Articles

In yesterday's press release from USM, it was stated that USM will be holding a graduation ceremony for 32 graduates of the recent GED exams. This press release was misleadingly designed to give the perception that 32 students had graduated from USM with GED diplomas. This could not be further from the truth. In fact, the GED exam is only administered by USM and students from any institution or even overseas can take the exam at USM. A more appropriate point that should have been addressed in the press release should have been what percentage of USM students who took the exams passed. This was never addressed in the press release which allows one to speculate that the results may not have been good.

USM, in its efforts to boost its public image after a series of academic and managerial missteps have blatantly placed students confidentiality at risk. A number of students' names listed in the press release never took their tutorials at USM and were not even aware that their results were in. Their first notice that their results were in was from reading the newspaper. This lack of professionalism at USM's GED department is just the most recent in a string of problems that the institution have encountered due to its lack of professionalism and concern with the GED. For example, the GED exam that was mentioned in the press release was originally scheduled for November 2011. However, due to inefficiencies at USM, the examiners had no choice but to postpone their visit to January which is when the exam was held. In addition, students generally receive their GED results approximately 1 month after writing the exam if all administrative issues are handled properly by USM. The results came in April.

The complete lack of professionalism and lack of confidentiality at USM continues to place the GED exams at risk. This is a vital exam for students who have not finished high school or are from the VSBO schools and are applying for a scholarship. It is amazing and shameful that the future of our students, most of whom are fighting for a second chance in academia, is held hostage by a few individuals who do not have their academic interest at hand.

Delroy Pierre

Dear Editor,

Please permit me some space in your newspaper to make some clarifications.

My name is Marlon Brooks. I am the driver who was involved in the accident with the container on Monday.

I am 28 years old and have been driving heavy trucks for about close to ten years. My father owns tourist busses and I learned to drive them. In my opinion, I am a well experienced driver with various types of heavy equipment and vehicles.

Many people are speculating based on what is said by the Police in the newspaper.

Before the accident, I had already done some container deliveries around the island. In this case, this would have been my second to last delivery for day.

When I was coming down the hill, I started braking (change into low gear) from the area of Harold Jack to by Dr. Winter’s home (middle of descent of the hill). This is customary. All was well with the brakes up to that point and onward. When I was nearing the last corner coming down the hill before the roundabout, I realized that the truck was accelerating, which means that the brake air pressure was not being functional. In laymans’ term this means that the regular brakes gave out. I then began apply the container brakes and they too had failed. I then started to think of what possible situations may occur. I then knew that there could be two possible scenarios.  One scenario is that I can try to steer the truck around the roundabout and into the open area where the gentleman fixes radiators so that the wall will jam the wheel, or the other scenario would be that truck would topple over because of the speed as well as the weight of the container.  The container contained supermarket supplies, juices, food stuff, rice, floor, etc. bearing an approximation of 25 to 35 tons. I took the corner a little wide, so that if scenario one was possible, I would have enough space to steer the truck into the open area. When I realized that because of the weight, the container may overturn before I could steer it to the open area, I switched off the engine while it was being overturned. Because I was already coming down slowly before the brakes gave out, there were no cars in front me and also no oncoming traffic.

I had already prepared myself mentally for this scenario. As the truck was overturning, I began to climb out to get to the passenger side. Because the seat is an air seat, while I was climbing out to get to the passenger side, I lost my grip with the impact as the truck overturned, and I slid back into the driver’s seat and that is the reason my left hip and foot was pinned between the door and the steering wheel.

I did not panic after this because I was already mentally prepared and had myself in a position to acquire the least possible injuries and I was comforted to know that no one else was involved in the accident.

The first person person on the scene was a fellow truck driver known as Hammer, who was driving at the back and saw what happened. He came and asked me if I was okay and if anywhere was hurting me and began to clear out some of the debris, which was the back and front windshield which were blown out. Then a medical personnel, Mr. Raymond Antoine, who happened in be in the area, came and identified himself and proceeded to check my vitals and inquired if I was feeling pain anywhere.

I spoke with him and explained to him what had happened. After that, I called my boss, Alex, to tell him what had happened and that I was okay. I told that he needs to bring the sideloader (which is the equipment that lifts containers.)

Then I heard the siren of the police, firetrucks, and ambulance. When the police arrived, an officer came and asked my name, date of birth, place of birth, and for the contact number of the owner of the truck.

Two friends of mine, Shervin and Carlos, who are also Firefighters, realized that it was me in the truck. They began to ask me if everything was alright, where I had pain and told me that it looks like that they will have to cut me out and that they are setting up the “Jaws of Life” to cut me out. Then another friend, Ryan, who works at the EMS Service and some his co-workers came and took my vitals as well as blood and then put  on an IV in my hand and asked me how was my breathing. I told them I am ok, but they suggested that I still put on the oxygen mask. I had NO problem with them doing whatever they were doing because I do not drink any alcohol or any beverage containing any amount of alcohol whatsoever. And neither do I smoke. Then Mr. Tony Gibbs of the Fire Department approached the truck and asked me if I was sure that everything was ok and proceeded to explain to me what was about to take place. Thereafter the Firefighters set up their equipment to cut the truck. After the truck was cut, they were able to angle the “Jaws of Life” to cut the steering wheel and I was able to be pulled out.

I was then transported to the hospital for further treatment.

Another thing I want to clarify is that up to this moment, other than asking me if I was ok, the Police has not asked me to see my drivers licence, nor even come to the hospital to interview me or even asked me how the accident happened but has sort to speculate that I was driving at high speed. Driving at high speed would be a normal occurrence, if anyone is going downhill without brakes. But that is clearly different than speeding. I have left my numbers available with the Police for any questions necessary while investing.

Suggestions are being made about heavy equipment working from sunset to sunrise, but we have to take into consideration that St. Maarten has a very busy “night life”. People consume a lot of alcohol and especially at night. Being a night driver myself, I often witness people driving crazy or barely missing being in an accident. Imagine how it would be if heavy equipment is on the road with drunk drivers.

Even during the day, drivers should be more cautious. As a truck driver, we have be more focused than ever. Many drivers (especially busses) suddenly stop without taking into consideration what is driving behind of them or they suddenly pull out on the road taking a chance because they have think they have judged the timing of the oncoming truck. Drivers are to understand that these heavy equipment are protected by a grill and they will be the ones to get hurt. And then who will get blamed? Always the truck driver, whilst it was actually the other driver who was not cautious. As a requirement, we truck drivers have to check our trucks every day before we go out on the road.

Still after all is said and done, I want to give thanks to God for having spared me and the situation from being worse and for giving me the vision to prepare myself mentally for the oncoming situation. Then I also want to thank the Police, Fire Department, Ambulance, EMS Personnel, my boss and family, my fellow Truck Drivers and Port Staff. Special thanks also to Hammer and off-duty personnel Mr. Antoine.

Lastly my family and friends near and far and clients of the company and all well wishers. Thank you, thank you, and thank you again.

Marlon M. Brooks

Eliza Doolittle in the musical My Fair Lady assures us that in Hartford, Hereford and Hampshire, 'hurricanes hardly happen'. But this fact holds little value for the people on St Eustatius who have recently been bombarded with worthless assurances from their politicians about the NuStar oil terminal. They now face sleepless nights for many years to come.

These assurances have been packaged by dubious regulation and technical jargon that substitute fact by fiction. Take for example, the comforting assurance from NuStar and local Government that the new oil storage tanks are designed "to withstand hurricanes up to and including Category 3 (120 mph)." However, over the last 23 years, St Eustatius experienced more violent tropical cyclones (LUIS, LENNY and HUGO) that even measured Category 4 on the hurricane scale.

Images of steel tanks dislodged and buckled in the wake of Katrina and Rita (Category 3) in Southern USA are carefully omitted by the (supposedly independent and very) Rapid Environmental Assessment Study. Amnesia also afflicted the creative and well paid authors that crafted the government's official response to the many local objections.

Who and what are we to believe?

Earthquakes that have shattered oil tanks and caused similar lapses of memory have equally been excluded. Examples of tank collapses and extensive uncontrolled fires were observed during the seismic events of Long Beach (1933), Niigata and Alaska (1964), San Fernando (1971), Kocaeli (1999) and more recently Haiti (2010).

Increasing frequency and magnitude of seismic activity in the immediate region are disregarded. Rumblings may be felt on Golden Rock but in The Hague, selective hearing persists. Even though huge tectonic plates are colliding a few miles off the coast of St. Eustatius, fiscal vaults not volcanic faults will shape compliance with building regulations.

Nevertheless, the local government reassures us that "regarding earthquakes, the design complies with ASCE 7-05 standard."

Who and what are we to believe?

Extreme logistics

However, we are told by our political representatives that they will draw up an Emergency Response Plan that also includes aspects such as evacuation of the population in the case of large scale calamities. No mention is made of when this so called plan will be developed? Emergency expert advice has always been ignored in the past.

With the airport closed due to its close proximity to the disaster, it will require extreme transport and medical logistics to care for over two thousand survivors.

And there is still the question of the airport runway. The International Civil Aviation Organization has already determined that the obstruction by 27.5 meter high oil tanks poses a risk. According to their international standards, the tanks may not be higher than 9 meters.

But who will pay in the event of a disaster? They should according to the politicians. But we know they won't. The only voluntary clean-up that interests their local director is the Old Jewish cemetery. Mazel tof!

And this ironically from Hebrew meaning good stars...

In the event of such a disaster, this fallen star will explode into a supernova of infinite lawyers fuelled by the Wall Street resources of Eternity.

But NuStar's David Smith has remarked that the probability of disaster is one in a million.

Who and what are we to believe?

Natural disasters can be mitigated. However, in such events, it is always a series of human mistakes that lead to fateful consequences. Einstein once observed that God does not play with dice. Fate may well be a divine providence but destiny can be shaped. The people of Statia deserve something better from their politicians with their casual approach to public interest and safety.

Unlike assurances from Eliza Doolittle about the Plain in Spain, promises from our Do-Little politicians are infinitely more fanciful. Besides, we all know that Commissioner Sneek finds it more lucrative to sell insurance than give honest assurance. Council member Brown finds it more lucrative to lay cables than serve voters. And for Lieutenant Governor Berkel who is responsible for communication and whose former company provides the slowest, most expensive and least reliable internet service in the Caribbean, neutrality is an ugly NuStar pipedream.

Who and what are we to believe?

James Russell

Dear Editor,

It wasn't anything like a surprise when I read about the riot in Simpson Bay Police station Tuesday. Not a surprise, because I had already heard the news from an inmate of Simpson Bay but also because I have seen this coming for so long already. I had warned public and authorities through media multiple times.

To avoid possible misunderstandings, I do not condone violence but I do understand the frustrations of the inmates. I would like to explain these frustrations – again – to the public.

First of all it needs to be said that the people that are held in Simpson Bay are adult and under aged sentenced prisoners who are transferred from Pointe Blanche Prison to Simpson Bay police station due to 'planned' renovation and suspects awaiting their trial. Although the new cells are better than the cells in the police station downtown, they still do not comply with the standard international minimum requirements for prison cells. These persons are legally not allowed to be kept in a police cell, as these cells are not equipped and facilitated for long stay.

However, the Minister has decided in December 2011 that these police cells can be used. In his decision he explains that all persons of Simpson Bay will be transported to Pointe Blanche Prison from 9 am to 5 pm on weekdays in order to provide them with the necessary facilities.

Fact 1: Holland had given Sint Maarten funds to renovate the prison years back already.
Fact 2: Last month Sint Maarten was again provided with funds, this time from USONA. The Minister stated that Liccom would execute the renovation. He also stated that "construction of the Pointe Blanche prison is to start as soon as we're ready to move inmates to Simpson Bay" (The Daily Herald March 14, 2012).
Fact 3: Liccom have not received a request nor provided the Minister with a quotation. Renovation will not start any time soon whilst inmates are already moved to Simpson Bay weeks ago.
Fact 4: Inmates of Simpson Bay are not being transported to Pointe Blanche Prison on weekdays to participate in the daily program or to make use of the prison facilities.
The Minister appointed police cells as prison cells under the false justification of a extremely needed but still not executed renovation and under the false condition that inmates will have access to the prison facilities during the day.

Of course they are frustrated when their human rights are being violated by being held in a police cell 23/7 without sufficient drinking water and with only one hour to breath in fresh air. Of course they are frustrated when the guards don't respond when they want to call their friends, family or lawyers while they are use to have and suppose to have access to a paid phone in the daytime. Of course they get frustrated when someone is sick but they cannot see a doctor nor a nurse. Of course they get frustrated when the guards are too busy playing with each other than to do their jobs and aggravate things by making remarks as "go masturbate on it". Although I can't confirm the last reason for frustration, it would not be surprised if that actually occurred. The rest of the reasons for frustration I can absolutely confirm.

People might not find this interesting as it – in their view - only concerns criminals. No, this concerns you, me and the whole society. You can be arrested tomorrow and accused of something you might or might not have done and you can be held in a hot police cell for weeks, months or even years (who knows when this situation ends) without getting sufficient drinking water without calls to family and friends, without medical attention when needed and so on. Or even when you're not the one, it can be your son, daughter or best friend.

Please think about it. For Sint Maartens sake.

Recent moves by the Central Bank indicates that St. Maarten is still in recession and declining; foreign reserves "the US dollar" are too low to hold the Antillean guilder at its current value, which is pegged to the US Dollar.
A six month moratorium has been put on local banks by the Central Bank for mortgage and investment loans. Politicians and business people no longer keep US cash reserves in local banks.
They are moving cash reserves off shore to other countries for two reasons. Since less than one per cent interest is paid on savings it costs them one per cent to withdraw and a host of other bank charges, there is no incentive to keep major cash reserves locally. The second reason is: the 'Gestapo' like tax department can lien their bank accounts at will.
These leans are usually slapped on the accounts just before the weekend. Bank account holders usually realize this when they go shopping for the weekly food supplies on Saturday mornings and must leave embarrassed their full food grocery carts at the cash register when their local bank card comes back declined. Sometimes, after a whole host of insults and headaches liens can take several months to be released, leaving people without money for food and unable to pay their expenses in the meantime.
Most smart business people and the politicians all have their homes and properties held or owned by offshore companies and monies held in offshore accounts. Most of these people also own homes abroad. In this way their assets are protected from confiscation. Most foreigners are now trying to sell their home and condominiums for whatever return they can get on their investments, and move their money offshore.
Property values have declined over 30 per cent in the last three years because of slow and declining business. Front and Back Street merchants are now demanding a 25 to 30 per cent reduction in their rents.
My prediction is that the foreign reserves will in six month be a lot lower than it is now and the mortgage moratorium will be extended. Here is the scary part for locals that have all their money in local banks and property held in their personal names, if the foreign reserves continue to decline, the Central Bank without you knowing any day can hold and freeze your dollar accounts in the guise of saving the Guilder, and only allow you to withdraw limited amounts of your own money at a time.
I have seen this happen several times before in Argentina, Venezuela, Aruba, Guyana, Jamaica and several other countries. Locals beware - use your heads like the business people and politicians do. Protect what you have worked all your life for - your assets. I warned about staying with the Guilder and not dollarizing after 10-10-10.

Peter Gunn

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Inter-Parliamentary Kingdom Consultation (IPKO) meeting in The Hague, which was scheduled for June, has been postponed due to the collapse of the Dutch Government.

Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Roy R. Marlin, Chairperson of the Committee for Kingdom Affairs and Inter-Parliamentary Relations, stated that on April 24, the Chairpersons of the Committees on Kingdom Relations of the four Parliaments of the Dutch Kingdom held a preliminary discussion via videoconferencing with respect to IPKO, which was scheduled for early June.

MP Marlin added, due to the collapse of the government of The Netherlands, the planned Parliamentary elections and the possible changes in the composition of the Permanent Committee for Kingdom Relations in the Dutch Second Chamber, the Chairs decided to propose to their respective committees to postpone the IPKO meeting until January 2013.

In the meantime, the Chairs will encourage the workgroups to submit their findings to the IPKO as soon as possible so that the people's work with respect to the four countries within the Dutch Kingdom can be executed as agreed upon.

It was also decided that the Chairs would periodically reconnect with each other via videoconferencing to review the progress of the workgroups and to discuss preparations for the next IPKO meeting.

It is the opinion of the Chairs that the efficiency of the IPKO deliberations is best served in this manner and that the taxpayers' money being budgeted for IPKO consultations is being spent as effectively as possible.

Members of the Sint Maarten Committee are Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Roy Marlin, Chairman, MP Hon. Ruth Douglass, Vice Chair, MP Hon. Patrick Illidge, MP Hon. William Marlin, and MP Hon. Frans Richardson.

The Tennis Club of St. Martin organises its 20th Open Tournament for Men and Women from April 18 till May 5, 2012. Categories participating are over 35, over 45 and over 55 years old. The official judge for the tournament will be Mr. Jeremy Nedelec. For any further information please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone 0690 55 10 47.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Permanent Committee of Parliament on Public Housing, Spatial Development, Environment, and Infrastructure, will meet on April 26 in a public session.

A group of individuals will provide parliamentarians information about Geographical Information System (GIS) – The Currency of Modern Government.

The request for the meeting came from Donald Webster, a GIS specialist. Webster and his team will provide information on how GIS is designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyse, manage, spatial referenced data, and how various government institutions throughout the world have relied on using this technology to the benefit of their national development.

The meeting will take place on Thursday morning at 10:00am in the General Assembly Chamber of the House of Parliament on Wilhelmina Straat #2.1 in Philipsburg.

The committee is headed by Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Romain Laville, Chairman, MP Hon. Roy Marlin, Vice Chair, MP Hon. Patrick Illidge, and MP Hon. William Marlin.

The committee meeting will be carried live on St. Maarten Cable TV Channel 20 and via Pearl Radio FM 98.1. The audio will be carried via the Internet www.pearlfmradio.com.

WILLEMSTAD, Curacao:--- Air Force One along with two other U.S. government aircraft, crew, and support personnel visited Curacao over the past weekend in support of United States President Barack Obama's and United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's April 13-15 participation in the Summit of the Americas in Cartegena, Colombia.
President Obama and Secretary Clinton did not visit Curacao as part of their itinerary. With over 30 heads of state from all over Latin America and the Caribbean attending the Summit of the Americas, the airport in Cartegena did not have enough room to stage all the Presidential aircraft. So, the U.S. Forward Operating Location (USFOL) and Hato International Airport were chosen to serve as the staging point for U.S. government aircraft.
The presence of these aircraft in Curacao was coordinated with Kingdom officials in The Hague as well as government officials in Curacao and was not publicly announced publicly beforehand for security reasons.
The Summit of the America's theme this year was "Connecting the Americas: Partners for Prosperity." That spirit of partnership is clearly evident in the ongoing close cooperation among the USFOL, Hato International Airport, the U.S. Consulate General in Curacao, and the Government of Curacao.
U.S. Consul General Valerie Belon said "On behalf of President Obama, Secretary Clinton and the U.S. Government, I am extremely thankful for the support and gracious hospitality that Hato International Airport as well as the Government and people of Curacao gave to these important aircraft, crew and support personnel. The welcome they received in Curacao was invaluable in making this mission a success and are testimony to the longstanding friendship and bilateral cooperation between our two nations."

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Committee of Country Expenditures meeting that was scheduled in a closed session on April 26 has been postponed.

The Committee was scheduled to meet with the high council of state the General Audit Chamber.

Members of the Committee are Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Roy Marlin, Chairman, MP Hon. William Marlin, Vice Chair, MP Hon. Romain Laville, MP Hon. Patrick Illidge, and MP Hon. Frans Richardson.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The meeting requested by Sint Maarten's Minister of Finance Hon. Hiro Shigemoto, with respect to discussing accusations made and current developments surrounding the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS), has been rescheduled and a new date proposed, May 7 from April 16, Minister Shigemoto disclosed on Sunday.

During a recent meeting in Curacao with Curacao's Minister of Finance George Jamaloodin, Minister Shigemoto made known Sint Maarten's concerns with respect to the current status quo with the CBCS and that it wasn't in the interests of both countries for things to remain where they are currently at.

The Bank's Supervisory Board of Commissioners and the Directors of CBCS will be meeting on April 21. Minister Shigemoto says that the seven member Supervisory Board as well as the Directors should have an opportunity to discuss matters internally first and he is also hoping that outstanding and pending matters regarding CBCS will be taken care of during the aforementioned meeting such as the issuance of the Harbour Bond, 2012 budget as well as the latest developments in connection with the FCIB case and the Dutch Prosecutor's statements regarding the CBCS's role in this particular case.

"It is imperative that the Supervisory Board takes a position on the issues surrounding the CBCS and whatever that position may be, the Supervisory Board is firstly responsible for the functioning of the Bank through its Directors and the not the Ministers of Finance," Minister Shigemoto pointed out on Sunday.

The Dutch State Secretary for Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Liesbeth Spies, reportedly stated that decision-taking on the future of CBCS should take place in a tri-partite consultation.

"I do agree with the Dutch State Secretary that there should be a tri-partite consultation on current state of affairs, however we are not at that stage of the process.

"I must also say that it is not up to the Dutch Government to decide for the two countries on this matter," Minister of Finance Hon. Hiro Shigemoto said on Sunday.

Minister Shigemoto pointed out most recently that unsettling issues that have developed in the past months need to be settled once and for all. He added that as long as these issues remain not dealt with, it leaves it open for a cloud of speculation by everyone and, "I am particularly concerned about our international image of the Bank and the country's Sint Maarten and Curacao. We for Sint Maarten do not want any more negativity surrounding us unjustifiably," Minister of Finance Hiro Shigemoto pointed out.

Secondly, Minister Shigemoto is also at the forefront where the independent status of the Central Bank must always be guaranteed; also its role on monetary policy and financial stability, and when it comes to the financial institutions relations with such international bodies as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

MAHO, St. Maarten:--- Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is leading the charge for regional airports to adhere to international safety standards. A one-day executive Safety Seminar held at Sonesta Maho Resort on Wednesday focused on the theme, "Growing the Air Transport Business with a Focus on Safety."
Visiting airport expert Michael Nicolaas urged the gathering of 78 people, including representatives of airports in Nevis, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Barths, St. Maarten/St. Martin, airline officials, handlers, cleaners, and concessionaires, to "observe the international safety standards ... and follow the recommendations and training from Airports Council International."
Nicolaas is an airport administration and management specialist with a focus on airport operations, air service development and marketing, and airport security and planning.
During the day-long seminar, Nicolaas stressed key safety tips, including tips about the shipping of dangerous goods, making sure that pilots and air traffic controllers are proficient in many languages to deal with the changing demography of travelers, and avoiding fatigue among airport personnel. He said that it is important for such personnel to get sufficient rest.
On the subject of delays due to volcanic ash for example, Nicolaas noted that it is imperative that airports in the region have contingency plans to deal with these delays so that passengers are always treated with respect and utmost care.
"There should be alternative ways to get passengers to their destination. People must be comfortable always when flying," said the former managing director of Queen Beatrix International Airport in Aruba.
Nicolaas stressed that airports should focus on creating a safety culture, which should involve all stakeholders in the aviation and airport fields, "from senior officers to the lowest rank." Added to this, "they must be consistent with what they are doing," said Nicolaas, who has worked at executive and management (YVRAS) levels for international airports in the Dominican Rep., Colombia, Peru, Canada, Frankfurt, and Zurich.
The SXM manager of Quality Assurance, Anastacio Baker, echoed the sentiments of Nicolaas.
"The aim of the seminar was to ensure that all aviation personnel remain abreast with changes and developments in the industry," said Baker.
Baker was extremely pleased with the response to the seminar, which he said gained added credibility with the presence of Minister of Tourism and Economic Affairs Franklin Meyers.
"It is important to have these seminars to help everyone remain safety conscious at all times. One of the long-term benefits is being and staying active in the aviation field, because after awhile, some may become complacent and we have to keep reminding people of the importance of not making a mistake," said Baker.
" Mistakes in this business can cost lives. So these trainings are to remind people that they must remain safety conscious at all times. It is our job to continue the education," said Baker.
According to Baker, SXM extended the invitation to the nearby islands to share safety information. He is looking forward to September's meeting of the Islands Airport Safety Committee (IASC). Nicolaas, who departed St. Maarten on Thursday afternoon, said that he hopes to return for that audit.
IASC comprises aviation and airport personnel from the islands in the Dutch territories in the Caribbean and Suriname. Baker, one of the founding members, explained that it was established in 2006 after a seminar in Aruba.
"We decided to form a group to keep in contact. Every year, we fly to an island to audit each other's airport and in September we will all be here," said the Quality Assurance manager.
While attending an industry seminar in Curacao last January Baker became impressed by Nicolaas' knowledge of aviation safety. "I was so intrigued by his [Nicolaas'] presentation. I said St. Maarten needed that information. His message (on Wednesday) was extremely clear, exciting and meaningful," said Baker
Michael Nicolaas has served on the World Governing Board of Airports Council International (ACI) and is a former 1st Vice President of ACI Latin America & Caribbean. He received his educational training at the Civil Aviation Training School - Netherlands Antilles, MIT, and the Concordia University, Montreal, Canada.

During her video address to the Stichting Souliga Student Forum, the Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams announced that she will be signing an agreement with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for the development of a National Development Plan for St. Maarten. "I am pleased to inform you that in a couple of days I will be signing an agreement with the UNDP for the development of a national development plan (NDP) for St. Maarten, which will include all facets of development of our nation and its people. This development plan will demand of all of us some critical thinking about the St. Maarten we want to see in the coming decade and beyond", commented the Prime Minister to a group of young St. Maarteners living and studying in the Netherlands who were present at the Forum which was held in Bodegraven, the Netherlands.
"We have joined the 'big league' and as a country we are firstly responsible for guaranteeing and reporting on human and social rights' achievements of our society. We are called to measure and report on our performances in these areas and in doing so take a critical look at the sustainable development issues of our country, laying the foundation for future generations," she concluded.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) is the United Nations' global development network, it advocates for change and connects countries to knowledge, experience and resources to help people build a better life. UNDP operates in 177 countries, working with nations on their own solutions to global and national development challenges.

