Articles

It certainly is a privilege to me, that an opinion or statement coming from an insignificant 'character' like myself has got 'under your esteemed skin'.
Notwithstanding the fact that you are now in charge of all the three seats in the parliament of the Netherlands-Antilles for St. Maarten....,
Notwithstanding that you on Sunday, February 28, last a a great 'bash' in which you celebrated your landslide victory over the DP-party during the last Federal elections....,
Notwithstanding the fact that you have always neglected, and continue to neglect 'silly' people like me......,
Notwithstanding that you know it all.
Still, and still again, without the slightest of intention thereto, 'little me' managed to overshadow all of that great joy of you finally becoming the most powerful political party on the 'Friendly island'.
Wattating !
Certainly you know exactly what I am talking or rather writing about, because we live in a very small little 'village' with 'country-ambitions'.
It is about the fact that there are 'those' in your party, who are very upset, to say the least, with the fact that I commended and expressed support for Mrs. Sarah WESCOT WILLIAMS, Island council lady and DP-leader for recently having publicly stated that as one of the 'outstanding issues', the rights of indigenous St. Martiners still needed to be guaranteed in the new constitution for 'Country' St. Maarten to protect them against being marginalized.
While, I did not know, that as a president of an INDEPENDENT, NON-PARTISAN, GRASS-ROOT St. Martin movement, my statements had to be 'vetted' by the NA or by any other party for that matter, let me inform you that I reserve the rights to commend and support ANY politician of ANY party, who makes any statement in favor of the native St. Martin people, without the slightest of any apologies to ANY politician !
If those within the NA, or within any other party feels offended that I made use of my democratic right to commend Sarah WESCOT-WILLIAMS for speaking out on behalf of St. Martin people, then that begs a number of questions.
For one, those politicians should tell the St. Martin people, why they disagree or oppose having the protection of the rights of the native-indigenous people anchored in the constitution.
And if they feel that the DP is 'playing politics', which by the way is hardly any surprise to even a kid, why has the NA itself NEVER EVER publicly stated what Sarah proposed, that the rights of native-indigenous St. Martiners should be protected in 'Country' St. Maarten ?
In ending, I say to my many good friends in the NA-party, that I will be the very first to also commend, support and even endorse the NA, the day that party goes further that Sarah.
How you wonder ?
Simple.
Just stop complaining, but 'beat Sarah to the punch' and have the protection of the rights of the native-indigenous St. Martiners formulated in the constitution, so that minority or not, they will always be the host and protected in their own home-land.
That provision in the constitution will finally render your so-called country 'St. Maarten', really more that just a name or a 'jingle', but truly St. Martin to the 'core.and soul'
If you can possibly humble yourself to just ask us, we are able, willing and ready to help you, because such really requires vision and genuine passion to be adequately formulated.
Have a great day.

Leopold JAMES,
President SNBF/L'Esprit de Concordia
A proud, native-indigenous St. Martiners...without apologies !

--
Leopold James
President SNBF & L'Esprit de Concordia

While Government seems to be oh so preoccupied with securing its coveted country status come '10-10-10', the issues affecting ,and at times plaguing the people seem not to be of any concerns whatsoever for those in charge.
A simple point in case.
Since about two weeks, a container for garbage along the Windsor-road, in Cole-bay, has been mysteriously removed by unknown persons.
This garbage receptacle, has been in use for many years, not only by the residents in its direct vicinity, but also by hordes of passers by living in the Cay-bay area known for its many illegal residents.
Already, even when the garbage receptacle was in place, it was still a major challenge to get everyone throw their garbage in, and not besides it.
So imagine the open invitation now created by the bin been removed for people to simply dump everything just openly on the ground.
On various occasions, I have called on the relevant authorities to inform them of the very unhygienic situation and asked for a solution,without any response.
I guess we will have to wait, because Government's highest priority seem to be '10-10-10'.
Meanwhile, the place is becoming rundown, the rats becoming obese and openly terrorize the neighborhood, as if they own the place.
But then again, why should the Government concern itself about these not so upscale neighborhoods, where no commissioners reside ?
Maybe, if the people start dumping their garbage middle in the road and pile it up to the extent that traffic can not pass, maybe they will get the message.
Perhaps we might be better off if the rats were in charge of Government come '10-10-10'.

--
Leopold James
President SNBF & L'Esprit de Concordia
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Food safety and security is essential for an island nation like ours that is solely dependent at this time on tourism. When businesses or persons within a business take it upon themselves to change the food safety & hygiene rules of the game by not adhering to common practice where food safety is concerned, peoples lives are put at risk, and this is a very serious offence in negligent behaviour.

Businesses that sell food and those that serve food in restaurants and eateries have a very serious obligation towards their customers. What is being sold and served must meet the food safety requirements of the land. Food safety is a shared responsibility.

Over the years, Sint Maarten has built a vibrant dining scene with diverse food offerings. Our local restaurants have garnered international recognition. We are well known in the travel trade for our exquisite cuisine. Despite our size and limited domestic market, we are able to produce award-winning restaurants.

When businesses are cited for breaking food safety regulations, the business in the end will be the one that will loose as customers take their business elsewhere. The public places its confidence in the food sector that they will get quality in return.

Businesses must demonstrate their ability to adhere to all aspects of good food hygiene practices and to establish that its food safety system is working well. Besides maintaining high food safety standards, businesses should also educate the public on food safety.

Food poisoning is a common, usually mild, but sometimes deadly illness. Typical symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea that occur suddenly (within 48 hours) after consuming a contaminated food or drink.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US estimates that in the United States, food poisoning causes about 76 million illnesses, 325,000 hospitalizations, and up to 5000 deaths each year.

Our health inspectors must be commended for a job well done in carrying out their inspections. Their role is to prevent any large scale food safety crisis that could have a negative influence on tourism and travel to the island.

Every shopper should educate themselves about food safety practices when shopping for food. Micro-organisms can contaminate food in damaged packaging; toxins found in mouldy food can cause health problems; and expired food may compromise food safety and quality.

When you go to your neighbourhood supermarket or grocer, and you select with care, the risk of food poisoning is reduced.

Here are some tips to remember when you go shopping: do not buy chilled or frozen food that is displayed at room temperature; select frozen food stored below the load line of the freezing unit to avoid temperature abuse; do not choose canned food that is badly dented or bloated; examine packaged food carefully; when buying meat, make sure it does not appear stale or have off odours.

Ensure that there is no excessive moisture on the surface of meat or poultry. It shows that the food items have not been handled properly. Head for home once you have purchased meat as this cannot be left un-refrigerated for long.

When buying seafood, make sure that it is properly refrigerated or iced and when buying diary products, make sure that the packaging of the diary product is intact, and always check for the expiry date.

All businesses that are involved in preparing raw food ingredients such as cutting of vegetables or slicing meat, cooking, and packaging the food for delivery to third parties, should have proper training in food safety and food handling – Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) food safety and management system.

An entrepreneur in the food business, serving/selling good quality food is one half of the story, and to deliver food that is safe to be consumed is the other half. It's a social responsibility towards the community that a business operates in conducts its sale of products and produce in a safe manner.

Families must feel confident in the safety of foods they are buying – be it domestic foods or foods imported from other countries. The threat of unsafe foods is always looming, and while it is a problem that can certainly be improved, it can be solved.

All stakeholders must work together to keep our population healthy, safe, and well-protected from harm.

Roddy Heyliger

Mr. Sydney de WEEVER,
Inspector Radio Communication / NIB of
Bureau Telecommunication and Post, section Windward-islands.
Mr. Don HUGHES
General manager PJD-2

Dear gentlemen,

Being a professional educator, long term and consummate social-activist, president of a native St. Martin grass-root movement and conscious citizen of this island, I have made it my duty to be a frequent listener to the radio-program 'In the back yard with the young professionals' as well as to practically all other talk shows on the island in the English language.
To those talk-shows in other languages, e.g. Spanish and Haitian-Creole, unfortunately I do not follow, for the simple reason that I have absolutely no clue what they are saying/preaching or possibly even swearing or inciting for that matter.
By the way.
I wonder if the relevant communication authorities and radio-station owners themselves have any clue and can therefore evaluate the contents of these programs which are conducted in 'foreign tongues'.
That this lack of proficiency to understand these 'foreign tongues' can create a very unfair evaluation of the content of these programs, is self-explanatory and is a very interesting topic for future discussion for sure.
In other words, is their a 'level paying field', when it comes to the criteria applied to sanction certain programs ?
After all, all programs should be treated 'equally under the law', I would like to believe, if we are supposed to live in a state of law !
Therefore, allow me at this time, to request your explanation of the reason(s) why the program 'In the backyard....' is no longer on the air and what is expected to happen with the program in the future.
In addition, gentlemen, I am extremely concerned, that at a time when we as a people are facing the most crucial 'cross-roads' and challenges in our modern history, our own St. Martin and Antillean people are absolutely not being offered enough opportunities to express their views on all these matters in the media in general.
This once more justifies the question; '10-10-10' for WHOM ?????
Being exposed to the grass root St. Martin people on a daily basis, I am extremely worried that this lack of freedom of expression is resulting in many of our people developing a sense of being deliberately excluded in their own home.
At the same time, one can not tune in to any radio- or television station, without hearing lots of heated discussions going on in languages foreign- and who knows, possibly even hostile to us.
If ever there was a time to guarantee that there was the unrestricted possibility for the people of this island, as well as other Antillean residents to have first preference to be on every program on a daily basis in order to express their concerns and ideas pertaining to THEIR constitutional future, it is now !
In ending, I would appreciate meeting with you gentlemen and other stakeholders in order to discuss this matter in a very frank and professional manner.
Do not under-estimate that come '10-10-10' we will be exposed to language on radio- and television that would make us 'blush' and turn even blacker that most of us already are, simply because the Dutch tend to enjoy being extremely 'foul-language explicit' and confrontational and then what will we do ?
Remove those shows off the air ?
In that case, better be prepared to pay exorbitant hight legal damages !!!

Looking forward to your kind reponse.

With respect,

--
Leopold James
President SNBF & L'Esprit de Concordia

Dear Super intendant Charles Seaton,

You have proven to be a wise 'father-figure' in coming to a very difficult, but ultimately wise decision in rejecting the offer by Government to build a church for your Methodist congregation.
With that decision you have set a great example for others to follow and to learn from and for that you deserve maximum praise.
History and education in general teaches us that there are certain 'genies', which need not to be tampered with in the best interest of humanity.
One such well documented 'genie' is the 'lumping together' as one body of Church and State.
We will not explain the obvious and logical reasons for staying far away from that 'hybrid'- and very 'radio-active' institution, but suffice with recommending the uninitiated to read all relevant textbooks and even the contemporary news on the matter.
Therefore, this 'genie' is best kept tightly 'sealed' in the proverbial bottle, because if ever 'leaked out' of its controlled setting, this monster can wreak terrible havoc in the form of religious war, which are the worst ones known to mankind.
The best 'seal' for the proverbial bottle for this monster ?
Respect the universal principal of 'SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE'.
For the record, this does NOT mean no cooperation or contact between the two.
It means try to maintain the Church as the Church and the State as the State as much as possible.
For example;
No state should get in the business of building churches and no religion should be the authority in charge of setting up and running a police force.
In spite of the fact that certain members of the Methodist church publicly tried to construe my message and concern expressed in this matter as being inciting hatred and being against God, you Super-indendant Seaton, have understood my real concern, for which I am grateful to you.
Not only that.
Finally after a very long time, I once more feel proud of the Methodist Church and might once again become a active member if welcome.
In addition, Mr. Seaton.
Clearly, with all the probably good intentions of many members of the Methodist Church among them a number of Commissioners, there is a clear need for them to be truly educated in the fundamental meaning of 'Separation of Church and State'.
Perhaps, you can take the initiative, to host oecominical meetings in which leaders of other denominations come together and educate their followers and all other citizens of the island of the true meaning of 'Separation of Church and State'.
Also, we have to be very, very cautious, labeling others who have a different religion, or none at all as anti-God, because no-one should claim to have God in 'their pocket'.
Such mentality exhibits a sense of self-righteousness which contributes significantly towards religiosn intolerance and worse.
indisputable fact of the matter is that it is NOT up to any man or woman to decide who will go where after our physical existence.
Therefore, instead of predicting and preaching who will go to heaven and who to heel and where not, one might be well advised to make sure that one gets to the best possible place if any, after life and telegraph back to the living where they are.
Instead, ones true conviction becomes more evident and credible by one's acts and actions of love, compassion and tolerance as opposed to knowing all biblical verses by heart.
In ending Super-intendant, please accept my words of sincerity and may the good Lord continue to bless you, the Methodist church and all other religions and similar teachings.

--
Leopold James
President SNBF & L'Esprit de Concordia
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This is to 'compliment' Mr. Jan-Peter BALKANENDE and all those Dutch ministers and parliamentarians, who against the growing public sentiments and fears of the St. Maarten people, have decided to declare the 'Antillean dossier' including the ill-fated constitutional changes 'non-controversial'.
Never mind that there is a growing momentum on the island to have a number of 'outstanding issues' placed in the draft-constitution of 'Country St. Maarten'.
To make matters even worse, even supporters of '10-10-10' are becoming extremely worried about the very ominous consequences of statements made by members of the ruling St. Maarten Government that in 'Country St. Maarten' there will be no (more) separation of 'State and Church', which has opened a 'Pandora box' for religious violence on the island, which can easily spread to mainland Holland.
Also outstanding in the draft-constitution is the recognition of the very existence of the native-indigenous people of this island, their emancipation, their rights to self-determination and their moral and ancestral rights to survive the looming threats of genocide by substitution under the immigration explosion on the island.
Obviously, those Dutch politicians who believe that these justified and growing fears of the people of this island are 'non-controversial' agree with giving even more priority to empowering the POLITICIANS on the island at the expense of the PEOPLE of the island.
This type of attitude of the Dutch politicians is what 'feeds' the call in the Netherlands for populist leaders as Geert WILDERS.
Hopefully, in time the people of our island would therefore find more understanding for their dilemma from the likes of Geert WILDERS, whose clear non-politically correct approach gains him the respect and support of many native Dutch and other residents in and even outside of the Netherlands.
Could therefore the time has come to give up on those politicians in Holland who sold us out and to instead invite Geert WILDERS to the 'Friendly island' in order to inspire us with a 'pep-talk' and to possibly establish a 'strategic alliance' with the PVV ?
After all, the PVV is in favor of having the native Dutch (autochtonen) take back control of their country Holland and he is very successful in the process.
Right here on the 'Friendly island' the natives are also trying to survive in their own native home-land and are being abandoned and betrayed by both their own local politicians as well by the Dutch 'non-controversialists'.
Obviously, such a visit by Geert WILDERS could well be a most welcome and tremendous boost and inspiration for our St. Martin grass root movement to be 'first at home'.
Crazy idea ?
Maybe for some, but not for those whose timeless pleas and efforts on the other politicians have only resulted in betrayal and being left up to be marginalized and become victims of genocide.
When ones very existence is at stake, there can be no price to hight to pay to prevent such.

--
Leopold James
President SNBF & L'Esprit de Concordia
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Take your concern about rights of indigenous St. Martiners to the Island-council.
Dear Council lady, Mrs. Sarah WESCOT-WILLIAMS,
With great interest, the people of this island took notice of statements of concerns recently made by you about issues which are still 'outstanding' in the draft constitution for 'country' St. Maarten.
One such concern you expressed (See the Daily Herald of Wednesday, February 17, 2010) was the 'safeguarding of the rights of the indigenous St. Maarteners (locals)
As we have stated in a number of releases related to these statements, not only do we agree with you, but support you in making sure that the rights of the indigenous St. Martin people are protected in order to guard them against marginalization.
Although there are those who are of the opinion, that you made these remarks because you are now in the opposition, true or not, we nevertheless appreciate you for expressing that concern which those who were in opposition never did as at that time as well.
In addition, what is more important to us than such back- and-forth 'blame-game', is the fact that this statements made by you are recorded and consequently and have taken on a 'life of its own'.
Even far more that that, your statements about the rights of the indigenous St. Martin people have 'touched off' a level of hope and expectation among the St. Martin people, which will not be put to rest until you actually prove that you meant what is recorded as your concern.
We therefore make use of this opportunity to urgently request of you as leader of the DP-party to call for an official meeting of the Island-council to debate this, the single-most important issue for the St. Martin people, that of their very SURVIVAL as a people in their own land, now heralded to be Country St.Maarten.
Thus far, this concept is only St. Maarten in name, but not for 'real', since its constitution does not even care to recognize the native-indigenous St. Martin peole, let alone cares to PROTECT them !
If this is not treason or betrayal, then what is ?
It should not be under-estimated that not having the existence, the rights and privileges of the natives of this island properly formulated in the island's first constitution, will not only hang as a eternal 'curse' over those who betrayed our heritage, but sooner or later they all will be brought before the people's tribunal.
Meanwhile, every member in the Island-council will be held accountable for remaining silent on this matter of life and death for the people of this island.
Also, even if the Dutch Government would support any new constitutional change that does not care to acknowledge, respect the existence and the rights of the people this island, certainly we as a grass root people's movement will never accept such document of betrayal and will do whatever it takes to protect our rights as indigenous people.
Looking forward to your expedient response,

With respect,

Copies to all relevant Authorities within the Dutch Kingdom, Caricom, the UN etc. etc.

Leopold JAMES
President SNBF/Association L'Esprit de Concordia and
native-indigenous St. martiner with pride and without apologies.

This letter is in response to comments made by Commissioner Heyliger regarding the beach replenishment news article that appeared in the Daily Herald on Wednesday March 3, 2010.
In my email to Commissioner Heyliger I explained to him that on Tuesday morning, several trucks were seen hauling sand on the Belair Beach. At first I thought the trucks were stealing sand, so I placed a call at 7;30am to one of the ROB Inspectors.
The Inspector rushed to the scene and found out that the sand was being trucked to the beach for beach replenishment. The Inspector called me back and explained this to me, when I asked who is in charge of overseeing the project, he responded he did not know, he was not informed as to this beach replenishment.
Later on in the day I spoke to several key employees at the ROB/VROM office and they too confirmed that their departments were not aware that the Belair beach replenishment was started.
Commissioner Heyliger, no where in my email addressed to you did I state that Sint Maarten PRIDE foundation is against the Belair Beach replenishment.
My concerns are that this project started without notifying the General Public, there was no notice placed in the local media.
A sign should have been placed at the entrance to the beach notifying beach goers of the danger of truckers and backhoes on the beach.
The environmental groups should have been notified and consulted, the groups can offer advice on how to best carry out this project without disturbing nature and wildlife.
We have three qualified environmental specialists on the island trained and educated in environmental science and (marine) management, Mr. Rueben Thompson, Mr. Etienne Lake and Mr. Tadzio Bervoets.
Anyone one of these three gentlemen could have been approached to advise on the Belair Beach replenishment.
Another concern is that your office seemingly bypassed the department of ROB and VROM, a ROB Inspector should be placed to supervise the replenishment work on the beach,what is happening is that independent truckers and heavy equipment are doing whatever and there is no supervision from the department of public works and environment.
The fact that Susan Heller from Belair Beach Hotel knew about the beach replenishment work does not impress The Sint Maarten PRIDE foundation, the beach does not belong to the hotel.
All beaches are public and as such the General Public should have been notified via the media.
While a hotel is located on a beach and offer ocean front to it's visitors, we have for too long allowed hotels to make offhanded ownership remarks and claims which later result in blocking beach access as is the case with the Divi Hotel.
This case is a simple one, Sint Maarten PRIDE foundation questions the manner in which the Belair beach replenishment work is being carried out, would it have been so difficult to inform the General Public and seek advice from the environmental groups?

Jadira Veen
Sint Maarten PRIDE foundation

Dear Commissioner Frans RICHARDSON,

Along with many of the callers, who called in last night Tuesday, March 2, 2010, to the program 'ONLINE' of Mr.Fernando CLARK, we too would like to comment and support you for taking a stance against what is perceived by many as unacceptable disrespect by Mr. Bobby FERRON and many others in the marine-industry on our island.
Also Mr. Commissioner, I hereby wish to thank you for expressing during that same program your appreciation for the work our St. Martin nation building -& unification movement has been doing, under very difficult circumstances by the way, to protect the rights and the very existence as such of the native-indigenous St. Martiners in their own home land.
However Mr. Commissioner, I repeat here what I called in and told you last night as well.
It is time that you as government, and we as the native people of this island as well realize that we are no guests here on this island.
We are the HOSTS, because we are ancestrally rooted and steeped in the history, emancipation of this island, more than any others.
Also, in talking and preparing for the new constitutional status for 'Country' St. Maarten, we should even more realize that we have a great opportunity, especially with a possible delay of the date of '10-10-10' of the implementation of our new Constitution.
That is, that we take care of what island-council lady, Mr.Sarah WESCOTT-WILLIAMS, finally realized and correctly called 'OUTSTANDING ISSUES' in the constitution.
In other words, this possible delay, could well be a 'blessing in disguise' offering us an opportunity to be aware of 'outside' threats to our existence as a people and to formally include in our constitution (Pre-amble) among others; our history, our emancipation-struggles, our oneness as a a native people, our moral values, our moral ancestral and civic rights to remain vibrant and thrive as a native people, regardless how many other people come to live on our island.
We are sure that our lack of this ancestral pride and patriotism, has contributed significantly to many 'others' feeling that they can say what they want to us, do what they want to us and totally disrespect us, our civil-servants, our leaders and even our ancestral history.
Being in the position now to add these and other vital elements to our constitution, will save you as Government having to waste time, going on talk-shows to 'bawl' and 'cry foul' which in the end has limited results and no 'bite' anyhow.
This is the time to ACT and to incorporate vital sections in or constitution.
That, in and of it self, will at least show that we, and our Government respect ourselves and not only want a country called St. Maarten 'in name', but for real and that we are prepared by constitution/law to defend our national interests.
In ending Mr.Commissioner, we hope you realize that continuing to 'scream', but not doing anything effectively, is at best counter-productive and at worst, hypocritical.
If you really mean what you said and say then take it up in our still draft constitution and save your voice.
In ending and as stated before, our willingness, readiness, commitment, social influence, and passion are at your disposal and at the disposal of ALL St. Martin people.

drs. Leopold JAMES,
Native-indigenosu St. Martiner, without apologies.

Educating young inmates through training in the trade areas of barber, computer repair and tailoring, is a very positive development and a step in the right direction in rehabilitating these persons and making their way back into society as productive citizens.

Last week Foundation Judiciary Institutes Windward Islands signed a financial agreement with Dutch-funding agency AMFO for over Naf.155,000 to develop the intervention rehabilitation program based on the aforementioned trade areas.

The foundation and the Pointe Blanche Prison will work together to implement the programme. It was revealed that 40 per cent of the prison population housed in Pointe Blanche were no older than 24; most are repeat offenders and past interventions have not resulted in a behaviour change.

The Foundation Project Coordinator/Policy Worker Cynthia van Samson-Filemon was reported to have said that the conclusion was drawn through evaluation that prisoners need a structured programme to keep them occupied and help develop their social skills.

Samson-Filemon added that it is a challenge for young offenders to find adequate jobs when they are released, and the local Chamber of Commerce and business community have suggested that they learn a trade to contribute to their rehabilitation. The Labour Department according to information written about this programme will assist these young adults in finding work. Thirty-six persons will be taking part in the programme.

Education is crucial to the rehabilitation of offenders. This programme is one way of dealing with the national crime challenge our community is facing. However, we need as a society to deal with challenges faced by young people by addressing the needs of youth at risk before it reaches to the point where they end up incarcerated. A holistic approach is therefore a necessity to prevent delinquency and crime.

St. Maarten is not alone, as different Caribbean islands are also looking at how to deal with prisoner rehabilitation. Jamaica for example will be vigorously pursuing alternatives to incarceration. The four main strategies currently being looked at are: the Probation Order, which allows the offender to do community-based rehabilitation; the Community Service Order in which offenders are given 40 hours to do community service; the Suspended Service with supervision; and the Voluntary Supervision, which is offered to offenders deemed to be in need of counselling or treatment outside of the formal system.

Barbados just recently concluded a symposium on Recidivism And Re-entry Of Prisoners In Barbados: The Challenges And Solutions. Finding the right approach is essential not only for offenders but the community at large. Barbados officials pointed out that a problem-solving approach to sentencing needs is a must where you move beyond the purely punitive or retributive approach to sentencing. A survey done in 1997 at the Glendairy Barbados Prison found, 79 per cent of those interviewed at the facility felt that rehab programmes were ineffective. Consideration is being given in this case to having longer sentences in order to have more effective rehabilitation, especially for persons who have only been sent to jail for a very short period of time.

Prison programmes are about rebuilding lives. They are about reducing re-offending and re-integrating them back into society after their release from prison. Rehabilitation however does not start and end in prison. The offender will return to society after his/her release.

A network of community-based organizations, ready to support and help the ex-offender when he/she is no longer under any formal supervision is a necessary requirement. Rehabilitation is an area where prisons cannot do it alone. The community plays a critical role in helping the ex-offender stay crime free. This support has to come from employers, families, social/civic organizations and the community overall, because without the support, as a society we will continue to live in a vicious circle.

Roddy Heyliger

Philipsburg:----The four Toastmasters Clubs of St Maarten, known as Area 6, put on a public display of professionalism in all aspects at their annual "Evening with the Toastmasters". The event was held at the Conference Room of Carl & Sons on Saturday evening. The four Clubs that participated are the Philipsburg Toastmasters Club, Soualiga Corporate Club, The Disciples and the St Maarten Achievers club.

The complete public display lasted for exactly two hours and consisted of the three segments of a Toastmasters meeting; Table topics session, Prepared speech projects and an evaluation session. There were four prepared speeches by Toastmasters; one from a Toastmaster representing each Club. The first speaker was Toastmaster Dwain Carbon; a new and dynamic member of the St Maarten Achievers. His project was to get to the point and he did just that with an inspirational presentation on achievement entitled "It is if you say it is". Next Competent Communicator Bernadette Hassel of the Philipsburg Toastmasters Club took the audience to the folk tale story telling of Haiti as she delivered a moving folk tale entitled "Bouki's shoes". She delivered her presentation from the Story telling manual. Competent Communicator Beryl Berkel gave an informative expose on Public Relations in her delivery of "The new buzz in town" in which she outlined how to deal with difficult people during a press conference making use of the acronym "HOSTILE". The final speaker for this section of the meeting was Advanced Communicator Catherine Connor-Arrindell who displayed her advanced presentation skills as she delivered a keynote address from the Professional Speaker manual. In her keynote address she inspired the audience to improve their lives through enhanced communication skills that can only be learnt in the Toastmasters organization. ACB Catherine brought the entire evening into full perspective making use of the other presentations as well as everyday situations to show how effective communication can be achieved thru better listening, thinking and speaking.

A special feature of the evening was a presentation by young Georgio Richardson who delivered an electrifying speech on bullying. Georgio was featured in the program to highlight the Toastmasters Youth Leadership Program that is conducted annually with youngsters ages 13 thru 18. His presentation, along with the other prepared speeches, was met with rousing applause from the audience.

A very important segment of the Toastmasters meeting was the effective evaluation process; in which each aspect of the meeting was evaluated based on Toastmasters International standards. Speakers were evaluated based on guidelines set out in the manuals as well as an oral evaluation of the speech and the communication effect on the evaluators. Presenters were also evaluated based on their use of grammar, time and fillers (ahs, uhs etc). The overall meeting was then evaluated and suggestions for future improvement provided.

In order to attract new members to the respective clubs display tables were set up where each club could provide Toastmasters information to the guests.
Valerie Brazier, Area 6 Governor commended all for a professionally conducted program and the audience for their involvement as well. She outlined that this is the first year that all four clubs had gotten together to host the annual event and based on the success this will continue in the future. She also commended DTM Richelda Emmanuel for an exemplary role of guiding the meeting as the Toastmaster of the Evening. "An Evening with the Toastmasters" is held annually as a membership drive and to bring Toastmasters closer to the General public.

"We are forever grateful and thankful for their readily available support and assistance to us whenever we request their help," this is according to President of the Meals On Wheels Programme, Mary Brison. Brison was referring to Windward Islands Airways for what she said has been their continued contributions to the communities that they serve.

The Meals on Wheels President pointed out that despite enduring challenging and very difficult years in keeping her programme alive, Winair continues to chip in through several ways. She pointed out that since the formation of her organization in 1995 they have only been able to garner funding and sponsorship support for one year which was in the first year of establishment.

She said that the organization as established on January 26th 1995 after the devastating effects of Hurricane Lewis which had the time had created havoc and major damage to both life and property. She noted that immediately following the hurricane she commenced providing meals to persons affected by the hurricane. "I begun by having cooked food each day which was done under two Heineken tents in my front yard and I would provide a hot meal a day to several persons seven days a week in and around my community," Brison said.

She added that after things returned to normal and the situation was brought under control she sought to provide a hot meal everyday to persons living in shut ins and underprivileged children. Quizzed on how funds are garnered so as to keep what many persons have described as true humanitarian efforts being executed by Brison, she said that her organization executes three fundraising ventures each month noting that monies garnered from these events helps in keeping her programme running. "It is through the three fundraising ventures that helps us to keep this progranmme going as getting help and assistance continues to prove difficult," she said.

She proudly disclosed that at present some 60 odd seniors and 20 underprivileged children benefits each day from hotly prepared meals which she stressed is prepared each day and then distributed. "Keeping such a programme going is really tuff as each day we are tasked with preparing food for both seniors and underprivileged children but I have made a commitment when I got started and even though at times I feel frustrated and somewhat tired I know that keeping this programme going is the only thing that matters. I cannot afford to stop this now as these people (seniors and underprivileged) look forward to each day for a hot meal," she said.

Brison added that the work that is being done by her organization is important as it seeks to provide for those that are normally ignored. She said that their only help is the meal that they would get on a daily basis. "Most of these people eat their only meal from us as in many cases they are not assisted or given the opportunities that they so desperately seek," she said.

She said that currently her programme is executed through the help of four volunteers while each day four vehicles are assigned in distributing the meals around the place. "There are times that I feel like calling it quits owing to the growing difficulties and challenges faced but when I look at these persons and I see the joy that is evident in their faces when I am distributing meals it reminds me that I need to continue," she said.

Brison expressed that her organization has plans in continuing to provide hot meals each day while they seek to enhance the lives of those living in shut in and also affected by varying health and social issues thus she has no plans to quit. "My heart would be broken if I was to do that therefore I cannot stop as these people depends upon us, Meals on Wheels programe," she declared.

 

Toastmasters Area 6 will be hosting the annual Toastmasters public meeting this Saturday March 13th at the Carl & Sons Conference room beginning at 7.30pm. Entitled "An evening with the Toastmasters" this event has been hosted for the past 6 years by the Philipsburg Toastmasters Club as part of the Toastmasters attempt to bring the organization to the public. This year the Club has agreed to allow Area 6, which comprises the four clubs on St Maarten to host the event.

The Evening with the Toastmasters will simulate an actual Toastmasters meeting on stage for the public. The three main areas of the meeting consisting of the Tabletopic session (impromptu speaking), the prepared speeches as well as the Evaluation session will all be demonstrated. Throughout the event, the public will be explained the purpose of Toastmasters as well as the International impact the organization has been having for the past 85 years.

The event begins at 7.30pm at the Conference Room of Carl & Sons. Admission is free, business attire is required and the general public has been invited to attend. The main purpose of the event is to attract members to the organization by demonstrating how an average meeting is held. Area Governor Valerie Brazier explained that Toastmasters is an international Communication and Leadership organization that is rapidly growing in the Caribbean as well. "If you would like to enhance your listening, thinking and speaking skills; Toastmasters is the ideal organization to develop these skills; Area Governor Brazier concluded. St Maarten has had active Toastmasters Clubs since 1994.

GREAT BAY,– A meeting of the Island Council will take place on Wednesday, March 17 at 10.00am in the Claude Wathey Legislative Hall.

The agenda points for the meeting are Budget 2010 and the consequences for not having a budget in place, followed by the agenda point, the labour situation on the island.

The first Island Council meeting related to those agenda points was held on March 11, 2010, however due to the lack of a quorum, the meeting was cancelled 30 minutes after it had begun.

The aforementioned agenda points were requested by the Democratic Party opposition faction in the Island Council, namely Island Council members Sarah Wescot-Williams, Maria Buncamper, Leroy De Weever, and Roy Marlin.

The requested Central Committee meeting by the Democratic Party faction in the Island Council in their letter of March 11, 2010, will be held on Thursday, March 18 2010 at 2.30pm in the Claude Wathey Legislative Hall.

The agenda for the Central Committee meeting is related to answers from the Executive Council to questions posed by the members of the Island Council in the Central Committee of March 10, 2010.

Willemstad: --- The Dutch Council of Ministers agrees on transitional arrangement on the movement of persons from the BES Islands. The Dutch Council of Ministers has agreed to the proposal of Minister Hirsch Ballin of Justice and State Secretary Ank Bijleveld of
Interior and Kingdom Relations for a transitional arrangement which regulates the access and admission of Dutch citizens to the BES Islands (Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba). The transitional arrangement determines that until the introduction of a
Movement of Persons Kingdom Act on the BES Islands, the existing regime for the access and admission of Dutch citizens will be maintained.

When the political reforms within the Kingdom have formally concluded, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba will become part of the Dutch form of government in the form of public corporations. Curaçao and St. Maarten will then become separate countries within the Kingdom just as Aruba.
The present state of the Netherlands Antilles will be discontinued.
Following on the political reforms, the introduction of a uniform regulation was discussed for the access and admission of all Dutch citizens to all parts of the Kingdom, which will be laid down in a Movement of Persons Kingdom Act. The starting point of this Kingdom Act would be that the access and admission of Dutch citizens to the various parts of the Kingdom must be free in principle and subjected to as few restrictive
conditions as possible.
As long as no Movement of Persons Kingdom Act has become effective, the access and admission of Dutch citizens to the BES Islands must
temporarily -by way of a transitional regulation- be regulated elsewhere in order to avoid the creation of a loophole. It is however, considered
undesirable in this transitional arrangement to already unilaterally introduce the regime of a Movement of Persons Kingdom Act in a limited
part of the Kingdom, the BES Islands, for all citizens of the Kingdom.

In that case, all Dutch citizens would in principle have free access and admission to the BES Islands, whereas other (future) countries do not
(yet) have that free access and admission. That would not be in agreement with the intended reciprocity in a Movement of Person Kingdom Act, namely a uniform regime of free access and admission for all Dutch citizens that is going to be applicable in all the countries of the
Kingdom. That is why it was opted to maintain the existing rules for the time being.
The transitional arrangement will be sent to the Lower House in agovernment amendment with the already submitted bill Admission and Expulsion Act BES. That bill will regulate the access and admission of foreigners to the BES Islands, and after the introduction of said transitional arrangement, therefore also the access and admission of Dutch citizens to the BES Islands.

The issue of being creative, innovative and conservative should not be left up to management alone but employees as they can play a more meaningful role by helping in whatever way that they can, this is the firm belief of President of Winair Activity Club, Ms Lisa Brooks.

Brooks in an exclusive interview said that her group was formed last year as while management sought means and ways in cutting cost the relationship between management and its employees needed to be greatly enhanced thus she and some other employees saw a critical need to strengthen the relationship.

She pointed out that as part of their objective they recognized that providing each other with an opportunity of getting to know the families of each employee provided the platform for a more enhanced relationship. She noted that there is a more family oriented environment within the company while employees are getting along much better as they seek to continue building their relationship.

The Activity Club President pointed out that they recognized that waiting upon management for things to happen is not always the best approach thus the need to unite and bring about a more cohesive environment among employees was sought. She made reference to the group's rapidly growing events which she pointed out has not only grown in terms of numbers but also in seeing a major shift in how employees operate. She said that people are beginning to see each other not as 'just another person working along with them' but to 'a more important individual'. "My colleagues and I are doing our work voluntary and I am excited to say that we are seeing progress in our hard work as every time we do an event the question is being asked as to when is the next event and how can they get involved as fellow staff members are seeing the true benefits of coming together," Brooks said.

