Efforts made to contact the secretary general for general affairs for Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams proved futile up to press time.

The Honorable Minister of Finance Mr. Hiro Shigemoto and delegation meeting with ICT representatives, to make proposals for a New Tax Inspectorate for Country St. Maarten.

GREAT BAY:--- President of Parliament Drs. Gracita Arrindell on Thursday afternoon met with the four factions represented in the Parliament of Sint Maarten in a briefing session to discuss a number of issues related to the aforementioned.

Representing the Democratic Party (DP) faction was Senator Leroy De Weever, National Alliance (NA) faction Senator George Pantophlet, United Peoples (UP) party faction Senator Romain LaVille, and Independent Member of Parliament Senator Patrick Illidge.

The four faction representatives along with the President of Parliament decided upon the first session of parliament which is set for Monday, November 8 at 9.00am.

Other parliamentary business that was discussed is: current status of the parliament building, incoming/outgoing correspondence, voting bureau and incoming new members of parliament, training of members of parliament, the 2011 budget, the parliamentary rules of order, members for the various parliamentary sub-committees, appointment of the Vice Chair person of parliament, logo contest for the emblem of parliament, and pending legislation of the former Netherlands Antilles.

The President of Parliament following the meeting with faction representatives was given a presentation related to a document management system for parliament.

"Parliaments the world over deal with a lot of paper, but since the invent of various technologies in information management, we are moving towards having an efficient and paperless system as much as possible while at the same time, creating processes that the public can retrieve information as expeditiously as possible in a simple manner," Arrindell explained.

President of Parliament Gracita Arrindell said that she would like to see the 2011 budget of country Sint Maarten handled as soon as possible.

"The first meeting with faction representatives went very well. Everybody is very enthusiastic and are ready to start working on the peoples business," President of Parliament Arrindell told the Government Information Service (GIS).

Certain pending legislation leftover from the Netherlands Antilles also needs to be handled, and these will be prioritized especially those with certain "international" deadlines related to treaties that fall under the scope of "international" law.

Also present for the meeting was interim Secretary General Frank Hanze.

The Parliament of Sint Maarten has 15-members; six from the United Peoples (UP) party, six from the National Alliance (NA), two from the Democratic Party (DP), and one independent member namely Senator Patrick Illidge.

Philipsburg:--- The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) is hoping to finally have its financials together before the start of the New Year. Newly elected President Stuart Johnson explained that the board has been devoting months and hours to regulating the foundation's financial situation.
Johnson, along with new treasurer Erno Labega, has been going over the figures and working closely with PricewaterhouseCoopers in order to finalize the audit of the foundation's books. Once PwC has all the necessary information and can finalize the process, the report will then go to government.
Government requires that the foundation submits audited reports before it can release almost Naf 300,000 it still has for the foundation. Johnson said once the foundation obtains the money from government, it can start paying entities for services rendered to the SCDF and award stakeholders their prizes.
"We are almost there," Johnson said. "We understand the frustration of people who are still waiting on us but the financial situation was not a rosy one and it is taking a lot of work to regulate. This new board will ensure that once this process is complete, financial discipline will be of vital importance to make sure that the SCDF never goes through a period like this again," he said.
As for other preparations for Carnival 2011, the board will release additional information this week. "Despite the primary focus on the financials, we have been getting a lot done for Carnival 2011. With the cooperation of the public we are certain that the festivities next year will be unforgettable," he said.

...

The SHTA met with organizers of the Heineken Regatta to ensure a fruitful and long lasting relationship for years to come.
During the recent meeting, the SHTA decided to make a financial sponsorship contribution of $5,000) to the Regatta (made possible by the SHTA's Dollar-A-Day fund) as well as aiding with the lodging (courtesy of SHTA's hotel members) for the guest judges, jury members and media flying in from abroad to take part in the Regatta.
SHTA's Dollar-A-Day program was established in 2005 and has funded, among others: clean-up campaigns, the Caribcert programs, Dollar-A-Day scholarships, Guest Excellence Training program for employees in the Hospitality sector and donations to various youth organizations on the island.

The SHTA recognizes the importance of such an event for St. Maarten as it is marketed worldwide and attracts many visitors from abroad. In addition, the Association feels that by maintaining a healthy relationship with the Heineken Regatta, it will have a positive impact on its members. The SHTA looks forward to cooperating with the Regatta in the future to ensure a successful outcome for all parties involved.

Trainers and leaders in the Active Parenting Program in all FBE and VSBO/ PSVE schools are ready to continue to assist parents in raising their children in these challenging times.

The Coordinator for the Active Parenting Program along with DERPI representatives recently held meetings with the trainers from both programs to provide them with information of new materials that have been ordered to be used in the schools.

New materials for the FBE program:
A series of DVD's entitled "Families talk about", some of the topics covered in the series are "Education begins at home, Wise words on discipline, Single parenting, Encourage positive attitude, Fathers matter, Grandparents as parents and Foster Parenting" These DVD's will soon be made available to all FBE schools.

New materials for the VSBO program:
A set of videos: Active Parenting of Teens in Spanish and a complete kit and books of "Family in Action" in English. This is a video and discussion program for teens and parents.
The purpose of this program is to provide training and support for families experiencing the dynamic changes of teen development.
"We would like to reach parent to prevent adolescent risky behavior" as is stated by the author of this program.

Schedule for the Active Parenting Sessions in FBE schools:

• The Oranje school will start with their first workshops for parents in Active Parenting Now in 3 (meaning 3 sessions of 2 hour each) on Monday October 18th for Spanish parents and on Tuesday October 19thh for English speaking parents. .
• Other schools are planning to start their session in November as well.

Schedule for the Active Parenting Sessions in VSBO/PSVE schools:

Sundial School:

• Finalization of Active Parenting for Teens for parents with students enrolled in the 1st forms.
• In November a second group of parents will be invited to follow the Active Parenting Sessions for Teens.

St. Maarten Vocational Training School:

• Sessions scheduled to begin October 25th 2010

Milton Peters College:

• Session scheduled for November 2010

DERPI takes this opportunity to remind all parents of students attending the FBE and VSBO/PSVE schools to take advantage of the programs for parental involvement in the schools.
We would also like to encourage more parents to attend these sessions as the programs are very informative and provide helpful tips.

DERPI also commends all school boards, school manager, trainers, leaders, teachers, parents and all involved for contributing to the wellbeing of the schools.

Parents are reminded that these workshops are free of charge in the schools as part of the Innovation in Education financed through USONA from Dutch Development Funding.

MARIGOT:--- The Gendarmes managed to arrest two sets of suspects who were involved in separate robbery incidents.
According to a press release from the Gendarmerie an 18 year old who is suspected to be part of a group was arrested on Rue de Hollande over the weekend. The suspect will be summoned to court at a later date.
The gendarmes also arrested another 18 year old suspect who was involved in break-in of a shop. The bandits stole the monies that was in the till as well as clothing. The suspects were arrested shortly after committing the crime. The stolen articles were recovered.
Gendarmes also arrested two persons whom they believe were involved in the breaking and entering of a medical clinic located in Bellevue. The clinic was robbed of cash. They also confessed to the robbery.
In unrelated news the Gendarmes also arrested an individual who was involved in a case of domestic violence against his ex-wife. The culprit was residing on the island illegally and he was deported.

Philipsburg:--- On Wednesday a police patrol was sent to the Dawn Beach area to investigate a case involving two suspicious men driving in blue car with license plate P-1968 in that area.
On the scene a witness informed the police what was taking place and that the suspicious men was somewhere in the vicinity. The police began an intense search to find the vehicle and persons in question. Shortly after the police located the suspected vehicle and suspects. The men were at the time busy doing some work on a transformer house in the immediate area. Not trusting the situation the officers proceeded to have a safety search for weapons in the car.
During this search a pair of binoculars and a pistol with one round (one bullet) in the chamber was found under the seat next to the driver, both suspects were arrested on the spot and take to the Philipsburg Police station for further investigation. The handgun and ammunition were confiscated for further investigation.

...

Airport:--- Upon arrival back from the Netherlands from his swearing-in as the First Governor of Country St. Maarten by Queen Beatrix, Governor Eugene Holiday was welcomed by staff of the Princess Juliana International Airport Operating Company, and immediate family members. Two students from the Oranje School, where he started his education, were on hand with their teachers to present the Governor and his wife Marie Louise with a plaque and a bouquet of flowers. Obviously surprised by the welcome, Governor Holiday, in a short, impromptu speech, said that it is this type of support from family and friends that would make his "honorable task" possible. PJIAE has planned an elaborate farewell ceremony for drs. Holiday, who has been at the helm of the company for twelve years, leading the execution of multiple important projects for airport and island. Airport personnel was working tirelessly up to late last night, making preparations for a ceremony befitting their pride of the fact that one from their midst was chosen to be Country St. Maarten's first Governor.

Philipsburg:--- Employees of the federal tax receiver's office on St. Maarten gathered at the government administrative building on Monday morning hoping that the commissioner of finance and personnel affairs Xavier Blackman could meet with them to discuss their statuses.
Ingrid Romney of the Inspectorate of taxes and WICSU told SMN News that they are six days away from 10/10/10 and while the workers of the tax department would fall under country St. Maarten they did not receive their lands besluit for them to know their statuses neither did they get their back payment and other adjustments that are due to them.
Romney said the workers were promised this, that and the other but there was nothing on paper meaning it was not rectified. Romney said it has been a few weeks now they were told that the lands besluit would have been ready and it was not. She said the date for Country is fast approaching and no one from the island government neither the federal government has seen it fit to meet with them to update them on their statuses. Romney said because the workers were not getting what is due to them and answers they decided to go to the government building to seek out the information.
Alicia Barry representative of ABVO told the workers that the Minister De Lannoy had informed the ABVO that she was going to fax the lands besluit to the St. Maarten and it would have been distributed to them on the spot. Barry said the workers of the Federal Tax Department did not get their re-evaluations since 2002 while the other federal civil servants working in other departments on the island have received theirs, and as such the workers she represents wants to get their evaluations and they are also demanding that Curacao pay them out before St. Maarten takes on its country status. "We want to know how much money is owed to us, and we also want to know how and when our monies will be paid to us."
The workers and their representatives were received by head of Finance and future Minister of Finance for Country St. Maarten Hiro Shigemoto who eventually made contact with the Minister was able to get the Lands Besluit which was distributed to the workers while they were staging their silent protest.
Barry said Shigemoto has promised the union and the workers to get the monies that are owed to them from Curacao so he could make their payments. "Now we have our Lands Besluit we are going back to work but we are going to be here again to get our monies," she concluded.

Airport:--- Custom officers have successfully arrested a 35-year-old Jamaican passenger with initials J.W.G on Saturday, October 2nd.
J.W.G. tried to smuggle about 2 kilo's of marijuana to St. Maarten via Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA).
The almost 2 kilo's of marijuana was packaged and stashed in soft drinks which were boxed in a case.
Local Chief Customs Officer Anthony Doran states that once again the drugs were stashed in "an ingenious way". Mr. Doran also mentioned that lately the drug smugglers are using complicated and professional methods to try to smuggle drugs via our airport and harbor.
Despite the fact that the department consists of very little staff, the staff is giving their maximum effort to capture those, who are trying to pass through the controls with illicit drugs. Customs are working diligently to keep illicit drugs off our streets and out of the lives of our children.
Due to the ongoing investigation, further information on this case cannot be released at this moment.

Philipsburg:--- Prosecutor Jan Bart Develing surely did not have a good day in court on Wednesday when he appeared before judge H.H.M Van der Leur to answer charges of hit and run. Judge van der Leur ruled immediately after hearing the arguments that Develing is guilty as charged and sentenced him to pay a fine of Naf750.00 rather than sending him away as requested by prosecutor Angela Leomar.
Prosecutor Develing notified the court that he had already submitted a letter of resignation to the attorney general at the end of September. Develing also admitted to the hit and run charges but said he felt that he was under attack by some robbers. Prosecutor Leomar told the court that if the suspect Develing had only taken the time to look at the vehicle he slammed into he would have seen that it was a man and woman in the vehicle and not a bunch of gangsters as he presumed.
Develing was involved in the accident on August 28th. He was arrested shortly after the accident and taken to the Philipsburg Police Station where he was kept for more than five hours. The investigating report was sent to Aruba for analyzing before being sent to Curacao where the decision was taken to prosecute Develing. Develing was sent on leave a few days after the accident occurred pending the outcome of the investigation and court case.

Philipsburg/Marigot:--- Heavy rainfall during the past days has left several areas on both sides of the island flooded. Areas such as Grand Case, the center of Marigot, Cole Bay, Link two, Bush Road, the main road to Pointe Blanche, and Sucker Garden were some of the most affected areas.
Even though the office of disaster management has issued several releases advising residents to take precaution if they are living or driving through low lying areas, and to stay off the roads there was bumper to bumper traffic throughout the island.
While rain has been falling for some days now, businesses have decided to continue with their normal business hours forcing workers to be on the streets despite the danger, creating havoc for police and control officers who were seen throughout the Dutch side of the island diverting traffic.
Already trees and rocks were seen falling down along the Cole Bay Hill creating difficulty for drivers travelling in that direction. Traffic also backed up along the Simpson Bay road due to flooding and the construction work on the Airport runway.
Chairman of the EOC Reynold Groeneveldt said that they are monitoring the situation closely and a decision will soon be taken since more rainfall is expected.

Philipsburg: ---The executive council has approved Naf500, 000 for the 10/10/10 celebration announced commissioner Roy Marlin on Thursday. Marlin told reporters that the executive council decided to make the monies available since the former executive council had abandoned the activities that they were expecting for 10/10/10. Marlin said a project coordinator Denis Richardson and a small committee are busy organizing a number of activities which will begin on Saturday evening at Holland House. The descending of the Antillean flag and rising of St. Maarten flag will take place at the court house while the location for the church service is yet to be named.
The commissioner said a number of dignitaries from the neighboring islands have been invited to attend the planned ceremony which will take place under a tent across from the government administration building. The members of the executive council informed the media that while they were told that the parliament building that is presently being prepared for country St. Maarten will not be ready for Sunday.