TALLAHASSEE, Florida:--- The Tallahassee-St. Maarten Foundation Inc. (TLH-SXMF) Director Arthur Lugisse, and its industry partner celebrated on April 3 WTN-TV's second anniversary combined with the CEO of The Obersi Group of Companies Alvin Obersi's birthday celebration.

Described as a hard working manager of WTN-TV Channel 10, Dennis Van Putten and producer Zeilan Cisneros, celebrated with owner Alvin Obersi and staff the second anniversary of the company.

General Manager Roberto Gibbs gave an outline of how far the cable company has come during the past two years with the development of local programs on Channel 10, where viewers are getting very much needed programs from WTN-TV with respect to local and international content.

Management and staff were very happy to have the opportunity to get together to celebrate and honor the occasion of the WTN-TV and its owner's birthday.

Obersi at the celebration thanked the whole staff of the Obersi group of companies consisting of Obersi Electronics Xerox, WTN Cable and WTN-TV for the excellent job they are doing in running the companies. He then congratulated the management and staff of WTN-TV for taking the station to new heights both technologically and through its programming that has made the popularity of the station grow exponentially over the past two years.

The owner looked at the on-going success while the station expands to the French side by way of MSR6 and soon to be in Statia and Saba, Arthur Lugisse said on Wednesday.

"The owner and management will make WTN-TV the number one station to see on St.Maarten and the neighbouring islands. The station has already developed a large viewing audience in the Latin community, based on the news noticias and Spanish language programming by Reynaldo Urena," Arthur Lugisse concluded.

Philipsburg:--- A meeting between the Members of Parliament from the National Alliance and the Democratic Party on Sunday ended fruitfully when the two member Democratic Party faction decided to stay in the loop and support the coalition government that was formed on Saturday evening. The new government "Team St. Maarten" will be fully formed by Wednesday.
SMN News has been reliably informed that the next coalition government will have ten seats and the entire Council of Ministers will see a huge shake up now that the government is about to change.
Last Friday night, former Members of the National Alliance, Frans Richardson and Patrick Illidge (now Independent Members of Parliament) and United Peoples Party Faction Leader Romaine La Ville gave a clear indication that the change the people are calling for is about to come when they went on stage and held their hands up after King Beau Beau sang his song "vote for me --- Help Help". On Saturday afternoon, the National Alliance members met with Illidge, Richardson, and La Ville and they signed a political agreement to form the next government "Team St. Maarten."
SMN News has been reliably informed that the leader of the United Peoples Party Theodore Heyliger is making big offers to keep his government in-tact but so far La Ville has given a clear indication that his mind is already made up and he has had enough with the UP faction members.

PHILIPSBURG:--- On Wednesday morning Interpol (International Police) Secretary General Ronald K. Noble, paid a courtesy visit to the President of Parliament Hon. drs. Gracita Arrindell.

Interpol is the world's largest international police organization, with 190 member countries. The organization's role is to enable police around the world to work together to make the world a safer place. Interpol makes use of high-tech infrastructure of technical and operational support which helps meet the growing challenges of fighting crime in the 21st century.

"Secretary General Noble was impressed with the parliament organization and he stressed the importance of Sint Maarten being a member of Interpol as a new country.

"He pointed out that there are many benefits for the country, and he was full of praise for our national Police Force under the leadership of Police Commissioner Peter de Witte and the management team, and for the excellent work that the management team of the Police Force did in order for the country to join Interpol, a critically important international police organization.

"I also appreciated the high words of praise and appreciation the Interpol Secretary General expressed towards the Ministry of Justice in general. I thanked him for those high words of praise. I believe our men and women in the judicial and police organization deserve all the support and encouragement to make our country safe for residents and visitors alike.

"I must state that as a young country, Sint Maarten was unanimously accepted as a member of Interpol. Our law enforcement agencies are further strengthened by having this bond and relationship with this international organization and it sends a strong message to organized crime and internationally linked groups that country Sint Maarten will utilize local and international law enforcement contacts to defend its people and its borders against organized crime," President of Parliament Hon. drs. Gracita Arrindell said on Wednesday.

Ronald Noble also expressed to the President of Parliament his appreciation for the overall manner in which he was received and treated on his first official visit to Sint Maarten.

The Secretary General has invited the President of Parliament to visit Interpol's office in France during her working visit to the Netherlands in June.

PHILIPSBURG:--- President of Parliament Hon. drs. Gracita Arrindell met recently with His Excellency Governor Eugene Holiday as part of scheduled meetings between both entities.

Arrindell said a number of matters were discussed including the processing of documents following laws that have been passed by parliament. "These meetings are candid and constructive," President of Parliament Hon. drs. Gracita Arrindell said on Sunday.

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- Motorists are hereby informed that the Hulda B. Richardson Road at the intersection of Middle Region will be temporarily closed to motorized traffic as of 9:00pm Thursday, 26 April, 2012 until Friday morning 5:00am.

Motorists are advised to observe directional signs in order to ensure a smooth transit through the area via other roads being used to detour traffic from the closed section of the road during the aforementioned period of time.

The road closure is in connection with the infrastructure upgrading works that is being carried out as part of the Middle Region community rehabilitation project.

The contractor apologizes for any inconvenience that this temporary road closure may cause.

Marigot:--- The Director of President Alain Richardson's cabinet Alex Richards stated in a press release that the speech President Richardson pronounced on Sunday during his installation ceremony was written by an expert political writer identified as Mr. Pierre Marssin. Richards claimed that the RRR group contacted this person to write the President's speech since it is something most political leaders do. He further explained that the RRR group gave Marssin their program which was also distributed during the political campaign so that he could write the speech for President Richardson. Richards said that Marssin also wrote the speech delivered by the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso Luc Adolphe Tiao that was delivered on October 20, 2011 in the National Assembly.
SMN News contacted the Director of Communications for Prime Minister Luc Adolphe Tiao, Cyriaque Pare to verify if the Prime Minister's speech was written by one Pierre Marssin. Pare said that Mr. Marssin is not known to the Prime Minister and that his speech was written by the Prime Minister's technical advisors. "As the director of communication of Mr. Tiao, I helped put that speech together and we do not know anyone by the name of Pierre Marssin. I can confirm to you that the Prime Minister does not know the person either, I asked him this question today after your call and he confirmed to me that he does not know anyone by that name, the Prime Minister also made clear his speech was written by several persons in his cabinet." Pare is also the owner of an online newspaper "Journal lefaso.net".
SMN News also made several searches online for Pierre Marssin, it turned out that this person does not exist anywhere online. On March 20, 2012 someone created a Facebook profile for Pierre Marssin that does not have  photograph and his only friend up to April 5, 2012 was Alex Richards.
SMN News made several attempts to get a comment from President Richardson regarding his speech but he could not be reached. A source close to the RRR group said the executive council met on Thursday afternoon to discuss the matter but up to late Thursday evening no other statement was made.
Youth radio talk show hosts contacted President Richardson for a comment on the ongoing discussion about the speech and the President said since he took office on Monday has been busy working on the issues that matters to St. Martin. The President hinted that there are number of persons who are upset that his team was elected to office and they are doing whatever they can to make the RRR lose focus. He assured that he is busy working on the mandate he was elected to carry out. President Richardson said St. Martin needs 30 million Euros for the Collectivity's operation and if the monies are not found then the island is in dire trouble.
Below is a copy of the email SMN News received from Cyriaque Pare as proof to show we made every attempt to bring the truth to the forefront regarding President Richardson political declaration.

Comme par hasard, j'étais le directeur de la communication de M. TIAO, au moment où il prononçait sa Déclaration de politique générale. Je peux donc vous confirmer qu'il ne connaît pas M. Pierre Marssin, qui ne peut donc pas être l'auteur de sa DPG.

Cordialement

Journal lefaso.net / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The following is the press release from Alex Richards, the Director of the President's cabinet.

Objet : Communiqué de presse

Certains articles de presse ont porté des accusations graves de plagiat pour le discours de politique générale que le Président Alain Richardson a prononcé lors de l¹installation du nouveau Conseil Territorial. Je souhaite, sans m¹attarder sur cet épiphénomène, apporter quelques précisions afin de répondre aux interrogations des uns et aux accusations des autres. La campagne électorale que nous avons menée a mobilisé l¹ensemble de notre groupe et nous avons décidé de faire appel à un expert en communication politique pour la rédaction du discours du Président Richardson. Une démarche habituelle chez les leaders politiques, que nous avons entamée auprès d¹un spécialiste, M. Pierre Marssin. Nous avons fourni à ce dernier le programme de campagne, que nous avons présenté à la population ces dernières semaines et qui est conforme aux analyses de notre groupe RRR.
Quant aux similitudes notées entre le discours d¹investiture d¹Alain Richardson et celui du Premier ministre du Burkina Faso, Luc Adolphe Tiao, elles s¹expliquent par le fait que Pierre Marssin a également rédigé le discours de Monsieur Tiao. Il n¹y a donc pas de plagiat, et si la trame peut sembler identique, les grands axes de la politique que nous entendons mener pour les cinq prochaines années y sont clairement développés.
Cet épiphénomène que certains prennent plaisir à amplifier pour des raisons bassement politiciennes, n¹a aucune sorte d¹influence sur la détermination du groupe RRR à mener la politique pour laquelle il a été élu. Les polémiques stériles n¹ont pas leur place dans notre feuille de route, et nous préférons mettre toutes nos forces dans le développement des thèmes qui intéressent la population, l¹emploi, le pouvoir d¹achat, l¹économie, la sécurité, etc, et pour lesquels nous apporterons des solutions concrètes.
Notre objectif à terme reste l¹application des mesures prioritaires pour la satisfaction de l¹intérêt général, c¹est tout l¹enjeu de cette mandature.

Alex Richards
Directeur de Cabinet

TRANSLATION OF PRESS RELEASE FROM ALEX RICHARDS, THE DIRECTOR OF THE PRESIDENT'S CABINET.

COLLECTIVITY OF SAINT-MARTIN
CABINET OF THE PRESIDENT

Marigot, April 5, 2012

Subject: Press Release
Certain press articles have made serious accusations of plagiarism about the speech on general policy delivered by President Alain Richardson at the installation of the new Territorial Council. Without focusing on this secondary phenomenon, I would like to bring further clarification in addressing the concerns raised by some and the accusations made by others. The electoral campaign conducted by us has mobilized our entire group and we have decided to call upon an expert in political communication for the drafting of President Richardson's speech. A common practice among political leaders, and therefore we engaged a specialist, Mr. Pierre Marssin. We provided him with the campaign program presented to the population during these last weeks which is in accordance with the analyses of our group RRR.
As for the similarities observed between Alain Richardson's nomination speech and that of the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, Luc Adolphe Tiao, they are justified by the fact that Pierre Marssin has also written Mr. Tiao's speech. There is, therefore, no plagiarism, and if the framework can appear identical, the main lines of the policies we intend to implement during the next five years are clearly developed in the speech. This secondary phenomenon which certain persons take pleasure in amplifying for purely base political reasons has no influence whatsoever on the determination of the RRR group to implement the policies for which they were elected. The fruitless controversies have no place in our road map and we prefer to exert all our efforts in the development of matters of major interest to the population, jobs, purchasing power, economy, security, etc., and to which we will offer concrete solutions. Our ultimate objective remains the implementation of priority measures which will satisfy the general interest, that is the main challenge of our mandate.

Alex Richards
Cabinet Director

Philipsburg:--- Seven Seas Water (St. Maarten) has made a donation to the Global Missions Church Youth program. Receiving the one thousand dollar donation was pastor Flemming of the Global Missions Church.

Making the donation was Seven Seas Water (St. Maarten) Managing Director Franklyn Richards who said that "Seven Seas Water wholeheartedly supports the objectives of the youth program." He added that the company is interested in supporting community initiatives and in "building and maintaining country St. Maarten".

Active for the past eight years, the Global Missions Church Youth program lists among its objectives the improvement of technical skills and the social behavior of young people. Other goals are to improve relationships between parents and children, to advise families so they are able to prevent school drop out as well as to work closely with parents, youth and public authorities to address solutions to juvenile delinquency. The youth program says it endeavors to equip St. Maarten's youth to become better citizens.

St. Lucia:--- In an effort to encourage megayachts to visit St. Lucia, IGY Rodney Bay Marina is offering a deeply discounted dockage plan for yachts over 80 feet from April 10 through May 31, 2012.

At just $1.50 per foot per day, IGY Rodney Bay Marina customers can use their cumulative dockage fees toward their dockage at either Yacht Haven Grande in St. Thomas or at the Yacht Club at Isle de Sol in St. Maarten through May 31, 2012.

Captains, crew and yachtsmen can enjoy the marinas and their upland for the months of April and May at a great discount by using their St. Lucia dockage fees as credit at Yacht Haven Grande and the Yacht Club at Isle de Sol.

Activities in St. Lucia include:

St. Lucia Jazz Festival, April 30 - May 13
St. Lucia Carnival, May 28 – July 17

Contact GM Adam Foster at IGY Rodney Bay Marina for bookings, at 758.452.0324 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- The second in a series of Town Hall meetings on the drafting of development plans for the country was held on Monday in the Belair Community Center. The public was invited to give input for the preparation of the Development Plan for Conservation Areas.

The audience that turned up for the meeting was informed about the plans and they were able to give their input and comments on what were presented.

The attendees also suggested putting more effort in trying to get the public to attend these meetings and be informed about the preparation of the development plans.

Erno Labega, the head of the Department of Communications, who was the moderator for the evening, promised to make the presentation available on the government website. This will be announced once the information has been uploaded on the website.

The conservation areas entail the hilltops and ridges, which the Hillsides Policy regards as protected resources, as well as monumental Estates (Emilio Wilson's, Bishop Hill) and the Geneve Bay area.

At the meeting the Secretary General of the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Development, Environment & Infrastructure (VROMI), Louis Brown and staff of the Policy Department presented the ideas and views concerning the framework for the drafting of the plan.

In the meeting the different reasons for conservation were explained and illustrated on maps of the areas. Different issues were discussed such as possible developments, water management, roads in conservation areas, type of regulations and enforcement.

Comments, views and ideas from the general public can also be submitted by email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The input of the community is considered paramount in this process and in order for the right choices to be made, the community has to have a say by giving their views with respect to the spatial development of the country.

The Government believes that the public and stakeholders must have a say in the preparation of the plans, and therefore two Town Hall meetings for each plan area will be organized in order for the public to participate in the process. These meetings are in addition to the public hearing and public review as prescribed in the Zoning Ordinance.

The follow-up Town Hall meetings regarding the preparation of the development plans for Simpson Bay and Conservation Areas are expected to be held in June. Also at that time the first Town Hall meetings will be planned for some of the other plan areas such as Cul-de-Sac and Cole Bay.

Great Bay, St. Martin (April 19, 2012):--- The two-day skills building workshop on the development of a National Workplace Policy on HIV and AIDS was officially opened this morning at Carl's & Sons Conference Center by Minister of Public Health Social Development & Labor, Cornelius De Weever.
The goal of the workshop is to strengthen participants capacity to effectively develop a national workplace policy on HIV and AIDS. The Department of Labor is currently in the process of developing a National HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy in collaboration with the HIV/AIDS Programme Management Team (PMT).
"When I was a member of the Chamber of Commerce I introduced an HIV workplace policy, which they signed off on, and was part of their policy, I also gave a copy of the policy to then Commissioner of Health, Franklyn Meyers," said Minister Cornelius De Weever. The minister also stated during his remarks on Thursday morning, that it is important for us to adhere to ILO Recommendation No. 200 Concerning HIV and AIDS and the World of Work.
"This is an opportune time given all progress that St. Maarten has made regarding HIV/AIDS," said Minister De Weever.
This National HIV/AIDS Workplace Policy is being developed to ensure a uniform and fair approach to the effective prevention of HIV/AIDS among employees and their families, and provide social protection within the workplace to employees directly impacted by HIV. The principles of the policy include the recognition of HIV as a workplace issue, non-discrimination in employment, screening and confidentiality, social dialogue, gender equality, prevention and care, treatment and support as critical components for addressing the epidemic in the workplace.

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- The Dengue Action Response Team (DART) which falls under Collective Preventive Services (CPS), a government agency under the Ministry of Public Health, met recently to discuss an Epidemiological Alert issued by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) about Dengue.

PAHO is recommending to Member States, especially those located in the regions of Central America and the Caribbean, that could have a greater risk of dengue outbreaks during the second half of 2012, to begin preparing and establishing an integrated response mechanism for the prevention of dengue caused deaths.

The objective of the alert is to prevent the loss of human lives and the overload of health services due to dengue. During the DART meeting, a review was made of current state of affairs and planning with respect to patient care, social communication and environmental management. A follow-up meeting is planned for early May to update the respective stakeholders.

Dengue and severe dengue continue to be a public health concern in the Region of the Americas. Despite Member States' efforts to contain and mitigate the dengue epidemics, in the past two years, some of the countries in the Region have surpassed their historic record of cases and deaths.

2010 was the year with the highest number of cases in the history of the continent, with 1.69 million cases and 1,185 deaths. In the first 14 weeks of 2010 Sint Maarten had 28 confirmed dengue cases. For the whole of 2010, there were 173 confirmed cases of dengue on the Dutch side.

In 2011, a total of 1.04 million dengue cases and 719 dengue caused deaths were reported. In the first 14 weeks of 2011 for Sint Maarten, there were 12 confirmed dengue cases with two of them being residents of the Northern side of the island. During this year there was also one fatality attributed to Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF). The total number of cases for 2011 was 22. To date, for the first 14 weeks of 2012, there were nine confirmed dengue cases.

The government agencies part of the DART Team that met recently included CPS, Department of Communications (DCOMM) and Section General Public Health. Other members of the team are the Tourist Office and the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Development, Environment and Infrastructure.

Philipsburg:--- An official agreement has been signed between the National Alliance and the Independent Members of Parliament Patrick Illidge, Frans Richardson, and United Peoples Party faction leader Romaine La Ville. According to well placed sources, La Ville will deliver his letter of resignation to the UP leader Theodore Heyliger on Sunday and a copy will also be given to the Chairlady of Parliament. However, SMN News learnt that the Chairlady of Parliament Gracita Arrindell left the island on Friday for Washington DC.

The political agreement was signed shortly after 7pm Saturday evening at the Parliament Building where the Members of the National Alliance faction met with the three Members of Parliament who made an unofficial statement early Saturday morning at the Festival Village during the Calypso finals.

SMN News has been reliably informed that the Democratic Party Members of Parliament will be joining the newly formed coalition government under the banner "Team St. Maarten." Sources close the party said Member of Parliament Petrus Leroy De Weever was off island and he returned Saturday evening. De Weever is expected to meet with the National Alliance sometime over the weekend where they will continue their discussions on the formation of the new government.

The signing of the most recent political agreement brings an end the constant rumors about the fall of government and the disagreements within the UP Party.

SMN News learnt that since Member of Parliament Romaine La Ville made his thoughts known about the Pelican saga which involves UP MP Jules James, the party leader Theodore Heyliger and some of his colleagues have been treating him as a so called step-child. The source said that La Ville felt that his party leader and his colleagues in the UP faction have taken him for granted and the time has come for him to take a stand and do what he believes is best for the people of St. Maarten. It is further understood that La Ville took his stand two weeks ago when his party leader made him believe that all was well and that he would make him the chairman of the Finance Committee.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunrise in collaboration with the Philipsburg Jubilee Library honored all the participants in 'Readers are Leaders', a reading program aimed at all high school students on St Maarten. The goal of 'Readers are Leaders' is to turn St Maarten's teenagers into avid readers. Reading helps our youth to develop imagination, curiosity and the ability to think outside the box.
After last year's success, 'Readers are Leaders' grew even bigger with more students and schools participating in the challenge to read at least 2 books per month. This year over a 100 students participated, either individually at the Library or through the 'Readers are Leaders' program at St. Maarten Academy and St. Maarten Vocational School. They took the challenge very seriously. The 'Readers are Leaders' club also organized other events such as a very successful poetry evening .
As extra incentives to encourage participants to continue reading, special prizes are awarded to the best participants. This year's winners are: Jenice Forbes and Fatimah Karim (St. Maarten Academy); Johnny Elizee and Tamika DeWeever (St. Maarten Vocational School); Lilawatee Arjune and Isaiah Escallier (Jubilee Library submissions). During the Award Ceremony at the Library the winner of each group was presented a laptop (donated by Klass Electronics, Boolchands and Zhaveri Jewelers) and the runner-up received a kindle (sponsored by Princess Juliana International Airport and MNO Vervat). All participants were rewarded with goodie bags and pizza to close of the evening (thanks to the contributions of DHL, Western Union, Nagico Insurances, RBC Royal Bank, Pretty Good T-Shirts and Domino's Pizza).
The Sunrise Rotary Club was pleased to be able to celebrate Rotary's Literacy Month with the successful final event of this year's 'Readers are Leaders' program. It proves once more that our youth are capable and willing to make the effort to improve themselves. The Sunrise Rotary Club would like to thank all corporate sponsors for their generous donation and all those who worked tirelessly toward helping our youth discover a new world through reading, namely Karia Arnold and Monique Alberts from the Jubilee Library, the Readers are Leaders' student board and members of the Sunrise Rotary Club.

Philipsburg:--- On Tuesday April 3, 2012 at approximately 10:00am, several police patrols were directed by the Central Police Dispatch to the area of Sol gas station in Madame Estate, where at least one gunshot was heard. On the scene, the investigating officers learnt that the suspects had fled the scene in a small white car with license-plate M-4926 in the direction of Dutch Quarter.
During a search of the area, the car and suspect were located. The suspect; a woman with the initials W.L.G. from Sint Maarten was arrested on the spot and the vehicle was confiscated. The suspect was then taken the Philipsburg Police Station where she was turned over to the Detective Department. Shortly after, the two victims with initials Z.B.W. and M.A.L. also from Sint Maarten filed official reports with the Detective Department and stated they were slapped and gun butted by the suspect and another person who was also in the car. The suspect in this case remains in custody as the investigation continues.

Imbali students return victorious to St. Maarten, after having participated in the French Federation of Dance Competition which was held in St.Barth on Tuesday April 3, 2012. Imbali dance students competed in Ballet, Jazz, African dance, and Classical Indian dance. As a result the students earned two gold medals in modern dance and jazz, a silver medal in African dance and Bharatanatyam, and bronze in ballet. The students have been working hard since November 2011 preparing for this competition.

The two contestants that won gold at the regionals, now qualify to compete at the national dance competition in Nice South of France in June 2012. They will compete against all other gold medalist in the French Federation of Dance.
Last year Imbali students competed in Amiens, France in a competition that hosted 2500 dancers from around the world and earned gold in classical ballet and bronze in Jazz. This year the students and the dedicated teachers are committed equally in presenting the best of themselves at the national competition.
Imbali staff and management team are now focused on raising the necessary funds to send two dancers Jeremiah David and Kiara Vanterpool to compete at the nationals.

The year 1963 can be considered as the beginning of tourism development on the island of St. Martin and, therefore, the transition year between an agricultural, rural economy and a commercial, tourist-oriented economy. The 37-square mile French/Dutch Island with English-speaking natives began its transformation into modernity with the electrification of the greater part of the island and the construction of the first terminal of the Princess Juliana International Airport during that year. Many islanders left their gardens and grounds to work in the construction field, in the stores and hotels, which opened that year.
In J963-A Landmark Year in St. Martin, author Daniella Jeffry Pilot offers readers a retrospective look at how the island of St. Martin has evolved beginning in the year of 1963. As the development increased, numerous immigrants from the close neighboring islands came in search of work, and waves of St. Martiners who had migrated to then prosperous Caribbean islands returned to their homeland to fill the new positions in the first banks, business administrations, and governmental offices. The festive, gentle way of life of the natives harmoniously blended with the burgeoning new economy, and greatly contributed to the success of the tourism industry, which made St. Martin one of the top Caribbean destinations. Its attractiveness derived not only from the unique beauty of its combined pond and hill sceneries, but also from the warm hospitality and friendliness of the natives.
For more information on this book, interested parties may log on to www.Xlibris.com.