She however admitted that some of the challenges faced is garnering finances so as to execute projects and programmes noting that the economic crisis has placed significant stress and burden on companies thus the need to change their approach in business. She said that she is very thankful and grateful for what she said has been the unwavering support given thus far by management signaling out the company's Managing Director and Vice President of Marketing, Edwin Hodge and Claudio Buncamper respectively. She stressed that their personal involvement and willingness to provide a platform for staff to explore avenues and means of socializing while bringing about development and a more holistic approach to their work has helped significantly.

"Our success rests primarily with the support and tremendous assistance that has been given by Eddie and Claudio who have been fully cooperative, supportive and truly helpful in whatever way that they can to our activities. This, I want to note helps in ensuring that growth and development of our group. I want to say also that because of their support and assistance the relationship between staff and management have grown significantly," she said.

Meanwhile, fellow committee member, Aline Fleming pointing out some of the significant benefits of the Activity Club, said that it has been able to allow employees to work together noting that despite their financial challenges they have been able to execute all their events thus far successfully. Fleming said that already they are working on the details for their next event which will be held in another couple of months. She said that currently some 60 percent of staff members are actively involved in their events and activities noting that the number continues to rise. "Every time we hold an activity there are always very positive responses and other staff members who may not have attended would express disappointment at not being able to attend after they would have heard about the responses from other employees," she noted.

Fleming said that making a profit from events is not the objective of the group thus they have only sought to breakeven. She said that their first and primary objective is to ensure that bringing employees together in an attempt to forge and create a much enhanced and closer relationship is of paramount importance. She added that their objective also seeks to ensure that the relationship gap between the management team and the employees can be much closer so as to create an environment of comfort and family environment which she stressed will build a much stronger company thus ensuring that the production and performance of all is one that exceeds expectations.

Philipsburg: --- NAGICO Insurances will be once again participating in the Lions Health & Wellness Fair. The company will provide general information on its products and services, in particular NAGICARE Health Insurance and Life Insurance products.

Life Insurance Manager at NAGICO, Jacqueline Bennett stated: "The Health Fair provides for an interactive opportunity between NAGICO and the community, whereby we can continue to form part of the initiatives of the St. Maarten Lions Club to continue to increase health care awareness on the island. Health and Life Insurance should be an integral part of anyone's financial plan as they provide the means to monies needed to cover the ever-increasing health costs as well as providing financial security for surviving family members in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Our company encourages the public at large to partake in this informative event, that is not only free of charge but also provides an opportunity to get in tuned with all aspects of healthcare, including insurance products, and financial planning services which include protection and savings."

The company will also be providing logistical support to the Health Department's HIV Aids Program Management Team, including NAGICO employees who have volunteered to assist with administrative duties.

GREAT BAY,– Disaster Office Coordinator Paul Martens recently returned from Martinique after attending a Regional Risk Reduction Initiative meeting early February which is part of a European Union (EU)/United Nations Development Program (UNDP) development project.

The meeting was for Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) and was held under the theme, "Sharing of Knowledge, Tools and Experiences for Building Capacity in Disaster Risk Reduction in the OCTs."

Besides Sint Maarten being in attendance, representatives of Saba, Sint Eustatius and Bonaire were also in attendance.

"The objective of the meeting was to share best practices and expertise; the presentation of capacity assessment tools; and charting the next steps.

"One of the main results of the meeting was to have a common understanding of effective systems and methodologies operating in Martinique, Anguilla, British Virgin Islands and Cayman Islands.

"It is important that we learn from other islands since we mostly experience the same types of disasters with the exception of a volcano within the Caribbean Basin.

"The meeting overall was very informative and much progress has been made on what steps need to be taken in future where comprehensive disaster management is concerned," Sint Maarten Disaster Office Coordinator Paul Martens told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Sunday.

The UNDP is committed to areas of disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation, both being very crucial for small and highly vulnerable islands of the Caribbean.

A World Bank 2006 report noted that there was a more than 15-fold increase in the real cost of disasters since the 1950s, and the number of persons affected also rose dramatically from 1.6 billion in 1984 to 206 billion in 1993 with substantial further increases since. Hurricane Ivan in 2004 resulted in over US$3 billion in total losses of both assets and income in Cayman Islands and Grenada alone.

Speeches and statements at the start of the meeting were made by President of the General Council of Martinique; UNDP, the EU and the Martinique Disaster Management.

The delegations from the various islands were given several tours that entailed one of the General Council of Martinique's Operations Room – Concorde Building; a landslide stabilization project at Fonds Saint Denis; a visit to the Morne des Cadets Volcano Observatory.

Martens and other attendees were hosted by the General Council of Martinique.

Great Bay– Commissioner of Tourism, Mr. Frans Richardson is urging all hoteliers on the island to take full advantage of the photo and video shoot which the island's marketing firm, Tambourine, will be carrying out prior to the start of this year's Heineken Regatta to upgrade their respective photo libraries.
"We are extending the opportunity of having custom photos and videos produced for each of the hotels at a special package rate," the Commissioner stated.
"It is a great opportunity that the hotels have to their properties photographed by professionals who are experts in this field. This will guarantee that the hotels will have up-to-date, high quality video and photo images of their properties which will cost them much less than if they had to bring down the crew themselves," Commissioner Frans Richardson said.
He continued: "It is a win-win-win situation for everybody: the island will benefit from top quality video production and high resolution photos of the hotels; the hotels will benefit since they can use these images in their own promotions and marketing, and since it is a package deal, everyone will save quite a lot of money because these things are usually very expensive."
According to Regina LaBega, Director of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, under whose auspices the video and photo shoot is being undertaken, it will cost each hotel only US$1,700. "It costs much more just to bring down the crew," she noted.
Participating hotels will each receive high definition video fly-overs from sea to beach, beach to sea, parallel to its shoreline and hover shots over the property. In addition, they will receive the corresponding high-resolution images.
Tambourine is the marketing firm responsible for the creative new branding strategy the island launched towards the end of last year.
Hotels and resorts that wish to take part in this photo shoot must register latest by Tuesday, March 2, 2010. They should contact Lisa Coffi at the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, Telephone: 599 542 0685.

Philipsburg:--- The police department KPSSS has lost officer Elbert Felipe Schoop who passed away on March 3. Officer Schoop passed away on his native island Curacao. According to information released the officer fell ill last year and was receiving medical treatment up until he passed away. The management team as well as colleagues of the late Schoop would like to express their sincere condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families of the fallen officer.

Philipsburg: --- The management team of KPSSS has arranged for the funeral arrangements of their fallen colleague Elmert Schoop to be held on St. Maarten this Saturday. Members of the community of St. Maarten would get the opportunity to pay their last respects to the family of the late Schoop. The body of the late Mr. Schoop will be flown in to St. Maarten on Insel Air on Saturday and will be taken to the St. Maarten of Tours Catholic Church on Front Street for viewing which will begin at 2pm.

The church service will commence at 03.00 p.m. The body will there-after be taken back to the morgue where it will be held until Sunday March 7th 2010, on which date it will flown back to Curacao. On Monday March 8th, a church service will be held at the Catholic Cathedral in Pietermaai on Curacao. After this church service, the body of the late Elmert F. Schoop will be laid to rest in the Catholic Cemetery at Berg Altena.

Philipsburg:----The Rotary Club of St. Maarten installed its first couple. Maria Hovius a lawyer by profession and Theo de Kluijs with a background industrial medicine and who worked for Hydroshop Design both left their former employers after 15 years of hard work and went into business for themselves. Having been entrepreneurs for six years, retirement became the next logical step. St. Maarten is where Maria and Theo call home for several months of the year, particularly the cold months.
What can new members expect from being part of this international organization?
W hat Rotarians get out of Rotary depends largely on what they put into it. Many membership requirements are designed to help club members more fully participate in and enjoy their Rotary experience. Attending weekly club meetings allows members to enjoy fellowship, enrich their professional and personal knowledge, and meet other business leaders in their community. If members miss a meeting of their own club, they're encouraged to expand their Rotary horizons by attending a meeting of any other Rotary club in the world. By participating in local and international service projects, club members can volunteer their time and talents where they're most needed.
The four Avenues of Service are Rotary's philosophical cornerstone and the foundation on which club activity is based: Club Service focuses on strengthening fellowship and ensuring the club's effective functioning. Vocational Service encourages Rotarians to serve others through their vocations and to practice high ethical standards. Community Service covers the projects and activities the club undertakes to improve life in its community. International Service encompasses actions taken to expand Rotary's humanitarian reach around the globe and to promote world understanding and peace. More information is available on www.rotary.org.

Rotarian Fred van de Peijl sponsored the Hovius and de Kluijs couple bringing the club to 41 members strong. The members of The Rotary club of St. Maarten welcome Theo and Maria to this great service club.

Philipsburg:---On Tuesday morning March 9th, the Minister of Justice, Mrs. Magali Jacoba, visited the Foundation Justice Institutions Windward Islands. The Minister was given a presentation of the successful project "From Criminal to Entrepreneur." 73 prisoners participated in this project. 36 prisoners followed an advance course, where they learned to write a business plan. Of the 36 participants, 12 continued working on their idea to start a business.
At the moment there are 4 prisoners who are running their own businesses. This project is another proof that with guidance and perseverance, the youth who gets him /herself into problems with the justice system, can do well and maintain themselves in the community after they have done their time. This project has now been officially closed on Tuesday morning.
The next project that SJIB will guide is the project "Not in jail but at work." This project will teach the prisoners different skills, such as socials skills necessary to brace and make themselves competent in the community once they have done their time. This project is financed by USONA.

Philipsburg: ---A pregnant mother of three was released Monday March 15, 2010, after spending more than 10 days on the floors of the police cells in Philipsburg.
The mother was arrested at the airport on March 4 because it was discovered that her passport and that of her three children were false. Her husband, a local St.Maartener that had been married to the young lady for over 4 years saw his wife being locked up and his children sent to the local orphanage. After 4 days in pretrial detention, the woman was released only to be immediately rearrested for immigration reasons.
The family contacted attorney at law Remco M. Stomp who immediately filed an injunction. The hearing was held on Friday, March 12, 2010.
Stomp argued that the only thing that was wrong with the situation was the fact that the passports were false, which in itself indeed was a crime. From that perspective, it was understandable that an investigation was launched, Stomp said. However keeping a pregnant young mother of three sleeping on the floor of the local police station was an obvious irresponsible thus unlawful measure taken by government. Especially since there was no question about the identity of the mother and the children and the fact that she was lawfully married to a St. Maartener who also happened to be the father of the children, Stomp said. Furthermore, the mother had no criminal record. The passports from both the mother and her children were arranged by an acquaintance of the family in the Dominican Republic This acquaintance obviously turned out less reliable than thought. The unfortunate happening was particularly sour for the family for if the family had applied for their passports themselves they would have had no problem getting them.
The main legal technical argument however, that was presented to the judge, was the fact that the mother was officially still in possession of a valid residence permit and the law does not permit detention for immigration reasons if one is legally residing on the island, Stomp said. As a result, the judge immediately ordered the release of the young mother.
Although the Governor initially intended to deport the young mother and revoke her residence permit, he has launched an official investigation in the matter.

Philipsburg:--The St. Maarten Lions Club hereby makes known that due to an unfortunate incident involving the theft of ticket books for the upcoming car raffle on March 28th, a number of books will be null and void.

The ineligible tickets for the car raffle are 8860-8869, 8890-8899, 8920-8929, 8950-8959, 8970-8979, 8980-8989 and 8990-8999. Person holding tickets from these number ranges should contact the Detective Department at the Philipsburg Police Station as an investigation has been filed concerning these stolen tickets.

Holders of the 17 tickets numbers from 8900-8909 and 8910-8919 should immediately contact before the raffle any of the following persons: Lion Eldert Louisa 520-0070, Lion Carl Thomas on 520-0883 or Lion Paul Marshall to verify their ticket purchase.

The club apologizes that it had to take these measures before the raffle date but it had no choice than to do this in order to guarantee the fair play of the raffle game on March 28th.

The general public can still purchase car raffle tickets on Saturday and Sunday from any Lions Club member, at the Health & Wellness Fair, ACE Colebay, Le Grande Marche, Cost U Less and Sunny Foods.

Philipsburg: --- Police are currently investigating a robbery that took place at the Touch of Gems jewelry store on Friday. Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said the manager of the store identified as S.P.M.M told police that just around 11:30 am that day two men entered the store and asked to see a gold chain. The manager told police when they gave the men the gold chain to inspect both men took off running out of store. Descriptions of the suspects have been provided to the investigating officers.

In the meantime, police also reported that their officers are constantly being battled with stones as they investigate cases in Dutch Quarter and Union Farm areas. The police spokesman said on February 27 police patrol from Philipsburg was sent to Union Farm to investigate the case of a stolen vehicle with license place 9652 ZZ 971. Henson said based on their information the vehicle was driven by unknown persons in the area. Henson said police found the vehicle, which was later abandoned by the suspects, however, as the officer began to investigate persons started throwing stones at them, which hampered the investigation.

Due to the darkness, the officers could not determine which direction the stones were coming from or who the culprits were. The patrol immediately informed the Central Police Dispatch of the ongoing situation and requested additional back up and a tow truck. For their personal safety the patrol retreated from the immediate area. The patrol that arrived as back up also stated that on the way to the scene they too were battled by unknown persons. An intense search in the area to locate the culprits had no results. The stolen car was towed by a towing company and an investigation is ongoing.
It has become quite frequent lately that when police officers are patrolling or conducting investigations in the Dutch Quarter/Zorg en Rust/ Union Farm areas they are being verbally threatened and or battled by a group of unknown persons. The situations are un-acceptable. These threats and armed attacks are serious criminal acts and the police department has started an investigation to locate and arrest the persons responsible for these acts and to make sure they are prosecuted.

Philipsburg:---Established with the view of ensuring that relationships among staff members are much closer while bringing abut a much closer relationship the Winair Activity Club has promised that this year will be one that is packed and active for staff. This was the revelation made by President of the Club, Lisa Brooks who said that her group's responsibility is to ensure that there are sufficient activities to ensure that staff can be able to build and establish stronger, closer and a more enhanced relationship with each other.

She said that since their formation last year there have been significant growth noting that the relationship between management and employees have also been enhanced as they have gotten much closer. "We now have a much closer and better relationship with management as they have been very supportive and helpful in so many ways and we are really grateful for that," Brooks said.

She pointed out that a number of activities will be held noting that three of the major activities planned are a Karaoke night, which she said would showcase employees singing ability while testing those who are aware of their ability. She said that their annual staff sports and family fun day is an eagerly looked forward to event owing to what she said was the overwhelming success last year and a party, which she noted, will be unique. She noted that all the activities are geared at sensitizing the employees firstly on what goes on within the airline thus ensuring that they become knowledgeable and cognizant.

Brooks said that while the group is not bent on making a profit they are seeking to strengthen the relationship among employees as their primary objective noting that once this is achieved the company will see enhanced and improved performance and production, he said that the group's primary responsibility is to ensure that through the staging of activities and events that employees can come together while it allows each employee to get to know the family of their colleagues much better. "Today we are able to know the people that we work with much better as before while we saw them we never knew them and that is why we are not focusing on making a profit but rather to strengthen and build closer relationship," she argued.

Meanwhile, Managing Director of Winair, Edwin Hodge assured that his management team would continue to be supportive towards the initiatives and programmes of the activity club. He stressed that he and his management team recognizes the importance of staff coming together thus they will continue to seek ways and means of ensuring that the club's objectives are achieved. "We recognize the great work and importance of such a group and as the Managing Director of this company let me assure all that we will give whatever support and assistance needed to ensure that this is achieved," Hodge said.

He added that since the formation of the group there have been mark improvement and enhancement of the performance and production of some employees noting that management have also seen a greater effort on the part of employees to adapt a more professional and family oriented environment thus working much closely and unified so as to achieved the company's work programme. "We are pleased with the progress made thus far by the Activity Club and therefore would urge them to continue bringing about development and growth," the MD declared.

The countries of St Maarten, St Kitts and Jamaica are the leading countries that are able to comfortably host major conferences within the region. This was the disclosure made by Ackroyd Birmingham, Treasurer of the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions and Conference Chairman. Birmingham made this disclosure in an exclusive interview while on a two days visit to St Kitts to evaluate the country's conference facilities.

He pointed out that despite several countries being regarded as prime tourist destination and demonstrating an interest in hosting several regional and international conferences they are 'handicap' with regards to properly hosting major or massive conference numbers. "It's really sad to know that only about five countries in the region as the ability and facilities to host conferences of about 400- 600 persons as all of the other countries are unable to do so," he said.

The Dominican Director said that one of the organization's biggest and greatest challenges is to get venues for their yearly rotating convention. "We have had to resort holding our conventions via cruise, visiting non member countries and repeating certain countries regularly because of this challenge. For instance we are staging this year's conference in St Maarten who is not a member because there are very few countries that has the capacity for such a conference," he said.

The Conference director was very high in praises for the governments of St Maarten, St Kitts, Jamaica noting that it will help to facilitate growth and advancement of those countries economies. He pointed out that he is exceptionally impressed with St Kitts noting that it's the smallest country and has demonstrated its ability to host these conventions. "I must note that I am really impressed with St Kitts as while you have much bigger countries like Trinidad, Barbados and other top tourism related islands like Antigua and St Lucia they are of no match to what this little country has been able to achieve via its facilities to host such major events like these," he declared.

He said that while many may be surprised with especially Trinidad and Barbados they shouldn't noting while these countries posses hotels that accommodate such a number having everything hosted in one hotel is what brings about the bottle neck. "Trinidad and Barbados do have more hotels than St Kitts but having a hotel that can host everything in one place is what brings about the difference," he said.

Birmingham said that St Kitts last hosted the convention in 2005 stating that they did an exceptionally good job at it with the assistance of Nevis Cooperative Credit union. He said that this year's 53rd annual international convention and 39th Annual General Meeting will be held from June 26th to June 30th at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino. Exploring the prospects as to which country will host next year's convention; Birmingham admitted that St Kitts is a front runner noting that the winner will be announced sometime soon. He added that while several countries have requested to host the convention meeting the criteria has been their difficulty. "we would really like to ensure that each member country gets n opportunity at hosting this prestigious convention however the reality of the situation is that only a small few qualifies for the opportunity to host and among these countries are St Maarten, St Kitts, Jamaica, Bahamas and a few others," he reiterated.

GREAT BAY,– The Lt. Governors of the Netherlands Antilles would like to congratulate Gerald Berkel who has been approved as Lt. Governor of the Island Territory of Sint Eustatius as of April 1, 2010.

Berkel has been acting Lt. Governor of Sint Eustatius for the last eight years. The Kingdom Council of Ministers accepted the proposal of Dutch State Secretary for Internal Affairs & Kingdom Relations to appoint Gerald Berkel to the position.

Lt. Governor of Saba Jonathan Johnson told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Friday that his colleagues congratulated Berkel on his appointment and wished him much success with his tasks.

The five Lt. Governors have been meeting on Saba since Wednesday as part of their quarterly Governors executive meetings which also concluded on Friday.

The areas that the five Lt. Governors have been discussing is the financial situation of the islands, political restructuring process within the Netherlands Antilles that will lead to dissolution of the Antilles, criminality, maintenance of public order and safety, and the national ordinance on admittance and expulsion.

Netherlands Antilles Justice Minister Magali Jacoba was also in Saba on Friday where she met with the Lt. Governors regarding various policy areas related to their areas of responsibility that fall under them as Chief of Police on their respective islands.

Governor-General of the Netherlands Antilles Frits Goedgedrag was unable to attend the quarterly meeting due to prior engagements.

The Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba together with the State Secretary of Justice Ernie Simmons met on Monday with director of Turning Point Dr. Lloyd Richardson to discuss a request of Turning Point to be eligible to receive subsidy from the federal Government . After that Turning point has made different adjustment to the building, they have delivered a request to the Federal government to see if they will be eligible to receive financial support. The Minister of Justice has promise that she will do her best, to bring more light to the request of this organization.

Philipsburg:----The SHTA believes that the Executive Council has set a dangerous premise by stating that the State and Church are not separate. Furthermore, Government has opened the door for every denomination (Catholic, Hindu, Jewish etc) to seek similar funding for their establishments. The SHTA tried contacting Commissioner Frans Richardson and Lt. Governor Richards to get some insight into this decision, but they were both unavailable.

Secondly, the reasoning behind this action is questionable. Based on publications in the media, Government followed proper procedure by putting a stop to the construction of the church, where no permit had been issued. Therefore, the need for compensation remains questionable. Under normal terms, this would have had to be dealt with by the courts.

Lastly, the SHTA is concerned about the lack of fiscal responsibility. Recent meetings with the CFT and the Executive Council revealed that Government needs to increase its revenue stream in order to balance its budget and thus all Capital expenditure needs to be prioritized.

The SHTA understands that this decision has not been approved by the Department of Finance and plans to follow all available avenues to have this decision questioned.

GREAT BAY (GIS)—Due to unforeseen problems during work on the Bush road on Wednesday night the contractor and NV GEBE were not able to complete the planned work. The Bush road was to be closed on Wednesday evening until Thursday morning 6:00 AM.

Because of the problems and delays, the Bush road will remain closed this afternoon until 3:00 PM in the direction from Sint Bernard Bridge to Zagersgut Road.

Furthermore, due to the delay in the planned work,onThursday March 11, 2010 from 8:00 PM until Friday March 12 at 6:00 AM—the Bush road remained closed to allow the work to continue.

The Sector of R.O.B., department of maintenance, Traffic Police of St. Maarten and NV GEBE informs the general public that Bush Road will be completely closed on 10th of March, 2010 starting at 8p.m. in the evening throughout the night until 6a.m.on Thursday 11th of March, 2010. Only residents of the Bush Road will be allowed to enter during the above-mentioned time.

During this timeframe, General contractor Windward Roads Infrastructure will be laying the new High Tension cables in the trenches alongside the Bush Road, from the entrance of Blijden Drive until the Prins Bernard Bridge.

Due to the needed workspace, the temporary bridges accessing the properties over the open trench will be removed in order to lay these cables.

Residents living along the Bush Road needing to use their transportation during this time frame are urged to park their vehicles on the other side of the road.

During this timeframe, residents will not be able to access their property with this vehicles.
Full access to the properties will be restored at 6.00am on Thursday morning.

This small inconvenience will allow us to execute the necessary upgrading of the Utilities on the Bush Road.

During this project, Windward Roads will accommodate the residents anyway as possible.

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

For more information regarding the above-mentioned work, interested persons can contact the Sector of R.O.B. department of New Project Development and infrastructural Management (Mr. C.A. Buncamper or Mr. B. Ortega) or NV GEBE Maintenance and Execution Department.

GREAT BAY,– The island of St. Maarten will begin serving as home port for the cruise vessel Star Clipper, as of December 20.
That is according to tourism commissioner Frans Richardson, who has been attending the 2010 ITB Berlin trade show in Germany.
In making the announcement on Friday, Commissioner Richardson said that he is very encouraged by the news and that he wholeheartedly welcomes the decision taken by Star Clipper.
"This choice offers our island an opportunity to welcome additional numbers of visitors to our shores while complimenting other tourism efforts which are already underway", he said.
Commissioner Richardson said that the decision is "is certainly gratifying and represents a commitment by both parties".
The tourism commissioner said that this is certainly good news where it concerns prospective visitors from Germany and other parts of Europe. He said that he looked forward to the Star Clipper service having a spin-off effect for the U.S. market as well.
"I have no doubt that all stakeholders will work together, hand in hand, to make the Star Clipper venture a success for St. Maarten", said commissioner Richardson.
He said that St. Maarten would continue with endeavors to "retain St. Maarten as a competitive cruise ship destination and a convenient base for home porting, given its strategic location."
The idea is that the Star Clipper will leave from Phillipsburg and sail to Anguilla, Virgin Gorda, B.V.I., Norman Island, B.V.I., Jost van Dyke, B.V.I., St. Kitts, Antigua and St. Barths, before returning here.
The Star Clipper is described as a "modern cruise ship in every way, created for comfort-loving passengers who also love the traditions and romance of the legendary era of sailing ships".
The vessel is some 360 feet long and carries 170 guests.
Commissioner Richardson remarked that St. Maarten's participation at the 2010 ITB Berlin event is significant considering that it provides an excellent opportunity to meet business partners and to do business.

ITB Berlin is not only the leading travel industry show in Germany but it is also the perfect place to learn about new trends, concepts and cooperation possibilities – and to deepen existing business relations, he said.
According to Commissioner Richardson, "this is where you meet hotel managers, tour operators, travel agency owners, travel agents, journalists and operators of cruise vessels such as the Star Clipper".
With more than 180,000 visitors, among these 108,000 trade visitors, and over 10,000 exhibitors, ITB Berlin is the leading B2B-Platform of all tourism industry offers.
St. Maarten has been among a total of over 11 thousand exhibitors at ITB Berlin.
Represented at ITB Berlin are some 187 countries.

St. Peters: ---The students of Milton Peter College are in the process of chartering their first Interact Club.
In coming vice-president, Celine Verheij stated, " As you may know Rotary Interact Club is a junior form of the well-known Rotary Club International. Our soon to be established Club consists of students from Milton Peters College ages 13 to 18. As you may have heard and seen there are three other Interact clubs on the island, namely at Learning Unlimited, St. Maarten Academy and St Dominic High School."

The main goal of MPC Interact club is to support the community and also to bring awareness to the
community in general, to show the positive side of MPC. The official installation night of the new club, will take place on Friday March 26 2010 from 6:00 pm till 8.30 pm at MPC. Rotarians, Interacters of other schools and Roteract members are welcomed to share in this wonderful occasion. "We are very excited about starting this new club as we will be able to support the community and help them. We will be hosting
many events in time to come, our first event are a car wash at Kooyman. This fundraising event is being sponsored by Kooyman and it includes the products and space where the car wash will be held on Saturday March 20, 2010 from 10 am till 3 pm. The money raised will go towards the establishment of the MPC Interact Club and hopefully if enough funds are raised to allow the club to get their first project started," says Celine. Tickets will be available from the incoming members of the MPC Interact club for a contribution of $10. "You don't have to buy a ticket in advance so you can also turn up on Saturday 20th March, the car wash starts at 9 am."

The planning of the official installation has been on going for some time now; the incoming-board has come
together a number of times to discuss different ideas. Great effort is being put into making this installation night special in order to show everyone that MPC can deliver many good things to the community.
On the program for the March 26 is an auction, several interesting items will be available such as a selection of electronics and jewelry to help raise money for upcoming projects. This will really be a special evening for us at MPC and we feel that this night will be a great success, as we will receive our official Interact club pins, bell, and banner. It gives us great pride to tell the community of this success. Of course we
would not be able to have done this without the support of several MPC staff members and help from members of the St. Maarten Rotary Club as this Rotary Club is sponsoring the Milton Peters College Interact Club. On behalf of all the students of MPC who are part of this event, we would like to thank you all for your help and care concludes Celine Verheij.

The St. Maarten Rotary Club will be having "The Great St. Maarten Bazaar" at the parking lot of Le Grand Marche (Bush Road) this Sunday March 21 from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. This is a fundraising event and all proceeds will go towards the St. Maarten Medical Center's Pediatric Unit and the Rotary's Haitian Relief efforts.

This event promises to be "a garage sale to end all garage sales, this one will uphold the adage that one (wo)man's junk is another (wo)man's treasure!" says Rebecca Low vice president of the club who is spearheading this grand fundraiser.

The St. Maarten Rotary Club will happily take donations of unwanted, new, and gently used household items, books, toys, tools, decorative items, plants, working appliances and small pieces of furniture. "Chances are if you liked it and bought it, someone else will too!" say Rebecca.
Please contact the club at 520 4275 or any member of the St. Maarten Rotary Club. Arrangements will gladly be made to collect items being donated.
The general public is invited to come out on Sunday March 21 at the parking lot of Le Grand Marche to contribute towards this worthy event.

Philipsburg:---On Monday March 15, the process has begun where all undocumented Haitian Nationals that failed to comply with the BTA and those who have never went to register with the BTA accord.
Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba along with the local government of St Maarten has decided that all undocumented Haitian nationals residing on Dutch St Maarten should get a chance to register to avoid deportation when the immigration controls start, reason for this is because of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti last January 12, 2010 that caused massive damage in the capital of Port au Prince, Haiti.
On Monday March 15, 2010 a total amount of 167 persons were registered, 98 persons were granted permission to stay till August 2010, 50 were granted permission to stay until December 2010, seven person had to check back with the office the following day Tuesday March 16, while two other persons were denied as they were registered on the French side of the island and 7 other persons were unaccounted for.
On Tuesday March 16, 2010 a total amount of 213 persons were registered, 131 persons were granted permission to stay till August 2010, 69 persons were granted permission to stay until December 2010, two other persons were denied reason were that they came in after January 12, 2010 and 1 other person was unaccounted for.
The Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba would like to remind all Haitian National living on the Dutch side of St Maarten that Wednesday March 31, 2010 will be the last day to register.
The registration will take place from Monday through Friday from 8 in the morning non-stop till 4 in the afternoon at the Conference Center of the Salvation Army on the Union Road #59 in Cole Bay.
The registration is only for the following groups of illegal Haitians who live in St. Maarten:

1. Those who as per the Brooks Tower Accord must have left St. Maarten already before March 1, 2010. This relates to Haitian nationals who entered the Antilles between January 1st, 2006 and January 12th, 2010. January 12, 2010 is the day the devastating earthquake took place in Haiti.
2. Those who applied via "Steering group" and who entered the Netherlands Antilles between January 1st, 2006 and January 12th, 2010. This is because they are not eligible to receive a permit via the "BTA" as they are not special cases.
3. Those who entered before January 1st 2006, but who did not register for category 1 or 2 of the "BTA". By not registering, they automatically become illegal equal to category 3 "BTA".

By registering the illegal groups 1 and 2, the right is obtained to continue living in St. Maarten till the 31st of December 2010. Those of category 3 will get the right to stay till August 31, 2010. The registration does not give the illegal any other rights.
All Haitians mentioned above will receive a copy of the registration form to have in their possession at all times. No photograph is on this form, only the signature of the illegal person who registered.
The illegal immigrant must show this form to the Dutch authorities during controls. This form indicates up to which day their stay is allowed on Dutch St. Maarten. Before said date they can always leave St. Maarten of their own will. After said date they will be deported. The Minister want to stress that this documentation is only for the Dutch side of Sint Maarten and does not have any validly on the French St Martin.
Haitians who register for category 1 and 2 of the Brooks Tower do not need to register again.
The registration will not take more than 5 minutes, as long as the illegal immigrant brings his / her passport and a (good quality) copy. A copy machine is available at the venue and it will cost only 25 US cents per copy.
It also applies here that if the illegal immigrant supplies information that is not based on the truth or makes use of a false passport, he / she commits a crime and will be deported immediately.

Philipsburg:--- The faction leaders namely leader of the Democratic Party Sarah Wescot Williams, Leader of the National Alliance William Marlin , leader of the UPP Theo Heyliger and independent Island councilman Louie Laviest was invited to the chambers of the Lt. Governor to caucus on the proposal submitted by the executive council for the 2010 budget.
In making his presentation finance commissioner Xavier Blackman said the draft budget of 2010 is ready including all the amendments. Blackman also indicated that this is the first time the CFT fully scrutinized the budget as they did this time around and that the 2009 budget was only balanced on paper while it was not in reality.
The commissioner also said that based on the agreements signed in July and December last year on the transfer of tasks the budget was drafted, however the CFT did not agree with what was included in the budget regarding the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles. The 2010 budget has a net value of 323.6 million guilders with 1.7 million in surplus.

Blackman made clear that in the past government did not follow the laws when it comes to proper financial management and one of the rules they never adhered to was article 110 of the ERNA that states that budgets must be ready and submitted to the island council by May 1 of the preceding year. The commissioner agreed that the CFT did point out some valuable points to them during their discussions on the 2010 budget.
The commissioner said that the CFT had sent several suggestions to the executive council in May 2009, none of which were applied while the Democratic Party was in government. Blackman said while the executive council is responsible for the daily affairs of the island and to make sure that there is proper management they are supposed to also make sure that the right people were in the right positions. Blackman said that since taking office ten months ago he was confronted with several situations regarding civil servants some of whom were even told they were over qualified. Government had to also provide the proper tools for their civil servants including giving them the necessary opportunities for their career development.
While the commissioner presented the budget and took some shots at the previous government the Democratic Party members posed hundreds of questions on the draft budget that was given to them on Tuesday.
Leader of the Democratic Party outlined several areas of the budget that is still questionable to her faction. Wescot Williams gave an outline on the dates on which the budget was to be handled in the central committee and had to be canceled, she said her faction still does not know if the draft budget presented to the council is the one approved by the executive council on November 10 and was submitted to the CFT or if is the one they approved on November 17.

The Democratic Party leader said her faction wants to know when the executive council approved the draft version that was submitted to the council on Tuesday, she made clear that Tuesday's meeting was not about an amendment instead it is a debate on the overall 2010 budget.
The Democratic party wanted the list on immovable properties, settlements that were made by government as well as long term agreements and non public bids. Wescot Williams said they also asked for copies of all agreements that would have financial consequences to government for more than year. She said the executive council had promised to disclose the list on the day the budget will be debated but that too was not upheld.
Island councilman and former finance commissioner Roy Marlin asked for clarity concerning the statements made by commissioner Blackman. Marlin said he wants to see the letters to prove and to support the statements he made regarding that people that were told they were overqualified. Marlin further asked for an explanation as to why the executive council took 36 days to pass on a letter they sent to the council regarding the budget.
Independent Island Councilman Louie Laviest suggested that government take an inventory on its long lease land which was leased out to citizens as well as established businesses. The island councilman said that government should also consider selling the land to the persons who have been occupying the land and make them landowners. Laviest said if government does that then they would have millions in their coffers while they would at the same time empower their people.
The meeting has been adjourned to Thursday where the debate will continue.

Philipsburg: --- A delegation comprising of several members of the State Judicial Committee of Curacao visited St. Maarten over the weekend and met with schools and other foundation in order to gather information. The committee members are Mr. M. Jamalodin, (PAR) Mrs. M. Louisa-Godett (FOL) Mr. E. Eisden,(MAN) Mr. M. Navarro,(Forsa Corsow), Mr. C. Janga,(P.A.R.) Mr. D. Lucia, (P.N.P) Mr. A. Nicolas, (Independent) all of whom were invited by senator Rudolph Samuel of the National Alliance.

The working visit of the Judicial Committee was mainly to gather information and to get a clear picture and the nature of the actual problem with the youths on St Maarten.
Chief Inspector Carl John and Inspector Ricardo Henson provided a guided tour to various neighborhoods and areas of interest. On Sunday, the committee visited the Belvedere Community, where they were met with representatives of the Belvedere Home Owners and Tenants Association, The Belvedere Community Council and the Sint Maarten Housing and Development Foundation. Mrs. Jessica Richardson, the founder and president of the Belvedere Community Center. A walking tour inside the Belvedere housing complex was also given to the Judicial Committee.
On Monday March 22, the Judicial Committee met with a committee formed by directorate of the schools for Secondary Education, which took place at the Sint Dominic High School in South Reward, which turned out to be very informative and successful. On Tuesday March 23rd the Judicial Committee met at the Parliament Building on Backstreet with several other organizations such as, the Court of Guardian, the School boards and UJIMA. A complete report with regard to the findings of this committee during this working visit will be forwarded to the Minister of Justice for review. The committee is scheduled to leave Sint Maarten on Tuesday evening March 23rd back to Curacao.