New EXCO looking to new bus and taxi licenses

In the meantime, Commissioner Michael Ferrier told reporters that the five day executive council is busy reviewing the bus and taxi licenses that the former executive council were processing to issue. Ferrier said the current executive council was informed that there are about 40 bus and taxi licenses which were to be given out. Ferrier said the executive council wants to see if proper procedures were followed before a decision is taken on the issuance of the permits.
Another challenge Ferrier said is that the executive council has to establish an organization to receive St. Maarten's share of the Post NV. He said a decision has been taken to establish the Postal Services St. Maarten NV to accept St. Maarten shares. The commissioner said the executive council also found a letter from the shareholder representative of WINAIR Minister Roland Duncan requesting that St. Maarten accept the shares of WINAIR to the Windward Islands. Ferrier said upon seeing the letter the executive council has responded to Minister Duncan informing him that he can now proceed with the transfer of the shares of St. Maarten, Saba and Statia as the island government is now willing to accept its shares.

Philipsburg:--- Former director of the University of St Martin and commissioner Josianne Fleming Artsen who resigned from the establishment to enter into the political arena is the mostly likely candidate to take up the position of ambassador in Washington.
SMN News learnt that Fleming-Artsen will travel to the United States where she will take on her new job.
When Fleming-Artsen resigned from USM many thought she was going to be a candidate on the United Peoples Party list but that did not happen. Fleming-Artsen opted to be one of the board members who worked behind the scenes hoping that she would have been appointed Minister of Education, Youth and Cultural Affairs.
Sources close to the UP party said that one of the elected candidates who are also part of the educational system did not agree to give up the Ministerial seat to Fleming-Arsten whose intention was to champion education and mainly to make sure the University of St. Martin gets the necessary attention from government.
Fleming-Artsen at a press conference on Thursday told reporters that she is currently working on the financial crisis facing the USM. Fleming Artsen said that the appointed members of the executive council are looking into ways to help USM and to ensure country St. Maarten does not treat USM as step child in the future but that it is treated as an entity that is cared for and she is sure that the in-coming Minister of education would make sure that happens. Fleming-Artsen said they are looking at the "waardering" significant funds that is currently in the UNA coffers be transferred to an association on St. Maarten. Fleming-Artsen said these monies belong to the students of USM. Fleming Artsen said the executive council hopes to complete the process before Sunday October 10th.
In the meantime, SMN News also learnt that the United Peoples Party has selected Johan Janchi Leonard as the ambassador in the Dominican Republic. Efforts made on Thursday to contact Leonard for a comment on his appointment proved futile.

Airport:--- Customs officers stationed at the Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIAE) were forced to fire at least two warning shots at a Jamaican national who came in with his luggage filled with illicit drugs on Monday evening.
Head of Customs Ademar Doran said the suspect came in from Kingston Jamaica on BWIA flight 417 around 6pm. The head of said custom officers at the Airport noticed the suspect later identified as W.M Thompson (27) was struggling to carry his suitcase because of its weight. At that point the officers decided to do a random control to determine why the suitcase was so heavy. Doran said the officers immediately noticed that the suitcase was made from fiber glass and as such they were forced to use heavy tools to cut the suitcase to see what was inside. Doran said when the officers informed the passenger that he was detained pending the inspection of his suitcase the suspect ran out of the arrival hall and began running in the direction of WINAIR building. Doran said at the custom officers were chasing the suspect on foot but they were forced to fire two warning shots in an effort to stop the suspect who managed to hide for a period of time.
Police back up were called and a thorough search was conducted on the Airport road. The suspect was found hiding in a yard next to Best Deal Car Rental. The customs department is busy investigating the case.
Doran said this is not the first time the suspect visited St. Maarten, but it is yet to determine if he has smuggled drugs to the island before.

MARIGOT:--- The gendarmes have arrested a 19 year old man from Rue Lowtown on Monday.
For drug possession, according to a press release the young man was caught with two plastic bags containing 250 grams of marijuana. The suspect will have to appear in court for drug possession charges.

Philipsburg:--- On Tuesday morning Minister of Justice Roland Duncan met with the Director of the Point Blanche Prison Rudsel Ricardo and staff to discuss his vision with respect to the national prison complex. A number of outstanding issues were discussed and Minister Duncan promised that they will have his full attention.

Philipsburg:--- Some twenty employees of the Eastern Caribbean Cellular (ECC) have decided they have had enough and it's time for them to clear the air on their employment situation after the company's trustee walked into the building and decided it was time to close down operations on Wednesday.
According to the trustee representative from Lexwell law firm the employees were paid their salaries up to October 7th and they were asked to go home, but the employees have decided that they will not leave unless the company's trustee gave them a dismissal letter in writing. Asked if the employees were paid out for their years of services to the company, the trustee representative said they are busy conducting an assessment and if the company has enough monies in their coffers then the employees will receive their dues. However, he said no final decision has been taken on how they would deal with the employees. On Wednesday afternoon the company's managing director Beulah Jonis visited the company to deliver a letter to the employees informing them that they no longer needed to report to work. The letter states that the employees must provide the company with their contact information just in case they have to work or be given information on the bankruptcy procedures. SMN News learnt that the employees did not accept the letter and Jonis left the company promising to return with the relevant authorities to evict the company's workers.
Linden Powel, Operations manager of ECC for the past 21 years told SMN News that the employees learnt of the bankruptcy via the news and that just recently they were told by their managing director that the company is closing down.
The obviously upset employee said they are upset and this should not be allowed to happen on St. Maarten. "Companies come to St. Maarten and they make loads of money and then they would walk away leaving their employees stranded months before the holiday season without income." Powel said while he is the operations manager for the last eight years he served ECC for the past 21 years while some of his colleagues have been with the company 19, 20 and the least is 10 years.
Powel said over the years the employees were told by local management and the management on the corporate level that the company would have made the necessary investments to keep the company going while they will safeguard the employment of the employees. The operations manager said while they were aware that the company was going downhill they were not privileged to the financial status of the company. The employees said that while they had a managing director in the person of Beulah Jonis that person never visited the company or informed them of anything regarding their employment or status of the company. Most of the employees blamed the managing director for their current predicament.
Powel said the employees have sought legal advice on how they would proceed with their dilemma while their union representatives are also involved.
SMN News learnt that ECC filed bankruptcy when they learnt that island receivers were moving in on them for unpaid taxes. Reliable sources say the company has not paid its taxes for a number of years, and that they were negotiating with Digicel to sell their business license.

GREAT BAY:--- The Government official website www.sintmaartengov.org is currently offline to be revamped and reflect country status.

The site will feature the new country structure such as the Office of the Governor General, the Council of Ministers and Parliament.

Other government institutions to be featured are the Ombudsman, Council of Advice, General Audit Chamber and Standing Advisory Committees.

The responsibilities of the seven Government Ministries will also be featured along with the portfolios of the seven members of the Council of Ministers.

The site also carries the latest news developments within government besides links for residents, business, visitors and students.

The site also features a civil servants corner, health update, government information page news, as well as employment opportunities within the civil service corps.

The site is managed and updated by the Government Information Service (GIS) webmaster Jeanelle Mardembrough on a daily basis.

It will also feature weekly news and special video programs of the government news service. The site is still in development and additional information will be added in the coming weeks and months.

The site will also feature the various organic laws for country Sint Maarten along with the country Constitution.

The site has been established to facilitate information and news in a timely accurate manner to internal and external publics on the policies, programmes and projects of the Government of Sint Maarten.

Pointe Blanche:--- Several police patrols were seen in the Pointe Blanche area on Thursday after police received a phone call from a young woman telling them that she and a friend were abducted from a night club by four men and taken to a house in Pointe Blanche and are being held against their will.
Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said that the police dispatch centre received the call about 06:50am from the caller but the young lady was unable to give police a precise location where they were being held. Henson said immediately after receiving this information several police patrols and detective patrols were mobilized and sent into the Point Blanche area to try to locate the house where they young ladies were possibly held. The police spokesman said the most intense part of the search for these young ladies started at approximately 07.00 a.m. and lasted till about 11.00 a.m.
However, the officers had no luck locating the house or location where the two women are held. Patrols up the time of this press release were still patrolling the Point Blanche area. Since that phone call in the morning the police have not heard from the young lady. The police and detective are still on the look-out for any suspicious actions/movements with regard to this case. When additional information becomes available the media will be informed.

Pointe Blanche:--- At least three prisoners at the Pointe Blance Prison suffered from stab wounds and had to be taken to the St Maarten Medical Center for treatment late Friday afternoon confirmed the director of the institution Russell Ricardo. The prison director said at the time of the incident he was not at the prison but he was informed that three inmates left their quarters and went to another area and attacked two other prisoners. Both prisoners Ricardo said suffered from stab wounds while one of the attackers was stabbed when one of the victims fought back.
Four of the inmates that were involved in the stabbing incident are from St. Maarten while the fifth inmate is from Bonaire.
Public Prosecutor Rienk Mud confirmed the stabbing incident. Mud said all of the injured prisoners were treated and they were taken back to the prison on Friday evening."All I can confirm is that there was a stabbing at the prison and none of the inmates are going die. They were all treated and taken back to the institution," Mud said.

Basse-Terre:--- The Collectivity of St Martin and its communications directress Collette Erivan has been condemned for the second time by the appeals court in Basse Terre on October 4th 2010. The COM and Erivan filed two lawsuits against SMN News for articles that were published on this website.
The first court case was initiated by Collette Erivan after her photograph was published on SMN News. Erivan asked the court to award her damages of Euros 25,000 claiming defamation for the use of her photograph without authorization.
On November 3 the court of grand instance condemned Erivan to pay SMN News reporter Bibi Hodge Shaw the sum of Euros 1,500 as well as the expenses endured during the process. On November 17th Erivan and the Collectivity of St Martin filed an appeal against the decision. However, the two parties did not follow up on their appeal case forcing SMN News to ask the appeal court to throw the case out based on the statute of limitation. SMN News reporter also asked the appeal court to award her the sum of Euros 6,000 as well as the expenses endured for these procedures.
However, on October 4th the three panel judges consisting of Monsieur's Dominque Francke, Jean De Romans and Jacques Fouasse in their ruling confirmed the first ruling of November 3rd while they imposed a sanction of Euros 2,500 against the Collectivity of St. Martin and Collette Erivan for the appeal case they initiated.
The appeal judges also ruled that both the COM and Erivan must pay all the expenses Bibi Hodge Shaw/ SMN News endured during these procedures. Giving their grounds to the decision the judges said that no new elements were submitted and the court of appeals approved the first judge's ruling. The appeal court also believes that the grand instance ruling was accurate in stating that the President of the Territorial Council, the legal representative of the Overseas Collectivity, must be authorized through a motion of the Council to act in a court case; now, no motion was produced; the writ served on his behalf is null and void.
The court further rules that under the terms of article 53 of the law dated July 29, 1881, it appears that the writ does not refer to the accusation charge and the judicial district indicated is POINTE-A-PITRE and not BASSE-TERRE; the writ is therefore null and void in matter of the invalidity of the main issue and of public order.
Based on article 700 of the civil code procedure the court further rules it would be unfair to leave at the charge of the defendant the irrecoverable costs which she had to incur in these proceedings for the defense of her rights. Therefore the court confirms the order of the first ruling and adding to it, condemns jointly Mrs. Collette Erivan and the Overseas Territory of the Collectivity of St Martin to pay Mrs. Bibi Hodge Shaw the sum of 2,500 Euros under article 700 of the code of civil procedure. In addition to the entire costs with severance for the benefit of Me Jan-Marc FERLY, a lawyer to with ex-officio lien for costs, in application of the provisions of article 699 of the Code of civil procedure.
The following is the decison issued by the court of appeals in Basse Terre.

Maho:--- The police are busy investigating the death of man whose body was found the Maho area. Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said the identity of the victim is not known to police. The victim he said is of Caucasian decent, his body was discovered shortly after 03.00 am on Saturday morning.
Henson said it is not clear if the man died as a result of a traffic accident, but authorities are calling on eye witnesses to come forward and tell them what they have seen or know about a gold or grayish Japanese looking vehicle.
The police spokesman said the injuries the victim sustained are not consistent with that of a traffic accident and homicide has not been ruled out. Henson further explained that the investigations are in its early stages and as soon as more information is available it will be released including the victim's identity.

GREAT BAY:--- Vanessa Blanco from Johnson & Wales University will be visiting the island from October 20 to October 22 on a working visit.

Johnson & Wales concluded an agreement with Sint Maarten where study financing recipients can study for US$15,000 per year while residing on any of the Johnson & Wales campuses. Vanessa Blanco represents the North Miami Campus in Florida.

The educational institutions offers over 45 programs if study in the areas of Business (Accounting, Advertising, Criminal Justice, Financial, International Business, Marketing etc.); Technology (Computer Graphics/New Media, Electronics Engineer, Networking & Robotic Engineering etc.); Hospitality (International Hotel and Tourism Management, Sports/Entertainment/Event Management etc.); and Culinary Arts (Baking & Pastry, Culinary, Culinary Management, Nutrition etc.).

Blanco will be staying at Divi Little Bay Resort from October 20 through October 22 and can be contact at 542-2333 on those dates or via email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Persons interested in meeting with Blanco should bring along with them for their appointment: official transcripts/diplomas, examination results if applicable CXC, CAPE, etc or equivalent, proof of financial support, and a photocopy of your passport showing your name, date of birth etc.

Blanco during her working visit to the island will be meeting with school counsellors from Milton Peters College, St. Dominic High School, Learning Unlimited, Sint Maarten Academy, and Caribbean International Academy.

Former Commissioner of Education Sarah Wescot-Williams was the one responsible for signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Johnson & Wales on March 13, 2009.

The negotiations that led to the MOU were started a year before and coordinated by Head of Study Financing Calvin Mardembrough under the premise of seeking out additional and affordable educational opportunities for the islands young people who graduate from high school.

Philipsburg:--- The police have decided to withhold the identity of the dead man whose body was found in Maho early Saturday morning. A press release from police spokesman Ricardo Henson on Sunday states that police was called for a serious traffic accident early Saturday morning in Maho where the victim died as a result of his injuries.
However, on the scene the investigating officers and traffic department were not able to determine exactly what happened and to classify the man's death as the result of a traffic accident. The detective and forensic department were then called to assist in the investigation. The cause of the death of this man is still unclear and his identity is temporarily being withheld. The investigation is still ongoing.