Marigot/Great Bay:--- With several Olympic medalists coming to compete in a field of world-class athletes who have posted some of the fastest times in the 100m, 200m, 400m and 100m hurdles, the sixth edition of the St. Maarten/Saint-Martin International Athletics Meet scheduled for May 5 – 9, 2012, at the Alberic Richards Stadium in Marigot, promises to be a unique opportunity to preview the 2012 Summer Olympics as many of the participating athletes will also be in the London Games.
The administrations of both halves of the island have thrown their full support behind this initiative of the Speedy Plus Club, which has been hosting the event for the past six years, with the peculiarity that this year's edition is the first in which there will be one team representing the entire island in the training camp and other activities that will be taking place during the week-long athletics event.
At a press briefing to launch the project Wednesday at the Collectivite in Marigot, President Alain Richardson, in one of his first official duties since his inauguration on April 1, 2012, welcomed Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs, Dr. Rhoda Arrindell whom he thanked for the financial involvement of the government in Great Bay.
"You have matched and in certain cases, even gone beyond" our own contribution, President Richardson remarked, while he pledged his own personal support as well as that of the Collectivite, in spite of the well-known financial constraints.
Minister Arrindell recalled how far back President Richardson and her go in their mutual relations. "We had dreams of working together as one island and we did so during our SMECO days, and here we are again with the opportunity to further work together as one island.
Thanking the President of Speedy Club, Calvin Bryan for the opportunity, Dr. Rhoda Arrindell pointed out that this would be the first time the island would put its best athletes forward in one "national" team and expressed the hope that other sports would emulate this example.
"We have committed to offer financial help, because we believe the island as a whole wins. The event will promote sports tourism as well as the professionalization of our athletes and trainers through the training camps and other activities, and this falls squarely within the policy we are pursuing in sports," the Minister said.
The Minister also welcomed the idea put forward by Speedy Club's president, Calvin Bryan, that the International Track and Field meet will be alternated between both halves of the island in future.
"This means, in effect, that we have to sow the seeds now for this to become a reality in the shortest time possible," Minister Arrindell said.
Some of the top athletes who will be appearing at the track and field meet include American sprinter, Shawn Crawford whose has posted a best time of 9.88 secs in 100m and a 19.79 sec in the 200m. Other sprinters who have reportedly signed up for the event are Andrew Hinds of Barbados (10.03 in 100m), Gerald Phiri of Zambia (10.06), Ainsley Waugh of Jamaica (10.11) and Remi Arnaud of Guadeloupe (10.39).
In the women's 100m, Trinidad's Kelly-Ann Baptiste (10.84) will face off with other world class sprinters like Nigeria's duo of Damola Osayomi (10.99) and Blessing Okagbare (11.00) as well as USA's LaShauntea Moore (10.97).
The men's 400m will see a heated race between USA's Greg Nixon (44.61 sec), Israel's Donald Sanford (45.21), Erison Hurtault of Dominica (45.40) and Italy's pair of Claudio Licciardello (45.25) and Matteo Galvan (45.86) among others.
The Youth Training Camp will feature athletes and trainers from Cuba, Jamaica, Trinidad, Guadeloupe (where the officials will be drawn from), Martinique, and St. Maarten/St. Martin which will be fielding a united team.
The total cost for the event is $154 000 dollars, both side governments will contribute 35 000 Euros each. The entrance is 10 dollars or 10 Euros.

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- The Collective Preventive Services (CPS) which is part of the Ministry of Public Health, would like to alert travelers to Haiti, that there has been a jump in the number of cholera cases, according to the United Nation's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The disease, is now considered the largest cholera outbreak in the world, and has killed more than 7,000 people and sickened another 530.000.

Persons who plan to travel to Haiti are advised to take preventive measures. Ensure taking vital precautions such as hygienic food preparation, boiling or purifying all water, and washing hands often with soap and clean water.

Family physicians are requested to be on alert and report any cholera symptoms to CPS to ensure proper case management and follow up according to World Health Organization International Health Regulations.

Symptoms can occur within 24 to 48 hours of being infected with the cholera causing bacteria. Cholera symptoms are generally mild; they include diarrhea, vomiting, and muscle cramps. About one infected person out of 20 has severe signs and symptoms, such as increased heart rate, dehydration, and shock. Immediately consult your physician if you have travelled and have symptoms, while maintaining proper hygiene.

Cholera is a bacterial infection spread through contaminated water. It causes severe diarrhea and vomiting that can lead to dehydration and death within hours.

Cholera is transmitted through fecal contamination of water and food. In places where there is infrastructure damage, the lack of safe drinking water and poor sanitation and hygiene can increase the risk of cholera, as well as numerous other diarrhea diseases.

Cholera is easily treatable, and if patients are given oral re-hydration salts promptly to replace lost fluids, and they can nearly always be cured.

In a small percentage of people, cholera can cause very severe dehydration potentially leading to death. To minimize the number of people infected, frequent hand washing, personal hygiene, safe water use and food preparation are a necessity.

By taking a few basic precautions, cholera as well as most other food and water-borne diseases can easily be prevented. The main rule is, always be aware of the quality of what you eat and drink.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Central Committee of Parliament met in a closed session on April 17 to discuss an aviation proposal.

Members of Parliament received a presentation from Garrison Walker Financial Inc. outlining an aviation proposal for Sint Maarten.

President of Parliament Hon. drs. Gracita Arrindell said the presentation was very interesting and contained great economic and financial potential information for the country at a time when countries in the region are competing fiercely to attract new foreign direct investments.

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – On Wednesday morning Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour (VSA) Hon. Cornelius de Weever met with Dutch Minister of Health, Welfare & Sport (VWS) Hon. Edith Schippers and her delegation in the A.C. Wathey Legislative Hall where they discussed a number of issues, such as the Inspectorate, Public Health World Health Organization regulations, amongst other topics. Schippers is on a working visit to the Dutch Caribbean entities of St. Eustatius and Saba. Another topic discussed is cooperation with the two aforementioned islands on the level of patient care and the Inspectorate of Public Health.

Great Bay:--- The Ministry of Public Health Social Development & Labor is taking the hearing of the youth here on our island very serious, by means of an audio meter that was donated to the section Youth Health Care this year by Minister of Health, Cornelius De Weever; through the neonatal hearing screening symposium held in Aruba, attended by the ministry and through the donation of ear plugs to the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation for carnival 2012.
"It is important for us to start now, and be proactive and protect our children's hearing, especially during the carnival season," said Minister of Public Health Social Development & Labor, Cornelius De Weever.
The minister stressed that the ministry found it necessary that ear plugs were purchased and distributed. "I encourage all parents to ensure that their children wear ear plugs," said Minister De Weever.
The audio-meter, which was donated by the minister will be used to test the hearing of school going children, whereas the neonatal screening, which is yet to be implemented will focus on newborns. The ear plugs are donated as a means of protecting the ears of our youth from the loud music during the carnival parades.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Finance Hon. Hiro Shigemoto recently attended a meeting where he was apprised of the next phase of the process to reform the country's tax system which will result in the end with an attractive and socially acceptable system.

The Minister was informed that the proposals to reform the system are in the finalisation phase. A number of meetings have been held with various stakeholders and will continue in the coming weeks and months.

Stakeholders that have been informed about the tax reform project are: St. Maarten Hospitality & Trade Association (SHTA), Tax Foundation, Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Social Insurance Bank (SZV), the Committee for Financial Supervision CFT, the Central Bank of Curacao and Sint Maarten (CBCS), Department of Economic Affairs, among others.

The Council of Ministers (COM) were updated about the second phase (tax reform) and third (implementation). COM has since approved those phases; the Work Group New Tax System was dissolved, and two Project Leaders were appointed to coordinate the entire project leading to a smooth transition and implementation of the new tax reform tentatively set for January 1, 2013.

Before the new tax system is implemented there will be a full information campaign informing civil society about the aforementioned.

"I am very pleased with the interests in the tax reform project that has been shown by all stakeholders. We are well on our way in revamping our national tax system and I am looking forward to when the process has been finalized and we have a new system in place," Minister of Finance Hon. Hiro Shigemoto said on Friday.

The Ministry of Finance is currently steering the process to revamp the country's tax system making it easy to understand, easy to collect and leading to economic efficiency, fairness, transparency, and a stable and predictable system to fund public expenditures and create further economic growth therefore contributing to employment opportunities for the population.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Economic & Tourism Affairs, Telecommunications & Transport Franklin Meyers stressed that 'a road map has to be drawn up to achieve a fairer and more balanced economy', at the recently concluded Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) 2012-2022 workshop held at Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa.

"During a follow up workshop in May 2012 the initial Economic Strategy for the coming years will be presented to the public, creating the opportunity for the public to give feedback and make this a SEP that will be supported by the people of the country the coming years. As was indicated during the workshop: It is the right time for a change!," Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Hon. Franklin Meyers said on Sunday.

On March 22nd 2012, more than 50 attendees of the economic work stream were all enthusiastic about the workshop and dedicated their time and effort into the debates.

The participants, from both private and public sector, debated on the economic problems that Sint Maarten is currently facing and brainstormed together on possible solutions. All attendees agreed that now is the time to make the change; Sint Maarten needs a new mind set and the momentum for that change is now. By thinking outside of the box, we should work on a long term vision that will create a sustainable economy and enhance the quality of life.

During the workshop a topic that was often heard was the high cost of doing business as well as the increasing cost of living in comparison to other islands in our region; both having a negative effect on the economy.

Various solutions were discussed, as means to make doing business easy and more efficient. To explain the correlation between these two identified problems the "happiness domino effect" was introduced by a participant, which simply means that happy residents attract visitors and happy visitors attract investors. This illustrates once more that the solutions for current problems do not stand alone, but will require the cooperation of all sectors within the society.

The SEP 2012-2022 must not be seen as a new economic plan. The SEP is merely an update of the economic strategy. By combining current sentiments within the community, many strategic studies that has already been executed and from the innovative and out of the box ideas that were given at the workshop, the SEP will be drafted.

The SEP 2012-2022 workshop was organized by the Government of Sint Maarten with support from KPMG Advisory Services B.V.

On the Morning of Friday the 20th of April, 2012 the Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams held a meeting with the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis the Honorable Denzil Douglas at PJIA. Prime Minister Douglas overnighted on St. Maarten on his way his way to Washington for an International Monetary Fund (IMF) meeting. During the meeting, various items were briefly discussed such as the financial economic situation of both countries, the two countries' fiscal systems and emerging economic opportunities for both island nations such as medical tourism and off-shore educational facilities.

Philipsburg:--- The President of the Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) Claire Elshot called on workers on St. Maarten to commemorate the achievements of Labour Day which is celebrated on May 1 each year. Elshot said workers on St. Maarten need to make a special effort to understand the importance of Labour Day and recognize the accomplishments of the island's forefathers in trade unionism. Elshot said even though workers on St. Maarten are faced with a number of challenges regarding the abuse of workers' rights, the unions on St. Maarten has made great strides.
Elshot said some of the persons to be remembered are Mr. Alrett Peters, Prudence Hodge-Hodge, Patricia Pantophlet, and Willy Haize all of whom are unionists that made great contributions to unionism. The aim of the WITU is to continue to educate the workers of their rights as workers on St. Maarten. Elshot said there are number of workers that are very vital to the economy of St. Maarten and therefore as a union body she also wants to recognize and salute them.
President of the Workers Institute for Organized Labour (WIFOL) and the WICLU Theophillus Thompson said it is important to recap the importance of Labour Day. He said workers must reflect on the system in which they are living which is the capitalist system. Thompson said workers should reflect on Labour Day because workers in the past worked endless hours and when they did not they were punished. He said workers began fighting in the early 80's to have an eight hour work day and it climaxed when workers in the USA demanded the eight hour work day in the late 80's.
Thompson said that today workers rights are being violated in all forms, he reflected on the workers of Pelican Resorts who are still not being paid and waiting on a judgment from the Appeals Court. Thompson said he noticed that the supermarkets on St. Maarten are no longer employing people to pack bags. "In the past, the supermarkets used to hire packers but today they don't. Young people just work for a tip in the supermarkets and they don't get a salary or medical." He called on government to become more proactive in restoring the rights of workers.

Great Bay:--- Mr. Morris Chrobotek of Freestyle Soccer/Football made a presentation of his football training program to the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs Dr. Rhoda Arrindell on Wednesday.
Chrobotek briefly introduced the objectives of his program, which he sees as a door-opener for many things, including marketing, entertainment, and tourism promotion. According to Chrobotek, the aim of the program, which would be tailor-made to suit the needs of St. Martin, is to create a World of Soccer, in which various aspects of the sport would be worked on. He explained that the final program would depend on what already exists on the island and what is agreed to "amicably" to move forward.
Attending the presentation were also members of the Sports Department and the St. Maarten Soccer Education Foundation. Representatives of the St. Maarten Soccer Association, who were also invited, did not show up. Attendees were also able to ask questions from one of Chrobotek's associates, Steve Elias, who joined the meeting via phone.
This training program is one of many which the Ministry is evaluating in order to assist with the elevation of sports on the island.

The St. Maarten Aquatic Federation has a potential Athlete Burton Theodora, who is now working his way up seeking qualification for the Olympic.
St. Maarten Sport Federation Member of the NAOC until June 2012 is working hand in hand with the SAF looking for a spot for this athlete. The athlete Burton Theodora is trying to make the Olympic Qualification Time and, he is presently attending a trainings camp in Dominican Republic from the 22th to 30th of April, 2012. St. Maarten must give in to participate at all official international events, in this case the Olympic events, our athlete must go through a series of Qualifying meets to enable him a spot which can be with two options:

• The Athlete can qualify by making his official time mark which is 22:88 free style 50 meters stroke,
• By participating in the different qualification meet, the federation will enter him under the university ranking qualification with another 150 athletes of the world will have a change by best time ranking.

Our athlete Burton Theodora has a chance to prove and make his best time for both options.
As for the St.Maarten Sport Federation we will do all we can to find a window for our athlete from St. Maarten.

Report from Dominican Republic Coach, Romain Layour
The Athletes Burton Theodora has improved his average time and still striving to mark his limit to the best of his ability.
When Burton started training with me he was a very motivated athlete who knows what he wants. But he didn't know a way to reach his goals. I had to start to null at zero in a new structure way with training. For instance" he have to know why he is going to do the different exercises, which changes his way of thinking, for that I have give him as much information in the pool and in land. Before he start with me he had endurance which was a good thing, but as a sprinter we must pass through some cycle of preparation in velocity and speed in the mechanical area, and the technical and strategic points how to swim a 50 meters sprint, first we put a program whereby he had to lose weight to be a lighter athlete, and to produce more efficient performance.
I have created a trainings program for his development during the training, and a swimming skill enhancement plan for tuning and improving his aerodynamic methods. He has lost 6 kilogram the last 2 months which his increase his velocity and position in the water.
I can say Burton has improved speed, resistance and the most important is his technical stroke, which means he has better coordination.
The best swimmer of Dominican RepublicMarco DIAZ and the Director Mr. George Rodriquez came to support the training program and have spoke some technicalities of swimming with the Burton Theodora and the Coach Mr. Romain Layour.

Press Release from Sint Maarten Sports Federation

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- Head of the Civil Registry Department Leona Romeo-Marlin says her department concluded a successful workshop with stakeholders last Friday with respect to the further improvement of services being rendered; creating awareness of the duties and responsibilities of the department; and thirdly, reinforcing and exchanging information for the sole purpose of obtaining and maintaining a reliable basic administration.

The importance of obtaining accurate information from the Civil Registry Department was emphasized during the interactive workshop.

Similarly the Department of Civil Registry stressed the importance of being provided with updated information as the consequences of not having reliable information are numerous.

The presenter of the workshop, Leona Romeo-Marlin, discussed the "domino effect" that occurs due to lack of information and/or cooperation of citizens as well as internal and external partners.

The need to close the "gaps/loopholes" was recognized by the stakeholders present and immediate actions and cooperation were pledged. Romeo-Marlin deemed the workshop a huge success as the objectives were met.

Participants of the workshop included the Tax Department, Social Insurance Bank SZV, the Department of Social Development, the Department of Statistics, St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation, the Study Financing Department, Foreign Affairs BAK and Ministry of Public Housing, Environment, Spatial Development and Infrastructure (VROMI).

Those requiring information about the services of the department can call 542-2457.

Great Bay:--- Minister of Public Health Social Development & Labor, Cornelius de Weever recently met with the Seniors and Pensioners Association (SMSPA) to discuss a number of issues, such as pension reform, postponement of health reform, FZOG and SZV 60 plus card premiums, World Health Day 2012, and the upcoming interregional meeting in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Board members of the SMSPA told Minister De Weever that senior citizens would like to have equal old age pension as it is in the Netherlands, and proposed the installation of a National Committee to advise government on the equal implementation of old age pensions, social allowances and all other social, economic and cultural rights in this part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
SMSPA is also concerned with the fact that seniors pay more FZOG and SZV premiums than active workers. According to SMSPA seniors pay 10-10.4% of their pension income, whereas the active workers only pay 2-2.2% of their salary. The board drew reference to the situation in the European part of the kingdom of the Netherlands where the premium of the health insurance for all persons with an income under 1000 Euro (Ang 2300) a month and also for the children under 18 years of age is paid by the state, whereas here in St. Maarten only an income of under Naf 1500 is entitled to a medical card from government.
In addition, the SMSPA would like to collaborate where possible regarding World Health Day 2012 with this year's focus being "Aging and Health: Good health adds life to years." Minister De Weever applauded the SMSPA for wanting to participate in the information campaign, which can reach out to their members and address the concern of healthy aging.
Minister De Weever stated that it was a great meeting and is looking forward to a follow-up meeting with the organization. "I am looking forward to working with SMSPA in the interest of seniors here on our island," said Minister De Weever.

Philipsburg:--- The Government and people of St. Maarten will be celebrating Word Health Day on April 7, 2012 announced Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams at Wednesday's Council of Ministers press briefing. Wescot Williams said the annual celebration is in recognition of the founding WHO in 1948. World Health Day is a global campaign inviting everyone to focus on one single health challenge with global impact and also provides an opportunity to start collective action to protect people's health and well-being. The topic for 2012 is Aging and Health with the theme Good Health Adds Life to Years.
The Prime Minister calls on all health institutions on St. Maarten, practitioners, and NGO's to focus on educating the community on aspects of health. Wescot Williams also issued a call on all women to take responsibility for their health by doing regular medical check-ups and to heed the warning signs such as aches and pains. The Prime Minister said she is working on launching a program called "You Too Can Move" which involves Zumba sessions. Civil servants that are interested in the program are urged to contact the members of the Prime Minister's cabinet for more information.
A mini health forum is scheduled to take place on May 7th where a health practitioner and a nutritionist will be making presentations on proper eating habits, dieting, and exercising.

...

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- Prime Minister Hon. Sarah Wescot Williams on Thursday evening along with Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sports Hon. Dr. Rhoda Arrindell attended the CD launch of artist Dion Gumbs at Port de Plaisance.

Gumbs launched his music DVD with three music videos, one that included Betty Nisbeth.

The Prime Minister commended Gumbs for his perseverance in his musical career and his constant aim for higher achievements.

Both artists, Gumbs and Nisbeth treated the audience with live performances.

Simpson Bay:--- On Monday April 9, 2012 at approximately 2:00am, police patrols and detectives were directed to McDonalds in Simpson Bay to investigate a case where a man had been seriously beaten by two or three unknown young men. On the scene, the investigating officers located the victim with the initials M.W. from Dominica who is staying on the French side. The victim was lying on the ground of the "drive through" and was bleeding profusely from a wound to his head and had suffered a fractured skull. The victim also had other wounds to his face and he had been knocked unconscious. The girlfriend of the victim stated that she and the victim had gone to Soggy Dollar for the evening. She left the night club for a short while to get something to eat at McDonalds. When she returned she was informed that her boyfriend (the victim) had gone looking for her. She stayed at the entrance of the night club waiting for him however shortly after an acquaintance of hers told her that two or three men had beaten the victim. On the scene, the victim was treated by the paramedics and then transported to the Sint Maarten Medical Center. The detectives learnt that later that day at approximately 4:00pm the victim was flown in very critical condition to Guadeloupe for further treatment.
This case is under investigation. No-one has been arrested as a suspect in this case and the Police department is asking anyone who has any information in connection with this case to contact the police department.

Sonesta Great Bay Resort & Casino hosted the Learning Unlimited School Class on April 2, 2012.

Students were taught the proper culinary, hygiene, and service techniques in restaurant hospitality by Chef Floris Faber. The main focus was health & wellness in preparing a healthy meal to eat.

Afterwards Great Bay hosted a special healthy lunch for the students.

The Journey for Education Foundation will be recognizing the three fastest walkers during its annual walkathon.
The annual walkathon will be held this Saturday beginning at 5am at Le Grand Marche Shopping Center on the Bushroad.

This is the 30th year that JFE will be hosting the walkathon and decided to recognize the first three persons who complete the walk to the Marigot waterfront. We wanted to do something special and seeing the competitive spirit that has developed with walkers boasting of breaking records to be the first to complete the trek from the Dutch side to the French side, stated JFE President Rolando Tobias. Three trophies were sponsored by Cigar Factory for the fastest walkers.

There are still a few tickets available and interested walkers can contact any member of the Journey for Education Foundation. The walkathon begins at 5am at Le Grand Marche Bushroad, going over the Colebay Hill across union road over the border and ending at the Marigot waterfront. There walkers will be treated to a breakfast of saltfish and journey cakes.

For the past 30 years, Journey for Education Foundation has been organizing two major fundraising events annually; the annual dinner and walkathon. Proceeds from both events are handed out to students seeking tertiary education.

ST. PETERS:--- PEACE IS Foundation has partnered with the St. Maarten Academy for their Choose PEACE project, which was launched in the month of March. PEACE IS assisted with the t-shirts and will also advise and support the St. Maarten Academy as it seeks to build on the buzz created through the launching of the project. The Choose PEACE project is aimed at promoting the message of peace amongst youths and advocating non-violence in schools. The T-Shirts, as well as bumper stickers, will be sold to raise funds for the continuation of the project.
"PEACE IS, as the name suggests, is an organization whose sole purpose is to promote peace amongst the youth and in schools," Glenville Blake President of the foundation said. "So when the St. Maarten Academy approached us about this exciting initiative, we were more than happy to partner with them as we are both working towards the same goals. The fact that students are the ones who are carrying out this mandate is very encouraging as it indicates that there is hope, which we sometimes forget when we see media reports about violence in our schools."
PEACE IS encourages the community to support the St. Maarten Academy by purchasing T-shirts and bumper stickers, which are being sold for US$10 and US$ 5 respectively. These items can be purchased from the SXM Academy Student Care Office.

St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundations' (SCDF) youngest and energetic president, Stuart Johnson (27), said that Carnival has undergone a transformation like no other and confidence has been restored in the minds of carnival stakeholders.

Johnson said that the SCDF has looked at every facet of Carnival and continues to make the necessary improvements in the "people's festival." Much effort has gone into the marketing of St.Maarten's Carnival on a larger scale, SCDF continues working on promoting its name amongst influential stakeholders both locally and abroad, and has fostered a relationship with other Carnival committees in the region, such as Aruba, Curacao, Trinidad, Anguilla, Miami, St. Eustatius and Saba.

This year SCDF has focused strongly on the marketing aspect of carnival by placing a heavy emphasis on the marketing of local events as well as the general season of carnival. One of the major marketing aspects which the SCDF continues to be a welcoming addition is the three year agreement signed with Tempo Music Network.

"We feel proud of this agreement as it is a solid medium for the further promotion of St. Maarten's Carnival product," Johnson said. He emphasized on the carnival experience on St. Maarten is like no other, especially with our Festival Village and our line-up of activities which has a duration of two weeks.

The business sector has also shown a confidence and commitment to SCDF however, the operational cost of hosting our annual event exceeds the sponsorships received. "We've been able to work well with our corporate sponsors this year again because of the exposure opportunities they are receiving throughout our celebration."

"Much appreciation goes out to Minister Franklin Meyers for allocating Naf. 500,000 for the marketing of Carnival as well as the representatives of the Tourism Department for their unconditional support in this regard," Johnson said. May-Ling Chun and her team received high praises from the SCDF and hopes for a long standing working relationship continues.

Johnson minced no words in his appreciation towards Minister Rhoda Arrindell for her support to our annual celebrations especially with the participation of the Public School's carnival troupe for the Junior Carnival Parade. SCDF is also grateful for the support received by Minster Hiro Shigemoto and Minister Ronald Duncan.

"Carnival belongs to the people and it's time they take ownership to their festival. On that note, all businesses should sponsor and decorate their respective establishments during this special time of the year." Carnival benefits the community; businesses; directly or indirectly, everybody benefits from Carnival. And that is why we want to continue to develop our product, promote it and in the end a successful carnival season benefits everyone," Johnson said, noting that SCDF is always open to new ideas once it serves toward the betterment of our events.

SCDF is working on a five year plan which would comprise of the general vision for Carnival, key areas of further development and a marketing outline amongst others. By means of the social media such as Facebook, SCDF's fan page gets over 2,000 hits weekly. "Technology is connecting St. Maarten to the rest of the world, and for Carnival this means everyone can feel some of the vibes they're missing on," Johnson stated. He went on to say, that the live broadcast of our events such as the Calypso Eliminations and Finals as well as the Grand Parades is an opportunity worth embracing if you're not on St. Maarten.

For this Carnival season, six legendary calypsonians and one mainstay of the calypso art form on St. Maarten has been chosen to be honored this year. The SCDF will present special posthumous honors to the families of The Mighty Greg and The Mighty Cat, both former Road March kings. "These men were great entertainers and Carnival lovers. Cat stayed active with Carnival through his photography and producing songs such as the iconic Village anthem "Welcome to the Village. Greg's voice could never be forgotten and he grabbed every opportunity to sing when he wasn't competing. They are both missed and both deserve recognition," Johnson said.

The last person the SCDF intends to honor on April 20 is the Philosopher of Humor Fernando Clarke, not for his singing talents, but for being "The King of Calypso MC's". Johnson explained that MC means to "move a crowd" and added that there is none better than Fernando.

Johnson just over one year in the presidency looks back at the previous carnival season as a great learning experience, which will be valued for life, even in his professional career. He went onto say, "it is evident that the planning of Carnival is a year round activity and support must be given to the SCDF throughout the year." Currently the SCDF has over twenty members and twelve youth wing members which support the initiatives of the nine member board. He added, "In just one year we've done so much but there is always more to be done as we celebrate in grand style for 2012."

"The SCDF group is a vibrant group of individuals which comprises the board, the general membership and the youth wing," Johnson said. The SCDF executive board consists of President Stuart Johnson, Vice President Martin Wilson, Treasurer Erno Labega, Secretary Michael Granger, Assistant Secretary Vida Boyard and board members, Ronald Romey, Hazel Kishna, Hubert Pantophlet and Ewardo Radjouki.