PHILIPSBURG:--With a grand kick-off party on Friday March 19 the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise and the Philipsburg Jubilee Library started the READERS ARE LEADERS program. Leader of Government and Commissioner William Marlin officially opened the program and emphasized the importance of literacy and reading. He encouraged all the young people on St. Maarten to join the program and start reading books.
The program aims at students on the secondary schools. The goal is to stimulate reading by teenagers and to show that reading is fun! Reading is important to develop yourself, to develop imagination and curiosity and it let's you think outside the box. The children are challenged to read at least two book per month for the next half year. Besides fun books of your own choice, you should at least select and read about or from leading persons of St. Maarten, the Caribbean and the world.
The most active readers will be awarded with a prize. For more information there is a library page on Facebook as well as a Readers are Leaders fan page. The next coming weeks staff of the library will visit the schools and explain more about the program but you do not have to wait for that to join. If you want to register for the program and also join the online Book Club, visit the library website www.stmaartenlibrary.org or contact the library by phone : 542 2970 or e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

GREAT– Parents can get their children vaccinated this Saturday at the 2nd Sint Maarten Lion's Club Health & Wellness Fair.

Youth Health Care (YHC) representatives will be manning a booth with reps from the White & Yellow Cross Baby Clinic from 10:00am to 6:00pm at the Sint Maarten Festival Village.

Vaccinations will be available for the age group 0 through 17.

YHC will administer vaccinations to four-year olds and older whether they are in school or not. The Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) and DTPolio will be given, and for children born as of January 1st, 2000 who did not complete their Hepatitis B will also receive the latter.

Parents and guardians are urged to make use of this opportunity and to bring along with them their child's vaccination cards/records even if they were given out by another organization.

YHC has changed its vaccination schedule and all children between four and nine-years of age will now get their second MMR vaccine at four years of age.

The DTPolio vaccination will continue to be given when the child is nine-years of age.

Other changes in the vaccination schedule apply to children between two and 12 months of age.

Parents are reminded to make sure that their children between the ages of 0-17 are up to date with their vaccinations which are necessary in order to reduce the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases.

Immunization is a way of protecting children against serious vaccine preventable diseases. Once a person has been fully vaccinated, their bodies can fight those diseases if one comes into contact with them.

As the economic situation in Haiti continues to worsen a number of women are leading the charge in making something positive of their lives despite the evident challenges. Haiti which is known as the world's poorest country because of its economic situation as been at the bottom of the social and economic ladder was further cemented when the country was hit by a devastating earth quake on January 12 which left thousands dead and many more displaced and homeless.

However, being also known for its resilience and determination a number of women are determined not to give up while also has no intentions of surviving through begging or theft. Thirty two year old Darline Exantus - Srery is one such woman. Exantus – Srery who speaks English very well said that there were justifications for her to give up and join a life of crime and other ills but opted to continue trying due to the fact that she have two kids to live for.

Exantus – Srery lost her husband of two years as a result of the earthquake. Recounting the ordeal an emotionally looking young lady said that a few days prior to the incident, she and her husband had a misunderstanding and in an effort to 'cool', himself off he went to his brother's home where he was staying.

Darline recalled that on the day of the earthquake she had spoken to her husband as is customary. "I had spoken to him on some issues that we needed to have addressed and like every other day it was a normal conversation that we had," she said. Pausing for a few minutes with a blank look on her face Darline said that she wished if she knew that it was going to be the last time that she spoke to her husband as forever she will always remember the last moments. "I am still sad over his death as now I know how hard my husband really worked for us. He worked very hard each day to feed us and now he is gone. Maybe if we hadn't had the argument and he moving out maybe he would have still be alive," she said.

She said that while her husband and some of his brothers were in the house talking the earthquake came knocking the house with its occupants down. Her husband was instantly killed after he was crushed under the weight of the roof. She said it was a miracle that no one else died as all the brothers received were injuries, non life threatening. "He died instantly as he was crushed by the weight of the roof, strange that no one else died," Darline said.

She said that her daughter who was four months at the time will now grow up without a father noting that while some visitors to the country have requested that she gives them the child she has refused. She said that she would love the assistance and help being given but noted that she cannot part with her child stressing that her eldest child is with another man and should she part with the baby it would be like throwing away everything of her husband. "I need to keep her (daughter) so that I can continue to remember what good husband and friend I had while both of my children had a good father as he worked for all of us," she said.

Pointing out that her options for gainful employment are very limited owing to the devastation to both businesses and lives that the earthquake has caused, Darline journeys every morning to the makeshift airport from 5 am leaving her home some two hours early so as to be able to be the first in line for business. She said that while there are other women in the taxi industry they are forced to compete fiercely with their men counterparts for business. "I leave my home as early as 3am in the morning so that by 5 am I can get here as getting around is so difficult and stressful," she said.

She disclosed that she would work until. 9 to 10 pm in the evening based on the traffic at the airport after which she would return home so as to spend at least a four to five hours with her children. Darline noted that having to work very hard means that most of the time her children are without her however she said that she leaves her children in the care of her mother who she noted does a very good job at ensuring that they are well taken care of. "I have to worry about nothing as my mother do a good job with them so that I can make the money that I need to make to take care of them," she said. She expressed a desire that the situation in Haiti will change one day noting that all are affected either directly or indirectly. "This is really bad but we just have to make use of whatever opportunities that they are," she noted.

Philipsburg: --- Island Councilman Leroy de Weever felt that the current executive council led by leader of National Alliance William Marlin has left commissioner of Public Works Theo Heyliger to fend for himself as all of the members and supporting members of the current executive council did not show up to give Heyliger the required quorum for an island council meeting on Monday. De Weever said it was clear that Heyliger had to fend for himself and woe; the votes from members of the Democratic Party to get his proposal to amend the spatial planning ordinance. Absent from the island council meeting on Monday was independent Island council member Louis Laveist, leader of the National Alliance William Marlin who is currently off island, Island Council member Rudolph Samuel and Island Council man George Pantophelt who did not wait for the voting. Seven votes were cast on Monday after the debates on the amendment four of which came from the Democratic Party. Members of the DP said the only reason they gave Heyliger the quorum was that they understand the importance of the amendment to the ordinance, which would allow most parts of the island to be zoned.
After posing several questions pertaining to Public Works the Democratic Party requested a five minutes adjournment to caucus before casting their vote, just then the DP members walked out to the gallery of the Government Administration Building where they invited Heyliger to also caucus with them before returning to their seats to vote in favor of the amendment.
Members of the Democratic Party asked direct questions pertaining to the processing of building, hindrance and planning permits that is taking almost forever to process. Heyliger said the department is currently short of staff and the salary scales to attract these skilled labour is not conducive. He said for the year 2007 some 443 building permits were requested, 324 of them were processed and granted while 66 are waiting for corrections and 57 of them were ready but not picked up. Leader of the Democratic Party Sarah Wescot Williams said she would like to get a breakdown of the permits that needs corrections for years 2007 through 2010, while she wants to know why and who are the persons who did not pick up their permits even though its ready. Heyliger responded by saying that those that were not picked up carry a financial cost to it, reason why he believed the applicants did not pick them up. The commissioner also promised to supply all members of the island council the answers to their questions in writing within the next seven days.
The commissioner of Public Works said some 411 building permits were requested in 2008, 332 of them were granted, 5 of them are still being processed, while 74 of them need corrections. In the year 2009 336 building permits were requested, 201 were issued 12 are being processed currently, 34 of them are for corrections while 39 of those permits are soon to be signed off.
Heyliger told the council that one of the main hindrances in the processing of certain permits it is the lack of an environmental inspector. The commissioner said the inspector for St. Maarten went on pension and the one that was to begin working for St. Maarten has chosen to work in Curacao. The commissioner said currently the department is negotiating with the retired inspector to give him another extension on his contract until the new environmental inspector takes office here on May 1. The members of the Democratic Party also shared their concerns regarding the halt in the processing of these permits and the impact it would have on the economy. They suggested that the department of ROB work with some of the contractors to process the pending permits however, Heyliger said he already made such a suggestion but the department felt that it would be too costly for the island government. The public works commissioner said already government has set aside some 500,000 guilders to hire one two consultants that are willing to work along with VROM on the zoning.
Councilman De Weever also informed the council that local contractors are planning to demonstrate sometime soon for the lack of work now that that permits is not being handled. He said the contractors would be sharing their concerns especially how the current government is handling the processing of building and other permits. De Weever also expressed his concerns this would have on the economy as well as with the locals residents who can take advantage with the banks regarding loans at lower rates. The island councilman said the halt on the processing of these permits is affecting several businesses and functioning of public works is now unacceptable. He said based on how things are going it does not seem as if government cares about the ripple effect this will cause. He said while he would like to see the current executive council not perform but that would be at the people's expense.

KEMAR

Island Councilman Leroy de Weever got agitated on Monday when Commissioner Theo Heyliger informed the council that the Lt. Governor's cabinet has more questions regarding KEMAR. De Weever in his response and an effort to get a clear picture on the hold up said he wants to know if the Governor's Cabinet is working as some form of higher supervision or if it was one of the members of the current executive council is using the governor cabinet to side track the people's business. Island Council member Roy Marlin also asked for more clarification as to why the governor's cabinet is now getting involved in posing more questions when in fact the project passes through the governor's cabinet before executive council takes a decision.
Island councilman Roy Marlin also expressed his concerns on the KEMAR cost quality analysis. He said when the commissioner presented his terms of reference in the central committee he expressed urgency in the project since the sanitary landfill is coming close to its lifespan. He said that the situation at the sanitary landfill is disastrous something Heyliger agreed saying that something has to be done to regulate the garbage situation St. Maarten. Marlin said based on his experience he knows that the governor's cabinet saw it already and now having more questions is beyond is comprehension. He said simply cannot grasp what role the governor's cabinet is playing at this point. Marlin said the contract prepared by KEMAR had a team of professionals within government and the contractors themselves over a year and half now. He said he wanted to know if the current government will now abolish these studies and if they are going to start all over again to move the KEMAR proposal. Marlin said the holding of this contract would also affect the GEBE concession, which will expire by the end of March.

GREAT BAY (GIS)—On Wednesday, at the Sonesta Great Bay Hotel and Casino, Sector Directors and Department Heads from the Island Government took part in a Change Management Workshop, which was sponsored by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in cooperation with the Development Cooperation Fund of the Netherlands Antilles (DEVCO). Participants came also from Saba and St. Eustatius.

The workshop was realized on the 23rd of June 2009, when the Government of the Netherlands Antilles and UNDP signed an agreement to implement the project: "Capacity Development for Nation Building in the Netherlands Antilles."

The project consists of three major components,

1. The creation of capacity and institutional strengthening in order to guide the process of the development of the Netherlands Antilles by means of the so-called "Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to monitor the progress in the realization of the objectives of the MDGs in the N.A.
2. The strengthening of capacity in the change of policies on the level of the central and island government for civil servants in Curacao and St. Maarten as these islands will obtain their new status in the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
3. Training courses for civil servants on the central and island level so they will be able to negotiate with multilateral organizations such as the United Nations and the European Union in order to benefit much more from the ties with the multilateral organizations.

Jamila Romero representing the office of DEVCO welcomed all to the workshop and introduced Commissioner Xavier Blackman, who said a few words on the need and importance of the workshop.

The main objective of the workshop is to help the Sector Directors and Department Heads get a better observation of the change process in the framework of the future constitutional structure of the NA; of the possible impact of these changes on their sectors and departments; and of the necessary methods to fulfill the role of the facilitators in the process of change to realize new entities.

For these two days, directors and heads will gather information on how to guide personnel under their responsibility in the process of change. Attention was also given to the management style that concentrates on the persons and emphasis was laid to aspects such as emotion, intuition, inner peace, relationship, discipline, integrity, and culture, according to the handout.

The workshop centered on 4 modules with emphasis on the person in the process of change. By means of these modules, the participants developed certain skills to change their traditional way of thinking and acting in order to redirect the way of thinking and acting to a more inspirational one.

The presenter was Drs. Soeresh Gobardham of the Mahatt Institute, based in Florida.

The course was focused mainly from the psychedelic, dealing with the mind and the internal thinking aspect. The holistic way of leadership and management is based on an effective balance in implementation of things and people.

Discussion points, the presenter introduced were, the decision making process, planning-control structure, work processes, communication pattern, leadership management dynamics, knowledge, technology, time, money, rules, strategies, profit, reports, rewards-punishments, and infrastructure.

And from the perspective of the individual, points discussed were: attitude, respect, commitment, integrity, teamwork, and passion.

The workshop will continue on Thursday, March 4th.

GREAT BAY (GIS) --- Commissioner William Marlin was present, on behalf of Telem Group of Companies, presented a check of $6000 to the math teacher and coach Iwan Blankendal and 3 Milton Peters College (MPC) students to attend the upcoming Math A-Lympiad in Gardered, the Netherlands.
Commissioner Marlin said that the students and teacher Blankendal requested assistance to attend the important math event. After making one call, Commissioner said that he didn't have to make another. Telem Groups of companies saw the benefit of supporting this academic venture.
For the past 9 years, St. Maarten has been able to attend the Math event, at times returning with top prizes.
"I want to thank Telem for contributing to such a worthy cause, and I wish the students and the coach the very best," Commissioner Marlin said.
Also present was Chief Financial Officer and current acting Managing Director Helma Etnel and Chief Commercial Officer Brian Mingo.
Etnel said that it was a pleasure to contribute; and that on behalf of the Telem Group of companies, she is proud and honored. With this donation, we hope to change the perception of St. Maarten internationally. I wish you the very best.
Math teacher and coach Blankendal thanked Telem and the commissioner for their presence and their donation, and promised that they will do their utmost to make St. Maarten proud.
The students who will be traveling to the Netherlands for the Math competition are Thaymira York, Vinay Jagroep, Kim Verschueren, and (not present/in picture is Mae-anne Snijders).
The students will be accompanied by the Blankendal and is scheduled to leave on to compete against other top math students from different countries.

International Women's Day celebrates the achievements of women, and promotes their freedom, and social and economic equality. As we join other women around the world in marking this day, we have no choice but to appreciate the struggles, recognize the progress, acknowledge the work of our own, be inspired by the courage women over the years and collectively push the envelope until the world can truly celebrate equal rights, equal opportunities and progress for all. It is therefore appropriate that this is the theme or International Women's Day for 2010.
Regardless of heritage or socio economics there are some things that are universal to us as women, and that is our experiences as women. Grounded in our commitment for independence and progress, women have made relentless efforts, and even struggles, for our rights around the world over the last one hundred years.
Since assuming my role as a public servant, I have met, spoken to and worked with women in a diverse range of important leadership positions. They are women of enormous skill, passion and commitment who range from varied backgrounds but despite some hardships, fulfill their roles as mothers and professionals in this community. The unheralded and unrecognized volunteer work being undertaken by women on St. Maarten are vital contributions in providing community services that simply could not be delivered from the public purse.
Today, International Women's Day, is an appropriate day to recognize all those women who give their time, professionalism and compassion in a wide range of endeavors that support women and promote equality. Today is a day of celebration, of recognition of the distinctive qualities of women and what they contribute to all facets of life.
The undeniable fact is that women today enjoy a lot of opportunities and independence compared to women of previous generations, but we are still, around the world, being constantly reminded of our rights and privileges as if these rights and privileges can somehow be taken away from us. Although in our part of the world we enjoy security of those rights and privileges, our sisters in some parts of the world cannot get comfortable in what they have achieved thus far.
We must continue to reinforce and reflect on where we are as women, in our struggle for equality, peace and development, and embrace chances to unite and mobilize for meaningful change. Are we there yet? The answer is no. But not an unequivocal no, as we have come a long way, and we have the precursors in place to achieve much more in the future. This should be a time for optimism.
To all my sisters, Happy International Women's Day.

Philipsburg:---On Sunday, March 7, 2010 the New Era Foundation led by Mr. C. Jeffrey Richardson officially launched their Youth Program with Commissioner Hyacinth Richardson addressing the young people that attended and declaring the program officially opened.
The program started with the Invocation by Pastor Emille Powell and the St Maarten song was sung after by the attendees. Mr. Jeffrey Richardson then gave an introduction of the Program and a brief summary of what the program entails. The Theme for the program is: Discovering the true purpose for your life. This program will be based on the principles that we have made as the New Era's mission Statement which is: Promoting Unity, Respect, Patience, Obedience, Sacrifice and Excellence. These attributes will play a major role in our young people discovering their true purpose for their life which will not be able to come without the young people allowing God to direct their paths was said by Mr. Richardson.
Mr. Neil Henderson, the managing Director of Henderson Insurances also gave a motivational speech to the youngsters by covering the topic of team work amongst the youths. He graciously was able to catch the attention of the young people by informing them that they all were team players based on the fact that they live in a house with a family where each person has a role to play with an objective for that family. He mentioned that the parents' role where to provide for them (the youngsters) and their role or responsibility in turn was to study and educate themselves amongst other roles that they play including, home chores etc. that is defined by the leader which is the parents.
There were also parents that came to the program to find out what the objective of the program was and what their children would be involved in and to their surprise they themselves were contended to have brought their children to be a part of the program because of the many things that were thought to those young people.
The program began approximately around 5.30 pm and there were students from various schools, including The Milton Peters College, The University of St. Martin, The SxM Academy, The Vocational Training School, The St. Dominique High School, The Sundial School and the Lycee School in Marigot. So there was a cross section of various schools that took part in the program. The New Era was even happy to acknowledge one of the teachers of Milton Peters College, Mr. Whitfield who came also to witness what the program was all about. Sure enough he pledged his support to the program and said that he was willing as well to also give an input to the program by also motivating the children to be all that they can be.
The Program ended at 7.00 pm and the students were able then to socialize amongst each other while they were provided with snacks and drinks for the evening. The programs will be held every first Sunday of the month at Celebration Palace or at any other venue that is announced by the New Era Foundation representatives. In conclusion the program was deemed a success and all students that attended were challenged to bring along at least 2 more of their friends to the next program that will be held on the second Sunday in April which is April 11, 2010. This date was chosen because the first Sunday falling on Easter Sunday which is a holiday.

(Press Release by Jeffry Richardson)

Philipsburg: ---In keeping with its objectives to reach out to other young people and organizations in the community, CPYP on Saturday organized a movie outing for the boys at Ujima Foundation.
Accompanying the children was Mr. Lawson, student caretaker, on weekends and members of the CPYP.
Ujima Foundation caters to young boys from the age of eight years old that are experiencing difficulty in the area of social- emotional development. These youngsters are offered placement at the home, operated by the Foundation for a certain period of time, during which they receive the necessary attention.
It is CPYP's intention to have monthly outings with the children. While receiving the necessary attention at the Home, the children should not have the feeling that they are alienated from society. The CPYP will do it's part in keeping the children in touch with society through social events. Through these types of activities, the children can interact with the adults and other children at these outings.
CPYP would like to express its gratitude to Caribbean cinemas Megaplex 7 and its general manager Mr. B. Flanders for assisting the children with complementary tickets as well as Mrs. J. Bell, facility director for allowing the children to participate in the outing.
It takes a community to turn the tide, says CPYP, so let us do it together.

The Civil Registry Department hereby announces that the Identification Card production machine is back in service and persons can visit the office as of Wednesday, March 10.

Special Saturday Opening for Brooks Towers Accord for those Requiring an ID Card.

In order to accommodate persons who have received their residence permit based on the Brooks Tower Accord, the Civil Registry Office will be opened on Saturdays to facilitate the processing of ID cards (only). The service will be available on the following Saturdays, March 13, 20, 27 and April 3. The Saturday opening hours are from 8.00am to 1.00pm.

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

Progressive Educational Experiences in Caribbean Cultures (PEECC) congratulates thirty eight - programme participants and 11 of St. Maartens's Entrepreneurs in their successful completion of "Journey of an Entrepreneur." One year post the incubation period of PEECC's Entrepreneurial Training Program known as ETP for ATLAS; ATLAS being Achievement Through Life and Academic Skills, The entrepreneurs continue to strive for business success.
In one year the participants have faced the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship. The participants agree the lessons learned in "The Journey of an Entrepreneur" helped build self confidence, tenacity, and community belonging. A journey indeed for each of the individuals it was a unique process, since their Initial concepts of their businesses; a few may be viewed at http://sxm.peecc.org. Those unable to implement their business plans consistently agree the ETP for ATLAS Program educated them in being a better employee as well as the difficulties in being an employer.

PEECC is honored and grateful for its performance commendation given by former Minister of Justice and current Curaçao Commissioner of Tourism,David Dick, as well as the recognition of current Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba.

PEECC's Team customized an instructional program for the Project funded by USONA and implemented under the guides of The Justice Department, Stichting Justitiele Inrichtingen Bovenwinden(SJIB), and Traject Preventie en Resocialisatie(PVNA).

PEECC's Director Sara Stone commented and gives thanks to the Team of committed professionals, educators and business leaders who gave their passion and wisdom to the project through dedication and unwavering loyalty.
The Team of Instructors included Team Leader, Kenneth Lopes, Clarence Richardson, Julian Rollocks, along with technical and administrative support long time community educator Alice Samuel and Elfrida Swaby.

PEECC looks forward to providing more innovative economic development projects on the island of St. Maarten. As we look forward to the important constitutional issues facing the NEW St. Maarten we will engage future leaders, todays youth. PEECC's Director Sara Stone states, "We are excited to renew our efforts in culture and education with an upcoming International Cultural Exchange Project partnered by renown Universities located in Washington, DC., we are looking to engage University age youth from the Netherlands Antilles interested in innovative approaches to the preservation and expansion of architecture in the Caribbean. Interested Antillean youth enrolled in a university program on St. Maarten or abroad should send there info via the website as soon as possible.

"I think that jail should be used as a last option when dealing with first time offenders as we continue to see that many first time offenders continue to return after they would have been placed with hardened criminals," this is according to former Senior Defense Force Officer and now Managing Director of a private security firm, Shawn Wigley. He has also issued a passionate appeal to the relevant authorities to create initiatives with the view to promote the social development of young people here in St Kitts and Nevis. He said that this will help to curb what he said is the staggering increase in criminal activities within the federation.

Wigley said that locking away first-time offenders could lead them to further criminality noting that it provides an opportune moment for the relevant authorities to reach out to the offenders thus preventing them for continuing a life of crime. Quizzed on what he thinks can be an alternative in leading first time offenders from continuing in such a path, Wigley said that he firm believes that community service should be used depending on the nature of the offence. The former senior Defense Force Officer said that he would like to see Government together with the relevant stakeholders assisting with establishing certain facilities, which he stressed if created, will aid significantly in accommodating first time offenders. This he said will help to segregate them from hard-core criminals.

Wigley also noted that there are a number of other initiative which he said can be created noting that among some are looking at the introduction of moral education in the school system stressing that many times it is there that many of the federation's criminals begins their life of crime. He also noted that the issue of censorship of certain types of music should be seriously addressing declaring that many have lost sight of the biblical teachings.

Wigley also stressed that the current crime situation needs the help of all stakeholders noting that justice that the situation could be addressed through the criminal justice system. He said that the fovours should be to reduce the opportunities to commit crimes, and the promotion of social development.

To this end, the Supreme Security MD called for the establishment of more recreational facilities in certain communities to be given consideration. In addition, he also called for greater pro-active parent/teacher associations in schools; frequent visits by Police/Welfare Officers to schools and the revisiting of the dress code for children attending school activities. "Children must be able to understand that as children they must act and dress like children and parents needs to ensure this," he said.

The use of reformed prisoners to educate in-school youths of their experiences in Prisons was recommended for consideration. Calling for a zero tolerance on crime, Wigley said that the St Kitts and Nevis Police Force and other law enforcement agencies needs to be more aggressive in their fight against crime and drugs. He declared that there must be zero tolerance for gang leaders and drug dealers noting that aggressive anti-money laundering be undertaken. He pointed out that the fight being fought primarily by the security forces can only be won with greater community involvement.

The MD noted the importance of encouraging and strengthening citizen community participation in the implementation of public security plans and programmes and to promote the concept of getting security companies also involved in getting crime aggressively. He pointed out that he has embarked on ensuring that his security officers gets regular and primary training before being employed adding that it will help them in being able to assist in the protection of their communities.

Wigley also requested that the newly appointed Minister of National Security, the Hon Sam Condor convene a meeting with private security companies so as to seek their involvement in effectively addressing on crime prevention, public safety and security.

GREAT BAY (GIS)—On Wednesday the 3rd of March, Dion "Mega D" Humphreys and Gene Herbert of the Mega D Youth Foundation in St. Eustatius visited the students of the Youth Development Program in St. Maarten.

Both persons gave motivational speeches during the students' Social skills class at the Caribbean Institute for Social Education Foundation (CIFSEF). They talked to the youngsters about second chances, the importance of social skills, perseverance, and living purposefully.

In addition, Humphrey and Herbert gave a short presentation of the foundation's activities in St. Eustatius and urged and encouraged the youngsters to give back to the community.

The program Social Pedagogic Worker (SPW/Care) is aimed at persons who want to work with children. After successful completion of this course, one can work in a daycare, an afternoon school or a foster home with persons within the age group of 0-18 years.

The department/program wants to invite more persons (especially young persons doing well) from the community to deliver motivational speeches and hold workshops on issues in the community such as violence, drugs, HIV/AIDS, active parenting, among other topics.

We plan on linking with the different organizations and institutions to achieve this.

Currently the social and educational program is doing well; the success rate of the pilot courses held before has been high, above 80%, and there are 48 students placed in the preparatory program.

The Social Skills course which we refer to as the preparatory part of the program is held at CIFSEF, where the youngsters are placed for 3 months to work on their social skills. The first set of students is currently in that phase.

We have 23 students who were part of the pilot preparatory program, now in the main part of the program. They are following the courses of PC Repair/SPW1/Front Desk Agent.

The other courses that the program offers are Bartender, Waitress, Room Care Attendant, and Hospitality Security.

Marigot: --- The gendarmes are busy investigating the shooting of 18-year old Franck Petion better known as Vebby who was brutally murdered early Saturday morning in the vicinity of the sorting station of La Poste (Centre de Courrier) at Rue Francois Hunt in Concordia.

According to bystanders, the young man was shot and pushed in the nearby bushes next to the La Poste but somehow a doctor that was passing through the main road saw him and summoned the ambulance and gendarmes, the victim was rushed to the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital but later succumbed to his wounds. It is not clear if the victim was shot more than once and where exactly he was shot.

Relatives of the young man said a woman saw the victim who was still alive and asked her for some water but the woman did not stop to render any assistance probably out of fear. His mother Vinette Petion told SMN News on Saturday evening that her son was in his bed about 8:30 am when his cellular phone rang. The bereaved woman said that she asked her son who had called him that early since he also had the flu. Mrs. Petion said her son told her it was a friend that called him and that he was going out for few minutes. The mother further explained that she looked at her son as he took his scooter and drove off as if he was going towards Bellevue.

The mother of five said about fifteen minutes later a young man came to home at number 19 St. James and told her that her son Franck was dead. Mrs. Petion said the youth also told her to go the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital to see what had happened to Franck. She said she immediately got dressed and rushed to the hospital and saw when the ambulance arrived with her son but he was already dead.
According to the mother and other bystanders, several young men all on scooters rushed to the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital hoping that their friend was alive. Most of them SMN News learnt was wearing bandanas on their heads. One bystander said the brigade was called to the hospital to maintain law and order.

Asked if Franck was attending school or if he was working, the woman said her son was no longer in school and he was not working. However, he was attending a stage somewhere in Galisbay.

Sources in the St. James neighborhood said the deceased young man was part of a gang, and that he was involved in public mischief however, efforts made to contact Prosecutor Jacques Louvier on Saturday evening to confirm the allegations proved futile.
SMN News further learnt that Franck Petion was condemned some years ago for a sexual crime when he was a minor and he was sentenced to a juvenile correctional home in Guadeloupe.

One neighbor said Franck Petion whose parents are Haitians was born on St. Martin but he was in the wrong company. Sometime last year the gendarmes arrested him and they searched his mother's house for stolen items. The neighbor further explained that some months ago, one of Franck's good friend's got killed in St. James and the killers had allegedly warned they were going to come back for Franck.

The woman who spoke on the condition of anonymity pointed out several youths in the area where the now dead man had lived as being part of the same gang. "Look at them they all have the head bands and scooters and none of them are working or going to school, all they do is steal and make other people's life miserable." The woman said. Another neighbor said while Franck was a known drug user and had his problems he was also very mannerly when he is around older people.

GREAT BAY (GIS)—On Tuesday, grade 3 and 4 HAVO and VWO students of the Milton Peters College paid a visit to the Government Administration Building with their French teacher Michele Allewart to participate in several presentations by Sector Directors and Department Heads and other Government workers on each Sector and about particular departments, including personal accounts of how it is to work for Government.

Valarie Brazier of the Island Secretary office opened the session in the Claude Wathey Legislative Hall and welcomed everyone.

The speakers were as follows: Claudius Buncamper of ROB; drs. Jorien Wuite Director of VSA Public Health, Social Development, and Labor; Quincy Harrigan Head of the Education Department; Luud Hakkens of the Personnel and Organization; Gerard Richardson, Policy worker at the Department of Judicial Affairs, Julisa Frans, Policy worker, Department of Finance, and Rodney Richardson Interim Head of the Government Information Service.

The students were given a short presentation on each Sector of the Government Organization.

As of March 1st 7 new sectors in government have been adjusted to reflect the 7 ministries of Country St. Maarten. Some of the new sectors have already begun preparations to accept the transfer of tasks from the Central Government.

The seven new sectors are: General Affairs, Justice, Public Health, Social Development, and Labor (VSA), Spatial Planning and Infrastructure Management, Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication, Education, and Finance.

They also had the opportunity to ask questions, which many of them did, asking about particular topics to find out more information on a particular topic: i.e. the required academic package in HAVO or VWO that they have to choose to study or get a job in a particular field, their questions were about what were the motivation for studying so long and what study academic subjects they had to choose in order to become a certain profession.

In addition, there were three luck students who won lunch bags with a t-shirt with government's logo.

St. Peters:--- The traffic department is busy investigating a multiple car accident, which left at least four persons injured. The accident occurred on Tuesday afternoon at the entrance of St. John's Estate reported Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson.
The police spokesman said several police patrols along with then fire and ambulance responded to the scene when the accident occurred. At least one person Henson said had serious injuries to the face and had to be admitted to the St. Maarten Medical Center for further treatment and observation.

On the scene, the investigating officers said that the cause of the accident was due to high speed driving. The driver of the suspected vehicle identified as G.M.B. was driving at high speed on the L.B. Scot road heading towards the Cul-de-Sac area. The driver attempted to overtake three school buses that were heading in the same direction. While overtaking the buses the driver of the suspected vehicle was confronted with oncoming traffic. He attempted to drive between the buses and the oncoming traffic but was unsuccessful.
The driver of the suspected vehicle collided with the second bus, lost control, and hit the first oncoming vehicle head on. Due the speed at which the driver was, driving his vehicle continued and hit the second vehicle on the driver side of the car. He then proceeded, hit the first bus on the left side, and ended up hitting the guardrail on the left side of the street where it came to a stop.
As a result of this accident there was considerable damage done to the suspected vehicle and the oncoming vehicles.

GREAT BAY,– Star Clipper will be returning to St. Maarten as a home port after three years' absence, while Air Berlin is very interested in starting direct flights from Germany to St. Maarten. Both the cruise ship and the airline are likely to work together, with Star Clipper using Air Berlin to fly in its passengers to begin their week-long cruise here.
These were among the most important results Commissioner of Tourism, Frans Richardson, brought back from the ITB Berlin Monday.
"The first cruise of Star Clipper will be on November 20, 2010. It will bring 50 – 60 upscale passengers from Germany and other parts of Europe weekly. This was announced at the ITB Berlin," Commissioner Frans Richardson disclosed in a press release.
The Commissioner met with Star Clipper's Sales Executive, Helmut Kutzner, who expressed satisfaction at the return of the tall ships sailing vessels to St. Maarten later in the year.
"This is good for St. Maarten and the small hoteliers in particular," explained Commissioner Frans Richardson, "because the cruise passengers have to spend a day or two here before they board their vessel."
It was a very busy time for the Commissioner at the ITB, the world's largest travel trade show with about 180,000 visitors for the five-day exhibition spread over an area of 160,000 sq. meters.
According to the Commissioner, Air Berlin Group's Senior Vice-President (Strategy), Stephan Nagel, put off his vacation at the request of the owner of the airline to meet with him.
"They are very interested in flying to St. Maarten and are hoping this could happen this year, and if not, it will be the next. They however plan to come here for a fam trip later this year," Commissioner Frans Richardson revealed.
Air Berlin is currently building its own airport which will serve as a European hub for all its other destinations, including the Caribbean and the U.S. This, according to the Commissioner, would make partnering with the airline even easier and create a synergy with Star Clipper that would be able to reserve seats on Air Berlin for its passengers.
"All we need now is the full support of all the stakeholders. We need everybody to make this work," the Commissioner said.
"I also had very good discussions with Condor airline's Head of Planning, Mr. Herwig Oberhuber who showed a lot of interest in having Condor add St. Maarten to its destinations in the Caribbean," he continued. Condor already services Barbados, St. Lucia and Santo Domingo from Germany.
Commissioner Frans Richardson, who was accompanied by Mr. Edward Dest of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau, met with other representatives and tour operators who told him that the island has lost its competitive edge in Germany and the wider European market basically because of lack of funding.
"They were very happy to see that my person was there so they could express their concerns directly to me," he continued, adding that the issue of funding for the European market is being addressed. "In fact, we now have a firm that represents us in The Netherlands."
The Commissioner also met with LIAT officials at the CTO meeting held at the ITB Berlin.
"The main topic of our discussions are the high fares to Caribbean destinations which the airline charges. We, as St. Maarten, are suffering from these high fares which are making travel from the other Caribbean islands very expensive. The other islands are talking to WINAIR to see if it can't chip in to bring down prices," Commissioner Frans Richardson said.
"All in all, I would say it was a very productive trip even though I was a little under the weather," he said. "I'm now looking forward to following up with all the opportunities that have opened up with this trip."

President of the Insurance Company of the West Indies, Paul Lalor has vowed that the company will not fade away noting that a number of new offices will continue to be opened throughout the region. Lalor was responding to questions regarding the company's ability to sustain itself in a growing financial sector. He declared that his company is here to stay noting that the public can continue to expect the excellent service that they have been providing at the various offices across the region.
The 41-year-old company has come in for much praises from several persons and institutions as to the level of service and benefits that it offers for its general insurance products and services.' He however said that while he is cognizant of the satisfaction that customers have been commenting on he believes that more work needs to be done in many areas thus ensuring that they continue as the market leader in terms of insurance. "I remain confident that we will continue to offer the level of service which our clients are satisfied with as we recognize that service and commitment to deliver the best to our customers are of paramount importance," Lalor said.
Lalor who was present at the St Maarten launch of the company last year noted that despite the evident major and likely catastrophic risks that some popular insurance companies are taking his company will continue on the path of sound, proper and effective management noting that they have no intentions of taking any risks in the market.
In an exclusive interview, Lalor provided some background information about the company and its many achievements in the numerous countries that it operates in. he pointed out that the service delivered to customers continues to attract over the years including the rate of reimbursements among others are regarded as the best among their competitors. He further stated that ICWI has also sought to improve in every department noting that he is confident of continued growth and development. He acknowledged that while several companies have been in the 'grab and run' approach he believes that offering client realistic attractive rates is critically important. Lalor related his concerns about the manner in which some insurance companies operates noting that at the end of the day, customers satisfaction and appreciation is what should be of greater importance.
Responding to some of the concerns that people may have as to the importance of insurance, Lalor said that while people knows that it's a must for motor many of them have not reached a state where they truly understands the benefits of having insurance. He stressed that his company will continue finding avenues and ways in better educating the public thus he said that his company will seek to roll out a number of new initiatives inn the coming weeks which seeks to ensure that the public better understands insurance and what his company is offering.
Lalor emphasized that ICWI was making efforts to continue effectively educating the public stressing that he is very satisfied with the general overall performance of the company in the respective islands that they operate. In terms of the viability of the company Lalor was adamant that "ICWI cannot fade as it is very sound unlike many other insurance companies," Lalor noted.
He said that while he understood that some of the criticisms leveled against his company is that they are not very aggressive in marketing noting that they were genuine, he is of the firm view that word to mouth marketing and dissemination is one of the best forms of promoting a company. Lalor however admitted that the approach will change base on what he said has been the continued rapid growth of the company within the region.
"Every time we launch in a new country we makes our mandate and therefore we will certainly have to live up to these mandates if we are going to continue receive the support of the public. We have a primary role to play and I am very happy that we knows about our duties," he said. He added that the financial viability will always be a primary concern of the public and noted too that more focus would have to be put on the management of expenditure and compliance if the insurance sector is going to succeed during the challenging financial difficulties. The company launched its latest branch in St Kitts on Tuesday evening while it launched its St Maarten's operations last year.

