Articles

On Wednesday, April 28, 2010 the following article appeared in the Daily Herald; 'No Quorum for meeting on constitution and laws, which we recommend you read for yourselves.
Here is our reaction to what Island-council lady Sarah WESCOTT-WILLIAMS has reportedly stated in said article.
Not always have we agreed with the good Council-lady.
As a matter of fact, SELDOM have we agreed with the former leader of Government.
There was an exception however, when we not only agreed with Sarah, but SUPPORTED her in no uncertain terms as well.
That independent position we took at the time, earned us the 'chagrin' of the N.A.-Alliance, a party in which we have many good friends as well as family members as well.
However, we did offer the good lady our support, because it was about something larger than politics.
It was about her concern about certain issues still being 'outstanding' in the draft constitution for 'Country St. Maarten'
This concern had been expressed by the lady to the media on Tuesday, February 16, 2010.
After that, it had become 'conspicuously' quiet around this concern of the lady.
We did not 'buy into' the 'politically conventional' rumors that she was just 'playing politics'.
Not that we ruled such 'game' out, because we certainly do not believe that we live in 'Alice in Wonderland'.
No, it was about in spite of all odds perhaps, still giving her 'the benefit of the doubt'.
Lo and behold, in the Daily Herald of today again, the lady repeats that she; 'will not stand idly by while the constitution is rammed down the throats of the people' and that 'No one has the right to give us a deadline by which we have to get the constitution ready'
Great, bravo!
Again this time we FULLY agree with the council-lady SAYS and offer our support in that regards.
It is up to her to now 'activate' her rhetoric and she will be able to count on us the people.
And for the record again we say to the N.A. party-boss and followers.
Do not make that irreconcilable mistake to take us the St. Martin people for granted.
One Claude Wathey was enough !
The constitution should be about US the ST.MARTIN PEOPLE and should reflect US and OUR interests and we do not give one 'hoot' who wants to speed it up.
As far as we are concerned they who want to ram it down our throats are invited to go where there is 'eternal darkness'.

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

'Find a way to correct the sell-out of the Antillean People by amending
the constitution...your last chance'.

First of all, it is my privilege to commend a number of persons whorecently had the intelligence, professional independence and courage to publicly question the decisions taken in the Hague during the discussions on the Kingdom Consensus Laws.
They did such in-spite of all the 'hoopla' about what was signed off to, or better said what was 'signed away' during those negotiations.
For speaking out publicly on this most important issue pertaining to our constitutional rights, Paul ROGERS Consensus Law, in the TODAY
of Thursday, April 22, 1010 Senator Reginald ZAANDAM Zaandam tells
it like it is, in the Daily Herald of Thursday, April 22, 2010 andMr. Eldrige VAN PUTTEN Constitutional Change in the Daily Herald of Wednesday, April 21, 2010 have done our community a very great service.
In particular the letter to the editor by Mr. VAN PUTTEN, we consider a 'classical' .
More than that.
It constitutes a cry of the people and a an outright historic indictment of the political leaders of St. Maarten and of the other
islands for in fact selling out sold out the dignity, the rights and autonomy of the Antilles, with the Dutch conveniently and opportunistically serving as collaborators in betraying the people of the Antilles, for their own neocolonial and commercial purposes.
Consequently, the following question should be answered by the political leaders when they return from the Netherlands and expect the people to come out and celebrate '10-10-10'.
What sane people celebrate betrayal ?
And what do we the *PEOPLE *of this island stand to gain from this '10-10-10' gimmick other than most certainly having to pay taxes 'through our noses' and probably lose our land and patrimony to the expected influx of Dutch consultants, technical-assistants and business people.
Do not forget, that since St. Maarten will be deemed 'not ready' on most counts, the functioning and operation of most departments and ministries will automatically be executed and/or controlled in the end by the Dutch Government.
So much for the 'increased' autonomy of country St. Maarten, come '10-10-10'
Clearly, negotiating with the Dutch, requires people who are fully aware, that one of their biggest 'assets' is that they are consumate merchants, formerly also known as piracy.
Also for the record.
In none of the many critical reports about St. Maarten,(*BAKHUIS-,POURIER reports* etc) was there ever an indication that the main cause for the many problems in the Antilles was the constitutional (Antillean-) system.
On the contrary.
Ours was one of the best and most stable in the entire Caribbean, reason why many are attracted to these island, never wanting to ever leave again !
*ALWAYS* the main cause of our socio-economic misery was *INCOMPETENCE & **CORRUPTION IN HIGH PLACES.*
And what have the Dutch done to 'remedy' that systemic problem ? Well, in a game of chess called constitutional talks, they gave the 'crumbs' (so-called*/ 'debt-relief' and other expired Sinterklaas 'candies') to the Antillean players only to capture the 'Queen' and consequently annex and recolonize the Antilles, including the potentially very, lucrative Saba -bank resource**s.
Check-mate !
So, consequently they DESTROYED the good constitutional system which only needed amendment, they BETRAYED the people, they MAINTAINED and finally they REWARDED the same crooks in high place.
Long live the Dutch pragmatism and the beginning of the real challenge
when '10-10-10' hits the'ground'.
But, be warned that this act of betrayal will evoke a curse by the spirit by our departed ancestors including the greats like dr. Da Costa GOMEZ.
Nevertheless, leaders of the 'Friendly island', your last chance might be to amend the constitution on all the islands to recognize and to maintain and to protect the rights of the Antilleans to come first.
Should you fail do do even that, 'Crappo smike yo' pipe.
In ending delegation-members, welcome back home, to the reality 'on
the ground'.

drs. Leopold JAMES,
Proud, native-indigenous St. Martiner, without apologies.-

Tomorrow evening, Mr. Jeffrey RICHARDSON, will be a 'walk-in' guest in the program 'In the backyard with the young professionals'.
He will be talking about a most exciting program many St. Martiners having been looking out for a very long time.
You wouldn't want to miss it.
It is historical and the beginning of an new era for the entire island.
Make sure to invite all your friend and family m,embers to join Jeffrey and listen to what he will share with you.
Radio-program; 'In the backyard with the young professionals', hosted by Christopher EMMANUEL and Kendall DUPERSOY.
Radio-station; PJD-2, 1300 a.m.(www.sxmradio.com)
Time; From 5 to 6 p.m. local SXM time

Leopold JAMES

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

Although there were many skeptics and 'obstructionists' who consistently tried to undermine the message of the St. Martin grass root nation building & unification movement, there is an unmistakably rising tide of ancestral pride and confidence among the natives of this island.
Finally, the tireless work of this movement is starting to have its effect on the awareness of the natives of this island, whose very existence has come to the 'brink of their existence' largely through neglect, betrayal, lack of vision and courage on the part of their political leaders.
After Monday's interview of Leopold JAMES the movement's leader on the very popular radio-station SOS 95.9 F.M.of Mr. Billy D, the telephone in the studio kept ringing off the hook.
People called in to have Leopold JAMES, come back and share even more of his vision on the empowerment of the St. Martin people.
Especially the people are extremely fascinated and inspired by his initiative to create a cultural native-indigenous St. Martin ID-card which will give very pragmatic and effective interpretation to what it means to be a ntive-indigenous St. Martiner.
His proposal that the movement is planning to issue the very first cultural native-indigenous ID to the natives of the island, has taken the people by storm with it being the talk of town among the people of this island.
The response is going beyond expectation of many and it is clear that this initiative has tapped into a very profound desire of St. Martin people to be recognized as the natives of this island, in addition from being DUTCH and/or FRENCH citizens of the island.
For too long many native St. Martiners have felt, that they have become a minority in their own land, mainly because of the massive naturalization of thousands of immigrants, changing the way of life of native St. Martiners and leaving them feel under-represented and politically not important.
Now for the first time, St. Martiners have something to call their own, to rally around and to display as well in terms of identifying their heritage on this island.
A ceremony is planned in celebration of the issuing of the first symbolic cultural passports to family-members of deceased native St. Martiners, who have made their contribution to the island, while they were still alive.
It is the intention of this grass root movement to maintain a very positive and constructive relationship with the Collectivity as well as with the Island-government of the island.
After all, most politicians are native St. Martiners and one day themselves will also be able to benefit from the privelege this ID can bestow them and their families with as well.
With the existence of a document identifying the native St. Martiners the next step becomes closer.
That is to be able for this group to claim its historically moral privileges on the island.
Many elderly St. Martiners would be more than happy that they will not have to wait in line anywhere on the entire island, or that they will be able to live anywhere on the island and benefit from any social privilege ANYWHERE on the ENTIRE island.
In addition, many St.Martiners would be happy that they will be able to get a drivers-license anywhere on the island and to reside anywhere on the island.
These and many, many more privileges is what any sensible 'status'; should mean for the natives of this island and that is what we stand for, without apologies !
It is clear that the ancestors of this group of people, who can trace their roots to 'St. Martin's Traditional Period', lived for over 360 years as one people on the island with free movement and sharing of all natural and material and immateria resources.
Consequently, this way of life, for which the Treaty of Concordia of 1648 forms the legal basis, has established common law,legally binding which is recognized as in most countries including France and the Netherlands.
During those hundreds of years, neither the Dutch, nor the French colonial powers objected to that unified way of life.
Therefore, under no circumstances can they now legally and/or morally 'out of the clear blue' implement and consequently take away this common law from the people of the land.
That means that whatever national laws there are restricting free movement and the sharing of resources on the island, they can only be leveled against foreigners or non-St. Martiners.
Having an cultural native-indigenous ID will now create an enormous incentive for all St. Martiners to sign up for such.
Meanwhile others who have obtained the French and/or the Dutch rights will maintain those nationalities and therefore have nothing to fear or protest against.
The only difference is that the St. Martiners, who have been marginalized for decades and suffered humiliation and exclusion and the like in their own country, will now have another 'safety-net' which will allow them once more to live the life their ancestors did for decades until the Landmark Year of 1963 as historian, Mrs. Daniella JEFFRY decribed in one of her books 1963 A Landmark Year in Saint Martin'...a must read.
Meanwhile, Leopold JAMES has been invited again by Mr. Billy D HAMLET to be on his program on Monday, April 19, 2010 from 9 to 10 a.m.

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

For many, many years the St. Martin grass root nation building and unification movement was the 'lone voice' speaking out against the marginalization of and fighting for the rights of native-indigenous St. Martiners to be first in their own and only home-land, St. Martin.
Back then, few understood the importance of the movement's warnings, messages and solutions.
These were therefore ignored at best, and its president Leopold JAMES oftentimes ridiculed, demonized and called 'inciter' of hatred against foreigners, for standing up for his fellow native St. Martin people.
Especially the editor of the TODAY-newspaper, Hilbert HAAR, on many occasions in its editorials, went to the extreme, slandering the reputation of Leopold JAMES as well as his genuine intentions.
This was a clear attempt to prevent the St. Martin people from paying attention to the message Mr. JAMES tried to get across to the people and citizens of the island.
Obviously, those actions of sabotage by Mr. HAAR have proven futile.
Amazing it is therefore, to now witness an incredible reversal and paradigm-shift, in the growing awareness of native St. Martiners.
Finally, after years of 'slumbering' and being deceived, they are catching on to the message of the grass root St. Martin nation and unification movement, headed by Leopold JAMES.
A clear indication are the many callers who call in to radio talk shows of Billy D. HAMLET, Chris EMMANUEL and others expressing concern that if the native-St. Martiners are not identified and acknowledged, they will never be able to continue to live in the spirit of the Treaty of Concordia, which has been the legal document for the free movement of the native St. Martin people since 1648.
In addition, St. Martiners are also realizing that this treaty was never meant for immigrant and foreigners and that consequently, certain laws preventing the free movement etc, should only be applied to non-St. Martiners.
This is becoming absolutely critical now that increasingly, the government-administrations on French- and the Dutch Government are now so called bringing about 'regulations' in various areas of our society, to counter act the effects of the one time coveted 'laissez-fair' attitude.
If not properly and timely dealt with these new 'divisive colonial' policies, will most definitely 'dismantle' and 'dismember' the unique oneness of all native-indigenous St. Martiners and bring an end to the way they lived peacefully for hundreds of years.
The new 'regulations' will force St. Martiners to choose to be either 'French' or 'Dutch, thereby surrendering their privilege of having succession land, homes, work on both sides of the island, de facto rendering us foreigners to one-another.
The issue with the drivers-license, which prohibits 'French' St. Martiners who can not prove residence on Dutch St. Maarten the possibility to renew their license on 'Dutch' St. Maarten, is a case in point of the process of the conspiracy to destroy our way of life and subsequently, our very existence as one people.
This type of measures have never before been implemented in the entire existence of our history as native St. Martin people.
To a large extent it is caused by the many forms of abuse by illegal immigrants, resulting in these 'across the board' measures affecting us as natives as well.
Therefore, there is a strong movement afoot to have all St. Martiners identified in order that they can qualify for exceptions and ancestral privileges in keeping with the spirit of the Treaty of Concordia from 1648.
On Monday, April 12, 2010, Mr. Leopold JAMES has been invited for Monday, April 12, 2010 to be guest on radio SOS 95.9 F.M. to share the view of his grass root movement movement on the solutions to this and many other related problems for St. Martiners.
Clearly, this interview is a very timely one, because most people now believe that the grass root St. Martin nation building and unification movement is the only effective salvation for the St. Martin people from total extinction
--
Leopold James
President SNBF & L'Esprit de Concordia

When the island had all the time to regulate its development including the mass influx of people from elsewhere and the rights of its own people, the leaders of this country proudly applied the 'laissez fair' mentality as its 'modus operandi' for growth.
And grew it did, but how.
It simply 'exploded' uncontrolled over-construction, population, child-births, imported lawlessness, under-ground economies, so-called religions and so-called churches, the list goes on and on and on.
Now finally, again in a 'knee jerk reaction', the authorities in setting up a new policy regarding the renewing of the drivers-licenses for persons residing on the 'French'-side, have resorted to an rather 'extreme' measure in an attempt to bring what they term, 'regulation' in this matter.
Extreme, because it not only directly affects the drivers-license situation on the island, but it has far and far more serious implications to the entire traditional way of life of native St. Martiners as well as to their very existence as a people.
It should not be under-estimated that these type of 'regulations', which do not take into consideration, what former senator Marcel GUMBS always rightfully defended in Parliament, as 'St. Martin's reality and specificity' into account, are leading us down a very, dangerous and slippery path towards being divided as a St. Martin people and eventually towards our complete elimination, following the Arawaks and Caribs before us.
This 'reality/specificity' of St. Martin, is characterized among many others by our oneness as a people, our shared history, emancipation, norms and values, our ancestral mutual reliance on each other after the Dutch and French colonialists left us to fend for ourselves after 1848 are there-about
As a consequence, this gradual process of 'dismantling' our oneness, freedom of movement etc, will result in transforming or 'degrading' our blood-links and one-ness as a people into us in fact becoming foreigners not only to one another, but to 'ourselves' as well.
This because many native St. Martiners, are bi-national, have succession land on both siides, have homes on both sides, visit schools and work and live on the 'other or both sides' etc, that this insane process is bound to have a very schizophrenic impact on us as individual as well.
Our movement has always warned that of the scenario to dismantle our oneness as a people and therefore tried to identified us as a native people, who must be exempt from regulations that can apply to others, who come to the island and for whom the island indeed consist of two countries for which they actually need papers to access.
But that should NEVER ever apply to the natives of this country.
On the contrary.
Benefiting from what both sides have to offer should be our privilege, period !
It is the reward or our restitution for which our ancestors shed blood, sweat and tears and were abandoned to survive on their own, during the period our colonial oppressors, no longer had interest in our island....back then.
If others have problems with that, they should feel free to leave.
Our problem with both separate statuses for the each side of island and its one people, has always been based as well on our political leaders not taking our oneness as a people into consideration.
This is a fundamental lack in our so called constitution, which must be addressed as an outstanding issue, before being adopted, because if not it will create huge problem for St. Martin people, including the current politicians in the future.
It is becoming very clear that although of course the politicians have a role to play, theirs is limited to their 'national/colonial' territories/competencies.
This is not the case with the natives of the people and with their grass root movement.
As such our grass root St. Martin movement can move freely all across the island and thus serve as the bridge, foundation facilitator for the only logical future status for the island.
This is the status of ONE unified and sovereign St. Martin, with strong and mutually rewarding ties to France and the Netherlands.
There simply is no other logical way out of this dilemma not only for native St. Martiners, but even worse for other residents.
No longer, can the present idiotic and colonial divisive situation on one 'island-mass', with open borders be effective used to govern and develop this island based on two different colonial administrations.
It is totally untenable.
We therefore invite St. Martiners to realize that by becoming part of our grass root movement, they can be better represented as a people and have their rights championed so that they can eventually take the entire island to the next level and survive the looming 'onslaught' on their very existence..

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

Dear Editor,

Please allow me to review the state of St. Maarten's environment on behalf of EPIC, St. Maarten Pride Foundation and the Emilio Wilson Estate Foundation on this 22nd day of April, 2010 the 40th anniversary of Earth day which coincides with St. Maarten Pride Foundation's 10th anniversary.
Our National Anthem describes St. Maarten as being "So bright by beach and strand" and "Where the chains of mountains green, variously in sunlight sheen" yet the reality of today's St. Maarten is somewhat different;
Sewage, leakage from septic tanks and urban run-off floods the streets of many of St. Maarten's neighborhoods and flows towards the island's natural treasure chests and economic products; ponds, lagoons, beaches and coral reefs. These same sewage covered streets are more often than not adorned with solid waste ranging from car wrecks to a multitude of bottles, plastic bags and other domestic garbage. School children and other pedestrians jump over or walk straight through the endless puddles of sewage and discard of whatever waste they may be carrying wherever they deem it is convenient to do so, thereby contributing to the further degradation of the already unsightly and unhygienic surroundings.
Over 50.000 people are registered as residing on St. Maarten with the actual figure rumored to be at least 70.000 yet there are no solid waste or sewage treatment facilities.
Developers have managed to clear and excavate property, construct extra floors, entire buildings including hotels, condos and in one case even a marina without the required permits to do so.
Commissioners circumvent their departments and issue verbal approvals to developers to in essence, do as they please, while publicly making well documented statements that permits are frivolous details. These same commissioners spearhead the destruction of our natural and cultural heritage for potentially disastrous infrastructure projects, such as the Ring road in the Great Salt Pond, in the name of progress and in this particular case supposed traffic alleviation, without regard for public safety concerns, whilst doing nothing to improve public transportation or curb the ever increasing amount of cars on the island.
St. Maarten's Utilities Company GEBE N.V. discharges oil and other forms of fuel unto public beaches and into the sea on an all too regular basis and does very little to mitigate human health and environmental effects or prevent reoccurrences.
Cement companies pollute our air, at the same time as boaters, marinas and boatyards contribute to marine and terrestrial pollution through solid waste and sewage discharge and the use of harmful chemicals during vessel maintenance, reparation or painting.
The Government Accountants Bureau SOAB report about Sector ROB's permitting process mentions a number of irregularities and other reasons for concern within the Sector but so far, nothing has been done to seriously address the matter.
The Marine Park Ordinance, designed to preserve the natural resources of St. Maarten's marine environment for both commercial (fisheries industry, tourism), as well as educational, recreational and scientific purposes has been completed and has been awaiting approval by the Island and Executive Councils since 2006. In recent media reports Mr. Theo Heyliger, the Commissioner of Environmental affairs, claimed that: "the delay in completion of the ordinance had to do with the shortage of staff in the Spatial Planning and Environment department (VROM)". A more plausible reason for the now almost 5 years of delay in passing this ordinance is that it would set regulations and restrictions to projects such as the large scale dredging activities in Great Bay for the Ring road project, the proposed filling-in of the Cay Bay area for an industrial zone and similar projects which are currently on the same Commissioner's list of priorities.
Aforementioned behavioral, environmental, and infrastructural challenges are symptoms of a much larger problem, namely;
The visionless, poorly planned and largely unrestricted development of practically the entire Dutch side of St. Maarten over the past 3 to 4 decades. Fuelled by, as well as evident in, the absence of comprehensive environmental legislation, deficient enforcement of existing legislation, due to the shortage of qualified personnel and more importantly the lack of political will to take often unpopular but increasingly necessary measures to protect the environment, improve public transportation and thereby safeguard the sustainability of the economy and well-being of society as a whole.
Thankfully, there is also light at the end of the tunnel. Although the Foundations will be the first to admit that, the Emilio Wilson Estate is far from being out of harm's way. The fact that the Estate has thus far not been desecrated and that Government has made a number of commitments to the people of St. Maarten regarding the area's protection, including placing the entire Estate on the Monument list, is a small step in the right direction.
Initiatives such as the Halley's Seaside Nature Park on the Bell family property in Cay Bay/ Cole Bay, Ras Bushman's gardens, the Bellevue organic gardens and Tri-sport's kayak tours although small in scale and not entirely conservation projects are good examples of sustainable economic diversification.
The environmental awareness generated by foundations such as St. Maarten Pride, EPIC and Nature Foundation is becoming increasingly evident in; the responses of primary and secondary school students both during and after environmental education presentations; the number of environment related projects in the annual science fair; positive feedback from the public and the ever-growing scale of media coverage for the topic. The fact that Governor Fritz Goedgedrag and Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards are paying more attention to environmental concerns is a valuable acknowledgment of the need for sustainable change and a welcome sign of an increase in awareness. One or two politicians have also started to support environmental projects; Commissioner of Tourism Frans Richardson's and the Tourist Bureau's ongoing support of the Blue Flag and environmental codes of conduct projects has set an example that other politicians, whose support, if any at all, has so far been limited to nice speeches, would do well to follow.
In closing please, allow me to thank all those who have supported the Foundations in various forms over the past years. Words of appreciation also go out to the many persons that congratulated me on having been awarded the Euan P. McFarlane Award for Outstanding Environmental Leadership in the Insular Caribbean, an honor that truly came as a surprise. Please know that my colleagues and I could not continue to carryout our work without your support.
Special words of thanks go out to Mr. Jan Beaujon who gave me my start in the environmental field and Mr. Will Johnson whose life-long dedication to our islands was once again apparent in his heartfelt speeches and presentations related to the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles in the Netherlands earlier this month. Senator Johnson's efforts, stories, and books about our islands continue to be an inspiration to us all as we continue our work "For the Love of St. Maarten".

Rueben J. Thompson
Vice President
St. Maarten Pride Foundation

Project Manager
Environmental Protection In the Caribbean

Board member
Emilio Wilson Estate Foundation

Dear Mr. HUGHES,

On March 17, last, i sent an open request to you and Mr. Sydney de WEEVER, inspector of the Bureau Telecommunications on St. Maarten, requesting a meeting in order to come to a mutually satisfactory understanding on how to allow for the program 'In the back-yard with the Young professionals' to return back on the air.
For the record.
At no time, was it my intention to challenge your authority to set rules for your radio-station, because not only is that your responsibility and prerogative, but it is very necessary as well in order to maintain a minimum ethical standard among the employees and others making use of the facilities in your station.
My only concern was to make sure that the rules apply equally to all programs, including those in programs you and most listeners might not understand.
At no time either did I ever, express any opposition against having any program in a foreign language as a certain media-outlet eagerly and without success tried to imply in one of its abusive editorials.
Nevertheless, I am very indebted to both you and Mr. de WEEVER for your very professional response and understanding as well as for your willingness to accept the apologies of those responsible for you having to have taken the decision you took a few weeks ago.
I am sure that the host/co-hosts of the program have learned their lessons and will continue to provide the people of the island with vital information and to serve as role-models for other young St. Martiners.
They made an unfortunate, unintentional 'gaff' , but we are still very proud of the work they are doing and are happy they got a chance to correct this experience.
Once more, brother Don, my sincere thank you,

Leopold JAMES
and still....
proud, native-indigenous St. Martiner, without apologies.

Dawn Beach: --- A three-year old toddler of Haitian decent was pronounced dead at the St. Maarten Medical Center on Thursday after the child accidentally fell in a pool and died. According to information, reaching SMN News the mother took the child to work with her; at some point, the child escaped from her, and fell into the pool. It is not clear, why the child was taken to her mother's workplace and if this was the norm. SMN News learnt that the young lad was found in the pool by his mother who began looking for him when she missed him.
Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos said the ambulance responded quickly to the scene and transported the toddler to the hospital but the child was already dead when found. Asked if the body of the child was confiscated and if there is a criminal investigation into the death of the child Mos said based on the preliminary investigations conducted at, the scene it was clear that the child's death was a tragic accident, thus the body was not confiscated and there is no criminal investigation ongoing.

Philipsburg:----As the current library building is insufficient to serve the growing population of our island, and ill-suited to perform the tasks of a modern-day digitally oriented information resource centre Board and management of the Philipsburg Jubilee Library are looking for ways to set up a new library building.
To get a better insight in the needs and requirements of different groups in the St Maarten society when it comes to the overall infrastructure for a new library facility the library management recently initiated a research project . The main part of this project is a questionnaire which has been sent via e-mail to a selective group of respondents, including government officials, directors of key companies on the island and various foundation representatives.
President of the Library Board, Mrs. Chantal Schaminee and Director Mrs. Monique Alberts issued a joint statement, stating: "The Philipsburg Jubilee Library made a selection of respondents who represent a wide spectrum of our community. We encourage all invited participants to fill in and submit answers to the questions in preparation for a possible face-to-face clarification interview with the Project Coordinator, Mr. Jimmy Challenger. The deadline for submitting answers to the questions is set for the 15th of April, allowing time to move into the second and third phases of the project."

The first respondent was Mrs. Elsje Bosch, Director of the St. Maarten National Heritage Foundation, who also took part in an interview, she stated: "These types of enquiries are important to the development of the library and our community as a whole. The questionnaire is simple, clear and covers the relevant areas for a proper discussion on the community's needs and wants as it pertains to the new Philipsburg Jubilee Library facilities- a vital institution. In a few minutes a valued contribution can be made that enhances the future of St. Maarten."

The invited respondents may contact the Project Coordinator via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The input given will be more than welcomed by the architectural designers and contractors who will design and construct the building based on the needs and wants of the St. Maarten community.

Airport:--- Regional airline Windward Islands Airways "WINAIR," has upgraded its website to allow passengers from the Islands of Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten to purchase tickets on Insel Air. According to VP of Marketing, Claudio Buncamper this new arrangement is to the following routes of Curacao, Bonaire, and Aruba. He said that this feature has been active for over one month on a testing phase.

The VP of Marketing noted that the response of users on the Islands found this new feature an added benefit. Buncamper urged users of the company's website to place more emphasis on making use of the numerous benefits available. He said that he is confident that the new partnership between WINAIR and Insel Air will bear significant fruits noting that it demonstrates the growing popularity and holistic growth of WINAIR.