"We encourage everyone to come out and participate in Carnival 2012 while having a safe and enjoyable time. Happy St. Maarten Carnival 2012 St. Maarten and long live St. Maarten Carnival," Johnson concluded.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Permanent Committee of Kingdom Affairs and Parliamentary Relations will meet in a closed session on April 20 to discuss matters related to the democratic deficit within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

The meeting will take place on Friday morning at 10:00am in the General Assembly Chamber of the House of Parliament on Wilhelmina Straat #2.1 in Philipsburg.

Members of the Committee are Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Roy Marlin, Chairman, MP Hon. Ruth Douglass, Vice Chair, MP Hon. Patrick Illidge, MP Hon. William Marlin, and MP Hon. Frans Richardson.

Hon. Minister Plenipotentiary, Mr. Mathias Voges,

Hon. Deputy Minister Plenipotentiary, Mr. Richard Panneflek,

President and Board Members of the Soualiga Foundation,

St. Martiners in The Netherlands,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

 

Good Morning.

I want to begin by thanking the organizers of this forum for the invitation extended to me to be here with you today. I believe it is a measure of the importance I attach to this event that  I decided to attend this forum. We are here because each and every one of you is very important to the process of nation-building we have embarked upon. Each and every one of you has a significant role to play in building the new St. Martin nation we have all been dreaming of: a new St. Martin nation full of opportunities for you; a new St. Martin nation which will thrive on the knowledge and skills you have come here to acquire.

Let me submit right from the onset that a new, progressive, truly democratic and humane St. Martin will be impossible to build without the input of each and every one of you. I do not know of any nation that succeeds in this modern world when large numbers of its brightest minds remain in some sort of self-exile in a foreign land.

I am sure when you left the shores of St. Martin, it was to come here in pursuit of the proverbial Golden Fleece. I very much doubt that it was to flee the island, abandon your families and friends, to set up shop permanently in this country. Certainly, that could not have been your intention; it was never the intention of the government that sent you, either. I want to believe that the sole reason you decided to come to The Netherlands was to seek an education and return home to take up your rightful place and make a meaningful contribution to the development of your island. If that is the reason for your being here, why then, you may ask, are we having this discussion? Why this forum? You know the answers to these questions better than I do.

Annually, between 275 and 300 students apply for study financing from the St. Martin government, out of which an average of 150 receive it. Approximately 75 to 80 students leave every year at the end of July to further their studies in The Netherlands. If all of them were to successfully complete their studies in the prescribed time, this would mean that over the last 20 - 25 years, St. Martin should have had at least some 1,100 to 1,500 graduates from The Netherlands alone. In one generation, the island should have been able to solve its manpower problem at the level of professionals: lawyers, doctors, nurses, teachers, accountants, engineers, ICT specialists, etc. How I wish that were the case, but you and I know that the stark reality is very different: in all these areas that I have just mentioned and more, St. Martin is in dire need of qualified personnel.

At present, there are 276 St. Martin students on study financing here in Holland. The government of St. Martin spends an average of 1,933 Euros on each student per year, according to the latest figures from S4.

Considering that each student spends between 7 and 11 years in The Netherlands to complete his or her Bachelor’s/Master’s degree, (in sharp contrast to an average of 5 years for those who go to the United States or study in the Caribbean region, for example), it means that effectively, government spends a total of between 13,500 and 21,000 Euros (in rounded figures or an average of 17,000 Euros) on each St. Martin student who completes his/her studies within that period in The Netherlands.

This simple math leads us to ask: what is the return on our educational investment? I have already commissioned a study to give us an answer to this question, but I am sure, given the fact that there is an estimated 68% drop out rate of our students in Holland, your guess would be as good as mine.

Let me hasten to explain that this “drop out” rate includes those who, for whatever reason, change their courses – some several times before they finally settle on one – and those who discontinue their studies for a while to pick them up again after a few years of working.

The “drop out” rate is not necessarily synonymous with what I can call the “stay out” rate, that is the number of students who, whether they graduated or not, decide to stay out of the island rather than return. However, it is not unreasonable to equate both rates because in effect, those who “drop out” are most likely to “stay out”. This basically means that two (2) out of every three (3) St. Martiners who come to study in Holland do not return to the island to contribute to its development.

Why is this so? What are the consequences of this for the present and future of St. Martin? What can be done to reverse this situation? These are questions this forum was convened to shed some light on, and gladly enough, they are issues of such serious concern to government that we have made it a priority to deal with them.

Why do St. Martin students who come to study in Holland choose not to return home? I am sure each individual person would have their own reasons, but generally, the most common ones include:

1. It is very difficult to get a good job.
2. Life is too expensive and salaries too low on St. Martin
3. Government does not care about its own people
4. There is too much corruption
5. Come back to what?

I am sure there are many more reasons why so many of you do not think coming back home is your best option. But let us take a closer look at some of the reasons I have just listed.

Securing a good job in St. Martin is not always as difficult as it is often portrayed to be. The critical issue here is information: knowing what is available where and what the requirements are for the job. Government has a website, and the various ministries post vital information regarding job vacancies on it. The Personnel Affairs Department (P&O) also has a website where it lists what is available.

However, I do not want to create the impression that Government has to hire everyone. There are a lot more vacancies in the private sector that need to be filled by qualified St. Martiners. Our labor laws require that all companies seeking to fill positions within their operations first advertise these locally. This may be one of the areas we need to look at where it concerns those of you studying abroad who may be interested in those positions. You may be unaware of these vacancies because they are advertised in the first place in the local media and, therefore, you may not have access to this information.

My advice to you is to keep abreast of developments at home. Several of the private companies have their own websites where you can find information regarding vacancies. Similarly, I would like to encourage you to apply for internships back home and maintain contact with the employers, keeping them well-informed of your study progress and expected graduation date. Through internships, you build relationships with your potential employer and have a much better idea of what is happening at home not only in that company, but also in others you may be interested in. By so doing, you would be keeping one foot in the door, so to speak, and this could almost guarantee you a job when you are ready to return home.

Let me stress at this point that your failure to return home upon completion of your studies opens the door for key positions to be filled by non- St. Martiners.  You have to also realize that it is not only the study financing  you were granted that would go to waste if you were not to return home after you finish, but also all the money spent training you from kindergarten to this point in your career. Each one of you who decides to stay out of the island that nurtured and educated you to remain in a country that is eager to send its own professionals down as highly paid technical assistants is de facto giving up his/her place in the St. Martin society and inviting foreigners to take it over.

Concerning the issue of cost of living, and the salaries that may be associated with the jobs you may be seeking, this is relative and must not only be viewed in empirical terms but also taking into account other important factors that may not be quantified in dollars and cents but which, I am sure, are equally important. There is a reason why our elders say “East or West, home is the best.” Living and working at home, in spite of some of the frustrations, can never be compared with working in a foreign land, where no matter the passport you carry, you will always remain a non-belonger and in many cases, be treated as such by your hosts, no matter how understanding and gracious they may be. But more importantly, as my advisor Calvin Mardembrough, who is here with me, likes to say, “a dollar is a dollar in every man’s country.” The fact of the matter though is that there are many young professionals in and out of government who are doing very well. They made the right decision to come back home.

Of course, there is the other matter of having to pay back the DUO study financing agency in Holland in Euros while you will be earning guilders. Let me inform you that DUO has special arrangements to calculate the monthly payments in accordance with the salary you earn and the currency in which this is paid.

We now come to the perception that government “does not care about its own people.” Or that there is too much corruption. I will try as much as possible to steer clear of the political undertones in such statements, but let us consider the actual facts, which I believe, as young students and professionals, should be what you should be concerned about.

This is my second official visit to The Netherlands since I took office some 18 months ago. Following an established tradition, I accompanied those of you who came here last summer. There are very few countries in the world where the person charged with education gets on the plane with a batch of students to accompany them to their place of study and ensure that they settle down properly. As far as I know, the Dutch Minister of Education does not accompany any group of Dutch students going to study in the United States, for example. However, this could never be construed as a sign that the Dutch government does not “care about its own students.”

The policies of this government where it concerns education are centered on the well-being and progress of the student, both at home and abroad. It is an established rule in my Ministry that students have priority over everything else.

I must make mention also of the St. Maarten Student Support Services (S4), a foundation, which as its name suggests, was established to care for St. Martin students in The Netherlands.

We are currently evaluating the tasks carried out by S4 and other persons, to determine which ones are definitely necessary and which may have to be discontinued in the future. It is important for me to stress at this point that the idea is you to become more independent young people, meaning that S4 may only be required to secure housing for arriving new students and ensuring that they are settled and admitted to the educational institution they have chosen, and generally helping them to make a smooth transition from St. Martin to their new environment in The Netherlands.

In an effort to keep track of our students residing in Holland and to better monitor their progress, I have held discussions with DUO and as a result we are strongly considering going back to making our students’ financial administration one of the core tasks of the S4 organization or whichever organization may be tasked with handling our students affairs in the future.

Now, tell me, in spite of all of this, is it fair to claim that “government does not care” about you?

The charge of “too much corruption” is a serious one. Let me say that there is no level of corruption that is acceptable to this government. We have a zero tolerance policy towards corruption as evidenced in the various checks and balances that have been put in place to ensure government functions in a transparent, just and equitable manner based on the principles of good governance.

I admit that we have an image problem, especially with the Dutch media, which has customarily painted St. Martin in less than flattering light. I can assure you we are doing all within our power not to give them any excuse to continue in this vein. Every country has its own share of negatives and positives, and believe me, the positives outweigh the negatives in St. Martin, no matter how the media portrays us.

So, come back to what, you still ask? I would be deceiving you if I told you that it is all a bed of roses at home. It is not. Jobs do not come to you automatically; they seldom do anywhere in the world. You have to go after the jobs. This is an exciting time in the history of St. Martin. As I said earlier, we are engaged in a process of nation-building and we need all hands on deck. You will therefore be coming back to a St. Martin that is a work in progress; a St. Martin whose destiny you can help define and shape; a St. Martin which your children and grandchildren will be able to inherit with pride, knowing that you were part of the construction crew.

To lure you back home, government has quite a package of incentives that should make your decision much easier.

Incentives

After completing their studies, students returning to St. Martin to work for government for a minimum of 3 years are entitled to the following allowances:

• Relocation Cost of NAfls. 3.750 for those who are married and NAfls. 2.000 for the single ones, plus an allowance of NAfls. 250,- per child.

• You and your legitimate family members will also receive Economy class tickets for your flight back to St. Martin.

• Similarly, you will be compensated for the transportation costs of your household items, including car, or alternatively, you get NAfls. 5,000 to cover your shipping expenses.

Once you are back on the island, you are entitled to receive a cash advance of NAfls. 6,000 plus a maximum stay of 6 weeks in a hotel (with you making a 15% contribution).

After working a minimum of three years with government, you will qualify for a maximum 20% of your student loan to be converted into a grant. In other words, you will now only have to pay back 40% of your study financing cost.

The incentives in the private sector, of course, vary depending on the size of the company and your level of entry.

Do you still need more reasons to make up your mind to return home after you have completed your studies? Perhaps you may wish to examine with me the consequences of deciding otherwise.

Apart from the waste of scarce financial resources which I have already outlined, there are serious developmental implications of what, in essence, can be considered a brain drain of sorts. Why should St. Martin, a dependent territory of The Netherlands, be sending its sons and daughters to study in this country only for them to stay there and help continue to develop it? Does it not behoove The Netherlands, in the spirit of the constitutional ties that bind us, to also join hands with the government of St. Martin to ensure that this brain drain is reduced or eliminated altogether?

Put differently, The Netherlands does not need the help of St. Martin for its further development; to the contrary, St. Martin can do with more targeted help from The Netherlands to achieve sustainable development. It is my considered opinion that one way such help could be rendered is to partner with St. Martin to guarantee that our students return home at the completion of their studies here. How that partnership can work effectively is what we are seeking now in our new relationship with the Dutch government. It is untenable in today’s world that tiny St. Martin should invest so much in educating its children for The Netherlands to be the ultimate beneficiary of this investment.

But it would be disingenuous of me not to recognize that the decision to stay here, where you are not really needed, instead of returning to your homeland, where your services are critical to its development, is a very personal one. And one aspect of that personal decision which is seldom discussed publicly is the disappointment and even shame that accompanies the failure to accomplish the objective of your sojourn here.

In other words, failure in your studies often translates into failure to return home. Conversely, the more successful you are in your studies, the more willing you would be to pack up your bags to come back home. It is, therefore, very important to ensure a much higher rate of success amongst you. That is where you come in. Giving it your best shot is the minimum St. Martin expects of you. I am confident you will not let yourselves or your island down. St. Martin needs you; each and every one of you. I, therefore, urge you to “study successfully and return successfully” as the theme of this forum states.

I look forward to a very interesting and rewarding exchange of ideas with you during this forum.

I thank you.

 

Pond Island:--- TelEm Group's mobile provider TelCell is now offering top-up services via Windward Island Bank's Easy Charge Service.

The new service was announced this week and now TelCell mobile customers only have to register once with WIB to be able to recharge their mobile phones 24/7 and from any location.

"The registration takes place from any WIB Bankomatiko (ATM) outlet," said TelEm Group Manager, Marketing & Sales, Mrs. Carmen Lake-Reyes. She said mobile customers only have to follow a few simple steps in order to register their personal mobile phone information after which they will receive a Passcode. Then can recharge their mobile phones any time they like. "The new service is very convenient. Our mobile customers will now have the additional option of recharging their mobile phones without having to buy a prepaid card or without having to visit a top-up location," said Mrs. Lake-Reyes.

She thanked The Windward Islands Bank for assisting TelEm Group in offering the new service to customers through the bank's Easy Charge service. Mrs. Lake-Reyes said normal debit card rules apply to the new service, therefore Easy Charge top up requests will only be completed once there are sufficient funds in the customer's WIB account. "We are asking customers to keep their Passcode secure and to treat the Passcode in the same way they would treat their credit or debit card Pin Code," continued the Manager, Marketing and Sales.

Information about the new service is available from any WIB Customer Service Officer or from any TelEm Group Customer Care Representative.

Customers can also try the service themselves by visiting any WIB Bankomatiko and by following these simple steps:

• Choose Phone Recharge from the main option screen
• Choose SMS Registration
• Choose your Telephone Service Provider
• Enter your cellular telephone number
• Choose if you would like to recharge other phones
• You will then receive a registration receipt from the Bankomatiko

Once the process has been completed, customers will receive a SMS message confirming registration. In this message the customer's SMS Passcode will be delivered. This Passcode is needed to send all recharge requests and should be kept in a safe place.

Member of Parliament George Pantophlet says that it was interesting to hear that the United States has a tax compliance of 55%. St. Maarten's tax compliance is 35%. What will happen if on St. Maarten we could get an additional 20% or even 65% tax compliance? He is not looking for a miracle because he understands part of the problem and that is, not everyone is paying their fair share. He was informed that a former employee of the receiver's office who was only doing their job by going after businesses that owed taxes in the millions was told that "they (the employee) was bad for the economy". In other words if you pressure the large institutions it is not good for the economy. But you must go after the pensioners, the minimum wage earners and the middle class. Taxes must be paid but the way these persons are being pursued is inhumane. Can you imagine if you are unemployed? Can you imagine what the former Pelican employees who might probably owe taxes are experiencing as the tax collector (employed by the government who has them in this mess) comes knocking on their doors demanding payments? Don't even talk about the pensioners who are barely surviving. And what about civil servants who can't escape? What kind of payment schedule are they being offered? The next question is what kind of payment schedule are those institutions on who owe millions of guilders? But again tell the pensioner, the minimum wage earner or the middle class to pay up immediately or your home, car whatever you have will be seized. After much effort the Member of Parliament was able to get government to disclose that they are owed millions in casino fees that date back to 2001. What kind of payment arrangement do they have if any? The real issue again is compliance. He is confronted every day by pensioners, minimum wage earners, and the middle class who are being persecuted by the tax collector (the government). Don't be fooled by government so called hands off approach. What is interesting is that government excuse for not going after the large institutions (it is not good for the economy) is because they provide large scale employment and contribute to government coffers. But do all of them pay the wage tax, AOV/AWW, AVZB, SVB and Turnover tax premiums? These premiums are withheld in whole and in part from the consumers. It would definitely be possible to reduce the Turnover tax if everyone was paying their fare share and possibly abolish it in the future. Remember they do not pay the turnover tax from their profits but collects it for their business operations so the consumer pays it over the counter and the business gets the 90% tax deductible. 35% of the population should not be carrying the weight of the other 65%. But this can only be prevented with tax compliance.

Nurses Edna Scott Benders and Frank Banis, are the first ever Student Registered Nurses to have completed their Psychiatry Job Training on St. Maarten at the Mental Health Foundation.

Edna gave thumbs up for the MHF, she learned a lot about the psychiatric problems on St. Maarten through home visits, crisis management and from working on the inpatient ward and in the Faraja Center. Edna's nursing carrier started in the old St. Martin's home in Front Street and through locally organized nurse's aide course in St. Martin's Home, then the Nursing Assistant and Licensed Practical Nurses course at the St. Maarten Medical Center and is now participating in the Registered Nurses program at the education departments of SMMC.

Frank Banis also started his carrier in St. Martin's Home in Front Street right after he graduated from the Sundial School and followed the same steps and Edna.

Now that we are studying more about medicine we understand more about the necessary protocols and procedures in health care. Edna remembers the many changes that were introduced in St. Martin's Home when protocols and procedures were implemented. As aids we did all kinds of medical procedures without knowing what to observe and were suddenly no longer allowed to do them anymore we did not understand why. By studying nursing I'm learning how important knowledge of what you are doing is.

All nurses from the SMMC registered nurses program can now stay on St. Maarten and learn about psychiatry and the needs of the local people, before MHF existed students had to go to Curaçao for their psychiatry job training.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Finance Hon. Hiro Shigemoto announced over the weekend that the policy description 2013 National Budget was forwarded to all Secretary Generals of the seven ministries on Friday.

Therefore, the process is now underway for the compilation of the 2013 National Budget for the country.

Secretary Generals have until mid-May to present their so-called "budget wish list," via their respective Minister who has to approve the submitted budget wish list to the Minister of Finance.

The Minister expects to send the draft budget to the Committee of Financial Supervision CFT and the Council of Advice by mid-July.

The Ministry of Finance and the CFT will work closely together from the end of May to mid-July in order to address any budgetary issues.

"The budget is an instrument of national development. Within that framework, it is a political tool, a tool also for socio-economic development and human development. I am very pleased that we are now at this stage and well on our way to presenting the budget within the legal timelines as noted in our budget preparation laws.

"The national budget is also an instrument of good governance, serving as an administrative tool as well as a performance measurement tool. I am looking forward to presenting another balanced country budget," Minister of Finance Hon. Hiro Shigemoto, said on Sunday.

SIMPSON BAY:--- Both arriving passengers as well as other users of the airport and airport community knew that Carnival was certainly in the air, as SXM (also abbreviated as PJIA) engaged carnival-costumed revelers to give out this year's Carnival Program to passengers right at the jet bridges and as they walked toward Immigration clearance.
The special St. Maarten Carnival "meet and greet" began over the weekend as part of SXM's carnival promotions.
The carnival revelers not only distributed carnival programs to passengers, but also throughout the airport terminal building, including the business lounge.
In conjunction with the carnival banners and decorations all over the airport, visitors and other users of the airport are kept certainly aware of the island's premier cultural event.
"Carnival is the most important expression of our culture and we at SXM believe we should promote this as much as possible, hence our efforts at ensuring that all those coming in or leaving our island during this period know that something special is happening here," noted Managing Director, Regina LaBega.
The special meet and greet at the Princess Juliana Int'l Airport (SXM) will continue into next weekend, when Carnival reaches its high point.

SIMPSON BAY:--- Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) is continuing its campaign to keep the island clean.
In its most recent initiative, the airport, as the 'Blue Flag Business' for the month of April, placed 46 garbage bins with the Blue Flag logo in the Festival Village. PJIA is encouraging Carnival revelers to use the bins and avoid littering, said Kalifa Hickinson, the airport's manager of the Marketing and Communications Dept.
Rueben Thompson, Project Manager of Love the Lagoon and Environmental Protection In the Caribbean (EPIC), commended the airport's initiative.
"Placing garbage bins at the Carnival Village is an initiative we commend. Foundations encourage the permanent placement of bins at all our beaches and are working with the Tourist Bureau to make this a reality. We also encourage government to find solutions to the island's severe waste management challenges," Thompson said.
According to him, the airport "has surpassed our expectations" as a Blue Flag program sponsor of the month.
"We expect PJIA to continue to support the environmental organizations and work toward the protection of St. Maarten's natural heritage."
To further bring awareness among its staff, SXM (which is also abbreviated as PJIA), hosted three days of information sessions with Nature Foundation and EPIC on April 16, 17, and 19.
"Management and staff were informed of EPIC's programs, Nature Foundation's activities and EPIC's Blue Flag program for beaches and marinas," Thompson said.
Then on Friday, EPIC and Nature Foundation provided lagoon tours to PJIA staff, which according to Thompson, were well received. He said the staff was informed of the environmental issues the Simpson Bay Lagoon faces and the importance of protecting the island's wetlands.
According to Tadzio Bervoets, Manager of Nature Foundation, during the lagoon tours on the foundation's patrol boat, the staffers, five groups in total, were provided with information on the background of Nature Foundation, and the challenges it faces.
"We spoke about the Marine Park that is naturally protected, the seahorses and sea-grass (which can be found in Simpson Bay, Great Bay, Little Bay and the Simpson Bay Lagoon). They were able to understand that not everything is lost," said Bervoets.
Bervoets said at the Cole Bay corner of the lagoon, there was a small oil spill and the staffers were able to see how the Foundation deals with such an issue.
"After that, they were able to see a more pristine aspect – Mullet Pond. They looked at the mangroves, and the birds that make their home there. ... All in all, it was very informative," Bervoets said.
Thompson, meanwhile, said that the environmental foundations are grateful for SXM's sponsorship and was pleasantly surprised by the staff's enthusiasm and overall positive feedback. It is not the first time the airport has been this involved in environmental issues and he is encouraging it to continue.

Great Bay:--- On Friday the twentieth of April the Honorable Prime Minister of St. Maarten Sarah Wescot-Williams gave the opening address at the first ever Stichting Soualiga Foundation Student Forum which was held at the Evertshuis in Bodegraven, the Netherlands.

The main goal of the Forum was to get students, recent graduates and young professionals involved in discussions revolving around the theme "To Study Successfully and to Return Successfully". During the event attendees were given the opportunity to give recommendations on improving options, initiatives and possibilities for students, recent graduates and young professionals who are still studying in the Netherlands or who are recently graduated and who would like to return back home to St. Maarten.

The Prime Minister delivered her address by means of a video conference due to her not being able to attend as a result of flight issues, but ensured that Government "attaches much importance to events such as these; bringing students and government together."

The Honorable Wescot-Williams commended the Soualiga Foundation and all who assisted in getting this event off the ground in such a short time. "It is heartening to note that several companies on St. Maarten have contributed to this forum, including GEBE, TELEM, KADASTER, WINDWARD ISLANDS BANK, UTS, AND THE ST. MAARTEN GOVERNMENT THROUGH OUR TOURIST OFFICE."

The Prime Minister continued by stating that leading up to 10-10-10, every ounce of energy was put into making sure that the bedrock of St. Maarten's young democracy was a solid government organization with all the checks and balances this requires. In doing so, it became apparent how critical the need for human resources was. "We need people in many areas, so I do not believe that any study at this time will be a waste, although some are more critical than others. It is quite daunting, but it is also in times like these that our strongest attributes manifest themselves and the best in us comes out."

The Prime Minister also informed the group that upon the successful completion of their studies, the government of St. Maarten will meet those who are recruited to work for government half-way, with benefits such as allowance for furnishing, a free trip back for them and their family members, baggage allowance, transportation, accommodation cost and study loan allowance.

"I say half-way, because there is a part that we can't buy and you can't sell and that is 'love for country'", concluded the Prime Minister.

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- As Minister of Public Health Social Development & Labor I urge you to be safe during and after Carnival 2012. While you are out there enjoying the festivities, meeting friends old and new remember to also do the right thing and use a condom.

Sexually Transmitted Infections are real, they are here, and they do not discriminate. So remember, while you are taking a jump here, a drink there, remember to also take your health into consideration and use a condom. I would like to commend the TELEM Group of Companies for coming out for carnival 2012 and sending a clear message of safe sex by handing out thousands of free condoms during the carnival festivities.

Philipsburg:--- Police arrested well known radio personality Gee Money as a suspect of assault in the Festival Village early Friday morning. SMN News learnt that Gee Money assaulted a radio personality from PJD2. Eyewitnesses identified the victim as Glenfield Gibson, DJ of the early morning children's show that is aired on Saturday mornings.
According to eyewitnesses, Gibson was bleeding from his face in the VIP stands of Festival Village and he is expected to file charges against Gee Money today. Several persons who attended the show said they don't know what provoked Gee Money. "Gee Money is a cool and loving person, all we saw is the police taking him out of the village in shackles while Gibson was bleeding from his face."
SMN News further learnt that Gibson has three stitches from the injury he received during the alleged beating from Gee Money.
It should be noted that the police and prosecutor's office have implemented their Zero Tolerance Policy during the carnival season. According to the Zero Tolerance policy, all persons that are involved in fights, fracas, or anything that warrants police intervention and is arrested at the Festival Village will remain in custody until after the carnival celebrations. Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos said the Zero Tolerance Policy was published and it is in effect. However, in the case of Gee Money, Mos said he has not yet seen or spoken to the suspect that is in police custody. "I don't know if this person will have to go before the judge of instruction or if he will remain behind bars until after Carnival. I simply don't know and I will only know that after I speak to the person behind bars," Mos said.