Philipsburg: --- Six police recruits who are presently on Sint Maarten to finalize their training, have taken the temporary oath on Thursday at the Government Administration Building. The practical duration course is expected to last six weeks. They will be functioning under guidance and instruction of a mentor. After finalizing this course an evaluation will be done do determine if the recruits have done so successfully and if so they will then officially take up the task as an full fledged police officer.
The oath was taken in the presence of the Lt. Governor Mr. Franklin Richards in his capacity as Local Chief of Police also present was the Acting Chief of Police Commissioner Ademar Doran and the Public Relation and Communication Officer of the Police department, Inspector Ricardo Henson. During the ceremony both the Lt. Governor Mr. Franklin Richards and Commissioner Ademar Doran warned the recruits about the seriousness of their jobs and most of all the consequences of corruption.
Doran in his advise said the soon to be officers should know that being a police officer would not make them a millionaire however, they are going to be happy that they have chosen to become police officers and to serve their community.

Marigot: --- The gendarmes have arrested three persons between the ages of 20 to 24 for the murder of 18-year-old Franck Petion who was shot in Concordia last Saturday morning. Vice Prosecutor Jacques Louvier said that two of suspects were placed in temporary custody while the third suspect was placed under judicial control. According to Louvier, the killing was caused by a drug deal that went sour.

A press release from the gendarmerie said they managed to arrest the three culprits very early in the investigation and that the suspects appeared in court on Thursday. An inquiry into the homicide has been opened confirmed the gendarmerie.
Petion a resident of Rue de Hollande St. James was known to be part of a neighborhood gang. Residents of the area said the young man was in bad company, which led to his death.

Only Two Saturday Openings Left for Brooks Towers Accord Resident Paper Holders for Acquiring an ID card.

In order to accommodate persons who have received their residence permit based on the Brooks Tower Accord, the Civil Registry Office would like to inform those persons that the office will be opened on Saturday March 27 and Saturday April 3 to facilitate the processing of ID cards (only). The Saturday opening hours are from 8.00am to 1.00pm.

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

Cay Hill – St. Maarten Medical Center is pleased to announce that Juliëtte Hassell is the new Human Resources/Communication Manager effective March 15, 2010. Juliëtte Hassell oversees the Human Resources department as well as the development and implementation of marketing and communications programs at the Medical Center.

Dr. Scot: "It is a new function, combining Human Resources and Communications responsibilities. The combination is a logical one. With the implementation of the strategic development plan of SMMC, the need for additional skilled medical care staff as well as skilled supporting staff will increase. We want to become as a leading medical institution and an attractive employer by further enhancing the skills of the staff, the working environment and increase the job satisfaction.

Ms. Hassell has a bachelor's degree in Management Economics and Law, supplemented with numerous courses and over 11 years of extensive management experience in the field of Marketing, Communications and Customer Service. She obtained here education in Holland and has been living in St. Maarten for the last twelve and half years where she has worked for various organizations. "With her education background and experience we believe that Juliëtte Hassell will have an added value to our organization and are pleased to have her on board", dr. Scot says.

"The St. Maarten Medical Center has an essential function in our community and a central role in health care in St. Maarten. A lot is being written about the Medical Center. To form an educated opinion the community clearly needs to know SMMC views on medical care and how we intend to address the issues that are at play within our framework" Juliëtte Hassell says and continues: "One of my responsibilities is to pro actively keep the internal and external the stakeholders informed over SMMC."

SMMC is at an exciting time in its development stage. "There is a lot happening. We are already looking for people to help strengthen our team and once the expansion project is on its way, we will more aggressively start recruiting skilled staff in various disciplines so that we are ready when the expansion is completed. We are looking for individuals who share the vision of SMMC in placing quality care first and who want to keep on raising the bar in everything they do. Employees are an essential part of any organization, even more so for SMMC. We are dealing with people. Quality care will start with the skill and mindset of our employees. There are quite some programs in place already to develop this and as HR/Communications Manager I want to make a difference in this area." Juliëtte Hassell concludes.

PHILIPSBURG – Have you ever wondered what university classes are like and what discussions and lectures take place in such classes? Well, it is time to stop wondering.
The University of St. Martin with its USM First Look program is offering you the opportunity to sit in on classes until April 17, 2010 at no cost. The program, now in its fourth term, began on March 15.
According to Director of Admissions Angelique Hazel, this program is geared at high school graduates and seniors (students in exam classes) so that they can experience first-hand what the University of St. Martin degree program classes are like. Participants in the USM First Look program also get to meet current students and instructors and ask questions about the various programs.
With USM First Look, a wide variety of college level courses are presented to the students representing each USM degree program. Some classes this term include, Tourism, Marketing, Law, Educational Psychology, Small Business Management, Language Arts & Literature, Advertising & Promotional Strategies, Intro to Sociology, Intro to Biology, Macro-Economics and many more.
"Students who are graduating from high school this year have indicated to us what they are interested in. This is a great opportunity for them to visit USM campus and be part of the type of classes they will be experiencing once in college. This opportunity is also great for those who have not yet decided on a major," Hazel said.
Many high school students have taken advantage of this opportunity in the past and USM is looking forward to many students doing the same this year.
"It helped me to expand my knowledge about business management," one student who attended Intro to Business last year said on a questionnaire. Another student who attended Theories of Learning noted, "Class discussion was excellent and teacher was an excellent facilitator. I hope to join classes to ensure my success."
With education being considered by many as an investment, it is always a great to get an insight of what is being invested in, Marketing Director Michel Chance stated. He added that in terms of university, anyone who plans to continue their studies, locally or abroad, should take advantage of the USM First Look. Parents are also encouraged to come and sit in with their children, he said.
"Based on the classes available, students are welcomed to sit in on as many classes as they desire. We have also found working adults who are interested in USM First Look because they are interested in returning to college. Persons in this category are also encouraged to contact the Admissions Office for more information," the USM Admissions Director said.
In order to provide adequate seating, those interested are asked to RSVP with the Admissions Office concerning their attendance at least three days prior to the class session. Interested persons can contact USM Admissions Office at 542-5171 Ext. 1019 for more information. The USM First Look schedule is also available at the Admissions Office or on www.facebook.com (University of St. Martin Admissions).

St. Maarten drivers who will be participating in car races being held at the Curacao International Race Way were introduced to general safety rules and international regulations pertaining to legal drag racing activities. The Safety Clinic presentation, hosted by NAGICO Insurances at the request of the organizers, included safety regulations for both cars and drivers and covered various guidelines pertaining to the construction of the chassis, different types of acceptable safety belts and harnesses, removable steering wheels, window nets, and general rules of conduct on the racing track. On hand for the presentation were Curacao Auto Sport Foundation President, Mr. Frank Brandao and Car Inspector, Mr. Clifton Hoyer.

NAGICO's Managing Director, Mr. Eric Ellis: "While this sport is not new to St. Maarten drivers, information on international rules and regulations on the sport may have not always been readily available or properly introduced. As an insurance company that understands the need for safety and good conduct on the road or track for all drivers, we did not hesitate when contacted by the organizers, to allow them to make use of the NAGICO board room and equipments to carryout this vital presentation."

The schedule for the various race categories begin on the night of 28th of April with "A Night on the Track Party". Race days are from the 29th of April to May 1st. Drivers who will be representing St. Maarten in Curacao are being assisted by long time drag race activist Mr. Charles Benders, who is coordinating logistics to and from Curacao.

Philipsburg: ---The Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba has issued a passionate appeal to all Haitians who are undocumented to make full use of the opportunity being offered by her Ministry. The Minister's appeal comes in the wake of a massive campaign, which seeks to register all illegal Haitians as a result of the devastating earthquake, which left thousands dead, and many more displaced.
Minister Jacoba said that the new arrangement, which is being executed at the Salvation Army conference room, Colebay, seeks to ensure that all illegal Haitians on the island are given a proper opportunity to register to avoid deportation as such. She has is making continues appeal for all to take notice of.
The Minister admitted that she understands that many may be confused in one way or another as the premiere focus of such as initiative stressing that it is better for them to register thus guaranteeing that they can stay on the island until the expiration date. This, she noted will be given to them either in August or December this year.
The Justice Minister also expressed concern that since the establishment of this new initiative only 700 Haitians have registered. She pointed out that it has slowed down for the past two days. She stressed that all Haitians should utilize the offer declaring that this arrangement comes to an end on March 31st this year.

Philipsburg: --- On Friday March 26th a French couple presently on vacation on St Maarten, filed an official complaint with the Special Robbery Unit stating that they were victims of an armed robbery.
The couple told police a car that was driving behind them at approximately 02.00 a.m. on Rhine Road in the vicinity of Mullet Bay hit their vehicle in the rear.
The couple told police when they stopped to check the damages done to their vehicle to access the damage; three men suddenly attacked them. Two of the men were armed with shotguns. The robbers threatened the victims with the weapons if they did not cooperate. When the victims noticed, what was going on they took off running in the direction of the Atlantis casino. The robbers stepped into the car of the victims and took off towards the French side taking several personal items along with them. The Special Robbery Unit was informed of the incident. The car, which the suspects used to commit this act, was later found in the vicinity of Porto Cupe-a-coy. This car was towed for further investigation.

Great Bay:--- Environmentalist Reuben Thompson, winner of the 2009 Euan P. McFarlane Award for Environmental Leadership in the Insular Caribbean has been commended for the outstanding work he has been doing in favor of the preservation and conservation of Nature.
"We are proud to be associated with Reuben Thompson, who has been making significant contributions in terms of raising awareness about environmental issues and the impact these could have on the sustainability of our tourist industry," said Director of Tourism, Regina LaBega
"We are extremely happy that not only has his work received recognition on St. Maarten with the joint Person of the Year Award he received from a local newspaper last
year, but also that he is the first person from the Netherlands Antilles to be granted the prestigious regional E. P. McFarlane Award," LaBega added.
Thompson, an independent project manager with EPIC (Environmental Protection in the Caribbean) was nominated for the award by the organization's president, Natalia Collier, and seconded by Paul Hoetjes of the Environment and Nature Department of Curacao. Thompson is also vice-president of the St. Maarten Pride Foundation.
"Hard work, commitment and dedication do not always go unnoticed, and I'm happy to join others in congratulating Reuben Thompson for this well-deserved award. It is an achievement we should all be proud of," Commissioner of Tourism, Frans Richardson said.
The award, named after Euan P. McFarlane, a well-known environmental activist in the region and former treasurer of the Caribbean Conservation Association who died in 1983, is now in its 18th year. It was established to recognize those persons whose initiative, zeal, resourcefulness and leadership is helping promote better care and conservation of the environment particularly in the Eastern Caribbean.

GREAT BAY/MARIGOT :---The new book Nativity/Nativité/ Natividad by Lasana M. Sekou is only weeks away from publication here, said Jacqueline Sample, president of House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP).
However, before the book gets out, "there's a little piece of history behind this first trilingual book by the St. Martin writer that should be made public," said Sample.
The book will include the French and Spanish translations of the nine-segment narrative poem along with its new English edition. An extensive glossary appears in the three languages.
Alex Richards took to the task of translating Nativity (Nativité), as the first serious French translation of an entire work by Sekou.
Here's the behind-the-scenes piece that shouldn't go unnoticed. On December 6, 2008, at a morning-long meeting, complete with a traditional St. Martin cuisine brunch suited for celebrities, "HNP gathered leading linguists, translators and critics, along with educators and folks with legal training, from both parts of the island to discuss the French translation of Nativity," said Sample this week.
The discussants were Alex Richards, Daniella Jeffry, Fabian Badejo, Rhoda Arrindell, Jocelyne Illidge, Lenny Mussington, and Robert Romney. The author participated mostly as a silent observer.
"The idea was to invite a group of people to review the French translation by critically discussing the poem. They would explore its meaning, its links to St. Martin, the wider Caribbean, the Americas, Africa, Asia; its play and pun on languages, sexuality, folklore, music and other aspects of culture, religion, slave uprisings, indentured whites and East Indians and immigrant Chinese, the genocide against the Amerindians, the horror and victories of history, and projecting a future of being centered in the making of history," said Sample.
"We also wanted the Nativité discussants to read the translation and compare it to the new English edition as it could be read or interpreted especially in the Caribbean."
"For a publisher it is a sign of maturity to be able to gather experts around a single text purely for a critical discussion before the work reaches the wider public," said Sample.
For a writer who wants to involve his people in the developing stages and nation-building processes "of a literature of our entire island nation, it was an honor to see the work get that type of tough and informed treatment," said Sekou on Sunday.
The discussants meeting had taken place at the Philipsburg Jubilee Library. There were two follow-up meetings at USM, coordinated by Arrindell, with a reduced grouping of the discussants. Arrindell was then the USM Language Division head and lecturer in literature and English.
"The follow-up meetings dealt mostly with proofing a few lines and word choice suggestions made at the first meeting," said Sample.
"Our confidence in the translation by Alex Richards meant that he would be able to take a tough scrutiny by the other discussants. I'm told that he rose to the occasion with style and intellectual savvy," said Sample.
Richards often points to the difficulty of translating Sekou because of the twist and turns, both subtle and brazen that the author makes with English and with other languages in the region that he takes license with, said Sample.
Richards is a USM lecturer and former Municipal Library director. Since the 1980s he has been involved with organizing literary activities and writing and lecturing about literature and cultural affairs, said Sample.
The Collectivity of St. Martin provided a cultural arts grant for the French translation and printing of Nativité. "The president of the Collectivity Mr. Gumbs and culture department head Ms. Minerva Dormoy, both of whom I had the pleasure of meeting during the poetry garden last year, have remained committed to this literary arts project and will finally see the results in April," said Sample.
Completing Sekou's new Nativity is the Spanish translation, Natividad, translated by Maria Teresa Ortega. The Cuban translator is widely recognized for her translation of works by leading Caribbean authors such as George Lamming, Jan Carew and Mark McWatt. The independent scholar Emilio Jorge Rodríguez was the Spanish editorial coordinator and Badejo served as the Spanish language consultant for Natividad.
Small volume- or pamphlet-size selections of Sekou's poems have been translated over the years into Spanish, Dutch, Chinese, and late last year into Turkish.

PHILIPSBURG - "It is exciting to see the many persons who are interested in pursuing advanced degrees here with the University of St. Martin and I do hope that they commit themselves to realizing that goal," says University of St. Martin President Josianne Fleming-Artsen.
Her statement comes after the tertiary institution hosted an information session, in conjunction with the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI), for persons who are interested in pursuing their Master of Arts in Education (MAE) and Master of Arts in Business (MBA) degrees.
USM, in collaboration with the UVI, has been offering the MAE program since 2002. Two cohorts have already graduated and this group will be the third cohort of graduate students. In the MAE program, students attend classes at USM. Some classes are facilitated by local professors, while others are done via video-conferencing or professors from the Virgin Island who visit St. Maarten.
Some 45 persons attended the information session on Friday, February 19, 2010 while there were many others who have signed up at the university indicating their interest in pursuing master degrees. Dr. Ron Harrigan, Dean of Education at the University of the Virgin Islands, provided information to the prospective graduate students, while Ms. Olga Mussington, Career Counselor at the Department of Education, provided information about study financing for those who qualify. USM Dean of Academic Affairs, Mrs. Joyce Watson was also on the panel.
Dr. Harrigan was impressed with the number of individuals who came to the meeting and their desire to obtain a Master degree in Education or Business from UVI. He remarked that he will report to the UVI President, Dr. Hall and Provost, Dr. Musah about his meeting here in St. Maarten, with a focus on the number of teachers and business persons who have expressed an interest in the MAE/MBA programs expected to begin in the Fall Semester 2010. Dr. Harrigan also noted that he will share the information about the persons who are interested in pursuing an MBA degree at UVI with the Dean of Business at UVI
"We are working diligently with UVI to ensure that the persons who are interested in pursuing a Master degree in Education or Business, while remaining here on St. Maarten, continue to have that opportunity," Fleming said.
Like Dr. Harrigan, President Fleming indicated that she is optimistic that USM and UVI can start another cohort in the MAE program in Fall 2010 once an agreement can be reached concerning administrative and academic related issues in an MOU that is mutually accepted. President Fleming stated that she would be calling on the banks to assist the graduate students with loans as was done by the Bank of Nova Scotia in the past. The MAE program is expected to cost students approximately $21,600 for classes.
Some 18 students thus far have received their degrees in the MAE program, jointly offered by USM and UVI, which runs for two years. The areas of concentration in this program include administration and supervision, counseling and guidance, and teaching. Persons seeking more information about the MAE and MBA programs can contact the University of St. Martin Admissions Office at telephone 542-5171 ext. 1008.

Marigot:--- As news of the sudden and untimely death of a young pilot got around early Sunday, the Managing Director of WINAIR joined with the management team and staff of Winair in extending condolences to the family, relatives and colleagues of the late, Alexander Hodge who died in a freak car accident early Sunday morning.

At around 5 am on Sunday Hodge a first officer (co-pilot) with the company died while receiving medical attention after encountering the freak accident on the French part of the island. The young man who resided on the French side had worked with the company since 2008. According to confirmed reports at the time of the accident Hodge was returning home when the freak accident took place.

Managing Director Edwin Hodge commenting on Alexander's death hailed the young pilot as a big loss to the airline. He said that the 23 year old pilot had a lot of potential.

He was one of several pilots that were selected by the company to attend his regular 6 months training in Canada at flight safety where according to reports he performed very well. The Managing Director disclosed that the young pilot had commenced training with the company on June 28th, 2008 in an attempt to convert his pilot license. He however made his maiden commercial flight on January 20th 2009.

"We at Winair are saddened by Alexander's death as he had possessed so much potential and we are at loss also for words as he contributed significantly to this company," a visibly upset managing director said. He pointed out that it will always be painful to loose an employee noting that the pain is intense and severe when one takes into consideration the level and standard of performance that the young Hodge executed his responsibilities.

"We are definitely going to miss him dearly as his presence was always felt and I must have to admit that the management and fellow employees are convinced that he had left an indomitable mark on this company as his work ethics was of a very high standard," an emotional MD said.

He noted that a special book of condolence would be opened immediately for employees and the management team to sign in honour of Alexander Hodge adding that since word of Hodge's death became pubic, there have and continues to be an outpouring of grief. "Everyone is broken hearted, his colleagues are very sad and some of the female employees were very traumatized and inconsolable, we all miss him. However, I pray that his parents and his sibling would be granted the strength that they need by God to continue living as Hodge did make his mark in his very short lifetime on earth," the Managing Director said.

The Winair Managing director in commenting further on the tragic loss said that the Chief Pilot among other colleagues have already met with the family of Hodge. He pointed out that other colleagues of Hodge are shaken up with the loss adding that he feels the pain that his employees are enduring over the death of what he said would have been a very good pilot. The Managing Director noted that the supervisory board members along with Management of Winair and staff wishes the family of the late Alexander Hodge their sincere condolences.

Philipsburg: --- The executive council is set to discuss is set to the request of a building permit submitted by an island council member and former commissioner of public works on Tuesday. The former commissioner has requested a building permit for a gas station, which is to be built next to the Dutch Quarter round about. According to reliable information reaching SMN News is that the island councilman is planning to also build a shopping mall in the area.
On Monday one of the main concerns of the island council is lack of an environmental inspector. SMN News learnt that the island councilman visited the department ROB to get information about his building permit and was informed that it was not handled because there is no environmental inspector at ROB.

Philipsburg: ----The SHTA is commending leader of Government, Commissioner William Marlin for obtaining necessary funding to realize the development of a new Secondary Vocational School (SBO) on St. Maarten.
Apart from awarding scholarships for colleges and universities abroad, the SHTA has been encouraging Government to use available EU or Dutch funding to develop a Vocational Poly-technical/ Hospitality Training Institute on St. Maarten that could provide the local population with the training, skills and certification necessary to successfully enter the job market. This, the SHTA believes would not only protect the local workforce, but would reduce the need for businesses to seek foreign labor.
The SHTA, in its Vision for St. Maarten document, identified the development of a Vocational Training Institute as a solution for much of the issues affecting overall quality of life. In forum settings with members of the community, it was decided that expanding the number of educational facilities locally, would give low income earners and persons not eligible for scholarships abroad, the opportunity to gain certifiable skills locally. This in turn would increase their employment possibilities, leading to more disposable income and less financial stress. With more focus on career opportunities, youth delinquency could be significantly reduced.
It is for this reason that the SHTA has been supportive in the development of the SBO program. Aside from participation in the SBO workshops, the SHTA, through the assistance of its membership, advised on the curriculum.
The SHTA is looking forward to the development of this educational facility and continued partnership with the SBO with the goal of meeting the demands of the labor market.

GREAT BAY,– Preparations for St. Maarten to become country will continue on Thursday with the first mock session of Country St. Maarten's Social Economic Council (SEC). This meeting will be held at the UTS training center in Philipsburg.

This meeting is a continuation of the first SEC Seminar held on November 25th last year. At that seminar, moderated by Gracita Arrindell of the Island Government's Secretariat, an outline was given by Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs William Marlin on the importance of the SEC, a possible structure and the functioning of the council.

Other speakers included, Ludwig Quenniche, representing the employers, workers representative Theophilus Thompson, representing labour and the expert guiding the process, Glenn Camelia.

At this seminar the agreement and commitment was expressed to start up the SEC Consultation on a specific topic as part of the preparations for becoming country by 10-10-10. Among the things that Sint Maarten needs to have in place by 10-10-10 is a SEC, not one on paper, but one that is really functioning.

"As part of the preparations to have an up and running consultation body in place for when we become country, this Thursday four representatives of employers' organizations, four of the workers organizations and four independent members will start with the first of three mock sessions on the new draft ordinance: "Establishment Regulation" (Vestigingsregeling 2008) that the government wants to introduce. This new "Establishment Regulation" law will reduce the administrative burden on businesses," Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs William Marlin told the Government Information Service (GIS).

These three meetings of the SEC are in fact mock-meetings where the actual application of the law is being undertaken to demonstrate how it should function when the SEC starts to officially function under country Sint Maarten.

Being part of the democratic process of a country, a real functioning tripartite consultation system for Sint Maarten is a must.

French Quarter/Philipsburg: --- Representative of 5LINX voice over IP's Connelly Connor said he wants the people of St. Maarten/ St. Martin to give him and the products offered by 5LINX a fair chance at business.
Connelly and two other friends are currently holding meetings throughout the island providing information as to how they can become more connected with love ones throughout the world at a cheaper rate. During these meetings demonstrations of the different internet accessories are being done. A meeting was held last Saturday at Carl's and Sons Conference Room while another one was conducted on Tuesday night at the St. Peters Community Center.

However, information is circulating that the American based company is operating illegally in the Netherlands Antilles especially St. Maarten. Quizzed on that aspect Connor said he contacted the Bureau of Telecommunications to see if he or anyone else that are selling voice over IP equipments is working illegally in the Antilles. He said based on the information he received is that anyone could sell and purchase these equipments for their personal use but if someone began selling minutes they are breaking the law. Asked if he has registered a company or NV at the Chamber of Commerce, Connor said he did make contact with a notary as well as the chamber of commerce but the actual registration did not take place. The young St. Maarten man said he is willing to do whatever it takes to make the 5LINX operation on St. Maarten legal. "I am a man that loves to stick within the confines of the law and I have no problem doing what is legal. All I need is to be given a fair chance and someone to tell me what needs to be done." Connor also said that there is certain information he needs to be clarified since there are people on St. Maarten selling the Magic Jack while Skype can be purchased online and there is no actual company registered on St. Maarten. Connor further explained that there are people that are selling Avon, Amway and host of other products and are not registered so for him there needs to be clarity on what is legal and what is not legal. He immediately agreed that selling these voice over IP's would definitely affect companies like TELEM, United Telecommunications Services (UTS) France Telecom and other companies that are offering Telecommunications Services. "I am trying to offer people something else which would allow them to pay less at the end of the month" Connor also agreed that he is having financial returns from people that join the business. "As long as people sign up under me for any of the two packages available I am getting financial returns, for me it's doing business at home after work.

The young entrepreneur said he was introduced to the products offered by 5LINX by a relative and soon after he realized that, these products can become handy and useful on St. Maarten. While he agrees that the company works in the form of a pyramid Connor said that he does not own a store neither is he selling anything to anyone. Persons interested in joining the program are free to sign up online. Clients can sign up either for a $99.00 or a package that would cost them $499.
While there is information, circling on the island claiming that 5LINX is a way of swindling people several videos and other content on the internet shows otherwise. Connelly and his friends provided documents to prove that 5LINX is a legitimate company registered in the US with representatives throughout the globe. The company, which is registered in the United States of America, is a registered member of the Direct Selling Association and is mentioned in the INC 500 newsletter and website. 5LINX provides services in US, Canada US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, plus free unlimited landline calls to 75 calling areas.

Lt. Mr. Franklin Richards (m), received a courtesy visit from the solicitor general of the Higher Courts of the Netherlands, Mr. J.W. Fokkens (r), who was escorted by Mr. van Veen( L) Head of Courts of First Instance on St. Maarten.

SUCKER GARDEN: --- Students of the No Kidding with our kids afterschool program were treated to a musical performance by District Band on Wednesday. During the hour long program, this group of young musicians demonstrated their instruments and played a couple of songs including one of their tunes for Carnival 2010 entitled "hold yuh balance".
While playing, students could be seen doing the dance created for the song as demonstrated by the band members. After the performance, the children had the opportunity to showcase their talents on keyboards and drums. "This is one of the best audiences that we have had thus far," bandleader Calvin Mardembrough Jr. said expressing his appreciation for the love shown by the kids.
This is not the first time that District Band has given back to the youth of St. Maarten. Last year they performed at the Milton Peters College and continue to encourage young people to remain focused and positive.
"These type of opportunities allow us to encourage our peers and those younger than us are the driving force behind our band. We do believe that if given the opportunity and support, the youth of St. Maarten will continue to rise," bandleader Calvin Mardembrough Jr. said.
Branded as St. Maarten's next generation jam band, District Band took St. Maarten's carnival by storm last year and has been playing at private and public events ever since. Their debut CD entitled "We Takin Over" was released in November 2009 and the public was reminded that CDs are available at Van Dorp Madame Estate. The band recently released two music videos from the CD, which can be seen on YouTube and St. Maarten Cable TV.
As Carnival approaches, District Band indicated that they are ready to leave their mark once again in 2010. In order to book the band, persons may contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 5208014. District Band is all geared up and ready for their next performance on the main stage at the Heineken Regatta on Friday night at 6:00 p.m.

Today is International Women's Day all over the world. It is a day of reflection, of celebration and I may add, of action. The idea of an International Women's Day was born a century ago today in Copenhagen, where women had gathered at an International Conference of Working Women. At that conference in 1910, a woman named Clara Zetkin launched the idea of holding one day of celebration in every country to help women in their efforts to achieve their demands of equality especially in the workplace. The idea was carried unanimously by participants representing trade unions, socialist parties and workers from 17 countries.
The following year, the day was officially proclaimed in Europe, with resounding success, however, it was not until 1975 that the United Nations granted it official recognition.
Today, in places such as China, Russia, Vietnam and Bulgaria, International Women's Day is a national holiday. We may not have reached that far yet here on St. Maarten, but there is no doubt that women have made some tremendous strides in our community compared to a century ago.
St Maarten women, like their Caribbean sisters, have always been the pillars of their societies, holding up the men, caring for their children, and working both at home and outside, to make ends meet and provide for their families. The old-fashioned notion that the place of the woman is in the kitchen is no longer tenable in our times. I'm sure you are all aware of my passion for cooking. I feel quite at home in the kitchen as I do behind a desk, and can therefore attest to the work that women do, even in the kitchens of their homes, without pay!
We have come a long way from the days when women did not have the right to vote to a long period of women Prime Ministers in the Netherlands Antilles and women occupying the most important political positions here on our island, as well as around the region and the world. It is no longer "a first" for a woman to head a political party, a church, or a trade union, even right here on St. Maarten. Leadership has become gender-neutral, thanks to the gallant efforts of women who refused to be branded as the weaker sex, and have gone out there to fight for their rights. In fact, women's rights are universal rights and consequently, human rights as well. We men therefore have a big stake in ensuring that these rights are not denied, trampled upon, or otherwise watered down.
It is just a couple of weeks ago when I sat between two St. Maarten women who deserve the respect and admiration of all of us for their contributions in the political field. It was during the AVS Political Debate for the Parliamentary Elections and I could not but reflect on what sacrifices have been made and continue to be made for that to have been possible.
Political empowerment alone is, however, not enough to further advance women's rights. As we move forward with determination and conviction towards a new St. Maarten, economic empowerment must become the new terrain to conquer if the potential of our women is to be fully tapped for the development of our island nation.
Perhaps it is in recognition of this that the theme of this year's International Women's Day is "Equal Rights, Equal Opportunities: Progress for All." There can be no progress for us as a people until that day when women indeed can enjoy equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal pay for equal work. As a proud father of two daughters, I cannot think of ANY reason why they should receive less pay for the same work as their brothers, if they have similar qualifications.
It is important to highlight certain characteristics of our St. Maarten (and by extension, Caribbean women) which have been the main reason why we have survived as a people to this day. Our women are among the most resourceful in the world; they can turn left-overs into the most delicious meal! Our women are very hardworking and resilient – they endure hardship without grumbling, knowing that they are sacrificing for their children to do better. Our women are women of faith, their abiding faith in God, and hope for the future of their children, constitute the cornerstone of our march towards a brighter day for all. If you ask me, our women are living proof that beside – NOT BEHIND – every successful man stands a strong and courageous woman. I'm sure you know in your very own neighborhood, women with the characteristics I've just described. They are housewives, mothers, companions, union leaders, teachers, preachers, bankers, tellers, secretaries and politicians. They are nurses, doctors, vendors, seamstresses, dancers, hoteliers, policewomen and businesswomen. They are culture-bearers, and historians; architects and gardeners. There is simply no area of activity where they have not made their presence felt. What a man can do, a woman can do, sometimes, even better.
If we understand this, then we should understand that in today's world, there is no room for gender discrimination. In fact, anything we do to hamper a woman's progress is an act of sabotage against the progress of all.
Let me, therefore, join in celebrating our women – their dreams and aspirations should be our dreams and aspirations: a world of equal opportunities, equal rights and progress for all, or as one of our region's most famous musicians sang: equal rights and justice for all.

Philipsburg: --- On request of the Democratic Party, the Central Committee was privy on Friday last to a presentation of "St. Maarten's rebranding promotion." In requesting that this presentation be made to members of the island council, Council lady Wescot-Williams had asked if it was government's view that members should view this branding during their next visit to the United States, as many have seen this presentation locally, with the exception of the Island Council of Sint Maarten. The Government however did not let it go that far and had the presentation done to the Central Committee.
The presentation was quite straight forward, some unique photos of the island, both French and Dutch sides, prompting questions from the Democratic Party about the relationship between both sides of the island as far as promoting St. Maarten is concerned, as concerns have been expressed in several quarters as to the less than optimal relations in this area. The government assured the island council that the cooperation between the two sides is very much alive.
Members of the Democratic Party were also interested in tourism data as far as this renewed attempt at marketing the island is concerned. It was clear from the presentation and comments by government that the Tourism Master Plan of Sint Maarten is still the blue print for tourism-related activities by government.
This brought to the fore the statements attributed to Commissioner Frans Richardson during the Caribbean Market Place event, held in Puerto Rico recently. Newspaper reports suggested at the time that the Commissioner was making a pitch for "slowing down" tourism on Sint Maarten in favor of the island catching up with its infrastructure and the like. The Commissioner was unaware of these publications, citing him.
Again, it is not whether one agrees or disagrees with government's alleged policies or visions or the perceived lack thereof, but the ad-hoc way the NA/Heyliger/Laveist government is managing the country. The constant springing of ideas and plans from government, often times without any follow-up or feedback or credible and well thought-out plan is making it seem more and more that the left hand knows not what the right hand is doing.
On our way to country status, this attitude by government is counter-productive.

The Democratic Party has been notified that the meetings requested by them will be held on Wednesday and Thursday, March 10 and 11th respectively, both at 10 are.

The Central Committee meeting on Wednesday will be on the topic of "government's position on (incidental) subsidies/investments." This topic has been raised due to the lack of an adequate response by the NA/Heyliger/Laveist government on the matter of subsidies and the budget 2010. In addition, when one considers recent publications regarding the Carnival Foundation and the Heineken Regatta, it leaves one to wonder how this government views subsidies, the budget, and the ordinance regulating subsidies by government. Is this ordinance still in effect or is the government guided by other regulations? The Democratic Party hopes through the Central Committee to get clarity for the organizations affected and the public at large.

On Thursday, they hope to hear from government and its views on the draft 2010 budget. Again, the government has been evasive and outright arrogant in its reactions to the island council on matters of the budget. The government seems to have no issue with the fact that basically all they can do at the moment is keep government afloat based on the 2009 budget.
"We are taking this matter much too serious" has been government's response.
Well, let us see why the government in the face of all the criticism St.
Maarten is receiving due to this budget dilemma, can still tell us: "It's nothing to worry about." Says party leader Sarah Wescot Williams.

GREAT BAY, For Sekou, the commitment to struggle means working in all areas of literary production, forging communities across borders and languages," said professor and literary critic Juliana Spahr.
Dr. Spahr introduced the St. Martin writer Lasana M. Sekou to the Mills College Contemporary Writers Series (CWS) in Oakland, California, on February 23, said Jacqueline Sample, president of House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP).
Sekou opened his hour-and-a-half solo "literary event" with two new poems, "Labrish" and "Citizen," to a full house of students, faculty and other guests in the elegant Mills Hall Living Room, said Sample.
He then launched into varied St. Martin, Caribbean-wide and international-issue poems from his books 37 Poems and The Salt Reaper, both published by HNP.
The students of Spahr, a Mills associate professor, had studied The Salt Reaper before Sekou's arrival and were ready with questions for the author following his recital.
Spahr's introduction to Sekou was actually a critique of his work prepared by author David Buuck who called Sekou "a fierce advocate for the independence of his home nation St. Martin."
On February 24, Sekou spoke on campus to the comparative ethnic literature class of Dr. Vivian Chin. The students were treated to an impromptu reading of "The cubs are in the fields," said Sample. Mills is a historical women's university founded in 1852 (its graduate program is now co-ed).
Sekou's California appearance also took him across the Bay Bridge to the Small Press Traffic (SPT) reading in San Francisco on February 26. The St. Martin poet was again the main guest artist, said Sample. He shared the SPT mic with popular Bay area poet/author Taylor Brady on the political theme of "Empire."
SPT executive director Samantha Giles said, "It was a pretty spectacular night!"
The 35-year-old SPT is housed at California College of the Arts-San Francisco. Sekou autographed books at both readings.
"After returning home early last week Lasana got the news that his poem 'Haiti 200' was selected by Amazon.com for its Haiti earthquake 'MP3 albums' list," said Sample.
The poem, with music by Angelo Rombley, is from The Salt Reaper CD (2009), which is available in St. Martin bookstores and downloadable online.
As for the California trip, the author said that he enjoyed meeting the students, professors, community activists, authors such as Patricia Powell and David Buuck, upcoming poets like Raphael Cohen, and the CWS and SPT organizers.