The police department is asking anyone who may have any information in connection with this case to call the police department as soon as possible and pass on this information. The information you give might just be that what the police department needs to shed some light on how the man died.

Philipsburg:--- Many people showed up for the Book Sale held at the Library last Saturday. The hall of the Library was crowded with book enthusiasts looking for their favorite titles. Especially the children's books were in high demand among children and their parents. The proceeds of Saturdays book sale, ANG 1115 will be used to buy new books, equipment and materials, and to help fund library programs . The Library would like to thank the community for their attendance and participation in the book sale.

PHILIPSBURG :--- The General Education Development (GED) exams for the fall term will be held on October 27, 28, and 29 at the University of St. Martin (USM).
Persons interested in taking the exams have until Thursday, October 21st, 2010 to make payments for such.
The exams consist of a battery of tests in five subjects namely English reading, English writing, mathematics, science and social studies. Students need to pass exams in all five subjects to qualify for the GED Diploma. The exam fee for all subjects is US$300 and registration fee of US$35. The exam fee for each individual subject is $60. International checks or money orders for the exams should be made payable to the GED Testing Service.
The University of St. Martin is the only recognized GED Testing center on St. Maarten.
The GED Tutorial Program, at USM, for the Fall semester at USM has started. Registration for GED Tutorial Program for January 2011 is on-going.
Persons interested in more information about registering for the exams or tutorials can contact Patricia Arrindell at 542-5171 ext. 1002 or visit the GED Tutorial Program's office at USM.

Mullet Bay:--- An American couple were involved in a car accident on Thursday morning when an animal was roaming on the Mullet Bay road. The couple was not injured, however, the rental car they were driving suffered severe damages.

GREAT BAY:--- The Collective Preventive Services (CPS) would like to inform the community especially persons traveling to Haiti, that there is a cholera epidemic in the Artibonite region of Haiti.
There have been 138 deaths and more than 1,500 are ill, according to reports received by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).
Cholera is a bacterial infection spread through contaminated water. It causes severe diarrhea and vomiting that can lead to dehydration and death within hours.
About 75 per cent of people infected with V. cholera do not develop any symptoms, although the bacteria are present in their faeces for seven to 14 days after infection and are shed back into the environment, potentially infecting other people.
Cholera is transmitted through fecal contamination of water and food. In places where there is infrastructure damage, the lack of safe drinking water and poor sanitation and hygiene can increase the risk of cholera, as well as numerous other diarrhea diseases.
Cholera is easily treatable, and if patients are given oral re-hydration salts promptly to replace lost fluids, and they can nearly always be cured.
In a small percentage of people, cholera can cause very severe dehydration potentially leading to death. To minimize the number of people infected, frequent hand washing, personal hygiene, safe water use and food preparation are a necessity.
The reported cases and deaths have come primarily from areas where there was no direct damage from the January 12 earthquake, but where there are vulnerable populations living in impoverished situations.
By taking a few basic precautions, cholera as well as most other food and water-borne diseases can easily be prevented. The main rule is, always be aware of the quality of what you eat and drink when you are traveling.

Philipsburg:--- The Caribbean International Academy emerged the winners of the Windward Islands Bank's Treasure Hunt.
The treasure hunt was organized as part of WIB's 50th anniversary series of activities targeting youngsters on the island. In collaboration with the United Student Government Front (USGF), several coordinators were on hand to encourage the youngsters.
The youngsters were all excited about the Treasure hunt and solving the clues, while learning more about the history of the island, monuments etc. Armed with a special WIB 50th anniversary backpack, a WIB water bottle and clues, they were given an hour and a half to hunt and at the end, they gathered at the Bank's main office in Philipsburg for the tallying of the results and announcing of the winners. While the results were counted, WIB's Managing Director Jan Beaujon entertained the youngsters by going over the answers to the questions. He expressed surprise at the amount of answers some of the Youngsters knew. "I was quite impressed with the performance by the Youngsters and believe this is something that WIB can do on annual basis; Beaujon stated.
At the end CIA came out the overall winner with the St Maarten Academy coming in close second followed by the Sundial School in third place. Each member of the winning teams received WIB moneycards with cash balances. All participating students received certificates of participation and vouchers to attend the movie of their choice. WIB Management Team members, Jan Beaujon, Kelvin Bloyden and Alfred De Windt were on hand to do the presentations. In appreciation of their collaborative efforts, USGF received a cash donation of U$ 1.000.00 for the construction of a website for the group. The main coordinator of USGF, Sinatra Rouse was also presented with a certificate of Appreciation by Jan Beaujon for her role in getting the youngsters together on short notice. Appreciation was also expressed to the other coordinators who assisted with the youngsters.

The Treasure hunt is the second event organized by WIB as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations. The celebrations started on the Bank's "Employee Appreciation Day" with a "Name that Tune" contest amongst Staff. The next event will be a bike-a-thon for children this weekend.

GREAT BAY:--- Minister responsible for Economic Affairs & Telecommunications Franklin Meyers, says that the effective use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) holds the potential of boosting economies, improving health care delivery, enhancing education and learning processes, and strengthening democratic processes for country Sint Maarten.

"On World Development Information Day, which is observed globally on October 24 annually, every nation is committed to build a people-centered Information Society, where everyone can create, access, utilize and share information and knowledge.
"This enables communities to achieve their full potential in promoting sustainable development and improving the quality of life based on the use of ICTs.
"My vision is to establish Sint Maarten as an advanced information society in which Information and Communication Technology tools are the key drivers of economic and societal development. I would like to commend all those who already work in the ICT area. From this day on, we need to collaborate as a Sint Maarten nation to create a better future and well-informed nation by promoting economic growth through information technology," Minister of Economic Affairs & Telecommunications Franklin Meyers told the Government Information Service (GIS).
The United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 1972 instituted World Development Information Day to draw attention of world public opinion to development problems and the need to strengthen international cooperation to solve them.
The Assembly decided that the date for the Day should coincide in principle with United Nations Day, 24 October, which was also the date of the adoption, in 1970, of the International Development Strategy for the Second United Nations Development Decade.
The Assembly felt that improving the dissemination of information and the mobilization of public opinion, particularly among young people, would lead to greater awareness of the problems of development, thus promoting efforts in the sphere of international cooperation for development.

Dutch Quarter:--- The sister of the late Radford Seaford aka "Skinny" said her family and those of her late brother will do everything in their power to make sure they get justice for the untimely death of their brother and father.
Kimelia Austin who arrived on the island on Wednesday told SMN News that she is yet to meet law enforcement and the public prosecutor to discuss her brother's murder. Austin said she has faith in the justice system. However, she wants to signal to the police force of Country St. Maarten that this case will not be an "open and shut" case since they are doing all that is in their power to make sure justice is served. Austin said since she arrived on the island several persons who know the killer and her brother came forward with information regarding the relationship her brother had with Sandra Hall.
Austin further claimed that no one in her family knew her brother had a relationship with her brother's murderer. Austin said her brother Radford Seaford was preparing to leave St. Maarten to join his other siblings in the USA and she believed that this has something to do with his slaying. Austin said her brother had lots of jewellery that he received from older relatives and so far none of the jewellery can be found. She said already someone told her that the killer wanted her brother's gold chain, wrist band and his rings to travel to Jamaica with as she too was scheduled to leave the island. Other shocking information that reached the bereaved sibling is that the woman who killed her brother stabbed two men in the past. She said while she does not know this person there are people here who said that Sandra Hall stabbed her children's father while in Jamaica and another man with whom she had a relationship with here on St. Maarten. She said she wants to know if the police have this information because that would show that Sandra Hall has a violent behaviour.
Austin said if she is given the courtesy to meet with law enforcement prior to leaving with her brother's body she would request that her brother's killer be charged with premeditated murder and not manslaughter. Austin said she also learnt that her brother received two stab wounds from behind while his killer stabbed him multiple times when he turned around to block the stabs. Furthermore, she said it appeared that her brother was trying to run away from Hall when he noticed that she grabbed a knife but because he was somewhat intoxicated he did not make it to the door.
Neighbours and friends of the now dead man said Hall and Skinny were not in a permanent relationship as they would make up and break up constantly. They said the woman was living in Nazareth Road Dutch Quarter and she only moved in with Skinny after the recent flooding. Another close friend of Skinny said her 21 year old son was with Skinny until after 10pm that fatal night drinking at his apartment. The woman said her son is still in shock because his friend was drinking that night and he was intoxicated and could not have escaped his killer even if he wanted to. The woman said her son told her that while he was at the house Skinny tried to do some weight lifting and the equipment fell because Skinny could not balance the weight due to the alcohol.

Who is "Skinny"?

Kimelia Austin said her brother was very fun loving, jovial and one who would do anything to make other people happy. "My brother is not a violent person and he would run from trouble because has never had problems with the law."
Austin said they came from a family of 10 siblings and their father was a police superintendent prior to him going on pension. Her brother Skinny was also a police officer in his native country Guyana. She said the last place her brother worked as police officer was at the Parliament Building in Guyana prior to him migrating to St. Maarten 20 years ago. Radford "Skinny" Seaford is the father of two children ages 20 and 14. Their aunt said the two children who are studying in Holland will be travelling to Guyana where the burial will take place.

Candlelight Vigil

Scores of friends, co-workers and mere acquaintances who knew Skinny gathered next to his home in Christiansted Drive Dutch Quarter on Saturday night where they held a candlelight vigil in memory of Skinny. Despite scattered showers and high winds the friends and neighbours did what was necessary to light their candles as they payed their respects to a man who they said was a neighbourhood confidant.
They described him as being one of the most friendly and helpful persons in the Dutch Quarter community. Friends said Skinny was always at their homes when he was not working, while he is known to drink, and sometimes loud he was not a troublemaker.
His sister Kimelia thanked those who came out to show their support for their loss, she distributed candles and made sure they were lit saying this is the first sign that justice will be served. Kimelia said that the person who snatched her brother's life away is nothing more than a devil and while they gathered there to mourn his loss, they must be assured that his family will ensure justice is served and that no other man meets the same fate.
The memorial service for Radford Seaford better known as Skinny will be held at Royal Funeral Home on Sucker Garden Road on Monday from 3 to 5pm.

Philipsburg:--- President of St. Maarten Youth Beat Foundation Mr. Emmanuel York received a cheque to the value of US$ 5000.- from NAGICO Insurances in support of the AND 1 Street Ball legends live event that will be taking place this Friday 29th October at the LB Scott Sports Auditorium. The president of the foundation commented: "On behalf of the Youth Beat Foundation, I hereby thank NAGICO for once again coming forward and maintaining its Good Corporate Citizen status in our community. We encourage all to come out in support of this event that will bring a message against gang violence and drugs and promote good behavior amongst our young people. It also will highlight the importance of sports in the development of any child."
The organizers have indicated that the event will be a family oriented one in the sense that parents and children alike will benefit from not only the educational message but the overall basketball entertainment. Price per tickets are $15.- in advance and $20.- at the gate, and can be bought at Van Dorp Eddine or at PJD2 Radio Station in Philipsburg. Administrative Clerk for NAGICO Insurances Julie Mc Cormack, presented Mr. Emanuel York with the cheque.

Dutch Quarter:--- In keeping with their firm stance against violence, the Peace is Foundation has found new ways to spread their message to students across the island's schools, the latest being the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Primary school in Dutch Quarter.
Yesterday the foundation presented one of the schools Cycle 2 year one class with forty copies of a coloring book entitled "Gangs are not for me". The book depicts several situations in which people can be friendly to each other and ways to handle confrontations.
Teacher Bell and Teacher Gumbs were among the group of children who accepted the books, presented by Mrs. Lisa Brown; the Public Relations officer for Peace Is.
"Keep away from trouble, be kind to everyone you meet," she told the class. "Keep away from all forms of confrontation and remember gangs are not for you."
The teachers and students extended a big thank you to the foundation for the books and eagerly promised to stay violence free.
According to Brown this is just one of the events the foundation is undertaking before they wind down to their annual St. Maarten's Day Breakfast.

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Philipsburg:--- The Eastern Caribbean Cellular has a debt close to 10 million guilders revealed Minister of Telecommunications Franklin Meyers on Wednesday during the weekly press briefing. Minister Meyers said while ECC owes government (island receiver) 9 million guilders they were given the opportunity to pay 3.6 million guilders with an agreement but yet they defaulted.

Listen to the meeting:

The Minister said the agreement with ECC and the Island Receivers was if the company did not pay the 3.6 million guilders then the debt would go back to the original figure. Meyers said the company paid 1.5 million guilders and they still owe the sum of 7.5 million guilders. Besides that ECC owes TELEM and TELCEL 1 million guilders and approximately 600,000.00 to UTS. "Roughly ECC has debt of about 10 million guilders and that is only what I am aware of" Meyers said.
The Minister said the company was operating on St. Maarten for the past 14 years and they were the first cellular provider on the island however, their plug was pulled on October 4th when the company declared bankruptcy.
The Minister said the trustee proposed to government to have the concession license sold, however, the equipments are obsolete. Meyers said ECC still has TDMA equipments while the other companies here and around the world has gone GSM. Minister Meyers said the only thing that ECC holds that has value is the concession which actually does not belong to the company. Meyers said ECC breached their concession when they filed for bankruptcy since they are no longer able to provide the services of telecommunication on St. Maarten. The Minister said while it is said in media reports that government has a responsibility towards the employees of ECC he believes that government has an obligation to all of its inhabitants. The Minister said he has no intention to run from his responsibilities but ECC also has a responsibility, however, they bankrupted their company which did not come because of government's policy or unfair competition. "ECC had a level playing field like the other providers that are currently operating on St. Maarten." Meyers said the proposal that was sent to him by the trustee is not one that he is in favor of simply because he does not know who is the third party interested in buying the concession.
The Minister said St. Maarten is a brand new country and they have been bitten by the bug where the foreign investors invested in something that was viable at the time and when it stopped working the strains falls on the local government. Minister Meyers said he is not saying that foreign investment is not good but in this particular case it did not work out for St. Maarten, thus he sees no reason why government should go back to the same scenario. The Minister said he already communicated to the trustee and the chamber of commerce that government's intention is to revoke both the concession and the business license of the Eastern Caribbean Cellular. Meyers said even though these notifications were sent out he will be holding meetings with the parties to further discuss the matter. Meyers said if the company provides a tangible solution on Thursday when they are being heard then government will still give it consideration.
The concession license for ECC was scheduled to expire in 2011 but due to the transition to country, the license now has a life until 2013.
In responding to questions pertaining to ECC financial status and its debts the Minister said ECC was no small company instead their mother company was ICC and they first purchased St. Maarten Cable TV and ECC however, it is clear that the monies generated from the company did not stay on the island. However, the Minister said despite that government is not the one that pulled the plug on ECC even though they are in arrears with their taxes.