The SXM Advisory Board of Funding Agency Samenwerkende Fondsen/ Cooperating Foundations of the Dutch Caribbean hosted a very successful information session for foundations and associations that liked to have more information about this funding agency.
The representatives of 36 foundations came out and received tips on how they can successfully file their project for funding and they got insight into the specifics of the funding policy of Cooperating Foundations. Projects that increase the binding forces within our society and/or target children, seniors and vulnerable people are eligible for funding. Salaries, construction and exploitation costs do not fall within the scope of the funding policy. The representatives asked many questions, that were answered by the members of the SXM Advisory Board, namely Angela Dekker, Perry Wilson, Claudwick Peterson, Richard Gibson Jr. and Gianne de Weever. About ten NGO's took the opportunity to make an appointment with project advisors Leon Lake and Saskia Kliphuis in order to start working on their specific project request.
Foundations that would like to do likewise are advised to call 5860808 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for an appointment.

Philipsburg:--- On Monday February, 2012, the Solicitor General of Sint Maarten, Taco Stein, was sworn in by the Governor of Sint Maarten, Eugene Holiday.

He will be serving Sint Maarten as of April 1, 2012. Taco Stein has worked in Sint Maarten as Public Prosecutor in the past and is familiar with the island.

Great Bay:--- Virginia Asin, Head of Collective Preventive Services (CPS) recently attended a meeting in Argentina on meningococcal and pneumococcal vaccine. Various countries from Latin America and the Caribbean Region presented their findings on these vaccines, which can save lives. Both global as well as regional figures were presented. According to Dr. Asin there were interesting discussions and exchange of ideas.
PAHO and the Sabin Vaccine Institute organized these two meetings with the objective of presenting a study of meningococcal meningitis disease and to discuss lessons learned from the introduction of the pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccine in the region and the Americas.
Dr. Asin mentioned that the meningococcal symposium, which ran from March 19 to 20 was the first to be held in the region. "The symposium presented the global perspective and the Latin American perspective on meningococcal, "said Dr. Asin.
Health experts throughout the Americas revealed new findings on the meningitis disease prevalence in Latin America and the Caribbean. Approximately 20 researchers made their presentations to 181 attendees.
Presently Cuba and Brazil are the leading research countries as it relates to meningitis vaccines, as both countries were at the symposium where they made presentations on their experiences. The Sabin Vaccine Institute also presented their findings on vaccinations, and also addressed vaccination schedules as it relates to introduction, but this still has to be studied further.
The purpose of the symposium, which was organized by Sabin Vaccine Institute and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) was to exchange information on meningococcal meningitis. This disease infects the membranes of the brain and spinal cord, it is a debilitating and potentially fatal disease for children, adolescents and people living in overcrowded housing. Researchers, Vaccination experts, economists and others are evaluating its extent, cost and obstacles to prevention through vaccination.
The second part of the meeting covered the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on March 20 and 21. Lessons learned from the introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in the region and the Americas was also discussed amongst Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) Managers. "Approximately 60 persons participated in the two day discussions on the pneumonia vaccine," said Dr. Asin. Countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Honduras, Peru, Colombia and Barbados made presentations on the implementation of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine experiences in their countries.
"I would like to compliment PAHO for mobilizing such an event, and it only makes us realize that we have to start thinking about research, but in the mean time we can piggy back on the bigger countries, because research is expensive," said Dr. Asin. "There is potential if we work together, and this offers a good opportunity for introduction of the pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on St. Maarten."

Philipsburg:--- Two civil servants attached to the department of Labour Inspectorate recently graduated from the University of the West Indies announced Minister of Health and Labour Cornelius de Weever at Wednesday's Council of Ministers press briefing. Minister De Weever said as in keeping with his Ministry's year plan the Ministry collaborated with the University of the West Indies where the two civil servants participated in courses on Industrial Hygiene. The Minister presented the two civil servants with their certificates on Wednesday. They are Selby Philips and Andrew Budike. Budike also participated and completed a long distance course on safety and health. Minister De Weever said the two civil servants completed the courses on the use and application on hygiene tool kits.

An international counter-drug operation on the high Caribbean seas leads to a significant drug bust of 500 kg of cocaine, the Royal Netherlands Navy in Curaçao disclosed. As the case is currently under investigation, information could not have been released earlier.

As part of Operation Martillo, the commander of the Netherlands Forces in the Caribbean directed the US frigate USS Elrod to intercept after the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard maritime patrol aircraft 'Dash 8' sighted a fast moving 'go fast' speedboat.

While Elrod's helicopter managed to bring the chase to a halt, the suspected drug runners on board the 'go fast' started to throw their cargo over board in an attempted to escape capture. The vigilant 'Dash 8' had remained on station however and kept track of the contraband while the US Coast Guard law detachment on board Elrod took 4 persons on board the 'go fast' into custody. When tests proved the retrieved cargo to be cocaine, the 4 persons on board were arrested.

The USS Elrod is scheduled for a port visit to Curaçao, where a change of command of the US Navy frigate will take place.

Operation Martillo is a multi-national collaborative effort to counter the spread of transnational organized crime in Central America. It is a operation lead by the Joint Inter-agency Task Force South and denies organized crime networks the ability to conduct illicit trafficking via targeted air and maritime domains.

The Royal Netherlands Navy plays a vital role maintaining regional security and stability in the Caribbean region. The Dutch Navy and the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard are an integral part of the Joint Inter-agency Task Force South. The Commander of the Netherlands Navy in the Caribbean heads one of the task groups, Task Group 4.4. Dutch and international Navy and Coast Guard units are under his command, deployed to counter illicit drugs transports, weapon smuggling, and human trafficking.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Finance Hon. Hiro Shigemoto who was not able to attend the information session on April 2 held under the theme, "Key elements of a good wage administration," by the Tax Department for the business community of Philipsburg, due to being off island on official business, said he was very pleased to hear about the large turnout and the interests shown by the business community.

The Minister added that the Tax Department Sint Maarten will be organizing similar information sessions in order to enhance the services that it renders to the community of Sint Maarten.

"With us now being a country, we are now able to give attention and more service to the areas that have been neglected when we were part of the former Netherlands Antilles. Today, a different wind is blowing and with the entire tax system reform, we are on the right track," Minister of Finance Hon. Hiro Shigemoto said on Wednesday.

In his introduction, Roland Richardson, Head Inspectorate Department, hinted that compliance can be improved when the taxpayers are well informed. For this reason the Tax Administration would like to be partners with businesses making sure they provide the relevant information.

Maria Bass, Inspector of Taxes, stated during her presentation that two things are necessary to turn a poor wage administration into a good wage administration, namely the will of the tax payer and his/her knowledge.

Some of the common and recurring errors in a wage administration were also addressed. Bass gave an extensive explanation of the wage tax ordinance and what is expected of businesses.

The businesses had a lot of questions that were posed during the Question and Answer (Q&A) session. The panel for the Q&A part of the session consisted of Minerva Gumbs, Acting Head Receiver's Department, Maria Bass, Acting Head Inspectorate Department, and Guilliano Saturnilia, Head Audit and Criminal Investigation Department.

One of the points which caused some discussion is the requirement from the businesses, based on article 45 of the General Ordinance on Federal Taxes, to provide the Inspectorate with an annual statement concerning third parties who rendered services to their business.

At the end of the session the Tax Administration catered to some snacks and drinks while business owners had the opportunity to meet with representatives of the Tax Administration.

Businesses operating in the Philipsburg area as well as the Indian Merchants Association (IMA) were invited to attend the information session which was held at the Belair Community Center.

The Tax Department Sint Maarten has established as one of its top priority for 2012 its service improvement to the general public.

A number of areas have been identified where service will be number one and this starts with by making sure tax payers are adequately informed.

PHILIPSBURG:--- President of Parliament Hon. drs. Gracita Arrindell recently met with United States Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Congressman John Conyers Jr. and Biden's wife Dr. Jill Biden during an official working visit to the U.S.

Arrindell was invited to attend Women's History Month Celebration which took place at the U.S. Vice President's official residence.

The President of Parliament was the guest of U.S. Congressman John Conyers Jr.

Congressman John Conyers Jr., a Detroit Democrat, was re-elected to represent the 14th Congressional District in November of 2010, to his 24th term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Conyers entered the House in 1965, and is the second most senior member in the House of Representatives.

U.S. Congressman Conyers Jr. is also one of the 13 founding members of the Congressional Black Caucus and is considered the Dean of that group.

In attendance among others at the Women's History Month event, were several accomplished women in the political, media and business world, of which many have never visited Sint Maarten before.

"I am very grateful to the Congressman for extending the invitation to me. It was an opportunity to brief the different personalities that I met especially the Vice President about the constitutional transition that we went through to become a country and our current state of affairs in building the country, especially the institutions.

"Not many are aware of our new constitutional structure. Parliament is a new institution of governance and the Government of the country. Everybody that I spoke with was very interested in learning more about our country," President of Parliament Hon. drs. Gracita Arrindell said on Monday.

Arrindell presented Vice President Biden and Mrs. Biden with several books: Sint Maarten Past and Present by J. Speetjens, National Symbols of Sint Maarten L. Sekou, and Parliament's Information Booklet.

The event took place on March 26 and the invitation to attend was issued at short notice.

Philipsburg:--- The Sint Maarten Alzheimer Foundation presented a report on Wednesday morning to the Minister of Health Social Development and Labour Dr. Cornelius De Weever.
The board of the SMAF as a member of ADI Alzheimer Disease International presented Minister De Weever with a copy of the WHO - ADI Dementia report that will be launched tomorrow in Geneva.
The board also informed the Minister about the recent ADI Conference in London and presented the highlights to make Dementia a national health priority. To make its point a PowerPoint presentation was given by the Chairman Keith Franca and member Raymond Jessurun.

 

Geneva, April 11, 2012:--- A report released today by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) calls upon governments, policymakers and other stakeholders to make dementia a global public health priority. This new report provides the most authoritative overview of the impact of dementia worldwide. In addition to valuable best practices and practical case studies from around the world, it contains the most comprehensive collection of data, including hard-to-get statistics from low- and middle-income countries, thereby dramatically underscoring that this is truly a global problem and not just a “disease of the industrial world.”

To prepare the report, titled “Dementia: A Public Health Priority,” WHO and ADI commissioned reports from four working groups of experts and sought additional inputs from nearly two dozen international contributors and more than 20 expert reviewers. The project leaders were Dr. Shekhar Saxena, Director, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, WHO; Marc Wortmann, Executive Director, ADI; Dr. Daisy Acosta, Chairman, ADI; Prof. Martin Prince, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London; and Ennapadam. S Krishnamoorthy, Director and T.S. Srinivasan, Chair, The Institute of Neurological Sciences, India.

“WHO recognises the size and complexity of the dementia challenge and urges countries to view dementia as a critical public health priority,” said Dr. Saxena. “Right now, only eight of 194 WHO member states have a national dementia plan in place, and a few more are in development. Our hope is that other countries will follow suit, using this report as a starting point for planning and implementation. A few, like India, have national strategies developed by civil-society organisations, and we hope this report will prompt their governments to adapt these into official national plans. Since we know the prevalence of the disease will explode in this century as we all live longer – the risk of dementia is 1 in 8 for those over 65 and a shocking 1 in 2.5 for those over 85 – its impact will become greater as the decades go by.”

In her foreword to the report, WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan called the report “a major contribution to our understanding of dementia and its impact on individuals, families and society.”  She said the report “provides the knowledge base for a global and national response to facilitate governments, policymakers and other stakeholders to address the impact of dementia as an increasing threat to global health.” Dr. Chan called upon all stakeholders to “make health and social care systems informed and responsive to this impending threat.”

Marc Wortmann of ADI underscored the urgency of action: “With its devastating impact on people with dementia, their families, their communities and national health systems, dementia represents not only a public health crisis but a social and fiscal nightmare as well.  Around the world a new case of dementia arises every four seconds. That’s a staggering growth rate, equivalent to 7.7 million new cases of dementia every year – the same size as the populations of Switzerland and Israel. Our current health systems simply cannot cope with the explosion of the dementia crisis as we all live longer; this is as much an economic and fiscal disaster waiting to happen as it is a social and health challenge of the highest order. However, the report also shows that there is a lot that can be done to improve the lives of people with dementia and their carers. The entire dementia community, and indeed the world, owes a huge debt of gratitude to the WHO to have taken the leadership in the creation of the report. The WHO is the singular organization globally capable of such a critical role in matters of public health.”

The Sint Maarten Alzheimer Foundation which was accepted last month as the 77^th national member organization welcomes the WHO-ADI report. Country Sint Maarten became recently a country. Research and data about the impact of dementia in Sint Maarten are not yet available. But with this global report on the impact of dementia in the world we have can get government to address dementia as a national health priority. Wil the situation in Sint Maarten be any different from other countries in the world? Furthermore the government of Sint Maarten can ask for international assistance and cooperation to early detect and fight dementia among which the most common disease is Alzheimer’s.

 

KEY MESSAGES FROM DEMENTIA: A PUBLIC HEALTH PRIORITY

• Dementia is not a normal part of aging.
• 35.6 million people were estimated to be living with dementia in 2010. There are 7.7 million new cases of dementia each year, implying that there is a new case of dementia somewhere in the world every four seconds. The accelerating rates of dementia are cause for immediate action, especially in low- and middle-income countries where resources are few.
• The huge cost of the disease will challenge health systems to deal with the predicted future increase of prevalence. The costs are estimated at US$604 billion per year at present and are set to increase even more quickly than the prevalence.
• People live for many years after the onset of symptoms of dementia. With appropriate support, many can and should be enabled to continue to engage and contribute within society and have a good quality of life.
• Dementia is overwhelming for the caregivers and adequate support is required for them from the health, social, financial and legal systems.
• Countries must include dementia on their public health agendas. Sustained action and coordination is required across multiple levels and with all stakeholders - at international, national, regional and local levels.
• People with dementia and their caregivers often have unique insights to their condition and life. They should be involved in formulating the policies, plans, laws and services that relate to them.
• The time to act is now by:

–        promoting a dementia-friendly society globally;

–        making dementia a national public health and social care priority worldwide;

–        improving public and professional attitudes to, and understanding of, dementia;

–        investing in health and social systems to improve care and services for people with dementia and their

          caregivers;

–        increasing the priority given to dementia in the public health research agenda.

About dementia and Alzheimer's disease

Dementia is a syndrome that can be caused by a number of progressive disorders that affect memory, thinking, behavior and the ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. www.alz.co.uk/about-dementia.

About WHO, ADI and Sint Maarten Alzheimer Foundation

The World Health Organization is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends. For more information, visit http://www.who.int/about/en/.

Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) is the international federation of 78 Alzheimer associations that support people with dementia and their families in their respective countries. Founded in 1984, ADI serves as a network for Alzheimer associations around the world to share and exchange information, resources and skills. Its vision is a better quality of life for people with dementia and their families. ADI is based in London and is registered as a non-profit organization in the state of Illinois. For more information, visit www.alz.co.uk.

The Sint Maarten Alzheimer Foundation (SMAF) is the national Alzheimer organization in SInt Maarten recognized by Alzheimer Disease International. The SMAF was founded two years ago in February 2010. The SMAF wants to raise the awareness of Dementia and Alzheimer's in the society of Sint Maarten and support people with dementia and their carers the family members. The awareness campaign of the SMAF and especially their weekly radio program "Now You Know All About Alzheimer's" every Thursday afternoon at 5 pm on PJD3 got worldwide attention when it was mentioned as an example to other Alzheimer associations in the recently held Council Meeting of Alzheimer Disease International. For more information call 9220 or 522 0925. Or you can write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Philipsburg:--- The Minister of Justice Roland Duncan and his staff at the Ministry of Justice have dispatched a negative report about the behavior of Guy van der Meulen, Head of the Department of Foreign Affairs. SMN News has been reliably informed that the foreign civil servant insulted some Bavpol officers that were conducting immigration controls at the harbor. The source said that the incident occurred about two weeks ago when Guy van der Meulen and his wife was returning from St. Barths. SMN News further learnt that the head of foreign affairs was obstructing the Bavpol officers from executing their duties.
During the incident, the department head was loud, abusive, and aggressive towards a particular Bavpol officer. At some point, he reportedly told the Bavpol officer that "you are finished" and "you are not a real civil servant". He also raised his middle finger to the immigration officials.
One law enforcement official said that in incidents such as those, the person should have been arrested on the spot for obstructing immigration from carrying out their legally prescribed tasks. However, the Minister of Justice and police has decided to draft a report on the incident and send it to the Minister of General Affairs Sarah Wescot Williams.
SMN News further learnt that several complaints were filed with Government regarding Department Head's attitude. Sources close to the department said the Foreign Affairs Head is racist and has a nasty attitude. He considers St. Maarteners to be corrupt, stupid, and uneducated while he is here to help the island. It is also understood that while these complaints have been filed, the Ministry of General Affairs is yet to take proper action.
SMN News made several attempts to contact the Foreign Affairs Head but he could not be reached for a comment.

Philipsburg:--- The Secretary General of Interpol Ronald Noble paid a courtesy visit to the Prime Minister of St. Maarten Sarah Wescot Williams on Wednesday. SMN News learnt that the Secretary General has been very impressed with St. Maarten's acceptance in Interpol and he is even more pleased with the conference held on St. Maarten recently. Chief Commissioner of Police Peter de Witte and Inspector Rudolph Bloieman accompanied Noble to the Prime Minister's office. The Interpol Secretary General presented a token to the Prime Minister. Noble presented Interpol's silver commemorative medals, one of an exclusive limited set to the Prime Minister and another set to Minister of Justice Hon. Roland Duncan.
The medals were minted especially for Interpol by the National Bank of Ukraine in 2011 to commemorate 10-years of Interpol's actions, following the tragic 2001 attack on the World Trade Center in New York.
Minister of Justice Roland Duncan also attended the meeting which was held in the Prime Minister's office.

Simpson Bay:--- The Ministry of Justice is still busy accessing the extent of the damage done to the Simpson Bay holding cells Tuesday night. SMN News understands that the prisoners that are held the Simpson Bay Outpost started a gang fight Tuesday night. A source close the investigation said that the prisoners destroyed all the furniture and doors at the new location. It is also understood that some of the prisoners were transferred back to the Pointe Blanche Prison facility. SMN News further learnt that some of the prisoners that were held at the Simpson Bay holding cells are part of a gang and there was some sort of altercation prior to them being arrested.
Prison Director Rudsel Ricardo said he was not aware of the incident since he was not on the island when it occurred. Ricardo said he was just returning to St. Maarten from his Easter vacation and he was not privy to what exactly happened. Minister of Justice Roland Duncan could not be reached up to press time on Wednesday for a comment.

PHILIPSBURG:--- "A true melting pot", is the perfect description of Sint Maarten according to the attendees of the first series of workshops for the Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) 2012-2022 organized by the Government of Sint Maarten and supported by KPMG Advisory Services B.V.

However, such an extensive level of multiculturalism brings forward a number of social challenges, like for instance (a lack of) social cohesion and integration. This was one of the many statements that the attendees of the workshop on March 22 brought forward.

Additionally, they discussed their ideal vision on several social aspects of Sint Maarten in 2022. For example: "10 years from now, how do we envision our educational system, healthcare and hospitality industry?"

The goal of the social workshop was to find consensus on the current and desired situation from the perspective of all stakeholders, both public and private sector. Some of the recurring topics entailed the level of education offered on St. Maarten, the protection of our culture and the immigration policy.

The latter elicited a strong discussion among the attendees. According to the majority, "When hiring, we should give preference to locals. The recruitment of foreigners is sometimes necessary, but should be beneficial to the entire community.

"Despite the multicultural image of Sint Maarten, the Government should revise its immigration laws and work permit policies, to create an inclusive approach where locals play an integral role".

In the end, all these social aspects of our country are strongly related to the growth of our economy.
Fundamental to the success of the SEP is the degree to which everyone feels involved and committed to its development and implementation.

The input of the attendees will help the organizers in formulating concrete goals and strategies when writing the SEP. The follow-up series of the workshops will take place in May 2012, where the government will present an initial draft of the strategic direction it is headed to.

All stakeholders are strongly encouraged to actively participate again. Fact is that Sint Maarten consists of a diverse blend of nationalities and everybody should respect the differences and embrace the similarities in order to make Sint Maarten a leading country in the region. Because ultimately, it is all about unity through diversity!

"The workshop is was very revealing and the contributions made by every participant will lead to the development of an essential SEP that will lead to further enhancing our quality of life as a society where the hopes, dreams and aspirations of the Sint Maarten people and the youth are key to national economic development," Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Hon. Franklin Meyers said on Thursday.

Great Bay:--- On Sunday April 15th 2012, Ms. Marcellina Loblack of the Department of Labor, will be traveling to Aruba, where she will be participating in an internship at the Mediator's Office there. The reason for this internship is to ensure continuity with regard to public service in general and in particular the processing of referendum requests.
The objectives of the internship program are as follows: to explore the role of the assistant mediator and to evaluate the process of referendums. The internship will grant Ms. Loblack further insight as to what the function actually entails. This is in keeping with the service oriented vision of the Minister of Public Health Social Development & Labor with the aim of improving the current processes and applying new approaches to the daily tasks of the mediator in general and the public in particular is created.
In December 2011 the Department of Labor hosted the first Annual Mediators' Conference on St. Maarten. Mediators from Aruba, Curacao and the BES Islands were in attendance. The outcome of that conference resulted in a recommendation that St. Maarten participate in internship programs. Both Aruba and Curacao expressed a commitment to assist St. Maarten in this regard.

"We have to keep trying to improve our services and continue to invest in our civil servants," said Minister of Public Health Social Development & Labor, Cornelius De Weever.

Demonstrating her commitment to fitness, Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams was the first out of close to 300 walkers to arrive at the Marigot waterfront on Saturday morning at the Journey for Education walkathon. She was presented with the first place trophy for the Foundation's 30th anniversary of their walkathon.

The Prime Minister was presented with the winning trophy as the walkers had gathered at the waterfront and were being served breakfast by the JFE members. Foundation President Rolando Tobias was very pleased with the participation and achievement of the Prime Minister as it demonstrates her commitment to fitness as well as to the Journey for Education Foundation. The trophy for second place was presented to Florine, while Gilbert was presented with the third place trophy. Minister of Education Rhoda Arrindell also participated in the walkathon.

Founded in 1982, the Journey for Education Foundation has been granting supplementary scholarships to students pursuing tertiary education for the past 30 years. The organization raises funds for this purpose by hosting two events every year; the fundraising walkathon in April and the annual gala dinner. In celebration of its 30th anniversary walkathon, the Foundation decided to award trophies to the first three walkers who complete the walk from Le Grand Marche to the Marigot Waterfront. JFE President Rolando Tobias expressed appreciation to the many sponsors and the dedicated members of JFE for making the walkathon a success.

As a proud sponsor of the entire St. Maarten Carnival 2012, CHIPPIE has taken yet another bold step towards ensuring the overall success of the local Carnival festivities. Showcasing their remarkable dedication to the community of St. Maarten, CHIPPIE established a partnership with experienced marketing and events organizer Jacqueline Louis, CEO of IMBRACE towards production of an exciting series of 'One Love' events scheduled around this year's Carnival.
The first collaboration is CHIPPIE's sponsorship of the "One Love Soca & Zouk Xplosion" to be held on April 29 at the St. Maarten Festival Village. Featured will be the Zouk legends KASSAV, along with a sizzling line-up of soca artists to be announced in a teaser promotional campaign orchestrated by IMBRACE.
"Some entertainers come and go. However, a group like KASSAV are leading legends in the international music industry, with over 33 years of engaging and entertaining billions throughout the world. Given the similarities to CHIPPIE's long-term commitment to serving the people of St. Maarten, and facilitating global connections, we thought it would be essential to be a part of this history-making event," says Michanou Arrundell, Service Market Manager at CHIPPIE.
CHIPPIE customers will be given the opportunity to win a chance to lavish in the "One Love VIP Lounge" at the "Soca & Zouk Xplosion" by participating in the CHIPPIE "3 for 30," campaign, which allows customers to call 3 people unlimited for only Nafl. 30.
In the second project, CHIPPIE, FunMiles, Antillean Liquors and IMBRACE have teamed up to bring the "One Love J'ouvert Group," and further enhance the Carnival experience with a strong presence on the road during the St. Maarten Carnival J'ouvert on Saturday, April 28th. Further details will be forthcoming in the days ahead.
"We encourage the community of St. Maarten to come out and enjoy these Jam Sessions, and support KASSAV, as well as many other long time favorite bands, as they get into the spirit of Carnival. This is merely taste of what's to come on April 29th at the Festival Village" says Jacqueline Louis.
"CHIPPIE's commitment to St. Maarten Carnival is about ensuring that the Carnival experience, overall, connects family and friends in a fun and safe manner. We have several product promotions coming up that will provide even more savings, opportunities to win, and add value to Carnival festivities," says Michanou Arrundell, UTS-Service Marketing Manager.
For further information regarding the upcoming "One Love" events and activities, please log on to Facebook: Love SXM, E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or, T: (721) 581-7973.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The University of St. Martin (USM) will be holding a graduation ceremony on April 20th, 2012 for the 32 students who passed the GED exams held in January.

The graduates, their family members, and the instructors are invited to the graduation which will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the University of St. Martin Lecture Hall.

The 32 graduates are:
Odwaine Douglas, Allendale Etienne, Nicolette Gumbs, Dillon Jones, Tashana Lake, Shudeska Leonard, Gideoni Molina, Cornelius Raymond, Rutherford Reed, Chanice Rombley, Josue St. Germain, Ramon Ulises, Brandon van Heyningen, David van Heyningen, Franklin Watson Jr., Bradley Williams, Gregory Ault, Clarence Booker, Shanika Cannegieter, Alex Charles, Jair Echteld, Timothy Bell, Reshaline Carty, Jerry Cypre, Juliette Henry, Caryl Hutson, Wikinnsonne Labady, Akeem Liburd, Theresa Sam, Esaie Colas, Edward Boekhold, Cristian Rodriguez.