He noted that despite the challenges that the airline continues to face management with the assistance of the marketing department has a tremendous burst of energy in their continued quest to promote the airline.

He added that in future WINAIR will be adding all of Insel Air routes to its traveling public. Buncamper said that the relationship between WINAIR and Insel Air has been very good and the ability of both carriers having an interline e-ticketing agreement has allowed the carries to offer these added value services on the website. He stressed that the aim of this venture, is to provide quality and enhanced service for the traveling public adding that with increase technologies so should there be increased service, which the public truly deserves.

An official of Insel Air expressed confidence that they would be able to accomplish much together.

Meanwhile, Managing Director of WINAIR, Edwin Hodge indicated that like he is very satisfied and pleased with this enhancement on WINAIR's website with another airline . He said that its testimony that WINAIR continues to grow despite its growing challenges and difficulties, which he noted, has helped to spur the management and staff on so as to remain viable and open.

Hodge added that he will continue to enhance the service of WINAIR as there is need for the additional service to the traveling public thus ensuring that people get value for their hard earned money.

CAY BAY— GEBE is taking the necessary measures to prevent future oil spills. MH-Maintenance has been contracted and is currently executing the laying of boulders for an oil boom fixation as well as containment walls. These infrastructural works should be completed by the end of April, including the deployment of the oil containment boom.
Two isolating valves for clean water discharges are being installed which would allow for the immediate closure of the drains in the event of overloading of the waste management system. The installation is also expected to be completed by the end of April. Both of the aforementioned measures were already planned prior to the first oil spill that took place a few months ago.
An extensive investigation was carried out into the oil spillage on April 2, concluding that the spill was a result of the Waste Management System overflowing resulting in a certain amount of waste oil escaping into the environment. At 2.45am on April 2, power plant personnel discovered the overflow of oil from the Waste Management System. Unfortunately, a certain amount of oil had already drained into the sea. Plant personnel activated immediate clean-up measures of the yard and to recover the spilled oil. At day break, additional human resources were brought in to continue with the clean-up activities.
Following the incident, additional training was arranged with the fabricator of the comprehensive Waste Management System CINED to provide three-days of refreshment training courses on site at the GEBE Power Plant in Cay Bay. The training sessions are scheduled for late April and early May for all personnel who work at the power generating facility.
GEBE is very much aware of its social and environmental responsibility towards the community that it provides essential services to and will make the necessary investments in line with the highest environmental standards. GEBE deeply regrets this incident and is taking every measure to prevent this from happening again. GEBE is confident that the additional measures being taken will resolve this challenge and prevent future accidents from occurring.

Philipsburg: --- Island Councilman Petrus Leroy DeWeever is calling on the Heyliger/NA/Laveist government to come clean with regards to the GEBE concession. De Weever said the current coalition is again showing total disregard for the commitments made and the functioning of government owned companies. The councilman was reacting to a report published in one of the daily newspapers regarding the imposition of financial penalties on GEBE. De Weever said the news is of no surprise to him since during the recent presentation of GEBE in the Central Committee he specifically asked:" What penalties will be imposed on GEBE by Pacific Life when concessions are not in place?" The response at that time was "no penalties would be imposed."
The extension of the concession for GEBE should have been in place since January 1, 2010. The Commissioner of Energy Affairs and members of the Supervisory Board of GEBE assured Pacific Life that the concession extension would be in place before March 31, 2010. This deadline was not met due to the irresponsible behavior of the Heyliger/NA/Laveist coalition. The members of government, who should have ensured that this concession extension was in place, would not have acted in this manner if the company was owned by them and the penalty had to be paid from their pockets. Unfortunately, because it is the people's money they have no regard for ensuring, that these penalties not be imposed on the company. Penalties of approximately US $ 100,000.00 -- per month is a significant amount. These funds could have been donated by GEBE and used towards assisting some of the needs of this community, such as the Mental Health Foundation, the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation, or the Safe Haven Foundation just to name a few.
This is the 3rd government owned company that is experiencing major issues since the Heyliger/NA/ Laveist coalition took office on June 8, 2009. PJIAE is functioning without a supervisory board of directors since January 1, 2010, the St. Maarten Group of Telecommunications Companies (Telem, Telcell, Telnet & Smitcoms) does not have a complete board of Supervisory Directors in place and no managing director to take the company to the next level. Now it is GEBE. Government granted GEBE a letter of comfort to satisfy the financers before obtaining financing by Pacific Life. An institution such as Pacific Life is governed by strict international financial regulations and must at all time secure its investment towards its shareholders.
Government's letter of comfort assured the financers that the concession would be extended for a period beyond the maturity date of the loans. GEBE's financial commitments towards Pacific Life could very well be jeopardized. "We are nearing the end of April and the penalty fees will continue to rack up, for every month that the concession is not in place." De Weever said.
He said he expects that the longer this situation continues Pacific Life will continue to exert pressure on GEBE to live up to its commitment. At which point a loan call option may be implemented. The blame game will then start between GEBE and Government. This situation cannot go on much longer and he is urging the Governor in his capacity as Chairman of the Executive Council to act, in order to avoid actions being taken which could jeopardize Government and totally disrupt the financial stability of GEBE.
In an invited comment commissioner of energy affairs Theo Heyliger said the electricity ordinance has been approved by the executive council and is now at the office of the governor general of the Netherlands Antilles. Heyliger said when the Governor General approves this ordinance then it will go before the island council for approval prior to having the concession for Pacific Life in place.

St. Louis,— A new educational and informative TV-forum in which propositions and solutions are made towards issues of our society on all levels, by and with the community at large, will be launched within soon. Pepper Pot, "Projects within a vision" is the brainchild of Fabrice 'Faby' Baly, a young entrepreneur with a clear mission on contributing to the betterment of St. Martin.
The concept is to have for one month, weekly discussions on a topic with guests and panel members as well as the audience at home. "By involving different disciplines, expertise and knowledge, the TV-platform strives to deliver information in a neutral, fair and integer way", althus Baly. After a month, the team behind Pepper Pot translates the input of the discussions and the solutions proposed to concrete and attainable objectives that will be executed as joint ventures between the community, government and all other relevant stakeholders.
The program is aired (live) on a weekly basis on MSR TV-channel 15 French St. Martin, Tuesdays from 8 – 9 PM and will be within short also available on www.msrtv6.com. The program will also be shown in its entirety on Youtube, SXMtube and Facebook.
The TV-forum is just one of the endeavors the non-profit Foundation (PPPWAV) will approach in the concept of society building and society seeking solutions in an impartial and integer manner. More information on the first project of Pepper Pot will follow soon as well as on the team behind the vision. Questions and inquiries can be send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Facebook (Pepper Pot SXM).

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Cay Hill: --- St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) is pleased to announce that gynecologists dr. Marieke Houwert-de Jong and dr. Gerard Wennink started practice April 1, 2010 in the new office facility for Obstetrics/Gynecology at the SMMC. This is part of the plan to strengthen the availability of specialists in this field. Along with dr. Petit who is now working part time and is not on call, the visiting specialists will also provide support to local gynecologist dr. Friday who has his office in the Yogesh building.

Dr. Houwert-de Jong will be here for 4 months, while Dr. Wennink will be here for the coming 3 months. Each bring with them over 27 years of international experience in the field of Obstetrics and Gynecology and have worked in various hospitals in different parts of the world including, the Netherlands Antilles. "I'm really touched by the warm welcome that I received here on St. Maarten." dr. Houwert-de Jong said "everyone has been so helpful I can see why St. Maarten is called the friendly island."

The Medical specialists will be located in the Policlinic section of SMMC in the newly renovated office facility, designed to add to patient comfort. The renovated facility is outfitted with two separate consultation rooms each with its one treatment room and bathroom. Patients will also be able to wait in an air conditioned seating area. "I'm impressed with the level of the facilities and services offered considering the population size" dr. Wennink said "and feel very fortunate that I can start in this new and modern facility," he added .

Patients who wish to see one of new the Gynecologists are advised to contact the nurse station Obstetrics/Gynecology at 543 1111 ext. 1316 for an appointment. Appointments can be made between 8:00 – 13:00 and 14:00 – 16:30. Patients are also advised to obtain a referral letter from their family doctor before visiting the gynecologist.

To guarantee quality women's health care SMMC made arrangements for a number of gynecologists to be stationed in St. Maarten on a rotating schedule till the end of the year while more permanent solutions are being developed.

In addition, SMMC is in the process of attracting two additional midwives. SMMC has received quite some response from potential candidates and is currently engaged in the selection process.

Willemstad:---Staff of the U.S. Forward Operating Location (USFOL) in Curacao donated 430 English bibles and bible study aids to the El Bethel Church in Mahaai, on March 24. Chaplain, Captain Brad Phillips from the Chaplain's office at the USFOL presented the Bibles to the pastor of the El Bethel Church, Norvell Fornerino in a special presentation ceremony. Pastor Fornerino was very grateful and said, "We thank the U.S. Air Force for these bibles and study guides.

We will use them to teach the Word of God to all our members in the days and weeks to come as we build the kingdom of God." Pastor Fornerino has been the pastor of the El Bethel church for the past 7 years. The church has approximately 100 members who attend services each Sunday at 10:30 as Pastor Fornerino preaches and teaches the Bible in an "English speaking" service.

Pastor Fornerino has also preached in the "English speaking" service held at the Holiday Beach Hotel, where Chaplain Phillips preaches each Sunday morning at 9:15. This bible donation illustrates a perfect pairing of faith and community involving the USFOL service man and women located here in Curacao and the El Bethel Church of Mahaai.

Amsterdam/ St. Maarten:---The Island Government of St. Maarten on Monday received a response from the Committee for Financial Supervision CFT on its budget 2010 says leader of government William Marlin.
In its response, the CFT has requested that certain information be provided and certain adjustments be made to the budget within 14 days. The Island Government is currently working diligently to provide the necessary information and make the necessary adjustments.
Being in The Hague, Marlin said he immediately discussed the issue with Finance Minister Ersilia de Lannooy, who has agreed to make a three-man team of experts available to work along with the civil servants of the Island Government of St. Maarten on this issue.
This same three-man team had worked with the Island Government of Curacao, when that Island Territory had had a similar assessment from the CFT for its 2010 budget.
Directives have already been given to the administration to begin preparing the necessary information for the team to be able to begin its work.
According to the Minister of Finance there should be no problem in getting this issue resolved, as the team she is making available to assist St. Maarten is used to doing this kind of work. Once they get the necessary information St. Maarten should be able to comply within the given deadline of two weeks, the Minister said.
The Island Government of St. Maarten is working to provide the necessary information as this issue is of pivotal importance to government.

Philipsburg:---The St. Maarten Tourist Bureau hosted Edward Glazarev, Senior Production Editor and Feature Writer of the New York Daily News from April 9-12.
The New York Daily News is the fifth most-widely circulated daily newspaper in the United States with a daily circulation of 632,595.
Mr. Glazarev was given an island tour and was impressed by the developments he saw.
Mr. Glazarev was part of the Celebrity group that recently visited St. Maarten which included Anneline McCord of 90201, Kellan Lutz of Twilight, D.J. Williams of the Denver Broncos and Robert Iler of the Sopranos.The group stayed at the Westin Dawn Beach while on-island.

Philipsburg -- The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) recently held auditions for the second consecutive year for the Youth Extravaganza show 2010. "We have seen the best of the best in talent for our very own St. Maarten youth," remarked Stuart Johnson Vice President of SCDF. "We are elated with the kind of high caliber talent we've witnessed, in categories ranging from modeling, dancing, singing, and rapping," Johnson added. "I am extremely proud of our youth, and we will continue to maintain the policy of no international acts for this particular show as our youth deserve to remain the only focus of this show," Johnson concluded.

The auditions took place on Tuesday afternoon between 4pm and 6:30pm by the Cultural Center located on Backstreet.

All of the registrants were judged and the results are as follows:

Rap (solo)                                                 Rappers                                                       Dancers
1. En 3                                                      1. 682 Crew                                                  1. Amaze
2. Cryptic C                                              2. Dirty South boy'v                                      2. All above
3. Lil Terror                                               3. TRB                                                           3. Rebelz
                                                                  4. Platinium Boyz                                          4. X-Clamation

Singing (solo)
1. Baby Thug
2. Benjamin A
3. Keyah

Group singing
1. Cartel

Retail Banking Director from the First Caribbean International Bank Marcia C. Harrison paid a courtesy call on Governor Franklyn Richards on Thursday.

On Thursday afternoon April 15, 2010 a total of 25 pensioners came out to a general meeting called by the ABVO-Council of Pensioners with the support from WICSU/PSU, WITU, ABVO-SXM, WIFOL and UFA, to discuss their issues pending with FZOG and SVB.
INDIVIDUAL RESTITUTIONS
Most pensioners complained about pending restitutions. Individual amounts of Naf 3.000 to Naf 150.000 were mentioned. Some retirees were waiting more than four years now on the restitution of their medical costs paid cash which until today were not refunded. Representatives of the ABVO-Council of Pensioners will follow up on these individual claims to speed up the restitutions to the pensioners.
SERVICE COMPLAINTS
All agreed that it takes too much time in getting an answer from FZOG in Curacao on requests for referral to specialists, requests for glasses, etc. When finally you get an approval for further medical treatment although the French side could provide these treatments and is nearby for pensioners on Sint Maarten, decisions of FZOG oblige pensioners to wait to be send to Curacao or Aruba for treatment. And then when sent to Curacao the daily allowance you get to pay the hotel, transportation form the hotel to the doctor or the hospital is too low. You end up to pay from your own savings to cover all the costs incurred, which is not fair compared to pensioners on Curacao who do not have to leave their island for further treatment and who do not have these extra costs and discomfort.
IMPLICATIONS OF DECENTRALIZATION FOR FZOG-CARDHOLDERS ON SINT MAARTEN
With the announcement that the tasks of the central government are being transferred to the island territory pensioners want to know if they still will depend from FZOG Curacao or if the decisions concerning their requests now will be made in Sint Maarten.
DECENTRALIZATION OR SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENTS WITH SVB-CURACAO
Some questioned the fact that the island government has informed the Island Council that Sint Maarten will enter into service level agreements with SVB until the National Health Insurance System is being introduced on the new date mentioned 1-1-2012. Why entering a service level agreement with SVB Curacao, if Sint Maarten can take over SVB-Sint Maarten and equip it as soon as possible to improve the services? Why not integrating the offices, the workers, and the services from BZV in Sint Maarten with those from SVB in Sint Maarten like was done already in Curacao? Why cannot BZV and SVB in Sint Maarten be made independent from the integrated BZV and SVB from Curacao? This waiting for decisions from Curacao takes too long, why not having all decisions being taken immediately here in Sint Maarten?

...

GREAT BAY– Former Lt. Governor Dennis L. Richardson left St Maarten on Saturday for further medical treatment in Colombia. Richardson was involved in a freak accident on Thursday April 1st. SMN News has learnt that he is currently in stable condition and is no longer in the Intensive Care Unit.

Richardson suffered internal injuries while parking his car at home. His injuries include: six broken ribs, two punctured lungs and a broken collar-bone. Information reaching SMN News states that the former Lt. Governor is in severe pain but the healing process has begun.

Members of the Executive Council and the Island Council have been in contact with Richardson and his family and have expressed their best hope and prayers for his recovery.
Dennis Richardson, who is part of the core team charged with the constitutional process of Sint Maarten becoming a Country, was scheduled to travel as part of a government delegation on Tuesday, April 6th.

As a well-known and much respected member of the Sint Maarten community both privately and professionally, the Government Information Service (GIS) will provide periodic updates on his condition.

GREAT BAY,– The "2010 Business Outreach and Placement Program" known as the Summer Job Program will take place from July 5th through August 13th 2010.

The program consists of an application period, trainings, pre-selection for interviews and final selection for a job within the Government Administration or the Private Sector.

Students wishing to apply for a Summer Job can do so by contacting the Department of Social Cultural Development or their school office for an application form.

To apply, students must be:

• 16 years or older;
• in the pre-exam or exam class of Secondary Education;
• attending College or University.

Applications must be submitted to the Department of Social Cultural Development located in the Vlaun Building, across from the Post Office by and no later than Friday May 14th 2010.

To be eligible applicants must submit besides the application form;

• An application letter directed to the Island Government of St. Maarten,
• A curriculum Vitea
• A copy of a picture I.D.
• Proof of School/University attendance

For further information the Department can be contacted at phone 542-2056 or fax 543-1172 or e-mail address This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

GREAT BAY Due to the continued increase in oil prices internationally, the price of the unleaded gasoline has increased while the price of diesel has shown a slight decrease. The price of oil is influenced internationally by supply and demand, seasonality, and speculation.

Currently, due to speculations that the economies around the world are rebounding, the expectation is an increase in demand for oil. In addition, the price of gasoline has increased because of the expected high demand for gasoline in the US market for the summer months. Vice Versa, the price of diesel has shown a slight decline due to the termination of the winter months when diesel is more widely used.

Based on the afore-mentioned, the Executive Council of St. Maarten hereby informs the general public that as per Saturday, April 10, 2010 prices of petroleum products have been adjusted as follows:

New Consumer Price as of April 10, 2010:
Unleaded gasoline (ULG) 203.50 Ang. Cents/Litre
Gasoil 169.00 Ang. Cents/Litre

Current prices are:
ULG 193.00 Ang.Cents/Litre
Gasoil 170.00 Ang.Cent/Litre

GREAT BAY --- The Department of New Works and Infrastructural Management has a number of projects that are ongoing, from the L.B. Scot road resurfacing to the ongoing infrastructure maintenance of public areas.

The department of the Government Information Service recently spoke to project manager Benjamin Ortega, who pointed out the main tasks of the New Works and Infrastructural Management department and provided an update on the latest developments.

We have to maintain the district roads, try to solve the traffic congestion, provide garbage disposal, and maintain the sewage lines, operating the main water pumps in Sucker Garden, beach maintenance, welding work for various entities within government, maintaining the burial grounds, recapping/repaving of roads, emergency works during hurricane or storms, getting rid of car wrecks, maintaining the sewage plant, among other types of works.

Ortega said that the L.B. Scot road resurfacing project is ongoing, and there are some delays with reference to the laying utility lines, but no extra cost to the project itself. The project will not be totally completed before the carnival period. Although the final layer of asphalt will not be in place before the carnival, the road surface will be smooth and they are hoping to have temporary road markings in place. This project is part of the AJC Brouwers road upgrade, with a total of 3.6 million guilders.

Concerning the Bush road project, which is being carried out by GEBE but supervised by the department, one part will soon be completed, and the road will be clear for the carnival period, Ortega said.

Some projects that are in the works to keep the public safer are: installing more speed bumps, repainting more pedestrians crossings (zebra/white stripes) especially around schools, installing cat eyes, the reflectors in the middle of the road. As well on L.B. Scot road, the "divider island" is safer, with a sloping edge and a walk path through the island.

In the end, Ortega said that they are doing their best with what they have. There is a backlog, so we have to deal with this. He also asked the public to bear with the department, for the work is being carried out on the community's behalf. There might be many projects ongoing at the same time but this little inconvenience for much more years of pleasure, Ortega said.

Philipsburg:--- Island Council lady Maria Buncamper Molanus said the National Alliance/ Heyliger and Laveist executive council lacks vision and simply does not know how to handle the people's business. The island council lady said the former executive council headed by the Democratic Party had all the necessary paper work in the pipeline for the National Health Insurance take over. She said a complete policy was prepared and St. Maarten was ready for the changes prior to them leaving office but today all of this was put on hold and the current executive council is busy signing off on Service Level Agreements (SLA).

The island council lady said she wants to know what is government's position on the National Health Insurance. Buncamper Molanus said just recently the executive council said that SVB employees will be taken over when St. Maarten achieves its status change. However, based on the calculations done their will be a surplus to provide health care and she wants to know what and how government will deal with the surplus.

She wants to know who would be controlling the Telecommunications and who would be collecting the fees on telecommunication according to the SLA signed.
Buncamper Molanus went on to say that the members of the Democratic Party believe that the amount placed on the budget for additional taxes was not a reliable figure.

During the budget debate, the executive council said they were going to take additional measures to collect some 33 million guilders in back taxes. She said she does not know if the executive council is aware of the effects this would cause on businesses, unemployment, and people of St. Maarten. She called on the residents of St. Maarten to seek professional advice when confronted by the island receivers and they should seek a payment plan if they are not able to make the payment in full.

Also commenting on the collection of the taxes and the measures that will be used by the executive council was the leader of the Democratic Party Sarah Wescott Williams. Wescot- Williams said in her opinion the executive council is looking to milk blood out of stone to collect the 33 million guilders. She said she would be asking the executive council to provide the island council with the collection policy.

While island councilman Roy Marlin said, the government is looking to place additional burden on the people of St. Maarten. He said he hoped that government would not force the small businesses on the island to close down. Marlin said while the commissioner of finance is focusing on collecting back taxes he should also make sure the business on St. Maarten remains here. As for the SLA's Marlin said, he is calling on the Minister of telecommunication Patrick Illidge to bring back the over qualified that the Democratic Party turned away and set up the necessary departments rather than signing SLAs.

Philipsburg: --- The Police Department KPSSS has lost another colleague who was serving in Saba at the time he passed away. A press release from the department states that officer Siegfried Cerilo MARIA, better known as "Fichie," passed away early Wednesday morning at the A.M Edwards Medical Center in The Bottom, Saba.
The late Sigfried Cerilo MARIA better known as "Fichie" was born on the 30th of July 1950 on the island of Curacao but served most of his police career with the Police Force on Saba. Condolences goes out to his family, friends, and the entire Police Force of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba, who are left to mourn. May he rest in peace.
Details on funeral arrangements will be announced as soon as it is made available.

GREAT BAY,– Leader of Government Commissioner William Marlin who is currently in Holland on a working visit, would like to wish Carnival revellers and visitors a happy Carnival.

Carnival season festivities kick off on Thursday evening with a jump-up to the Festival Village where Governor Franklyn Richards will open the gates and declare the season open. Carnival runs until April 2.

"As you immerse yourself in 'Sweet Revelry for Carnival 2010,' celebrate, have fun, but be safe and responsible," Leader of Government William Marlin told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Thursday from Holland.

GREAT BAY:--- Leader of Government and Commissioner responsible for Constitutional Affairs William Marlin says that history was made on Thursday in Holland when the Kingdom Parliament approved the changes to the Kingdom Charter and the different Kingdom Consensus Laws, making possible for Sint Maarten to become a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands on 10-10-10.
"The challenge is ours to make it happen as promised on 10-10-10. For that to happen, much work still needs to be done, not just by the team of advisers, the Commissioners and Island Council Members, but also very much so by the civil servants and the people of Sint Maarten. It is most appropriate to borrow a line from the song writer as we sing in unison, ain't no stopping us now."
"The past days have been hectic and challenging. There were moments when we thought the process may be in danger. But we never lost focus of the mission we came to accomplish; convince the Members of the Dutch Second Chamber that they had a responsibility towards the people of Sint Maarten and Curacao. We told them that they had an obligation to respect the will of the people, and support them in their quest for constitutional change. We have constantly been told that the members of the Dutch Parliament were not convinced that Sint Maarten was able to become country this year. We had our work cut out for us and at the end of the debates we were convincing and victorious," Leader of Government and Commissioner responsible for Constitutional Affairs William Marlin told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Thursday evening from Holland.
Commissioner William Marlin was full of praise for Team Sint Maarten which was made up of advisors, Drs. Eugene Holiday and Richard Gibson, who both worked all hours of the day and sometimes very late at night with the rest of the Antillean advisors in order to get the job done.
I feel blessed to have been given the opportunity to represent Sint Maarten at this time. I also commend my colleague Drs. Rodolphe Samuel for the role that he has played during this historic moment." Chief of Staff/Island Secretary Joane Dovale-Meit who has always been on the Team had to stay on Sint Maarten to man the fort as much work needed to be done these days as well. Work in preparation of the dismantling of the Central Government and the transfer of tasks to Sint Maarten.
Congrats and a big thank you is in place for project Director Dennis Richardson who has been aboard Team St. Maarten from the very beginning. He has worked tirelessly, advising, negotiating, battling and compromising on behalf of country Sint Maarten.
But at this historic time he was not able to be present in The Hague with his team. He was greatly missed by all the delegations, including the Dutch delegation. But he was there with us in spirit and at times even on the phone or via email. Dennis thank you and we wish you a speedy recovery.
"I have noted increased enthusiasms among the civil servants as concrete plans are being put in place to set up our ministries and institutions. I like that "all hands on deck" attitude and hope that soon all other civil servants are infected by the 10-10-10 bug. We can and must get it done, Together for Sint Maarten," Commissioner William Marlin pointed out on what has been described as historic Thursday.
Commissioner Marlin added that while in The Hague, his thoughts and prayers have been with Iliana Schotborg-Pasman and her family because of the sudden passing of her husband, Sint Maarten USONA Director Bart Pasman.
His sudden passing was not only a great loss to Iliana, their children and the rest of the family, but also to Sint Maarten. Bart was a fine, hard working person who always wanted the best for Sint Maarten and worked diligently to get our projects approved. He will be greatly missed.
"Iliana has also been a strong pillar in the process towards constitutional change as she played a pivotal role in the preparation of needed legislation," Commissioner Marlin said on Thursday.
Leader of Government Commissioner William Marlin says that congratulations are in place for St. Maarten, for 100% of Sint Maarten.
"Those who can vote and those who didn't vote, those who voted for other options as well. For in country Sint Maarten, every citizen and resident has a right to police protection, proper health care, a clean environment and quality education for all.
I want to thank all of you who have sent a short message, an email, made a call, to offer your moral support, words of encouragement and to extend your congratulations to Team Sint Maarten. Your support has been a source from which to tap the needed strength from to continue the battle.
"There is still much work ahead of and for all of us. Let us all join heads and hands together for Sint Maarten. Let us all look towards 10-10-10 with great anticipation," an enthusiastic Leader of Government Commissioner William Marlin told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Thursday.