The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) has started the process of putting its various sub-committees in place to coordinate the various shows, parades and other Carnival related festivities.

The foundation's board recently met with its general membership to apprise the members of actions undertaken thus far in preparation for Carnival 2011, to introduce new members and to designate responsibilities for next year's festivities.

The SCDF is also looking forward to meeting with Minister of Culture Rhoda Arrindell to apprise her of the state of affairs surrounding St. Maarten's largest cultural event as well as hear her vision with regards to Carnival. Contact has already been made with the Minister and a meeting will be scheduled sometime soon.

Committees were formed last week to coordinate the Junior Calypso & Road March shows, the Senior Calypso Eliminations & Finals, the Band-O-Rama, the Youth Extravaganza, the Junior and Senior Queen Shows and the Junior & Senior Parades and jump-ups. Other committees formed included financial, marketing and security committees.

Each committee is supervised by a designated lead coordinator who now has to convene meetings to plan the various events. Prior to that, the various sub-committees have to present a budget for their respective event to the board for approval. The SCDF will announce during the course of November when persons can start registering for the shows, parades, booths etc.

"We are rolling with or preparations for Carnival 2011," President of the SCDF Stuart Johnson said. "We released our tentative schedule in July of this year, earlier than ever before. We have been focusing on getting our financial house in order and that process is ongoing. But despite identifying the financials as our priority, we still have to prepare for Carnival in other aspects.

"We are fortunate to have a group of dedicated volunteers who decided once again to be back on board and have welcomed new, culturally minded people aboard as well. During our meeting we told our membership that SCDF members do what we do because of love for Carnival, no monetary gain. It takes dedication, long hours away from family and sacrifice. We are happy with the drive and ideas shown so far," he said.

Johnson added that the SCDF hopes to see record participation for Carnival 2011. "This is our festival. It can only grow with participation from all. We hope to have that next year because the ball is really rolling now," he concluded.

Philipsburg:--- UTS presented the President of the Positive Foundation, Ms. Shelly Alphonse, with a new pink Sony Vivaz phone and Chippie credit in recognition of her efforts as foundation president to create breast cancer awareness amongst the community of St. Maarten. 'Breast Cancer awareness is an important topic and we commend the Positive Foundation for their efforts.' says UTS Marketing and Communications officer, Ivy Lambert. 'When someone spends much of their personal time doing community minded work, such as Ms. Alphonse, we try to show our appreciation of their efforts. Breast Cancer Awareness month kicked off on the first of October and I am sure that Ms. Alphonse will be very busy with a full agenda of planned activities. We hope that the phone and credit we gave her will make her job a little bit easier.' Ms. Alphonse thanked UTS for the device and the credit. 'It certainly came a as a surprise! They called me up out of the blue and said they had a new phone for me. It's a very nice surprise and I thank them very much'.

Philipsburg:--- The United Peoples Party has submitted five names of persons who they would like to have as Ministers for country St. Maarten. SMN News learnt from reliable sources that if the VNA approves the names then Franklin Meyers would be the Minister of Economic and Airport Affairs, Theodore Heyliger would be the Minister in charge of government owned companies GEBE and the Harbour, while he would also be the Minister in charge of Public Works. Hiro Shigemoto will hold the Ministry of Finance, Rhoda Arrindell, Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture affairs, while Roland Duncan would have the Ministry of Justice. The names submitted on behalf of the Democratic Party are Sarah Wescot Williams who will be the designated Prime Minister, while Maria Buncamper Molanus will hold the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Affairs.
Sources say the Democratic Party will be sending Perry Gerling to Holland where he will take up the post of Minister of Plenipotentiary. So far the two coalition partners have kept the names secret as they intend to present their Ministers on Sunday during the official ceremony. The VNA is expected to deliver their response on the vetting on Saturday.

Saint Lucia:--- Sports journalist Robertson Henry of Saint Lucia who is the co-owner of www.sportcaraibe.net, a sports website catering to the marketing and promoting if Caribbean sports, was the recipient of an email from the Saint Lucia's Director of Youth and Sports.
In the July 26th 2010 emailed letter which was copied to almost fifty other individuals including media and Ministry of Sports personnel, the Director of Youth and Sports Victor Reid attempted to impose a number of bans upon the multiple awarded sports journalist.
The emailed letter followed an altercation between Robertson Henry of sportcaraibe and Anthony Debeauville of the Voice Newspaper, which resulted in Debeauville being floored by a punch by Henry.
The incident which took place at the George Odlum Stadium during the opening day of the 2010 Windward Islands School Games, is alleged to have been the result of insultive or threatening language leveled at Henry by Debeauville.
Without waiting for the law of the land to take its course, Saint Lucia's Director of Youth and Sports Victor Reid sent off an email to Henry, which was copied to a number of persons including the Minister of Sports Lenard Montoute, and Permanent Secretary Donovan Williams.
According to Reid's email, "It is with deep regret that I hereby inform you that the Ministry of Social Transformation, Youth and Sports wishes to terminate any ties that we have with you and sportcaribe with immediate effect.
Your actions at the George Odlum Stadium on Sunday 25th July 2010 during the 2010 Windward Islands Official Opening Ceremony and Athletics Championship, cannot be condoned, and necessitates the termination of your services and collaborations in all forms with and to us."

The in what is now being seen as hasty, illegal, and unconstitutional action Reid wrote; "That you are not welcome at any Youth and or Sporting activity under the auspices of the Ministry of Social Transformation, Youth and Sports, "That you are with immediate effect banned from the Windward Islands Championship venues and village, "That you shall not engage any of the players of these games to interview or hold any discussion on any matter,
"That you are not to visit the offices of the Department of Youth and Sports at any time,
"That you are to with immediate effect desist from the publication of all articles pertaining to the Windward Islands Championship in the print, television or internet medium, (if you do not desist we shall be forced to publicly denounce your reports and or comments), "That you should in no way link this Ministry with any future endeavors that you may propose or implement.

"A letter from the Permanent Secretary shall be delivered to you soon, further outlining our position and relationship with you." When contacted Henry stated that the emailed letter was brought to his attention by a friend, and have since sought legal advice on the issue, for the email has greatly affected his work. He also pointed out that since the email was sent out by Reid, all of the sporting organizations in Saint Lucia have stopped sending him information on their programmes. According to Henry, when he contacted officials of the various sporting organizations, he was told that since the Ministry of Sports banned him, they have no other choice but to follow suit. Additionally he says that a number of arrangements with private sector agencies were cancelled as a result of the Reid's email. When asked if Saint Lucia's Ministry of Sports has such powers, Henry replied that according to the information he obtained during researching the issue, is that the email is a clear case of defamation of character, the bans imposed are illegal, and that the Director of Youth and Sports overstepped his boundaries.
A leading member of the trade union movement in Saint Lucia told this reporter that "there are no provisions in the Public Service Regulations empowering any Government official to take such action."He further pointed out that this is a perfect opportunity for the current Government to put measures in place to protect the state from such actions, and that disciplinary action should be taken against the Director of Youth and Sports. An official of the Ministry of Youth and Sports said that pressure was placed on the Director to take action, but upon reflection, he clearly went overboard. The official admitted that no one have seen it fit to apologize to Henry as a result of the email, for it is being hoped that it would die a natural death. Clearly Henry has no such intentions, for already his attorney Wayne Harrow has written to Attorney-General Lorenzo Rudolph Francis on the matter. Henry says no reply have been received from the AG's office but he will not rest, until he gets what is due to him, although he refused to say what he is seeking in terms of compensation. One Government official told this reporter that another lawsuit against the Government is too many, and the best thing for the AG Office to do is make an offer to Henry. A legal expert after reading the email, pointed out that this is a case the Government should not bother attempting to mount a defense against, "for they cannot win that one."
Are there lessons to be learnt from this for the current Government and those to come? The legal expert admits that this is not the first time that public servants have made the state liable as a result of their actions, and is time something be done. He added that the AG should give directions to the Public Service Commission to take disciplinary action against the Director of Youth and Sports. He quickly added that the case against Henry has been prejudiced in many ways; the Director of Youth and Sports' email being another.

PHILIPSBURG:--- With less than two months left, the 5th Annual SHTA Crystal Pineapple Awards Fundraiser will be once again gathering the who's who of the tourism industry and community of St. Maarten on Friday November 26th, 2010. Five years ago this event has been established by the association to recognize outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to the tourism industry and the community in general.
The awards consists of 5 categories and a total of 15 awards that will be given for those who really make our hospitality industry, trade and community go round. This year there are 3 new awards: Outstanding youth achievement award, outstanding public sector achievement award and restaurateur of the year award. There are also some changes with existing awards, namely: the outstanding community service Achievement award has been split in two: one dedicated to organizations and the other to individuals. Additionally, the Journalism Award will not be in the category for voting, but will be chosen by the CPA judging committee based on submissions from journalists.
So far Three nominations are in; Mr. Tadzio Bervoets from the Nature Foundation for Outstanding Environment Award, Mr. Rajesh Chintaman for Outstanding Community Service Award (Individual), Seventh Day Adventist Pathfinders, and Belvedere Housing and Tenant Association for Outstanding Community Award (Organization).
SHTA encourages the community to visit us on Facebook: "Crystal Pineapple Awards" and stay up to date on the latest nominations. Last year, a total of over 50 nominations were received. A selection committee will choose the final nominees for each category.
The award winners are chosen based on their contribution to tourism and the community, achievements described in their nomination form as well as the outcome of an online poll. St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association will have the support of Price Waterhouse Coopers for the auditing of the nominations voting system. This is the third year and SHTA is pleased to have PWC as a partner in this wonderful event once again.
The St. Maarten hospitality and Trade Association honors individuals for their outstanding performances. The organizing committee is calling out to the community of St. Maarten to nominate an individual they know. Individuals, who have been nominated in previous years, can be nominated again. "We ask you to please write why you would like to nominate the particular individual". "Let the person or organization shine" says May-Ling Chun co-organizer of the event.
Nominations can be submitted until November 15th, 2010. For more information, please contact the SHTA office: 542-0108, e-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or May-Ling Chun at 586-7120 or e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The University of St. Martin (USM) Admissions Office is reminding all current applicants and those interested in applying to the University degree programs of the upcoming November 8, 2010 deadline.
Required documents for application include a completed USM application form, original high school diploma, official high school transcripts, original exam results, two passport pictures, affidavit of financial support, copy of passport and a $25.00 application fee. Applications received after November 8, will be subject to a late fee.
Students transferring to USM from another college or university, must provide official college transcripts along with course descriptions. All applicants entering USM for the first time are required to sit the university placement tests which are scheduled for November 25 and 26, 2010.
"Students who have completed their applications for the Spring semester have already received official notice regarding their admittance. I encourage the other applicants to make every effort to complete their applications before the deadline," USM Admissions Director Angeligue Hazel said.
Applications are now being taken for the Associate of Arts degrees in Business with specializations in Business Management and Accounting; Associate of Applied Science in Business Information Management; Associate of Arts in General Liberal Arts; Associate of Applied Science in Hospitality & Tourism Management; and Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education.
All application forms and accompanying documents should be sent to the USM Admissions Office. Persons interested in obtaining more information on USM's degree programs and application deadlines can call 542-5171 ext. 1008 or ext. 1019.

Philipsburg:--- This amazing first studio album recorded by the Dutch Caribbean POP/R&B singer Andre Robley will now go down in history for its local release on October 15, 2010 and October 16 respectively as the singer's international debut from right here in St. Maarten. He is clearly on a new level since returning from 106 & Park, BET, earlier this year having gone head to head against male R&B singers from Miami and Washington. A life changing experience was it? It would seem so. He returns only as Robley, trademark mo-hawk, Dasani water and Passion II endorsement and 10 lyrically stunning tracks to now unfold in this album titled Love Dreams.
Its dynamic vocals, high tempos & tranquil melodies are just the surface. Love Dreams reveals a deeper side of the multifaceted singer/songwriter: Pure & sensual love, soulful longings, charged cries over humanity's struggles & losses, shattered dreams and the faith to go on. Subjects so common transcend borders of religion and ethnicity yet stay spiritual and passionate; certain to move mind and spirit.
Robley also teams up with Gee Money and JSound. The hit maker trio connects soul to soul on amplifier to deliver dance singles "Rock Tonight", "I Luv Ya", "Dreaming" and "Pick it Up." Skillful engineering by Loic "Getop" Lagoutte and Black Stone sweetens each pre-mastered record with crystal clarity to keep listeners content; if not, wanting more.
CDs available at Le Grande Marche, select SOL gas stations, Bubble Tea, Taloula Mangos, The Mail Box, Soprano's Piano Bar and McDonalds.

...