According to USM GED Tutorial Program officials, out of this group the most outstanding results were scored by the following USM students: Gideoni Molina, Rutherford Reed, Raymond Cornelius, Franklin Watson Jr., Chanice Rombley and Cristian Rodriguez. The highest scoring student from the Community Tutoring Foundation is Alex Charles.

The seven (7) students mentioned will be awarded with tuition free credits upon enrollment for any tertiary education program offered at the University of St. Martin.

USM officials said they look forward to seeing the students and their family members at the graduation ceremony on Friday, April 20th, 2012.

Philipsburg:--- The Department of Youth Health Care presented the President of the St. Maarten Carnival Development Foundation (SCDF) with several boxes of ear plugs on Wednesday. The Department of Youth Health Care feels that youngsters on St. Maarten must be protected and therefore it is necessary for the youths participating the annual carnival parades and activities be provided with ear plugs.
SCDF President Stuart Johnson thanked the Ministry of Health for the donation to the foundation and government's proactive role in carnival.
The department of Collective Prevention also provided SCDF with a bag containing posters as they kick off their vaccination week.

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- The Section General Public Health (GPH) from the Collective Preventive Service's (CPS) calendar of health observances, focuses on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) during the month of April, and wishes to remind the community about preventing STIs, and making a healthy choice.

The GPH's campaign objectives is to bring about awareness as it relates to STIs; to encourage individuals to be more responsible for their own health and their partner's health; and to provide the public with general information.

STIs are infections that are spread primarily through person-to-person sexual contact. STIs are infections that are likely to be transmitted while having unprotected sex. Transmitted means passed on from one place to another, in this case it means passed on from one person to another.

There are more than 30 different sexually transmissible bacteria, viruses and parasites.

The most common conditions they cause are cancer, gonorrhoea, chlamydial infection, syphilis, trichomoniasis, chancroid, genital herpes, genital warts, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and hepatitis B infection.

Under the local surveillance system all physicians are expected to report all diagnosed STIs syndromes to the GPH to register, monitor and identify trends of the particular conditions.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the name of a condition in women where the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina is disrupted and replaced by an overgrowth of certain bacteria.

It is sometimes accompanied by discharge, odor, pain, itching, or burning. It is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age. The cause of BV is not fully understood. BV is associated with an imbalance in the bacteria that are normally found in a woman's vagina.

The vagina normally contains mostly "good" bacteria, and fewer "harmful" bacteria. BV develops when there is an increase in harmful bacteria. Any woman can get BV. However, some activities or behaviors can upset the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina and put women at increased risk including:

• Having a new sex partner or multiple sex partners,
• Douching

Women with BV may have an abnormal vaginal discharge with an unpleasant odor. Some women report a strong fish-like odor, especially after intercourse. Discharge, if present, is usually white or gray; it can be thin. Women with BV may also have burning during urination or itching around the outside of the vagina, or both. However, most women with BV report no signs or symptoms at all.

In most cases, BV causes no complications. But there are some serious risks from BV including:

• Having BV can increase a woman's susceptibility to HIV infection if she is exposed to the HIV virus.
• Having BV increases the chances that an HIV-infected woman can pass HIV to her sex partner.
• Having BV while pregnant may put a woman at increased risk for some complications of pregnancy, such as preterm delivery.
• BV can increase a woman's susceptibility to other STIs, such as herpes simplex virus (HSV), chlamydia and gonorrhea.

If you think you have been exposed to an STI or you have symptoms of BV, you should consult your general practitioner and get tested if you have ever had sex (vaginal, anal or oral) without using a condom.

Some of the infections are treatable. Treatable entails that medication is available to manage the symptoms, but the infection stays in your body, and you can continue passing the infection/disease on to another person. Some treatable disorders/diseases are cervical cancers in the early stage, genital warts, herpes, hepatitis B/C and HIV.

There are several curable STIs once treated in time with medication, such as gonorrhea (claps), Chlamydia, pubic lice (crabs) and syphilis.

There are two ways to prevent STIs, abstain from having sex, and the correct and frequent use of condoms during any sexual act.

Have a safe carnival and protect yourself and your partner. Abstain or use your condom correctly every time! Remember it's okay to wait, have sex when you are ready.

For (awareness) basic STI information you can also contact your local Family Physician, AIDS Foundation, Red Cross Foundation, and/or the GPH.

Three representatives of the office of the Social Economic Council (SER) Sint Maarten took part in a highly successful three day workshop with their sister organizations from Aruba, the Netherlands and hosts Curacao. The sessions were held from Monday, April 16 through Wednesday, April18. Valuable information was exchanged, experiences were discussed and best practices established. The staff of the Sint Maarten SER was represented by secretary-general Gerard Richardson, senior policy advisor Arjen Alberts as well as policy advisor Daniëlle Choennie-Babel.
From the long-standing Dutch tradition of negotiations between social partners, also known as the 'poldermodel', representatives of the Dutch SER relayed valuable insights into the workings of their organization. The role of the Dutch SER in promoting social stability and harmonious cooperation between business and labor interests was covered in depth. Senior economic affairs officer Niels Achterberg and social affairs officer Sander Tjeerds gave a number of extensive presentations and case studies elaborating on the intricacies of the Dutch SER and its 60 year tradition.
From the Caribbean part of the Kingdom the Social Economic Councils of Curaçao and Aruba were in attendance. Each organization shared their objectives, tasks and work processes with the other participants. Aruba's SER spoke from their almost 25 years of experience, Curaçao drawing in part on the established practices of the former Netherlands Antilles SER, and Sint Maarten contributing their plans, experiences and challenges in building up their brand-new organization.
SER Curacao, hosting the workshop, was represented by secretary-general Josephine Provence and policy advisors Jean Dictus, Marilva Dall and Sharlyn Villarreal. From the Aruban Social Economic Council secretary-general Felix Bijlhout was accompanied by policy advisors Erika Perregil and Andrina Nicolaas. On the last day the Chairman of SER Curaçao, Mr Stanley Betrian sat down with all participants and allowed them to ask questions.
Apart from fostering fruitful working relationships between all national social economic councils of the Kingdom, the recently established Sint Maarten SER in particular benefited greatly by discussing the experience of their longer existing peers. The costs of the Sint Maarten participation in the workshop were carried by Dutch development funds from the project 'Establishment of the High Councils of State', managed by USONA.
The three-day workshop was unanimously deemed a resounding success by all participants. Already well-defined plans have been made to follow up this initiative with new workshops involving all four partners. In addition, SER Sint Maarten has planned an orientation visit to the Netherlands in May 2012, visiting the national SER as well as several regional social economic councils in different parts of the country. This visit will involve council members as well as staff members of the institution.

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- A Town Hall meeting is scheduled for 7:00pm for the Middle Region Community at the Sister Marie Laurence School on Monday evening.

Residents of the Middle Region community will be informed about the progress of the project.

Vice Prime Minister Hon. Theo Heyliger, a representative from the development funding organization USONA, contractor MNO, as well as Head of New Projects Development & Planning from the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Development & Environment Kurt Ruan, will also be present for the meeting.

This meeting was initiated by the Middle Region & Defiance Community Council.

GREAT BAY:--- NAGICO Insurances is sponsoring local Burton Theodora, who will be travelling to the Dominican Republic this week to undergo rigorous training in his attempt to qualify for the 50 meter swimming distance in the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games in London.

Theodora, who is a Coast Guard by profession, has earned several titles in the past, including a gold medal in the 2008-2009 Antillean Championship, a bronze medal in the 2007 Bangkok Open World Championship and several other medals locally.

"He will leave for the training camp where he will undergo very hard training for a week, then he will move on to Aruba where he will have his first official timing to see if he qualifies for the Olympic Games," Aartwichgt Bell, President of the St. Maarten Sports Federation, explained.

Theodora needs to shave off about 2 seconds from his personal best to meet the Olympic mark. "It will be very hard, but I plan to do my best," he said. "I am very happy that NAGICO decided to sponsor me especially since they are my insurer, so I am going to make them proud."

Executive Marketing Manager of NAGICO Insurances; Paul Dijkhoffz presented Theodora with a cheque to cover his expenses for the training camp. "We are always pleased to support our athletes and especially those who have a chance of representing us at the highest level" he said. As a former national team player (field hockey) himself, Dijkhoffz knows the importance of supporting local athletes that aim to represent their country at an Olympic level and said to Theodora "We hope to hear great things from you."

The London Olympic Games will be the last Olympic event where athletes from the former Netherlands Antilles will go as part of the Netherlands Antilles Olympic Committee (NAOC), which will be disbanded afterwards.

If Theodora's official time in Aruba meets the Olympic mark, it will make him the only athlete from St. Maarten that will participle in the 2012 Olympic Games.

...

Philipsburg:--- The BAVOL Officer identified as Emanuel Velasquez (31) that was arrested by police on Monday April 23, 2012 is a suspect in an ongoing rape investigation. SMN News learnt that the rape took place on December 30, 2009 in the Simpson Bay area. Sources close to the investigation state that the police have been looking for a suspect that fits the profile of the rape and only recently the suspect was identified through better investigative technology used by the investigating officers. Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos confirmed that the officer is a suspect in the December 30, 2009 rape investigation. Mos said the victim reported the case and police were looking for the suspect but only recently he was fingered. Mos said the suspect has been arrested and he will be taken before the judge of instruction later this week. Minister of Justice Roland Duncan also told SMN News on Tuesday that the officer who is now the suspect of a crime has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.
Reliable information reaching SMN News states that the suspect also raped another person in 2009. However, Mos said the police are only aware of the rape that took place on December 30, 2009 in Simpson Bay area.
SMN News also learnt that Emanuel Velasquez was an employee of one of the placement agencies on the island and was very aggressive towards his boss and co-workers. Sources said that police was once called for the young man while he was threatening the workers at the placement agency. He was also an employee of the Pointe Blanche prison.
On Tuesday, Minister of Justice Roland Duncan told SMN News that all the candidates who applied to become BAVPOL officers were screened and nothing was found during the screening process. SMN News also learnt that the police did their own screening but somehow Velasquez slipped through the system and was accepted to serve on the police force.

Philipsburg:--- The Honorable Roland Duncan, Minister of Justice hereby wishes to respond with reference to the newspaper article of Saturday April 21, 2012, entitled "Worries about St.Maarten as drug smuggling haven".

The article in question mentions that "According to the US State department, a part of the one third of the total world production of cocaine which is smuggled via the Caribbean is being smuggled via Sint Maarten's borders." However, the article fails to mention the exact figures of how much drugs which appear in Europe or America actually come from or have passed through Sint Maarten's borders.

In contrast, however the use of container-scans and electronic equipment in Europe and America by far outweighs' what we do here in Sint Maarten, we make use of all the available man power and equipment. Before 10-10-10 the Customs department had a staff of 8 persons, assisted by 5 technical assistance colleagues from the Netherlands, but due to the 1,5 year contracts and after many failed requests for extensions only an additional 8 months was granted. So the Dutch assistance ended in August 2011. The cost Sint Maarten for the period 10-10-10 to August 2011 exceeded Naf. 500.000, -- which was paid by Sint Maarten to Holland!
The staff of the Customs Department has since been augmented with 11 new "Bavpolers". The current staffing is 21, which is the highest the Customs Department on Sint Maarten has ever been and in the coming months will hopefully add 16 more to the fleet of growing staff.

The article further continues to refer to comments of the Dutch MP Lucassen who stated that: "Even for Caribbean standards the Customs Department of Sint Maarten is a joke". The MP failed to identify the "Caribbean Standards" he was referring to, which again reeks of unsubstantiated noises with bad faith intentions. In addition the MP continued to state based on a recent crime view analysis by the Dutch National Police Service (KLPD), the US is "very worried" that a part of the smuggling goes via Sint Maarten's harbors. Truth be told, this most recent crime view analysis was conducted since in 2009 / 2010 and is therefore not as recent as the MP indicates.

Furthermore, the Minister of Home Affairs and Kingdom Relations Liesbeth Spies, in her address to the second chamber stated that; "the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard was doing a good job in combating drug trafficking". In fact, the Coastguard functions under local authority and not independently, so the assumption that "the Customs department is not functioning properly or unable to fulfill its tasks" is nothing short of a bogus, outrageous claim and another attempt to cast a negative light on Sint Maarten and its development as a new Country. The Minister further states that "the plan of approach for justice was not progressing as it should", which leads me to ask the following question: why? Could it possibly be partly due to a sabotage of Naf 1.2 million in project funding by a Dutch Civil Servant employed by the same Minister?

In closing and for the record, Sint Maarten is most certainly not a "True Smuggling Paradise", and that the Dutch MP and a Minister would spout such nonsense is regrettable, as they failed to provide any facts whatsoever to substantiate their wild allegations.

Press Release by Ministry of Justice

Marigot:--- Newly elected President of the Collectivity of St. Martin Alain Richardson indicated on Thursday that the salaries for the Collectivity workers has been secured for the month of April 2012 but he has no guarantee as to where the May 2012 salaries will come from as yet.
President Richardson said the Collectivity received two transfers which made it possible for the April salaries. He said an amount of two million Euros were received as a compensation for a new housing competence "compensation de la nouvelle compétence logement" and another two and half million Euros were collected from the FCTVA (Le fonds de compensation pour la TVA (FCTVA)). The President announced one week after taking office at the beginning of April that St. Martin was in serious financial trouble since there was no monies in government coffers. The President indicated then that he met with the Prefet of St. Martin and Guadeloupe to express the financial dilemma St. Martin was facing. President Richardson also indicated back then that he was busy conducting an audit and that St. Martin needed at least 30 million Euros to sustain its operational cost for the year 2012.

Philipsburg:--- It appears as though the rumor that has taken over the island in the political arena became a reality early Saturday morning when the two Independent Members of Parliament namely Frans Richardson and Patrick Illidge along with Romaine La Ville teamed up to form a block within Parliament and joined their forces with the National Alliance to form the next government "Team St. Maarten". Even though the Members of Parliament have not confirmed their intentions of breaking the current coalition government, sources close to the United Peoples Party said that the United Peoples Party lost its support from Member of Parliament Patrick Illidge while Romaine La Ville has finally decided to resign from the United Peoples Party and team up with the Independent Members to form the new government. Early Saturday morning the three Members of Parliament gave the people of St. Maarten a clear indication that they were ready to end their suffering shortly after King Beau Beau sang his song "vote for me --- help help" in the Calypso finals at Festival Village. Members of Parliament Patrick Illidge, Frans Richardson, and Romaine La Ville appeared on stage with Beau Beau and raised their hands giving a clear signal that they are the ones that will help St. Maarten out of its current dilemma. Also at Festival Village Saturday morning to witness the display were the leader of the National Alliance William Marlin and Member of Parliament Louis Laveist. Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams was also at Festival Village when the informal declaration was made.
SMN News reported some weeks ago that the United Peoples Party was losing its majority and support from at least three Members of Parliament, namely Patrick Illidge and the two members from the Democratic Party Faction Roy Marlin and Petrus Leroy De Weever. However, the Members of the Democratic Party faction were nowhere around Friday night into early Saturday morning when the informal declaration was made by the three Members of Parliament.
SMN News further learnt that the leader of the United Peoples Party called at least one Member of the National Alliance Faction and asked him to go independent and support his government in exchange for land around the ring road. The source said Heyliger is still trying to secure support from the Members of the National Alliance to keep his government in-tact.

Click here to view more photos of MP's strategizing on how to form new government.

Philipsburg:--- The Judge of Instruction released radio personality Gee Money of Laser 101 who was arrested two days ago for causing bodily harm to another radio personality Glenfield Gibson at the Festival Village. Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos confirmed Gee Money was released by the Judge of Instruction with conditions. Mos said Gee Money cannot go back to Festival Village for this carnival season, while he has to pick up his summons at the Prosecutor's Office to appear in court on May 30, 2012.

Mos said Gee Money confessed to hitting Gibson two hard blows over his eyes which could have caused the young man to have serious eye injuries. He said the judge took into consideration Gee Money had no other criminal record and that he is a well known public figure. Mos further explained that he could not have released Gee Money on Friday because that would have put the Zero Tolerance Policy out of place and it would have undermined his responsibility as the Chief Prosecutor of St. Maarten.

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- After two weeks of consultations, officials from the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) briefed the Council of Ministers on Friday about their working visit.

Prime Minister Hon. Sarah Wescot Williams says the CFATF team expressed their pleasure at the good cooperation they received during their working visit from the public and private sectors.

The Prime Minister added that after the team completed the process of gathering information, they will now compile their reports, but the country's workgroup still has the opportunity to furnish additional information or any documentation such as legislation that the CFATF can include in their reports.

The CFATF is an organization of 29-states of the Caribbean Basin, which have agreed to implement common countermeasures to address the problem of criminal money laundering. It was established as the result of meetings convened in Aruba in May 1990 and Jamaica in November 1992.

Organized by the Voluntary Corps of Sint Maarten (VKS).

Date: Monday, April 9th, 2012

Location: Mullet Bay Beach

Price: US$ 8 (ribs & chicken) and US$ 10 (fish)

Time: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Music: DJ Black Panta

Tickets are available from VKS members and at the beach on the day of the BBQ.

The St. Maarten Bar Association met with USM director Annelies van den Assem on Wednesday March 28, 2012 to discuss possible cooperation with the USM with regards to the announced Law programme USM is planning to start.
Bar Association president Remco Stomp requested a meeting with USM president Mrs. van den Assem after reading about the Law Programme initiative in the local media.
"The Bar Association is highly interested in Law programme initiatives that could get local students involved in the Legal profession. On the one hand, it would provide local youth with a possibility to become a legal professional, be it as a paralegal or an attorney. On the other hand, it would provide a chance for local lawfirms to hire locals instead of having to go abroad, a possible win-win situation," Stomp explained.
The St. Maarten Bar Association commends the USM for its Law programme initiative and will closely monitor any further developments with regards to the announced program.

Willemstad, CURACAO:--- The owner of Robbie's Lottery Robert Dos Santos was arrested by police on Curacao on Wednesday morning. SMN News learnt that Dos Santos was invited for an interview regarding an ongoing investigation on tax fraud, forgery, and money laundering. Dos Santos was arrested while he was being interviewed by the investigators on Wednesday.
Police on St. Maarten and Curacao raided several Robbie's Lottery locations both on St. Maarten and Curacao in July last year where they also seized monies and documents. Dos Santos accounts were also frozen. The investigation is known as the "Bientu Investigation" which is headed by the Kingdom Detectives Cooperation Team (RST) and the Intelligence and Investigation team (TIO).

Marigot:--- Union for Democracy declared in a press release that "we have just witnessed in recent days both a hoax and a denial of the truth so grave that we can no longer handle the plagiarism of the President's speech as a mere blip due to the urgency of the situation." They also added "especially when it puts us in such a difficult situation with political authorities of a foreign state."

The false explanations of the Cabinet Director of the President, through an official statement, have shocked the entire political arena and the people of St. Martin. The UD demands "the resignation of the cabinet director and wishes that the President be transparent on the conditions of this bogus service contract, including the amount paid."

"The sooner these decisions are made, the sooner we can all move on to actually take care of the real problems of St. Martin."

UD concluded "We regret that this act have tarnished somehow the overall image of St. Martin and its elected officials and we are appealing to the sense of responsibility and honor of the President in order to demonstrate transparency and courage. It is only then that the people of St. Martin can trust him to govern them."

 

PHILIPSBURG:--- Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Hon. Franklin Meyers recently met with several Taxi Associations with respect to the current state of affairs regarding public transportation.

Ministers Meyers described the discussions as very fruitful and informative. The Taxi Associations were informed about the Ministers plan of approach to update and enhance the public transportation system in the country.

Various ordinances, decrees and other legislation governing public transportation is being reviewed and revised to accommodate and govern the public transportation needs in the 21st century.

A follow-up meeting is tentatively set with the Taxi Associations and the Minister for April 13 where the associations have the opportunity to bring forward their particular visions about their area of expertise and service.

The Taxi Associations also received information about short, mid and long-term solutions to current challenges that the sector is being confronted with.

"The meeting was a success and I look forward to the follow-up discussions in finding solutions to a number of areas and issues that our Taxi drivers are confronting. We are here to work together.

"My Ministry had the opportunity to inform the Taxi Associations who are very important stakeholders in the transportation sector about what we have been busy with since 10-10-10, and only through dialogue can we resolve the challenges that our country confronts in this specific field.

"We look forward to the follow-up meeting and working together to resolve matters that impact our Taxi driver's," Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Hon. Franklin Meyers said on Tuesday.

The Taxi Associations that attended the meeting were: Airport Taxi Association (ATA), Dutch St. Maarten Taxi Association (DSTA), and Genesis.

Philipsburg:--- Deputy Prime Minister Theodore Heyliger confirmed on Wednesday during the Council of Ministers press briefing that the agreement with Saba and Statia on GEBE has paved the way for the government to have a more hands on approach with GEBE. Minister Heyliger said that when the division is completed and the foundation and supervisory board is dissolved government would be able to start discussions on alternative energy for St. Maarten. Heyliger made clear that while government is in favor of alternative energy there would be need for a power plant on the island. He said it would not be sensible for government to depend only on renewable energy and not have a back up plant in place. Heyliger further explained that government has been trying to negotiate alternative energy with GEBE for the past ten years but the current structure of the company hindered progress. He said he took necessary steps to start the discussion on renewable energy but GEBE never complied. Heyliger said that government conducted a study on renewable energy and the first draft of that study is expected to be ready by next month. The Minister of Energy Affairs said that government has to also take into consideration the viability of the company and not make the same mistakes as Aqua Electra of Curacao. Heyliger said government has to make sure that GEBE can pay its bills at the end of each month since the company has a substantial amount of employees.

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- The planned town hall meeting on Conservation Areas which was postponed recently is now scheduled for Monday, April 16 at the Belair Community Centre in Cay Hill. The meeting is scheduled to start at 7:00pm and the public are invited to attend.

Government is in the process of drafting development plans that will take approximately 24 months to be completed, and the aforementioned plans will guide the future spatial development of the country where it relates to government and private land.

The first two draft plans identified are Simpson Bay (includes Beacon Hill, Simpson Bay Lagoon) and Conservation areas (hilltops, Emilio Wilson Estate, Bishop Hill Plantation, Geneve Bay).

The first town hall meeting was held in Simpson Bay on March 8.

The input of the community is considered paramount in this process and in order for the right choices to be made, the community has to have a say by giving their views with respect to the spatial national development of the country.

The town hall sessions are being organized by the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Development, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI).

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- Law enforcement officials from the various departments and bodies of country Sint Maarten under the leadership of Minister of Justice Hon. Roland Duncan, on Wednesday met at the Philipsburg Police Station to discuss the combatting of illegal immigration, human smuggling and information sharing within the Kingdom.
In the final declaration of the November 2, 2006, the Netherlands, Curacao and Sint Maarten decided that there will be a Regulation where partners of the Kingdom will make agreements regarding the immigration sector with respect to Information Communication Technology (ICT), quality of procedures regarding the processing of permits, professionalism of the immigration sector and integrity.
The main reason for this Regulation of cooperation between the countries in the Kingdom is to guarantee a good working immigration sector within the countries in order to safeguard: an effective combatting of illegal immigration; an effective combatting of human smuggling and human trade; and information sharing between the countries.
On 8th of March 2010 the Netherlands, Curacao and Sint Maarten signed this Regulation for cooperation between the countries in the Kingdom as it relates to the immigration sector.
With the signing of this Regulation the countries within the Kingdom remain responsible and have the authority regarding the development and execution of their immigration policy.
The immigration sector consist of organizations that deals with the coast and border control, the admittance of persons, control, deportation and expulsion.
In order to live up to the agreement it is essential that the countries appoint an immigration authority in their respective countries. Sint Maarten has appointed the Director of the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND), Udo Aron as the Immigration Authority.
Udo Aron chairs the meetings of the immigration sector. The Immigration Authority will hold meetings twice a year with the immigration sector in their respective countries. At these meetings they will discuss the execution of the immigration policy, the systems including registration systems in order to effectively exchange information between the organizations in the immigration sector.
The Immigration authorities within the Kingdom exchange information and assist each other in the fields of education, technical assistance and personnel. The Ministers responsible for Immigration in the Kingdom will meet twice a year to discuss cooperation between the Kingdom partners.
During the top level meeting on Wednesday the Minister of Justice mentioned the continuous discussions that he has with his Kingdom partners regarding ICT as it relates to the justice chain.
The Regulation for cooperation between the countries in the Kingdom as it relates to the Immigration sector, clearly states that countries need to have similar ICT systems or an ICT system that makes it possible to exchange information.
The Minister of Justice came to the conclusion that the systems of the justice chain needs to be improved drastically in order to be effective for country Sint Maarten and to be developed specifically for Sint Maarten and, also operating from the country.
Another point of discussion the Minister of Justice brought forward is the public discourse regarding immigration as it pertains to human smuggling or the influx of immigrants. In this discourse too much emphasis is being placed on the repressive note and not enough focus is being placed on the human rights.
Within the Caribbean people are moving from island to island and the smugglers that risk these people's lives needs to be incarcerated. It was agreed that the safety of these people have to be looked at.
The detention of these people, who are victims of human smuggling, must have the option to be repatriated to their countries of origin and not punish them because they entered the country illegally.
Another aspect is the prevention of people from entering the country illegally. The United States is struggling with an immigration situation and spends millions of dollars on border control. Still the situation of illegal immigration exists over there.
Sint Maarten cannot afford spending that amount of money into controls, but will strive to manage immigration. The Minister of Justice expects from these immigration sector meetings, that information will be brought forward to develop policies in ways that the country can manage its immigration affairs.