Great Bay– A group of 7 journalists from Belgium and Holland arrived here Sunday, April 11 for a six day visit at the invitation of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau.
The theme of this press trip was "Romance in St. Maarten." The objective was for the writers to experience and further explore the romantic getaways, honeymoon as well as spa and wellness options the island has to offer.
During their stay, the writers undertook an island tour with stops at various historical sites and other points of interest, explored some of the island's beaches and excursions and attractions such as the Golden Eagle, Lord Sheffield, the Nature Park and Loterie Farm. The group sampled our culinary delights and were very "The food here is soooo good" said Bart Schuller of the St. Maarten Tourist Office in Holland.
"The idea was to give the writers a first-hand experience of what makes St. Maarten so unique as one of the Caribbean's top tourist destinations," Director of Tourism, Ms. Regina LaBega disclosed. She said the main focus of the visit was romance and the island's famed gastronomical offerings.
"We wanted them to find out first-hand why St. Maarten is the gastronomic capital of the Caribbean. We are also hoping that their visit will generate quite some exposure in the European market where we are working very hard to carve a niche and increase our market share," LaBega added.
The group consisted of Kim van Dam - Zin Magazine, Marieke Brouwer - Ze.nl, Ank Herstel- Mostert - Uitgeverij Groot Hellevoet, Lieve Claeys - Goed gevoel, Sanne van Kuijck - Talkies Magazine NL, Muriël Swartenbroekx - Talkies Be and Bart Schuller of the St. Maarten Tourist Office in the Netherlands.
The group was to leave on Friday, April 16. However, due to the closing of the European airspace due to the volcanic activity in Iceland, the group was not able to return to Europe until Wednesday April 21.
A special thanks goes out to the Sonesta Maho Resort and Casino who accommodated the stranded writers during part of their stay.

Saint Lucia – Officials of the four Windward Islands discussed a number of wide-ranging issues, aimed at the overall improvement of the Annual Windward Islands School Games.

The meeting which was held at the Bay Gardens Hotel, saw the brief opening ceremony addressed by Donovan Williams, the Permanent Secretary in Saint Lucia's Ministry of Youth and Sports, who called on participants to take the hard decisions necessary, for "this meeting cannot be business as usual."
While the meeting of the officials from the Windward Islands is an annual event, the Permanent Secretary saw this year's meeting as a special event.
He noted that while there are ongoing deliberations in all of the islands on what ways to get young people to engage in more positive activities, persons must remain cognizant that central to that is the role of sports, especially school-base sports.
The Permanent Secretary told the participants that he cannot see how the young people can be engaged in sporting activities, without the involvement of school-base sports.
He admitted that in the current economic and financial climate in which governments have to make hard choices, the social sector gets the least of the pie, and out of that social pie, sports get an even smaller slice.
In this regard, according to Williams, "We have to think very seriously about a new platform for school sports."

He said that this new platform would also make the Games more attractive to the corporate sector. This is critically important for in today's economic climate, the corporate sector is very concerned in the manner of their investments.
Therefore the Permanent Secretary said that the decisions taken must be inclusive of providing the young people with new avenues in sports which would excite them, through which more students would be attracted to sports.
These decisions also must take into account giving greater exposure to the Games sponsors, through a more vigorous marketing campaign, along with increased media coverage.
This new platform would result in a new brand of athletes emerging, for use of the platform of school sports is the way to move forward.

He said that persons must look critically at all factors, for through this new way would be looked at towards improving upon the old ways things are done.

Permanent Secretary Williams called on all participants to work towards making the Windward Islands School Games becoming "a real flagship event in the sub-region."

The support from all individuals and agencies are critically important, for after a close look at all of the factors involved towards making the Windward Island Games to be what many envisage, in which the Saint Lucia Ministry of Youth and Sports Permanent Secretary said "we have no choice." (Robertson S Henry/www.sportcaraibe.net)

French Quarter: --- The director of the Reserve Naturelle and its President Frank Viotty aborted a meeting that was scheduled with the Traditional Fishermen Association on Monday at the Maison du Quartier in French Quarter.
President of the Association Bernard Hyman told SMN News that he personally called the Director of the Reserve Naturelle who told him that because of the people of St. Martin he has to leave the island.
However, Hyman said he does not know what the statements of the Reserve director have to do with the concerns of the fishermen on St. Martin. Hyman said the fishermen on St. Martin needs to get permission from the Reserve to catch "Jack fish" when it is in season. He said sometime last week one of the fishermen was on Flat Island to see if Jack fish is in the area and the gendarmes stopped the fisherman telling him that the Reserve has to allow them to fish there since that island is part of the Reserve. The fisherman Elie Bryan who was also present said the gendarmes told the Reserve Director that he was fishing with a net on Flat Island that day, something he refuted saying his net was in his yard at the time of the incident. Bryan said he was on the island looking to see if Jack fish was in port since that particular fish is a seasonal fish to the island's people. The fisherman said if he had seen Jack fish that day he would have caught one to present to the Reserve who would have to give them the permission to fish. He said the Reserve told them the fishermen are allowed to fish on Gallion Beach which is also part of the Reserve for jack fish but not at the other locations. Hyman said jack fish is seasonal and it does not have a particular area it would come in to St. Martin.
The Association President said the Natural Reserve has been making promises to the fishermen on St. Martin and they would not live up to the promises or commitments. He said right now the association is collecting signatures from the population to present a petition to the Prefecture of St. Martin. He said he intends to go to all offices whether on St. Martin, Guadeloupe or France to seek justice since the Association is fully registered. Hyman said he is related to the President of the Collectivity of St. Martin Frantz Gumbs whose folks were fishermen but each time he would call the president to intervene in their concerns the president he said would push him off by saying he would call back. "I gave the president my phone number about six times and to date he never made an effort to call me back" Hyman said those in charge have to do something about their predicament because this cannot continue. "The Reserve prefers for the fish go away to Anguilla or other islands and the local fishermen should follow it if they so want it or the fishermen on that island should sell it on St. Martin."
SMN News later learnt that the President of the Collectivity Frantz Gumbs as well as members of the Naturelle Reserve is expected to meet with them on Wednesday at the Maison du Quartier.

Philipsburg:--- Saturday, May 1, 2010 has all the potential to go down in history of St. Maarten/St. Martin as a fundamental milestone in the awareness and pride of native-indigenous St. Martiners.
On that day, a ceremony will be held in honor of the contributions made to the St. Martin nation building process by a number of our deceased St. Martin ancestors.
This event has been put together over the period of a number of weeks by a number of very conscious and concerned St. Martiners under the initiative of the undisputed St. Martin grass root nation building and unifying movement, the SNBF and the Association L' Esprit de Concordia.
After having had to deal with ongoing public debates questioning the identity and rights of the native-indigenous St. Martiners, as well as the threats to the oneness of the St. Martin people, this group has decided that the time had come to put an end to this 'back and forth' rhetoric and to take the identity and the rights of the native St. Martiners to the 'next level'.
Consequently, the group has decided to organize a number of public activities to be guided by its mission statement; 'Strengthening & preserving our St. Martin identity, unity & way of life'.
Because of the respect for the contributions made in the past by a number of St. Martin ancestors, the movement has decided that the 'first order of the day' , would be to recognize those persons in a fitting manner and at an appropriate and historical site.
Therefore the group has organized for that occasion a ceremony entitled; 'Honoring our deceased ancestors'.
During this first initiative under the mission statement, a number of persons have been invited to accept on behalf of their deceased family-member a symbolic token of appreciation.
Also invited to attend this historical event, are representatives from the Collectivite, the Island-Government and a number of other local native- St. Martin dignitaries.
Due to the tremendously positive feedback thus-far, the group plans to have similar ceremonies on various occasions, in order to be able to honor as many of our deceased ancestors as possible on an ongoing basis.
While this ceremony is expected to create a new found pride and consciousness of the native St. Martin people, it is to be followed by more ground-breaking initiatives.
One being the printing and issuing of a cultural native-indigenous ID-card.
This document, is intended to create the possibility for its native St. Martin card-holders to make use of every service and opportunity any side of this island has to offer.
In due time the public will be updated on the progress of the cultural native-indigenous St. Martin ID-card as well as its benefits.
Since at the ceremony slated for Saturday, May 1, there is only space for invited guests and their family, space for the general will be limited.

GREAT BAY,– Saturday April 3 will be the last special opening by the Civil Registry Department for persons who need an Identification Card after receiving their Brooks Towers Accord residency papers.

Persons who have received their residency permit under the aforementioned accord should make use of the last Saturday that is 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.

Philipsburg: --- The United Telecommunications Service (UTS) is the latest company to join ranks with funmiles announced UTS marketing and communications officer Ivy Lambert at a press conference on Wednesday.
UTS will be offering its new customers several possibilities on how to gain their funmiles or how to exchange their funmiles for UTS products and services offered at UTS. Persons that are interested in becoming a member of funmiles can also purchase their cards at UTS office says Lambert. UTS or Chippie customers would also be able to purchase their prepaid credits with their funmiles. Lambert said with 250 funmiles point any Chippie customer could buy a $5 prepaid phone card, 500 funmiles equals $10, while a 1000 funmiles a customer could buy a $20 prepaid card. Some of the other companies already with Funmiles are Kooyman, Shell Service Station and several other stores said Funmiles sales director Surella van Reusel.

GREAT BAY, The Boardwalk Mas will take place at the Great Bay Beach promenade and the Wathey Square on Frontstreet on May 15, 2010, said Regina Labega, head of the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau (STB).
The 6th annual parade and concert of traditional St. Maarten/St. Martin festive culture is "for the whole family and the entire island," said Labega about the TourMap heritage program.
In 2010, the Boardwalk Mas will increase the appearance of masks, "Which is something we've been working at from the start in 2005," said parade coordinator Urmain Dormoy.
"Last year we had more masks that ever before. The big ones of the dog and creatures from St. Martin and Caribbean folktales and jumbie stories were a hit. We want to get more creative with that," said Dormoy. The Boardwalk Mas is coordinated for STB by Offshore Editing Services.
Not only is the creative design and number of masks increasing in the parade but the number of schools participating is increasing and the visitors to the island have been showing up in greater numbers, especially over the last three years, said Labega.
"We are happy with the focus remaining on the folkloric traditions. In this way the Boardwalk Mas is open to all participants and creative innovations but the basic idea is that the masqueraders and performances enhance unity with and around the oldtime festive culture of our island," said Labega.
Over the years, the Boardwalk Mas has showcased marching bands, fire-eaters, martial arts, carnival royals, comedians, string bands, carnival band of the year, street and dance theater, a range of folkloric and cultural groups, fashion models in traditional dress or headwraps, individual masqueraders, and moko jumbies.
Folkloric and cultural groups, marching bands, individual masqueraders, and schools wishing to take part in the new edition of the Boardwalk Mas may contact STB product development head Gus Priest, tel (599) 542-2337, and leave a message for Urmain Dormoy.
Parade coordinator Dormoy can also be contacted directly at the Cultural Center on Backstreet or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

GREAT BAY,– The world will be celebrating World Health Day on Wednesday, April 7 under the campaign banner, 1000 Cities, 1000 Lives.

The global goals of the World Health Organization (WHO) campaign are 1000 Cities: to open up public spaces to health, whether it is activities in parks, town hall meetings, clean-up campaigns, or closing off portions of streets to motorized vehicles.

1000 Lives: to collect 1000 stories of urban health champions who have taken action and had a significant impact on health in their cities.

Commissioner of Public Health Hyacinth Richardson says the global theme for 2010 World Health Day is, "Urbanization: a challenge for public health."

Population growth is associated with many health challenges related to water, environment, violence and injury, non-communicable diseases and their risk factors like tobacco use, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol as well as the risks associated with disease outbreaks.

This poses a challenge for several reasons: A condensed population means a larger range of diseases and other health problems, which includes an increased risk of violence, chronic disease, and for some communicable diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.

Adequate information and proper planning can promote healthy behaviours, such as safety through investment in active transport, designing areas to promote physical activity and passing regulatory controls on tobacco and food safety.

Improving living conditions in the areas of housing, water and sanitation will go a long way to mitigating health risks. Building inclusive cities that are accessible and age-friendly will benefit all residents. Such actions do not necessarily require additional funding, but commitment to redirect resources to priority interventions, thereby achieving greater efficiency.

"On World Health Day, I call on the nation to review their lifestyle and eating habits. Take a step back and look at yourself as an individual and your family. Come up with a new plan of how to relieve stress and staying healthy.

"It's your responsibility to take action. Challenge yourself and set goals for a healthy lifestyle for you and your family. Join with friends and family and make it a community or neighbourhood affair in creating a healthier Sint Maarten community," Commissioner of Public Health Hyacinth Richardson told the Government Information Service (GIS) on Tuesday.

GREAT BAY---– Governor Franklyn Richards, Local Chief of Police signed on Wednesday a financial agreement on behalf of the Island Territory of Sint Maarten and USONA for the upgrading of the Windward Islands Police Force.

The signing ceremony took place at the Government Administration Building in the A.C. Wathey Legislative Hall.

Technical assistance will be provided by Holland to upgrade and transfer knowledge to police personnel from the Forensic and Technical Departments of the Windward Islands Police Force.

Philipsburg – There are several roads throughout the various districts in need of repair and even complete resurfacing, while "this Government is having the most relaxed attitude ever towards the deplorable condition of some of the roads throughout the island," Stuart Johnson Democratic Party parliamentary candidate remarked. Johnson also holds the function of Vice President of the board of the Democratic Party.
During the tenure of the Democratic Party Government we saw countless roads being paved maintained, which reinforced DP's commitment of "improving the road network." Nowadays, we have come to the belief that the road network does not have the focus of the NA/Louie Laviest/Theo Heyliger Government.
Johnson said, "The state of the roads is something that should be tackled, especially in the outer areas/districts." He added, "Imagine the Walter J. Nisbeth road on Pondfill has been without lights for over one week, despite the ongoing complaints by residents in the area to various stakeholders involved." Our island continues to face countless robberies and other criminal acts, thus, making "safety a priority for our people" should be a major focus of this Government, but it clearly is not their focus. In addition to a road being adequately maintained or resurfaced, we should also see proper drainage and lighting in place as was done in the past. "It is evident with any road having sufficient lighting in place, helps to curb criminal acts being committed by offenders," Johnson said. "Thus, it's unacceptable what is happening on Walter J. Nisbeth road as well as other roads throughout the various districts."
"Does government have a plan for road improvements?" Johnson questioned. He mentioned empathically, "It is imperative our road network must be able to meet the challenges which lay ahead for us terms of infrastructural improvements and economic growth," Johnson concluded.

Philipsburg: --- The St. Maarten Academy (Academic Section) is holding a fundraising bingo this Saturday April 10 2010 at 7 pm to raise much needed funds to assist some students that are expected to travel to the United States this summer to participate in the People-to-People conference. On Saturday, bingo lovers would have an opportunity to win great prices.
Persons who are thinking of changing their kitchen appliances are urged to take advantage by purchasing one or more tickets to win a refrigerator, a stove, a microwave. Out for grabs would be a 32-inch flat screen LCD television, and a computer. The management and parents of the St. Maarten Academy are calling on the public to come out this Saturday and support our youths who are striving for higher education.

Philipsburg: ----On Friday April 9 at approximately 04.25 a.m. a police, patrol from the Simpson Bay district was sent to Texaco Starmart on the Welfare Road for a traffic accident.
On the scene, the patrol noticed that the incident in question was not traffic related, but was the result of angry and jealous boyfriend causing serious damage. The lady with the initials K.M. stated to the patrol that while driving with a male friend in her car, she was followed by her ex-boyfriend with the initials D.B. in a blue Mitsubishi SUV. She stopped at the gas station to purchase something, parked her car in the parking lot next to other vehicles, and entered the building. According to witnesses, they saw when the blue SUV drove on to the premises of the gas station and without slowing down drove into rear of the car belonging to the victim. The blue SUV also caused damage to two other parked vehicles. After committing this act, the suspect D.B. fled the scene in the direction of Simpson Bay. The man with initials M.F. who was in the car of the victim at the time of the impact complained of severe pain in his legs. He was transported to the Sint Maarten Medical Center for medical treatment. Shortly after the patrol located the suspect vehicle in the vicinity of Golden Eyes in Simpson Bay, however the driver was no where to be found. The suspect vehicle was towed to a safe location for further investigation. The suspect has not yet been arrested.The Detective department is investigating.

Philipsburg: ---The prosecutor's office has confiscated the body of Barth Pasman pending an autopsy confirmed Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos. Pasman was found dead at his home early Saturday morning which prompted an investigation even though the doctor who pronounced him dead said he died of natural causes.

The two sudden deaths has sent a shock wave thoughout the community of St. Maarten since both citizens are well known and they both died at  their separate homes on Saturday April 10. Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said police were directed to the home of USONA director Bart Pasman whose lifeless body was found in his bed around 8 am on Saturday April 10.

Henson said Police was called by the wife of the late Pasman who told them that she received a telephone call informing her that her husband who was at home at the time was not showing any signs of life.
The woman also requested police to accompany her to the home to further investigate the matter. On the scene, the patrol encountered the lifeless body of Mr. Pasman on a bed in the house. A medical doctor pronounced Pasman dead and stated he died of natural causes.
However, SMN News has learnt that Pasman was encountering difficulties in his private life and was depressive. It is not clear at this time if Pasman and his spouse were living together when he passed away. SMN News will bring you a full update on this case in a subsequent article.

Also on Saturday, the body of Simone Santos Montilla an employee of the tax department was found in her home dead. According to information reaching SMN News, the mother of four lifeless body was found on a bed in her Belvedere home. Montilla was well known to the St. Maarten community, as she was the first person nominated as the PJD2 Caribbean Queen.

Reliable information reaching SMN News on Saturday states that Montilla's body bore marks of violence when it was discovered on Saturday evening. Residents and neighbors of the now dead woman states that Montilla and her husband was involved in a domestic dispute on Friday night and she was allegedly beaten by her estranged husband. According to one neighbor their was a party close to Montilla's home on Friday evening and several persons allegedly witnessed the abuse.

Some neighbors who are enraged at Montilla's passing said she was in a depressive state and that she attempted to take her own life on more than one occasion. Several neighbors and close friends of the deceased said she drank some pills before retiring to bed.

In an invited comment Chief Prosecutor of the Windward Islands Hans Mos said the body of Simone Santos Montilla has been confiscated and is awaiting an autopsy. Mos is also urging the neighbors, friends, and family of the deceased woman to contact the police if they have information that would aid the investigation.
SMN News expresses its sincerest condolences to both families in their time of bereavement.

GREAT BAY,– The Island Government, and the Civil Service Corps would like to express its deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of former Island Government civil servant Bart Pasman (42).

Government officials, civil servants and friends of the Bart Pasman were shocked when they heard about his passing and were deeply saddened.

Pasman worked with the Dutch funding organization USONA in its branch office on the island until his recent and sudden passing.

He leaves to mourn his wife Iliana Schotborg and family.

Prior to Pasman taking up his job with USONA, he worked with the Island Government Environmental Affairs Department VROM (1995-1998), the office of Strategic Policy Planning (1998-2000), and also at the Directorate of Projects & Programs (2005-2007).

Philipsburg:---The autopsy on the body of Bart Pasman and Simone Santos Montilla is expected to take place on Wednesday said Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos. The two well-known citizens were found dead at their homes on Saturday morning and afternoon respectively.
In the meantime, members of the Democratic Party faction have extended their sincerest condolences to both families during their time of bereavement.

Philipsburg:--- SMN News has been reliably informed that civil Servants from the education department who were also members of the SMITH board did not follow through on the decisions taken by the executive council since 2006.

The source said the executive council took a decision in 2006 to appoint a director and a team to assist with getting the SMITH program accredited, and to make the SMITH a foundation but the board members and the education department who is responsible for executing the decisions of the executive council did not follow through with their task. The source further said while they believe politics may be the motive to end the SMITH program the former commissioner of education Sarah Wescot Williams also did not follow up with the decisions taken by her council in 2006.

Board members of the SMITH SMN News understand were Qunicy Harrigan, Claudette Labega, and Patricia Laurens all civil servants attached to the education department. Harrigan they said held the position of chairman of the SMITH board while heading the education department. SMN News further learnt that Harrigan and his team at the education department gave a negative advice to which a damning report was written against the SMITH program.

SMN News further learnt that several requests submitted by the SMITH were blocked by the education department and Wescot Williams in her capacity, as commissioner of education did nothing to rectify the problems the SMITH organizers encountered. SMN News further learnt that a request was submitted for a new location with simulation facilities as well as transportation was requested all of which was blocked at the education department. "It's like the education department was working against the SMITH and youths in particular because they did nothing to make sure the 40+ students who were part of the program got what they deserved since they all followed through with the program and graduated.

According to our sources, the Ministry of education was using the documents created by SMITH for its accreditation even though St. Maarten did not make sure this program, which was taking off several students off the streets, got its accreditation.

While the board members and the education department did not execute their duties and a change in government is blamed for ending the program, it is understood that the program had been sidelined long before June 2009.
SMN News further learnt that the current commissioner of education William Marlin had met with the coordinators and the students who attended the SMITH program after reading the report on the SMITH prior to taking a decision to end the program. Marlin who is currently in the Netherlands could not be reached for a comment at press time.

Philipsburg: --- Independent island council member Louie Laveist fired up on Wednesday when he realized the island council meeting was not broadcasting live on cable Television channel 15 or 20.
Laveist had sent in a notification to the island secretariat stating that he would not be attending the meeting but showed up after he was not able to follow the proceeding on television. Laveist made clear that he was not pointing fingers at anyone for the technical difficulties encountered but cautioned that democracy must be upheld and the people has every right to know what is taking place in government during these critical days when country status is being finalized. "The people of St. Maarten deserved to be informed especially when their representatives are holding meetings. He felt Wednesday's meeting is of great importance since they were discussing SLA's for country St. Maarten. St. Maarten is at the most critical stage and the people must be informed in a timely fashion." Laveist said even though St. Maarten has the necessary manpower and equipments to ensure live broadcast the island is worst off than the third world countries. The embattled councilman said he does not intend to throw anyone under the bus because he does understand that there can be technical problems but finds it a pity that the people cannot be informed in a timely manner.

He also made clear that he had sounded the alarm before on democracy and hoped with his public statements during Wednesday's island council meeting would prompt those responsible for the live broadcast to fix the technical problems.
The council member who also supported the current executive council said he too wants to know if the National Alliance/ Heyliger and Laveist executive council has signed off on any Service Level Agreements (SLA) without his knowledge or that of the island council. Laveist asked that if there was such a signed agreement then the executive council must provide copies and a comprehensive overview of it to him as well as letting him know what types of expenses St. Maarten would encounter for the services they agreed for someone else to provide to St. Maarten. He said it is extremely important that this type of information be provided to every island council member. He also wants to know what would be the financial consequences to St. Maarten through the SLA's.
Laveist also called on the council to tell him what type of agreement St. Maarten is going to make with the Central Bank and what are they going to do with the 1% foreign exchange tax. The island councilman said he wants to know if St. Maarten intends to maintain this tax uninterrupted. He said the 1% foreign exchange tax is like a pebble in the people's eyes and this tax is hurting the island's economy. Laveist said he felt Wednesday's meeting was needed since it would shed light on the agreements and how St. Maarten would carry the extra burden.
The island councilman said it was stated that the revenues that are currently collected and sent to Curacao now would remain on St. Maarten when the island receives its status change.
Laveist also said he was the one who rallied the people of St. Maarten to vote for a status change and Leroy De Weever joined in the campaign. He said what St. Maarten is getting today is not what he voted for and if there were another referendum he would not vote for country status, instead it would be independence.
Laveist also made reference to his legal battles and how he is coping prior to closing off his statements.

WINAIR in its continued effort to play a more meaningful role in aiding travels within the Caribbean have announced a massive promotion.

According to Vice President of Marketing, Claudio Buncamper this promotion is once again geared at providing some special fares to patrons wanting to attend the largest cultural festivity of St. Maarten. He noted that these special Carnival fares are in celebrating St. Maarten 41st carnival celebrations.
"As an airline company serving several north eastern Caribbean destinations, we feel it very important in supporting our destinations cultural events. Buncamper said.

He pointed out that travelers should make maximum use of the fares noting that it provides them with an excellent opportunity of being part of the carnival celebrations. "Travelers certainly have an opportunity of being part of St Maarten's carnival so with these very low fares I am very confident that the public would take advantage of this offer," he noted.

Outlining the new fares the VP of marketing said that fares from Saba, St. Barth's and St. Eustatius would be US $75 roundtrip plus taxes. For travelers from Nevis and Antigua it would cost them US$ 100.00 plus taxes while travelers from Montserrat US$ 120.00 plus taxes.

However, Buncamper pointed out that rules for the promotions includes that all fares are roundtrip only. He said that the promotion regarding travel dates is valid from April 16 –May 3, 2010 while noting that sales would be from April 15 – May 3.

Regarding penalties, Buncamper said that monies paid are Non Refundable adding that changes being made to tickets would result in a US$ 25 fee and must be in same class or having to upgrade their ticket. He further added that the special discounts for children and infants would be applied and that seats are limited

In urging the public to take advantage of the new promotion, Buncamper pointed out that it's an opportune time for the public to come view the St Maarten's carnival stressing the need to use the opportunity also to have a deserved vacation or excursion.

St Maarten's carnival is being celebrated under the theme "Sweet Revelry Again for Carnival 2010".

Leader of Government Commissioner William Marlin extends congratulations to St. Maarten's musical star Addison "Shadow Man" Richardson on the global release of his new album "This is me."
The album was released in St. Maarten and globally last week Friday, 16th of April. It contains a combination of upbeat songs which takes listeners on a musical journey, some of which were shot with alluring St. Maarten scenes as the backdrop.
The new album will undoubtedly propel Shadow Man a few notches up the popularity scale as a serious and entertaining musician in the Caribbean, while showcasing St. Maarten as an appealing destination.
His contemporary Caribbean genre represents the best of St. Maarten and all things Caribbean and is a mixture of Soca, Calypso, ballads and hip hop crossover.
The new album, which contains hits such as Caribbean Cruise, White Line, and I, contains some collaborations with amongst other regional artistes Terry Seales and is a must have for every St. Maarten resident, Commissioner William Marlin said from The Hague.
Since his popular "White Line" hit was released more than a year ago, Shadow Man through his flavorful music has sought to market himself along with his native St. Maarten in line with the goals in St. Maarten's rebranding strategy to position itself as a destination.
Shadow Man's refreshing sound and unique style appeals to a wide audience. He is poised to be among the next big things out of the Friendly Island. Leader of Government, Commissioner William Marlin, who is stranded in The Hague for several more days, said that the Island Government of St. Maarten is proud of all its musicians including this musical star and wishes Shadow Man much success in his future endeavors.
The Island Government urges the community to continue to support local musicians including Shadow Man as he climbs the ladder of success.

MARIGOT:--- A number of schools visited the recycling facilities in Galis Bay to mark Sustainable Development Week last week where the director of Eco Emballage was present. St. Maarten's ambassador Nicole Piper has been encouraging residents on St. Martin to begin changing their ways if they are to fully safeguard the environment. A symposium is scheduled to take place this Thursday April 22 2010 (Earth Day) at the Sandy Ground Culture Centre. Piper has been meeting with the various community councils to inform them on the environmental campaign under way. In an interview with SMN News Piper said, her mission is to get each and every household aware of how to sort and dispose of their waste properly.