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CAYHILL:--- GEBE will be hosting the Inter-Utility Sports Exchange (EDCI) from October 22 – 24, 2010 as part of the company's ongoing celebrations for GEBE's 50 Years Anniversary. Over 400 sports players and enthusiasts from 6 islands are expected to arrive on St. Maarten for 3 days of sports, fun and festivities.
The GEBE team will comprise of players from French St. Martin utility company EDF (Électricité de France) as well as from GEBE (St. Maarten, Saba and Statia) and will compete against teams from Curacao (Aqualectra), Aruba (ELMAR Aruba & WEB Aruba), Bonaire (Web Bonaire) in the standard competition games of softball, basketball, soccer and dominoes as well as more inventive games such as The Pulse Game.
The EDCI Sports Exchange will open with a bang at the Raoul Illidge Sports Complex on Friday, October 22, 2010 beginning at 5:30 p.m. with an Olympic-themed spectacle highlighting the various islands and cultures and showcasing St. Maarten's many talents. The opening ceremony will be followed by the football competition with Bonaire defending their positions as 2008 champions.
On Saturday at 9:00 a.m. the first pitch will be thrown at the John Cooper/Jose Lake Ball Field to start the Softball Knockout. Spectators there will also be entertained with the Watermelon Eating Contest, the Pulse Game, Squeeze It Race (for ladies only) and Tug of War. The Basketball Competition will tip off at the Sports Auditorium at 12 noon. Food and drinks will also be on sale. EDCI 2010 will close off on Sunday with the prize giving.
The sports exchange is a biannual event to promote the camaraderie among utility workers and forge relationships with colleagues promoting information and experience exchange. The EDCI Games were initiated in 1993 as an initiative of WEB Bonaire and have been held biannually ever since.

Philipsburg:--- The government of country St. Maarten is already looking into building its own juvenile delinquency facility announced Minister of Justice Roland Duncan. The Minister said during the past week he has been visiting all the departments in the justice chain. He said that which is in place for justice is inadequate and St. Maarten is starting from scratch. He said what he found thus far is worst than they thought since there has been understaffing in every area, while there are a number of sections that is not organized or structurally set up. He said while these sections are mapped out on paper the Dutch is already reminding St. Maarten that their first report is due in December.
Minister Duncan said while intention of the coalition government is to place their emphasis on youth, on the program there is a juvenile delinquency facility that has to be built. Duncan said the justice Ministry is rather big with several departments attached to it thus he is putting in place a cohesion plan which he will be presenting to the council of Ministers.
St. Maarten he said will have a solicitor general who would be working along with the Attorney General. The solicitor general he said will be stationed on St. Maarten and candidates are being interviewed currently to take up the position.
As for the police department he said the intention is to have police substations in all the districts while some enhancement will be done with the police sub-station in Simpson Bay. The idea the Minister said is to have more police presence in all of the districts so that the people can begin to build a relationship with law enforcement.

Nominations are continuing to pour in for the 5th Annual Crystal Pineapple Awards. One of the new categories this year, 'Restaurateur of the Year' has so far received three nominations, namely: Dino Jagtiani of Temptation and Rare, John Jackson of Saratoga, both of whom are members of the St. Maarten/ St. Martin National Culinary Team and Carlos Marinaro of Mooi and Patagonia.
Dino Jagtiani was nominated based on the exposure he has created for the island, by becoming the first St Maarten born son to ever graduate from the world renowned Culinary Institute of America. He has worked his way up from flipping omelettes at Port de Plaisance's Sunday brunch to owning two of the most exquisite restaurants on the island, Temptation and Rare.
John Jackson, also a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America was the Manager of the award winning St. Maarten/ St. Martin Culinary Team in 2007 and 2009 and has shown outstanding leadership and commitment to enhancing the culinary experience on St. Maarten.
Carlos Marinaro is the part owner of two of the newest restaurants Mooi and Patagonia located in the charming Puerta del Sol Plaza at the Simpson Bay Yacht Club. Carlos was nominated based on his dedication to training and employing young, aspiring chefs via the Sundial School and the SBO program.
The St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association honors individuals for their outstanding performances. The organizing committee is calling out to the community of St. Maarten to nominate an individual or organization they know is truly deserving of an award. Visit the 'upcoming events' section of www.shta.com to view the award categories and download the nomination form or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Nominations must be accompanied by a brief explanation of why the individual/ organization deserves the award and a picture.
Nominations can be submitted until November 15th, 2010. For more information, please contact the SHTA office: 542-0108, e-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or May-Ling Chun at 586-7120 or e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Marigot: --- The students of the Lycee Polyvalent participated in a march on Thursday in support of the ongoing strike in Paris with the pensioners reform which will be go to the Senate sometime next week.
According to reports reaching SMN News the Lycee students marched through the streets of Marigot to the Collectivity of St Martin where they made their grievances known. It is also understood the students met with president Frans Gumbs where they denounced some of the problems facing the Lycee. Thursday's march was peaceful and no one in the community was injured. It is believed that the students felt that this would be a prime moment for them to capitalize on the pension's reform to make their own voices heard.

Dutch Quarter:--- Several residents who are looking for assistance and proper representation are already flocking at the door of the appointed Ombudsman for St. Maarten Nilda Arduin Lynch.

Listen to the interview:

A number of taxi drivers whose permits were approved by the former executive council is stuck somewhere in the administrative system contacted SMN News claiming that the department of CIB are withholding their permits for no apparent reasons.
Some 16 persons whose permits were approved with mistakes are at the mercy of the council of ministers or the Ombudsman because the current administration is not taking the necessary steps to have the corrections made.
The independent workers told SMN News that when the department of CIB was processing their applications they made mistakes which now have to go back to the council for rectification. According to one driver, he applied for a taxi permit and when he received the permit, the department and government granted him a bus permit. The man who requested that his identity be withheld said they made one simple mistake with one word, yet they are refusing to
make the necessary corrections. The driver who is obviously angry said when he read the permit and realised that they granted him a bus permit and not a taxi permit based on his application, he refused to accept the permit unless the correction is made. He said he has since written and approached the Minister of transportation who told him he needed to make an appointment with his secretary. The driver said when he tried to comply with the Minister's order the secretary offered to resolve his problem. "When they called CIB the lady there told them that they do not have that file, the head of CIB –Sherwin Frederick has that file in his office and they don't know what he will do with it." The driver said he also learnt that the head of CIB is now trying to treat the file as new request which is also under review. He said the Minister of Traffic and Transportation told him his office already sent 10 permits to be delivered. "These are new permits that were signed off by the former executive council and not the permits with the mistakes. So it is clear that the office of CIB and the council of ministers is not working on the permits with the mistakes.
Another driver who recently picked up her permit said the CIB head was purposely withholding her permit and she only got it when the Minister of transportation Franklin Meyers intervened."I was in the Minister's office when he called the secretary general Miguel De Weever demanding an explanation and I heard when De Weever said the permits were by CIB, yet when I went back to see Frederick he wants to bullshit me. I had to tell him I was in the Minister's office and I heard the conversation and only then he processed my file and delivered my permit."
In the meantime, another applicant who is well known to the community said he was told by the former commissioner that his permit was signed off. "The five day executive council members also assured that my file was processed, yet when I go to CIB, the department head is looking at me with scorn. The lady at the front desk also told me she does not have the file and whenever the file reaches her she will call me."
SMN News tried to contact the head of CIB Sherwin Frederick for a comment on the allegations but he could not be reached. SMN News was told that the department head is working outside of his office and he was not reachable on Thursday. The office assistants promised to have the department head contact us but we are still waiting on his phone call.
In an invited comment the Minister of public transportation Franklin Meyers said that the council of ministers is not withholding anyone's permit. "All the permits that were granted legally by the former executive council and were signed off by the Lt. Governor will be given out.
The council of ministers did not take any decision to withhold any permit." Meyers said on Tuesday morning.
In an invited comment secretary general to Minister Meyers, Miguel de Weever said that while several permits were legally issued those persons will get their permits sometime soon. De Weever said some of the permits even though approved have mistakes and those mistakes cannot be corrected immediately since there is no more island secretary or Lt. Governor to sign off on these permits. De Weever further explained that there are number of permits that were approved by the former executive council, some of them were signed off by the Lt Governor and some were not. Those that was not signed by the Lt. Governor is now under review. It is not known if those permits will be honoured or if they are going to be withheld.
De Weever said right now there are number things that have to be put in place including having a logo for country St. Maarten. SMN News understands that government is basically at a standstill since there is no logo for country St. Maarten, thus urgent documents cannot be signed and delivered.

OMBUDSMAN Intervention

The Ombudsman of country St. Maarten Nilda Arduin Lynch in an interview with SMN News said at least one of the three persons who approached SMN News approached her with his plight. Lynch said while her job is to protect the people and the constitution of St. Maarten she has to be able to do the job correctly.
The ombudsman said that to date she has no office space, neither a staff and this might not be ready until another month or so. She said currently there is a Quarter Master on St. Maarten who is assisting the new country in setting up the Ombudsman, the council of advice and the chamber of audit but that is taking some time since they are starting all these institutions and structures from scratch. "I was informed that a space is now available and I will be inspecting the location on Friday. One must know that the office of the Ombudsman must be accessible to each and every person living on St. Maarten. I will be attending a conference in Curacao during the first week of November where I will gather information on how the office of the Ombudsman works. While I know the legal framework I still need to get some outside information which would work in the interest of St. Maarten instead of re-inventing the wheel."
Arduin Lynch said she will be conducting a number of interviews on various radio stations, television and other news entity to inform the people what they need to do and have for the office of the Ombudsman to work. "People need to bring proof of their allegation if we are to investigate. They also need to know that this is a legal entity and to investigate we need tools and proper administrative facilities since everything has to be documented." Working outside the legal realm will be counter-productive to the people.
Arduin Lynch said her office would need at least five persons; three must have legal background while the other two has to be civil servants with a high scale or experience. So far there are a number of applications that were submitted for the available post; however the Ombudsman said she prefers to have locals working in this office. This way they would know the people they are dealing with, and the culture of the people. Arduin Lynch confirmed that some of the applicants are from Holland.
Arduin Lynch said when the office of the Ombudsman makes an investigation, the minister in charge of that department will be notified and ordered to take the necessary actions. She said if the Minister for some reason decides not to follow the recommendations then parliament is informed. Furthermore, these reports are documented and are always available to the public so they could act if necessary.
Following is the interview with Nilda Arduin Lynch--- St Maarten's Ombudsman, we urge our readers to listen to this audio interview since the information here is very informative and it is in the interest of the people.

Philipsburg:--- The bureau of telecommunications has sent a letter to the lawyers representing Eastern Caribbean Cellular (ECC) who filed bankruptcy on October 7th. Reliable information reaching SMN News on Friday states that the lawyers who filed the bankruptcy on behalf of ECC were served with the letter informing them of the reasons why the bureau of telecommunications have decided to revoke the company's license.
Attorney at law Roeland Zwanikken in an invited comment confirmed that he received a phone call from the Minister of Telecommunication Franklin Meyers on Friday informing him that the ECC license would be revoked.
The attorney said the Minister gave him two reasons why he has decided to revoke the licence. Those reasons are the Minister felt that the same people who bankrupt ECC are the ones who would continue to manage the new company which he said is far from the truth, for us the first reason given by the Minister is invalid.
The second reason given was because ECC defaulted in its tax payments, which cannot be disputed. Zwanikken said he was negotiating with Caribbean COM Networks (Pod Klimbpworth) who were willing to pay $300,000.00 to the creditors for ECC while they committed to rehire all the employees of ECC, but government is not cooperating with the sale of the company.
Zwanikken said only on Wednesday he heard the Minister of labour Maria Buncamper Molanus stating during their first live press briefing that her office would do everything to ensure the workers safety and job security. He said the Minister of labour said government does not want see another 21 people unemployed and felt this is the time for the Minister to step in and change the control of ECC and keep the workers employed.

Employees of ECC told reporters last week that there was someone who was interested in buying ECC and its license but the trustee was not entertaining the talks. Sources say that the former managing directors are the ones who were behind the revoking of the license since they wanted to purchase the company without its debts. One of the former managing directors of ECC was contacted by SMN News and he refuted the allegations.
SMN News also learnt that the affair of ECC has lots of political influence since the Minister of Telecommunications Franklin Meyers was not giving his full cooperation to a potential buyer and the lawyers that are representing the company.
The source further stated that the Minister in question has his own telecommunication license which he intends to use sometime in the future and having another telecommunication company on the island would not be beneficial to the Minister and his spouse. Attorney at law Zwanikken said he could not confirm if the Minister has a license but there are constant rumours indicating such.
SMN News also contacted the trustee representatives for further information on Friday they were not fully forthcoming with information fearing that this would jeopardise the ongoing discussions regarding the sale of the company.

Lucas Berman said that there are a few people who are interested in buying the company. However, if all information is released then the workers and the estate will be jeopardized, something he was not willing to put at stake. Berman said he did not see any letter to revoke the license but said if that was done then the trustee would definitely contest the matter in court.
The twenty employees of ECC who is currently out of work told SMN News that they heard of the license was revoked by the bureau, but they too were convinced that this case has political interest.

Philipsburg:--- Persons who recently wrote their driver's license examination and passed or those whose licenses are expired would have to wait until January 2011 before they can pick up an actual driver's license. SMN News learnt that Civil Registry closed its doors last week when the machine went down but they also closed the section because the pre- printed cards for the driver's license bears the signature of former Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards.
The source said the department took the necessary precautions to make sure that no license would leave the Civil Registry bearing the signature of any Lt. Governor under country St. Maarten since that function no longer exists. SMN News also learnt that persons who are supposed to receive their identification cards also fall in the same predicament because the pre-printed cards has "Netherlands Antilles" on them but a decision was made to use them during the transition period, however that decision was revoked because there are still problems with the logo for country St. Maarten.
Reliable information states that the Minister of General Affairs, Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams has decided not to us use St Maarten logo on the identification cards and driver's license because it is not yet ready, but these licenses and identification cards will have the coat of arms. SMN News further understands that the civil registry already ordered the pre-printed cards but it will only be available until January 2011. Persons who are supposed to have a valid license and cannot get one can check with the civil registry later this week to pick a document that is approved by the Police Traffic Department and the Prosecutor's Office. Drivers who receive such a document will not be fined if they are controlled by the police. However, it is not yet clear if the document will be accepted by the insurance companies on the island.
While the new licenses and identification cards will not bear any one person's signature it will have the Ministry that approved the license. Another setback for the Civil Registry is the conflicts in the laws pertaining to government structures. The source said the general secretary for the Prime Minister Julian Larmonie already indicated to the Prime Minister that some of the laws have to be revised and amended to avoid conflicts.
A press release from the government information service states that the department is currently working on a solution to the problem. So far all stakeholders have been informed about the situation. A temporary solution has been proposed and the department is awaiting confirmation.