Philipsburg:--- Reliable information reaching SMN News indicates that the United Peoples Party and Democratic Party coalition government seems be on the rocks, while Independent Member of Parliament Patrick Illidge is working closely with the Democratic Party Members of Parliament instead of the United Peoples Party with whom he signed an agreement to support their government. Indications in Parliament shows that the members of the presidium are fed up with the chairlady of Parliament and this is the reason they abandoned the UP fraction in Parliament on Thursday when Arrindell was placed on trial during a Central Committee meeting regarding her Washington DC trip. Sources close to the Presidium Members said that the other two members of the Presidium are tired of covering up for the chairlady of Parliament Gracita Arrindell.
The members of Democratic Party Roy Marlin and Petrus Leroy De Weever along with Independent Member of Parliament Patrick Illidge consciously chose to stay away from the meeting to pave Union Farm roads, a job that the Minister of Infrastructure Theodore Heyliger is supposed to execute. The move taken by the three Members of Parliament is a clear indication that things are not well in the coalition camp and while the leader of the UP Party Theodore Heyliger made Member of Parliament Petrus Leroy De Weever the scapegoat for not fixing the Union Farm in-roads during the elections. De Weever and two of his colleagues in Parliament sought assistance from the business community and began fixing the deplorable roads in the vicinity of the 911 emergency homes in Union Farm. The move by the three Members of Parliament will now force Heyliger to execute the promise he made to the residents of the 911 emergency homes during the elections.
On Wednesday last week UP fraction leader Romain Laville called on his party leader Minister of VROMI Theodore Heyliger to fix the roads in Union Farm because he was contacted by some residents in the area that are complaining about the deplorable conditions of the roads in their area.
While the Union Farm residents are badly in need of proper roads, the move by the three Members of Parliament seems to indicate that Parliamentarians have to take the bull by its horns and do the work of government. Also quite visible on Thursday was the intentional absence of the United Peoples Party faction leader Romain Laville while the chairlady of Parliament Gracita Arrindell was taken through the mill for her overspending and refusal to follow proper procedures to travel on business trips.
During the 2012 budget meeting, the DP faction teamed up with Patrick Illidge to table some three motions which were not co-signed by the UP faction. Several requests for Parliamentary meetings are also submitted by the same three Members of Parliament forcing the UP fraction members to tag along to get along. The current trend in Parliament and the indication given by some of the Members of Parliament is reason for concern about the stability of government.

The SHTA would like to commend Minister Heyliger and Minister Meyers for their efforts and success with GEBE and changes to the tariff structure. Most businesses and residents have identified high energy costs as one of the most common obstacles in our developing economy.

The announcement that a new tariff structure, reflecting a 4 cent (13.8%) reduction in utility rates, would be put in place by May 1 is great news for the community. Recent surveys indicate that high energy costs have contributed heavily to inflation in St. Maarten. The SHTA believes that this reduction will make a valuable contribution to helping to bring down the cost of doing business and cost of living.

Minister Heyliger's announcement that once the shares of GEBE are divided and transferred to St. Maarten, giving St. Maarten 100 percent ownership of the company, is a tremendous advantage for country St. Maarten. The fact that this gives St. Maarten the possibility to delve into alternate energy, sewage and garbage initiatives has the potential to give St. Maarten a competitive advantage.

The SHTA believes that the creations of policies which encourage the sustainable development of alternate energy are critical to the St. Maarten's ability to maintain a vibrant and competitive economy. Hopefully these policies would include making investments into alternate energy tax deductible, and allow for excess energy to be fed back into the GEBE grid.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Central Committee of Parliament will meet in a closed session on April 17 to discuss an aviation proposal.

The meeting will take place on Tuesday morning at 10:00am in the General Assembly Chamber of the House of Parliament on Wilhelmina Straat #2.1 in Philipsburg.

Members of Parliament will receive a presentation from Garrison Walker Financial Inc. outlining an aviation proposal for Sint Maarten.

Middle Region:--- On Sunday April 15, 2012 at approximately 06:30am, a Philipsburg Police Patrol was directed to Middle Region in the vicinity of Margereth Bruce's Drive to investigate a case where a shot or shots were fired. The suspect in this case was a man of brown complexion, dressed in a red T-shirt and jeans pants. This suspect, according to the caller, was in the possession of a shotgun and had fled the scene on a white and black scooter without a license plate. The caller could not say why the shot was fired. On Middle Region road in the vicinity of Basseterre Drive, the police saw a white and black scooter, with two persons on it, coming at high speed from the opposite direction. The rider of the scooter fit the description of the suspect in this case. The patrol ordered the driver of the scooter to slow down and stop but the rider refused to do so. The patrol went on to block the path of the scooter in order to force the rider to stop, but the rider again refused to stop and increased speed. During his maneuver to get away from the police, the rider lost control of the scooter and collided with the front of police vehicle causing himself and the passenger to fall to the ground. Both suspects suffered minor bruises to their body. They were treated on the scene by paramedics and then transported to the Sint Maarten medical Center for further treatment. After treatment they were released at which time they were both arrested and put into custody. During a search of the rider of the scooter a spent shotgun cartridge was found and confiscated. The area was also searched to locate the shotgun. However, it was not found. Both suspects remain in custody for further investigation as there are indications that these suspects may be involved in other criminal activities.

Every year during the carnival period many scaffoldings and stages are constructed and flatbeds are placed/parked along the route of the parades. The number of scaffoldings or temporary structures has increased over the past years and that amount is expected to increase even more this year.
For many years the placing or constructing of scaffolding along the route of the parades has been allowed without the required permits. This is definitely in violation with the stipulations in the "Algemene Politie Keur". There are persons and organizations that place these types of structures along the route of the parade and who on a yearly basis request and receive the necessary permit or permits to do so. These permit holders pay for the required fees to get their permit(s) and these scaffoldings or temporary structures are inspected by the Safety Inspection of "VROMI". The inspection is based mainly on the reliability of the construction. From a safety point of view, it would not be wise to have any scaffolding or any other type of structure along the route of the parades if it does not undergo the stipulated Government safety inspection.
Therefore this year, in the interest of maintaining public order and safety, the protection of persons and property, placing or constructing of scaffolding or any other type structure along the route of the parades will require a permit from the Ministry of Justice. Any structures placed or constructed without the necessary permits will have to be removed. The opportunity to request a permit is still available.

Philipsburg:--- United Peoples Faction leader Romain La Ville was thrown out of place on Tuesday afternoon when he showed up at Parliament Building to be installed as Chairman of the Financial Committee with Roy Marlin being Vice Chairman of said committee. SMN News has been reliably informed that La Ville traveled back from the Unites States on Tuesday to attend the meeting after an agreement was made between him and his party leader Theodore Heyliger.
The finance committee comprised of the faction leaders, William Marlin (NA), Frans Richardson (IND), Patrick Illidge (IND), Roy Marlin (DP), and Romain La Ville (UP).
The source said that Heyliger told La Ville that he will chair the financial committee as is customary for United Peoples Party faction and Roy Marlin will be appointed vice chairman, but when La Ville showed up at the meeting Democratic Party Member of Parliament Petrus Leroy De Weever informed La Ville that the DP faction had reached an agreement with the UP Party leader (the big boss) that states that Roy Marlin will be the chairman of committee and William Marlin from the National Alliance faction will be the vice chair of the committee. The proposal was supported by DP and the two Independent factions in parliament namely Frans Richardson and Patrick Illidge.
The source said that La Ville contacted Heyliger via Blackberry messenger to query the agreement he made with the Democratic Party faction and Heyliger told him that he was not aware of the agreement. SMN News learnt that La Ville is now wondering if his party leader shafted him or if he was shafted by the DP and Independent member that has a coalition agreement with the UP Party.
The source said that La Ville eventually went along with the installation of the chairman and vice chairman since the four faction leaders are the ones that were supposed to vote on the installation of the committee chair and vice chair. William Marlin (NA), Patrick Illidge (IND), Frans Richardson (IND), and Leroy Petrus de Weever were in favor of the proposal to have Roy Marlin as chair and William Marlin as vice chair.
According to the source close to the United Peoples Party standard procedures for the present UP/DP coalition has been that committees are chaired by a Member of Parliament from the UP or a faction that supports the UP leader, Minister Heyliger. They said that the education committee is chaired by Silvia Meyers (UP) Public Health committee chaired by Petrus Leroy De Weever (DP), Justice Committee chaired by Patrick Illidge (IND), while the finance committee was to be chaired by Romain La Ville. The finance committee will hold its first meeting with the General Audit Chamber on April 26, 2012 where the General Audit Chamber will conduct an audit of Parliament expenditures.
The source further stated that it is clear that the rift between the UP/DP coalition is widening and that the UP leader is already inquiring if the National Alliance and DP are trying to form a government with the support of the independent members.
SMN News also learnt that the DP and the independent members already began their campaign since they are preparing for early elections.

Philipsburg:--- The Prime Minister of St. Maarten Sarah Wescot Williams announced on Wednesday during the Council of Ministers press briefing that there has been some improvement at various government owned companies namely WINAIR, TELEM, and PSS.
Wescot-Williams further explained that WINAIR is making great strides since the restructuring of the Supervisory Board. "Things are going in the right direction since WINAIR managed to sign several interline agreements with many airlines. The shareholder is still waiting on their business plan for charting the way and going forward." Wescot Williams said the company has come a long way.
Meanwhile, at TELEM the company's organizational structure has been finalized and they are now at the critical stage in discussing the company's future with the employees. The Prime Minister said that the company is using a meticulous way in the process by making sure that no step is skipped, therefore she is looking forward to a positive outcome.
The Prime Minister also said that there has been progress at the Postal Services St. Maarten but that company still has a lot more to do to better their services even though the company started off badly.

Philipsburg:--- President of the Workers Institute for Organized Labour (WIFOL) Theophillus Thompson made a bold call to Mark Miller of Quantum Investments on Thursday during the Windward Islands Chamber of Labour Unions weekly press briefing. Thompson was reacting to an article that was published in one of the newspapers which states that WIFOL is the one to decide whether or not the Simpson Bay Resort stays open. Thompson further stated that since they are the ones that have to decide if the doors of the resort would stay open, Quantum Investments "Mark Miller" should hand over the keys to WIFOL and turn over the bank accounts of the resort to the union. The unionist said that the employees that SBRMC is trying to get rid of are the ones that built the resort. Thompson said that the services provided by the employees of SBRMC kept the resort open.
In the meantime, the WIFOL President said that while the owners of SBRMC are contesting the verdict rendered by the courts in favor of the employees, they have employment agencies engaging in slavery at the resort. Thompson told reporters that one of the employment agencies working for SBRMC hired at least two people and has refused to pay these people. Thompson said the agency hired a woman who recently arrived on the island and after she worked a full day and cleaned some 12 rooms she was told that she was training that day and she will not be paid. In another incident, a man worked for several weeks and he too was told that he was in training and will not be paid.
The WIFOL President said that slavery is taking place at a resort where one of St. Maarten's Members of Parliament is the General Manager. He explained that while the Court of First Instance ruled on April 2, 2012 that the workers must be paid and the Collective Labour Agreement must be respected, the workers have not been paid since November 2011. Thompson said the Member of Parliament managing SBRMC has refused to respect the law and the judicial system of St. Maarten. The WIFOL President said that even the mediator of the Department of Labour sent a letter to the company asking that they get around the table but the company is yet to respond to the labour mediator. He said that is a clear sign that the management of SBRMC thinks they are above the law and will not respect the laws that govern St. Maarten.

Thompson said government should think seriously about discussing a way forward with the union and the investors. "We believe that government needs discuss with the investors on St. Maarten especially when it comes to upholding the law of this island." The WIFOL President said that they have apprised the labour department of what is taking place at SBRMC and to date nothing has been done. Thompson said he wants to know where the inspectors are. He said that he will be informing the ILO about what is taking place on St. Maarten regarding union busting and the practice of slavery on the island.
In the meantime, the three judges that heard the challenge of judge Jurjen de Haan who is sitting on the appeals court ruled that the judge will remain on the appeals court bench when the case is heard on Friday April 20, 2012. Thompson said that the three judges feel that this case is of a different nature than that of November 4 and 7, 2011 and they feel judge Jurjen de Haan will act professionally. He said the court further feels that the WIFOL and its attorneys took the matter to the extreme.

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- Statements have been made over the last days in the media to the effect that Sint Maarten, for her share in the assets of the Central Bank of Curacao and Sint Maarten (CBCS), is entitled to less say with regard the CBCS.

The Prime Minister's statement on behalf of the Government of Sint Maarten:

"In the final agreement of November 2006, the two countries, Curaçao and Sint Maarten signed a political agreement by which they have voluntarily chosen to enter a monetary union with one central bank.

The role a central bank plays, focuses on the health and stability of the financial system in a monetary union and as such there is no distinction in terms of policy, relative to for example the size of the countries forming the union. There is one policy for the entire union.

As an example, one can look at the policy of the European Central Bank for the European Monetary Union states.
In its policy-making and implementation, the central bank executes this task autonomously in relation to the governments of the countries.

This also ensures that none of the countries can influence the monetary policy in its favor and to the detriment of the other country.

The relative size of the respective country's shareholding in the joint central bank as cited is therefore a concept that has no meaning in the context of the monetary and prudential policy that is executed by the joint central bank as regards the union as a whole.

That said, the relative size of the shareholding of the countries in the central bank is related exclusively to the division of possible profit. No-where in the central bank statute - or in any other law - is any indication to be found justifying that as a result of the relative size of the shareholding, Sint Maarten is entitled to less control rights.

On the contrary, both with regard to calling of meetings by the beneficiary countries and voting in those meetings, Sint Maarten has full and same rights as Curaçao (Article 32 central bank statute).

That equality in the area of control is also apparent in the important issue of appointing members to the Board of Supervisory Directors (BOD) of the CBCS. Of the total seven members of the BOD, each country proposes three members, and appointment of all members occurs by the countries jointly.

In addition, the Chairman of the BOD is -in summary- proposed by the countries jointly and is appointed and dismissed by joint resolution. (Article 25 central bank statute).

Finally, as a red line throughout the bank statute is the notion that Sint Maarten, except for its share in the bank's assets, is in an equal position as Curaçao.

Thus it has been stipulated in Article 8 of the central bank statute that the CBCS exercises the supervision of the financial institutions according to rules which are adopted by harmonized national ordinances.

Any remarks to the contrary of what is stated above, has no grounds to stand on."

Great Bay:--- Mayra Martina, RN, Acting Head Youth Health Care recently travelled to Aruba to attend the Neonatal Hearing Screening Symposium, where she had the opportunity to hear from the entire team involved, such as the ear nose and throat doctor, the speech therapist, Aruban Youth Health Care Services and the White and Yellow Cross Foundation teams, and a representative from the Dutch Institute for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired.
Martina stated that "the symposium gave an overview of the different aspects of Aruba's Neonatal Hearing Screening over the last five years in addition to what's in store for the future and cooperation between the islands to set up Neonatal Health Screening on the islands that don't have it."
The ear nose and throat specialist spoke about further treatment, the speech therapist spoke about the extensive guidance the children receive as they have to learn what sounds are, the Dutch representative of the Institute for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired presented the Dutch figures as well as Aruban figures. It was concluded that if the hearing impairment is caught early on children stand a better chance of not only receiving care but also developing in a more acceptable manner.
The neonatal hearing screening is done on newborns between four to seven days old. The device used during the screening is an Otto Acoustic Emition device. This device is taken to the homes where the test is carried out. Reason for it being done at the home is due to the quietness there, and the baby is in his own surrounding. The results are given immediately.
Besides attending the symposium Martina had the opportunity to go out in the field while the screenings were being done to get a first-hand view of an actual screening.
"I am looking forward to the recommendations to see how we can improve this service to our population, as by screening you can detect hearing loss that could affect a child's communications skills and learning abilities," said Minister of Public Health Social Development & Labor, Cornelius De Weever.

Philipsburg:--- A BAVPOL Officer that is working with the Police Department has been detained and suspended pending the outcome of an investigation, confirmed Minister of Justice Roland Duncan. Minister Duncan said the police are conducting an investigation that involves a BAVPOL officer that is working with the Police Department. The Minister of Justice said he does not want to release the identity of the officer because he believes a person is innocent until proven otherwise. Minister Duncan further explained that when the BAVOL Officers were enrolled a complete screening process had taken place especially for those that are were assigned to the Police Department.
Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said in a press release that the officer was arrested on Monday April 23, 2012. Henson identified the officer with initials E.V whom he said has been arrested as a suspect in an ongoing criminal investigation which was committed in the year 2009. During the initial investigation, there was no obvious link between the criminal offense and this person. As a result of the persistent investigation and a new investigative method within the department (case screening) done by the Detectives and Police Internal Affairs, E.V. was identified as the suspect of a crime committed prior to his enrollment into the police force. E.V. in the meanwhile has been suspended from carrying-out his duties pending the results of the investigation.

SIMPSON BAY:--- A high-level delegation representing the Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) attended the Passenger Terminal Expo, held in Vienna from April 18-20.
The delegation, headed by Deputy Prime Minister and Shareholder Representative Theo Heyliger, included Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Directors, Clarence Derby and Managing Director, Regina Labega, as well as Michel Hyman, Manager of Operations.
The Passenger Terminal Expo is widely known as "the world's largest industry event focused on airline and airport passenger services."
"The event offers the opportunity to network with managers of airports world-wide and meet the leading international aviation product suppliers and distributors at the trade exposition," said Labega.
With a view and determination to keeping SXM competitive, Labega added that "Many countries in the northeastern and western Caribbean region are expanding their airports while SXM is the 'front door' of visitors to St. Barths, Anguilla, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Martin and St. Maarten. However, their first impression is based on what they see and experience here at SXM."
"SXM therefore is in need of enhanced equipment, systems and networks, as well as take-offs and landings. Smooth passenger processing In-terminals are also very critical," among the other areas essential to keeping SXM a highly competitive, efficient, passenger-friendly international airport, said Labega on Monday.
While in Vienna areas discussed included environment and sustainability; embracing multi-stakeholder engagement for more efficient operations management; and airport security and whether an airport's work in that area is stagnant or evolving, said Labega.
"The 'latest, greatest ideas in making money in airports,' increasing non-aeronautical revenue, and enhanced focusing on customer service and passenger experience," were also areas of interest for SXM, added Labega.

Philipsburg:--- The police department is busy investigating an early afternoon robbery at the Hollywood Casino located in Pelican. SMN News learnt that a lone gunman entered the casino and robbed the establishment of an undisclosed amount of cash.
Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson confirmed that the Hollywood Casino was robbed. Henson said based on preliminary reports a man went into the casino and committed the robbery. The suspect made his escape in a white car which was later found behind Cappuccino Bar in Simpson Bay. Henson said police combed the area for the suspect but up to the time he spoke to the media the suspect was not found.

Marigot:--- The newly elected Territorial Council of St. Martin which is headed by the RRR government held their first territorial council meeting on Thursday.
During the first meeting of the council, several elected council members were designated to serve on various committees.
President of the Council Alain Richardson will be heading the EPIC at the Office du Tourisme, other elected officials designated to be part of the EPIC board are Questel Rollande, Gros Desormeaux Alain, Santos Pauline Antero de Jesus, Paines Jermin Nadine, Jeanne Vanterpool Rogers, Daniel Gibbs, and Annette Philips Manuel. Alain Richardson was elected as the President of the of the Tourism Office unanimously by the twenty three member council. President Richardson wants to hold the position of the president of the EPIC for a period of one year in order to change the image of the Office du Tourisme since the organization has had a bad reputation over the past years. President Richardson said during the first year as President of the Office du Tourisme he will make the necessary changes and ensure that the Office du Tourisme is fully functional before passing the torch on to another member of the board.
The presidents of Semsamar, Port, CTOS, Hospital, Bethany Home, will be elected by the administration council of those establishments. Only the president of the tourism office was elected on Thursday by the territorial council members, as the organic law stipulates.
First Vice President Aline Hanson has been designated to chair the Semsamar board. The board of Semsamar will have fourth vice president Wendell Cocks along with Gros Desormeaux Alain, Jeanne Vanterpool Rogers, Rosette Gumbs-Lake, Aline Hanson, and Daniel Gibbs.
Thursday's Territorial Council meeting had 15 agenda points and it was described as one of the most productive council meetings to be held since St. Martin became a Collectivity. President Richardson said that the elected members of the council worked very hard to make sure everything was in order for the territorial council meeting.
President Richardson told La Voix St. Martin that he had an informal meeting with the minority leader Daniel Gibbs on Wednesday where they discussed in advance the various committees and the how they intend to establish them prior to Thursday's meeting. Efforts are now being made by the council to have the territorial council meetings held in the English language. The meeting was aired live on La Voix St. Martin (101.5 FM).

Click here to view the names of the elected officials on the committees that were established by the Territorial Council on Thursday.

Philipsburg:--- The Court of Appeals of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba upheld the verdict delivered by the Court of First Instance on April 2, 2012 in favor of the Workers Institute for Organized Labour (WIFOL) against Simpson Bay Resort Management Company (SBRMC.) Attorney at Law Maarten Le Poole who is currently in the Netherlands told SMN News that he received the verdict by email and it is in favor of the former Pelican Workers and WIFOL.
President of WIFOL Theophillus Thompson was seen laughing non-stop on Friday when he spoke to reporters. Thompson said the 183 workers who suffered from the SBRMC layoff stand to benefit from the court's decision even though some of them signed a one year contract with SBRMC out of desperation. It should be noted that two of the workers passed away since the Pelican saga started two years ago. Thompson said the SBRMC filed a case with the Appeals Court to put on hold the verdict of April 2, 2012 but SBRMC did not appeal the April 2 verdict and right now he does not know if SBRMC will file an appeal. Thompson said the workers were not paid since November 2011 and now the resort has to pay the workers retroactively their salaries and benefits. Thompson said the lawyers representing WIFOL are currently off island but when the legal respresentatives return they will seek ways to get the workers their monies.
In the meantime, SBRMC is negotiating the sale of the Pelican Resort to Hard Rock International. Thompson said the WIFOL stands ready to work with Hard Rock or anyone else that is interested in purchasing the resort.

Philipsburg:--- Governor Eugene Holiday made a special attempt to highlight the importance of sports when he visited the L.B. Scot Sports Auditorium and played table tennis with some of St. Maarten's youths on Friday.
Governor Holiday said that as customary several persons on St. Maarten are being recognized for their contribution to society on the Queen's birthday which is April 30th. He said the coach Mr. Rajouki was recognized in the past for his contributions, however, the coach is making sure he passes on his knowledge to the youths of the island.
Governor Holiday in his address to the youths at the L.B. Scot Sports Auditorium said that he used to play table tennis at the former Youth Center which was located at the John Larmonie Center. Governor Holiday who is an avid sportsman said he played table tennis, long tennis, volley ball, baseball, and basketball. He said sports builds people's character and there is one poem that helped him as a sportsman and even as he built his personal career. Governor Holiday recited his poem prior to playing with the youths and copy of his poem was given to each of the players.
Coach Rajouki said he has quite a number of great players that represented St. Maarten overseas. He said the table tennis players defended the island in the Caribbean tournament that was held in Puerto Rico. Three female players from St. Maarten came in third in that tournament. Rajouki further explained that the players also qualified to participate in the Latin American Tournament but they could not participate because of the lack of funding. Coach Rajouki said just recently the table tennis players had to travel to Cuba but they could not travel because the monies for the trip came in late and they lost their flights.

Click here to view more photos of Governor Holiday playing table tennis on Friday.

Nature Foundation will once again start its after school Snorkel Club Program on Wednesday May 23rd 2012 under the theme "Wild 4 Life". Wild 4 Life is an initiative of the Nature Foundation and the Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance to introduce children to Marine Conservation on St. Maarten and in the rest of the Dutch Caribbean. The Nature Foundation, in a continued effort to educate and stress the important role the youth plays in the future of nature conservation on this island, established the Snorkel Club program with the aim of educating local youth in snorkeling skills and marine conservation. Children will be given a total of ten lessons with each lesson consisting of both theory and practical elements.
Lessons will include snorkeling skills, marine naturalist courses, introduction to SCUBA diving, hiking tours, and a special closing activity. Children who attend the Snorkel Club are given a copy of the How to Snorkel Manual, a Nature Foundation T-shirt, Fish Identification Cards and wetsuits for sun protection, all of which they can keep.
After graduating from Snorkel Club the children will have the opportunity to continue on to become Nature Foundation Junior Rangers. The Snorkel Club program was made possible through the generous donation and support from various businesses who contributed to the Rockstars for Nature event earlier this year. The popular local Band Orange Grove has also continuously supported Nature Education on St. Maarten through promoting the Nature Foundation Snorkel Club trough various outreach activities conducted earlier this year and through donating a percentage of their sales during events held on the island.
Interested parents can contact the Nature Foundation at 5444267 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Snorkel Club is held every Wednesday from two to four pm and every Saturday from nine to eleven am and costs only twenty five guilders for the ten lessons. Parents are urged to register their children early due to limited space.

St. Martin:--- The protocol of the first territorial Council of the second mandate of St Martin, having not given any speaking-time right to the Opposition during the nomination of the new president, here is the statement that Daniel Gibbs had intended to make for the election of the President of the Collectivité:

" THE BEGINNING OF THIS SECOND MANDATE OF THE COLLECTIVITE OF SAINT-MARTIN IS AN IMPORTANT DAY. THIS NEW MANDATE, THAT YOU WON AT THE HEAD OF RRR - AND WE CONGRATULATE YOU AT THIS OCCASION - HAS TO BRING TO SAINT-MARTINERS A TRANSPARENT, COLLECTIVE, EFFECTIVE AND COURAGEOUS ADMINISTRATION. ALTHOUGH UNION POUR LA DEMOCRATIE WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN THE EXERCISE OF POWER, FOR WE ARE THE DEMOCRATIC OPPOSITION IN THIS ASSEMBLY, WE ARE GOING TO VOTE IN YOUR FAVOUR ACCEDING THE PRESIDENCY. WE WILL ACCOMPLISH THIS GESTURE, WHICH RRR DIDN'T DURING THE ELECTION OF THE SECOND PRESIDENT OF THE COLLECTIVITE.