The St.Maarten Lions Club will be holding its annual car raffle this month, which is a 2010 Ford Escape and is being raffled under Robby's
Lottery Smartplay numbers game on Sunday, March 28.

The Ford Escape features four-wheel drive, automatic transmission, power windows and locks, air bags and key-less entry/alarm system and
is a light gold color. Second prize is a 32 inch plasma screen television and third prize is a laptop.

Funds raised from the car raffle are in aid of the St. Maarten Lions Club community projects such as the Nelson van Der Linde Senior Citizens Party, Lions Health & Wellness Fair, Eye Testing Machines, Leo's Club Programs, Golden Age Projects such as basket giving to the elderly, Underprivileged Children Christmas Party and Lions Student Excellence Awards.

The general public can purchase tickets from any Lions member and are also available every Saturday and Sunday until the March 28th at Sunny
Foods, Cost-U-Less, Le Grande Marche, Fresh Market and ACE Cole Bay from 9am to 6pm. The Ford Escape can also be viewed at those locations on those days.

The board and members of the St.Maarten Lions Club hereby thanks the general public and businesses for their continued support over the 39
years of the club's existence, so that it can continue to carry out worthwhile projects that benefit the St.Maarten Community.

Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba, State Secretary for Justice Ernie Simmons and interim manager of the new organization Robert Barbij together with the 11 workers of the New Admissions Organization (NTO). In photo from Left to Right Richard ten Brink(advisor), Robert Barby (chef NTO) Ernie Simmons(state secretary of justice) Jonaida Mardenborough, Mylanda Proctor, Sheritsa Stroop (2nd row) Mina Lundi, Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba, Jacques Monsanto, Bernice Richardson, Norma Brill, Norman Marchena (advisor to the minister) (sitting) Ronald de Graf, Naomi Llamar, Roxanne Dollison, Judy LaPaix.

GREAT BAY (GIS)—On Friday, March 5, the Department of the Government Information Service took part in the Career Fair at the St. Maarten Academy PSVE School in South Reward.

The department had displays of their G.I.S. products, which range from the news program G.I.S. Bulletin to the Government Information Page which appears in newspapers from Monday to Thursday and gives the public information about various aspects of government. The Government Information Service is responsible for the dissemination of information to civil servants internally and to the general public externally.

G.I.S. also displayed the print materials of the department and other promotional materials on particular topics, like the H1N1 flu prevention campaign. Additional G.I.S. media products shown were, from Television Specials, Documentaries to Public Service Announcements; coverage of the Island Council meetings; special events; the Civil Server internal newsletter, and the Government Employment Opportunities pamphlet.

Interim Head of G.I.S. Rodney Richardson said that it was a good opportunity for the students to see what GIS is about, and to promote working in the field of communications. Additionally its also interesting for students to hear from G.I.S. staff members on their experiences of working in Government as a Civil Servant.

Several GIS staff members spoke to the group of students and explained about G.I.S. in general and/or about their function in particular.

The students were invited to visit the department and get hands-on tour and maybe a student internship in the future.

There were about 20 other organizations that were present at the PSVE Career Fair.

Philipsburg:--- Registration of Haitian nationals who fall under category three of the Brooks Tower Accord can register themselves to avoid deportation as of Monday March 15. Brooks
The registration will take place from Monday through Friday from 8 am non-stop till 4 in the afternoon at the Conference Center of the Salvation Army on the Union Road #59 in Cole Bay.

1. The registration is only for the following groups of illegal Haitians who live in St. Maarten by before March 1, 2010. This relates to Haitian nationals who entered the Antilles between January 1st, 2006 and January 12th, 2010. January 12, 2010 is the day the devastating earthquake took place in Haiti.
2. Those who applied via "Steering group" and who entered the Netherlands Antilles between January 1st, 2006 and January 12th, 2010. This is because they are not eligible to receive a permit via the "BTA" as they are not special cases.
3. Those who entered before January 1st 2006, but who did not register for category 1 or 2 of the "BTA". By not registering, they automatically become illegal equal to category 3 "BTA".

By registering the illegal groups 1 and 2, the right is obtained to continue living in St. Maarten until the 31st of December 2010. Those of category 3 will get the right to stay until August 31, 2010. The registration does not give the illegal residents other rights.

All Haitians mentioned above will receive a copy of the registration form to have in their possession at all times. No photograph is on this form, only the signature of the illegal person who registered.
The illegal immigrant must show this form to the authorities during controls. This form indicates up to which day their stay is allowed on St. Maarten. Before said date, they can always leave St. Maarten of their own will. After said date, they will be deported.

Haitians who register for category 1 and 2 of the Brooks Tower do not need to register again.

The registration will not take more than 5 minutes, as long as the illegal immigrant brings his / her passport and a copy of the travel document.

It also applies here that if the illegal immigrant supplies information that is not based on the truth or makes use of a false passport, he / she commits a crime and will be deported immediately.

GREAT BAY,– A meeting of the Permanent Committee of Constitutional Affairs (PCCA) of the Island Council will take place on Thursday, March 18 at 10.00am in the Claude Wathey Legislative Hall.

The meeting has been called by its Chairman, Leader of Government Commissioner of Constitutional Affairs William Marlin.

The three main agenda points are: the Federal Government Ordinance regarding changing the Netherlands Antilles Islands Regulation (ERNA) making it possible to dismantle the Island Councils of Curacao and Sint Maarten.

The Consensus Kingdom Laws that are presently being handled by the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament, and the General Measure of State Administration that are presently at the Kingdom Council of Ministers for discussion, are the two other agenda points. These were requested by the Democratic Party faction in the Island Council.

A 15–year-old boy was discovered dead yesterday morning after he took his own life by hanging. When this newspaper spoke to a close relative who requested anonymity, he said that the dead lad's body was removed from a tree within the yard at Cane Garden some time after 6 am. The lad was discovered hanging after 5 am by family members who alerted the police however his body was removed from the scene after 8 am by the undertakers.

According to the confirmed source the lad and other family members had a heated argument the night before. It was noted that the argument stemmed from reports that the boy wanted to return to Guyana. "He told his mother that he wanted to go home because he was disturbed over a situation with someone from Guyana who was being harassed by immigration," the source said.

The source noted that the youth Yudesh Persaud was taunted by certain members within the community. "He is from Guyana so they use to trouble he and taunt he and I guess that may have contributed to him killing he self," the source said.

Sun learnt that when the boy demanded that he wanted to return home his mother refused noting that he needs to remain with her in Nevis. The boy reportedly marched off and it was the last time the mother saw him alive which the source said was about after 9 pm.

The source said that the boy was not known to have suicidal tendencies and as such they are baffled as to why the young man would take his own life. The mother was promptly hospitalized upon the discovery of her son. A medical source at the ---Hospital said that the mother was admitted as she was complaining of chest pains.

A young woman who admitted to knowing the boy said that she was still in shock since the incident is one that troubles her. She noted that he was constantly taunted by other youngster within the community who had indicated to him that he was not from Guyana and should return.

"I think that he had gotten fed up with the constant taunting and just wanted to return home as he never really settled in into Nevis. I guess that with some of his friends and even relatives being sent home many have caused him to want to return to Guyana," the woman said. The woman noted that there is a need for counseling of the child's colleagues and fellow country boys and girls in the neighborhood stressing that at the moment the tension is very high in Nevis among non-nationals.

According to a senior police source investigation are being conducted. This is the second suicide by a Guyanese since 2008 when a mother took her life by hanging in 2008 also.

Great Bay,– Six flamboyant trees – the national tree of St. Maarten – will be planted at six of the island's secondary schools on March 22, 2010, National Tree Day. The initiative is a joint effort of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau and the St. Maarten Archeological Center (SIMARC), who are teaming up once again to create awareness of the importance of trees in the environment.
This year's National Tree Day is being celebrated under the theme: "Youth and Nature Working Together."
"It is a very appropriate theme given the priority government is giving to the environment and youth," remarked Director of Tourism, Regina LaBega.
"We chose the flamboyant tree because it is a powerful national symbol and the six secondary schools because they represent the future of our island," she explained.
The schools where the tree planting event will be held include The Milton Peters College, St. Maarten Academy, St. Dominic High School, Sundial School, Learning Unlimited, and Caribbean International Academy (CIA). All the trees were donated by Mr. Jerry Speetjens.
Government and tourism officials as well as representatives of SIMARC will attend the tree-planting ceremony which will be held from 9:00 AM to 10:00AM at St. Dominic High School on March 22, 2010. In addition, posters of the St. Maarten National Day of Trees highlighting the significance of trees in our environment, will be presented to both primary and secondary schools as an educational aid.
It will be recalled that Leader of Government, Commissioner William Marlin, referred to the environment as "our most valuable legacy" in his New Year's Address and laid out government policy as it concerns the environment.
"I consider it a critical obligation to provide effective stewardship of our natural endowment of lands, our sea, our ponds, our vegetation, our hills, and the air we breathe," Commissioner Marlin said in the address.
Calling them "our island's primary assets" he stated: "I expect that as custodians of the environment, we will all be involved in protecting the natural riches with which nature has generously blessed us."
Marlin added: "We owe it to those to whom we will leave our island to ensure that our environment is an enhanced legacy."
"It is within this context of an 'enhanced legacy' that the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau in collaboration with SIMARC is marking National Tree Day by focusing on the youth," Regina LaBega stated.

GREAT BAY – Governor Franklyn Richards received confirmation that Luc Godefroy from French Saint Martin has been appointed by the Spanish Government as Honorary Vice Consul for the French side, Saint Barths and Sint Maarten.

Godefroy told the Government Information Service (GIS) that he was very honoured to have been appointed in that position.

Godefroy added that he is appealing to all Spaniards living and working in the three territories to visit his office in Marigot, 45 Bd de France (waterfront), where they can provide him with their contact particulars or for any assistance that they may require or call (590) 590 293807.

As Vice Consul, Godefroy will be able to offer legal and commercial services to Spaniards as well as visiting tourists, and at the same time provide information to Spaniards who are interested in relocating or investing in any of the three territories that fall under his responsibility.

TM Dwain Carbon was sworn in as a Toastmaster and did his first speech, known in Toastmasters as an Ice Breaker on Thursday 25 February. He is a real estate agent and successful network marketer. His reason for joining the club is to practice his communication skills and one day become a professional motivational speaker.
The St Maarten Achievers Club is one of the 4 Toastmasters clubs on the island. This club meet every 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month at the Philipsburg Jubilee Library.

Philipsburg:---The Minister of Justice who was in St Maarten for a one day working visit on Friday paid a visit to the registration of Haitian nationals at the conference room of the Salvation Army in Cole Bay. The Minister met with her advisors and the Project Team Members who explained the development of the first week of registration. The Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba, sat with some Haitian immigrants who had some personal unique problems and permission was given to them to stay till further down this year.
Over 500 Haitians registered so far and the Minister of Justice is asking all Haitian nationals who are undocumented on the Dutch side of Sint Maarten, to please go and register. This will be the last week that the registration will be open. After March 31st there will be no more opportunities to register. All Haitians who do not have legal status and did not register at the Salvation Army conference room, are in violation of the immigration laws and will be deported back to Haiti.
The Minister of Justice explained on a particular case that a Haitian person whose documents were approved in the BTA, came to the Police Station to pick up the permit with false documents. The Immigration Department arrested this person for having fraudulent documents in their possession. There is no way that we will arrest anybody from any nation when they come to pick up their BTA papers. But if they use false documentation, this means they broke the law and they will be arrested pending to be deported to their country of origin.
The Minister of Justice is hoping that many Haitians will use this unique opportunity to come and register so they will avoid any deportation.

GREAT BAY,– Leader of Government Commissioner William Marlin, would like to congratulate the staff of the Netherlands Antilles/Aruba Meteorological Service on World Meteorological Day 2010, which will be observed on 23 March.

This year's theme is "60 years of service for your safety and well-being."

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and its 189 members and the worldwide meteorological community on Tuesday will commemorate the entry into force, on that date in 1950, of the WMO Convention creating the organization.
In 1951, WMO was designated a specialized agency of the United Nations System.

"I express my gratitude to those working with the Met Office for the role that they play each and everyday in providing invaluable information to boaters, other stakeholders in the marine community as well as to the control tower at the Princess Juliana International Airport.

"The Met Office also plays a very important role during the hurricane season in cooperation with other weather agencies such as the National Hurricane Center out of Miami.

"Hurricanes and other weather related events do not stop at any nations borders. Cooperation between all Met services is necessary in order to save and protect people, their homes, businesses and their community. Congratulations once again on behalf of the people of Sint Maarten and the Island Government," Commissioner William Marlin told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Monday.

As Haitians continues to experience difficulties in garnering sufficient food and water supplies, tensions are growing among residents. However, compounding the situation further is the fact that because of rapidly growing security concerns a number of volunteers along with overseas security personnel are leaving.

Meanwhile, there are escalating fears that the food that some persons have been fortunate to receive may soon come to a halt as there are fears and rumors that the government will be moving sometime next week to stop agencies from distributing food stuff. This is what many say is as a result of perception that the agencies are crossing their line of responsibilities.

Arriving at the makeshift airport visitors are warned that security should remain their number one priority. "I urge you people regardless if you are returning home or visiting for the first time to be very careful as security here is weak," an officer at the airport said. In an effort to maintain some semblance of control and security due to the massive crowd of people that flocks the airport on a daily basis persons arriving to Haiti are warned to remain within the red tent as this is the only way that United Nationals can guarantee security for them. The red tent was set up as a means of protecting arriving visitors and nationals returning home.

As visitors, volunteers and media personnel waited in the red tent two young men who stood in the large crowd received a beating by what appeared to be security personnel. A young mother who works as a taxi dispatcher pointed out that while a number of relief efforts are being executed most of it are not reaching the people that needs it the most thus creating the growing tension. The mother of three said that as people become more frustrated they are acting on their frustration stressing that if not checked can and will result in devastating effects. She noted that because of what she said is viewed as the poor response by CARICOM and Caribbean governments people are turning to overseas and international agencies for assistance.

"You just have to look at when the white people come in, everybody wants to get some lil thing (money) from them as they know that they can get a lil help," she said. She noted that if one was to ensure that they remain safe they needed to be very cautious and careful when assistance is requested of them from the public. "I would advise that when someone asks for something just be exceptionally careful as being naive can cause you your life," the woman said.

According to a source close to two of the organizations providing relief efforts they have sought to increase bodyguards due to the evident tension of a number of people. One agency according to the source said that the current situation being faced by the public is as a result of the Haitian government's inability to take control, of the situation. The source said that they have been informed that government will seek to stop the distribution of food efforts as a means of controlling things noting that this is not helping but rather creating increase difficulties and challenges for all.

"The other Caribbean governments need to come forward and help in this situation as everything should not be left up to the US and UN agencies but other Caribbean governments should try and contribute in a bigger way," the distraught looking mother stressed. Attempts to contact government officials proved futile.

JCI Vice President visit local members JCI St. Maarten (local Jaycees organization) 2010 Local President Corinne Isaac and Immediate Past President Sen. Elroy Hughes received JCI Vice President Patricia Lorena Rodriquez March 20th, 2010, when she arrived from Ecuador, for her official visit to JCI Dutch Caribbean. Ms. Galarza met with some members of the local chapter and was treated to a local breakfast. During the meeting she outlined the JCI International mission for 2010: Combating Malaria in those
countries greatly affected by malaria. In an inspiring speech to members she challenged all present to help JCI Dutch Caribbean grow so our efforts to JCI will continue to progress as well.

JCI St. Maarten has also embarked on the malaria project, through JCI website we have raised several mosquito nets that will be shipped to the countries in need. JCI Board members supported this project and approved the promotion of the campaign considering that its target — to donate and deliver 1,000,000 mosquito bed nets by 2015 — is "tangible, quantifiable, and achievable." The VP. left on Sunday March 21st to Curacoa, where she continues her visit of JCI Dutch Caribbean.Preparations are in progress for JCI St. Maarten recruitment drive; this is the chance for young adults to become a part of the great benefits JCI offers. The Open House is scheduled for 15th April at Philipsburg Jubilee Library at 8:00PM.

In the meantime those interested can visit JCI St. Maarten, every last Wednesday of the Month upstairs the UTS Training development center at 7:30pm.
For more information you can contact the President Corinne Isaac 524-5728 or Elroy Hughes at 522 6365 or any member.

Philipsburg: --- Commissioner of Finance Xavier Blackman survived the motion of no confidence that was brought against him by the Democratic Party. Seven of the eleven island council members voted against the motion when it came up for voting on the floor of the island council on Monday. Councilman Leroy De Weever presented the motion against Blackman last week when the 2010 budget was being debated stating that Blackman is too arrogant and that he failed to work along with the CFT when preparing the 2010 budget. In the meantime, the members of the Democratic Party voted against the 2010 budget when it came up for voting on the floor.

Island Councilman and Commissioner Frans Richardson during his presentation on Monday attacked the members of the Democratic Party saying they wanted to smear Blackman's name even though the commissioner is a professional whose sole intention was to present a realistic budget. Richardson said Blackman did not commit a crime neither did he do anything wrong when he prepared the 2010 budget. The economic affairs commissioner said when the National Alliance/ Heyliger and Laviest government took office last year June they met the 2009 budget with a 30 million guilders deficit even though that budget was presented to the CFT and island council as balanced.
Richardson said the current members are self-destructive. He said members of the opposition all put their own spin on the budget and the CFT indifferences. He asked who voted in favor of the CFT and said they should take responsibility of having the CFT to dictate for St. Maarten. Richardson said the current government was focusing on country status when the finance commissioner prepared the 2010 budget. Richardson said had Blackman took the advice of the CFT and increased taxes then they would have been criticized by the opposition. Richardson said had they took the advice given by the CFT and increased all taxes then they would have been the worst thing since slice bread.
Richardson insisted that condominiums owners must contribute to St. Maarten's economy and not only the local taxpayers.

He argued that the entire island council voted for St. Maarten to become country and he do not understand why the same council members cannot stand together and vote for a budget that would ensure country St. Maarten on 10/10/10. Richardson said he does not believe the members of the opposition wants St. Maarten to become country since they are all siding with the CFT.
The commissioner said the same members once accused them of not voting for their own salaries or that of the teachers. Richardson said right now the council is divided and they simply do not know what they wanted for St. Maarten. He said the council members are their own worst enemies and that the adults in the council are worst than the youths that are called bad. He reminded the members of the Democratic Party that they were given a motion of no confidence by the people of St. Maarten during the January 22 federal elections since they were not able to maintain their only seat in parliament.
The National Alliance/ Heyliger and Laviest government also voted against the other two motions presented to the island council.
The second motion was to have the executive council to maintain the letters of intent given to Westin and Maho Resorts about the room tax. However, commissioner and leader of UPP party Theo Heyliger disappeared from the tribune of the legislative hall when the time came to voting against the motion. Despite Heyliger's disappearance, the motion was defeated since the five members of the National Alliance and independent island councilman Louie Laveist voted against the motion.

Richardson reminded that those letters were issued to the resorts since 2003 and the Democratic Party did nothing to island legislation. Another motion that also went through the floor was the motion for Mary's Fancy.

MARIGOT— The gendarmes arrested a suspect who it is believed is the main culprit in two armed robberies. According to a press release, the alleged suspect robbed a restaurant in Grand Case on Monday night. It is reported that the suspect entered the restaurant and robbed and held the owner at gunpoint, he managed to escape with monies from the restaurant. Half an hour later, the suspect and another accomplice entered a bar in Sandy Ground armed with a gun with the intention to rob the owners of the bar. A brave patron in the bar fought off the thieves, one of which managed to escape while the suspect now in custody was held until the gendarmes arrived on the scene and arrested him.
The gendarmes also arrested two other suspects ages 18 and 22 for their involvement in a robbery at a restaurant in Marigot on Thursday night. The two culprits were transferred to Guadeloupe while the third suspect will be summoned to appear in court in June.

Philipsburg: ---The report provided to the executive council by SOAB on January 29 regarding the department of labour and social affairs clearly outlined several discrepancies. According to SOAB, they were given the mandate to investigate the internal control and administration of island labour on February 3 2009.
The accounting agency conducted investigations at all four sections of the department namely department that handles and process working permits, medical cards and social aid.
The aim of the investigation SOAB says that eventual problems must be scrutinized and corrected, since the executive council felt that this would be of vital importance to St. Maarten when she achieves her country status.
The executive wanted the department to function and process applications within the legal period stipulated under the law. SOAB says their aim was to compile a correction plan geared towards optimization of the internal command with regards to the issuance of working permits.
SOAB said they conducted several test cases to be able to compile their report. Some 131 working permits files were evaluated, 81 of them from the year 2008, and 50 from 2009. They inspected 50 dossiers that were submitted for financial aid, 25 files from 2008, and the other 25 from the year 2009, while 50 medical assistance files were examined, 35 of them from 2008 and 15 from 2009.
Inventories were conducted on the relevant laws and ordinances as well as internal procedures on work permits, medical assistance, and financial aid. SOAB also interviewed the sector director and the department head during their investigation.
SOAB said they focused on the accuracy of the primary registration, the present functional divisions, and the division of authorizations. They were eager to determine who was authorized to sign off on working permits, the person responsible for acceptance criteria, the judging of the criteria and the applications. Timely handling of the applications, accuracy of the tariffs for the working permits, dispensing of medical aid, as well as financial assistance. They also looked to see if adequate and acceptable guidelines were used in handling the dossiers.
SOAB concluded that the interim head of ARSOZA only follows part of the rules and regulations of the department. They felt that sufficient control was not conducted. Proper processing was also hindered due to the lack of information.
SOAB said they noticed that the interim head of the department acted as application controller, which created a risk factor. SOAB says the department head took over all rights to process certain permits. This they said was not proper since proper logging was not applied. The interim head told SOAB controls are done by the financial controller and not ARSOZA. However, SOAB feels these controls should be conducted by the VSA. Another discrepancy noticed by SOAB is that the interim head can give out working permits outside of the system since these permits are drafted in Microsoft word document, are printed on regular paper, and is signed by the interim head. SOAB believes the way the current system is set up several risks presents itself if the tasks are not clearly outlined. They felt the situation and current system has empowered the interim head. They said same advantages are also available to all of the ARSOZA employees. SOAB made clear that insufficient controls are conducted on the documentations provided by the applicants for working permits.

Below is the full content of the report submitted to the executive council by SOAB to the executive council of St. Maarten. We apologize to our English readers.

Philipsburg:--- Senator George Pantophlet said he has receiving a number of phone calls from persons who are concerned about the upcoming immigration controls that is to take place soon. The senator said he wants to re-emphasize that these immigration controls will not only affect persons who are undocumented but it will affect many of us for example; businesses such as Hotels, Supermarkets, Taxi's, Buses, landlord just to name a few but they (controls) must take place.
The senator said for the sake of clarity persons who have requested residence permit under the Brook Tower Agreement and have not received an answer as yet will not be affected. However you should make sure they walk with their proof of application.
What needs to be explained again is that the Brook Towers Agreement was instituted to allow persons living here who comply with the two categories I and II. Category III persons who came to the island from January 2006 were told that they had to leave. Their employer can request a working/residence permit and if this is approved they will be issued a landing permit to return the island. If they are deported, it will be 3 years before they are allowed to return to the island. Let me remind you also that persons in possession of the BT their Employer should apply for their working permit/residence permit through the regular process. The approved BT permit is to give persons until November 3, 2010 to regulate their status without the fear of being deported. On the matter of controls, the person who will be executing the control should have a good knowledge of the immigration documents. They must have a good knowledge of not only what the BT application and residence looks like but also know and understand that persons who have a proof of application from the labor office are also allowed to be on the island while this process is ongoing. Also understood must be the fact that persons who have appealed a decision of the Executive council/ Lt. Governor are also allowed to be on the island while their appeal is still being handled providing that it is not a first time request. What must also be understood by the controllers is that it is possible to have a working permit while the residence permit is still being processed. The synchronization of these is still being worked on. Finally I personally would have preferred that at least some kind of training or a refresher be given to the ones responsible for controlling undocumented persons. I was already told of some cases where persons with proof of application were held and the office had to be called in order to verify the authenticity of the document. This can be time confusing and embarrassing for the person/persons in question. It is not easy but controls must be done.

 

...

Airport:---Frank Arrindell, founder and owner of Arrindell Aviation pledged $2,000 today to "Heart For Haiti". This non-profit organization, based in Haiti, will use the money to help build a new facility to replace the orphanage and senior citizen village constructed in 1983 by Johan Smoorenburg.
The Haiti earthquake, which occurred on January 12, 2010, was a catastrophic 7.0 magnitude earthquake, with an epicenter near the town of Léogâne, approximately 16 miles west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital. By January 24, at least 52 aftershocks measuring 4.5 or greater had been recorded. As of February 12, an estimated three million people were affected by the quake. The Haitian Government reported that between 217,000 and 230,000 people had been identified as dead, an estimated 300,000 injured, and an estimated one million homeless. They also estimated that 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged.
Dutchman, Johan Smoorenburg, a missionary of 36 years, founded "Heart for Haiti" in December of 1981. He started his work on the island Martinique. After 10 years there, he left Martinique and went to Haiti with his wife and two children with a vision to do something for young people.
Smoorenburg was inspired to help underprivileged children after visiting a Haitian orphanage resembling more of a pigsty than a home. There were more than 50 small children— all of them malnourished and sleeping on the floor.
Smoorenburg, with support from the Netherlands, built a children's village. His goal was to allow underprivileged children to receive good care and education. In 1983, the first 40 children came to live there. Over the course of many years, hundreds of children were given a chance at a successful life.
The young people in the children's village and adults are being offered the opportunity of a better future through schooling and proper nourishment. The senior citizens peacefully enjoy their old age. The children's village in Bon-Repos, and Léogâne are and will remain an oasis of hope with continued help from people and organizations like Arrindell Aviation.
Frank Arrindell founded Arrindell Aviation Services with five employees who set out to provide unmatched service, while meeting the meticulous demands of the industry. By never compromising this goal, they grew to 70 employees who personify a unique corporate culture of excellence. Arrindell Aviation has received many honors—such as number one FBO on St. Maarten and number five FBO in the Caribbean by Pro Pilot Magazine. Arrindell continues to give back, to not only the community of St. Maarten, but also other communities in need.

Airport:---A large number of employees, relatives, staff of other companies operating at the Princess Juliana airport and the princess Juliana airport department were out in their numbers to bid farewell to the late Alexander Hodge. A number of senior employees headed by the company's Managing Director hailed the service and performance of the young man better known as Alexander as being extraordinary. Alexander died because of a freak car accident early Sunday morning.
In recognizing his contributions to the airline, the company's Chief Pilot Jeff Oliver and First Officer Ricardo Wilson flew his body around the Island. They also flew the body in a low past over the runway of the Juliana International airport. The airline dubbed the flight as a memorial one saw several persons' being emotional over the somber event.
As the body in the casket was taken to the Winair flight, several persons were seen weeping. The body of the young pilot was placed into his favorite aircraft the PJ-WIR as it lifted off the runway for what was dubbed as his last flight. The company's MD Edwin Hodge said that he was very impressed and moved with Alexander's very high professionalism, simplicity, and easy going attitude to passengers and his colleagues. "He understood his role very well and demonstrated his ability in getting things done and for that he will be sorely missed by all," the Manager Director said.
Chief Pilot at Winair, Jeff Oliver who was evidently very emotional described the loss as one that will be greatly felt by all within the company. He said that the potential and ability that young Hodge posses was very significant noting that "he was really talented and gifted for his age.
"It's evident that we will miss him as while the company posses several pilots we were certain that he was prepared to remain a very long time with this company as he was local. You know the pilots from overseas you know that someday they will return after they would have competed their task with us but Alexander was one who we knew had the ability to rise within the company to very great heights," he said.
The company's Human Resource Director, Marina Larmonie said that she is still shocked and in a state of disbelief with the news. She said that it was only a few days prior to the incident that she dealt with matters regarding Alexander. "I had dealt with some matters only a few days ago and now to hear that he is dead is a big shock to me and I am sure many others. He was a very simple easy going individual who just went about his business doing what was expected of him," she said.
Meanwhile,Winair's Managing Director Edwin Hodge added that losing someone as talented and gifted as Hodge is very painful considering the value that he poses to the company and the island and the investment that was made thus far in him. "We are all asking ourselves why this has happen but in life we are aware that things happen without us understanding why, only God knows why. The pilots are remaining strong as they know that Alexander would have wanted us to continue with our lives."
The Managing Director declared that those who were fortunate to have met Alexander would be able to cherish the fond and unforgettable moments and impact that his life made upon them. "Rest in peace Alexander you will always be with us."
Alexander Hodge will be laid to rest on Saturday in what many expect to be a moving service.
We salute you Alexander.

"THE UNITED NATIONS THEME FOR THIS YEAR, EQUAL RIGHTS, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, PROGRESS FOR ALL, COULD NOT COME AT A MORE CRITICAL TIME FOR WOMEN IN OUR ISLANDS HISTORY"

Philipsburg. Gracita R. Arrindell, Founder of the Peridot Foundation states, "first of all we extend congratulations to all the brave female sailors who participated in the 30th annual Heineken Regatta over the past weekend.

The theme for this year; Equal Rights, Equal Opportunity, Progress for All, is a great policy objective for our government as well as the private sector to pursue, given the past years financial and economic crisis that hit countries around the world. As we stated last year, during these vulnerable times, usually women, including a large segment of single bread winners with children suffer most. Things have not changed much for these women, and others who are financially more stable, do not see their financial/ economic future improve in the foreseeable future."

"The long drawn out constitutional change process facing our people, has not been particularly helpful in this respect either. We must refocus and direct some of our energy to the things that have immediate effect on the quality of life of our people in general and of our women in particular. Equal Rights, Equal Opportunity, Progress for All? Where we not there before? Why have we gone backwards in our strive for progress of women in public and private sector? In our public address last year, we made the call to have access to hard data or statistics in order to request funds to execute programs which will improve the quality of life of our women in general and those facing hardship of no fault of their own. This information is still not available. More women can succeed in business and in life if we equip them with the right information and the right tools".

"With a new board of the Chamber of Commerce under dynamic and forward thinking new leadership, we are looking forward to having the data and programs that would stimulate women's participation in business in short term. In addition to having access to financial literacy programs (when to refinance your debts, mortgages, internet use) to assist women in business, we also propose the establishment of a yearly Chamber of Commerce award for the best new business by a woman in our community. Such an award should include as prizes having access to an accountant for a year, 6 months business rent, 1 year insurance as well as business/ educational trip abroad to mention a few. This strategic alliance, will have a win- win situation for the woman, for government, the business sector and our community as a whole."

Gracita said: "Peridot Foundation supports initiative which enables women to start and keep their own small business. As a small business owner for over 22 years, I can speak from experience and see the need for women to get the assistance and support we deserve. Equal Rights, Equal Opportunity, Progress for All, is the way forward. Going back is not an option.

Gracita concludes: Our Foundation remains committed to its cause and objectives and hopes to continue for many more years with its programs and active presence in the improvement of the quality of life for Women on Sint Maarten. You can contact us for donations or support through our website; www. Peridotfoundation.com.

Happy International Women's Day 2010, if not now when?

Philipsburg, On March 4th, 2010, at the Philipsburg Jubilee Library, the Philipsburg Toastmasters Club presented Ms. Loekie Morales with an award for her achievement of Competent Communicator (CC). Morales is an author of several children story books that is known throughout the Nederlands Antilles and Aruba to receive this Award thus far this year and has been a member of the Club for at least last 1 year. The Competent Communication is the first level recognition a member can receive in Toastmasters. To receive this honor, members must complete 10 speeches
Toastmasters offer a proven way to improve your listening, thinking, speaking and leadership skills. Whether it is about improving your confidence in order to talk to your boss, presenting to clients, giving that dreaded wedding speech or simply to meet like minded people then Toastmasters is the place for you. For less than the price of a weekly exercise class you can regularly participate in a fun and supportive environment and we guarantee you will become a better and more competent speaker and leader. The increased confidence you gain will help you succeed in whatever path may chose in life. You will be amazed at your own potential to:

• Deliver great presentations
• Lead teams and conduct meetings
• Give and receive constructive feedback
• Be a better listener

Toastmasters International is the undisputed world leader in public speaking, with over 10,500 clubs and more than 200,000 members in approximately 90 countries. It is the best way to improve your confidence and skills in a relaxed and friendly environment.
Philipsburg Toastmasters Club meets every 1st and 3rd Thursdays at the Philipsburg Jubilee Library Meeting Room at 7:45pm. Our next meeting will take place on Thursday 17th November '2009.

 

The St. Maarten Lions Club recently hosted Dr. Gerard Van Osch MD as its guest speaker and he gave an update on the present state of HIV/Aids on St. Maarten and the Caribbean region. Standing left is 3rd Vice President Jessica Challenger-Vrolijk awarding a certificate of appreciation to Dr. Van Osch.

Philipsburg:--- The community of St. Maarten and the island government must do more if they are to prevent the rising crime rate says Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba in an interview with SMN News on Monday.

Jacoba said while the number of murders on St. Maarten is not huge it is a lot for a small island like St. Maarten. She felt that the justice system, the island government, and the community of St. Maarten have to do something if they are to reduce crime on the island.
Minister Jacoba agreed the Police Force KPSSS needs more men in blue including a new chief and the assistance that is coming from Holland is very much needed to curb crime. However, she made clear that the police do not stop crime, they are the ones who are brought in to solve crimes, and St. Maarten in particular has to begin looking at crime preventative measures especially for their youths.
The Minister of Justice said government has to first identify the problems they are having with the community prior to addressing the crime related issues. She said youths have a great deal of problems and something has to be done very soon. She said while St. Maarten thinks they are the world and it is good for their identity they should also need to deal with their problems. Asked if she addressed her concerns with the leader of government on St. Maarten, Jacoba said on several occasions she brought the matter up and made it clear that St. Maarten has to begin dealing its problems now especially since they are looking towards to 10/10/10. She said that currently discussions are underway for Curacao to assist St. Maarten with the youth related problems as they set up various justice departments to deal with youth related problems. Jacoba said it is her opinion that everyone must work together if they are to target the crime situation. She said the community should not look at young convicts as criminal when they are released from prison instead they should find ways and means to help these youngsters integrate into society.

Marigot:--- Prosecutor Jacques Louvier has started an investigation into the death of a little girl who passed away at the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital on March 1. The child has been identified as Bianca St. Louis and she is of Haitian decent. Louvier said he is busy conducting an involuntary homicide into the death of Biancia St. Louis after her father filed an official complaint with his office.
The French vice prosecutor said he ordered an autopsy, which was conducted on Friday by a French pathologist on the Dutch side of the island. The pathologist he said came in from Martinique on his request. Louvier said based on the findings he can say that the child died due to negligence while at the hospital. "Right now I am putting the files together in the child's death" Louvier said.
According to information, reaching SMN News the child had a medical condition that required a surgery however; the doctors at the Louis Constant Fleming Hospital did not perform that surgery which could have saved the little girl's life. Efforts made by this reporter to contact the relatives of little Bianca proved futile up to press time.

The St. Martin Sunrise Rotary Club had the privilege of receiving as its Guest speaker on Tuesday March 9, 2010, Jacqueline Louis Manager of Innovative Marketing Creations who is the official agent of St. Maarten SUPERHOST and internationally renowned customer service training and certification program.

The members were treated to a presentation of the topic "Bring back the friendly island" movement on all levels, this by improving individual employee's knowledge and skills, team building and enhancing interpersonal relations among staff, customer service satisfaction, customer loyalty, finally creating true ambassadors of St. Maarten.