Philipsburg/St Johns:--- The legal guardian, Elliot Richardson and mother of the late Cassandra Carty has approached the Inspectorate of Health on St. Maarten to investigate the death of their loved one. The late Cassandra Carty (42) was a client of the Sr. Bassillia Centre located in St. Johns and also an employee of the St. Maarten's Home. SMN News learnt that Cassandra was having tooth aches and a swollen jaw some two weeks ago and she visited her family doctor who advised the centre and the patient not to extract her tooth since there was an abscess under the tooth. SMN News learnt the family physician prescribed antibiotics and other pain killers for Cassandra. According to the guardian no one from the centre notified him as her legal guardian that his niece was ill and that she had gone to the see a doctor. Richardson said he received a phone call when Cassandra was admitted to the hospital a few days later. Richardson said besides that Cassandra is a disabled person and she is not allowed to take decisions on her own. Furthermore, she is a diabetic and he wants to know why his niece was kept three days at the centre with a swollen jaw. Most importantly the family wants to know what exactly caused her death. The mother of the victim said she herself has lots of questions for the dentist and doctors of the St. Maarten Medical Centre. She said she is a highly qualified nurse in the United States and she wants to exactly what caused her daughter's demise.
Director of the Sr. Bassillia Centre Carlson Richardson confirmed that the client who passed away is also one of his relatives and he knew she was having tooth aches and that she was taken to her family doctor. Richardson said the client was not satisfied with what her family doctor told her so she requested to visit another doctor on the French side who also told the care giver and patient that she is forbidden to remove the tooth. Richardson said that doctor also prescribed antibiotics but Cassandra already had antibiotics so they did not buy the second set of medication. "At some point Cassandra and the care giver went to see Dentist Dowling in Cay Hill and that person extracted the tooth even though there was an abscess and the jaw was swollen. Richardson said after the extraction Cassandra was taken back to the centre but after her jaw remained swollen, they took her back to see her family doctor who immediately made contact with the St. Maarten Medical Centre to have the patient admitted. Richardson said the dentist told the patient and care giver that the tooth had to be removed. He said the dentist made the decision to remove the tooth. He said one would think that the dentist would have taken the necessary precaution before removing the tooth. Richardson said normally when clients are ill they are taken with their care plan to their doctors. "In that file the dentist could have seen that Cassandra was a diabetic and most importantly that two other doctors advised not to remove the tooth since there was an abscess in the gum." The distraught director said ever since this happened he is not functioning well since only two months ago he lost his father. Asked why the centre did not notify the legal guardian, Richardson said that when clients are ill they do not notify the relatives immediately. He said if patients have tooth aches or fevers the centre would take the clients to see their doctor. "We did not expect something like this to happen. Cassandra saw multiple doctors and even though her jaw was swollen she was not in a lot of pain. He said that the care givers were wondering why her jaw remained swollen and she herself requested to go back to the doctor. "Cassandra's tooth was extracted one week before she passed away and we were not negligent, we took her where she wanted to go, however, as the head of the institution and her first cousin I want to know what killed her. How did this happen and whose fault it was?"
Her legal guardian Elliot Richardson said "when Cassandra was admitted it was then they called me to say she was in the hospital, on October 19 and I immediately went to see her and the specialist told me that Cassandra's blood level had fallen to 4 and she had to be transfused back to 10. He said he spoke to his niece, but later that day she passed away." Elliot Richardson said that his niece was disabled but she was a brilliant woman. "Cassandra spoke English, Papiamento, Dutch and Spanish and she was also computer literate. Even though she was disabled she knew how to take care of herself and she was scheduled to move to her Hope Estate home later this month.

Airport:--- The workers of the Princess Juliana International Airport PJIAE are busy putting their plans together to attract the attention of deputy leader of government and the Minister in charge of government owned companies Theo Heyliger. In an exclusive interview with SMN News some of the workers said that they already got indications that the Minister and deputy leader would be taking monies from the airport coffers to invest in community projects but so far the Minister has not said what he intends to do for the workers of PJIAE. Some of the workers are now busy trying to sign on with a local union they expect would champion their concerns.
The workers said some years ago the former Managing Director and now Governor of St. Maarten Drs Eugene Holiday told the workers that they would not be receiving any salary increases for a period of seven years until the mortgage of the facility is paid off.
The workers said while they were not in favor of the decision taken by the then director they went ahead with what they called the "bitter pill." The workers said it has been 12 years now they are waiting for a salary increase but that is not forthcoming and the director is no longer at the helm of the company. Besides that the workers said they were asked to hold on after the incident of 9/11 and most recently they were reminded about the economic down turn that has had global effects. One worker said that the former director had put in place an evaluation system which would compensate the workers if they exceeded beyond expectations. "The highest one can go in the evaluation is excellent and with that you can get 2.75% of your gross salary as compensation. However, none of the workers has ever managed to get an excellent which would have earned him or her less than $100 as an evaluation increase." The workers said the former managing director promised the over 200 workers that when the mortgage is paid off they would get a salary increase but that has not happened.
Another breaking point for the workers is the intention of the supervisory board of PJIAE and the Curacao based union ABVO to extend the current Collective Labor Agreement for another 3 years without the workers participation. The workers said the ABVO, CLA is not beneficial to the workers on St. Maarten. The workers said when ABVO signed the first CLA they had a 5% increase over a three year period which eventually rose to 9% each time the CLA was renewed but somehow the percentage decreased back to 5% after 12 years. The workers said ABVO does not communicate with the workers or the members they represent locally. They said based on the CLA's signed for Curacao airport workers are on a much higher scale than St. Maarten even though their economy is lower.
"Those people have some sort of special relationship with PJIAE management and they would come discuss and sign the CLA without the workers knowledge." The workers said they have never gotten the opportunity to discuss the proposals offered by the airport or even to give their own suggestions." They said the last CLA which is expected to expire in December gives the workers a 9% salary increase but with some understanding ABVO has decided to drop that back to 5%. The workers said instead of them moving forward or getting more monies their salaries remains frozen. The workers said they are forced to work two jobs to be able to survive on St. Maarten. They further explained that while PJIAE is the second best paying company on the island, most of its workers are living in the low income houses in Belvedere. "The workers at PJIAE are underpaid, the facility is sometimes understaffed and promises were made and not kept. The people out there just don't know what goes on at the Airport and we have one message for the deputy leader which is that he must take care of the PJIAE workers before dipping his hands in the cookie jar for his projects." The workers also made clear that they have no problem with the Minister's intention to take the monies from the airport to invest in community projects, but the Minister they said would have to take care of them first."
The workers further explained that the workers at the Curacao airports are working for much more monies than those on St. Maarten. "What someone has here after 18 years of service at the airport is the beginner's salary in Curacao." The workers are blaming the former managing director for their predicament claiming that when Drs. Holiday got the loan for the airport expansion he refused a 15 year plan to repay the loan and said it wanted a seven and half years loan plan.

Philipsburg:--- The Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba, chief prosecutor on St. Maarten Hans Mos and the Dutch representative on the island were among some of the dignitaries that attended the opening ceremony of 32 new spaces Thursday at the Philipsburg Police Station.
Detainees who are held at the police holding cell would for the first time be sleeping on a mattress covered in leather. They have a decent bathroom and a well painted facility that is fully equipped with surveillance cameras and lighting. While being in prison is not a pleasure for no one the current facility is habitable compared to the one that is currently in use. The new holding facility comprises of four cells that can accommodate four prisoners, four cells that will accommodate three prisoners and four cells that cells that will be accommodating two prisoners this brings the total to 32 detainees at a time. Each cell space is ten square meters as stipulated by law.
Chief Inspector Anthony Rogers told the gathering that he was given the task to make sure the project was completed in accordance with the international standards laid down by the European Commission for the Prevention of Torture (CPT). Rogers said opening the extra police cells is a milestone for St. Maarten Police force and society. He said the police organization made a promise to the CPT to ensure that they will upgrade their police holding cells to meet international standards, thus they have kept their promise. Rogers said after the inspection was conducted by the CPT it was clear that St. Maarten had to get its house in order by upgrading the police holding cells. Rogers further explained that based on the report of the CPT had St. Maarten not complied then the Kingdom was going to come down on the island's authorities.
While Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos in his short speech said the island is on the brink of becoming country and a decent country would treat its prisoners in a decent way. Mos said while justice must prevail, prisoners must be treated decently and proper. Mos said currently prisoners are not treated decently and the CPT has told St. Maarten and the other islands including the Netherlands that they must treat their prisoners decently. Mos said a good beginning represents only half of the job, thus the other half has to be completed. Mos said the other half is the Pointe Blanche house of detention which needs renovation and extension. Mos said there is need for more space at the house of detention and if justice is to be served those condemned must be able to fully serve their time in prison.
The island chief prosecutor has issued a challenge to the government of country St. Maarten to make the extension of Pointe Blanche House of Detention their number one priority.
Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba said the extension and completion of the cells was big issue each time she would visit the island since St. Maarten had to comply with the international regulations. Jacoba said she is proud to see the cells completed prior to the island achieving its country status and allowing them to compete internationally. Jacoba said her hope is for the detention center for immigrants to be completed by the end of the year so that the immigration and police can begin with intense controls.

...

Great Bay:--- Despite the inclement weather which threatened the island yesterday, scores of people from various organizations and businesses turned out to participate in the 'Pink Parade'.
Dressed in pink and braving the weather, scores of participants lined up at the John Larmonie Center where they marched to the beating of drums of the Brigade Band and Yumay Band along the Long Wall Road, to Front Street then to the Boardwalk and finally ending at the St. Rose Café Philipsburg kicking off the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The walk which was in honor of those who have lost their lives to breast cancer, a salute those who have survived it and an encouragement to people who are still engaged in the battle against breast cancer, was carried out under the theme "Early detection saves lives."
Organizers of the walk said they were extremely pleased with the turn out despite the threat of rain and were even more pleased with number of young people who participated. Shelly Alphonso of the Positive Foundation said that it was a pleasant surprise to see the response of the St. Maarten community. "I am really pleased with the many people who participated and they all participated for their own reasons," she said. "Some walked because they really wanted to spread awareness, some walked because they were actual breast cancer survivors and others were there because they wanted to support someone they knew who is now battling breast cancer."
Among the hundreds of people who joined the Pink Parade were Island Council lady; Sarah Wescott-Williams, French politician Alain Choisy and radio personality Elektra who all gave brief speeches about breast cancer.
Wescott-Williams in her address revealed that her motivation and contribution to the Pink Parade was also because of her mother who is a breast cancer survivor for more than five decades now.
"I really want to thank everyone who came out because this is our first breast cancer walk and it was really successful," she said. "It was pink all over and we were able to start on time and more importantly it was incident free."
Among the participants were representatives from Nagico Insurances, Divico, the Windward Islands Bank, AUC, St. Maarten pride Foundation, Telem and several nurses from the St. Maarten Medical Center.
Ms. Alphonso also extended thanks to the main sponsors of the event: Heavenly Water, Nagico and Divico and is reminding the general public that free breast screening exams will be conducted at various doctors' offices across the island and will be announced via the media.

Philipsburg:--- The fifteen member island council and four appointed members of the executive council was established on Tuesday in keeping with the island regulations before St. Maarten takes on its new status on Sunday October 10th. The members of the island council were sworn in the presence of the Lt. Governor Reynold Groeneveldt and island secretary Joan Dovale Meit.

Listen to the audio of this historical event:

The new island council will last until Sunday when St. Maarten achieves it new status. Among the 15 members that were sworn in, four of them entered the political arena for the first time and has been elected to serve in public office. They are Dr. Lloyd Richardson, Silvia Meyers-Ollivachi, Romaine Laville and Rhoda Arrindell.
The members of the new council in their speeches promised cooperation and pledges to work for St. Maarten and not their own interest. Most of them felt that St. Maarten is at a cross road and all hands are needed on deck. The calls to bury the hatchet and put aside party politics were the main focus of the new elected council.
Romain Laville the youngest member of the council called on the elected to make the youths of St. Maarten their number one priority. He said St. Maarten has opened its arms to many including his parents who came to the island and made the island their home and felt that the youths of this island must be able to return home and find a decent job.
Dr. Lloyd Richardson said one of his missions is to make sure the National Health Insurance Scheme is established and is beneficial to everyone. Finding jobs for those he met along the campaign trail and the unemployed is something he is fired up to do. Dr. Richardson warned that even though he is sitting on the opposition benches in government he will not be counted as one of the opposition when it comes to serving his people.
Leader of the National Alliance William Marlin said that the voters gave the National Alliance seven seats but before they were sworn in they were reduced to six. Marlin said "even though they are now in opposition, one thing for sure those governing will have a force to be reckoned with." Marlin also spoke of the endless hours he spent working over the past months in the interest of St. Maarten while neglecting his wife and 15 year old son.
Councilman Louie Laviest urged the new council members to be vigilant, to pray and have God beside them and to remain vigilant in whatever they do. Laveist said elected officials are called to make severe sacrifices and in many instances cannot be beside their loved ones because of the call of duty.
While council man George Pantophlet urged the incoming members of the council to read all they can because governing country St. Maarten would not be easy. He said the work ahead of the island has now begun and he hoped those in government are able to carry out the job that is expected of them.
Island council member Hyacinth Richardson spoke of how hard the National Alliance executive council worked over the past 16 months. He said while a lot has been said about the National Alliance Leader William Marlin many did not say that while Marlin may not be a good politician he is an excellent leader; one that worked hard and cared very much for his country. Council man Leroy De Weever also shared the same sentiment and said he will be looking forward for Marlin's cooperation in building country St. Maarten and its nation.
Island council lady Sarah Wescot Williams the last speaker of the council said if St. Maarten would get 50% of the promised cooperation and dedication from the members of the council that spoke before her then the island is already in good shape.
Chairman of the island council Reynold Groeneveldt urged the incoming members to make sure they serve with good governance in mind.

The new members of the Island Council and soon to be parliamentarians are:-

• William Marlin
• Frans Richardson
• Drs. Lloyd Richardson
• Hyacinth Richardson
• Louie Laviest
• George Pantophlet
• Theodore Heyliger
• Gracita Arrindell
• Romaine Laville
• Silvia Meyers
• Rhoda Arrindell
• Jules James
• Petrus Leroy De Weever
• Sarah Wescot Williams
• Patrick Illidge

Appointed members of the Executive Council are:-

• Michael Ferrier
• Josianne Fleming Artsen
• Maurice Lake
• Roy Marlin

Chairman of the Central Committee is the leader of the current coalition government Theodore Heyliger with vice chairman in the person of Petrus Leroy de Weever.