Piper said residents should begin sorting at home by using small marked or coloured bins to separate waste materials, while she reminded that portable composters, with instructions for use by the public, are available free of charge from the Department of the Environment. Sorting and separating at home first can reduce the number of trips per month to the Galis Bay recycling facility, she said.
In an interview with SMN News, Piper said part of her mission was to go "door to door" in remote hillside communities to spread awareness on responsible waste disposal.
"We have to remember it's inconvenient for these communities to bring their waste down the hill so there's tendency for random dumps to spring up in the hills," she said. "This is a sector where we have to get the message across to try and get the community to work together. Not only that you have certain nationalities that in their culture do things differently but we have to insist this is the way we do it here."
"Our hope is the representatives of the Councils who are close to the population in their districts will get the message across to make it happen," she added. "The Councils are very important and they must lead the way on this. It also gives me an opportunity to find out what problems exist with each Council. You can't instruct someone about how to dispose of garbage if they have some other problems affecting their daily life. People are more receptive if they are in relative comfort."
St. Martin is continuing its awareness programme and scheduled activities until April 20. School children have been transported by bus in two morning and afternoon rotations. The last visits took place last Friday.
Manager of the eco-waste facility in Grand Cayes, Jean-Pierre Tey, gave a brief of overview of the facility's day to day operation, now four years on since its inception in May 2006. He noted as more waste is delivered, more land is needed to accommodate it and Société Verde is seeking to acquire more land for expansion. The landfill has two distinct areas of operation; the processing of domestic waste and the sorting of commercial and industrial waste for re-cycling.
Domestic waste is processed using the non-invasive, non-polluting, Mechanical-Biological Waste Treatment (MBWT) method of composting on giant beds that are irrigated and aerated.
The facility has some 120 regular clients and around 1,400 trucks deposit waste there every month, Tey noted. A total of 17,000 tons of domestic waste is processed each year and 33,000 tons of other miscellaneous waste or materials.
Also present on island is Pascal Gislais, Eco-Emballages's International Development Director for Overseas Departments. Some 47,000 French companies, including Société Verde, are under contract to this private company sanctioned by the French Government that specialises in recycling. In return Eco-Emballages dispenses some 500-million euros to Collectivités to fund and organise recycling programmes.
"The European directive on waste management includes a directive on waste packaging to be recycled," explained Gislais. "In France Eco-Emballages was created by all the packers and fillers who have to follow the law and they pay a certain amount to us and that money is passed on to finance local authorities who are in charge of waste management. We don't make money out of it, just what is needed to recycle."
In St. Martin, Société Verde recycles glass on site in a crusher to produce glass ends and gravel for roads. Most other separated products for recycling are sent to mainland France to paper mills, plastic recycling plants, etc. Eco-Emballages's contract with Verde is for glass crushing and recycling while the Collectivité is paid for collections and sorting. In essence the more tonnage that can be sorted, the more subventions the Collectivité receives.
"It's important that people understand the value of their rubbish is equal to the value of money," Piper added.
At the symposium, this Thursday the themes include biodiversity, agriculture and rural development, mangrove protection, preserving natural heritage, and the benefits of sorting waste.
An exhibition on the environment will be held simultaneously in the parking area of the Cultural Center.

PROGRAMME

1ére édition
des ASSISES DE L'ENVIRONNEMENT ET DU DEVELOPPEMENT DURABLE.
- Jeudi 22 avril 2010 -

• 08h30 à 12H00 FORUMS DES EXPOSANTS.
  Exposition de stands informatifs, de peintures et de photographies.
• 08h45 à 9h30 Rassemblement, enregistrement
  et petit déjeuner ;
• 09h30 à 10h00 Allocutions Officielles
• Vice-président, M. ALIOTTI Pierre en Charge du Pôle DEVELOPPEMNT DURABLE,
  Le Président du Conseil Territorial, M. GUMBS Frantz,
  Le Sénateur, M. FLEMING Constant,
  Le Préfet Délégué des Iles du Nord, M. SIMONNET Jacques.
• 10h00 à 12h00 Déroulement des assises.
  (Avec une pause de 10 minutes vers 11h15).
• Les Intervenants et les thèmes d'intervention
  Monsieur Allen FAUTRA
  Directeur de la Société ESPACES SERVICES
  Thème s/ Qu'est-ce que la biodiversité ?
  What is biodiversity?
  Monsieur Elie TOUZE & Monsieur Alfred FLANDERS
  Agent de Développement Agricole et Rural.
  C.O.M.
  Thème s/ Les défis de l'agriculture et du développement durable.
  The challenges of agriculture and sustainable development.
  Madame Julie LARGUIER
  Stagiaire en fin d'études –
  Masters Biodiversité et Développement du Durable
  RESERVE NATURELLE
  Thème s/ La mangrove.
  The Mangroves
  Monsieur Christophe HENOCQ
  Directeur du MUSEE DE SAINT-MARTIN
  MUSEE DE SAINT-MARTIN
  Thème s/ La préservation de nos patrimoines naturels.
  Preserving our natural heritage
• Madame Cynthia CAROUPANAPOULLE
  Conseil d'Architecture d'Urbanisme et de l'Environnement.
  CAUE
  Thème s/ Habitat bio climatique en contexte insulaire tropical
  Habitat bio climate in tropical island environment
• Martine ZOROBABEL DUREL
  Responsable Commercial Antilles
  CITEC Environnement
  Thème s/ Le bénéfice du Tri Sélectif pour la Biodiversité.
  The benefits of waste sorting for Biodiversity.
• LECONTE Pierre
  Adjoint au Chef de service des Territoires de la Mer et du Développement Durable
  De la Préfecture de Saint-Barthélemy et de Saint-Martin.
  Préfecture de Saint-Barthélemy et de Saint-Martin
  Thème s/ Stratégie Nationale sur la Biodiversité.
  National Strategy on Biodiversity.
• 12h00 REMERCIEMENTS.

Ambassadrice de tri, Melle PIPER Nicole.

South Reward: --- A well known bartender and former employee of Chesterfields Restaurant and bar was found dead at his home on Tuesday. Information reaching SMN News states that Michael Arrindell better known as Bonny was found at his South Reward home. It is believed that the man died of natural causes as pronounced by the police doctor. Arrindell was known as St. Maarten's best bartender. Already several emails are circulating about the death of Bonny whom it is said will be greatly missed.

U.S. Forward Operating Location (USFOL) Staff in Curacao joined forces with the Curacao Youth Air Brigade in a renovation project for the Youth Air Brigade building located near the terminal at Hato International Airport April 17. The afternoon was spent removing tiles from two meeting rooms plus an office as well as painting walls and floors. 45 Cadets and leaders were present to work side by side with those military volunteers from the USFOL. Everyone enjoyed a barbeque with hamburgers and hot dogs in the middle of the afternoon, which was a big hit. U.S. Air Force Chaplain Phillips who led the group from the USFOL commented, "It was hard work getting all the tiles to come up and many cadets and our volunteers have blisters to prove it but at least we finished it." More paint work will continue on the building in the coming weeks, but the project is off to a great start. Cadet Leader Sherwin Gerard was very grateful when he said, "We want to thank the USFOL for not only allowing us to tour their facilities and planes last month, but now you have come to our house to help us. We want to continue this tremendous partnership in the future. Thank you very much!" So smiles were all around and spirits high as the afternoon came to a close with the Youth Air Brigade having a big jump- start to their building renovation.

GREAT BAY,– The Collective Prevention Services (CPS) is appealing to the community to take measures in order to prevent mosquito breeding after experiencing any rain showers.

Residents are urged to take proper control measures around their homes to reduce breeding of the Ades Aegypti mosquito which has the potential to transmit dengue fever.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there is a dengue epidemic in the Dominican Republic. Most provinces report an increase of dengue fever of 25 per cent when compared to last year.

By the end of March, there were 2155 probable cases of which 306 patients had hemorrhagic fever and 16 died. There are three dengue serotypes circulating in the Dominican Republic, DEN-1, DEN-2 and DEN-4.

Persons who plan to travel or who have travelled to the Dominican Republic, and experience flu-like symptoms, are requested to visit their family physician and inform him/her about their recent travels.

To avoid being bitten by a mosquito, use repellent and wear long sleeves shirts/blouses as well as pants. Place screens at windows, doors and remove or turn over water receptacles to diminish mosquito breeding opportunities.

Public action is necessary to keep the mosquito population in check, and prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. The recent rains open up the possibility of stagnant water being found in items around the home. This allows the mosquito to reproduce in just a drop of clean stagnant rain water.

Based on a mid-project assessment of the yard to yard inspections that started March 19, of 4,014 premises inspected up until April 16, health inspectors discovered 11 per cent were sources for mosquito breeding. The internationally accepted level is five per cent or less.

The yard to yard inspections will continue until May 15 and entails overall inspections of approximately 10,000 premises. Some of the challenges confronted by inspectors were closed premises, untied dogs, language barrier, and non-cooperative household owners. Public cooperation is essential and household and business owners are urged to continue cooperating as this is in the national interests. Coordinators and supervisors of the project are Gerald Peters, Johnny Wattley and Kendal Gumbs.

The Ades Aegypti mosquito breeds mostly in domestic environments as a result of human activity. Residents therefore have a major role to play in eliminating the aforementioned mosquito and reducing the possibility of another dengue fever outbreak.

The CPS is calling on households and businesses to continue to be vigilant in keeping their surroundings mosquito, Aedes Agypti Free by keeping yards and premises clean.

Dengue is a mosquito-borne infection that causes a severe flu-like illness that affects infants, young children and adults. If you experience fever, body aches, headache, severe pain behind the eyes, consult your physician and check your surroundings to ensure that no breeding source is present.

Preventive actions that every household should take are: immediately remove debris, old tires and standing clear/clean water in yards which are the main source and breeding ground for mosquitoes. These mosquito breeding sources should be immediately eliminated.

Immediately check for clear/clean standing water in roof spouts, empty drums, buckets, jars, birdbaths, boats, plant containers, saucers, paint cans and other items that can collect water around your homes and businesses. Where clear/clean standing water exists, one can use small amounts of kerosene, just to cover the surface as a measure to prevent mosquito breeding or just get rid of the container.

In the case of where containers are used for storing water, residents should keep these properly covered and check every three days to make sure that mosquito's haven't laid any eggs. Inlets and outlets of cisterns must be covered with a mosquito net or cloth to prevent mosquitoes from breeding in the water.

Marigot:-- A 60 year old man would have to appear in court later this year for drug related charges reported the gendarmes. A press release from the gendarmerie states that custom officers detained the man during a regular drug control. The suspect had 4 kilos of marijuana in his vehicle at the time of the control.

The gendarmes also arrested a man whom they saw climbing over someone fence on April 19 in a residential area. The culprit it is said stole a pair of shoes from the residence. Further investigations conducted by the gendarmerie states that the suspect was involved in at least three other robberies where he is said to have used force, and weapons to threaten his victims. The suspect was transferred to Basse Terre pending trial.

Philipsburg:--- Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles Emile de Jhong Elhage were among the dignitaries at the Government Administration Building on Tuesday to witness the official handing over of the first batch of federal government tasks to the island territory of St. Maarten. The tasks transferred on Tuesday are that of Health, Social Development, Social Security, Labour and Education, Sports and Youth Affairs.
In her speech Prime Minister Elhage said the transfer symbolizes the beginning of the end of the Netherlands Antilles and the start of new country St. Maarten. The islands she said have reached a point of no return.
Elhage said it should be noted that the central government is passing the torch to soon to be country St Maarten, since 10 years ago the people of St. Maarten expressed their wishes in the referendum for a constitutional change. She said the central government respects the choice of the people of St. Maarten and has committed itself to facilitate the process, even though there were set backs, discussions and distractions which sometimes made the goal overwhelming due to the complexity.

The Prime Minister said just days ago the second chamber of the Dutch Parliament approved the Consensus Kingdom laws and the changes to the Kingdom Charter that would allow St. Maarten and Curacao to become countries within the Kingdom.
Using a quote of President John F Kennedy who once said "we should never negotiate out of fear or fear to negotiate" no matter how impossible or unattainable the goal sometimes seemed. The Prime Minister said during the years the central government and the island territories worked together they remained focused because the people are counting on them, and as such their voices are the driving force behind the constitutional train. "One thing for sure those working on the process came to realize is that working together and perseverance leads to success" she said.

Reminding the audience that while this is the first step in the new beginning, she said there is still a lot of work that still has to be done to build the friendly island nation.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged that everything would not be in place by 10.10.10 neither the first 100 days after but the islands has reached a point of no return and those in charge must continue to plant so the people could reap the harvest. She said it takes courage to think big, aim high and shoot far while those that never start are destined to lose.
While leader of government William Marlin warned that St. Maarten has a lot of work to do he said the process now taking place is similar to the Olympic games since every day new records are set and old records are broken, and even though St. Maarten is not breaking records they are living in the days of history.
Marlin said not long ago there were those that thought that the date 10.10.10 was not going to be realized and those that thought that becoming country on October 10 2010 would not be possible. He said the transfer of tasks showed that the Netherlands Antilles are gradually being dismantled while country St. Maarten is being built and that the events on Tuesday's transfer can be considered as placing the first corner stones in the foundation of what will become country St Maarten.
Marlin also expressed gratitude to the committee charged with the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles, civil servants and those persons who worked on getting the transfer possible.

Marlin also again explained that the process taking place currently is different and would be difficult for St. Maarten since the island has to build its institutions and organizations from ground zero. He said the Dutch has taken full responsibility for what will be needed for the BES islands and Curacao has all the necessary organs in place.

Minister of Constitutional Affairs Roland Duncan said while the tasks are now transferred to St. Maarten the central government will still be responsible for the civil servants, salaries and promotions. Also unchangeable are the laws governing the civil servants, Duncan said. He made clear that while working on the process he made sure the civil servants are taken care of, and as such they are only going to be sent on assignment which is to take instructions from the executive council of St. Maarten until St. Maarten achieves its country status.

The Minister said the federal law that governs the civil servants will remain in effect. He also said in principle the duties of these civil servants will not be changed but their scope of work can broaden. The intention Duncan said is for the central government to acquit itself of these responsibilities when St. Maarten becomes country.
The Minister called on the civil servants to carry out their tasks and to even work harder as they would be building of a new country. The Minister also made a symbolic hand over of the civil servants to leader of Government William Marlin.
Commissioner Hyacinth Richardson who holds most of the portfolios under which the tasks fell said the Minister of Constitutional Affairs, the Prime Minister and sector VSA has worked closely and diligently to ensure that the transfer takes place in an efficient manner. Richardson also pledged to continue working closely with VSA to prepare the portfolios for country St. Maarten.
Richardson said the island government has established eight organizational entities in the sector VSA, which are three policy departments for Public Health, Social Development and Labour, one supervisory agency and five executing agencies. He described the executing agencies as the ambulance services, community development, social services and labour, and collective prevention.
The labour commissioner also called on the 110 staff members that are now going to work for the island government of St. Maarten to have one common goal which is to work in a professional manner in the interest to enhance the services they provide. Richardson said the island government has set some priorities for the future VSA in the areas of social security reform, expanding social and community services and a review of the labour laws within the context of sustainable development. The labour commissioner also indicated that at least 10-15 new staff members are currently being recruited which he believes would be able to implement the necessary changes.

After the official signing the dignitaries as well as several civil servants who were present in the tribune of the Government Administrative Building joined the dignitaries at the Sheer restaurant for moment of celebration.

Ma Pau casino has joined the list of many companies offering continued assistance to the people of Haiti. However, despite already making significant contributions in terms of financial and other assistance to aid continuous relief efforts, Ma Pau has stepped up further. The company has announced that it will be providing sponsorship to aid in the effective dissemination of information from Haiti. This sponsorship according to the company seeks to highlight the sufferings experience by the people.

As such, the casino will be playing major and key role in sponsoring the visit of a media delegation to Haiti. The three member delegation seeks to highlight, sensitize and promote the sufferings, challenges and issues of grave and serious concerns. The delegation will be in Haiti for some two odd weeks.

Manager of the St Kitts Ma Pau Casino, Charlene Edwards in speaking to this media house pointed out that her company is very excited and eager to participate in this initiative. Edwards who recently took over the reigns of the St Kitts operations after some 15 odd years in St Maarten noted that Ma Pau ha been known over the years for its continued charitable efforts. The St Kitts Manager stressed that the company recognizes the importance of contributing to charitable events in an effort to enhance and alleviate the difficulties and challenges faced by people. She said that her company will continue to seek to promote and assist organizations and individuals in enhancing and assisting those affected by natural and other disasters.

"Since the establishment of the first Ma Pau in 1992 in Trinidad we have always been coming to the aid and help of those that have requested it. As such, Ma Pau see its role as a good corporate citizen in assisting in whatever way possible," Edwards said. This she noted will aid in alleviating the sufferings and challenges being experienced by others. The St Kitts Manager pointed out that while the company continues to grow with a number of other Caribbean islands opening Ma Pau Casinos, the company's gesture to provide major sponsorship will seek to provide relief through highlighting the difficulties and challenges that the thousands of displaced Haitians are encountering daily.

According to United Nations, the January 12th 7.0 devastating earthquake has left some 350,000 odd persons dead while another 500,000 odd were injured and over 1.5 million displaced. Echoing similar sentiments that are being made by a number of corporate Caribbean companies Edwards stressed that the region should recognize the importance of educating and sensitizing the public on the real situation.

Edwards declared that her Managing Director has continued to give the assurance that a united and committed approach has to be taken towards Haiti thus ensuring that the people can make a full and successful recovery. She noted that the Ma Pau casinos around the world will continue to lend help adding that when Suriname open their doors later this year they will join the others in aiding significantly in their respective countries.

The Casino Manager declared that the company's founder John Wallis decision to open the Trinidad originated company has resulted in significant fruits adding that it has grown significantly resulting in Ma Pau casinos being established in several parts of the world.

PHILIPSBURG—GEBE conducted the same water test that was carried out with adults last week with 6th graders of the Genevieve de Weever School and the 4th graders of the Sr. Marie Laurence School. The students all received information on the importance of drinking enough water, they also received GEBE reusable water bottles and balloons to commemorate World Water Day which was celebrated on March 22, 2010.

...

Airport:--- Frank Arrindell, founder and owner of Arrindell Aviation will travel to Geneva, Switzerland for the 10th year in a row this coming May to promote St. Maarten. The goal will be to influence where the roughly 11,000 attendees of the trade show will fly in the coming year.
European Business Aviation Convention and Exhibition (EBACE), the largest educational event in the aviation industry in Europe taking place May 4-6, brings together business leaders, government officials, manufacturers, corporate aviation department personnel and all manner of people involved in nearly all aspects of business aviation travel. EBACE is a "can't miss" event for European companies and tourist destinations that use aircraft to help their businesses grow.

More than 400 exhibitors and nearly 11,000 people attended EBACE in 2009, marking the third largest attendance ever for the European event. Attendees included travel enthusiasts and industry participants from Europe, North America, the Middle East, Asia and Africa.

A recent study, the results of which were announced at the 2009 EBACE, found that in 2007, business aviation was responsible for 167,000 jobs and contributed $27.6 billion to the economy all over the world.

Frank Arrindell founded Arrindell Aviation Services at Princess Juliana International Airport with five employees 21 years ago. Since then, Arrindell Aviation Services has grown to over 100 employees who all personify a very unique corporate culture of excellence. They are now the largest private employer at the airport. The company has received many honors—such as number one FBO on St. Maarten and number five FBO in the Caribbean by Pro Pilot Magazine.
Frank Arrindell continues to give back to the community of St. Maarten, by traveling abroad many times during the year to promote St. Maarten for the benefit of all businesses in St. Maarten as well as the surrounding islands such as St. Barths, Anguilla, and Saba.

GREAT BAY,– Due to the Easter holiday weekend, the Civil Registry Department will not be open on Saturday April 3. This has now been rescheduled to Saturday, April 10, and is only related to persons who need an Identification Card after receiving their Brooks Towers Accord residency papers.

The Civil Registry Department apologises for the rescheduling and for any inconvenience that this may cause.

Persons who have received their residency permit under the aforementioned accord should make use of the last Saturday that is left which is now April 10. 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.

Philipsburg:---The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) will be hosting three important meetings this week, with the first two being held on Wednesday night.

At 7:00pm a meeting will be held for all registered booth holders followed by a meeting at 8:00pm for bands. Both meetings will take place at the Government Administration Building

On Thursday evening (April 8), at 7:00pm, a meeting will be held at the Government Administration Building for all road March contenders. Everyone is being asked to make an effort to attend.

General Manager President of the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions, Ralph Wharton has issued a call for schools in the region to push the issue of entrepreneurship. Wharton in an exclusive interview said that there is need for the school's curriculum to reflect a greater interest in entrepreneurial skills.

Wharton who recently took over the reigns as General Manager was outlining areas which he believed Caribbean countries can work selectively on to secure a prosperous future. He pointed out that the education ministries in the various Caribbean islands need to find a way where this issue can be properly addressed. "I firmly think that we as a region should look at collectively finding ways in altering our curriculum. As such, together we can work on it thus ensuring that it is done properly thus resulting in it being effective and efficient," Wharton said.

The CCC General Manager noted that working closely with the private sector will result in such an initiative being successful. "If the Ministries of Education and the private sector can working together on this with their stakeholders then it can work. We must understand that in the school's curriculum we have to find a way of instilling entrepreneurial behavior," he declared.

Stressing on his views Wharton stated that such a renewed interest help in going a very far way in promoting a strong and vibrant private sector. He cautioned that introducing the skill to youth as s/he grows old will be a mistake. The GM noted that it's pertinent to know that it is never too late to train early school leavers and even pensioners, the ultimate goal being to have a stronger workforce he reassured.

Wharton who previously had served the region as General Manger when the credit union used to be headquartered in Barbados pointed out that if the various sectors 'take off' as he said; there will be a critical labour problem regionally.

He added that the task for the future will be to ensure that everyone, including able-bodied and physically challenged persons, are provided with what he called skills to participate in this new economy. Wharton went on to note that in an effort to achieve this goal the region must recognize that there is a pertinent need for a more modern education delivery system which he said determines that the system is indeed doing an effective job at preparing the region for the 21st Century.

GREAT BAY:--– In order to accommodate persons who have received their residence permit based on the Brooks Tower Accord (BTA), the Civil Registry Office allocated several Saturdays to facilitate the process of obtaining an ID card.

This was done after persons had to wait in long lines for several hours.

After Saturday, April 10, BTA resident paper holders seeking an ID card can visit the office during regular office hours from Monday to Friday. This Saturday the office is open from 8am to 1pm.

International year of nursing
From the lady with the lamp to nurse practitioner
100 years Florence Nightingale

The name of Florence Nightingale (1820-1910) has been revered and respected across the world.
The theme "Nursing, Culture and Community" The idea is chosen with the intention to combineds knowledge, and experience that encourages leadership amongst health care workers and to acknowledge nurses who have contributed to the development of health care on St. Maarten.
"You must inform public opinion..." Florence Nightingale, 1893
From her own deep and prolonged experience with personal health issues, she advocated for all nurses to be continually renewed to sustain their effective, compassionate and caring practices. She called all these approaches "Health Nursing."

To achieve these goals: "a symposium to share knowledge and enhance community care developments," is organized

The idea of this symposium is to share with others the developments in nursing and specifically nursing and psychiatry. Further more since institutionalizing psychiatric patients is now seen as the last resource, the main focus of the symposium will be on community-based care.

As organizers we believe that this mini-symposium fulfills a need, benefits patients and supports many in caring for psychiatric patients. The role of nursing and the social aspects of psychiatric care need more exposure in order to reduce the stigma on psychiatry.
The success of this symposium relates to professionalism, timely planning and organization but also in the supports of stakeholders and sponsors. With this awareness the organizers set out to successfully complete this mission during nurses week.

Lecturers at the Symposium are:
Dr. Matroos Psychiatrist who visits the Windward Islands on a regular basis and who has been active in promoting mental care on the Netherland Antilles for many years. He will discuss a multidisciplinary approach to sleeping disorders.
Sonja Eursulita, has a masters degree in nursing is well known on St. Maarten for her involvement in nurses education in cooperation with the education department of St. Maarten Medical center.
Remko Uenk, recently graduated as a Nurse Practitioner in Aruba, through one line education with the University of Nijmegen in the Netherlands. A nurse practitioner is registered nurse who has completed specific advanced nursing education (generally a master's degree or doctoral degree) and training in the diagnosis and management of common as well as a few complex medical conditions.
Ed van Leeuwen and Hans van de Moosdijk are Social Psychiatric Nurses who are specialized in assertive community treatments (ACT) a treatment model used in the US and Europe and know to be an effective model in approaching mental illnesses in communities.
Dr. Lockie Johnson is well know on St. Maarten, has done considerable research locally also with regards to culture and beliefs
Dr. Pytha Jessurun, is psychiatrists at Capriles Clinic in Curaçao has also work on St. Maarten and will deal with explanatory models of psychiatric illnesses.

www.mhf-sxm.com or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. call 5421677.

Great Bay - Sports Commissioner Frans Richardson on Friday presented trophies for winners in a recently held pool tournament, to RH Pool Production Foundation.
Jaylen Constance took top honours in the Battle of the Top Students from RH Pool Production Foundation recently. Constance -- in the eight year old division -- faced Edwin Derweer in the two day long tournament. The pair had faced off in 9-ball with Constance winning 8-2.
The pair played best of seven games of 8-ball with Constance winning 4-0.
The event also featured a 15 year old division. In the first round Alfredo Richardson had squeezed past Romario Romeo 4-2 in 10-ball. The pair played a run to nine in 8-ball when Richardson won 9-7.
The competition was organized by pool instructor Rudolph Hyman and sponsored by the Commissioner of Sports Frans Richardson, who has pledged his support to youth participating in sports events.

Philipsburg: --- The pathologist that examined the bodies of Bart Pasman and Simone Santos Montilla could not come up with a conclusive cause of death of both victims said Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos. Mos said toxicology tests have to be conducted and the results should be back on St. Maarten within six weeks. Pasman's body was found at his home early Saturday morning; the doctor that pronounced him dead said he died of natural causes.
While it is believed that Pasman died of heart attack further, testing would have to be conducted before that is determined. The medical doctor who pronounced Montilla dead on Saturday afternoon also said she died of natural causes but family members and neighbors of the deceased woman said she was suicidal and that she committed suicide to escape spousal abuse.
In the meantime the bodies have been released to the families for burial.

The Hague: --- An overwhelming majority in Dutch Second Chamber voted in favor of the ten Consensus Kingdom Laws, the amendments to the Kingdom Charter, and the Police Law paving the way for the dismantling of the Netherlands Antilles as well as early elections for Curacao, St. Maarten, and the BES islands. While the Consensus Kingdom laws for the BES islands are not yet handled State Secretary for Kingdom Relations Ank Bijleveld-Schouten said she was sure they were going to make it through to the Second Chamber.