Ms. Louis in closing said The WOW effect is generated by employees who exhibit "Winning attitudes that Optimize Wonderful experiences! And leave customers and our tourist with a lasting WOW impression.
Sunrise Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at the Restaurant Air Lekkerbek ( near the Prince Bernhard bridge)at 7:00AM to 8:00AM.

Philipsburg:---The Central Committee meeting was requested by the Democratic Party to hear from the Executive Council regarding its position on (incidental) subsidies/investments. The granting of subsidies by government is regulated by the Subsidy Ordinance St. Maarten and the subsidizing of religious institutions regulated by the State Regulation (Staatsregeling).
This meeting was requested by the DP, considering the public spat between government and organizations such as the Carnival Foundation and the Heineken Regatta Organizers. In answering the Democratic Party Faction's questions on the budget, the government had also informed the Island Council that for the information requested on the subsidy to the Foundation for Government Buildings, the Island Council(!) should contact the Foundation's president, Mr. Kurt Ruan. Now imagine that.
In addition, government has still not given its position on the support to religious organizations, a matter that came to the fore with the issue of construction of a Methodist Church in Belvedere.
These and other matters were raised by members of the Island Council.
In addition, the faction of the Democratic Party requested an overview of the list of all subsidies, included in the draft budget 2010.
When this list was finally provided, and questions posed to the Executive Council, the only member of the Executive Council present was Commissioner Hyacinth Richardson.
Commissioner Blackman graced us with his presence for a few minutes, however the Executive Council did invite several senior officials (department heads and sector directors) to be present.
Not on one single topic was either Commissioner Blackman or Richardson able or willing to explain the government's position. Worse yet, the civil servants were not allowed to say a word to explain anything either.
The Central Committee was told that the answers will be provided in writing and upon insistence of the Democratic Party, the meeting was told that answers by the Executive Council will be provided THIS WEEK!
The government is making a mockery of the democratic system, that while not perfect, is what we have today.
Yet, these same members of government are clamoring for a change of the system to a dualistic one. With this mentality, we think not.
We asked about transfers between budget items and the stipulations that must be adhered to. No answer!
Plans for the Carnival Foundation for 2010. No answer.
Subsidy St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation. No answer.
You can agree or disagree with government on their policy, but if they have none, what role is an island council to play?
Government can act within the constrains of the law or outside of these constrains, but if they feel they have no account to give to the island council, whose most important tool is that of the budget and budgetary control, what role is the island council to play?

The Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions headquarters in St Kitts has appointed Ralph Wharton as its new General Manager. In an interview with Wharton, he is enjoying his new role noting that he had previously served as the Union's General Manager from 1997-2000 when the organization's headquarters was based in Barbados.

Admitting that he has been a credit union man for as long as he can remember he pointed out that there are a number of changes and new initiative that he will be implementing in the coming days. He said that he has already gotten down to business stressing that the urgent need to enhance and promote the image and activities of the Credit Union.

"My role is not to be a postman whereby I just write correspondences and responds to them but rather to go out into the field so that I can get a first hand view and evaluation of what is happening as I intend to ensure that there is growth and development thus I see my role as one that will encompass challenges but I am ready for the new tasks," he declared.

He stressed the importance also for the public to understand the role and importance of the credit union within the lives of the ordinary citizens noting that the Credit Union is a community oriented organization and therefore through the Triple CU he intends to continue laying the platform for the promotion of the Credit Union.

Wharton has gained a wealth of knowledge and valuable experience in almost every aspect of the Credit Union sector according to source within the organization. The source said that he has also functioned in several managerial positions while he was in the Credit Union employ since 1985. Wharton said that prior to this appointment he operated his own consultancy business.

Wharton pointed out that two primary and critically important tasks that he will be addressing immediately relates to the Triple CU board meeting slated for Guyana from March 18-21 and the organization's 53rd annual international convention and 39th Annual General Meeting will be held from June 26th to June 30th at the Sonesta Maho Beach Resort and Casino.

GREAT BAY (GIS)—On Thursday, Commissioner Theo Heyliger signed an agreement with USONA for the financing of an Education Management Information System.

Present were Lars Walrave, Dutch Representative on St. Maarten, Reginald Isenia, Director of USONA(St. Maarten), and Bart Pasman also of USONA.

Commissioner Heyliger said that he was pleased to sign the agreement, which was funded by the Dutch Government. "I want to thank them, and I am pleased that this project will assist students of St. Maarten." Heyliger said.

The EMIS program is part of the institutional strengthening program and has a budget of Naf. 650.000 with a time frame of 16 months.

The EMIS system will collect, store, and process data provided by schools and other educational institutions in a central system operated by the Sector Education and its departments.

Isenia of USONA is pleased that he is able to assist the government with this project. The project is important for the school system.

EMIS is a necessary innovation in the execution of the existing tasks of the Island Territory, but it is also a crucial instrument in the process of taking over the remaining federal tasks by St. Maarten, the most important examples being inspection and implementation of Compulsory Education. Upgrading of the student tracking systems in the schools is part of the project as well

The Department of Education will use this system to generate reports that support its operations and its decision making process.

Examples of information generated by EMIS are:

1. information about the enrollment in schools, that is used to calculate the correct school subsidies;
2. information about the attainment of students, that is used for quality control and inspection;
3. information used to monitor and evaluate educational innovations;
4. information used for the purpose of decision making about curriculum development, establishment of new types of education or the planning of new schools;
5. information for the purpose of long term planning of educational infrastructure and the matching of educational output to the requirements labor market;

The vision of the EMIS project is to improve the government administration and its decision‐making process in the field of educational policy. This in turn will increase the quality of the educational system and will benefit the youth of St. Maarten. In this way, the EMIS will contribute to a more efficient allocation of resources of the Island Territory and future Country of St. Maarten.

The Implementation Organisation of the Foundation for Development of the Netherlands Antilles (Uitvoeringsorganisatie Stichting Ontwikkeling Nederlandse Antillen/USONA) is responsible for fair and effective management of the funds that the Netherlands makes available to the Netherlands Antilles for development projects

These projects must fit within the four regular programmes: Institutional Strengthening and Administrative Strength, Education and Youth, Netherlands Antilles Security Plan 2, and Social Economic Initiative.

Each year the Netherlands makes a certain amount available for such projects.

Only the Country and the five island areas can submit projects to USONA.

USONA operates as follows:

1. works on the commission of the Foundation for the Development of the Netherlands Antilles (Stichting Ontwikkeling Nederlandse Antillen - SONA);
2. is able to manage the cooperative resources independently of Dutch or Antillean politics;
3. has expertise in the area of project assessment, project management, monitoring and evaluation;
4. works according to procedural regulations approved by SONA and the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations.

Philipsburg: --- Commissioner Xavier Blackman narrowly escaped a motion of no confidence which was to be presented by Island Councilman Petrus Leroy De Weever had the island council meeting convened on Thursday.
The Democratic Party Faction of the island council called an island council meeting on Thursday to discuss the pending 2010 budget and labor related matters, however the meeting could not be convened because the Democratic Party did not have a quorum even though Commissioner Theo Heyliger signed in for the meeting giving them five of the eleven signatures.
Chairman of the island council Franklyn Richards postponed the meeting for half an hour hoping that the other members of the council that were present would have signed in. In the tribune were Island Councilmen Rudolph Samuel, George Pantophlet, and commissioner Hyacinth Richardson, while the leader of government William Marlin and commissioner Frans Richardson were off island and island councilman Louis Laviest was absent. When the meeting was convened for the second time Richards informed the council that based on section 2-13 or the Island Regulations he must read out the names of those members who did not sign in as absent. He also indicated that the meeting could be called again in 30 days time based on the laws.
Shortly after the meeting was called off members of the Democratic Party in a press conference told members of the media that the people of St. Maarten needed to get answers as well as clarity on the state of affairs on the 2010 budget. Leader of the Democratic Party Sarah Wescot Williams said the only person outside of the DP faction thought it important to discuss the budget was Commissioner Theo Heyliger since he signed in. When Heyliger signed in for the island council meeting he was heard saying to the members of the Democratic Party that he is returning the favor they granted him two weeks ago by giving him a quorum. Wescot Williams said the only reason they called the for the island council meeting was to get clarification on the budget since the National Alliance/Heyliger government was not providing answers to the island council during the central committee meetings.
Wescot Williams said the CFT was very clear to the executive council during their last meeting regarding the budget and they informed the Kingdom Council of Ministers that St. Maarten does not have a budget for the year 2010. Wescot Williams said Blackman adamantly said during the CFT meetings that government would continue with the handling of the budget as presented to the island council. Wescot Williams said at the time the Lt. Governor and Chairman of the island council advised the executive council to look at the draft budget once more prior to presenting it to the island council. Wescot Williams said based on the island ordinance the budget handling must pass through a particular process prior to it being approved. She said after some confusion the 2010 budget was presented to them. She said the when they received the final draft of the budget they posed several questions to the executive council whom she said provided some interesting answers. She further explained that during the CFT meeting it was stated that the executive council would have handled the budget on March 9 along with the advise of the CFT. Wescot Williams said that so far the Democratic Party does not know if any meeting was held on March 9 and what was the outcome of that meeting. As for the Democratic Party they believe that the advise of the CFT still stands. The DP leader said the people of St. Maarten need to know what is government's position on the 2010 budget and how would the executive council get around the proposals made by the CFT. She said the CFT has advised that the matters pertaining to country St. Maarten cannot be included in the budget unless there is a guarantee from the Central Government. Wescot Williams said her faction has questions pertaining to GEBE concession fee, the environmental fees, the condominium fee, the indexation of the civil servants salaries. So far, government has been providing elusive answers and they wanted clarification from government but members of the National Alliance refused to make that happen. She warned that the actions of government would not stop the Democratic Party as they have already requested another central committee meeting. Wescot Williams said that what took place on Thursday only strengthen their position on government's ability on handling the people's affairs and right now they have absolutely no confidence in government. She said already indicated to them that travelling expenses for the second part of 2009 has increased by 50%, yet several members of government has refused to bring clarity to the people of St. Maarten.

Island councilman Petrus Leroy De Weever in his statement said he is thankful for Heyliger's support but even Heyliger who is the deputy leader of government was not able to convince the members of the National Alliance to convene the meeting by providing the quorum. De Weever said on several occasions Heyliger has said that the current executive council has no regard for his opinion and this is indeed a sad day of St. Maarten since their actions will fall on the shoulders of the people. Also expressing concern was Island Council lady Maria Buncamper who said government's inaction would have far-reaching consequences for the island. Buncamper Molanus said one of their concerns with government is that they are spending monies that were allocated for one purpose on other things. Buncamper Molanus said St. Maarten is facing a daily challenge by the Netherlands who are saying that St. Maarten must prove that they are capable to handle the people's business prior to St. Maarten getting its country status.
The island council lady said Thursday's action by the National Alliance is an exposé of incapability and irresponsibility by government. Island Councilman Roy Marlin also indicated that the commissioner of tourism has been travelling almost everyday saying he is trying to bring in additional tourism from South America to St. Maarten. Marlin said he wants to know how the tourism commissioner could do so without a budget. Marlin said he held office for ten years and not once has the DP former executive council denied the opposition information. He said the minute the opposition deny information then they are thwarting on democracy.

Philipsburg: --- The island government and the department of Legal Affairs are currently investigating an inspector of ROB (Public Works) who allegedly tried to extort monies from Blue Marine. According to reliable sources, the ROB inspector and his girl friend are owners of Blue Blood Construction tried to extort $42,000 from Blue Marine, a company that belongs to Saro Spadaro. SMN News learnt that the inspector committed his act since July 2009 and to date no actions has been taken.

The source said the inspector sent his girlfriend (another civil servant) with an invoice in the name of Blue Blood to Blue Marine for $42, 000 even though Blue Blood did not conduct any work for Blue Marine. It is further understood that when Blue Marine questioned the invoice they were told that they should pay the invoice if they wanted to get their inspection approved on the buildings that were constructed at Pointe Pirouette. SMN News further learnt that a well-known member of the Democratic Party contacted the Director of ROB with the invoice that was sent to Blue Marine, which prompted ROB Director Joseph Dollison to immediately remove the inspector from that construction site and initiated an investigation on the incident. SMN News further learnt that a process verbal was made up and sent to personnel affairs on the inspector because of a second incident, which involved him, and another colleague who visited one of Blue Blood's construction sites in Oyster Pond. This media house learnt that the inspector wrote a letter complaining about his colleague whom he said is trying to hinder the work process at Oyster Pond.

SMN News also learnt that the inspector whose name was provided failed to execute his duties when several residents and even landowners asked that he intervene to stop pollution and other threats at a Shanty Town in Cul de Sac area.
The civil servant, land owner and resident of Cul de Sac said she filed several complaints at ROB and the with the police regarding the parking of vehicles and the dumping of garbage on their land but the inspector in question never did anything with the complaints filed.
This resident said she noticed a government vehicle attached to ROB in the area and decided to look to see what was happening. The resident said she also decided to take photos of the government vehicle number E 42 that was parked in the area and of the civil servant as he was leaving a home that is also part of the problems that are being encountered with illegal residents in the area.
The resident said when the civil servant realized he was caught and that photos were being taken of him he became aggressive and took the government vehicle and blocked her in. She said the ROB inspector approached her vehicle aggressively. The resident has since filed a complaint with the police department against the ROB inspector for his aggressive behavior. Late on Thursday evening, the detectives called in the inspector regarding the complaint. The inspector in question had some legal issues with his wife, over a year ago, his case was handled by the prosecutor's office, and he received a conditional dismissal. SMN News also learned that the Acting Sector Director of ROB Claudius Buncamper has instructed the inspector to park the government vehicle since he was not on assignment on Thursday in the Cul de Sac area when the incident occurred.

GREAT BAY,– On Wednesday 46 persons became Dutch citizens during an official naturalization ceremony held in the Claude Wathey Legislative Hall. The eldest person was 66 years of age.

Governor Franklyn Richards who presided over the ceremony congratulated the 26 females and 20 males of which 19 were born on the island and 19 were children under the age of 10.

This was the second naturalization ceremony for 2010. Governor Richards congratulated the new citizens after they cited in the presence of family and friends the declaration of solidarity.

Governor Richards during the ceremony also gave a historical perspective with respect to the naturalization process pointing out that it was back in August 2008 that changes were made to the process of obtaining the Dutch nationality.

In March 2009 the Kingdom law was amended and came into effect.

The 46 persons who became Dutch citizens hailed from the following countries: 14 Suriname, six Dominica, six Dominican Republic, five Haiti, four Americans, three St. Kitts & Nevis, three Jamaica, three Guyana, one St. Lucia and one French national.

At the end of the ceremony, the new Dutch citizens were treated to beverages and snacks.

GREAT BAY (GIS)— Commissioner of Health Hyacinth Richardson and the medical director of St. Maarten medical center announced on Friday the arrival of two new gynecologists who would begin working at the St. Maarten Medical Center as early as Monday.

Commissioner Richardson, said that he has had many deliberations with stakeholders to ensure optimal gynecology and obstetrics care on St. Maarten thus enabling his staff to secure the additional specialists.
Richardson said the first of the two much needed specialists will begin working as of Monday March 15. The commissioner said he is aware that the medical institution would need more specialists and they are continuing to work towards finding a permanent solution for the island people to achieve better medical care.

Dr. George Scot said that since the year 2000, there have been three doctors in this field. Last year one of the doctors left, and with the leaving of another, there was a need to attract doctors in gynecology. There is need for at least three to four permanent gynecologists on St. Maarten

Following a number meetings, and with the cooperation and assistance of a medical institution in the Netherlands, we are working with a pool of 7 gynecologists, two of which will be working on a 3-4 month rotation basis. One will start on March 15th, and this doctor will be replaced by two other doctors on April 1st. Thus there will be two at the Hospital plus Doctors Friday and Petit, and the Midwife Ms. R Janga.

Scot added that out of the pool of 7 gynecologists, it will have to be determined which two are going to work with the Medical center/on St. Maarten on a long term basis.

In addition, there are efforts being made to acquire two midwives from abroad. There are currently two persons from St. Maarten studying to be a mid wife; and another who has completed her studies, but currently working in the Netherlands—all three have indicated that they are willing to return, so we, Dr. Scot said, we are having discussions and staying in communication.

On the short term basis however, they are speaking to two midwives, one from Suriname and the other from the Netherlands, who are willing to work on St. Maarten. Dr. Scot said he does not know exactly when the two midwives would be able to start working on St. Maarten. The Medical Director further explained that in order to secure Women's Health the institution was forced to accept the rotation basis for the year 2010 since the two gynecologists that have indicated that they are willing to work on St. Maarten for a longer period can only do so as of 2011. He said finding fully rounded specialists are very difficult to find since the island is rather small and does not offer all the advantages in the medical field for younger specialists.

The first prognosis about the 2010 hurricane season is that it will be more active than last year and has the potential to be an "extreme season" similar to 2008. We can all recall Hurricane Omar in mid-October 2008 when it passed less than 50 miles from the island as a major category three causing over US$100 million in damage especially to coastal properties due to storm surge.

The early hurricane season forecast has been made by Meteorologist and Hurricane Forecaster Joe Bastardi. In 2008, there were 16 named storms, eight became hurricanes. The forecast for 2010 is 16 to 18 storm systems of which seven will become hurricanes and five of those will become a category three or stronger.

What's behind a forecast active 2010 hurricane season, well a rapid weakening of the current El Nino in the Pacific Ocean; warmer sea surface temperatures; and an expected weakening of the Atlantic trade wind.

Traditionally an El Nino occurring in the Pacific Ocean leads to a typically less active hurricane season, but this year this seems not to be the case.

For this time of the year it has been noticeably very dry and warm. The U.S. has been experiencing some very extreme weather situations such as a number of blizzards and just recently torrential rains that have caused flooding in certain states.

There is much concern by weather experts with respect to neighbouring earthquake ravaged Haiti where a minor tropical storm could cause what has been described as a catastrophe.

In Haiti, 80 per cent of the population is without access to television or radio, and communicating weather forecasts to the public is a great concern. Two weeks ago part of Haiti experienced flooding from a cold front weather system which killed up to 20 persons. Thousands of people continue to live in temporary shelters which are extremely vulnerable to wind and rain.

At the Regional Association IV Hurricane Committee, which brings together hurricane experts from across the Americas, held in Bermuda last week, Haiti was one of the main topics of discussion. A positive outcome at the meeting for Haiti and its people is Jamaica and Cuba will be asked to provide radar images while other countries have offered to provide storm tracking and communications equipment as well as personnel.

Disaster management planners will be paying keen attention in the coming weeks, as other forecasters will be coming out with their seasonal projections for the 2010 hurricane season. The next one is early April by Colorado State University hurricane forecasters Philip Klotzbach and William Gray followed by the Miami NOAA/National Hurricane Center on June 1.

Philipsburg:--- Two days after GEBE held its party to celebrate the inauguration of their two new generators that were installed some three months ago, the island residents were thrown into an island wide blackout, which lasted more than five hours on Sunday evening. While GEBE did not say, what was the cause of the blackout until late Sunday night SMN News learnt that a some sort of short circuit was the main cause. Sources say that for some unknown reason the computer system was tripping out the Zagersgut substation, which caused the power company to lose power for more than five hours. Electricity went off just after 5 pm and power was restored after 9 pm. Up to late Sunday night the exact cause of the computer problems were not identified. "The computer was not allowing the engines to start up for one reason or another" one source said.

SMN News also learnt that the two new generators were tripping or shutting down due to safety procedures when the short circuit occurs. While there has been conflicting information, circulating this media house also learnt that one of the radiators from one of the new generators blew on Saturday night as one of the employees had reported that he heard some sort of loud noise coming from the power plant.

Several residents and long time employees of GEBE said that the managing director of GEBE Mr. William Brooks needs to get his act together and manage the company in the interest of the people. "The building that was at the Bellevue border was damaged since 2008 when someone ran into it during a traffic accident and to date GEBE has not seen the importance of this building to have it repaired." One angry employee said that the main purpose of that building was for the Dutch side to receive a feed from the French side in cases of emergencies and vise versa but since the building was damaged that feed was blocked. "If that building was repaired and the feed was open then Cole Bay would not have been in darkness during those five hours."
SMN News also learnt that GEBE has been working all its generators at full capacity and there is no room for incidents such as Sunday's.
The source said GEBE management is not taking the businesses that are constantly losing monies to GEBE's power failures into account.

A press release from GEBE late Sunday night states that a short in one of two feeder cables leading to the Zagersgut Substation triggered a complete blackout on the Dutch side of the island late Sunday afternoon. The emergency protection systems at the Cay Bay Power Plant were triggered completely shutting down the power plant for a number of hours Sunday evening.
A GEBE team of technicians have been busy Sunday evening working to isolate the short in the feeder cable, however without success up to press time. Unfortunately, this left a number of districts without power such as Dutch Quarter, Belvedere, Oyster Pond, Defiance, Middle Region and Guana Bay, but GEBE engineers were able to bring those areas back online by approximately 10.30pm after re-routing the electrical production supply.
The demand in those aforementioned areas on Sunday night is low and technicians will continue to look for the fault and implement immediate repairs on Monday morning. The re-routing of Sunday evening is only a temporary measure. Once the short has been located load shedding of the aforementioned areas will be necessary in order to repair the problem.
Electricity supply to other residential districts were back online after power plant technicians were able to re-route power to the last Zagersgut Substation cable, however the cable can only carry a certain load. Numerous attempts were made to resupply the various districts, but the fault kept creating a destabilizing situation.
Cay Bay Power Plant engineers were taken aback by the island-wide (Dutch side) outage and said it was rather unusual. All power generating equipment are functional and operational including the two new generators that were inaugurated last Friday.
Shorts in the power generation system are not uncommon and can happen anytime without warning.
GEBE continues to make investments in the electrical supply system in order to provide a reliable system. The current Bush Road civil works is related to GEBE's ring system that will connect to the Pond Island Substation once completed.
The ring system will allow GEBE to still be able to provide electricity to Philipsburg and surrounding environs should a fault develop in the distribution network. GEBE engineers would be able to re-route the electricity more quickly thereby limiting the disruption time in service.

Although Black women account for 12 percent of women in the United States, they make up almost 70 percent of women believed to have AIDS. The AIDS rate among Black women is nearly 22 times higher than that of their White peers. In 2006, AIDS was the third leading cause of death among African American women ages 25 to 44. Tragically, many of the young women who die became infected as teenagers.
But just as Harriet Tubman, one of the most celebrated women in Black history, transcended her circumstances by first escaping slavery and then creating a way for others to save themselves, every Black female can both protect herself from HIV and help create an environment in which other Black people can protect themselves. But how can Black women do this in a world where they shoulder disproportionate family responsibilities, are often poorer and in worse health than other women, and are frequently abused and disrespected? And how can our community help them?
One of the most important decisions that a Black woman can make is to find out her HIV status. Hilda Hutcherson, M.D., a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Columbia University Medical Center, says it best: "If you love yourself, you will insist upon your partner getting tested, and you will insist that you get tested as well." Even today, one in five Americans living with HIV don't even know that they have it. But there is no longer any excuse for this state of affairs. HIV testing is readily available -- often at no or reduced cost -- at many doctors' offices, public health centers, community outreach events and churches. And if you're scared of blood or needles, you can ask for an oral test, in which a swab is merely run across the inside of your cheek. Generally results are available in less than an hour. But no matter which method you select or where you decide to get it done, every sexually active Black woman needs to get HIV-tested at least once a year -- and more often if you have more than one partner, are concerned about your partner's sexual faithfulness, or are uncertain of his or her status.

Philipsburg:---The St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association and the St. Maarten Timeshare Association met with Mr. William Brooks and Mr. Steve Duzanson of GEBE yesterday afternoon to discuss reliability of service, the tariff structure, and alternative energy.

Reliability of Service

The SHTA expressed its concern regarding the effect that the frequent power outages are having on businesses' ability to provide quality, reliable service to their consumers and the growing need for residents and businesses to invest in a backup system. The SHTA questioned what the operational setbacks are that are preventing GEBE for functioning optimally. Mr. Brooks explained the challenges that GEBE has been encountering and listed the company's plans to improve reliability of service:

• The construction of a new substation on Pond Island, which together with the station on A. Th. Illidge road would be able to better service the Dutch side of the island. This should be complete by the end of 2010
• A ring system is being worked on to ensure that when incidents occur in one area, power can be shut off to that particular district rather than to the entire island.
• Technicians are scheduled to overhaul the machines that have reached maximum running hours.
• Plans are being made for the purchase of a 3rd 11.3 MW engine

Unexpected new developments on the island on the short term can negatively impact the long-term capacity plans of utility companies. As a result of unexpected developments, the planning, purchasing and installment of equipment necessary to maintain a reliable supply of electricity to the community can fall behind the demand. Constant communication between Public Works and GEBE continues to be vital to forecasting demand and updating long-term plans for GEBE's electricity production capacity to stay ahead of the electricity demand.

Tariff structure

Mr. Brooks reported that the tariff structure was established in 1960 when the price of oil was approximately $4 per barrel (vs. $80 presently) and the local circumstances were different. He stated that the base rate no longer covers GEBE's operational expenses, and as a result the fuel clause incorporated much more than just the price of oil; hence the need for the new structure.
With regards to the fuel clause, Mr. Brooks explained that this was set up with a profit margin attached, meaning that when the price of oil increased, so would GEBE's profits. In the new structure, the fuel clause will be a pass through fee that will have no effect on GEBE's profits.

With regards to the proposed structure, he informed that the fuel clause cannot be removed.
More importantly, the tariff structure is not expected to increase or decrease fees but make it more predictable. This, he said, would allow residents and businesses to better predict and manage their electricity costs.
An increase in the base rate is also planned.
The structure is still to be reviewed by the Supervisory Board, after which it will be taken to the Executive Council for approval.
In terms of offering relief to businesses, Mr. Brooks stated that GEBE is not allowed to alter any of its rates without the approval of Government, but hopes that the new structure will assist businesses in their financial planning.

Alternative Energy

The SHTA asked if there are any plans to introduce alternative energy on the short term that would assist in stabilizing the supply and the cost of electricity. Mr. Brooks advised that the costs associated with Geothermal Energy, specifically the installation of the submarine cables, are high. Further current geothermal installations on Nevis and Saba are not yet operational. The costs of solar panels are also very expensive. Wind energy, on the other hand is the most affordable, but also the most unreliable.
GEBE has been directed by Government to purchase 6 Megawatts of electricity from the waste management project, for which the costs are not yet clear..
The meeting concluded with Mr. Brooks expressing compassion for what the businesses and residents have had to endure and stressed that GEBE is working diligently towards stabilizing the electricity supply.
Overall, the SHTA found the meeting to be very informative and plans to stay in close contact with GEBE to improve the quality of service and life on St. Maarten.

Philipsburg: --- Advisor to the Democratic Party Julian Rollocks sent a cashier's check to the treasurer of Talking Drum Foundation Franklin Brison on Wednesday to the sum of $20,475, which represents the rent monies he collected from Border Point. Rollocks wanted Brison to sign a waiver when he received the check but that was request was denied. Sources close to Rollocks and Talking Drum said the SAPP leader sent the check and letter with a bailiff to the foundation treasurer hoping to settle the court case, which was initiated by Rollocks against Talking Drum. It is understood that Rollocks in his letter said he did not realize that he could not gain financial benefits from any foundation since it is a non- profit organization. Rollocks also promised to stay away from Talking Drums in the future.
SMN News also learnt that Rollocks and one of his close friends called the president and founder of Talking Drum Cimmeran Marlin at Parliament Building on Thursday and offered to give him the monies personally. The source said Marlin felt that the duo was trying to bribe him and he refused to handle the matter, which is currently in court. SMN News further learnt that the person who spoke to Marlin indicated to him that they were going to give him the monies at the Christian Kingdom Cooperation (CKC) office on Back Street but Marlin never went along with the plans. It is further understood that Marlin immediately contacted his lawyer and informed him of the incident.

The source said that the monies Rollocks gave back to Talking Drums do not represent the total amount of monies he collected for the foundation. SMN News further learnt that Rollocks still has to turn over documents belonging to Talking Drums before he can consider any type of settlement. "Even if Rollocks pays the monies back it does not mean he is off the hook because the prosecutor's office is already on it." The source said.
SMN News further learnt that Rollocks and two of the foundation's members were meeting but Marlin instructed them to deal with his attorneys at HBN law. Efforts made on Wednesday evening to contact attorney at law Sambeek proved futile up to press time.

In the letter that Rollocks sent to the foundation he apologized to the foundation claiming that he made a mistake when he had his half brother signed a contract, which would give him 60% of the income from Border Point.
SMN News learnt that based on the contract Rollocks would have gotten 80% of all the income generated at Border Point since he also wanted the full income from two of the buildings located at Border Point.
Rollocks and his half brother Cimmeran Marlin appeared in court on Monday but the judge instructed the two men to see if they can settle their dispute outside of courts. The judge also indicated that should there not be a settlement then he would give his ruling on April 9.

In an invited comment Prosecutor Rienk Mud said, he does not have all the information on the case regarding Julian Rollocks and Talking Drums, however, his colleague who is currently on sick leave knows more about the case. SMN News also learnt that an arrest warrant is out for Rollocks and he is doing his best to settle the case is to avoid implicating Island Council lady Sarah Wescot Williams. Mud said his colleague will report to work on Monday and more information on the case would be released then.

GREAT BAY (GIS)—On Tuesday, while students from the 3rd and 4th grade of the HAVO and VWO classes where at the Government Administration Building in the Claude Wathey Legislative Hall, they heard a presentation by the Head of the Education Department Quincy Harrigan who explained about the Sector of Education. He also went on to explain about the departments that falls under the sector, one of which is study-financing.
Harrigan then gave the word over to Ms. Olga Mussington, a counselor at the department, who spoke to the students about study financing and about choosing a concentration/major.
Mussington said that you must choose a career based on what you like to do or have an interest in, and that is a priority area of study. This latter part ensures a better chance of getting the study financing, 60% of which has to be paid back to government.
So it is important to research your area of study or participating in a student intern position in your area of interest before choosing a particular study, concentration, major. Find something that you are passionate about, Mussington said, and pursue that study.
A priority list was compiled by surveying the private and public sectors and inquiring what the urgent/immediate needs are.
In recent times there were certain subjects that students were not interested in on the priority list. Mussignton urged students to explore some of these not so popular areas: archaeology, meteorology, lab technician, nurses, lawyers, teachers, sociology, librarians, and teachers, who in high demand on St. Maarten.
She indicated that students haven't been choosing these majors; they have been selecting instead the same concentrations over the years.
Too often students study what is popular, she said that students have to consider the market and getting a job within a competition and saturated market. So it was of the essence for students to choose their future career wisely.
As well, each sector, it was indicated by the Sector Directors and Department Heads, that there are areas open in the fields of policy, researchers, etc.
For more information on the priority list, please visit the website of study financing http://www.study-sxm.org or visit the department for more information.

CAY BAY— On Thursday GEBE was once again plagued by a number of mechanical challenges, however everything returned back to normal by 6.00pm as the production load on the Dutch side of the island went down as the business day started to come to a close at five and six pm.
Generator #15 tripped around 4.00pm as a result of instability in the power grid and this resulted in power disruption in the Cupecoy/Mullet Bay area, Beacon Hill, Simpson Bay Village, Airport Road, Belvedere, Oyster Pond and the Westin Hotel area.
Diesel Generator #16 also developed a mechanical problem causing a loss of 8 Megawatts (MW) in production capacity around 2.45pm. This resulted in interruption in service for Madame Estate, AT Illidge Road, Middle Region, Madame Estate area, Arch Road, Suckergarden, and Guana Bay.
Generator #16 is expected to remain offline as technicians work to repair the problem. Up to press time these repairs were still on-going and may continue on Friday leaving the possibility open for possible load shedding on Friday.
GEBE customers are asked to check out www.nvgebe.com for the latest information regarding load shedding.
With Generator #17 already offline for general scheduled maintenance, this just added to the shortage in capacity during daylight peak hours. The demand for electricity from the community and the business sector peaked at 55MW.
Other neighbourhoods impacted by disruption in service around 4.00pm were St. Peters, south Reward, Ebenezer, Betty's Estate, Saunders, Mary's Fancy, Cay Bay, Cole Bay (Welfare Road), and the Pelican area.
Earlier in the day there were outages in other areas such as Dutch Quarter, Tamarind Hill, Dawn Beach, Union Farm and the Bishop Hill area.
GEBE regrets the inconvenience caused.

GREAT BAY – A group of six persons will assist the Preventive Health Department as of Monday with yard controls in search of aedes aegypti mosquito breeding sites.

The six persons have been contracted for a two month period until the end of May. The aim of the project is to inspect yards, give information and accumulate data such as the number of breeding places, types of mosquitoes found, and what are the most common mosquito breeding sources.

These persons underwent two days of trainings that would allow them to work with the Preventive Health Department in their campaign to eliminate mosquito breeding sites on the island.

The facilitators are Epidemiologist Gerald Peters and GKMB Mosquito Control Program Controller Johnny Wattley.

The persons have been trained on how to detect mosquito breeding spots and to inform residents on eliminating breeding places. The intended yard-to-yard inspections are restricted to home-owner yards and resident's cooperation is highly appreciated when the controllers pass by to carry out their inspections.

In the meantime residents and businesses are advised to continue taking preventative measures as this is necessary to keep down the mosquito population and prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.

The six persons that took part in the workshop were selected from a list of 16 persons compiled from the Social Welfare unemployment database. From the 16 names provided, 11 were selected to be trained, and eight were selected to work on the project and only six were able to continue with the project.

These six persons will operate under the supervision of Gerald Peters, Johnny Wattley and Kendal Gumbs.

"I am very pleased that government was able to tap into the unemployed market of persons and found persons willing to get involved in their community in this manner. Government is ready and willing to assist unemployed persons and this initiative is one way to do it.

"I appeal to the community to take proper control measures around their homes to reduce mosquito breeding. Greater vigilance on the part of residents would complement vector control exercises designed to eliminate potentially dangerous mosquitoes such as the one that carries dengue fever," Commissioner of Public Health & Labour Affairs Hyacinth Richardson told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Friday.

Once a breeding place is detected within the yard, there is the option to treat the source with abate or spraying with a hand pump.

The yard inspection will take place at the point of Belvedere going into Dutch Quarter and then into Middle Region. Residents and business owners are kindly requested to cooperate with the controllers and the department. Lets work together to keep our island free of Dengue Fever!

The project is part of the 2008 strategy that was developed to manage the mosquito population. Throughout 2008, the yard-to-yard inspections were carried out mainly by civil servants, which proved to be a challenge due to their daily office duties besides contributing to the campaign.

This project will act as a pilot to determine the possibility of systematically reviving yard-to-yard inspections as a pro-active approach in controlling the mosquito population and preventing an outbreak of dengue fever in the future.

Great Bay – The premier local construction materials supply company on St. Maarten, BBW is relocating to Sucker Garden. The company's offices and operations will now be located on the Arch Road.

As a public statement regarding its commitment to St. Maarten, the company has decided to place and always maintain, a large St. Maarten flag on the top it's tallest cement silo, which forms part of BBW's recent installation of its new and modern Ready mix Concrete plant. The two white Cement silos at the company's new location, are visible from Philipsburg, Cul de Sac, Fort Willem and adjacent areas.

The relocation comes after almost 50 years of the company's operation venue being located on the airport road, in close proximity of the Princess Juliana International Airport. The company, which at present employs 20 persons, is in the process of finalizing most of the activities related to the relocation. The process is expected to be completed by the end of this week.

By the time that St. Maarten was beginning to experience its economic boom in the 70s and 80s, BBW had already made a name for itself as the island's premiere construction materials supplier.

BBW has been involved in various large and smaller-sized construction projects in St. Maarten over the course of the past decades.