Marigot--- For the most of the young people on Saint Martin, today, the country offers neither present nor future. Already the category of the population the most affected by unemployment and precariousness, the present crisis only made matters worse. The unemployment rate among the youth increases more than that of the remainder of the population. It is almost an accepted fact that young people have to suck salt! The only difference is that, for our generations will not be just a passing moment. It seems that the governing officials have chosen to impose sucking salt as a lifestyle. No true policy in favor of the youth, no action in favor of their integration, no prospect for employment...
For most of the young people, it is clear that this system has no future to offer. One often spoke about the young people of Saint Martin as a disillusioned generation, one that has no interest in anything and without a dream. However, with each new day, the youth shows us that it is not at all a resigned generation.

The social situation of the youth rhymes with hardship. Each year the situation worsens whether they are still in school, struggling to find employment or young workers. Below 25 years of age, the youth is excluded from all welfare plan. Even if they worked at some point, they are not entitled to unemployment allowances. Right now, being young is to survive while juggling between the bills and finding a job or getting a diploma which, as times passes, is less and less a guarantee for the remainder of our life.

The unemployment rate of the young people in overseas France - and thus in Saint Martin - is close to the 60%. For the past 30 years, on the national level it has been oscillating between 20 and 25%, it is twice and half higher than that of the "  adult  " population...

What should be done about this? We, at Generation Outre-mer, think that it is firstly advisable to restore the confidence of the young people, individually and collectively. That means that new dynamics have to be imposed which calls for a modification of the image Saint Martin has of itself; we have to communicate more on the assets of the country and by showing that the fate of the young people is a true concern of the elected officials and economic stakeholders, by becoming an example and the valorization of the history and the culture of Saint Martin.

The concern also calls for more concrete actions towards the young people, by improving the prospects for employment, and by granting them greater financial autonomy...

We are persuaded that the socio-professional development of any man is conditioned by his academic success, so, optimizing education is a pressing need. One can recommend that the child be considered a person, and not only as a pupil, by giving to the children, as of the smaller classes, the opportunity to discover their own capacities in various fields and by not stigmatizing the pupils who have chosen trade schooling. Moreover, the development of a curriculum that includes Saint Martin and the Caribbean (history, political events, traditional knowledge...) is likely to encourage them.
Reinforcing the attractiveness of Saint Martin also calls for a fight against the insecurity and the feeling of insecurity. One would be mistaken in thinking that the youth does not struggle with the feeling of insecurity. A few hints to fight against insecurity and the feeling of insecurity: the creation of an enclosed educational centre, the installation of our military adapted service, but also the setting up "of school of parents" in our districts, the setting up of a help-desk for the youth and a true prevention policy and specialized education....Who, today, can objectively say that the APAIS was not fulfilling its role in Quartier d'Orleans?
Moreover, respect and solidarity are values which are inclined to disappear as a logical consequence of strong propensity to individuation, excessive consumerism and a search for hedonism. Consequently, it is advised to center spirituality on developing a sense of responsibility and solidarity by encouraging the youth to become makers of the events and activities (district fêtes, festivals...) and by steering them to the required effort to earn money by putting them in concrete situation of financial management, which will also sensitize them with the value work.
In 2008, after the presentation of the White paper of the youth to the President L.C FLEMING, a certain number of formal engagements had been taken by him. Although we are pleased that some of our proposals were taken into consideration (territorial youth council, setting up of department that deals with youth affairs, diagram of childhood and youth, assistance fund towards the youth....), we cannot but note that the youth policy (as a public policy) is non-existent and should more be viewed as simple posting!

Therefore, we feel that the Advisory council of Saint Martin (in collaboration with the services of the Territorial Council, the district councils and the lifeblood of the territory), should take up this matter and to further study the reality of the youth of Saint-Martin aiming at:

• displaying the representations, strategies and aspirations of the young people of Saint Martin
• providing a thorough diagnosis of the conditions of existence of the youth
• provide potential actions in order to mitigate the identified weaknesses

By painting such a picture of the youth and its environment, which implies to understand its difficulties (in particular the de-motivation phenomena, elements of frustration and violence, difficulties in the area of intergenerational dialogue and addictions, but also, its expectations, for example, as regards social environment, leisure, socio-professional accompaniment...), the Advisory council will then be able to legitimately make suggestions and proposals in view of improving the conditions of existence of the youth of Saint-Martin.

The problems that our young people are faced with are many and multiform, but solutions exist. It is thus advisable to tackle the immediate problems of the youth, such as the lack of employment, the insufficiency of financial autonomy, the difficulties in finding housing or security issues. But it is also necessary to restore their individual and collective confidence and support the respect of certain values, like the respect, solidarity or work.

As a reminder once again, a country which does not love its youth is a country that has no love for itself! And if it were still necessary to point it out, the political issues for 2012, whether on the local or on the national level, will deal mainly with youth related and fiscal issues.

France/Holland:--- The long awaited police agreement that was discussed and put together by former chief commissioner of police Richard Panneflek and the commandant of the gendarmerie Loic Barras has been signed last Thursday by the Ministries of Overseas Affairs in Holland and France.
The two former heads of the police organizations on the French and Dutch side worked on this cooperation agreement shortly after a grave accident had taken place in Sandy Ground involving two Dutch side police cars that were involved in a high speed chase. That accident which occurred in October 2007 and left two police officers injured and caused much strain on the working relations between the French and Dutch sides, forcing Panneflek and Barras to work on a cooperation agreement which would allow officers on both sides to engage in cross border chases when it pertains to fighting crime.
With an official agreement officers from both sides will be able to conduct patrols on either sides of the island and will also foster better exchange of information and cooperation. Officers of the law are now able to do controls jointly on both sides.
In an invited comment former Chief of Police Richard Panneflek said when he and Barras worked on the treaty they did it based on the framework of the Schengen Accord since France is part of the European Union. "While the Schengen Accord gives police officers a 30 meter boundary in hot pursuits we have joint controls on both sides." Gendarmes can now act as police on the Dutch side and the Dutch side police have the same rights on the French side as the Gendarmes." The former top cop said.
He said the signed treaty should be considered historical since there was none of its kind in the past. "Considering the size of the island to have such a treaty would mean a lot in crime fighting. Officers who are in hot pursuits no longer have to stop at the border since crime does not stop at the border." Panneflek said.
SMN News learnt that the agreement was sent to Curacao and was left there for a long period of time before it was officially sent off to Holland. However, the French Gendarmes also had sent the French version of the treaty to Ministry of Overseas Affairs in Paris who eventually sent it to The Hague for it to be processed.

GREAT BAY:--- Creating awareness about breast cancer is essential for women to be able to identify, understand, and address the biological and lifestyle factors associated with breast cancer.
"As Minister of Health, I am pleased to recognize and acknowledge the activities that have been organized to date and those still to take place during the latter half of October. The month of October as everybody is aware is being observed as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
"I encourage women to learn about the risk factors for breast cancer, as well as the importance of breast cancer screening. Early detection and thereafter treatment, is the best option for reducing breast cancer deaths among women in the nation," Minister of Public Health Maria Buncamper-Molanus told the Government Information Service (GIS).
Minister Buncamper-Molanus also added that the community also needs to support those who have been diagnosed or affected by breast cancer.
Regular breast self-exams can help women learn what can be considered normal as it pertains to their own bodies and therefore make it easier to notice and find any changes. Remember doing a breast self-exam regularly is not a substitute for regular mammograms.
At present there is no known cause for breast cancer; however there are certain risks factors, which may put individuals at higher, risk of developing breast cancer, e.g. person's age, genetic factors, personal health history and diet.

Philipsburg:--- Stuart Johnson has been nominated for the Crystal Pineapple Awards Fundraiser in the category for Outstanding Community Service (individuals).
Stuart Andrew Johnson was born on June 24th, 1984, on St. Maarten to the proud parents of Saba-born Rudolph Johnson and Aruba-born Linda Johnson. While in high school, he was a member of the Teen Times Youth Newspaper, Volunteer Club of the School, St. Maarten Green Voice Foundation, and Democratic Party Youth Wing of which he became president.

Upon completing his secondary education, he enrolled in the University of St. Martin (USM), where served as the first Student Government Association President, from 2003 to 2005. While in SGA, Stuart fought to have the organization notarized, which facilitated an increase in its (size/membership) and influence. Despite this already hectic schedule, Stuart remained active in the St. Maarten community. He has remained in close touch with the general public in areas ranging from youth affairs, environment, sports and culture, just to name a few . In December 2005, he launched his own foundation, named Youth Link Foundation, which he currently serves as the president. Additionally, he continued to take the initiative with clean up campaigns in the districts of Cay Hill and Middle Region as well as the Guana Bay/Mullet Bay beaches.

As an extremely active community activist Johnson continued being a member of the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation, and today, served as the youngest Vice President of the Foundation.

At the end of September, he became the youngest President to be elected to the board of the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation as preparations for Carnival 2011 are already underway. Additionally, he now serves as the Vice-chairman of the Supervisory Board of Directors of St. Maarten Postal Services.

"There have been few people as active in politics and in the community on the island as Stuart Johnson." Stuart, in all aspects of the word, truly knows what it is to be a St. Maartener and he loves his beloved island, dearly." - DP 50th Anniversary Special Supplement of the TODAY newspaper.

For those who know him, they will say, "this is just the beginning..."

The St. Maarten Hospitality and Trade Association honors individuals for their outstanding performances. The organizing committee is calling out to the community of St. Maarten to nominate an individual they know. Individuals, who have been nominated in previous years, can be nominated again. "We ask you to please write why you would like to nominate the particular individual". "Let the person or organization shine" says May-Ling Chun co-organizer of the event.

Nominations can be submitted until November 12th, 2010. For more information, please contact the SHTA office: 542-0108, e-mail:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or May-Ling Chun at 586-7120 or e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The SBO Maritime Assistant Course level 1, which aims to train drop outs from the secondary school level to become professionals in the maritime sector, has delivered nine new graduates.
From the 16 students that started the course in September 2009 nine managed to complete the full course successfully: 6 with diplomas and 3 with certificates.
The course is very practical. During 1,5 days at school subjects such as Basic Mechanics, Boat Painting, Social Skills, English, Kayaking, Swimming and Dingy Driving are taught. Coordinator of the course, Rien Korteknie, especially wants to applaud the students and WIEMS for the 100% passing rate of the students for the very important First Aid Responders Course.
Three week days the students received practical training in the various marine companies on the island: e.g. maintaining boats, assisting tourists on boat trips and assisting dock hands at the big marinas. After the course 1 student has already found employment at Aqua Mania, 2 at Blue Bubbles diving company, 1 at Island water World and 1 student decided to continue to study and started with SBO Carpentry level 2 course.
The marine industry is pleased with the outcome of the course focusing on basic skills needed to be successful within the sector. The St Maarten Marine Trades Association (SMMTA) states that finding skilled local employees remains a challenge and this program is a step in the right direction to promoting the industry to the local labor force.
The SMMTA Board together with Lisa Marshall, widow of the late Paul Marshall will present the top 3 students with the 2nd Annual Paul Marshall Memorial Scholarship Award. This scholarship award was established to further the Maritime education of St. Maarten students through skills advancement. The recipients will expand their sailing skills through a private course offered by the St. Maarten Yacht Club, which will ensure the skill level of the participants to CWO Level 2.
In September of this year a new group of 15 students has started with The Maritime Assistant level 1 course. The course is organized by SVOBE at Milton Peters College and is financed through government and with extra financial assistance via USONA from Dutch Development Funds for Education and Youth. SBO Service center/DERPI assists the MPC-SBO team with training of teachers, job coaches, curricula development, drop-out prevention and organizational advice.
This year's graduates will receive their diplomas and scholarship on October 21, from 7 pm (until 9 pm) at the Milton Peters College.

Philipsburg:--- Minister of education, sports, youth and culture affairs Rhoda Arrindell told reporters on Wednesday that there is a new Sherriff in town and her government has not seen any plans for the much talked about race track and cricket field. Minister Arrindell admitted she is new in the process and is still busy familiarizing herself with the various departments within her portfolios.
While Minister Arrindell was not able to pinpoint her priorities in her portfolios she made clear when asked if there would be any continuity with regards of the race track and cricket field that was initiated by former commissioner of sports Frans Richardson. Minister Arrindell responded sarcastically, she laughed and asked "what race track and cricket field? I consider this to be a brand new game with a new sheriff in town."
She further said that there is a new Sheriff in town and there is no race track or cricket field in their plans for sports. Minister Arrindell said that she has her own vision for sports and how it should be developed on St. Maarten, while not completely ruling out other people's ideas and projects. "I have my own vision for sports and not leaving it out of the school curriculum. However, I would prefer to start from scratch since it's a brand new situation, it's a new government and it's not a department." The Minister said while she has seen other projects she did not see any presentation of a race track or cricket field.
Right now we have been receiving correspondence from Curacao regarding the Kingdom Games and the Netherlands Antilles Olympic committee that must be dealt with within short.
Asked about her plans for education especially her intention to have the language of instruction as English, Minister Arrindell said the language of instruction is no longer a discussion. "We already established the language of instruction to be English as everyone knows my position on this matter. The idea is to get this written into law and have the other subjects such as Dutch and French taken as compulsory subjects. The Minister said that discussion is long gone and they are now looking at how to do this well. As for compulsory education she said it started in 2008 as a phasing in process. However, she made clear that St. Maarten will comply with all its obligations when it comes to its children. "Right now we are looking to see what would be the most responsible way to have this totally implemented. All children on St. Maarten are our children and we have to do it well since we do not want to short change our youths for the sake of dropping them in a classroom." The Minister said all children deserve the same level and quality of education and as such her Ministry is looking at how to incorporate the other schools into the regular school system.