Thursday has been dubbed as an historic day for St. Maarten and Curacao says leader of Government William Marlin. Marlin said the struggle to achieve country status for St. Maarten has been long and hard but the hard work paid off well.

The island leader said many times those working on the constitutional change felt that St. Maarten would not make it to the end but they all stayed optimistic and kept on fighting. While the celebration can begin the islands, Curacao and St. Maarten have not yet explained that several laws still have to be approved by the Island Councils and Antillean Parliament while the real governmental apparatus has to be built.

Marlin and his delegation are expected back on St. Maarten over the weekend and they are expected to meet in Curacao next week Wednesday, to continue with the Kingdom talks.
Some time in June a political steering group meeting will take place to decide on how to deal with the tasks that the two new countries will not be able to handle.

PHILIPSBURG, St. Maarten - As commissioner of Cultural Affairs I am a strong believer in preserving and promoting St. Maarten's culture in whatever form, style and fashion. Lending support for cultural activities is as natural as breathing a breath of fresh air or a drink of pure water, because culture represents the spirit and resilience of our people.

Carnival is a people's manifestation that has become a significant part of our annual cultural agenda. All persons in St. Maarten and the surrounding islands look forward in joining in with us in our celebration.

Government being an important stakeholder to carnival, a national celebration is committed to supporting Carnival in kind as well as financially, however any organization charged with organizing the event must live up to standard conditions of corporate laws regulating funding and giving of account to such funding.

To ensure that St.Maarten Carnival Development Foundation remains in compliance with its obligations, duties or commitments government has appointed an Emergency Task Force that will act in a supervisory capacity to the carnival foundation to create an environment wherein it may be possible for the foundation to fulfill its objective.
The task Force will make specific recommendations to the Carnival Development Foundation during the course of Carnival and ultimately report its findings, experience and recommendations to the Executive Council of the 2010 carnival as well as the future of Carnival two weeks after the festivity has burn "King Momo".

The Commissioner of Culture Mr. Hyacinth Richardson hereby wishes the people of St.Maarten, visitors and revelers a safe, sound and happy carnival 2010.

Philipsburg:---Union representative from the UFA the President mr Olivache informed the pensioners that the unions of Sint Maarten concerning SVB do not only want to know what will happen with the investments made by the workers from Sint Maarten in the sickness insurance fund from SVB, but also what will happen with their contributions for the old age pensions, the widow and orphan pensions, the cessantia, etc.? The unions are in favor of transferring the SVB assets and the organization to Sint Maarten and they will champion to be represented in the Supervisory board of SVB Sint Maarten to better watch over and represent the interests of the workers in SVB.
EQUALIZATION OF FZOG-HEALTH CARE PACKAGE AND ACTIVE CIVIL SERVANTS HEALTH CARE PACKAGE
Concerning the equalization of the FZOG health care package with the active civil servants health care package the union representative from ABVO in the Advisory Committee for the National Health Insurance System for Sint Maarten Raymond Jessurun, informed the meeting that the island government of Sint Maarten has decided to provide all citizens of Sint Maarten the basic health care package of the Netherlands. This was decided upon by two consecutive executive councils to be implemented in the new national health insurance system. This will be an improvement of all health care packages now being provided in the island.
PREMIUM SAVINGS FOR PENSIONERS IN SINT MAARTEN
Furthermore, he informed the meeting of premium calculations made by financial actuarial experts that will give the pensioners a substantial saving on their premium in the National Health Insurance System. The 10% of their pension income currently being paid to the FZOG-fund, also the 10.4% the SVB sickness insurance fund is collecting from private sector pensioners every month, definitely will be reduced substantially because of the larger scale of the NHI-fund. Pensioners were informed that two consecutive executive councils have already agreed to charge all citizens on Sint Maarten a 2.1% premium for the sickness insurance (5 times less than the premium they pay now) and a 2 % premium for the AVBZ for chronic diseases and treatments as the premium to be paid by all for the National Health Insurance.
The pensioners in the meeting were asked if they agree to wait for this substantial savings in their monthly premium another 14 months until 1-1-2012 as the government announced during the recent budget debate in the Island Council, or if they want government and the unions to guarantee this saving before or ultimately on 10-10-10 as has been promised in the meeting of august 2009 between the executive council of Sint Maarten and the civil servants unions on Sint Maarten? All pensioners by acclamation want this premium reduction to come into effect this year as soon as possible ultimately on 10-10-10.

PENSIONERS ASSOCIATION TO BE ESTABLISHED
The meeting concluded by forming a commission consisting of Elaine Gumbs-Vlaun, Carl Cooner, Frances Rovelet, Lloyd Temmer, Edo Larmonie and Patricia Flanders to establish an association of pensioners on Sint Maarten to defend the rights of older persons in Sint Maarten. A next general meeting will be called to inform the pensioners of the results of the meeting requested by the unions with the Executive Council of Sint Maarten to address the problems of the FZOG-card holders with the FZOG-fund.

PHILIPSBURG – District Band's CD for Carnival 2010 entitled "Hold Yuh Balance" will be on sale as of today at Van Dorp Madame Estate, Yellow Tail Bar and Restaurant at the Simpsonbay Fish Market and Clo's Hot Spot (booth number 18) in the Festival Village.
Leading up to Carnival 2010, District Band has been exposing their fans to the title track at private and public events. This song was well received when District played at the ASA after school activities and at the Heineken Regatta earlier in the year to name a few. The CD comprises of 9 tracks, one of which is "Unity" a song encouraging the youth of the island the jam in unity for this carnival and to stop the violence.
"We have been working really hard. After making our debut for Carnival 2009, we continued playing at events on and off the island throughout the year," Band leader Calvin Mardembrough Jr. said. "We are not just a Carnival Band, we play all year round and each time we play we do our best to improve the musical experience for our fans and at the same time hone our craft," the band leader stated.
On Thursday, District Band distributed flyers to young people at various schools with the lyrics of the song 'Unity' as they are serious about changing the image of the youth of the island. "We strongly believe that you cannot give up on the youth of this island, give us a chance to make a change and encourage us when we do well," the band said.
The CD cost $15 dollars or Fls. 25 and the entire community is asked to support District Band as they prepare to do it again for Carnival 2010. District Band would also like to remind their fans that they will be playing at the Festival Village tonight with headliner Krosfyah, so come out and show your support.
District Band was formed in November 2008 and took St. Maarten's 40th anniversary Carnival by storm. Branded as St. Maarten's next generation jam band, the band comprises of a group of young people whose mission is to showcase the talent of St. Maarten's youth and motivate their peers to persevere despite the challenges that they might face. Persons interested in contacting the band may do so at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 5208014.

GREAT BAY: --- The application process for Mobility Passes for the 2010 Hurricane Season which starts from June 1 to November 30, starts as of April 19 only for the business sector and vital organizations. The pass allows the aforementioned to assess possible damage to their property. Potential applicants have until May 21 to present all relevant information related to the process of requesting a Mobility Pass.
For the 2010 season, the application form as well as information sheet can be downloaded from the Fire Department's website www.brandweersxm.net under the link "Hurricane Information."
Passes are issued to the following categories: government personnel, personnel of essential companies or organizations, (sub) contractors for Sector ROB-Public Works, transportation passes for hotel staff, business owners and members of vital organizations to assess possible damage to their property.
The hurricane pass application procedure is only intended for businesses and vital organizations with respect to their key personnel receiving an exemption to a curfew.
The Office of the Fire Department & Disaster Management is handling the application process for the passes on behalf of the Governor of the Island Territory of St. Maarten.
The hurricane mobility pass system is a mechanism to maintain public order during emergency situations. The Governor assesses the damage after a disaster has occurred and can impose a curfew if the extent of the damage poses a threat to the safety and security of the community.
After a disaster has struck, and a curfew has been imposed, the public roads can only be accessed by emergency crews. The Governor will ensure that the curfew is limited to the essential time that is needed to execute emergency and disaster relief and recovery efforts.

• Businesses and vital organizations can request personal passes for their key personnel. In principle only one (1) pass is granted per business, but for larger companies more passes can be requested.
• This pass will allow the bearer to visit his place of business to assess possible damage to the property, ONLY during certain hours that will be stipulated and announced by the Governor in a curfew situation.
• Proof must be submitted that one has a business on given address and/or is a member of a vital organization for which a pass is requested. Therefore a copy of the most recent business license (2010) should be submitted (or proof of registration at the Chamber of Commerce for vital organizations).
• The application form has to be completed and submitted to the offices of the Fire Department & Disaster Management, located at Jackal Road 5, Cay Hill before May 21, 2010, with all necessary documents attached:
  - copy business license fee paid for 2010;
  - copy new model Sint Maarten ID-card (old cards are null and void);

When the request is submitted per form Nafl. 50,- in leges stamps, to be obtained at the Island Receiver, needs to be included. This is a non-refundable handling fee.
One (1) passport picture must be submitted with the request for new applicants.
The emergency pass is only valid for the year 2010 hurricane season and will remain the property of the Island Territory. Passes have to be requested on an annual basis.
The Governor approves the granting of the hurricane passes to applicants.
Persons whose applications have been turned down will be notified on behalf of the Governor. Appeal is not possible.
Persons without a valid residency permit will not be issued a pass.
One will be informed by email or telephone when to pick up the pass at the Office of the Fire Department & Disaster Management on Jackal Road 5, Cay Hill (office hours are Monday – Friday, 9.00 AM – 4.00 PM).
The Island Territory is authorized to verify the information that is supplied by the person / business requesting the emergency pass.
Failing to comply with the above mentioned procedure, omitting information or handing in the form too late will result in the application being turned down.

Philipsburg:--- The island council meeting called on Monday had to be postponed for a lack of quorum since members of the Democratic Party faction did not show up for the meeting. Currently leader of government William Marlin and island council member Rudolphe Samuel is in the Netherlands while Commissioner Hyacinth Richardson is in Puerto Rico attending to family matters. Also off island is leader of the Democratic Party Sarah Wescot Williams. However the other members of the DP faction who are currently on island refused to give their support to the current government. In a press release Island Councilman Roy Marlin said the National Alliance/ Heyliger and Laveist Coalition must respect the role of the island council, thus the Democratic Party refused to lend its support to the meeting of the Island Council scheduled by the Executive Council and the ruling NA/Heyliger/Laveist coalition convened for April 19, 2010.
Marlin said the Democratic Party considers every meeting of the Island Council of utmost importance, however the actions of the ruling coalition government since taking office on June 8, 2009 leaves much to be desired. "We are experiencing an acceleration of the ruling coalition trying to thwart democracy." The release states that during the past couple of months on several occasions the ruling coalition government did not have a majority to convene meetings of the Island Council called for by them, but the Democratic Party gladly lend its support to ensure that these meetings continued. Despite these efforts from the Democratic Party, we see more and more that this government has no regard for democracy. Point in case is e.g. the meeting requested by the Democratic Party to discuss the consequences of the Island not having a 2010 budget in place. On two occasions, this meeting was convened and members of the NA/Heyliger/Laveist government while being present in the hall of the Island Council, refused to lend their support as good democracy dictates. Information and clarification from government being requested time and again by the Democratic Party faction on important issues, is met with deafening silence from the NA/Heyliger/Laveist coalition. The budget 2010 debate is a clear example of the coalition government again shirking its responsibility, by not providing the report to the Island Council to substantiate the projected income in additional taxes for 2010 of almost Naf 28 million guilders.
Central Committee meetings are requested and the Chairman of the Central Committee totally disregarding the timeline for convening of these meetings in accordance with the rules of order is yet another example of this NA/Heyliger/Laveist government's lack of adherence to our democratic system.
The Permanent Committee of the Island Council for Constitutional Affairs being sidelined by not obtaining information in a timely manner, or no meetings of this body being convened to update the members. In the meeting scheduled for April 19, 2010, the agenda of the Island Council included an agenda point which would deal with the Kingdom Law on the Plans of Approach for country Curacao and St. Maarten. Considering that this is a draft Kingdom Law it would have been prudent for the government to first have deliberations in the PCCA before taking the debate to a public meeting of the Island Council for decision making. These are just a few examples of the NA/Heyliger/Laveist coalition dodging its responsibility and these actions and the irresponsible behavior of this government needs to be stopped. The Democratic Party while accepting its role as the opposition party in the Island Council is always willing to lend support to ensure continuity within government, but the NA/Heyliger/Laveist coalition must start making a serious effort to respect the role of the Island Council.

Pointe Blanche: --- A riot broke out at the house of detention on Monday morning as some of the prisoners decided to protest against the transfer of two of their prison inmates to Bonaire. Police said they were called around 10:15 am when the prison guards on duty could not restore order. The Observation Center (the area from where the guards can oversee all the cells in the prison) was destroyed by the prisoners involved in the riot.
An investigation is scheduled to take place by detectives department to determine who is responsible for the damage. Currently order has been restored at the prison. Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said the situation at the prison was extremely dangerous and police had to respond with their K9 unit to restore order. "All of the off duty officers had to respond to the scene totaling 50. Henson said the prisoners were searched and placed in a secure area while the cells were searched for weapons and dangerous items. Henson said there was major destruction by the inmates. Chief Inspector Carl John headed the operation, while Henson described the operation and situation during the riot as tense. He felt they caught the prisoners by surprise since the team of officers responded to the scene in full riot gear. Even though unusual and tense Henson said, no force was necessary since the prisoners understood the seriousness of their actions and cooperated with police during the search.
The "take back" of the prison lasted approximately 45 minutes after which the prisoners were returned to their cells and an assessment of the damage was conducted.
A press release from the prison director Russell Ricardo states that on April 19, 2010 around 08:30 am, two inmates were taken out of their respective cells and taken to the front section of the prison to be taken to the airport. They were being transferred to the prison of Bonaire because of their repeated misbehavior in the prison and for instigating bad behavior amongst the other inmates.
At this time the inmates, of the Juvenile section were getting air on the recreation field. Some remained in their section while others were on the field airing. When the prison guard came to the alley with an empty box to collect the belongings of one of the inmates that was leaving, he was told, "Nobody going anywhere with anything and nobody leaving from here." The inmates then destroyed the box.
The acting head of Safety and Security was informed of the situation.
When the other inmates on the recreation field learned that the particular inmates were being taken to Bonaire, they left the field and went upstairs to their section. They broke the lock of the section of another inmate and together the inmates from that section then proceeded to break all the locks off the other sections thus freeing the inmates of those sections. They began throwing all the locks they broke at the prison guards, at which point the prison guards started leaving the general housing section.
Two inmates were threatening the prison guards by telling them they know where they lived and who their families are.
The lock of the Central command office of the general housing area was also broken and all the keys were taken. The inmates also destroyed the ceiling lights, the porto-phones, the amplifier machine, chargers, the computer and printer, the padlocks, the public announcement system and the water cooler. They broke the water pipes, which resulted in the housing area being flooded with water.
The Inmates Association tried twice to reason with the inmates, but with no success. The police were called in to neutralize the situation.

PHILIPSBURG--As the most active part of the Carnival Calendar approaches, the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) will open the gates of the Carnival Village Wednesday night for one and all.
Entrance will be free and the general public is being urged to go out and support the booth holders and the entertainment that will be on center stage.
"Come out and support the booth-holders, with karaoke and other entertainment on stage. ST Maarten Carnival 2010 is in full swing, let's celebrate our carnival together," Vice President of the foundation Stuart Johnson said.
"We can't let mishaps slow down the fete and take away the spirit and fun. Carnival is about you so we hope everyone comes out on Wednesday in good spirit at Carnival Village," Johnson added.

Philipsburg: --- The police department is planning to begin their inspection this coming Thursday announced Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson. Henson said the Inspection department will be controlling all sites where objects are placed to make sure licenses were issued for the objects. In connection with the Carnival Season and mainly the upcoming jump-up and Carnival parades, the Police Department and the Department of Safety Inspection as part of their safety policy is informing the public of following:

The placing of scaffolding, stages, flatbeds, trailer-beds along- side the public roads is prohibited without a permit from the Lt. Governor.

Numerous stages, flatbeds, trailer-beds. have been placed along side the public roads and mainly on route of the jump-ups and carnival parades.

On Thursday April 22 starting from 04.00 p.m., the members of Police Department. and Safety Inspection Department will be controlling all sites where these objects are placed.

1. To make sure that those objects have a permit to be placed on the public road and on that particular site.
2. That objects to inspect on safety issues.

Philipsburg/French Quarter:---Environmental Awareness foundation Sint Maarten PRIDE foundation accompanied students of the Ruby Labega Primary school to the French side of the island to visit the northern side new Waste Sorting Center located in Galisbay.
Students and teachers listened to Manager Anthony Lefur explain how the drive through waste sorting center is beneficial to the French side General Public. Students toured the waste site and saw the various bins set up to sort the waste.
Each bin was marked with what is allowed to be dumped, for instance paper and carton, green waste like tree cuttings, bulk household debris, metal.
There was a special unit to store aerosol cans, household batteries, car batteries, and yet another unit that is marked for the collection of waste engine oil.
Students learned that waste is exported in most cases to Guadeloupe and other countries to be recycled into new products.
Later in the morning, the group headed over to the Sandy Ground Cultural Center where the Collectivite organized a Exposition and Symposium on Biodiversity.
The group learnt the importance of biodiversity, and how all living organisms are connected and important for healthy ecosystems to thrive in our environment.
Sint Maarten PRIDE foundation would like to thank Ambassador of Sorting Nicole Piper, Manager of the Waste Sorting Center Anthony LeFur and Vice President Mr.Pierre Aliotti for the warm welcome extended to the foundation, the students and teachers for Earth day 2010.
Special thanks goes out to Pizza Hut for donating easy to use tomato/parsley seedling boxes to the students.
This year was the 40th. Anniversary of Earth Day and also the 10th. year anniversary of the Sint Maarten PRIDE foundation.
Sint Maarten PRIDE will continue to provide educational awareness programs to our youth while striving to better educate the general population and government on the importance of preserving and respecting our local environment and natural heritage sites.

Philipsburg: --- The body that was found in a Sucker Garden home on Friday has been identified as Angela Georges (42) confirmed Prosecutor Rienk Mud. Mud said that the body has been confiscated since police suspected that there might be foul play in the woman's death.
Mud said, the woman is a national of Dominica and she most probably was residing on the island legally.
SMN News understands that the woman is known to her neighbors as "Angie" and she was married and living with her husband. Sources say the woman's body bore marks of violence while family members are claiming that their relative was ailing. |
SMN News also understands that Georges once lived in the US. Our condolences goes out to the bereaved family.

Philipsburg – "As we continue to celebrate our forty-first carnival celebration here on St. Maarten, we must also keep a keen eye on 2011," remarked Stuart Johnson Vice President of the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF). St. Maarten Carnival 2010 has seemed to have struggled here and there along the way, but it continues regardless. Johnson is of the belief that, "Carnival planning for 2011 must start as soon as we finish celebrating this year. An early start will set in place the right motion necessary to restore the confidence in people and bring back the joy/spirit into Carnival." There are several issues and changes which have happened throughout the past years which also have played a role in the situation we are today. Johnson cited the decline in sponsorship, bands not being able to enter the St. Maarten Festival Village and the lack of flexibility for certain concert show-times are among some areas of concern which should be addressed. He minced no words in expressing, "Our carnival is bigger than any individual or group, it's about the people, and we must always remember it shall continue no matter what."
Johnson congratulated those participating troupes and individuals who took part in the children's parade on Sunday. "Schools should be encouraged to produce a troupe with the support and assistance of especially the parents/PTA/staff. The business community should adopt a school enabling them the opportunity to participate as SCDF will do its utmost to foster such too," he stated. "I extend my best wishes to everyone as you have a safe and enjoyable St. Maarten Carnival 2010," he concluded saying.

GREAT BAY, – Leader of Government and Commissioner responsible for Constitutional Affairs William Marlin, live press briefing of Friday, April 23 upon his return to the island from The Hague, Holland, will be re-aired on Tuesday evening, April 27.

The live press briefing will be carried by Sint Maarten Cable TV Channel 15 at 9.00pm.

Commissioner Marlin addressed the Sint Maarten community and updated them on the accomplishments and about the presentations made in the Dutch Second Chamber of Parliament as well as the voting on legislation related to the constitutional renewal process.

Persons who did not get the opportunity last Friday to see the broadcast can do so on Tuesday evening.
The Commissioner also provides insight into the way forward to 10-10-10.

Philipsburg:--- Several members of the island council were in shock and total amazement as leader of government William Marlin attempted to answer to the island council on Tuesday on matters related to labor while the commissioner holding the portfolio looked on. Some wondered if commissioner Hyacinth Richardson was ready for the job he is now holding or if he was too nervous to stand up to members of the former Democratic Party Executive Council.

Members of the Democratic Party faction posed several critical questions on the labour situation on April 16th hoping that the executive council would have been able to provide them with the answers on Tuesday. On Tuesday afternoon when the meeting was called the chairman of the island council informed the island council that the executive council needed at least half an hour more for them to prepare the answers.
Members of the island council voiced their opinions openly on how the commissioner responsible for labour affairs is conducting his duties saying he was simply not ready and wondered in what spirit he would run country St. Maarten.
However, the meeting had to be adjourned to May 10th since Marlin told the council that most of the answers they were seeking are still not ready and the department is busy putting those answers together for them. The chairman of the island council also assured the council that when the answers are ready it will be provided to them in writing even though it is not customary.

As for the questions posed about the Brooks Tower Accord, Marlin made clear that the executive council could not provide answers about the BTA process since that fell under the Minister of Justice. He said the executive council shortens the procedures for persons falling under the category two of the BTA process by requesting a copy of the business license of the applicant's employer, their employment contract and a copy of their passport.
Marlin further explained that the BTA process did have some delays since the persons hired to verify the documents were not sure what they were looking for. He said this happened because many persons simply did not understand the process.
Marlin said during the BTA processed they discovered that St. Maarten had people living on the island for as long as 38 years and was never registered at the Census Office. He said many of the applicants came here as toddlers and attended school on St. Maarten and now they are adults and sought employment they were confronted with the need for a labour permit.
The island leader said something had to be done to make sure the people living on St. Maarten for years could regulate their statuses on the island and that is what the BTA facilitated.
Marlin said it would not be fair for St. Maarten to tell those persons who obtained a BTA permit that they were not going to get a regular working or residence permit as such they are currently in discussion with employers and other parties to move forward. He said the BTA is temporary and when it expires the people have to follow the local policy.

Marlin said the executive council already realizes that if amendments are not made to the current legislations then problems lie ahead for St. Maarten. He said it would be incorrect for government to allow people to live on the island illegally for years and now they have reached working age to refuse them a work permit based on the current labour policy that stipulates that persons under the age of 25 cannot be issued a working permit. Marlin said many of these persons were allowed to register under the BTA process and it would not be fair to implement the labour policy to the fullest extent when the BTA expires. As such the executive council has these legislations under review and decisions will soon be taken to make sure they do not create another nightmare for the applicants of work permits. Marlin said government is also looking into how to address the unemployment situation on St. Maarten and the alleged abuse of the short term labour contracts.
Marlin said he said before that St. Maarten needs to have open discussion with employers concerning the abuse of the labour laws. He said there are employers who prefer to hire immigrant workers because these people are willing to work longer hours for less pay and no insurance, while leaving locals out in the cold without work.
Responding to the executive council, leader of the Democratic Party Sarah Wescot Williams in her presentation acknowledged there is a collective responsibility in the executive council since the leader of government answered the questions. Wescot Williams said she particularly asked if the commissioner of labour has any intentions of answering the questions that was posed directly to him and if he was not going to address the island council then she would like to know if there is a particular reason behind his silence.
The Democratic Party faction leader also wanted the executive council to elaborate on what they meant when they said the tripartite committee is under review and to make the committee broad base.
Wescot Williams said she wants the executive council to say exactly what type of permits were given to the category two BTA and if the permits also expire on November 3 2010.
She said also wants to know if government has an idea as to how they would deal with the applications for extensions especially now that the central government has transferred labour to the island territory. Wescot Williams also used the opportunity to indicate that even though present during the historical transfer of tasks her faction does not know exactly what the central government and local government signed off on since she did not receive a copy of the documents. She called on the chairman of the island council to make sure members of the island council sees the "folder" and get a copy of the documents signed off on Tuesday morning.

Belvedere: --- The relatives of a handicapped woman were busy assisting her on Friday April 30 to remove her belongings from one of the police apartments in Delight Estate. The woman Connie Alias was married to a police officer of KPSSS. However, the couple separated over a year ago and has recently divorced. According to Connie Burgess Alias her ex-husband and his new companion showed up at her home on Friday morning and ordered her out of his apartment forthwith. The woman who is also handicapped and has been recently diagnosed with cancer said she called her mother and other relatives for assistance since the officer in question were behaving out of the ordinary.
Ruth Alias mother of Connie Alias said when she was informed of the incident she dialed 911 requesting police assistance knowing her daughter has serious medical conditions. Mrs. Alias said when she arrived on the scene with a truck to remove her daughter's belongings she overheard the newly appointed head of the Algemeen Division telling her daughter that she has to get out of the apartment by midnight on Friday April 30. Alias said she asked the officer in question if he thought it was normal for him to evict someone on a public holiday and the division head told her that he was just a messenger in this case. She said the officer told her that the decision to evict her daughter was taken by Assistant Chief Commissioner of Police Ademar Doran. Several efforts to reach Doran for a comment on the matter proved futile since Doran did not answer his cellular phone neither the SMS messages sent to him by SMN News. SMN News also tried getting a comment from Chief of Police Franklyn Richards but that too proved futile.
SMN News learnt from neighbors and other bystanders that several officers working in the police force for years were on the scene ordering the woman out of the house.
In an invited comment one of the officers told this reporter that he only went to the scene to make peace. When asked if he thought the procedures used by the police department to evict the terminally ill woman on a public holiday was correct or legal, the officer said he is prepared to soak his blows for the decision he took.
Connie Alias provided SMN News with two letters one to show that her lawyer wrote a letter addressed to Doran on April 15 2010 informing him that he is aware that his client would have to vacate the apartment she is currently living in since the woman was no longer living with her husband.
The letter attorney at law Jason Rogers wrote to Doran states that due to the fact the couple has irreconcilable differences the court of first instance pronounced their divorce on March 15 2010. However, the divorce is not a legal fact since the divorce is yet to be registered at the census office and that both parties are still awaiting the written judgment of the divorce.
Attorney at law Rogers explained to the Korpschef that his client was diagnosed with cancer and she is also a handicap due to an accident in the Netherlands a few years ago. Rogers indicated that based on humanitarian grounds his client Connie Alias would need time to find somewhere to live. He asked Doran to give Alias at least five months in which to find a place to live but Doran never responded to the letter sent to him by attorney Rogers, Alias told SMN News.
Alias also provided SMN News with a letter she received from her ex husband's lawyer indicating to her that she has to vacate the house she is living in since she is now divorced from her husband.
After this article was published Assistant Chief Commissioner of Police Ademar Doran sent an email to SMN News stating that he will not go into details because this matter regards people's privacy. Doran further stated "1. I did not give Carl John any order to evict anyone and no one was evicted. Neither John nor I do have that authority.
An eviction has an Order from the Court as legal basis. As far as I know there was no Court Order in this specific case to evict anybody.
John was called to the home this morning. Since this case is of civil nature the police then will not mediate. John did not evict anybody.", Doran's email states.