In an industry that BBW over the years has set the standard for customers whose demand are for high quality Ready Mix Concrete, blocks, sand, gravel and cement, at good prices, on time deliveries, consistent and good customer service, BBW remains committed to its St. Maarten community and are here to stay.

With the bold move to relocate, the company envisions a new chapter in its development, allowing them to provide even better service to the community of St. Maarten.
The company pledges to continue offering quality products at the most competitive prices, with a service level second to none. BBW we are here for you St. Maarten!

GREAT BAY (GIS)—National Tree Day was observed on Monday, March 22 by the students at the St. Dominic High School planted a Flamboyant tree at the rear of the school premises.

This initiative is actually between the St. Maarten Tourism Bureau and the St. Maarten Archeology Center, SIMARC headed by Dr. Jay Haviser.

Tourism Bureau's Edward Dest gave a short speech on behalf of Tourism Department Head, Regina Labega. Dest said that it was important to create awareness of the importance of trees in our environment.

"We jointly planted trees at various locations to stress the point that progress and environmental conservation are not enemies. [These] trees continue to grow today and are a daily reminder that if we work with nature, nature will work with us. This is the main message we can draw from the theme: 'Youth and Nature Working Together.' Youth and nature, indeed, are natural allies."

"On this National Tree Day, our youth will be actively involved in planting the Flamboyant tree in the environment where they function the most: at their schools. Six secondary schools have been chosen for this event, and it is hoped that this would be seen as an example for other schools and youth organizations to follow."

Dest pointed out that there was also the need to work together.

It was just not an initiative to enhance public-private partnership, but also in recognition of the need for a collaborative effort.

Haviser concurred, and extended the thought that trees are important both naturally and culturally.

According to Haviser trees are beautiful, they provide us with fruits, they provide us with clean, fresh air, and they are in some cases landmarks, so it is important that we value and preserve trees. On this day, because trees are such an important part of our community, we need to show appreciation and respect. We ask the entire community to take a moment today and appreciate a tree, perhaps plant a tree in your yard or simply provide some water and fertilizer, but do step back and feel proud of these majestic natural partners in our community.

Two students of St. Dominic High, Rohid Premkumar and Jonathon van Arneman, also part of SIMARC, shared some words with the small gathering. They said that we have to appreciate trees more, and to inform the public about the need for such, and to avoid cutting trees down.

GREAT BAY,– So far approximately 200 persons have made use of the special opening on Saturdays by the Civil Registry Department for persons who need an Identification Card after receiving their Brooks Towers Accord residency papers.
Two Saturdays have already passed and the Civil Registry Department will be open again on Saturday, March 27 and again Saturday, April 3.
Persons who have received their residency permit under the Brooks Towers Accord should make use of the two Saturdays that are left. The office will be open from 8:00am to 1:00pm.
The public is also hereby informed that the office does not accept any laminated documents. Laminated documents do not allow the office the opportunity to verify the authenticity of the aforementioned.

MARIGOT---The gendarmes conducted several road and traffic controls during this month in order to maintain the traffic laws. The idea was for them to identify the vehicle owners that are using public roads recklessly and are a danger to other road users. Some of the vehicles controlled are heavy vehicles. Drivers who were caught with more than six percent of the maximum weight were fined 135 Euros for the offence.
The controlling officers were also looking for drivers who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drivers who tested positive for drug use had their drivers' license revoked by the public prosecutor.

PHILIPSBURG—As part of the international World Water Day celebrations that were held on March 22, 2010, GEBE held a blind water taste test with customers to promote the quality of drinking water and determine whether customers can pick GEBE water out of a line up. Customers visiting the main office were asked to sample five different waters including popular bottled water brands, GEBE water, and GEBE water run through a carbon filter. Participants received a free limited edition GEBE reusable water bottle to promote better health through drinking water.
Many customers started off that they would have no problem identifying the source of the different water samples. However, during the test, they indicated their surprise that the waters tasted very much alike. "This is hard, they all taste alike." One customer exclaimed while testing. When they reached the question where they had to indicate which sample was GEBE water, more than 10% did not even venture a guess. Of those customers who did guess, 20% were able to pick GEBE unfiltered water (sample #4) out of a line up, while only 1 in 10 were able to identify GEBE filtered water (sample #3).
As part of the testing program, GEBE's water lab tested 21 bottled water brands, as well as a cistern water sample and GEBE water sample to give a range of the pH balance (ranging from alkaline to acidic), conductivity (measuring salt content) and microbiological tests. In these tests, GEBE's tap water was average in terms of pH balance and conductivity illustrating that tap water is the same quality as most bottled waters.
Although the cistern water fared well in the pH balance and conductivity tests, the microbiological tests showed expected signs of possible microbial presence that can be expected from spouts and cisterns. It is recommended to run cistern water through a filter or to boil it before drinking.
When rating the water, GEBE customers rated GEBE unfiltered water 2nd above leading bottled brands. "We were pleasantly surprised at the results of the taste test with GEBE water scoring so high. After conducting the same test with GEBE employees at the power plant and the main building, we were able to discern slight differences in taste depending on where the GEBE sample was taken from."
GEBE water has advantages since it is delivered straight to your home, it costs up to 300 times less than bottled water, and does not pollute the environment with thousands of plastics bottles ending up being littered or in the landfill. Empty plastic bottles that are in the end not recycled, can stay in the environment up to 450 years. In the test 60% of customers indicated that they already drink GEBE water at home, 17% of which drink GEBE with a filter. In these difficult economic times, families are looking for new ways to save money. Using tap water more effectively could save upwards of Naf. 500 per year.
Making quality drinking water available to everyone in the community remains a priority for NV GEBE. No matter which water you decide to drink, whether cistern water, filtered water, tap water or bottled water, drinking water remains important for your health. So drink up.

A big thank you goes out to shoppers four and five rows deep, who partook in the Rotary Club of Sint Maarten's "Great St Maarten Bazaar" over the weekend. Goods on sale included new and gently-used designer clothing, house wares, books, furniture and plants. As a result of the support given by so many in our community, the day's efforts raised approximately $4,000 that will benefit the pediatric ward of the St Maarten Medical Centre.
Vice President of the Club, Rebecca Low said, "As Rotarians, we are always looking at ways we can help build a stronger St Maarten. One of those ways is to ensure that we have a world-class hospital. Through our efforts here, and our upcoming fundraiser on Oasis of the Seas, we plan on making some special donations that will benefit the babies born here."
Visiting Rotarians from the United States joined together with Club members and high school students from Rotary's Interact Club at Milton Peters College. The Rotary Club wishes to thank Le Grand Marche and Prime Distributors for their continued support of grassroots organizations in St Maarten, as well as the general public without whose support the many fundraising events, such as "The Great St. Maarten Bazaar" would not be possible.

Philipsburg: --- The suspect who allegedly killed Eddy the hairdresser on December 21 2008 arrived on St. Maarten on March 20 after Canadian authorities extradited him
The suspect C.W was arrested when he arrived on St. Maarten and he appeared before the judge of instruction on Tuesday as the investigation into the brutal murder of Eddy continues said Prosecutor Rienk Mud.

Mud said on March 25 the last two suspects in the human smuggling investigation known as 'Tortola', arrived at 'Princess Juliana International Airport', after they were extradited by US authorities, also at the request of the prosecutor's office.
The suspects, 36-year-old R.R. and his 35-year-old wife M.R., were arrested in the US on suspicion of shoplifting. After their arrest it turned out, they were wanted in St Maarten.
In the 'Tortola' case, a group of about 25 people was smuggled by boat from St Maarten with destination St. Thomas. The boat was shipwrecked off the coast of Tortola. Thirteen people, several children included, were never found again. They presumably drowned.
Co suspects were sentenced by the Court of First Instance to imprisonment ranging from 6 to 34 months.
The suspects, who were arrested when they arrived in Sint Maarten, will be led before the investigating judge. They will be further interrogated by the police about their role and their statements will be added to the file that was already completed. For this reason, the suspects will be summoned to appear in court as soon as possible.

The Tzu Chi foundation of St Maarten is currently in Haiti the foundation sent four delegates to the island to reinforce the Tzu Chi International, for personal circumstances one of the members was force to return back to St Maarten/ St Kitts.
The Organization Tzu Chi chapters of North, South America, Asia and the only one of Caribbean (St Maarten Chapter) join force in Haiti to help distribute humanitarian relief like Food, Tents, Blankets, Tapoling, Tzu Chi is also assisting in the Medical field like dental, acupuncture and pediatrician doctors came in to contribute with their profession.
The last 4 days the Tzu Chi distributed over 3500 relief to the people of Haiti there distribution location is the Sylvio Cator Stadium in Port au Prince, Haiti. The people are been selected by church members and Community leaders. The Stadium self is been use as an emergency relief tent village many of these type of Tent village are spread all over the island in Port au Prince. On Monday Tzu Chi plans to distribute over 1500 tents at the Stadium to the people who are in need of a tent many is building shacks of Tapoling or from old cart board they will also distribute blankets and food to the Haitians who are in need. They will also distribute to different families outside Port au Prince.
The St Maarten Tzu Chi delegates are planning to stay till Saturday April 03, 2010.
Rolex Cheung , Gromyko Wilson and Peter De Zela holding the St Maarten Flag at the Sylvio Cator soccer Stadium, what is now a tent village in the middle of Port au Prince. We are here standing with the lil children that now is Homeless and living in tent and shacks build from wood tapoling and cardboard.... We were Proud to have the St Maarten flag up to symbolize that we contributed to help the People of Haiti.

Philipsburg: --- The selection committee that was busy interviewing several candidates to fill the vacant positions of the police management team (KPSSS) has selected Peter de Witte as St. Maarten's new police chief commissioner. De Witte is also president of the Police Social Club and he was part of the police unions. SMN News learnt that members of the St. Maarten Police Force are quite familiar with de Witte since they travelled to several countries together, all of which he spearheaded.
Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba had said that the incoming chief would take up his position on April 1. However, when contacted on Monday evening for a comment on the selected candidates Jacoba said she would make an official announcement when the process is finalized.
SMN News also learnt that Chief Inspector Carl John was selected to be the head of the Algemeen Division while the head of judicial division remains vacant.

The source said the Minister of Justice would now have to select an interim head for the justice division until a suitable candidate is found to take up the position. The committee was chaired by St. Maarten's Chief of Police Franklyn Richards, while other members were Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos, junior Minister of Justice Ernie Simmons, M. de Palm, and Golio who represented the police unions from Curacao.

SMN News has been reliably informed that Aruba's Police Chief Peter de Witte won the selection process and that he out ran Assistant Chief Commissioner of Police Richard Panneflec who was also interviewed for the position. Panneflec was the next candidate to be appointed chief commissioner of police had he stayed in his position a year ago. Former Minister of Justice David Dick had suggested that Panneflec leave the force and further his studies in Holland an option he refused and requested to be placed at the disposition of the island government. Minister Magali Jacoba gave Panneflec another year extension in February where he would remain to the disposition of the island government.

Willemstad, 'Practical, intensive training', 'learned a lot'. These are some of the qualifications the participants gave to the Project implementation master class A piece of cake that USONA (Implementing organization Netherlands Antilles Development Foundation) organized in cooperation with the UNA in Curaçao from 23rd to 25th of March.
The immediate reason for this master class was the large number of approved projects in 2009 and the desire to supply additional skills and tools in order to further professionalize the implementation of the projects.

In three days the 20 participants, all of them involved in development projects in the Antilles, went through eight modules in which mainly the feedback to their own projects, the daily practice, was emphasized. Because of this, the theory received direct practical implementation. The enthusiasm was such that already during the master class plans were made to keep meeting each other after this master class as well (LinkedIN, SharePoint).

The participants in the master class originate from a variety of sectors such as tourism, education, the prison system, youth welfare, and health care and from governmental departments on Sint Maarten, Sint Eustatius, Bonaire and Curaçao. The main subjects, eight topics were: Commission and principalship, Targets, Strategy and target tree, Actors and stakeholders, Risk factors, Leadership and Change management, Process management, Planning and Control, and Cashing in. Each module started with a theoretical approach to the topic, followed by the practice. In each case the participants were given the assignment to provide feedback from the topic discussed to their own project(s). Precisely because of the diversity of projects there were lively and useful discussions. The whole master class was supported by a web environment (SharePoint) to which the participants were able to log in already before the start of the master class and could read relevant discussion papers and documents. Within this platform they could also questions, a function that even after completion of the master class will continue to be available, creating a project implementation studygroup, and so increasing the sustainability of this project.

The teachers were experts from the Netherlands who brought along a broad experience, and also program managers of USONA who could perfectly give feed back from the daily practice. The master class was led by Hans van Leeuwen (Certified Project Director) and Frans Versteeg (Advisor USONA).

Upon the retirement of Frans Versteeg as Director of USONA at the end of September 2009 the master class was a gift to him from the Berenschot Group. Versteeg thereupon passed the gift symbolically to the Governors of the island territories. The first master class therefore has been complimentary.

Young talented persons who are interested in participating in the Youth Extravaganza for Carnival 2010, "Sweet Revelry Again", can still register to do so. The youth extravaganza is the only night on the annual Carnival schedule that St. Maarten's youth can claim at the Festival Village.

The event was officially added to the Carnival calendar in 2000 and has consistently been the second largest local show in terms of attendance, eclipsed only by the Senior Calypso Finals.

Young people who would like to showcase their talent in singing, dancing, rapping, modeling, acting, instrument playing are all invited to register. Interested young bands can also use the opportunity to introduce themselves, via music, to their peers.

"The Youth Extravaganza for years has been a good, positive event for us," President of the SCDF Gina Illidge said. "Young people tend to support each other so attendance has not been an issue. We would like to see a variety of performers this year to continue the trend of a positive, exciting display of young talent," she added.

Interested young persons can register by calling 5220509 or 5221366. Registration has to take place by Thursday, April 8. A meeting will also be held on that day at the Government Administration Building at 5:30pm.

The St. Martin Sunrise Rotary Club welcomes their newest member Kenny Parwani with an induction ceremony at their weekly breakfast meeting. Present were Guest Speaker Pamela Sims from the Animal Welfare Foundation, invited guest and members. Kenny a businessperson who is in the retail clothing business is also a past president from Rotary Club of Midsyap in the Philippines where he once resided, knew he wanted to continue the good work of Rotary.
At the club yearly open house "membership drive" he was invited by our president Peter Dialani as a guest and right there he express his feeling of joining our club, Kenny visited the club on many other occasion and said the camaradie between the membership at such an early hour was refreshing and he was looking forward to joining the group.
Sunrise Rotary Would once again would like to welcome Kenny and his family to our Rotary Family and thanking him for making our club his club of choice.
Sunrise Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at the Restaurant Air Lekkerbek (near the Prince Bernhard Bridge) at 7:00AM to 8:00AM.

Philipsburg:---Planning for the second annual St. Maarten Lions Health and Wellness Fair is in full gear with the arrival of the club's eye screening machines. Chairperson of the Health Committee Lion Wally Havertong stated: "The club made every effort to have the machines on the island in a timely manner to be able to provide free eye screening and glaucoma testing which will be done under careful supervision of Optometrist Ricardo Heemskerk on the spot at the Festival Village. A selected team of Lion members and health care professionals will be trained in the coming days on the operational aspects of the machines to guarantee a smooth operation".
This year's Lions Health and Wellness Fair which is scheduled for Saturday March 27th starting from 10am to 6pm, will also include Dental Hygiene, Breast Cancer and Mental Health information, Diabetes and HIV testing, Vaccination for Children, Physical Exercises and Pharmaceutical Awareness among last year's services provided by: St. Maarten Aids, Mental Health and Diabetes Foundations, White and Yellow Cross Foundation, Sector Public Health, NAGICO Insurances, Sunny Foods and Divico Distributors, among others.
Food and drinks will be on sale and a kiddy's corner will be set up for parents wishing to bring their children along. Basically, the event is a family affair, as health awareness is for the young and old alike and is one of primary focus points for the St. Maarten Lions Club yearly community projects.

A woman who spoke on the condition of anonymity has issued a passionate appeal to women to be very vigilant and cautious as to the activities that they engage with men. This appeal comes after the recent circulation of some pornographic pictures via the internet. According to the woman the photos that are being shown was taken out some time now however she noted that it is being circulated owing to strained relationships with all involved.

She pointed out that when the photographs were taken it was done with the understanding that the pictures formed part of the love making process. "It was just two people playing around and it was a means of being romantic with each other. Displaying the pictures publicly was never discussed thus it is a direct breach of one's privacy," the woman said.

She noted that the actions are a direct breach of one's privacy calling on the relevant authorities to take action against the perpetrators. "Somebody should be made to be punished for such unethical actions," she stressed.

The young woman has issued a strong appeal for women to be very vigilant and cautious regarding the activities that they engage in with their boyfriends. She said that the method at getting back at women is to deliberately embarrass them whenever a relationship may have gone sour stressing that displaying graphic photos via the email seems to be the course of action for many. "These men nowadays just trying to be spiteful and wicked and when dem and de woman done they doing these scrap," a visibly upset woman said.

She declared that action is critically important warning that this can evolve into being the culture of the day thus literally making women the 'talk of the town'. She stressed that a number of men are seeking ways into using these situations as a means of preventing women from existing relationships when they would have made a decision to leave. She declared that while many persons would heap scorn and negative comments on the women involved, she firmly believes that everyone has their own secrets declaring that whatever happens within a bedroom should remain there regardless.

"Women have to question the motives of these guys today as they would come and tell you that what they are doing is part of the love making and when you done they have yuh picture all round the place," she said.

Meanwhile, a source close to the persons involved said that the act was not committed by the man but rather by another woman who he shared a relationship with. The source said that while the man is being blamed for the acts it is another woman who have committed the act. "Its strange as the culprits themselves are women who finds fun in these kind of acts so it's disturbing to hear she complaining about it," the source said.

Attempts to contact the man implicated in the act has proven futile, as he was not reachable.

Former Chairman of the Board of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and the Board of the Barbados National HIV Commission, Dr. Carol Jacobs, will lead the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/AIDS (CBMP) as the new Chair of its Board of Trustees. Dr. Jacobs, who has over twenty years experience working in HIV both regionally and internationally, noted that she is looking forward to this new chapter of work with the regional charity.
" I have always felt the need to engage our media more fully in the Caribbean's response to HIV, so CBMP's request for my assistance is timely in providing a different path for me to continue my support of local and regional initiatives to stem the HIV epidemic. As the charity continues its work to mobilize the region's broadcast media make HIV a business priority, I hope to use my experience to assist them in working more closely with National Commissions, Government Ministries and NGO's to build effective and productive partnerships. The work of the CBMP is therefore pivotal to ensuring that as a region, we increase our focus on HIV prevention to enable behaviour change that will hopefully reduce the triggers of the spread of this disease", Dr. Jacobs stated.
CBMP Executive Director Dr. Allyson Leacock acknowledged that with her "vast experience Dr. Jacobs is well placed to provide dynamic and effective leadership" as the Charity continues to work at strengthening the response of regional broadcasters to HIV matters.
"The CBMP is honoured to have someone of Dr. Jacobs' calibre accepting the Board's invitation to take over at the helm of our Board of Trustees, after being recommended by another distinguished global leader in the field of HIV, former Chairman Sir George Alleyne. Dr. Jacobs' unique qualities of poise and diplomacy coupled with innovation and courage to confront the complexities of HIV in the region, are ideal for the institutional development and sustainability of the CBMP at this juncture." With a full schedule of programme activities for 2010 as well as our new "This is Me" Creative Campaign being launched this month, we truly value the enthusiasm and professionalism not only of our new Chair but also the other new members of the CBMP Board" Dr. Leacock stated.
Dr. Jacobs has served as Chair of the Barbados National Advisory Committee on AIDS based in the Ministry of Health and has represented Barbados and the Caribbean on the board of the WHO's Global Program on AIDS and subsequently on the Program Coordinating Board of the Joint United Nations Program on AIDS (UNAIDS). She has been recognized by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) with the Gold Medal and is the sole recipient of the Barbados Gold Medal of Achievement, which was awarded by the Government of Barbados in April 2006.
Joining Dr. Jacobs as new members on the CBMP Board of Trustees are General Manager of the National Broadcasting Corporation of St. Vincent & The Grenadines and CBMP Steering Committee Chair, Ms. Corletha Ollivierre, GIPA Representative on the Global Fund Board and CBMP Champion Mr. Ainsley Reid of Jamaica and Managing Partner of KPMG Barbados Ms. Carol Nicholls of Barbados. The remaining Board members are Dr. David McBean, CEO of CVM Communications Group in Jamaica and CBMP Executive Director.
Established in 2006, the Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/AIDS (CBMP) unites 92 top broadcasters from 24 countries in the region's first coordinated media response to the HIV pandemic. The Partnership creates a structured framework for sharing information and resources among broadcasters that significantly expands HIV/AIDS-related programming and public education activities across the Caribbean. Member broadcasters deliver HIV/AIDS information across a variety of platforms and formats, including targeted public service announcements (PSAs), entertainment programming, news and public affairs programming, and online resources.
In 2007, the CBMP launched LIVE UP – the Caribbean's first media-led regional initiative that links people together with one message of hope and possibility and inspires everyone to consider what is within their power to stem the spread of HIV/AIDS. The CBMP is the regional action arm of the Global Media AIDS Initiative (www.thegmai.org), a U.N.-supported effort conceived by the Kaiser Family Foundation in partnership with UNAIDS to mobilize the world's media in response to AIDS.
The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, the Elton John AIDS Foundation, and The Ford Foundation are supporting partners of the CBMP.
For more information on the CBMP at http://www.cbmphiv.org and to learn more about LIVE UP and the new LIVE UP: This is Me creative campaign you may visit http://www.iliveup.com.

 

The Department of Education hereby informs all parents that the second phase of the implementation of compulsory education continues from March 8 through March 12, 2010 with the registration of children between the ages of 4 and 9. This registration is important in order to get an accurate picture of the number of children whose status is not regulated (the undocumented) that need to be placed within the school system for the upcoming school year.
Parents are advised to bring along the following original documents as well as copied of said documents:

•  An original birth certificate of the child
• The passport of the child (especially if the child was not born on St. Maarten)*
• A valid residence permit (if there is one)
• 2 passport pictures of the child
• Identification (passport) of the person registering the child
• If the registration is not being done by the parent, proof of legal guardianship.
• Report card of child
• Immunization card

All birth certificates in a foreign language must be officially translated in English or Dutch.
*The information page of the passport should be photocopied.

The Department of Education is located on the N. Debrot Street (across from the post office). Should there be questions, please contact us at 542-3718 or visit the Department of Education during the registration period.
Parents/guardians of undocumented children are strongly urged to make use of this registration period.

GREAT BAY (GIS)—The Sector of R.O.B., Department of Maintenance, Traffic Police of St. Maarten, and NV GEBE would like to inform the general public that Bush Road would be completely closed on 10th of March, starting at 8 p.m. in the evening throughout the night until 6 a.m. on Thursday 11th of March.

Only residents of the Bush Road will be allowed to enter during the above mentioned time.

During this timeframe, General contractor Windward Roads Infrastructure will be laying the new High Tension cables in the trenches alongside the Bush Road, from the entrance of Blijden Drive until the Prins Bernard Bridge.

Due to the needed work space, the temporary bridges accessing the properties over the open trench will be removed in order to lay these cables.

Residents living along the Bush Road who need to use their transportation during this time frame are urged to park their vehicles on the other side of the road. Thus, residents will not be able to access their property with vehicles.

Full access to the properties will be restored at 6.00 am on Thursday morning.

This small inconvenience will allow us to execute the necessary upgrading of the utilities on the Bush Road.

During this project, Windward Roads will accommodate the residents in anyway that is possible.

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

For more information regarding the above mentioned work, please contact the Sector of R.O.B. Department of New Project Development and Infrastructural Management (Mr. C.A. Buncamper or Mr. B. Ortega) or NV GEBE Maintenance and Execution Department.

The St. Martin Sunrise Rotary Club had the privilege of having as guest at our weekly breakfast meeting on Tuesday, Mrs. Carol Miller widowed of the Late Eye Specialist Bert Miller and long time friend and honorary members Steven and Kay Shepphard who made a donation to the "Bert Miller Funds" a fund created in the name of Dr. Miller, an eye doctor by profession, who was a regular visitor of St. Maarten as a timeshare owner at Belair Hotel. Sadly, Dr. Miller passed away during his last visit on St. Maarten in March of 2008. At his memorial held on St. Maarten family and Belair Beach Hotel timeshare owners and guest donated funds towards eyeglasses for children in need, as they knew Dr. Miller would have wanted. Sunrise Rotary Club is very honored to have been chosen to identify these children in need and to therefore make the funds available to purchase the required eyeglasses.

So far, the Club has covered the full cost of four students and is finalizing donation to one student in the coming days.

Sunrise Rotary Club would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Miller and the Shepphard's for their kind contribution that goes a long way in making life easier for our children of St. Maarten.

Sunrise Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at the Restaurant Air Lekkerbek (near the Prince Bernhard Bridge) at 7:00AM to 8:00AM.

Philipsburg: --- Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba, and Junior Minister Ernie Simmons attended information session, which was given to several police officers on Wednesday. The Police Union NABP organized the information session, which was provided by Geomally Martes Director of the SOAB of the Netherlands Antilles. Officers of the KPSSS are very concerned about the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles. Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba said she understands the concerns of the Federal Government Civil Servants and as such, the information sessions are needed to bring the workers up to speed with the process. She said so far St. Maarten did not make an official request for the transfer of the workers, and unless that is done, the Federal Civil Servants will remain under the federal government. Jacoba said some of the workers are concerned about their scales and position when the transfer is completed. However, she is not in a position to deliver the types of answers the workers are requesting. Jacoba said the only persons to tell the workers about scales and positions in the new setting are those that take over from the federal government.

GREAT BAY:--- "It is sad, very sad, that some people would deliberately take a decision of government meant for the good for our youth and create a big controversy from it about the separation of church and state." These were the initial comments of Commissioner Frans Richardson regarding the ongoing debate about remarks he made at the ground-breaking ceremony for the new Methodist Church building in Belvedere last Saturday.
He reiterated that the decision of the Executive Council, taken unanimously, to assist the Methodist community in the construction of a new chapel in the Belvedere area to serve Dutch Quarter, Middle Region and environs, was meant as compensation for an oversight of government.
"With our assistance with the building of this church, we hope to resolve all concerns arising from our decision to fulfill our promises," the Commissioner stated. "Once completed, it will serve as the bedrock of Christian teachings in this community. With so much happening in our neighborhoods, an additional place of worship is never too much."
According to the Commissioner, contrary to what has been reported in the media about his message, he never said there should be no separation between church and state, but actually emphasized the need for stronger cooperation and understanding between the two institutions which have perhaps the greatest impact on our daily lives.
"I suggested that maybe the new church congregation and the managers of the new sports field will agree to join to create recreational programs for our community's youth.
In this way, we will be better equipped to help our youth and students to become better socially and educationally by facilitating them with regular inter-generational contacts that would help them to grow as responsible citizens; facilitating parents with a better knowledge of their child's friends and parents; to encourage our children's development with their norms and values."
"When the church and the field have been built, I said, 'I believe if there's a fight or problem on the field, they can all come here to the house of God to resolve their conflict."
"I also said they always talk about separation of church and government, but I know every year, every so often, the government calls on the church to pray for it. Why is it OK to pray for you, but it is not OK to build a temple to pray in?"
Finally, I expressed gratitude to the representatives of the Methodist church "for their patience and their useful recommendations, paving the way for better mutual understanding between the church and government."
"These are the facts; these are the exact words I said at the ground-breaking ceremony. I make no apologies for the decision of government to correct what was an obvious mistake. I make no apologies for neither calling for closer cooperation between government and the church for the positive development of our youth and of our island.
However, I also understand the sensitivity in some quarters about the issue of the separation of church and state. This is a problem all over the world, even in the U.S. where President Obama has continued the "Faith-based initiative" of former President George W. Bush, which many see as an attempt to erase the separation between church and state.
The separation of church and state is not only a legal and political doctrine to keep both institutions independent of each other; it also has a biblical foundation. Jesus Christ himself established that separation when he commanded His followers to "Give unto Caesar what is Caesar's and unto God, what belongs to God."
There are several European countries where the state subsidizes the churches – Belgium and Greece being two good examples. In fact, some countries considered to be very liberal in outlook such as Sweden, Norway, and Germany, also do the same or something very similar although no one would ever accuse them of not practicing separation of church and state. Similarly, when the island government pays teachers' salaries and other subsidies for religious schools, nobody sees that as an affront on the separation of church and state.
I acknowledge that we are in a political season, and that some politicians are so desperate that they will stop at nothing to undermine the good that this government has been doing and will continue to strive to do. Let me state very clearly that government has not instituted any new policy to nullify the separation between church and state; far from it. However, there are those with their own political agenda who want to mislead the people in thinking so.
But this is not about politics for me; this is about recognizing the role the church has to play in our society, especially in the development of our youth, and doing whatever we can to assist in achieving this common goal. I have no doubt at all, that a better mutual understanding and cooperation between church and state will result in a better St. Maarten for all. This is what it is all about: a better future for ALL."

NAGICO Insurances has once again sponsored the cricket matches for the Digicel Home Series, which is being broadcasted live via St. Maarten Cable TV. The company which is known for its strong support of sports activities on the island, including basketball, baseball and cricket, has tagged teamed with co-sponsor companies Motorworld and Caribbean Auto Sales to cover the costs of the sponsorship.

The competition started earlier this month and is scheduled to last until June. Cricket fans on the island can view Cable TV's channel two-program line up for more information on exact live broadcast dates.

The Managing Directors for the three companies issued a joint statement, stating: "Over the years, cricket has become part of St. Maarten and we are pleased to sponsor the costs of the live broadcast. The sponsorship represents our continued commitment to the development of sports activities on the island, as well as support for St. Maarten Cable TV in their efforts to keep the population up to date on international sports events. We encourage cricket fans on the island to view and enjoy the popular cricket series!"

The Digicel Home Cricket Series next game is scheduled for the 12th of March and can be viewed by all St. Maarten Cable TV subscribers on channel 20.

Philipsburg: --- Commissioner of finance Xavier Blackman in reaction to several media reports on the 2010 budget said the information given to the media was emotional and misleading. The commissioner said he believes the aim was to cause fear and deception to the public and taxpayers both of which are irresponsible and unfortunate. He said for as for him the information was politically tainted and does not represent the facts regarding the CFT and the budget of 2010.
Blackman used several quotes that were printed in the media such as arrogant, slap in the face that was used in several media articles all of which he said he intended to clarify at his press conference held early Sunday morning.

The commissioner made clear that he is a non-politician and he was hired to do a job as a professional based on technical and legal specifications. He said he has been approaching his duties based on the exact guidelines, rule, and regulations. The commissioner also indicated that the executive council has also approached the process of budget in the same exact manner.

Blackman said in July 2009 the CFT advised the central government to include the financial consequences of the dismantling in the budget for 2010. He said the central government chose not to follow the advice of the CFT and they approved the budget of the central government in November 2009 without any provisions for the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles. Blackman said interestingly enough this was done a few weeks before the law was handled and passed on December 29 2009 on the transfer of tasks for St. Maarten and Curacao.
The finance commissioner said the island government of St. Maarten has been making several calculations while preparing the 2010 budget based on the same advice given to the central government by the CFT that is include the elements on the dismantling in the budget.
The commissioner said he said repeatedly that if St Maarten takes into account the dismantling and if the island should receive its rightful share along with the locally generated income then St. Maarten could have a balanced budget and have a small surplus in 2010 without implementing any new taxes, which would further burden the people of the island. Blackman said he also indicated on a number of occasions that safeguarding the island's income and assets should be a top priority for St. Maarten as it moves towards country status.
He said should St. Maarten take the advice and suggestions made by the CFT then the island government would have raise taxes, or, as St. Maarten prefers, balance the budget without putting additional tax burdens on the people and businesses of St. Maarten. Instead, the executive council proposed to use revenue due from the Central Government, which is due this year when St. Maarten starts taking over Central Government tasks, instead of burdening the population and businesses with new or additional taxes in these tough economic times.

Blackman said up until January 2010 the CFT secretary had been working closely with St. Maarten's financial advisers in fine-tuning the amount of income and expenses that are reflected in the draft budget, which also reflects the transfer of tasks in the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles. The commissioner said during the deliberations St. Maarten's advisers and government was even praised by the CFT for being ahead with the visions on the transfer of tasks to the island territory. He said the CFT was even pleased to see the island was beginning to think what it would mean when the island takes over the tasks in 2010. Blackman said on February 8 2010 the CFT then suggested that if St. Maarten removes all the projected income and expenses related to the transfer of tasks from its 2010 budget and to plug the deficit that this would create with new and additional taxes. He said the main argument of the CFT regarding their request was that the central government budget had already been approved without taking the transfers of tasks into account. He said the CFT also indicated that there is no formal agreement other than the law that was passed on December 29 2009, which states that the transfer of tasks and income will begin as of 2010.
Blackman said he already indicated to the CFT that St. Maarten and Curacao has a formal agreement regarding the transfer of a number tasks dated March 12 2010 which would take effect as of March and April 2010. He said all along St. Maarten's arguments are correct which is now backed by history, which shows that St. Maarten is taking the right approach.
Apart from those two main arguments, Blackman said the CFT also had some technical requests, which they want the island government to address prior to them giving their blessings to the budget. Blackman said the technical requests are caused by the lack of financial management in the past. He said there were a number of items that could not and still cannot be provided because they were never provided when making budgets in the previous years. Blackman said it is not that St. Maarten does not want to provide that information but the information is not available to the current government.

The commissioner said they are currently working on the information based on the CFT's recommendation. Blackman said St. Maarten's island government has reacted to the CFT's letter where they clearly indicated the island's position, which is also based on the law on budgeting where all income and expenses must be projected in the budget. The commissioner said the island government did not make this law instead its common practice in the accounting world which is also laid down in the same laws that regulates the CFT and other entities involved in the process.
The commissioner gave an example where he said the Dutch government has been planning and budgeting a 3.2 million Euros savings on their budget based on preliminary negotiations with the unions in the Netherlands. Blackman said these projected savings came as the unions have said they would be less adamant on their wage increases. The commissioner said that despite there is no signed agreement the Dutch has taken into account the projected savings.
He said the position of St. Maarten is that all agreements signed dating back to 2006 are firm and they asked how firm is firm when it comes to the CFT. He said the executive council he said also informed the CFT that it would be unrealistic not to take the projected responsibilities and income in its 2010 budget into account. He said they also indicated that it would not be feasible to wait until 10/10/10 to have a budget that would reflect the changes, while it would not be feasible to make the changes and preparations without a budget. Blackman made clear that the executive council also received legal advice prior to responding to the CFT in order to ensure that all parties involved in the budget are governed by the same rules and regulations on financial supervision.
The commissioner said the 2010 budget will be debated in the island council on March 22 2010. Blackman said the CFT has been doing what they are supposed to be doing and so is the island government to ensure that the matter proceeds as required by law.
In the response, the media articles Blackman said the CFT does not issue demands or instructions instead their job is to give advice. He said the CFT is to inform the Kingdom Council of Minister about the status of the budget and they could advise the Kingdom Council of Ministers to give the island territory instructions to finalize the budget. He said the role of the CFT can easily be found in the articles regulating the CFT and financial supervision.

GREAT BAY (GIS)— In 2008 DERPI began to offer the course "Active Parenting Now in 3 " for parents of all FBE schools in English. This course is now also being offered in Spanish.

Dr. Martin Luther King School started on March 3, with offering the first complete course in Spanish. The material provides a variety of cultural and linguistic sensitive options, such as group discussions, personal one- to-one contacts, family enrichment activities, adult reflective thinking and home activities. All participating parents will receive the parent's guide free of charge.