Oyster Pond: --- Police are busy investigating the death of a man whose body was found in the ditch near border bar. According to police spokesman Ricardo Henson, the unidentified victim's body bore several bruises and cuts which led police to believe that someone must have knocked him down. The police spokesman said the victim has been identified as Francedouard GRANDIN who was born in Haiti on October 30th 1955.
Henson said the victim's body has been confiscated since the police is yet to determine if the victim died due to a hit and run accident or if this is another homicide. The detective and forensic departments are busy trying to determine if the man was killed due to hit and run or if he was killed otherwise.
Grandin's death is the third Haitian killed in this year they are Isarac Patrisan who lost his life in traffic accident while leaving school, Clemencia Julot who was murdered some months ago and Grandin whose life was snatched away early Thursday morning.
In the meantime the police and detective department has released the name of the victim whose body was recovered in Maho on October16th 2010. Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said the victim has been identified as Wouter Jan Romeijn born in the Netherlands on October 1968 and was residing in the Cote d' Azur area. Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said police is still not able to determine if the victim was thrown from a vehicle or if he was struck by a vehicle, therefore they are urging the public or eye witnesses who witnessed this horrible crime to make contact with the police.

Baie Nettle:--- The representatives of Jutras Groupe Immobillier who is currently on the island presenting its plan to develop the Front de Mer project told reporters on Friday that while they invited the president of the COM Frantz Gumbs and the members of the territorial council to the presentation of the Front de Mer Project president Gumbs did not honor his invitation.
Mario di Palma said even though the first vice president Daniel Gibbs has worked on the project and he met the president once and spoke of the project, he did not show any interest in discussing with them again. The investors showed members of the media a power point presentation of the plan but they were unable to provide key answers as to how they intend to develop the Marigot waterfront and the implications this would have on the local businesses as well as the environment.
Calypso Events was contracted to organize the presentations, the first was held on Thursday at the Flamboyant Hotel where the business people and council members were invited to view the plans but members of the media was barred from this event.
The investors said their intention is to make the presentation to the territorial council but the president is not responding to their request, even though the first vice president is working closely with them. They said it is necessary for the COM to become involved with this project because they are the ones who would have to inform their population. "Right now we have a project and we will be holding more meetings so we can convince the people that they should work with us, since this project is for them.
The plan presented is for a ten year period which has value of 1 billion, one hundred and ten million direct investments with 687 million Euros as indirect investment. The objective of the project, they said is to increase the value of the patrimony of Saint Martin, to develop tourism, position credible St Martiner's in the Caribbean, to develop the economy and to create more jobs for locals.

The direct investments for the next 10 years are as follows:-

• Commercial Port— 60 million Euros
• Chantier Naval (dock yard) -49 million Euros
• Water Front--- 988 million Euros
• Maritime Institute 13 million Euros

Indirect Investments for a 10 year period:-

• Hub Import and Export 20 million Euros
• Institute of Art and Culture 20 million Euros
• Private Residential 300 million Euros
• Private Hotel 250 million Euros
• Commercial sites 97 million Euros

During the construction some 1000 persons will be employed every year for the next ten year with the creation of 3600 new employment over the ten year period.

The investors said they are willing to wait and see if the president of the Territorial council would see them and to entertain them. However, they made clear that they do not intend to wait indefinitely for the president. Furthermore, St. Maarten is a land that is governed by state laws and it is not a banana republic. They further explained that they are waiting for the council to open the bidding for this project so they can bid on it.
They said they have the monies available since the RBBT bank is owned by Canadians and that is the bank that has financed the projects on the Dutch side. They said the money for this dream project is available and St. Martin is lucky to have investors that have the money on the table to invest while government is playing games. The investors said their partners are Cirque du Soleil, SNC Lavalin, Chantiers Naval, West Jet, Air Transat, Air Canada, RBC, and Air Canada.
They said the intention is to rebrand the French side and to make sure they attract tourist with strong spending power. The investors said that the Front de Mer project should not be looked at as a competition towards the Dutch side instead the Front de Mer project would be a compliment to the Dutch side.
They said while tourists disembark on the Dutch side they go to the French side for their attraction. The Front de Mer is to provide quality attraction that they believe will attract more business. The idea is to reduce parking in Marigot and to encourage walking through Marigot so that more people would visit the business places which to them would increase business for the businesses in Marigot. While the plan has details on what the investors want to construct, no parking space is part of the project. During the question and answer session the investors said their intention is to build walkways at the entrance of Marigot to reduce traffic throughout Marigot. "When people come here on vacation they don't want to smell exhaust smoke, they want fresh air and the sea."
At the press conference there were first vice president Daniel Gibbs, and the director of the Galisbay Port Service Alberic Ellis. When asked how much filling in of the sea would have to be done to accommodate a project of such magnitude. Ellis provided some information based on a plan that was made in 1992, when pressed to see if an environmental impact study was done and what would be some of the environmental consequences, Ellis quickly said he was not holding the press conference.

Below is the audio of the press conference, in both French and English. Click on the the first audio link titled "Front de Mer" to listen.

Philipsburg:--- SMN News has been reliably informed that the former convicted Chief of Police Derrick Holiday might be the person who would be appointed as labour mediator. The source said Holiday applied for the position before St. Maarten achieved its country status he was promised the job by the former executive council of St. Maarten if the VNA approves his appointment. SMN News learnt that so far the current Minister of Labour is yet to send his credentials VNA for vetting even though Minister of Labour Maria Buncamper Molanus announced last week that she already has a candidate for the position.
The source said the labour Minister is facing severe pressure to appoint a new mediator by a certain workers union. They said while the union is pressuring the Minister she is still having trouble submitting Holiday's credentials to the VNA especially knowing he has a conviction on his record. The Supreme Court in their final ruling upheld the ban of the lower court where Holiday cannot hold any position within the police force for the next three years while he was sentenced to one year suspended sentence with 180 hours community service. However, it is not clear if that would hinder the process of him being appointed a civil servant in country St. Maarten.
SMN News learnt that one of the concerns of the Minister of labour is that Holiday does not have any knowledge on labour laws, thus he must be trained. While Derrick Holiday is a lawman by trade his skills rest within the justice system.

Philipsburg:--- The Minister of Education, youth, sports and culture Rhoda Arrindell has informed the media on Wednesday that she has placed a moratorium on all hiring and placing of workers within her ministry. The Minister said the hold is placed until further notice since her ministry is busy trying to gain more information on the applications that was submitted to government while she is also trying to form a database on those persons currently working in the ministry.
Minister Arrindell said once the status of the applications on the posts that were advertised becomes clearer and she receives the capacity building plan from the general secretary, only then the review process can begin.
In the meantime, the Minister made good on her statements a week ago when she classified herself as the new Sheriff in town by pinning the Sheriff star on her clothing Wednesday.
The education Minister also announced that the study financing period is now open and applications are now available at the department of Education. The Minister said she is currently reviewing the draft priority list which should be ready by next week.

DAWN BEACH:--- The Caribbean Water Association's (CWA) Annual Conference was officially opened on Wednesday by Deputy Prime Minister, Theo Heyliger, at the Westin Dawn Beach Resort. Heyliger congratulated the members of the association on their 5th anniversary. In his first speech since becoming Deputy Prime Minister, he also reflected on the changes that he has seen in the water production and distribution since he started his political career in 1995 when the local water company was faced with large financial losses.
GEBE is hosting this event as part of the company's ongoing 50 years celebration which also coincided with the association's anniversary. GEBE Managing Director, William Brooks, reflected on the many achievements of the association over the past years, of which notable is the in-depth study of water quality of Rick Ruytenbach as an intern with the CWA in 2008.
The morning opened with presentations by Rick Ruytenback, the former TU Delft student, who presented his thesis findings on the water quality on Saba, Statia and Bonaire as well as his recommendations on the transition for these islands into the BES construction and the resulting consequences from the Dutch Water ordinance.
Stef Strik of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment gave an update on what the three islands can expect with the transition to the BES islands. The transition of the islands into the BES status subjects them to the same water ordinance regulation as in Holland, but it has become clear that a transition period and more research will be needed to determine whether the islands' water networks can meet these regulations.
A recent meeting with the Dutch Association of water companies (VEWIN) along with the Ministry of I&M was well attended highlighting the importance of this topic both in the BES islands as well as the Netherlands. This message was communicated through Alexander Vos de Wael, director of Oasen water company in the Netherlands on behalf of the director of VEWIN, Theo Schmitsz, whose scheduled attendance was not possible at the last moment. These presentations were followed by a panel discussion that focused mostly on what the islands and water production and distribution companies can expect in the short term as well as on the longer term. The consensus in the discussion was that the islands will need a tailor-made program for each island and that collaboration between the Dutch water companies, the local water companies, the Ministry and the CWA will be paramount in reaching the right solutions for these islands.
Jasper Verberk, associate professor of the TU Delft, discussed the Dutch water distribution system and new testing methods that are faster, more accurate and give a better insight into the changes of the water quality once the water enters the distribution system. The presentation was matched with the report of the water quality workgroup presenting the challenges in the distribution systems of the Caribbean islands that are faced with much higher pressures on water networks and pipes due to the hills, as well as operating in a much warmer environment.
The CWA workgroups consist of Water Quality, Security, Distribution, Water Production Technologies, Training, Communication and Customer Relations. Each workgroup gave an account of the their work and achievements over the past year.
The Caribbean Water Association was formed as a data exchange platform between the islands of the former Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. It has since expanded to the Caribbean Water Association working with the six islands, and Suriname and has been collaborating with universities in Curacao, Suriname and Delft as well as the Dutch Association of Water Companies. The goal of the association is information and experience exchange with the slogan "Sharing knowledge and experience results in wisdom."

Philipsburg:--- The government of St. Maarten will respect whatever policy or decision was taken by the federal government prior to St. Maarten taking up its status change regarding residency permits assured Minister of Justice Roland Duncan.
On August 2, the former Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba had sent a letter to the head of immigration Robert Barby and the former Lt. Governor Reynold Groeneveldt instructing them that all persons who were residing on St. Maarten prior to December 2001 must be treated equally to those persons who received their 3-year Brooks Tower Permit.
The letter of August 2 states that all persons who are registered on the island and working must show proof that they have been on the island prior to December 2001 uninterrupted before they can obtain a three year residency permit even if there are gaps in their permits.
Asked if he is willing to implement the same policy as the former Minister of Justice in order to ease the burden on regular workers Minister Duncan said he already met with the head of immigration and he is gathering information on how business is done. He said while he has not reached the stage of taking a decision on residency permits. Minister Duncan said there is need for them to do a broad discussion on immigration and labour before they take any type of long term decisions. "I am not privy to that letter, while I heard about it I have not read the letter as yet. However, if it is a decision then it will be respected in the interim, while the government of country St. Maarten reserves the right to change and or amend its policies." Minister Duncan said very shortly government will be conducting a total review of the immigration and labour policy.
Duncan said he already scheduled a meeting with the Minister of labour to discuss the procedures on labour and residency permits. He said currently St. Maarten does not have to answer to the federal government and as such the laws that regulate these permits has to be restructured into one set of laws.
In the meantime, Prime Minister Wescot Williams said government is already looking at the labour permit policy, she said governments' intention is to revamp and reform the policy. Wescot Williams said while the details of the discussion have not taken place, the intention is to revisit these policies now that the entire jurisdiction falls under St. Maarten.

GREAT BAY:--- The Collective Preventive Services (CPS) which is part of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, says that the Dutch side is bordering on a dengue fever epidemic.
On two separate occasions in the months of August and September, for two consecutive weeks the number of confirmed cases for that week was five or more.
The increase in the mosquito population is attributed to the heavy rainfall, which is more frequent this year than last year, and the population's non-adherence to instructions to remove or eliminate mosquito breeding sites/places.
The number of confirmed cases up to and including the week of October 4 is 105 since the beginning of the year; seven of these confirmed cases were reported in the Cole Bay district and six confirmed in Sucker Garden. The remaining cases on a lower frequency were distributed amongst the various districts on the island.
377 lab requests have been carried out; and 18 persons have been hospitalized. Fourteen of these admitted cases were confirmed, three were negative and one was discarded.
There is an increased mosquito population and this is not solely attributed to the aedes aegypti but the culex which breeds in other types of stagnant water.
At this present time there is no concrete plan for fogging. Discussions are underway between the government and a local exterminating company with respect to fogging. The respective contractor must ensure that there are sufficient chemicals, labour and an efficient fogging machine.
Decreasing the mosquito population calls for a combination of two strategies, firstly, the removal of breeding places and fogging. However, considering the environment and the life cycle of the mosquito (aedes agypti), emphasis is being places on the strategy of eliminating mosquito breeding places.
CPS continues to emphasize that home and business owners should check around their properties right after a rain shower and take immediate measures.
CPS is strongly advising, residents to continue to be proactive and take preventative measures against mosquito breeding in order to avoid an increase in the mosquito-borne disease dengue fever.
Dengue fever is caused by a virus, transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected aedes aegypti mosquito. Dengue symptoms include high fever, severe headache, backache, joint and eye pain, nausea and vomiting, and a rash. Once a person has developed a fever, the infectious period lasts for about a week. Most people recover without any complications, using pain relievers and bed rest.
The pilot project yard to yard inspections carried out earlier this year revealed a house premise index of eight per cent (international house premise index is five per cent), locally indicating a high number of breeding sites, which ranged from sewage water, waste water, clean water, containers with water and car wrecks.
Home and business owners should check around their properties right after a rain shower and take immediate measures.
Contractors on job sites are advised to take immediate steps by checking around the work site for containers and other items that could hold water. Check around for any stagnant water in yards that could become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
An open lot was discovered in Beacon Hill and was full of what appears to be rainwater. The lot was inspected by Controller Johnny Wattley from the Vector & Mosquito Control Unit and treated as well as the lot on W.B. Peterson's Road in Ebenezer.
CPS strongly recommends that open lots owned by private individuals should be controlled by them and monitored for mosquito breeding. Overgrown vegetation should be cut away. If a mosquito breeding site is discovered, it should be destroyed.
Residents are therefore strongly advised to take action making sure that there is no stagnant water in their yards and roof spouts; and disposing responsibly old tires, empty drums, buckets, jars, birdbaths, boats, plant containers, paint cans and other items that can collect water around their homes and businesses. Wear appropriate clothing and mosquito repellent.