2. The rent for the house is paid for by the Central Government and the one responsible is the officer in question. After receiving the letter from the wife's lawyer, management wanted to speak to the parties involved to get clarity on the problem. It was then determined, taking into account the civil nature of the problem and their respective rights, that management was not the legal entity to grant the request of the wife. An answer to this respect will be forwarded to the wife's lawyer after the carnivals holidays." Doran further stated that he regrets to hear that once again incorrect/wrong and malicious information is being spread out.

Copies of both letters are below for clarity on this case.

The Annual Chester York Race will take place this Sunday April 4th. The race will start at Flanders Bar at approximately eight in the morning with a "Tour of Honor" for St. Maarten born, 65 year old Chester York - a long time cycling activist and former participant of various local races during his younger days. After the "Tour of Honor" the official race will begin and end at approximately ten o'clock in the morning.

President of St. Maarten Cyclers Club Association, Mr. Jean-Paul Rousseau, accompanied by Vice President Joseph Holaman, presented the official NAGICO sponsor t-shirt to NAGICO Junior Manger and Underwriter for Life Insurances, Mr. Howard Chengajune. He stated: "I am proud to accept the official NAGICO t-shirt on behalf of the Management Team and employees of NAGICO. I encourage everyone to come out and enjoy the race on Sunday and urge drivers on the road to be vigilant when approaching the cyclists."

NAGICO is a strong supporter of sports activities. The company sponsors various cricket, basketball, baseball and futsal tournaments on the island.

...

Philipsburg;---In June 2009, Commissioner Theo Heyliger assuaged his critics he that he had to turn his back on the Democratic Party because the DP was "not appreciative of Theo Heyliger". Of course this was the furthest thing from the truth, evident to all by the "free hand" given to Commissioner Heyliger as a DP commissioner to manage his portfolios in a practically unchallenged way, the only constraints being the boundaries of the law. Not to add to an already strained political environment, the DP back then listened and observed as the June 2009 political upheaval was classified by some as the best thing to happen, we however knowing full well that while in the DP there have been differences of opinion on approaches to certain matters, respect was always there.
How the tables have turned today. Today Commissioner Heyliger in a relatively short period of time, has had to contend publicly with "being put in his place" by his coalition partner, the National Alliance.
One could defend this with the argument that it is a 4 to 1 situation in the Executive Council, but to show up Commissioner Heyliger in the way that it is being done and for his own portfolios is nothing else than a slap in Theo's face.

1. A public spat evolved with the Cape Plan Development plan between the 2 factions in the Executive Council (an assistant to a NA-commissioner calls Theo to order);
2. The NA has put the GEBE headache squarely in the lap of Commissioner Heyliger, denying the collective responsibility they all share in the Executive Council and refusing to give him any support;
3. If a decision was taken by the NA/Heyliger government on the Westin/Sonesta comfort letters as the leader of government alleged, how come Commissioner Heyliger had to resort to publicly calling for the letters issued by the DP administration, of which he was part, to be honored?

And then to be so embarrassed to have to walk out during the vote on the motion presented by the DP faction for something he (Theo) publicly had called for, namely to honor the Westin and Sonesta "comfort" letters. You're either for or against.
And now, the re-assignment/suspension/dismissal of the Director and acting-Director of ROB. Clearly Commissioner Heyliger was overruled in his own portfolio and not afforded the decency of coming with his own solution. And mind you, this witch hunt comes from the NA faction in the Executive Council, who when in opposition, called for a PUBLIC ISLAND COUNCIL MEETING, to debate the dismissal of a civil servant of the personnel department. "Because, government was taking bread out of some-one's mouth", the NA had alleged then.
And since this decision by the Executive Council on the ROB management was shared with only a very selected few within the Administration, how come it "leaked out"? Obviously, it needed to be established publicly who is the BOSS in the Executive Council. The position of deputy leader given to Commissioner Heyliger is but a "keep you happy".
Upon signing their governing agreement, NA and Heyliger had agreed to a leadership conference of Marlin and Heyliger. When , if ever did this "leadership conference" of Heyliger and Marlin meet, except in the press?

Philipsburg: ----The titans of calypso on St. Maarten will converge on the Celebration Palace on Saturday, April 10 to start their quest of dethroning reigning Calypso Monarch King Beau Beau. Showtime is 8:00pm, entrance fee is only US $5. Eighteen (18) Calypsonians will take the stage, 10 will move on to the finals to face the king.
The Senior Calypso Eliminations will be the first event of the Carnival season. The St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF), citing the success of the show over the last few years, is urging the general public to come out on April 10 and get the excitement started Carnival 2010, "Sweet Revelry Again."
Competing in the Calypso Eliminations will be: Barrow, Fox, Bongo, Magic, The Emerald, Lady Baker, Baker Jr., Mighty Pepper, King Jacko, Genius, Brat, Mighty Dow, Young Dow, Stunky, Chester York, Fish da Boss, Mighty Carlix and D Moniter. As reigning Monarch, Beau Beau does not have to compete in the elimination.
"It's appropriate that we open the Carnival season with our biggest local event," President of the SCDF Gina Illidge said. "We are very happy with the amount of calypsonians that have registered to take part in the competition this year. We expect some great social commentary from them so this is not something anyone should miss," Illidge said.

The federation's ability to continue promoting itself as a paradise for tourism can and may be seriously affected with the recent murder of a taxi driver. This is the view of former senior defense force officer, Shawn Wigley. Wigley said that while the federation has a very high murder rate owing to gang crime and violence seems to have taken a new twist. He said that while the Government through the Ministry of Tourism can and will justify the increased crime rate being laid at the feet of gangs, the killing of a taxi operator indicates that the economic situation is rapidly worsening.

He however stressed that this latest incident can affect the government's ability to earn while placing undue challenges at the Ministry of Tourism. "It means that the Ministry of tourism will have a bigger challenge as now tourists will want to know how safe they are taking into consideration that a taxi operator has been killed," he said.

Wigley warned that crime has to be addressed by all including political parties as if there is need for serious security concerns, the federation's ability to host major events would be greatly affected. "The last thing that we can afford now is to have St Kitts and Nevis being looked at as a place where there are security worries as organizers of major regional and international events may begin having second thoughts which will certainly affect all including the government and private sector," he said.

Wigley pointed out that Government has fought to ensure that a number of major regional and international sporting events be staged in the federation. As such, he warned that any security situation that warrants attention can and may prompt the postponement of these events. "nobody will come to a country where people seems not to be safe and the killing of a taxi operators makes it very difficult for anyone to comprehend as to the reason/s as visitors and tourist may feel timid and reluctant to come," he noted.

This, Wigley said means that every citizen and visitors has to be more vigilant and cognizant of what he said is the 'bigger' picture in that people has to become each others keepers'. If we are going to save St Kitts and Nevis waiting on the government and police alone will not work as they should not be the only ones helping to change things but each one of us," he declared.

The former SKN Defense force officer noted that security concerns have affected a number of countries in the past which ultimately resulted in increased hardships for its people. "We have seen in countries like India and Pakistan where events have had to be cancelled we have also seen in certain Caribbean countries where people are warned not to go because of security concerns so we need to be very careful before St Kitts and Nevis gets into that as currently we are still seen as a paradise," Wigley said.

Wigley added that while there is pressure building from the public on the federation's security forces its time that everyone begin to understand that protecting and harboring criminals helps in the ultimate destruction of the country and their economic future.

Philipsburg: --- The court of first instance has rejected the claim filed against Talking Drum Foundation by Julian Rollocks. The court also prohibited Rollocks from acting as a representative to the Foundation in its April 9 ruling while giving Julian Rollocks one week to turn over all documents, contracts as well as sub-contracts for the Border Point to his half brother Cimmeran Marlin.
The judge in his ruling said while he would not give a direct decision on how the foundation and Rollocks should settle their dispute regarding Rollocks so called investment in the foundation.

The judge stated that based on the letter to Rollocks by Talking Drum pertaining to the investments Rollocks must substantiate his investment claims if a settlement is to be reached between the foundation and Rollocks.

On March 15 2010, Julian Rollocks took the Talking Drum Foundation to court after they prohibited him from acting and collecting monies on behalf of the foundation.
Two days after the hearing Rollocks sent a cashier's check to the foundation to the amount of $20,475 as well as a letter apologizing to the foundation which was founded by his half brother Cimmeran Marlin. According to information reaching SMN News the monies Rollocks returned to the foundation does not represent the total amount of monies he received on behalf of Talking Drums.
Details on the verdict will be published in a subsequent article on this website.

In the meantime, SMN News has learned that the a letter was sent to the executive council by members of the Talking Drum Foundation asking the council to investigate Julian Rollocks since he is allegedly misusing the foundation for his personal gain.

Philipsburg:--- The Belvedere Home Owners and Tenants Association (BHOTA) in collaboration with the Police Department held a fun day for the children of the Belvedere and Union farm communities on Saturday, April 10th.

The fun day was called "Cops for Kids" and it was organized by BHOTA. The idea of the fun day was to take the children out of their everyday environment and let them have fun some where else. Another aspect was also for them to make a connection with the police and to let them know that the police is to protect, serve and guide them. Close to one hundred children, ranging between the ages of 8 to 15 years took part in this fun day.

The fun day started 10.00 a.m. with a bicycle ride from the Belvedere/ Union Farm/ French Quarter area to Philipsburg. The riders were guided by the Police Bike patrols through the streets. Those children who did not have a bicycle were transported by bus to the police sub-station on the Cyrus Wathey Square. There the children were allowed to interact with each other, the police, and other persons walking on the Board Walk. They were allowed to swim and were given a boat tour on the police boat in the Great Bay harbour.
The children were also treated to lunch and had ice cream for dessert. At 02.00 p.m. the group of riders hopped back on their bikes and those that came on the bus got on the bus and headed back to Belvedere and Union Farm area where they were dropped off. The Police department is looking forward to a continuous working relationship with BHOTA.

MARIGOT--- A well known robber was sentenced to three years imprisonment by a court in Basse-Terre on Friday for the role he played in multiple robberies and vehicular thefts. A press release from the gendarmes states that the 20-year-old robber was arrested by a patrol on Wednesday night just after he had committed an armed robbery on the Dutch side of the island. The investigation conducted by the gendarmerie determined that the culprit was responsible for other thefts including the stealing of a vehicle in Grand Case on March 31, one in Baie Nettle and the other in Marigot.
The gendarmes also reported that two other suspects are now in pre-trial detention in Guadeloupe for robberies they committed on two restaurants. The suspects will appear in court on April 13.

Airport Road:---Windward Islands Airways International N.V (WINAIR) has created a splash on the social media scene by launching the first Facebook contest by an airline in the region's history. The contest dubbed My WINAIR moment is geared at rewarding winners with round trip tickets as the company seeks to aggressively promote the company within the various destinations that it travels to.
According to the company's Managing Director, Edwin Hodge face book Fans can join the contest simply by uploading a photo of theirs on the WINAIR Fanpage wall. He said that adding a caption to their pictures describing why it was their WINAIR moment enables them to win from the many attractive and lucrative prizes available. The photo with the most "Likes" will win a round-trip flight to a WINAIR destination Hodge said.
"WINAIR remains at the cutting edge of technology and is now the first airline in the region to interact with its customers and fans through social media," commented the company's Vice President / Director of Marketing and Sales, Claudio Buncamper.
Buncamper pointed out that the Facebook contest can be seen as the start of a process through which the airline is seeking to become even more customer-focused and there can be a number of key social media initiatives expected in the upcoming months.
To help with setting up a social media strategy of world-class standards, WINAIR has engaged leading airline branding consultancy, SimpliFlying.
"Technology has allowed us to efficiently and effectively interact with customers like never before. The visionary approach being taken by WINAIR to drive customer engagement, is very encouraging" says Shashank Nigam, chief executive of SimpliFlying.
The Facebook contest is open to public and will run until April 23, 2010.
More information about the contest can be found on http://www.facebook.com/flywinair

Newly appointed Manager of Ma Pau Casino, Charlene Edwards believes that if her business is to grow and develop then government and private sector support as well as the availability of skills and expertise is critically important.

This was the consensus of Edwards who recently moved from St Maarten after being there for some 15 years. Edwards who assessed the operations of both Ma Pau Casino and Sweet Lime Restaurant said that said there is a growing realization that additional efforts are needed towards the development of both businesses as a result of what she said is the growing challenging times being faced. She said that she hopes to see fruits being bourn soon taking into consideration that since the businesses were established in 2008 they have not made a profit.

She pointed out that continues training of staff and a more productive aggressive approach in how staff relates to customers are among several areas that need to be improved. Edwards said the latter is of key importance noting that employers are more interested with earning a salary rather than providing a service that will result in repeat customers. She said two of the major issues affecting further enhancement of her businesses are the low level of customers noting that despite several marketing initiatives that have been introduced since opening their doors in 2008 has not been successful also the fact that while there has and continues to be talk about quality people are more interested in the 'quick and go' system.

Edwards however noted that with employees being friendlier and the level of high service delivered to customers that persons would continue to support the business. "While I must admit that due to the high financial burden of running this establishment we have taken a decision to close at the end of April and reopen at the start of October this year. However we intend to keep up our marketing campaigns and efforts a s we seek to increase the crowd that comes here," she said.

Edwards said that since arriving she has take on the hands on marketing approach where she goes out into the community and speak to potential customers directly. She said that this will aid in bringing out a more positive approach to the public's view about Ma Pau as persons would want to come so as to sample the service being offered. She said that with her direct approach here she is more involved on the local scene, "where people can see you" will certainly result in increased support. Against this backdrop, she stated that persons attending the restaurant are guaranteed enhanced service from the traditional type of service being offered at other restaurants.

According to Edwards sustainability by companies needs to be examined and maintained at an acceptable level, in order to foster private sector development. He also stated that businesses should strive towards reaching and maintaining higher standards, and she noted the creation of proper business plans as being critical towards the success of businesses.
Edwards pointed that because of the implementation of the CSME several staff members from St Kitts would be traveling to Trinidad and Tobago where they would be working for some five odd months thus being able to garner increased and enhanced skills and experience. She disclosed that this forms part of the company's policy in making all the Ma Pau's and Sweet Lime Restaurants one despite being in several countries. As such, she stressed that the level of service being delivered should be high and of significant quality regardless of the country, it is being given in.

This, Edwards reiterates what she said as being an urgent and critical need for the implementation of an organization that seeks to address the concerns of the private sector with regards t the level and quality of service being delivered. Edwards said that such an organization will also help in the holistic development of the private sector noting that it would pave the way for more successful businesspersons to establish relationships to further assist in the development of businesses in their "embryonic stage." "I am confident that with such an approach that there would be more successful stories as it relates to businesses in both St Kitts and Nevis," Edwards concluded.

...

Philipsburg:--- Road work will begin Thursday evening on Front Street reported the Government Information Service. The road work commenced from 8 PM until 5 AM The work will only be concentrated on the dangerous areas and or where sagging of the brick has been determined.
Front Street will be closed at different locations to allow the work to continue and at the same time allowing cars to be diverted around the work locations.
Dead line for this work will be (as of tonight) until the 24th of April before the Jr. Parade. The contractor will try to work every night, permitting that the weather and forecast remains dry.

Airport: --- WINAIR shall be introducing a Safety Management Systems (SMS) course effect April 19, 2010 to all operational staff.

SMS is a civil aviation requirement, which ensures that all levels of employees and contractors recognize hazards and consequently implement procedures to eradicate the risk or reduce it significantly.

System Safety Services from April 19, 2010 through April 27, 2010 shall conduct this SMS course for all WINAIR employees.

GREAT BAY: --- The sector of ROB would hereby like to inform the public that the AT Illidge Road would be closed for drive through traffic on Tuesday 20 April at 8 pm until 21 April at 6 AM.
The (drive through) traffic will be detoured from the Cottage round-a-bout (Eddy Auto supply) and at the Madam Estate/ Arch Road Intersection.
The work area will be vicinity of Micro Device. Traffic from the round-a-bout and the Arch Road will be allowed until the work area, but no drive through.

Philipsburg: ---- Recipients of the Brooks Towers Permits Category 1 would have to find an employer if they are to register through the regular trajectory to obtain a resident and working permit. Head of immigrations Robert Barby confirmed that persons who received the Brooks Tower Category 1 permit must have an employer in order for them to register through the regular system.
The Brooks Tower Permit was aimed at regulating the undocumented on St. Maarten for a period of one year. However, many on St. Maarten feel that the Central government through the Minister of Justice has exploited the illegal residents with the Brooks Tower Permits. Some said the Minister used the opportunity to make monies on St. Maarten prior to St. Maarten becoming country since the Brooks Tower would not help St. Maarten's after November 3 2010.
The monies collected from the Brooks Tower process went to Curacao since the Central Government footed the bill for the program. Already there are concerns as to how St. Maarten would deal with the illegal residents come 10/10/10. This they said would cost the island millions of guilders if they were to try to legalize those persons that received the Brooks Tower Permits.
One of the suggestions by the some elected on St. Maarten is for the Minister of Justice Magali Jacoba to amend the immigration admission and expulsion regulation then those persons in category 1 would have been able to sign for themselves. With the current LTU regulation, the Governor of St. Maarten or the other islands cannot issue Independent Residency Permits since the Governor's office does not have any competency on labour permits. "In the past St. Maarten was issuing independent residency permits to people who are able to prove their income but this was stopped when several elected officials raised their concerns on the Independent Residency Permit verses the Indefinite Residency Permit." Some said the governor could not issue the independent permits since the holders of these permits would not need a working permit.
Currently the implementation of the FMS system is being installed but so far, the model was not published on the island. SMN News learnt that the protocol on the FMS is not given to the governor neither the island's elected. SMN News learnt that when the FMS system is fully implemented as is in Curacao then the Governor's cabinet would not have access to the program. Furthermore, it creates a situation to breed corruption. Several persons speaking out against the FMS system and the way it is implemented said at least two top cops was sentenced to prison after they misused the NAVAS Systems some years ago, even when the system could have been monitored.
Efforts made to contact the Minister on Monday proved futile as she is currently in the Netherlands.

PHILIPSBURG: --- Recognizing the importance of Carnival to our tourism based economy and the cheer and cultural bonding opportunities that it brings to citizens and tourists alike, NAGICO Insurances Management Team made a sound decision to continue to support organizers and participants of carnival. The team acknowledges that the number of requests has grown over the years, not only because of economic challenges but also due to an increase in the number of non-profit organizations. The company kept its long established tradition of providing assistance, decorating its office and providing employees with Carnival T-shirts, which are often worn during the Jourvert.

NAGICO's most recent carnival contributions were made to The Sky Is the Limit Foundation, The Official Band, District Queen Show participant Ms. Bria Sorton, Ram and Jam 2010 TV program, organizers of the Follow the Rainbow Troupe, and District Band, among others.

Human Resources Officer Esmeralda Maria stated: "Supporting Carnival through sponsorships, donations and providing our employees with colorful t-shirts and beautiful decorated surroundings, brings joyfulness and increases the well being of our community at large. We are pleased to have been of assistance and we take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy carnival 2010."

Ms. Esmeralda Maria, accompanied by NAGICO's Senior Administrative Clerk, Ms. Rose Hodge, presented a cheque to The Sky is The Limit Representative Mr. Claudius Buncamper. The proceeds will be used to cover costs of the Senior Calypso Competition, which will be held at the Festival Village on Tuesday April 27.

Great Bay: --- Commissioner for economic affairs, Frans Richardson, is calling on the general public to fully support the remainder of the 2010 St. Maarten carnival program.
Commissioner Richardson is of the opinion that carnival, being the premier cultural event of the island, deserves the unconditional support of the public as well as that of the business sector.
"The business community has a vital role to play considering that much of carnival cannot exist without its support" says Commissioner Richardson.
He remarked that "for over 40 years, we have celebrated carnival and seen it grown into an event attracting not only residents, but overseas visitors as well. Having come this far, we have no choice but to continue supporting the event and its development".

There is no denying that St. Maarten's yearly carnival festivities have become one of the most anticipated as people from all walks of life and backgrounds take to the streets on Jouvert morning as revelers or onlookers.

It is the one event that brings the excitement of St. Maarten's diverse community and multi-faceted culture into the open, which is something visitors enjoy. More importantly, it is that one event which St. Martiners can claim as their own, since they were there from the beginning.

With this annual display of revelry, smaller hoteliers are among those benefitting from an influx of, among others, Caribbean tourists who come for the parades as well as for the local and visiting entertainers appearing at Festival Village.

As we move forward, on the heels of having celebrated 40 years of carnival celebrations, it is also important that we recognize the sacrifices made by the early organizers of St. Maarten's carnival and together contribute to making it easier for today's and future leaders to take this event to another higher level.

Philipsburg:--- Members of the island council posed several critical questions to commissioner of environmental affairs regarding the waste management project he submitted to the island council for approval on Monday.

The council member's wants to know what would be the impact of the project to the people of St. Maarten and its ultimate costs to St. Maarten. Commissioner Theo Heyliger in his presentation to the island council said members of the council were given two letters informing them on the solid waste project which elucidated the concerns and history of the project, as well as the procedures government followed thus far. Heyliger said members of the council were also informed on the objective of the solid waste project and the most favorable proposal for the Solid Waste Management and Processing Facility. He said they were also informed of the present state of affairs and planning of said project. Also included was the choice of location and the facilities that are to be built as well as the contracts of the legal services provided by HBN law and the financial services by KPMG.
However, members of the council still believe that Heyliger did not provide them with adequate information pertaining to the procedures they followed.
Island council member Leroy Petrus De Weever wants to know why the negotiations with the French side did not continue and why did the two French side companies did not bid on the project. De Weever said he wants to know why the negotiations failed between the two sides and felt that if this channel was used St. Maarten would have saved money and the people on the Dutch side would have had less impact since the garbage would have been burnt on the French side of the island. He asked the executive council to provide the council with evidence which would show that the Dutch side exhausted their efforts to cooperate with the French side. De Weever said if the council cannot provide the evidence then it is clear that the current government would be wasting government monies.
The councilman wants to know based on the calculations made on the lifespan of the dump exactly how many more years St. Maarten has to use this area for garbage disposal.
De Weever also wants clarity on the five member advisory committee and their background as it relates to solid waste disposal and alternative energy generation. He said based on the information provided by the commissioner the advisory committee said that they analyzed four companies while the two French side companies they said informed them in writing that they would not submit any proposal. Based on that statement the island councilman said he wants an explanation as to why would the committee spend time and money to analyze two companies that would not participate in the bidding. De Weever also poked holes in the explanation given to the council concerning the thermal processing unit and wanted to know if there were other solutions to be considered when it comes to the processing of solid waste.
Questions were also posed on the effects this plant would have on GEBE and the amount of electricity the Solid Waste Management Facility would provide to St. Maarten. The council members also wants to know if the people of St. Maarten would get any sort of relief since GEBE would get at least 8 mega watts of electricity from the garbage disposal process. The council also asked the executive council to provide more details on the financing and their choice of law firms. He said based the documents provided to the council it claimed that the contractors chosen were the cheapest. He said he wants to executive council to take note of the Chinese proverb in mind that states "Cheap things no good and good things is not cheap."
One of the key concerns posed to the executive council came from members of the council that are supporting the current coalition government. Island Council member Louie Laveist wants to know who took the decision to place such a facility in Cole Bay or Cape Bay. He asked if the people of the area were consulted and if they were informed on the negative effects such a facility would have on their neighborhoods. Laveist made clear that he was not informed and no one consulted with him when they were making the plans for such a facility in his neighborhood. The councilman declared that over the years Cole Bay has seen a number of land butchers and not developers and he wants to make clear that the people of Cole Bay/ Cape Bay does not want anymore butchers in their area.
While councilman Rudolphe Samuel said while everyone understands the need for such a facility due diligence much be done. He said even members of the second chamber made mention to the fact that St. Maarten does not have a proper waste management facility in place during the debates of the Kingdom Charter. Samuel said he is aware such a project would have negative effect but also noted that the process must move forward in the interest of St. Maarten and its people. While Senator George Pantophlet reminded the council of the Queens statements regarding the dump when she last visited St. Maarten. The island council meeting has since been adjourned to May 7 to give the executive council enough time to respond to the questions posed.

Below are some other information the executive council provided to members of the island council regarding the facility.

1. History of the land filling solid waste.

For years the landfill at Pond Island has been the official repository for practically all the waste streams produced in St. Maarten. The explosive growth of the local population and the tourist industry has brought an increase in most of the waste streams (e.g. construction and demolition-, household -, commercial waste). The disposal of garbage has historically been occurring with limited control and management. Due to hurricane Luis in 1995 and the large waste streams resulting from the clean up and reconstruction activities, the limited space led to a critical situation at the landfill. Plans were designed for remodeling and reorganizing the dumpsite including a containment dike around the waste dump area. These plans were executed in 1998. The highest level of the landfill is approximately 12.00 meters + SMP. The finished parts of the landfill (waste dump) are covered with a layer consisting of a mixture of sand and silt.
After the completion of these works the management of the landfill was outsourced to a private company. The landfill is currently better-controlled and all trucks entering are registered including the type and estimated volume of the waste.
Since the remodelling of the waste dump in 1998 it is known that the capacity of this dumpsite is limited. In 2008, the estimate for available space was calculated with as result that only a few years were left prior to achieving maximum capacity. Further expansion of the dump is not possible in light of maintaining a minimum water surface in the pond for its buffer function during heavy rains and hurricanes.

The need to start with a sustainable solution has become critical and urgent.

This project, focusing on a long-term solution, consists of the building of installations to process the different waste streams that arrive at Pond Island. The main goal of this project is to start the processing of waste in an environmentally safe manner. The Government wants to bring a sustainable and long-term solution for the waste problems of St. Maarten by contracting a party to design, finance, build, own, operate, and transfer a Solid Waste Management Processing Facility (SWMPF) at Pond Island. Government's objective is to achieve a minimum 95% reduction of the disposal of all the waste streams into the landfill.