The language used acknowledges the diversity of Hispanic individuals' backgrounds by including in the video Latino actors from different countries with different Spanish accents. The videos and the parent's guide also include pictures that represent contemporary dress and customs.

Due to elaborate discussions, parents, school and APN leader Mr. Duffis agreed that the sessions will be extended with an extra evening.

The dates of the next workshops are Wednesday March 17 and Tuesday March 23. Time: 7.00 - 9.00 p.m at the Dr. Martin Luther school in Dutch Quarter.

DERPI continues to provide solutions for parents facing the challenges in our society.
This program is financed with Dutch Development Funds made available through USONA.

Philipsburg: ---- The 2010 budget has been making headlines for weeks now, while two-island council meetings were called by the opposition, could not take place for the lack of a quorum.
Last week the Democratic Party faction requested a meeting to discuss the 2010 budget, which is still to be presented to the island council, but that meeting was adjourned and re-called on Wednesday. Wednesday's meeting also had to be rescheduled to Monday March 22 on the same date that the budget debate is scheduled to take place since the Democratic Party still did not have a quorum to question the draft 2010 budget.
While the Democratic Party faction has been highlighting their concerns and the implications this would have on St. Maarten for not having an approved budget for 2010 that received the blessing of the CFT they are yet to say that the 2010 was supposed to be ready since 1 May 2009 while they were in government.

The Island Regulations clearly states that the budget for the following year must be ready by May 1 of the preceding year. Leader of the Democratic Party Sarah Wescot Williams confirmed on Wednesday that budgets are supposed to be ready by May 1 but the CFT regulation states that the budgets must be approved by August 15 of the preceding year. Wescot Williams also told members of the media that they sent a number of questions on the draft 2010 budget to the current executive council and the answers provided are not satisfactory. In a follow up question leader of government, William Marlin confirmed that the budget was supposed to be ready at least one month before he took office last year. However, he agreed that budget preparations are always late but if one wants to stick to the rules then the National Alliance/ Heyliger government should have reached the 2010 budget when they took office on June 8 2009.

The Democratic Party leader also expressed her dissatisfaction with the way executive council and their members refused to sign in for the meeting to take place. She said after the meeting was adjourned for the second time the members of the island council received the notifications for the March 22 meeting where the budget will be debated. Wescot Williams also expressed her dissatisfaction on an agenda point that was placed on the meeting of PCCA they requested. That agenda point is to discuss the federal law on dualistic system be used in St. Maarten.

As for not signing in for the island council meeting Wescot Williams said the National Alliance Heyliger Government does not want to answer to the people of St. Maarten, however, she felt that the executive council should tell the people how they intend to address the budget of 2010 since the people want to know what magical trick they have pulled out of their hats to have a surplus on the 2010 budget.

William Says DP Still frustrated with loss of Federal Election.

In response to the allegations made by the Democratic Party against the executive council, Leader of Government William Marlin said that there are rules that govern the island council and this is not the first time an island council meeting has been convened and there was no quorum. Marlin reminded that on more than one occasion, the National Alliance called for meetings when they were in opposition and the meetings could not be held for a lack of quorum, one of those times he said was when former commissioner of telecommunications Maria Buncamper Molanus was caught in a conflict of interest with TELEM and Sky is the Limit. Marlin said the Democratic Party has to realize there are rules and when its is applied they too have to abide by them. Marlin further said that even though he understands that all politics are local he believes that the members of the Democratic Party are still frustrated because they lost the Federal elections held on January 22 bitterly.
As for the agenda points of the island council meeting that was requested "the consequences of not having a budget" Marlin says everyone knows the consequences of not having an approved budget and they also know that government is allowed to spend from the budget of the former year which clarifies the reasons why the retroactive payments were not made since it is not reflected in the 2009 budget.
The island leader said that the budget debate will take place on Monday March 22 and assured that St. Maarten has a budget that went through the central committee. He said during any public hearing the amendments could be submitted then. Giving explanations about the fall out and the CFT Marlin said the executive council and the commissioner of finance has a difference of opinion on how the budget should be prior to October 10 2010 when St. Maarten gets its country status. Marlin said since St. Maarten has a signed agreement that the island would become country as of October 10 they incorporated the taxes that would be collected from October 10 to December 31 in the 2010 budget. However, the CFT he said has a difference of opinion saying as long as St. Maarten does not become country they cannot include the expected taxes for the last three months of the year. Marlin said the CFT also does not want St. Maarten to include the funds coming to St. Maarten with the transfer of tasks. He said the CFT wants a budget for the island territory of St. Maarten and when the island gets its status then they can make the necessary amendments to include the additional incoming finances. Marlin said when he was informed of the CFT suggestions the matter was discussed in the executive council and it was agreed to follow the suggestions made by the CFT, which was done by the finance department. He said when the finance department did this they indicated based on the income taxes for the last months of 2009 and the first few months of 2010, they projected that the revenues for St. Maarten will be higher all of which was discussed and coordinated with the CFT.
Marlin said while the Democratic Party is saying they don't have information they know the exact figures as well as the advice that is given to executive council. He said the National Alliance/ Heyliger government disagrees with the Democratic Party who wants them to pull back the budget and present a new one. Marlin explained that the policies have not changed and the only thing changed is the projection of income for the island government and certain expenditures that has to deal with the dismantling process.

Marlin said he already made sure that all civil servants were officially informed as to why they did not receive their retroactive pay. As for the PCCA agenda point that was added on behalf of the executive council Marlin said some two weeks ago he requested the island secretary to schedule a PCCA meeting since he understood that the members of the Democratic Party does not intend to support the federal law which would allow St. Maarten to expand its island council to 15 seats and for Curacao and St. Maarten to hold their early elections in June 2010. Marlin said that the meeting had to be re-scheduled due to his travel plans and meetings the Minister of Constitutional Affairs Roland Duncan had since Duncan was invited to attend the PCCA meeting. He said when the Democratic Party requested the PCCA meeting the decision was taken to include all the agenda points.

In the meantime, the Democratic Party has sent a letter to the chairman of the island council requesting information on how the state secretary for Kingdom Affairs reacted on the information she received from the CFT. The Democratic Party faction in their letter said should the executive council have any correspondence from the state secretary they are requesting that it be passed on members of the island council prior to March 22.

Philipsburg:----- There is no arrest warrant out for the arrest of Julian Rollocks said prosecutor Rienk Mud. The public prosecutor said his office received all the documents pertaining to the civil case between Julian Rollocks and his half brother Cimmeran Marlin. Mud said they were given the documents for sake of information. Mud said the information that is in the public domain pertaining to an arrest warrant out for the arrest of Rollocks is rumors.
Mud said at this point in time the prosecutor's office is not involved in the Rollocks and Marlin case and there is no criminal investigation-taking place at this moment. However, Mud did not rule out the possibility of a criminal investigation in the future. "Right now we are waiting to see the outcome of the civil case, but now we are not involved." Mud said.
When contacted about the case on Wednesday Mud said he did not have all the information on the Rollocks Marlin case and his colleague who does have that information was on sick leave.
Julian Rollocks took the Talking Drum Foundation to court on Monday claiming that the foundation owes him for the investment and consultant job he did for the foundation to establish Border Point. The judge has given the president and founder of Talking Drums Cimmeran Marlin and the claimant Julian Rollocks the opportunity to find a solution to there disagreement. Should parties not able to find an amicable solution then the judge will deliver his verdict on April 9.
Julian Rollocks already sent a letter and a cashier's check to Talking Drum Foundation on Wednesday.

Philipsburg:---Minister of Justice, Magali Jacoba, had her regular meeting to evaluate the trajectory of the Win Win Agreement (WWA). The WWA is an agreement between the Police Force, Lt Governors of Saba, St. Eustatius, and St Maarten, the Public Prosecutor's office, the Minister of Justice, and the Unions. The WWA is to strengthen the Police Force and to facilitate the necessary changes in order for the Force to become formal and balanced.
The meeting was very fruitful. The Force gave a presentation of the different processes, which are being executed. For example, hard work is being done to fix the internal organization. Soon there will be a better administrative system to deal with the personnel as well as with documents. The appointment of a new Chief of Police can also be expected soon. The different ongoing developments indicate that the Police Force is on the right track and can rest assure that country St. Maarten will have a high level functioning Police Force.

Commissioner of Public Health Hyacinth Richardson stands proudly with a group of six persons who have been trained as Assistant Controllers to carry out yard controls as of Monday in search of aedes aegypti mosquito breeding sites.

The aim of the project is to inspect yards, give information and accumulate data such as the number of breeding places, types of mosquitoes found, and what are the most common mosquito breeding sources.

CTIA WIRELESS 2010 – LAS VEGAS – March 23, 2010 – United Telecommunication Services (UTS) announced today that its local broadband subsidiary, CaribServe.NET, signed an agreement with Motorola, Inc. for the development and deployment of WiMAX / 4G telecommunication infrastructure, devices and services for the island of St. Maarten / St. Martin. In doing so, it will once lead the way in St. Maarten/St. Martin in offering consumers the cutting edge in connectivity.

WiMAX, which stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a wireless digital communication system that provides broadband wireless access over extended distances to fixed, portable and fully mobile access devices. The technology, which is also known as 802.16, allows for more efficient bandwidth usage, interference avoidance and enforcement of Quality of Service right down to the end-user's service level. Wimax can provide access up to 30 miles, as opposed to WiFi, which in most cases has a reach of only 100-300 feet.

"We identified WiMAX as the natural evolutionary path for CaribServe.NET some time ago and have spent a considerable amount of effort since then researching the technology as a whole, its related market trends, maturity, vendor's stability & commitment to ongoing research & development of WiMAX before sending out an RFQ and eventually selecting Motorola as winning candidate for our Next Generation Network," said Roy Richardson, co-founder and General Manager of CaribServe.NET.

He further stated, "In selecting Motorola, we have not only selected a vendor that has built a solid name and reputation as being the trendsetter in the world-wide telecommunications arena but we also selected "The Vendor" whose Canopy wireless technology actually help put CaribServe.NET on the Map." CaribServe.NET plans to launch its WiMAX service with enhanced bandwidth packages to the Dutch side of the island later this year with the French side to follow shortly thereafter.

"Our objective is to provide "Broadband @nywhere, @nytime" to our island's residents and tourists," said Glen Carty, COO of UTS Eastern Caribbean. He went on, "I am proud of the fact that UTS through its subsidiary, CaribServe.NET, will be the first to launch a true WiMAX/ 4G network on our island and are happy to be partnering with a vendor that is fully committed to WiMAX".

According to howstuffworks.com, "WiMAX has the potential to revolutionize broadband Internet access in the same way that cell phones have changed telecommunications industry. In the same way that many people have given up their "land lines" in favor of cell phones, WiMAX could replace cable and DSL services in the near future, providing universal Internet access just about anywhere you go."

Willemstad --- The Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles unanimously passed the federal ordinance creating the possibility of early elections and other major constitutional changes. The federal ordinance- also referred to as "Duncan's Law" – gives the Island Councils of St. Maarten and Curacao the authority to dissolve themselves and hold early elections after the approval of their respective draft constitutions.
Additionally the ordinance changes the Island Regulation (ERNA) to allow the Executive Council of St. Maarten to expand to seven Commissioners and increases the Island Council of St. Maarten to fifteen members after the next elections.
Moreover, the ordinance introduces dualism on the island territory level. Dualism entails that a member of the Executive Council can no longer be a member of the Island Council.
The faction of the National Alliance, Senators Rodolphe Samuel and George Pantophlet, introduced an initiative amendment to the ordinance – supported by a wide majority of Parliament – to create the authority for St. Maarten to - by Island Ordinance- regulate wages, attendance fees and other remunerations for Island Council members. A similar change of the island regulation was also introduced for Saba, St. Eustatius, and Bonaire. By this change of the Island Regulation members of the Island Councils can now be full-time and salaried Parliamentarians. The Minister of Constitutional and Home Affairs adopted the amendment making it part of the ordinance.
The vote of Parliament- approving the draft ordinance and its amendments - was carried by twenty two (22) in favor and zero (0) against, thus unanimous.
The Prime Minister and Minister Duncan heartily thanked the Parliamentarians for their unanimous support of the legislation and the further empowerment of the Island Territories in the exercise of their right of self -determination. The draft legislation is a further necessary and important step in the constitutional process; moving St. Maarten closer to country status.

On Tuesday 23 March 2010, the day that President Obama of the United Stated of America signed a historic health bill into law in Washington, D.C., a monumental event also became a reality in Tallahassee Florida. Bob Rackleff, Chairman of the Leon County Board of County Commissioners signed a Proclamation with Executive Director Arthur (Arturo) Lugisse of Tallahassee-St.Maarten Foundation, (TLH-SXMF) on behalf of Commissioner William Marlin.
Commissioner Marlin who, during his last visit to Tallahassee instructed Mr.Lugisse to pursue this relationship, which could benefit St.Maarten on becoming a country. It was felt that it would be beneficial to have both the City and the County available to assist in St.Maarten's development as a Country come 10-10-2010. The joint relationships would be beneficial in formulating strategies to develop expertise in infrastructure, environment, human resources', health, police matters, EMS, metrology , agriculture, fire department , technology, arts and culture, sports, financial options, and assorted Joint ventures.
The Leon County Government has always been supportive of the ongoing relationship with St.Maarten and Commissioner Bill Proctor has traveled to St.Maarten approximately five times in the past 10years. During his last visit Commissioner Proctor had several meetings on the Dutch Side and French side, including a meeting with President Frantz Gumbs, who was then a representative of the education system in St.Martin. Commissioner's Proctor reason for that meeting was to lay the groundwork for Tallahassee students to come to St.Martin to learn French instead of sending them to France based on the Partnership Agreement with Dutch St.Maarten.
Commissioner Proctor has also indicated his willingness to assist in sharing programs with St.Maarten that can address youth issues such as juvenile delinquency and gang development. Now that the TLH-SXMF office is operational there is a vehicle in place to bring many competencies, expertise, and programs to St.Maarten that could benefit both the Public and Private Sectors of the Island based on the close relationship with both the City and the County. It is in that vain we invite request from the Public and Private Sectors to take up the challenge for future developments based on the Strategic Plan that was developed by FAVACA with the collaboration of the then head of the Economic Development Department of St.Maarten Diana-Fleming-Hendrickson who is still in contact with us on the on going process of the Partnership.
We know that in order for this undertaking to be successful we must have the continued involvement of our partners and supporters in both the public and private sectors, such as Public and Private Sectors of St.Maarten and Tallahassee, ,and our partnership with Victorious Living in St.Maarten and Calvin Mardembrough, our Government liaison for the foundation. Commissioner William Marlin confirmed his support to TLH-SXMF based on the positive profile of affairs conducted in his presence by Mr.Lugisse and his team at TLH-SXMF.

...

Philipsburg – In reference to the ongoing police controls that are taking place throughout the island, some individuals have casted doubt on the legitimacy and implementation of the tint ordinance. One of the major arguments has been that the tint is purchased to shield the occupants from the harmful rays of the sun as well as protecting the interior of the vehicle; tint that has been purchased by the hard-working, tax-paying citizens that are burdened by the high cost of living.
Taking such into consideration, Stuart Johnson feels it necessary to revise the tint ordinance. Johnson, Vice-President of the Democratic Party board and a candidate of the same faction, also believes that serious adjustments should be made to the ordinance or even removed completely.
His claim is that the initial implementation of the tint ordinance took place during the time when a higher crime rate was said to be prevalent. "Where it concerns the crime issue, has this been effective with the tint ordinance a few years ago?" Johnson questions. "Have we seen a reduction in the number of crimes committed in relation to the tint ordinance? If we truly wanted the tint ordinance to be properly implemented utilizing a comprehensive approach, we should be seeing a complete ban of it being sold by retailers and wholesalers locally," he remarked further. The concern is that establishments are allowed to sell tint, thus hindering the effectiveness of the ordinance.
Johnson concludes that "We, the people of St. Maarten, must should come together to discuss and address this particular issue as well as other issues taking place in the community, such as education and crime, amongst other priority areas."

Philipsburg: --- The executive council has taken a decision in their weekly meeting on Tuesday to suspend the director of sector ROB Joseph Dollison and head of maintenance Claudius Buncamper pending reassignment. SMN News has been reliably informed that commissioner of Public Works Theo Heyliger voted against the decision.

According to information, reaching SMN News is that Heyliger believes the council should disregard the SOAB report, which was issued in November 2009. Reliable information reaching SMN News states that the council took the decision some three weeks ago but they placed it on hold so that the commissioner in charge of ROB Theo Heyliger would discuss the decision taken by the council with the two civil servants.

It is understood that Heyliger told the council last week that he was working on a solution, which would have been ready, by Tuesday this week. The source said Heyliger showed up at the meeting on Tuesday with an email that was sent to him by Joseph Dollison outlining the position he wants at sector ROB. SMN News further learnt that at that point the council decided to suspend both Dollison and Buncamper pending reassignment.

The source said the intention of the executive council is find an interim management who would then take over from the current sector heads. "When the interim management is found then both Dollison and Buncamper would have to stay home with pay until a suitable position is found for them," the source said.

Some of the concerns of the council SMN News learnt is the amount of time it takes to process building and other permits, while the several large investors such as Duck International, Olzina NV, Ama Jewelers have decided to take government to court for negligence committed by ROB under the management of Dollison and Buncamper.

St. Maarten: --- The sailboats are in, the weather is right, the sailors are ready to sail and party – it is the weekend of the Heineken Regatta. Many people are looking forward to the races and the live entertainment. They are also looking to party, have a great time and nothing should get between this – except a male or female condom. That is why Heineken and Think [RED] Do Safe are teaming up to make sure that everyone stays safe during this wild and wonderful weekend.
Promo bags for the participants and the media are stuffed with material to promote St. Maarten, businesses on St. Maarten and even material from the [RED] team to keep everyone safe. Keep your eyes out as well for the beautiful Heineken Promo Ladies who will be distributing Heineken promo goodies with a little [RED] in between.

GREAT BAY (GIS) — The Business Outreach & Placement Program was initiated in the summer 1998/1999. The main objective of the program is to provide students within the secondary education system who are 16 years and older and are in pre-exam or exam class as well as students in tertiary education with the opportunity to apply and be employed in Government Services or the Private Sector for a period of six weeks during their summer vacation.
The program has evolved over the years to the extent that it now includes trainings, interviews, monitoring and evaluating of not only the student workers but the program as a whole.
The evaluation of the 2009 program has determined that the expansion of the BOPP program has reached the stage where the program needs structural partners in order to ensure that it meets the goals and the growing needs of our youth.
An invitation is hereby extended to representatives of your organization/business to attend a presentation on the BOPP program on Tuesday March 9th 2010 at 4:00pm in the AC Wathey Legislative Hall, Government Administration Building.
For further information, please contact Mrs. Shermina Powell-Richardson or Mrs. Elmora Aventurin-Pantophlet at tel. 542 2056 fax 5431172.

Philipsburg:--- St. Maarten has to take a decision as to how they would proceed with the category two Brooks Tower Permits said Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba in an interview with SMN News on Monday.
Jacoba who is currently on St. Maarten on a work visit said she met with Leader of Government William Marlin whom she told that St. Maarten has to take an urgent decision as to how they would proceed with the category two permits if not several hundreds of people will get hurt.
Jacoba said Marlin promised her that he will discuss this matter on Tuesday with his executive council and would notify her of the decision taken by his council. The Minister said she also asked the island Lt. Governor to look into the linking of the labour permit and the BTA.
The Minister said that St. Maarten is the only island that decided they wanted to have the labour permits regulated before the category two Brooks Tower Permit is granted to anyone. She said while the other islands have agreed that the recipient of such a permit must only provide a receipt to show they paid the processing fee prior to picking up their BTA permit. St. Maarten has chosen to regulate the labour permits first.
Jacoba said the team handling the BTA has received 2,680 requests some 1,600 were signed off by the Lt. Governor of St. Maarten. However, she said she is not aware of the number of people that did not pick up their permits for the lack of payments or insurances. Persons who were granted their permits also have two more months to pick up their permits. The Minister is also urging those that were qualified to pick up their permits prior to the controls that are set to begin. She said she is hoping that all BTA permits will be picked up by the end of April.
Jacoba said so far the BTA team rejected some 51 files since they did not meet the necessary requirements, while the steering group received 1,015 letters that they are still working on.
The Minister said she is currently discussing with the St. Maarten as to how they would grant Haitian nationals some sort of amnesty during the planned controls. Jacoba said prior to the registration of these nationals the discussion with the island government has to continue since they need to have more information on how the procedure is going to take place. Haitians living on St. Maarten illegally must register when the registration begins so that they can be considered Jacoba said. "When the controllers begin their work they would have to see something to shows that they registered, however, none of this has been finalized since the discussions are still ongoing." Jacoba said it is expected that the registration will begin on March 15 and it will last a short period.

Dongor Will Not Receive an Extension--- Francessca Pending.

Police coach Ronald Dongor will not receive an extension of his contract confirmed Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba. Jacoba said that the police coach would work until May 15 since his two-year contract ends then. She said the KPSSS should have the necessary re-enforcements in place and there would be no need to have Dongor any longer. Currently a selection for a police chief, heads of legal and general affairs candidates are being selected. Interviews she said are scheduled to take place as early as this week the Minister said.
The Minister said these persons are supposed to take office by April 1 while four persons from Holland will be joining the police force. Jacoba said the Lt. Governor sent in a request to give Dafnis Francessca an extension on his contract since he is scheduled to go on pension on May 15 but no decision has been taken on whether or not Francessca will be given an extension.
Jacoba said she did not meet with Martina neither Francessca but confirmed that neither of the two candidates did not ask her for an extension of their contracts.

Philips Saga Continues --- No final Decision Taken

While the Minister of Justice has met once more with Detective Carlton Philips, yet no decision was taken on how the KPSSS would deal with the Philips case. She said currently she is busy collecting information from all parties and when that is completed then a decision will be taken. "I have to balance the information I received and all I am asking is for some more time before I take a decision." Jacoba said.
Detective Carlton Philips requested from the KPSSS to conduct an investigation to clear his name since he was accused of destroying evidence while he was head of CID. Philips also accused the management team of enriching themselves. Since then the prosecutor's office has refused to work with Philips even though he is showing up for work everyday and taking complaints from several people who are victims of crimes.

Philipsburg:----Former Student and basketball player of the University of St. Martin Robenson Gassant has earned his way on the starting line at the University of the Virgin Islands. The University of the Virgin Islands Men's Basketball Team is off to a great start posting a 2-1 record in the Intercollegic Athletic League (LAI) for the 2010 season. St. Maarten native Robenson Gassant has earned a spot in the starting line-up and has brought tremendous energy to the team. "Robenson has such a positive attitude and is a hard worker," said Head Coach Sean Georges. "He started off slow but has really earned his opportunity to be in the starting line up." Gassant was inserted into the starting line-up after the Bucs lost their season opener to the University of Puerto Rico Humacao campus 70-59. "I needed to shake things up a bit," Georges said. Robenson has been really doing well in practice so my staff and I decided to give him a chance." "I'm just glad for the opportunity," said Gassant who credits his strong start to his coach's encouragement and team support. "Coach Georges has really challenged me and my team has been very supportive. I've truly been blessed." Robenson also thanks the USM Intercollegiate Sports Exchange Foundation for allowing him to show case his love for the game during his time here in St. Maarten." He also thanked Paula Gordon, President of the USM ICSEF for pushing him and allowing him a chance to be apart o the Foundation. "Paula Gordon was that pushed me and be on the USM team, and later I played a major role as the PRO for the Foundation" Gassant stated he added that Sports in SXM definitely has a chance but the love for the game(s) has to be strong. The Foundation did many fundraising throughout the years and has earned it name here in St Maarten and thought-out the Caribbean.
President of the Foundation stated that Robenson is just the beginning, she hopes that more students from USM will follow in his footsteps and become ative in the community. This can lead you to high places. Should anyone be interested in joining the foundation can contact the President Ms. Paula Gordon at the University of St. Maarten.

Philipsburg: ---- Police were once again battled with stones in Union Farm on Sunday when they went to intervene into an incident where a resident of Union Farm and his daughter were battled with stones. Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said the police from Philipsburg and Simpson Bay responded to the scene and a warning shot was also fired when the culprits began battling police. The police spokesman said due to the darkness in the area police was not able to locate the culprits who were battling them as well as the resident who ran into a house to seek shelter.
The police spokesman said a fight took place on Brazilia Road Union Farm between a man identified as T. and other unknown youngsters who battled the man with stones and bottles. Henson said during the battling several items in the home where the man sought shelter were destroyed and the man's little daughter was injured since she was struck by one of the stones. Henson said when police arrived the culprits turned on police but they were not able to see where the stones were coming from due to the darkness.

The investigating officers have received information on the identities of the possible suspects and will within short start a case against these persons. The daughter of T. was treated at the police station by the paramedics and then transported to the hospital for further treatment.

Philipsburg: --- Two members of the bicycle patrol managed to capture a robbery suspect on Tuesday shortly after he and another accomplice robbed a well-known jewel store on Front Street.
Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said that police were called shortly after 10:30 on Tuesday telling them that two young men had entered the store and requested to see two diamond rings. When the rings were given to them, they both ran out of the store. The bicycle patrol was informed of the incident and they managed to locate one of the get away robbers in the vicinity of Afoo supermarket. Henson said the suspect was arrested and the following day the armed robbery unit managed to locate the second suspect and arrested him. The two robbers Henson said confessed to the robbery and they also returned the diamond rings that value more than $3,000.

PHILIPSBURG - With great pride and honor the Commissioner of Labour, Social Affairs and Public Health is happy to introduce to the people of St. Maarten, Mrs. Carmelita Smits-Rombley as the newly appointed Executive Assistant (Directiesecretaris) of Public Health, Social Development and Labour, Mrs. Carmelita Smits-Rombley has been holding this position as of February 1st, 2010.
This capable and aspiring lady has lived in the Netherlands for 14 years. In which time she has achieved (a post doctorate degree) Master's in Business Administration and acquired several other diplomas. Her employment track record being equally as outstanding shows that she has held several critical top-ranking advisory positions in the specialized field of planning and control within various government ministries and private enterprises in the Netherlands.
To add, Mrs. Carmelita Smits-Rombley has manned her self-owned consultancy agency geared towards providing complex Management, Financial Reporting and Taxation business plans and assisting persons with tax returns thus showcasing Mrs. Carmelita Smits-Rombley as a highly educated, skilled, talented and altruistic young St. Maarten professional. With all her expertise and specialization, Mrs. Carmelita Smits-Rombley is modest; "stating that she considers herself to be a generalist in the areas of business and public administration who enjoys meeting people and spending time with her family".
In her own words, she further expressed that she is joyous to have returned home to seek employment and confidently said that she is proud to have been able to join the team at Sector Public Health, Social Development and Labour, because she intends to create structured procedures for the department to function more effectively and intends to create structured procedures for the various departments of the sector to function more effectively and efficiently during and after Country St. Maarten's transitional period.
Furthermore, Mrs. Carmelita Smits-Rombley sees this position as one that will further enable her to acquire her professional ambitions of attaining a Registercontroller Diploma and developing a Work Ethics Program for young St. Maarten professionals.
Her tasks at the department are numerous. Therefore, in order for Mrs. Carmelita Smits-Rombley to execute them with her usually high proficiency she will require the full co-operation of all government departments and the general public.
To which, Commissioner - Hyacinth Richardson expressed that he happily looks forward to working with Mrs. Carmelita Smits-Rombley and welcomes her as a new addition to the Public Health, Social Development and Labour Sector. He further re-stated that one of his missions as Commissioner of Public Health, Social Development and Labour is to attract local professionals to fill available vacancies within the island Government. The Commissioner further pledged to continue to bring young ambitious persons back to St. Maarten to assist in strengthening Country St. Maarten and urges the private sector to do the same.

Philipsburg: --- The Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba was advised by the Police Unions not to grant any contracts to officers who are scheduled to leave on pension. SMN News has been reliably informed that at least six officers, two of which are from the management team of the police force are scheduled to go on pension. The source said even though the police force on St. Maarten is grossly understaffed it is the opinion of the police union that officers currently in the force can do a better job than those in management and those officers should receive the necessary promotions to lead the police force.
Already Hildo Martina is on vacation and he is scheduled to go on pension on April 15, SMN News learnt that Martina sent in a request to extend his contract but his request it is understood went by the Assistant Chief Commissioner of Police Ademar Doran for an advice. Dafnis Francesca it is understood was asked by government to stay on the force, he is scheduled to be leaving on pension sometime in May 2010.

In an invited comment, Francesca said he did not apply for an extension of his contract and he does not know what advice was given to the Minister. Francesca further stated that he already has another offer with an airline since he is a certified pilot. The Assistant Chief Commissioner did not say if he gave those who requested of him to stay on a positive or negative answer.

Other officers that are also scheduled to go on pension before June 2010 are Elgin Scot borough, Pricilla Gumbs, Angie Fowler, and Ronald Alexander while Chief Inspector Johan Janchi Leonard has requested early retirement after serving 40 years in the police force.
In the meantime, police coach Ronald Dongor's contract will soon end. The source said Dongor has eight weeks more to work with the KPSSS but he is busy negotiating with the Marachussees to head the department on St. Maarten. SMN News also learnt that the island government is also involved in working out some sort of agreement for Dongor to remain within the local police force even though the so-called Win Win Agreement is considered to be a failure.
SMN News further learnt that Assistant Chief Commissioner of Police Richard Panneflek has applied for the post of Chief Commissioner of Police even though the Minister of Justice placed him at the disposal of the island government for another year.

Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba is scheduled to arrive on St. Maarten on Thursday where she will be holding several key meetings. One of the meetings to be held early next week is with the police union regarding the failure of the Win Win agreement. Sources said the WWA agreement was not lived up to and even the police coach who is receiving an exorbitant salary did not do what was expected of him. "The only thing Dongor did was to get some second hand cars and motor bikes from Holland. The vehicles were repainted and are parked at the back of the police station in Philipsburg." The source said.
The Minister of Justice is also expected to deal with the issues surrounding detective Carlton Philips, Sylvia Gibbs and Norwin Villarreal since the Minister spoke to two of the three individuals during her last visit to St. Maarten.

Marigot: --- President of the MOCSAM Julien Gumbs is once again sounding the alarm about the possible road tax. Gumbs in an exclusive interview with SMN News said that while the window that is supposed to be collecting the road tax is closed since October 2009 to date the Collectivity and its representatives has not seen it fit to update its population on the reason why they stopped collecting the tax which is supposed to be used for road developments.

Gumbs said the MOCSAM over the past years have been protesting the illegality of the road tax and to date the Collectivity cannot get a "decree de application" from the State Council. He said the MOCSAM filed two cases against the Collectivity on this road tax and the threatening letters that was sent to people who did not pay the taxes. He said to date the court has not ruled on either of the cases because they are awaiting a response from the COM about the letters they sent to several residents of St. Martin who did not comply with the payment. "The last time I heard from the administrative courts was sometime in February 2010 and the judge said he is still waiting on the COM to respond. My hope is that the courts would render its decision before 2012 so that those currently in office would answer for their wrong doings," Gumbs said he wants to people to see that elected officials cannot do as they like because they were elected to office. He said elected officials have to also abide by the laws like everyone else. The MOCSAM president is calling on the St. Martin community to remain vigilante and they look out for their own interests.

Gumbs said that based on the news report he understood that the Collectivity has abolished the road tax system they implemented in 2008 and they are now working on something new which would involve license plates. Gumbs further explained that the fact the Collectivity has aborted its former procedure, which is still in process shows that they are in bad light, but has failed to admit such.
Gumbs made clear that the MOCSAM is not against the road tax since they do agree that the people of St. Martin has to contribute to the island's development, however, the MOCSAM is against the illegal aspect of this tax. He said one of the requests made by him was to bring back this road tax plan to the drawing board and to do it right since those in the COM rushed it off from day one without conducting a study.
Gumbs warned that if the COM pushes its new format without holding a debate that would also include the MOCSAM they would be vigilante and would continue to protest if it is needed. Gumbs said one of his fears is that those in charge would bring this to the council a week or two before they are ready to launch and the council would again vote without perusing the format and the legality of the taxes. Gumbs said he is of the opinion that the COM should give back those persons who paid the tax their monies since it was not acceptable to the State.

SMN News contacted Christophe Coelho of the Prefecture for an update on the road tax procedures. Coelho said the Collectivity does have the tax and road competences and they indeed voted the road tax ordinance in 2008. Coelho said the COM could do whatever they want with taxes however; they do have to comply with the State (Controle de legality).

As for the road taxes he said that ordinance was not fully completed when it was voted in the territorial council. Coelho said the COM had to make sure they fully outlined the penalties that could be taken against vehicle users who did not comply with the payment of the road tax (vignette). He said because the territorial council did not do anything regarding the penal section and the gendarmes could not conduct any controls if that was not included. Coelho said the COM had to get the State Council to agree with the road tax ordinance before the gendarmes could have acted or begin controlling.

This process he said is very long and he is of the of opinion that the procedure is still underway but the COM has decided not to wait on the State Council but to come up with another idea where they would involve the penal section. He made clear that so far, the Prefecture does not have anything on this new project and it is yet to go before the territorial council.
As for the monies that were collected from the sale of the vignette in 2008 and 2009 he said it was deposited in the Collectivity's account.
According to the COM when they launched the road tax project in 2008 they said the monies collected would go towards the building of new roads but to date no new roads have been built.

...

Philipsburg:--- The police and immigration department has begun their planned immigration controls. The officers visited a number of businesses and work sites in search of illegal workers. During the process, they managed to arrest 14 persons who were working and residing on the island illegally.
Police also visited neighborhoods where they believe illegal immigrants are residing said police spokesman Ricardo Henson. Those arrested and are to be deported are from Italy, Jamaica, France, Anguilla, Dominican Republic, and Dominica.
The controls currently taking place are in keeping with what Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba said in November when she launched the Brooks Tower Project to regulate illegal residents on St. Maarten. The controls were scheduled to begin on March 1 and it is under the supervision of the island's chief of police.

Marigot: --- Reliable information reaching SMN News on Wednesday states that the Collectivity of St. Martin is planning to outsource Fish Day, which is to be held on May 1. The source said that two of the four vice presidents and a territorial councilor met with Chantal Vernusse to discuss the outsourcing on March 1. Vernusse is licensed to organize Calypso Events.
According reliable information a territorial councilor along with several members including members of Eclipse was not invited to the meeting, which was to organize Fish Day. SMN News further learnt that one of the councilors who are not in favor of the outsourcing was also not invited to the meeting on March 1. Sources say the Arts and Culture department workers were told that they would receive convocation for the meeting and they never got it.
SMN News further learnt that the COM is planning to increase the budget for Fish Day and they believed it would be better organized by a foreigner and not the people who did it over the past eight years.

According to information reaching SMN News, the COM is planning to take the same route they took when they outsourced Caribbean Festival last year to the Committee Traditions and Carnival (CTC).
According to reliable information, the organizer that was brought in to St. Martin to assist with the organizing of Caribbean Festival was paid some Euros 80,000 while there are locals (Eclipse) with licenses to organize the same types of events on St. Martin.
SMN News learnt that a delegation went to meet with the President of the COM Frantz Gumbs on Wednesday but that meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday. It is not clear if President Gumbs agrees with the outsourcing.

Fish Day was launched some eight years ago by culture pioneer Nicole Piper who was heading the Arts and Culture Department. Piper was running the department as deputy mayor, she worked along with Eclipe and other contractors from the day Fish Day was launched.

Nicole Piper had organized Fish Day 2008 and was criticized by the former first vice president responsible for culture for using Euros 60,000 for the event, which attracted close to 20,000 patrons, while members of the current Arts and Culture Department organized the event in 2009.
The source said the new commission wants people whom they believe can better manage the funds that would be allocated for Fish Day 2010. SMN News further learnt that there are several key persons within the community that are ready to take action if Fish Day is outsourced to Calypso Events or any other foreigner.