The Executive Council received various propositions for solution of the solid waste problems of St. Maarten.
After evaluating all information the Executive Council decided in 2008 to include the input from the private sector in solving the solid waste management and environmental problems of St. Maarten.

2. Tender procedure.

In February 2008 the tender procedure for the realization of a new solid waste processing facility was initiated via announcements in the local papers, inviting companies to express their interest in making a proposal to finance, design, build, own, operate and transfer such a facility.

In March 2008 ten companies submitted their Expressions of Interest (EOI's). Out of the ten a total of four companies (one American, two French and one local) were selected and invited in June via a Request for Proposal (RFP) to participate in the tender procedure.

Although efforts have been made to tender and realize a combined facility with the French side of the island, this could not be accomplished. However the RFP documents require the facility to be in conformity with the environmental EU standards, making it possible for the facility to receive and process solid waste from the French side at a later stage if needed.

A five member Advisory Committee was installed by the Executive Council in May to coordinate the tender procedure and advise the Executive Council with regard to the selection of the most favourable proposal.

On June 25th 2008, an information meeting was held with representatives of the four companies.
A memorandum of information including questions and answers was sent to the four companies.

The four companies had to submit their proposals by October 23, 2008.
Two companies, the American and the local company, submitted their proposals. The other two invited (French) companies declared in writing to be unable to submit a proposal.
The local company also submitted two alternative proposals including options for waste collection and waste to energy, as was allowed in the tender documents (Request for Proposals).

The Advisory Committee reported their findings to the Executive Council in an Evaluation Report of the received proposals in December 2008. The Advisory Committee evaluated the (in total 4) received proposals based on the criteria as stipulated in the RFP and unanimously scored the proposal of the local company that included the waste to energy option as the most favourable solution.

Based on the visit of a comparable installation in Scotland and some additional information requested from the selected proponent, the Advisory Committee made its final recommendation in March 2009 with regard to the selected system.

In May 2009 the negotiations started with the Windward Roads NV (WWR) to negotiate a Design Built Finance Maintain and Operate (DBFMO) contract for the SWMPF.

3. Objective of the project.

Waste reduction of at least 95%
In the announcement, as well as in the tender documents (RFP), the requirement included a stipulation that at least 95% of all solid waste must be processed. The remaining maximum 5% of residual waste must be land-filled at the present dumpsite. To make room for this residual waste the tender documents require that the present landfill undergo mining and processing by a minimum quantity of 10,000 ton per year. This will result in a steady yearly reduction of the landfill. The extra space can be used for other purposes including reserved space for debris from disasters (hurricanes etc), if any.

Waste to energy
Waste reduction can take place via separation and recycling of parts of the solid waste, for example paper, plastic, glass, aluminium, steel, copper, tires, concrete, asphalt, wood. Furthermore, organic waste can be transformed into compost. Still the remaining part of the non recyclable solid waste will be bigger than 5% and must be processed, most probably via some kind of thermal processing. This thermal processing can produce energy that can be transformed into electricity.

As could be understood from the EOI's submitted by the companies and the questions asked before and during the information meeting, it could be anticipated that most of the proposals would consist of a combination of different processes including a thermal processing component. Depending on the inclusion of the different options the thermal processing component will be more or less extensive. If less extensive, the produced energy can be used for the processing facility only. If more extensive the surplus electricity becomes available as supply to GEBE's electricity network.

The most favourable proposal includes a thermal processing component resulting in a considerable amount of green electricity to be delivered to GEBE's network.

Cost of solid waste processing
The present processing of solid waste via a "sanitary" landfill is clearly the cheapest solution. It has become also very clear that this kind of processing results in quite some environmental problems such as uncontrolled fires and pollution of the environment.
The processing of solid waste in an environmentally responsible manner via a processing facility will be considerably more expensive. Cost reduction via re-use of residues and alternative energy production is therefore not only most welcome but most probably a must in order to keep the costs to the population and business community within a reasonable range.

Cost savings through alternative energy production
A facility that makes optimal use of thermal processing may produce up to 8 Megawatt of green energy.
This represents a considerable income from the green energy production, reducing the cost of the solid waste processing, while at the same time reducing the amount of heavy fuel for electricity production by +/- 12% and the green house gases by about 70,000 ton CO2 per year.

Thermal processing and environment
At present, thermal processing can take place well within the relevant environmental standards applicable for air, (open and ground) water and bottom pollution. The RFP documents require the facility to be in accordance with EU standards with regard to air, water and soil pollution.

Consequences of energy from waste for GEBE's power production
It is evident that the supply of extra power to GEBE's power network comes with technical and financial consequences. However, examples of solutions are available all over the world. Considering the developments in the energy markets, it is recommended that GEBE implement alternative (green) energy sources.
Government and GEBE will work together to realize this alternative energy source.

4. Description of the most favorable proposal for the SWMPF

Gasification system
Windward Roads B.V. submitted the most economically and environmentally advantageous proposal, consisting of a batch process thermal gasification technology,

The gasification system will use an advanced thermal treatment process using proprietary batch-process thermal gasification technology, called the Batch Oxidation System™ (BOS™). In the process, variable organic wastes will be converted to energy and other usable products without sorting or pre-processing the materials to be converted.

The plant will treat a.o. household and commercial waste, medical- ship- and airline waste, and various rest products of the C&D recycling plant, as well as car wreck recycling and bulky domestic waste recycling.

Initially a total of 5 BOS-trains were proposed to be installed in the solid waste treatment plant.
Each train consist of 4 primary gasification chambers, a secondary combustion chamber and a heat boiler. The heat boilers will produce super heated steam, which will be used to drive a steam turbine and generate electrical power.
The system includes individual emission control systems on each train with continuous emissions monitoring and instantaneous feedback for flue gas treatment.

Construction and Demolition recycling system (C&D system)
Other types of waste such as yard waste, waste originated from construction and demolition, and the contents of the existing landfill will be sorted by the C&D system into sand, bricks, wood, ferrous, non ferrous, paper and cardboard, plastics and residue.

The C&D plant consists of the following elements: star screens, air separation, magnets, and manual sorting as the last stage of the recycling to retrieve the remaining recyclables.

Based on the recent weight and caloric value analyses, resulting in higher quantities of waste and lower caloric waste values, WWR proposes to amend the design of the BOS installation into 3 BOS trains including 2 shredder installations, to optimize waste density and increase BOS-installation capacity and process flexibility. These changes have also changed the investment and operation cost, own electricity consumption, electricity production and consequently the gross and net service fee.

5. State of affairs and planning

In May 2009, the Executive Council selected one of the proposals of Windward Roads NV (WWR) as the environmentally and economically best solution for the processing of the solid waste, as proposed by the tender advisory committee. Subsequently WWR was invited to develop and negotiate the DBFMO contract in cooperation with the Island Government. It is expected that this contract can be finalized in the second quarter of 2010.
To finalize the DBFMO-contract the independent cost quality advice of KEMA is needed. In this respect the Council is referred to letter dated April 13, 2010 to the Island Council with regard to the answers to the questions posed by the Central Committee.
As soon as KEMA has submitted the report, the draft DBFMO contract can be finalized and the entire project can be presented for approval to the Executive and Island Councils.

6. Location of the SWMPF

In the tender documents the new SWMPF is located at Pond Island just to the South of the present dumpsite and to the North of the Public Works yard.

WWR had submitted an alternative proposal for the SWMPF to be located on land reclamation in the eastern section of the Cole bay. However it has become clear that WWR had not included the necessary financing for the realization of this alternative location.

The department of VROM has worked out a proposal with regard to the choice of location for the SWMPF. VROM advises to continue the procedure as planned with the SWMPF on Pond Island and simultaneously investigate the financial feasibility of eventually two facilities on two locations, one on Pond Island for the mining of the landfill and one in Cole Bay for the processing of regular waste.
For more information is referred to the elucidation of VROM as attached to the letter.

When the project is presented for approval to the Island Council the evaluation of the location alternatives will be included in the presentation.

7. Private tender with HBN Law for legal services

For the realization of the SWMPF through a DBFMO contract the following legal services must be performed:

1. Drafting of the Island Ordinance for the collection and processing of waste and the production of energy from waste required for the implementation of the Legal Framework, which will de done in consultation with the Island Territory of St. Maarten and other stakeholders, including GEBE; namely:
   • To, subject to the approval of GEBE, draft a proposed amendment of GEBE's general terms and conditions as far as required within the Legal Framework;
   • To draft a model agreement for the sale of electricity produced from the waste by the Waste Management Concessionaire to GEBE
2. To assist the Island Territory of St. Maarten in connection with the evaluation of the proposals to be received in connection with the solid waste management processing facility at Pond Island, in particular the review and possible correction of drafts submitted for the DBFMO contract and assistance with the conclusion thereof;
3. To draft other ancillary documentation.

Selection of law firm

Instead of entering into a public tender procedure HBN Law is proposed for the performing of these services for the following reasons:

• HBN Law has a proven record of relevant experience in this field and were a.o. involved in the recent implementation of the fee structure for the harbour of St. Maarten;
• HBN Law office on St. Maarten is the only law firm on St. Maarten being part of a much bigger law firm with more than 25 lawyers in the Antilles and Aruba and a cooperation agreement with the big Dutch law firm Pels Rijcken & Drooglever Fortuijn (Legal counsel to the state of the Netherlands); HBN Law can therefore deliver their services in time with required quality, while time and quality are of the essence;
• Because of HBN Law's relevant expertise and experience in the field, HBN Law can offer the services relatively cheap;
  and last but not least
• HBN Law presented an unique solution for the problem of the collectability of the solid waste fees.
  HBN Law was requested to submit a proposal for these services in November 2008. HBN Law submitted a proposal for these legal services for a total amount of Naf. 252,000.

8. Private tender with KPMG Corporate Finance

For the realization of the SWMPF through a DBFMO contract the following financial services must be performed:

• Develop a financial model for tariff provision
• Support with the evaluation of the proposal selected by the Advisory Committee
• Assist with the clarification process before starting the negotiation phase
• Assist with the negotiation process for the development of a DFBOOT contract
• Finalize the business case

KPMG Corporate Finance was requested to submit a proposal for these services in November 2008.
KPMG Corporate Finance submitted a for these financial services for a total amount of Naf. 316,339.

Selection of Corporate finance advisory firm

Instead of organising a public tender for these services, KPMG Corporate Finance is proposed for the performing of these services for the following reasons:

• KPMG Corporate Finance has a proven record of relevant experience in the field of advising governments on concession projects internationally, in the Netherlands Antilles and around the Caribbean and were a.o. involved in the recent implementation of the structuring and financing of large infrastructure concessions like the Airport in Curacao and the Cruise Port Facilities in St. Maarten
• For the first half of 2008 KPMG Corporate Finance was the leading PPP financial advisor internationally, having closed 17 transactions with a capital value of € 10.8 billion
• They have ample experience with large and complex waste projects.
• They can rely on a broad range of multi skilled team with proven experience in structuring concessions and waste in both public and private sector as well as ample experience with the development of PPP contracts.

9. The independent cost quality engineering study by KEMA

In the second letter the answers are given to the questions posed by the Island Council members in the meeting of the Central Committee of February 1st 2010.
In addition to the scope of works as described in the TOR and KEMA's proposal, the Executive Council proposes to have KEMA technically and financially compare the proposed BOS installation with alternative gasification systems suitable for Sint Maarten's waste volume and circumstances. Taking into account the extra work included with this scope expansion and considering eventual extra and unforeseen costs it is proposed, as was suggested by councilman L. De Weever, to raise the budget for this ICQE services with Naf 45,000 to in total Naf. 355,000.

In concluding and with reference to the island ordinance "Financieel beheer' the Island Council is hereby requested:

1. to ratify the procedure that has been followed thus far with regard to the tender of the SWMPF
2. to retroactively approve the private tender with HBN Law
3. to retroactively approve the private tender with KPMG Corporate Finance.
4. to approve the proposed private tender with KEMA and to forego the public tender procedures in the interest of St. Maarten in accordance with article 17 of the island ordinance on Financial Management and approve the revised budget of Naf. 355,000.

Illidge Road:--- Environmental workers, activists and several persons are busy trying to find out the source of a huge oil spill in the Great Salt Pond in the vicinity of the Illidge Road round about.

Etienne Lake from Nature Foundation and Ruben Thompson from St. Maarten Pride and EPIC were among those concerned up to late Tuesday afternoon trying to source where the oil came from threatening the life of many pelicans, fishes and turtles. Speaking to SMN News Thompson said up to pres time no one could find who is responsible for the spill and he came to the conclusion that someone might have discharged oil in the pond on purpose somewhere between Madame Estate to the AT Illidge Road round about or from the landfill.
Thompson said he was busy all afternoon on Tuesday trying to get government or the fire department to begin cleaning the oil from the pond because a number of birds, turtles and fish will perish over night.
Thompson also indicated that his intension is to continue investigating to see if he could find the culprit behind the oil spill or dumping. He said he contacted the fire department who told them that they are not able to clean the oil due to the lack of expertise. However, Thompson plans to deal with government on Wednesday to make sure the cleaning process begins.

While Lake said those responsible has no consideration for environment. He said he did not feel those responsible considered the different types of bird species, fish species, turtles that call the Great Salt Pond their home.
Lake said what is more disturbing is that government does not have trained personnel to handle disasters such as this spill. He said in the coming days residents would see how much of the birds, ducks and other sea life will perish for the lack of oxygen and food. Lake called on the island government to provide the tools needed to members of the environmental groups who are willing to assist in the clean up. He said while the environmental groups has the know how, they lack materials.
A concerned resident and worker Firgus Paper told SMN News that he fears for the lives of the young turtles that live on the rocks next to his business place. The man said each day there are close to 10 baby turtles on the rocks some of which was seen stranded in the oil. The businessman said maintenance work was being conducted at a nearby business but he is not sure if they are responsible for the oil discharge. He called on government to look closely for those responsible for the spill and to bring them to justice.

Also on scene was commissioner environmental affairs Theo Heyliger and his executive assistant Maurice Lake inspecting the damage done to the pond and sea life. Lake in an invited comment said the commissioner has instructed the department of inspections to begin an investigation to see who is responsible for the spill. He said inspector also has to submit an official report and if the culprit is found they would be held liable for the destruction and clean up of the oil.

Philipsburg:--- The St. Maarten community is mourning the passing of Ian Valz who passed away at 11 pm on Wednesday night at the St. Maarten Medical Center. Valz has been terminally ill for the past months.
Valz a well known play writer in Guyana his native country also played the lead role in "Panman Rhythm of the Palms, Peacock Dance, and Jesus Christ Superstar here on St. Maarten.
Ian Valz received one of the highest decorations in the Kingdom of the Netherlands Antilles and was knighted by Queen Beatrix for his contributions to the development of theatre on St. Maarten.
Valz was also recognized by the St. Maarten Guyanese Foundation for his contributions to the island.

Marigot: --- The court of first instance has sentenced Mayor Raoul Albert Fleming to six months suspended sentence with five years probation. Fleming also has to pay Euros 10,000 fine for granting a contract to commune employee Priscilla Bade's company Rainbow Transportation Services (RTS) in December 2004.
The court also sentenced Bade to five months suspended sentence and fined her Euros 5000.00 Also condemned is Bade's brother co-owner of RTS which was not registered at the time the contract was granted to Bade. Bade's brother was equally condemned by the courts to, five months suspended sentence and a fine of Euros 5000.00 in a packed court room on Thursday. Albert Fleming has lost his voting rights for the next five years and he cannot under the French law contest any election until the sentence and probation period is over.
Priscilla Bade, her lawyer Aude Richards and co-owner of RTS Mr. George did not show up in court on Thursday when the decision of the court was pronounced by the court's president. The court was scheduled to give its verdict on April 22 but the decision was postponed to April 29 as the president of the court was stuck on France due to Ireland's volcano eruption which paralyzed Europe's air space for a number of days.
In an invited comment Mayor Fleming said he has to discuss the case with his lawyers to see if he would file an appeal. The former Mayor who has served St. Martin for 30 years of his life said he has ten days to file the appeal. He said one of consequences of the verdict delivered on Thursday is that the conviction would now appear on his police records, something he is very concerned about. The court also advised Fleming that if he paid the fine within one months time he is entitled to 20% discount of the fine, to an amount not more than Euros 1500.

Prosecutor Jacques Louvier told the court during the trial that Fleming as Mayor of St. Martin and the President of the bidding commission did not execute his duties and verify if RTS was eligible for the contract that was awarded to them. Rainbow Transportation Services (RTS) was registered after the bidding process Louvier argued since the necessary paperwork was not provided. The case was brought to the attention of the justice system in 2005 when the preceptor of St. Martin found out that RTS was not fully registered.

On Wednesday, June 9, the Lower House Elections will be held. Do you want to vote from the Netherlands Antilles?That is possible, if you have lived for at least ten years in the Netherlands

or if you are employed in the Dutch public service. In the latter case, your Dutch partner and children (18 years+ living at home) can also vote.

Pay attention! With the European elections, all Dutch residents of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba were entitled to vote. This is not the case

for the Lower House elections. You comply with the conditions, and you want to vote? You will then have to register by filling out a registration form, printing it and mailing it. Don't forget to add your certificate of Dutch nationality (a copy of your passport or ID card). The form must be received no later than Tuesday, April 27.

You can find the registration form:

- via www.uheefthetvoorhetzeggen.nl or www.denhaag.nl

- at the Representation of the Netherlands in the Netherlands

Antilles, Scharlooweg 55, Curaçao - at the Windward Islands office of the Representation of the Netherlands in the Netherlands Antilles (VNP) in St. Maarten, Front Street 26 (Convent Building). Voters in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba can send their completed registration form to the municipality of The Hague, or send it to/deliver it at the Representation of the Netherlands. Did you register earlier as a

voter abroad for the Lower House elections in 2006? Only then will the registration form be sent automatically to you. If in the meantime you

have moved, you yourself will have to notify the municipality of The Hague (Dienst Burgerzaken, Bureau Verkiezingen, postbus 12620, 2500

DL Den Haag or e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Philipsburg: ----The statements by some Justice experts from the Netherlands that the Police Forces for Curacao and St. Maarten will not be ready to function properly by October 10, 2010 should not come as a surprise to anyone. They were mostly concerned about St. Maarten whose police force could take some 10 years before it get where it s supposed to be. One has to understand that one of the consistent statements coming from The Hague besides St, Maarten needing to have good financial management and a proper administration has been the Justice system.
Senator Pantophlet said he is surprised about the fact the second chamber and the Dutch Government requested an investigation to see if the Kingdom Charter could be amended so that St. Maarten and Curacao police forces could function optimally come
October 10, 2010.

In the document called The Final Accord of November 2, 2006 (Slotverklaring) the issues of the Police, Finance and Justice were dealt with and what remained was how to fine-tune these agreements. And hearing the words quality and quantity sounds very familiar as these are found in documents such as the decision list which was signed on September 30, 2009 during a meeting of the Political Steering Group comprising of the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles, Curacao and St. Maarten. One of the decisions was that together a proposal would be developed to set up the (Gemeenschappelijke Voorziening Politie) different departments and structures to ensure that the police force is being improved. It mentions a small committee of 5 members. It mentions representatives of the Netherlands Antilles, Curacao, St. Maarten and the Netherlands (representing Bonaire St. Eustatius and Saba). It mentions the fact that every country will be responsible for quality a mature and professional police force. Also mentioned was that there should be continuity in the combating of organized and border crime. The protocol with the RST has been extended for two years after the transition period. I believe this information is already known to the public. On November 2, 2006 the delegations of the Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles and the Island Territories of Curacao and St. Maarten during the discussion agreements were made regarding future cooperation with the new entities in the areas of among others the maintenance of law and order, jurisprudence and finances and about the criteria the constitutions and the legislation the civil apparatus of the new entities have to comply with. There might be a few but I know of no country in the world that has a functioning police force that is the pride and joy of all. The discussion should not be whether St. Maarten's police force will be ready by October 10, 2010 but what steps are being taken today. Based on statements by one of the experts St. Maarten will not be ready for another 10 years while Curacao not for another 7years. As I stated before working agreements have been signed as to how to proceed in the areas where St. Maarten will not be ready. Will the Kingdom Justice Laws that are proposed effectuate immediate change in the operation of the police force or will it take years? Why should it be expected that a situation which has existed for over 25 years or more to change overnight? What would have happened in the initial stage if we had gotten the cooperation of all when the people of St. Maarten decided on June 23, 2000 for separate status? Having working agreements between the Police forces for St. Maarten, Curacao and the BES islands should not be a problem. We should be able to regulate amongst ourselves how we will work together. What stops the islands from agreeing amongst each other on rotating their police officers? A delegation is travelling from the Netherlands Antilles with persons of Parliament and the Island Territories to hold discussions on some consensus kingdom Laws and here is where the agreements made should be concretized. I understand the concerns of the experts as the issue of familiarity where a police officer might become too friendly with persons in the community. This might not be a bad idea. Maybe it will allow us to solve more crimes. I am trying to understand the undue pressure placed on St. Maarten. First the Budget, now our Police Force and I believe that the Administration is next or maybe is already under pressure. There is a statement from one of the justice experts Mr. Visser that I can agree with which is that he praises the local government for being cognizant of the precarious situation and truly wanting to make improvements. Government wants to build a force with a strong leadership and where integrity is the rule. To this I say Let us get going. The people of St. Maarten are tired.

PHILIPSBURG - The University of St. Martin (USM) on Tuesday publicly thanked all the elementary schools and students who participated in its Upward Bound Initiative for the Spring 2010 term while looking forward to the schools' participation in other sessions.
An estimated 601 students visited USM this term as part of the Upward Bound Initiative, which was started in 2008 and is designed to encourage elementary school students to do well in school, look forward to high school, and start thinking earlier about college and career possibilities. During the 2008 pilot program, a USM representative visited four elementary schools in the immediate area and when the construction of upper level of USM was completed, schools were invited to the USM campus.
"We are pleased with the progress of Upward Bound Initiative that was started in 2008 and I am sure that with the continuation of the awakening and conscienticizing of our youngsters at an early age and giving them the direction to higher education, St. Maarten will be well on its way to building its human capital on a steady and sustained basis," said USM President Josianne Fleming –Artsen.
The Upward Bound Initiative focuses on the sixth graders as they are at the point where they will be transitioning to high school after their exams.
"We hope to encourage the young minds to strive for academic excellence as they transition to high school," remarked USM Admissions Director Angelique Hazel.
During the program's sessions, students get a tour of USM, which includes the classes used for the Teacher Education Program, the video conferencing classroom, distance learning laboratory, computer labs, library, and offices. According to Hazel, who also conducted the tours along with Admissions Representative Lakhsmi Hathiramani, students asked various questions during their campus tour. Most questions were regarding Room 105, the video conferencing classroom.
"There was some speculation after seeing the equipment in the room as to what Room 105 was used for. Students were informed that Room 105 is used for distance learning and students learned how distance learning happens at USM. Students also enjoyed viewing the projects on display by the students in the Bachelor of Arts in Education," Hazel reiterated.
Hazel added that the students asked many questions about the university such as what is hospitality (program), how many students USM has, and what time are classes held, what is a dean, and whether they too can attend USM?
The sessions conclude with a workshop where students are informed about career possibilities and the educational routes needed to realize these possibilities. The workshops were facilitated by Marketing Director Michel Chance and Admissions Director Angelique Hazel.
"Many want to be engineers, teachers, doctors, firefighters, police officers, and lawyers, while others want to become athletes or learn game or fashion designing. Although it is early in their lives, it is very encouraging to see a majority of our youngsters already identifying career possibilities. This is their head start to becoming productive and educated citizens. With St. Maarten heading to a new constitutional status, the country will be needing all the skilled, qualified, and educated persons possible," said Chance.
"Important is the fact that our youngsters are reminded of their value and that they know they can follow any career they wish. But, it is very important, based on our educational system, that students are guided in the most appropriate directions, respectively."
The USM Marketing Director said that, during the workshops, students are asked about their career interests and the respective high schools where they think they are going to attend and often the two do not align. He added that if, for example, a student wants to become a doctor or lawyer and ends up in vocational school, then that student will have more challenges to overcome, in order to get into the desired career compared to if that student attend and complete an academic high school. He said the same applies to a student who wants to be a carpenter and ends up in an academic high school.
"Education and careers are interrelated and students are urged to seriously consider their options, ask questions, and to do their research," according to Chance. In addition, students receive a newsletter and study tips during the Upward Bound Initiative program. "We do not believe that education results are a surprise for students, for they are achieved through input of efforts," said Chance, while wishing all the students much success on their upcoming exams.
St. Joseph School's sixth grade with some 23 students participated in the program on Tuesday. This session was the last school for this semester 2010, which started in January and ran through April. Other Elementary schools which participated include: the Sister Marie Laurence, Learning Unlimited, Oranje School, Leonard Connor School, Christian Hillside School, Ruby Labega School, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School, Genevieve DeWeever School, Sister Regina Primary School, Seventh Day Adventist Primary School, Methodist Agogic Center, and St. Dominic Primary School.
Teachers and school administrators have been responding favorably to the program Chance said, while adding that the information provided by the teachers and administrators will be used to further improve the program.
"It is a pleasure to see the Upward Bound Initiative embraced by the primary schools," said Hazel.
"We would like to thank all the teachers and school administrators for giving us this opportunity to interact with the students and also to let the students know that there is a university here for them," Chance said. USM is looking forward to all the schools participating in future sessions of the Upward Bound Program.
"USM will do all that it can with the help of the community to ensure and assure quality education for present and future generations," USM President Fleming-Artsen said.
The Upward Bound Initiative schedule for the next term will be available within short.

Philipsburg: --- On Tuesday at approximately 10.55 p.m. a Philipsburg police patrol noticed a young man behaving quite suspicious next to a car with license plate 257 ZAR 971 which was parked on the premises of the former Abdul Tire center on the Bush road.

The patrol approached the young man who stated he was catching some fresh air. He was told by the patrol to immediately leave the premises, which he did. A further investigation done by this patrol led them to look in a car that was parked nearby. In the car, two other young men were found hiding. The patrol also noticed also that the wires leading to the switch of the car were cut. All three young men were arrested on the spot. They were brought to the police station and handed over to the detective department. for further investigation.

The killing of taxi driver Bradford Tweed aka Braddy has plunged the taxi fraternity into deep mourning while registering the federation's tenth victim to have died by homicide for the year.

Reliable reports reaching Sun St Kitts indicated that Tweed was shot sometime after 4 yesterday (Thursday). The taxi operator who is of Cunningham Village, Lower Cayon was shot to death in the vicinity of Morgan Heights in Canada Estate. Police Press and Public Relations Officer Inspector Vaughan Henderson said, "Sometime about 4:45 a.m. on Thursday, April 8, police received a 911 call and officers from the Cayon Police Station and members of the Strike Force were alerted and they responded.

"On arrival at the scene, they found an elderly man by the name of Bradford 'Braddy' Tweed of Branch Street, Basseterre, who sometimes resides at Cunningham Village, Cayon, lying on the grassy verge of the Island's Main Road towards the seaside next to the front wheel of his bus (T 2587) in the vicinity of Morgan Heights in Canada Estate. Police also discovered that his body bore what appeared to be gunshot injuries," he was quoted as saying.

According to police sources no suspect has so far been held in connection with this incident while Henderson has indicated that investigations are ongoing. However, reliable sources indicated that Tweed had picked up someone some time after 3, however where and what the purpose of the trip for are unclear as a taxi operator who requested anominity said that he was 'set up' by the passenger. However unconfirmed reports are that he was shot in his butt, head and stomach.

Another taxi operator said that Tweed may have been dupe into the run as he is customary known for picking up passenger irrespective of who they are at any time of the day or night. "Hey he was a man who would do any run regardless of who you be as he was not the type who was afraid and he was here at the Circus last night at least up to 11.30 when I left. This is very sad as he was such a pleasant man who was known for his passion in politics," the taxi operator said. Tweed is the father of well known radio personality Kenny "Dj Cupid" James who currently works at ZIZ Broadcasting Corporation being one of his sons.

The federation's ten murders recorded so far for the year saw three of those being 26-year-old Keithon Stanley of Cole Hill, 23-year-old Kimoy 'Pudding' Powell of Bath Village, Nevis and 32-year-old Maxwell 'Mad Max' Chumney were all killed in January.

In February 31-year-old Vincentian, Wesley Trimmingham, of Brown Hill, 30-year-old Damian 'Nashi' Isaac, 29-year-old Nkoma 'Koma' Jacobs of Lower Monkey Hill, St. Peters whose death is currently being investigated after allegations that he was murdered by the police and 17-year-old Jervin Wilson were all victims of homicide

While in the month of March the deaths of Denzil 'Para' Williams and Twenty-one-year-old Karim 'Sleepy' Browne, formally of McKnight were recorded.

PHILIPSBURG - Yesterday District Band released one of their songs for carnival 2010 entitled 'Unity'. This track is on their soon to be released carnival CD entitled "Hold Yuh Balance" and District Band is calling on all their fans (young and old alike) to join them on the road for the opening of Carnival 2010.
"We specifically chose to release Unity leading up to the opening of Carnival as a message to the youths to put down the gun and the knives," bandleader Calvin Mardembrough jr. said.
"We know that there have been many complaints that the jump-ups are too violent, so we are appealing to all Carnival lovers to come out and have fun and jam in unity", District Band said.
Unity is one of several road-march songs on their second CD and the entire community is asked to take a listen to the lyrics of 'Unity' and get on board with District Band.
What happen to Carnival nowadays when back then everybody use to jam
in unity Nowadays all these youngsters wanna come inside a session with the gun in their hand to start negativity The people say they fed up..
These youths them got to make Carnival stronger So we got to keep our heads up
So carnival can last much longer Now put down the gun Put down the knife
Throw up your left hand. Throw up your right hand Leh we jam in unity, unity
Now everybody pushing and fighting this violence thing is leading out to be
a travesty. Why everybody just don't come together as a family and bring some peace
in our country Put down the guns and let we free up, (free up man)
In addition, let we stop targeting each other. This violence thing we got to clean up, (clean it up)
So we can start loving one another Now put down the gun Put down the knife
Throw up your left hand. Throw up your right hand
Leh we jam in unity, unity.
District band is a group of young people between the ages of 16 and 21, who took St. Maarten's 2009 Carnival celebration by storm. Branded as St. Maarten's next generation jam band, District Band is ready to do it again for Carnival 2010.
District Band CDs and t-shirts will be on sale during Carnival 2010. Look out for a special carnival package...coming soon. Persons interested in booking the band may contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 5208014.

Philipsburg:--- Senator and Island Councilman George Pantophlet is calling for someone to give him the correct definition of the word consensus. What does it really mean? Pantophlet said his interpretation of the word is that we agree (with emphasis on the word agree) on a particular subject or procedure and so on. Pantophlet said by asking the question persons would conclude that he is talking about the Consensus Kingdom Laws. It appears that consensus according to Mr. Johan Remkes member of the Second Chamber has to do with majority not equality. In other word, whether you agree or protest majority rules. Can this be placed under the heading of the column of Democratic Deficit? The focus of members of the Dutch Second Chamber is mainly on the Police Force of the Netherlands Antilles under the guise of justice of course. He said his conclusion has always been that it was a matter of control and he realized this attempt which began sometime in 1999 with a presentation of the introduction of the NAVAS system at the Immigration department on St. Maarten.
One of the statements by a member of the Second Chamber has been that the Dutch Kingdom sorry or the Netherlands is responsible to the international community (United States) for Law and Order in all parts of the Kingdom. Pantophlet said he cannot agree more but wondered why not include Education, Health Care, Social Welfare, Pension and Sports Facilities just to name a few? But the main focus is the Police Force for now that the Finances have been locked down. It is a pity that there was no interpreter of the debate that was being broadcast by Radio Souliga 99.9 FM in the Dutch language. Most if not many of our citizens don't understand or even speak the Dutch language thanks to our educational system that has forgotten that we live in a Dutch Kingdom, unfortunate because decisions taken during these debates will have serious consequences for the future and that of future generations. Where do we go from here? We have never said we don't need assistance, we have said that there has to be mutual agreement. But he will continue to say if you live in somebody else's house you have to follow their rules or get your own. There is a total of ten Kingdom Consensus Laws to be handled. If statement by members of the Dutch Chamber continues in this vein it means that self-determination by the people of the islands will be trampled under foot. This is the time for all of us as representatives of the people especially those now in the Hague to stand united in purpose and remain resolve to accomplish that which the people have elected us to do. Painful in all this is that the rest of the world so far is turning a blind eye to the process. We don't have oil or other minerals that can be a reason why. Consensus for whom.

Philipsburg:--- Island Council lady Maria Buncamper Molanus is calling on the chairman of the island council and chief of police Franklyn Richards to answer the questions she submitted to him relating to crime. Buncamper Molanus told members of the media on Tuesday that while she received a receipt from the governor's cabinet acknowledging they received her letter to date the answers to her questions on crime was not answered. She said the behavior of the governor and failing to respond to the island council members are far from good governance. Buncamper Molanus said elected officials are the people's voice and when they speak out they are speaking on behalf of the people who elected them to office.
Buncamper Molanus said the crime situation on St. Maarten is a serious one and while it has now become customary that no answers are given to members of the island council is calling on the governor openly to do what is right and answer her questions.
In her letter to the governor dated January 19 2010 Buncamper Molanus said any member of Parliament of The Netherlands Antilles has the right to ask questions to the Council Ministers or directly to a particular Minister in an attempt to obtain information for the benefit of the people.
Similarly, Members of the Island Council have the right to ask questions to the Executive Council, however asking questions to the Lt. Governor as it pertains to his function as Local Chief of police is not specifically regulated anywhere. Nevertheless, she is submitting her questions to his office the following inquiries with the hope that for the benefit of the general public, information is made available on the topic of crime.

1. During the past few months it appears that crime has been on the increase, particularly violent crime. Could you please confirm or deny this.
2. Are statistics available regarding the number as well as the type of criminal activities that are taking place on the island?
3. This apparent increase in violent crime seems to repeat itself periodically:
   a. Has a particular trend been established? If so please elaborate.
   b. Have the established efforts to combat these criminal activities rendered any results – positive or negative? Please explain.
4. What is the current shortage of police officers on the island and what is the status if the recruitment efforts.
5. In all the agreements that have been made for re-enforcement of the Windward Island Police Force has the shortage of police officers been addressed effectively?
6. What does the working relationship with the police force of Rotterdam and or any other Dutch city entail?
7. The Central Government on several occasions during the past few years informed the general public that it is taking steps to improve the police force in the Windward Islands. One such step is the reorganization of management and providing coaching. Is the Local Chief of police able to provide a status of affairs of the improvements as a result of the measures taken in general and that of the reorganization and coaching in particular?
8. What has happened to the many project proposals submitted by St. Maarten, by your office in particular with respect to tackling the problems we face when it comes to fighting crime on the island.

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

Fighting crime is everybody's business and so I look forward to your prompt response for the benefit the people of and the visitors to St. Maarten.

In the response and confirmation of receipt Richards notified Buncamper Molanus that he has taken note of the contents of her letter and has forwarded it to the Assistant Chief Commissioner of Police Ademar Doran for advice.

Philipsburg:--- Members of the Democratic Party told members of the media on Tuesday that while the trip to the Netherlands has been dubbed as being very important there was no preparation meeting on St. Maarten. The opposition island council members said that St. Maarten did not even send a delegation to Holland since the commissioner of constitutional affairs William Marlin went as an invited guest of the Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles.

Former commissioner of constitutional affairs commissioner Sarah Wescot Williams said the other members of the National Alliance who are currently on the trip is not representing St. Maarten instead they are there as parliamentarians. She further explained that she was not invited neither was she informed about the trip. "The only thing I got was an e-ticket and spending monies on my desk. But no information was given to me, and there was no preparation as to what we would do when we get to the Netherlands." Wescott Williams said.
She said despite all of that she did try to get a flight to the Netherlands but they were all booked. The only flight she said was available was on April 13 and her return was scheduled for April 16. Wescott Williams said at that point she refused to go ahead with the trip since she felt it would have been a waste of monies.

While island councilman Roy Marlin in his statements said that, everyone is looking at the leader of the Democratic Party faction who did not attend the meetings. He said the island council of St. Maarten has eleven members with four factions.

The Democratic Party, the National Alliance as well as the two independent members Theo Heyliger and Louie Laveist. Marlin said he went as far as asking the two independent members of the island council if they were invited to the Netherlands and if they were informed about the trip and both Laveist and Heyliger told him they were not invited neither were they briefed. Marlin said even if the leader of the Democratic Party had gone on the trip she would not have been able to speak since the second chamber meetings are for parliamentarians.

Marlin said ever since the National Alliance took over government they did not hold no more than two PCCA meetings, the first he said had no quorum while on the second meeting Leader of the Democratic Party Sarah Wescot Williams handed over the mantle to now commissioner of Constitutional Affairs William Marlin.

Philipsburg: --- Island Council member Petrus Leroy De Weever tabled a second motion of non-confidence against finance commissioner Xavier Blackman on Wednesday during the island council meeting called by the Democratic Party.

De Weever said leader of government William Marlin has given Blackman a motion of no confidence when he publicly announced on Tuesday that he had to seek assistance from outside with the 2010 budget so that it could be approved by the CFT. De Weever said St. Maarten is confronted with a level of incompetence in Blackman who is constantly traveling overseas. He said Blackman needs to assume his responsibilities and not look for scapegoats or people to blame for his failure. He felt with the motion of non-confidence against Blackman would end the blame game against the civil servants especially those in the finance department.

The island council member said Blackman has his priorities set wrong and as such, he can no longer enjoy the confidence of the island council. Copies of the motion will be sent to the first and second chamber of the Dutch Parliament, The Kingdom Council of Ministers, and the Governor of the Netherlands Antilles and the Parliament of the Netherlands Antilles.

De Weever said the leader of government has already given Blackman a motion of non confidence in his media article and in that same fate he is bringing his motion against Blackman. A copy of the motion can be viewed at the end of this article.

De Weever said St Maarten is faced with a high level of incompetence since the island leaders failed to prepare for the responsibilities and take over of tasks from the central government, reasons why he believed the current executive council is try to get service level agreements with the Dutch and Central government.

De Weever made clear that if the delegation that is currently in Holland comes back to St. Maarten with another level of higher supervision he would give up his job as an island council member. He said he would not be in an island council that is dictated by outside forces.

The island council member said all eleven members of the council was elected by the people of St. Maarten even if some is more competent that the others, nevertheless they are all sitting in the council as a representative of the people. He said those persons who wants to participate in the people's business should get on a list and be elected by the people before trying to tell the elected on how to run the people's affairs.

De Weever said the current executive council is full of surprises and he will not be surprised if they make another amendment to allow un-authorized people to participate in deliberations of the people's business.

De Weever said if 10/10/10 means giving up levels of autonomy then the Dutch can keep their status change and leave St. Maarten as is, since the elected officials can still sit in a central committee or island council meeting to discuss matters related to the people of St. Maarten without having outside dictators dangling over their heads, or threatening the island with further higher supervision. He said the motion against Blackman is rather unfortunate but it is warranted since Blackman has pushed the island leader to seek assistance from the same persons St. Maarten is trying to run away from, the motion presented will come up for voting next Thursday when the continuation of the meeting continues.

Also expressing dissatisfaction against Blackman is former commissioner of finance Roy Marlin. Marlin said the requests of the CFT were very simple and if the civil servants in the finance department did it in 2009, they are able to do it again. Marlin said Blackman has an obligation to St. Maarten and he should have been on St. Maarten to hear what the CFT has to say about the 2010 budget that was approved by the island council. Marlin said Blackman has his priorities set wrong and his actions will jeopardize St. Maarten and its status change. Marlin said he is now wondering if Blackman has any allegiance to St. Maarten and if he did then he would have dealt with the issues of the 2010 budget differently.

Inspectors from the Inspectorate VSA have started pre-inspections of Carnival booths as can be seen from this picture where they looked at the layout of equipment in the booth. Inspections will continue throughout the two weeks of Carnival. Booth holders, vendors and others can contact the Inspectorate VSA for information about safe food handling by calling 542-2079, 542-2059 or visit the office at Front Street #1, above Diamond Casino.

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (GIS) – Leader of Government and Commissioner responsible for Constitutional Affairs William Marlin, will be addressing the Sint Maarten community via a press briefing on Friday, April 23 upon his return to the island on the same day from The Hague.
The press briefing is expected to be carried live on Sint Maarten Cable TV Channel 15 at 4.30pm as well as broadcast live by a number of radio stations from the A.C. Wathey Legislative Hall in the Government Administration Building.
Commissioner Marlin will address the Sint Maarten community and update them on the accomplishments and about the presentations made in the Dutch Second Chamber of Parliament as well as the voting on legislation related to the constitutional renewal process.
Recently, the Kingdom Parliament approved changes to the Kingdom Charter and the different Kingdom Consensus Laws, making it possible for Sint Maarten to become a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands on 10-10-10.
The public is invited to tune in to hear what the Leader of Government has to say with respect to the accomplishments of his working visit to Holland.

Philipsburg/French Quarter: --- President of the French Agricultural Association Dorvan Cocks and his cousin Norman Lake are urging residents on both sides of the island to call them if they have bees in their areas.
Cocks and Lake both residents of French Quarter said they have been trying to save the honey bees and their hives on St. Maarten while preparing more hives at Rue du Frères French Quarter.
The two St. Martin men were seen Sunday morning in the yard of the Government Administration Building retrieving honey and preparing the cadres to removes the swarm of bees that gathered under the Christmas hut. While harvesting honey can be dangerous both Cocks and Lake are professionals as they both took a training course in Guadeloupe to deal with honey and bees.
The president of the French side Agricultural Association said he is pleading with the residents not to call the exterminators to get rid of the bees since St. Martin is losing the bees as well as the fresh honey that has no preservatives. He added that while people maybe afraid of the bees who can sometimes be very aggressive there is a safe way to remove the bees. He said when there are bees the fruits and vegetable trees on the island would bear more fruits since it is the bees that pollinate these trees.
The two entrepreneurs said that so far, they saved about 12 hives and they are hoping to begin harvesting honey early next year and to commercialize it so that residents on the island could purchase fresh natural honey for their personal use. They said to save these bee hives they have to buy materials such as the smokers, the suits, as well as materials to prepare the cadres.

Cocks said one of the challenges they currently have is that youngsters in the area are purposely destroying their hives but day by day, they are able to curb the maliciousness of the youths.
Residents can reach Dorvan Cocks at telephone numbers 005995-34638 or 00590 690 87-06-92 while Norman Lake can be reached at 005995-233171 or 00590-690 47-89 08 or Emilio Martina at 005995-23 8893. Interventions to save the hives would cost $150 for simple interventions or $60 to take off swarms off trees. Prices for larger interventions they said have to be assessed depending on the amount of work to locate the hives.

Philipsburg:--- Officers of the control unit and members of the bicycle patrols were busy conducting several types of vehicular controls on Wednesday afternoon throughout the Dutch side. SMN News camera lens caught these officers on Sucker Garden Road.

Philipsburg: ---On Tuesday April 6th at approximately 03.50 p.m., the police bicycle patrol was busy with their controls in the Back Street in the vicinity of Korte Steeg. The driver of a white Suzuki Jeep with license plate M-9960, with initials W.F. St. J. was ordered to stop his vehicle because he did not pay his road taxes. The suspect who is well known by police ignored the orders of the officer and increased his speed down Backstreet. At that same moment, another patrol officer had arrived on the scene. This officer had to jump out of the way to avoid being hit by the car.
However, the patrol bicycle was hit by the car and dragged approximately 60 meters down Back street. The bicycle came to rest in the "Last bus stop" on Back street. The Police bicycle with a value of Euro 800, - was destroyed. The suspect continued fleeing to the home of his mother at Fort Willem. There the suspect's vehicle was located. However, the suspect had fled on foot. A search of the home and the area did not have any results. The suspect's vehicle was confiscated for further investigation and towed by a towing company. The detective and Forensic department are investigating this case.

Philipsburg:--- On Friday morning the United Task Force Against Crime met with Lt. Governor Franklyn Richards. The meeting was requested by the UTFAC in a letter dated February 17th. 2010.
The United Task Force Against Crime represents all Community Councils on the island and is tasked with brain storming solutions to the crime situation in the various community districts on the island.
The UTFAC has held several meetings in the various districts and with members of community councils in order to identify problems and challenges and to hear directly from the district leaders what the problems and challenges are in their district as it relates to crime and illegal activities.
The Executive board of the UTFAC met with the Lt. Governor and also present at the meeting were several top Justice Officials; Windward Islands Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos, Interim Head of Immigration Robert Barby, The Interim Coach/Change Manager of the KPSSS Mr.Ronald Dongor, Acting Chief of Police Ademar Doran, The Royal Marechaussee, and members of the Lt. Governors Cabinet.
The United Task Force Against Crime was represented by Chairman Mr. Clarence Richardson, Mr. Lenny Priest, Mrs. Margaret Steeman, Mr.Benjamin Kelly and Mrs. Jadira Veen.
The United Task Force Against Crime brought forward many issues and suggestions as a contribution to strengthen the fight against crime in the various community districts.
Issues relating to youth delinquency and youth crimes, strengthening of the police force with more manpower, community policing, enforcement of the laws, introduction of a curfew for the youth and monitoring of the 4 border points at random times.
These and many more suggestions were brought forward by the UTFAC and were points of discussion with the Lt. Governor and the justice officials.
The United Task Force Against Crime stated that in order to fight crime, there must be a good working relationship between the various community councils and the police.
Lt. Governor Richards thanked the UTFAC for coming to the discussion table with suggestions and solutions to the crime situation as opposed to just criticizing and he has promised a follow up meeting in the coming weeks.

Philipsburg- NAGICO Insurances recently made contributions to the Windward Islands Emergency Medical Services (WIEMS) and Friends of the Island Government Fire Fighters (FIGFFF) Foundations. Both foundations fulfill vital roles in our community. The WIEMS carries out volunteer emergency medical care services through the use of an ambulance during walk-a-thons and Carnival celebrations. The Friends of the Island Government Fire Fighters Foundation carries out various volunteer works such as the cleaning and painting of grave sights and sports activity with students, promoting good sportsmanship among the youth.

NAGICO Insurances Customer Service Manager Mrs. Gervaise Schoobaar-Maynard made the presentation to WIEMS President Ms. Maria Chemont and President of the FIGFFF, Mr. Antonio Gibs. Mrs. Schoobaar-Maynard stated: "At NAGICO Insurances we strive for excellent customer care and community relationships. Due to their limited resources, we recognize that non-profit organizations face many challenges. We are pleased to support whenever possible to enable them to execute their tasks."

Ms. Chemont and Mr. Gibs expressed their gratitude to NAGICO Insurances for the company's generous contribution to their respective foundations.

GREAT BAY:--- St. Maarten's Executive Council on Tuesday approved proposals for the transition approach regarding tasks for the new ministry of tourism, economic affairs, traffic and telecommunications for country St. Maarten.
The Executive Council also approved an overview provided of the transfer of legislation by the Netherlands Antilles to the new ministry as well as the terms of the required legislation, Central Government tasks, policy, work instructions and procedures per department of the new ministry.
The Council of Ministers of the Netherlands Antilles is being requested to transfer the responsibility for the legislation to the Executive Council of St. Maarten as per July 1, 2010.
Another request being made to the Council of Ministers is that transfer of the respective budgets and incomes to the Executive Council of St. Maarten takes place.
St. Maarten's Executive Council additionally decided to request the Antillean government to immediately make available personnel of the various dependencies on St. Maarten to the Executive Council.
A workgroup of the sector Economy and Tourism has, meanwhile, been working diligently to complete the preparations for the transfer of tasks of the Netherlands Antilles to the island territory of St. Maarten.
The sector has chosen for a pragmatic approach to the transfer of tasks, taking into consideration, among others, lack of budget and human resources.
The approach calls for, among others, service lending agreements.

Philipsburg: --- As of Monday April 5 2010 the police department started their traffic controls aimed primarily at those motor vehicle drivers and vehicle owners who have not yet paid their road taxes for the year 2010.
The traffic controls have been held on several locations on the island. Up until Tuesday evening, April 6 70 fines have been given to those drivers that were in violation. Many vehicles were towed and stored until the road tax is paid. The controls will continue says Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson.

Last week we could read and hear in the news how the Pharmacists Association of Curacao went public with an administrative financial problem that they could solve at the negotiation table, in Court or with any marshall by putting for instance a lean on banc accounts of the FZOG-fund or from the governments that have to contribute in the fund.
MENTAL TORTURE OF FZOG - PENSIONERS
Instead of trying all legal means at the disposition of a creditor, caregivers in Curacao decided once more to go public to put psychological pressure on the sickness insurance fund FZOG and on politicians. Deliberately (or unconsciously) with their action they cause concern, insecurity and affect the tranquility of the retired civil servants pensioners and their families which are the FZOG cardholders.
You would have expected from caregivers that they do their utmost to prevent to affect the mental health (worrying) and even the physical health (cramps in the belly, raising blood pressure) of the civil servant pensioners.
Not withstanding the advertisements of the ABVO Council of Pensioners last year not to make war affecting health of the civil servant retirees, once more we are confronted with care givers that consciously choose for action forms that affect the pensioners and their health. These care givers do not care that their actions affect the health of the pensioners! As a matter of fact the more they affect the health of the pensioners the better for them, because that is the way for them to increase their income causing more visits to the doctor, more medication, etc.
PROMISES OF THE POLITICIANS
Last year the care givers in Curacao and Sint Maarten by refusing service to FZOG cardholders caused that many civil servants retirees received no treatment or no medication. Some were forced to pay cash to receive access to the necesary medical care and medication.
We have to reckognize that the publicity created by the care givers with their refusal of the cards resulted last year in attention even from the highest legislative body in our country the Antillean Parliament. The Minister of Finance and all parliamentarians in defense of the civil service retirees promised to come up with a structural solution for the FZOG fund. (integration of FZOG in SVB)
The Minister of Finance even went so far to show that nowhere in the FZOG ordinance is stipulated that the central government is responsable to pay for the deficits of the FZOG sickness insurance fund. Nevertheless for political reasons the central government to show that wellbeing was now possible because of debt relief that the Dutch started to pay off, the sentral government gave the FZOG fund a financial injection that could pay all outstanding debts of FZOG care givers untill may 2009.
RESTITUTION FOR RETIREES STILL BLOCKED
While the fund continued to owe the care givers after may 2009 not with standing all kinds of negotiations and agreements between care givers and FZOG, the government pensioners who have paid cash for their medical treatments and medication untill the day of today are also waiting for their refund ! We have examples of restitution cases waiting for more than 5 years.
While in Sint Maarten a lot of requests for medical referral, requests for glasses, etc are piling up at SVB Sint Maarten, which functions as the postal office for the FZOG fund, no structural improvement of the FZOG-SVB service to civil service pensioners has been experienced yet.
PENSIONERS CANNOT WAIT ANY LONGER
Some of our retired civil servants passed away because the Lord decided to terminate their suffering here on earth. How long civil servant retirees have to suffer? How many civil servant retirees have to die before a real improvement and a structural change of the medical care system and the sickness insurance for civil servant retirees and their fa,ilymembers comes into effect??

ABVO-COU\NCIL OF PENSIONERS ACTION : "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!"
In their reent meeting the ABVO Council of Pensioners (ABVO-KODIPA) decided to launch an action week from April 12-16, 2010 named: "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!" "AWOR SI TA BASTA!"
In Curacao representatives of ABVO-KODIPA in the Curacao Confederation of Pensioners and Older Persons (KOPAMKO) will adress the FZOG problems and determine a plan of action to take steps to stop the mental torture of civil service retirees with an FZOG card.
In Sint Maarten representatives of the ABVO Council of Pensioners have contacted the civil servants labour unions in Sint Maarten. In a meeting last year august 2009 of these unions with the Executive Coiuncil of Sint Maarten the unions received a promise from the Execcutive Council that by 10-10-10 all civil servants pensioners will receive the same health care package as the active civil servants and that effective that date the civil servants pensioners will pay the same sickness insurance premium as the active civil servants working for the island government.
All government pensioners that have issues pending with FZOG or SVB such as requests for restitution, requests for referral, requests for glasses, etc. are invited to contact members of ABVO Council of Pensioners either by calling or visiting the following locations : In Curacao : ABVO office at Kaya Thomas Henriquez 24 – Brievengat – tel: 7376097; In St Maarten : WIFOL office at Pond Fill # 89 – Philipsburg - tel: 556 3622
Furthermore all pensioners in Sint Maarten are invited to a general meeting to share all pending issues or concerns they have with FZOG or SVB. Representatives of labour unions WICSU/PSU, WITU, ABVO-SXM, UFA and WIFOL will be present to discuss what it is that we can do to address the concerns of the pensioners on Sint Maarten. The general meeting will be held this week Thursday April 15th from 4 to 6 o'clock pm at the WIFOL at Pondfill.
On behalf of the board of the ABVO Council of Pensioners:
Raymond Jessurun - 1* vice-president ABVO-KODIPA – +5999 - 561 5035
Helen Hoijer - 2* sekretary ABVO-KODIPA