OUR VOTE IS NOT A BLANK SIGNATURE; OUR VOTE IS ABOVE ALL, A RECOGNITION OF THE DECISION OF THE VOTERS THAT ELECTED YOU. AND WE RESPECT THEIR CHOICE.

OUR VOTE CANNOT BE NEITHER INTERPRETED AS A VOTE IN FAVOUR OF the RRR AND OF ITS PROGRAM; BECAUSE WE DO NOT SHARE ITS PHILOSOPHY BASED ON, ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY, USING SUBSIDIES FROM THE STATE.

WE VOTE IN YOUR FAVOR REMEMBERING THAT YOU PROMISED TO SAINT MARTINERS THE FOLLOWING THINGS WHICH SEEM TO US IMPORTANT: - - - - - -

• REALIZE A FREE ZONE WITH THE CREATION OF 2000 JOBS;
• ELABORATE A SIMPLIFIED FISCAL CODE;
• RENEGOTIATE WITH THE STATE THE ARTICLE 74;
• CREATE A DEVELOPMENT FUND AND THUS, CREATE 400 JOBS;
  CREATE THE CONTRACT OF SPONSORSHIP;
• ISSUE THE NECESSARY CALLS FOR BID TO DEVELOP THE WATER FRONT AND THE PORT;
  REPATRIATE, TO SAINT-MARTIN, THE DECISION-MAKING CENTERS OF SEMSAMAR AND OBTAIN BY THIS, HIGHER DIVIDENDS

THESE SEVEN MEASURES YOU PROMISED DURING THE CAMPAIGN CAN BE ORGANIZED THIS VERY YEAR.

AT A MORE GENERAL LEVEL OF JOB CREATION, YOU MADE THE COMMITMENT TO PRIVILEGE THE HIRING OF SAINT-MARTINERS.

CONCERNING THE BUDGET BALANCE YOU MADE THE COMMITMENT NOT TO INCREASE THE DEFICIT NOR THE DEBT.

IN AN OFFICIAL PAMPHLET AT THE CLOSING OF THE CAMPAIGN, RRR WROTE, AND I QUOTE: "Beyond excitements of the campaign and the mindless speeches, the candidate Gibbs chose on Sunday, considering his weaknesses to come on the worst of grounds, opposition between communities."

I STILL DON'T KNOW IN WHICH OF MY SPEECHES, IN WHICH OF MY WRITINGS YOU FOUND THIS. PROBABLY AMONG THE TRASH-MAIL.

I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THIS TODAY SO THAT THE WORDS REMAINS: NEITHER ME NOR MY TEAM - AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DIFFICULT FOR US SEEN THE DIVERSE ORIGINS OF MY FELLOW CANDIDATES - HAVE EVER PLAYED TO INSTIGATE DANGEROUS FIRES IN ANY COMMUNITY..

HAVING THAT SAID, MISTER PRESIDENT, YOU HAVE ACQUIRED TODAY OUR SIX VOTES FOR YOUR PERSONAL ELECTION AND WE WISH THAT THE OUTSTRETCHED HAND YOU SPOKE OF THIS WEEK IN THE MEDIA, IS ABOUT REAL COOPERATION, AND ALSO, TRANSPARENCY IN THE EYES OF THE POPULATION. WE FROM UD WILL ACT IN FULL CLARITY, WITHOUT BEHIND THE SCENE GAMES "

The six elected representatives of TEAM DANIEL GIBBS registered in the territorial council under the umbrella of the UNION POUR LA DEMOCRATIE and expect, as written in the law, to be recognized as a group legally established with the provisions planned in the article 6321-29, the article that was applied entirely when the RRR represented the opposition.

Proposed deliberations.

During the whole campaign, and well before, the spokespersons of the UD always denounced the lax functioning of the territorial Council. For the first session of this new mandate, things continue as in the past. These deliberations go, at first sight, totally against a new manner of governance. UD had put up front the reintroduction in the authorities of a strong collaboration involving in parliamentary work all elected representatives of the territorial Council. Here is not the case. UD had also spoke out against the extreme concentration of power in the hands of the President, in addition to those of the Executive Council with too much power.

We therefore,today, proposed to the new President to take back the powers devolved to his predecessor, only for a period of 6 months. This position allows all the territorial councillors to revise the functioning of our authorities. This the President refused. " This gesture, this refusal, explained Daniel Gibbs, leaves a bitter taste from the start of the new administration because, in which parliamentary instance are powers so vast delegated for period as long as five years? ".

Our group, concluded Daniel Gibbs surrounded by the five other elected representatives of UD, will not depart of its principles simply because they are an integral part of the democracy. "

PHILIPSBURG:--- During the recently concluded Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) 2012-2022 workshop held at Westin Resort, he contributions by the nation's youth were the highlight.

Youths highlighted the importance of such a strategic plan for their future and that Sint Maarten should take responsibility for its environment and create a positive setting for both tourists and inhabitants. This was the main message that the students presented during their closing speech, resulting in a loud applause from the attending crowd.

The youth gave the government a clear statement on their vision about their future in Sint Maarten. The follow-up series of workshops will take place in May 2012. The passionate involvement of the youths will once again be highly expected. They proved, without any doubt, that change is upon us!

The first workshop brought together representatives of the public sector, private sector and students of all secondary schools, who gave their vision on where Sint Maarten should be in 2022. The students positively surprised the attendees with bright, innovative and green ideas regarding national economic development and social aspects of the country.

The Sint Maarten Government supported by KPMG Advisory Services B.V. is in the process of developing a SEP for the country.

This is to ensure a vision for the coming 10 years to achieve a sustainable increase in the economy and in the standard of living for all citizens. All stakeholders, including the youths, were invited to give their input for the development of this plan.

The active participation of the youths is vital for the success, given that in 2022, they will be the ones who will need to adopt the vision and goals we set today.

"The workshop is essential in grasping the opportunities of the future for the people of Sint Maarten. We want to build a quality society where the hopes, dreams and aspirations of the Sint Maarten people and the youth are key to national economic development," Minister of Tourism & Economic Affairs Hon. Franklin Meyers said on Sunday.

Cul de Sac:--- St. Maarten Academy's academic campus yesterday (Monday) unveiled its 'Choose PEACE' mural, culminating more than six weeks of "peace" activities aimed at making a difference in the lives of young people.
In attendance were representatives of Milton Peters College, the school's PSVE section, St. Maarten Vocational Training School, the FAVE school board, the Student Government Association (SGA), and the school's Parent-Teachers Foundation (PTF).
The school's Student Care Department, which coordinated the 'Choose PEACE' project, had extended an invitation to all high schools in an effort to start a movement to encourage all young people to use their power to 'Choose PEACE', and set the example so that the community at large can be influenced to do the right thing, even in the face of fear.
Academy's Principal Shareed Hussain, as well as Mrs. Lourdes Brooks-Lake, of the school board and Mr. Elroy Hughes, PTF vice president, echoed similar sentiments and implored all to embrace peace every day.
The purpose of the 'Choose PEACE' project was summarized by Fatimah Karim, a first former of the school.
"P - With Principles we, the students, were encouraged to always do the right thing and step away from fights; and to seek advice from an adult in times of confrontation and conflict. E - Excellence was encouraged and promoted the entire year – both academically and behaviorally.
"A - Attitude was to show us how we should treat ourselves always. With the right attitude, we can move mountains. With the right attitude, we can become the leaders that will take St. Maarten forward. C - Courage was to give us strength to do what's right. Remember, courage doesn't mean to be brave. It means to do the right thing when all hope is gone.
"E – We the students displayed empathy in order to be comfortable with others' feelings and differences while at the same time shedding all preconceived ideas and prejudices.
The initiative became a community event. The FAVE school board paid for the mural, the school's Student Government Association pledged the bumper stickers, and PEACE IS Foundation sponsored the first 100 T-shirts with the Choose PEACE logo emblazoned. A "special friend" from the community supplied the molding for the framing of the mural, which was done by Mr. Su, while Rafael, from the St. Peters neighbourhood voluntarily assisted when he learned about the cause.
During the process of painting the mural, two students - Shawn Williams (a present Fifth Former and an Honour Roll student) and Arun Shiwgobind (designer of the mural and former student) - received a lot of support from parents, passersby, the staff, members of the Police Force, and neighbours. The students appreciated the support and felt convinced that in moving forward in country St. Maarten, young people have a voice in shaping the kind of country they would like to see.
"Young people have great ideas. We just have to listen. Fed up with the fights on the outside of our school walls, Arun Shiwgobind, a graduate of the St. Maarten Academy, approached me two years ago when fights were at an all time high, to do a mural with the words Choose PEACE on the outside wall of the school. It was not acted on right away. The number of fights in the vicinity of the school has been reduced with the cooperation of the police department, but we would like this popular gathering place where students of all the neighbouring schools converge at the end of the day, to be a place of only positive interaction by all.
"The mural, which is a billboard of sorts, is for all to see. We want it to set the tone for the day and allow all to reflect on its message. It is not just for our students, but for the community at large to consider choosing peace as they move around in the world. Additionally, with the growing tension in St. Maarten and around the world, we thought there is no other time like the present to remind us all that we have a choice in how we respond to what happens to us and how we respond to others and sweeter yet the catalyst of this initiative was the expression of an idea of a young person," stated Mrs. Tallulah Baly-Vanterpool, Head of the Student Care Department.
She was assisted in her mission by other counselors and teachers, as well as Tephany Baptiste, a student social work intern studying in Holland and Sabine Smith, a recent graduate of the St. Maarten Academy.
Monday's unveiling was prefaced by several activities during the months of February and March, which engaged mainly first formers. Each letter of the acronym PEACE was symbolic of a virtue the students were asked to embrace. P stood for Principles; E, for excellence; A, for attitude; C, for courage; and E, empathy.
The Academy has set up a Facebook page and everyone is being encouraged to snap a photo in front of the mural and post it with a message stating what act of peace they have done recently. The persons with the most "likes" each month until the end of the academic year will receive a free 'Choose PEACE' T-shirt.

The Minister of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Traffic and Telecommunication herewith makes the following known:

Friday April 6, 2012 (Good Friday) is an official holiday.

In keeping with the Law on Shop Closure (Publication Sheet 1969, nr. 58), all places of business must be closed.

In accordance with Article 3 of the Law on Shop Closure, the aforementioned is not applicable to the following businesses:

• Pharmacies, as far as it concerns the sale of medicine and medical products;
• Bars and restaurants;
• Hotel and guesthouses;
• Stores located in hotels and on airport and harbor premises;
• Funeral parlors;
• Gas stations and
• Bakeries selling pastries, milk and milk products

No dispensation will be granted for stores to be opened on Good Friday, April 6, 2012.

Marigot:--- The speech delivered by the newly elected President of the Collectivity of St. Martin Alain Richardson on Sunday during his installation ceremony was stolen from the Prime Minister of Berkina Faso, Luc Adolphe Tiao. The speech was supposedly written by the right hand man of the President and the RRR group. When the newly elected President was delivering his speech on Sunday many persons were overheard saying they heard that speech before and many words used by the President are not words that are commonly used on St. Martin.
Approximately 90% of the speech delivered by President Alain Richardson on Sunday was taken from the Prime Minister Tiao's speech which is available online. The Berkina Faso  Prime Minister Tiao delivered his speech on October 20, 2011 at the National Assembly.
Certain parts of the President Richardson's speech were adjusted to fit St. Martin. SMN News learnt that the newly elected President Alain Richardson was not aware that the speech he delivered on Sunday was not written by his staff member. The source said President Richardson learnt about the origin of his speech on Tuesday and he is very upset. Efforts made by SMN News on Wednesday to reach President Richardson for a comment proved futile.
It should be noted that one of the persons working for the President was accused some five years ago of stealing the tourism plan of Nievre and presenting it to the former commune as St. Martin's tourism plan. The discovery of the plagiarism created a stir on St. Martin especially in the Tourist Office which landed three well known women before the courts of Basse Terre. All three of those women were convicted, they later appealed and the court found them to be victims and not suspects. An in-debt investigation was conducted by the courts. The outcome of that investigation has landed the former Tourism Office lawyer in front of criminal courts. The case is scheduled to be heard on April 23, 2012.

Click here to view the full text of Minister Tiao's speech.

Click here to view the full text of President Alain Richardson's speech.

 

Member of Parliament George Pantophlet for the lack of a stronger word finds it totally ridiculous and a complete abuse of power that Simpson Bay Resort is appealing the verdict of the judge in the Court of First Instance. This will probably be the sixth time that this case is going to courts. But again the game is who has the deepest pockets. It reminds him of the person that came to his office inquiring what to do about an employer for whom they had worked 16 years. The judge ruled in the employee's favor but was told by their employer and let me paraphrase, you will never get a cent, I have more money than you, so take it to courts again. Almost 3 years have gone by and the employee has not received a penny. He understood that Simpson Bay Resorts plans to close the Resort on Saturday because they don't have the money to pay. My question is have they presented any financial statements to the labor department or government detailing their financial situation? Are their taxes up to date? Have they not been paying third parties to work in the place of the displaced workers? Why don't they tell the people of St. Maarten how much money they have to pay the workers in accordance with the collective labor agreement? The Member of Parliament suggests that they (Simpson Bay Resort) can look into their overseas accounts where they hold most of the funds generated on St. Maarten to pay what is owed to the workers. It is time government steps in on behalf of the workers of this Resort and the people of St. Maarten in general. They (Government) are the ones that issued the license to Simpson Bay Resort they are the ones that held on to the $1.2 million transfer fee for months before actually depositing it. Appeals, Appeals, and more Appeals the Member of Parliament would truly like to know what it has cost the Unions and by extension the workers in legal fees. And just to be impartial also how much the Resort has paid in legal fees. Appeals, Appeals and more Appeals while the workers and their families are suffering. What a way to start your Easter Holidays.

Marigot:--- Newly elected President Alain Richardson and his team of elected officials that hold the majority of seats in the Territorial Council have decided to fire their Director of Cabinet Alex Richards. President Richardson made the announcement via a press release on Saturday April 7, 2012 shortly after FaxInfo reporter Jénovéfa Eche published another story and proof showing that Alex Richards stole speeches from French Presidential candidates François Hollande and Hervé Morin. The new revelation was made on the FaxInfo website Saturday morning.
The President will also be holding a press conference on Tuesday morning to further address the most recent scandal surrounding the RRR political campaign, especially the political declaration he pronounced on April 1, 2012 during the installation of the Territorial Council.
President Richardson said that the revelation on the source of his speech by various media houses has placed his political party and elected officials in a questionable position. The compilation of the speech was entrusted to his office director Alex Richards. Therefore, the situation has forced him and his members to take an exceptional but proportional decision which is to immediately end the functions of his Director of Cabinet Alex Richards. President Richardson reiterated that transparency and good governance has always been the spirit of the RRR and they will continue to maintain that spirit through their actions.
Below is the press release from President Alain Richardson.

 

Objet : Communiqué de presse

La situation opaque de ces derniers jours concernant la source du discours d'investiture du dimanche 1er avril dernier, dont j'avais confié la rédaction à mon directeur de cabinet, Alex Richards, m'oblige à prendre une mesure exceptionnelle mais proportionnelle à l'émoi que cela suscite. J'ai donc décidé, en accord avec les membres de mon groupe, de mettre fin aux fonctions de mon directeur de cabinet nouvellement recruté, M. Alex Richards. La transparence a toujours été le mot d'ordre et l'esprit du groupe Rassemblement Responsabilité Réussite, et elle continuera à guider nos actions. Cet épisode fâcheux ne modifie en rien notre volonté de mettre en œuvre le programme pour lequel nous avons été élus, et notre détermination à servir la population.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Central Committee of Parliament will meet on April 12 in public session to discuss two agenda points.

The first agenda point is related to the Penal Code while the second one is the approval of the working visit of the President of Parliament to Washington DC from March 25-28, 2012.

The Minister of Justice Hon. Roland Duncan is expected to be present for the first agenda point.

The Thursday meeting will start at 10:00am in the General Assembly Chamber of the House of Parliament on Wilhelmina Straat #2.1 in Philipsburg.

The committee meeting will be carried live on St. Maarten Cable TV Channel 20 and via Pearl Radio FM 98.1. The audio will be carried via the Internet www.pearlfmradio.com.

Philipsburg:--- SMN News reported some weeks ago that Hard Rock Hotel and Casinos International were negotiating the possible purchase of Simpson Bay Resort Management Company (SBRMC). When the article was first published it was made clear that based on constant rumors the company and its legal representatives were discussing the possible sale overseas. On Wednesday during the Council of Ministers press briefing, Prime Minister of St. Maarten Sarah Wescot Williams announced that the franchise owners of Hard Rock Hotel and Casinos International and representatives of SBRMC met with the Council of Ministers on Tuesday to discuss their intention to purchase the resort. Wescot-Williams said during the meeting on Tuesday the investors outlined their so called wish list prior to the actual purchase while government informed the investors of government's expectations from investors.
Responding to questions pertaining to sale and purchase of Simpson Bay Resort Management Company was Deputy Prime Minister Theo Heyliger. SMN News asked the Deputy Prime Minister if he owned the Hard Rock Café Franchise on St. Maarten and if he is anyway involved in the purchase of the resort that has been entangled in several legal battles regarding who should take responsibility for the workers. Minister Heyliger bluntly rejected the idea that he owns the Hard Rock Café on St. Maarten.
The Minister said that the property that houses Hard Rock Café belongs to his relatives and they are leasing the building to the persons running the operation. "If I was in anyway involved or owned the Hard Rock I would not have been sitting in the Minister's seat I would have been running the over 170 locations around the world that belongs to Hard Rock International." The Minister said that Hard Rock is owned by a Seminole Tribe of Florida, which is a sovereign nation in the United States.
When asked if the investors requested a casino license in exchange for the purchase of the resort, the Minister said that the investors did place their wish list on the table and they are supposed to submit it officially to government. He said that while there is a moratorium on the stand alone casinos, one of which is located at the Pelican, the resort itself does not have a casino. Minister Heyliger said that government would have to look at the fact that should the sale go through it would be the only resort that is owned by a branded chain of resorts and the benefits that would bring to St. Maarten in terms of jobs and movement of people. He further explained that Pelican does have the required amount of rooms which would allow them to have a casino. He said there are two things that have to be looked at; the first is the casino that is associated with a hotel and the second is the standalone licensed casino which is currently in operation at Pelican. Heyliger said that during the meeting on Tuesday the interested parties did not express the wishes to have a casino because they know what government's policies are. Heyliger also informed reporters that while the workers of Pelican were not fully discussed, the investors are thinking about building a hotel at Pelican since this is the first time they are looking into purchasing a timeshare resort. He said that the new investors are looking into investing 85 million USD if the sale takes place. He also assured that the government of St. Maarten did not give the investors, land, monies, or bonds as incentives to invest on the island. He said so far he has not seen any earth shattering requests from the Hard Rock investors.
Prime Minister Wescot Williams also assured that while the investors placed their wish list on the table, the Council of Ministers outlined the economic balance sheet to the investors. She said when the official request and wish list is submitted to government they will look at all aspects in which the sale of Pelican to Hard Rock International will benefit St. Maarten.
When asked if the new investors discussed the current saga between the Workers Institute for Organized Labour (WIFOL) and SBRMC. The Prime Minister said that it is two separate issues and the employer SBRMC is the one responsible for the workers. She assured that if and when the sale takes place one of the assets would be the human resources and she is quite sure that the persons working for SBRMC currently will be taken into consideration. Both the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister could not say if the WIFOL was apprised of the possible sale of the resort and the investor's intention regarding the workers.

Philipsburg:--- The University of St. Martin (USM) has submitted a request to the Department of Labour to terminate at least seven of its workers. President of the Workers Institute for Organized labour (WIFOL) Theophillus Thompson told reporters on Thursday during the union's weekly press briefing that he met with the President of USM to discuss their new programs and the future of the learning institution. Thompson said WIFOL is the representative of the workers at USM but they placed their Collective Labour Agreement negotiations on hold to allow USM to better its administration.
Thompson called on the dismissal committee to work diligently on USM's request. He said since the former president Josianne Fleming left the institution there has been no improvement. He alleged that the current president has no knowledge on education and therefore there is no improvement or progress at the learning institution.
Thompson said USM is trying to terminate local professionals and they have decided to keep foreign workers that require working permits. Thompson said the union will not accept the dismissal of local professionals while foreign workers are kept on the job. USM claims that they are having financial problems and this is the reason why they are seeking to terminate the workers. He said USM does not have proper programs or planning to increase their revenues while there are people on USM's payroll that has huge salaries and benefits.

SIMPSON BAY:--- Following recent incidents of thrill-seekers being injured while hanging on to the fence at the west end of Princess Juliana International Airport in St. Maarten, the airport authorities and government officials are increasing security measures.
We have noted with much regret recent media reports and YouTube postings about an incident over the Easter holidays in which two young persons were said to have been blown from the fence at the west end of the Princess Juliana International Airport runway, as a jet aircraft was taking off.
Fortunately the injuries suffered particularly by one young woman involved were reportedly not debilitating.
The airport is currently considering heightened security in that area, in consultation with the St. Maarten government to allow for a stricter implementation and reinforcement of the warnings to the general public posted along the fence.
We will continue to take all necessary measures and precautions to ensure the safety of all users of the airport, including persons visiting St. Maarten, and we urge everyone to adhere to all public safety warnings.
Princess Juliana International Airport has always done everything within its power to enhance the personal safety of all visitors to the destination, and in particular, users and visitors to our airport.
However, incidents such as this unfortunate one emphasize the need for everyone, including all our visitors to heed the clear warnings – about the dangers of jet blast – posted along the airport fence.
We acknowledge the obvious attraction by visitors of planes landing so close to the beach, which has added to making the destination quite popular; nevertheless, no amount of excitement or thrill can justify putting one's life in danger.
Measures currently in place include double fencing, warning signs; and brightly-painted guardrails—all of which have been implemented in consultation with the government to deter dangerous activity.

Philipsburg:--- A businessman identified as Busarov Emolphia, the owner of El Mopia was arrested Friday morning at the Court of First Instance when the man showed up for one of his bankruptcy hearings. In an invited comment, Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos said that the businessman has been refusing to cooperate with the trustees from HBN Law. Mos said the businessman filed for bankruptcy and in order for the court to handle his bankruptcy requests he needs to open his books and be transparent with the trustee in the interest of his creditors and himself.
Maarten Le Poole from HBN Law told SMN News that he was forced to ask the Judge to detain the man because he is not cooperating. Le Poole said the judge granted his request and a warrant was issued. Le Poole further explained that the bankruptcy law gives the court the power to detain someone who filed a bankruptcy and refuses to cooperate with the trustee. The attorney at law further explained that he will visit Busarov in prison where he will explain him his rights and also inform him that if he wants his freedom then he must cooperate with the trustee assigned to handle the bankruptcy.

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With summer's busy travel season fast approaching, the U.S. Consulate General in Curacao and U.S. Customs and Border Protection would like to remind eligible travelers of the ESTA requirement. All Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers are required to obtain a travel authorization via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to traveling to the U.S. under the VWP. ESTA is accessible online at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov for citizens of VWP countries, including Aruba, Curacao, and St. Maarten.
The VWP allows visitors from participating countries to travel to the U.S. for business or pleasure for 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. There is a $14 fee to obtain the travel authorization. Travel authorizations are generally valid for two (2) years OR until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
Be sure to check the expiration date of your ESTA travel authorization before finalizing your travel plans. We recommend that ESTA applications be submitted no less than 72 hours prior to travel. For additional information also available in English, Dutch, and Spanish, please visit http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/.
Travelers should print out the ESTA application response in order to maintain a record of their ESTA application number. The U.S. Consulate General in Curacao also strongly recommends that travelers carry a copy of the approved ESTA with them when traveling to the U.S.

...

Philipsburg:--- The General Audit Chamber will be conducting an audit of Parliament expenses. The committee that will be working as a liaison between the General Audit Chamber and Parliament was officially established and the its chair and vice chair was installed on Tuesday.
Recently, the chairlady of Parliament Gracita Arrindell was exposed in a Central Committee meeting for abusing public funds. During that meeting last week Friday, Members of Parliament from the National Alliance said that Arrindell was using her overseas contacts especially in the United States to arrange trips for her most of which are paid by public funds since she is the chairlady of parliament. Gracita Arrindell was trying to get parliament to approve the expenditures of a trip she endured to attend a celebration of Women's History Month at the residence of US Vice President Joe Biden.
Furthermore, the audit that will be conducted by the General Audit Chambers will clarify exactly how much monies the Chairlady of Parliament Gracita Arrindell spent on her traveling spree in 2011. Sources told SMN News that Arrindell surpassed $100,000.00 and several of her trips cannot be substantiated especially those she took to Miami. Members of Parliament from the National Alliance faction stated last week that Arrindell was trying to tamper with the information the Ministry of Finance provided to her for Parliament.
SMN News managed to obtain the invitation that Arrindell provided to Parliament to lure the Members of Parliament into approving the expenses of her so called business trip. The invitation Arrindell submitted to Parliament was an invitation that was originally sent to T.H. John Conyers JR and Mrs. Monica Conyers and later forwarded to the Chairlady of Parliament.
The forwarded email to Gracita states "Ms. Gracita, Below is the invite with all of the details. Please forward me your information ASAP so I can then forward it to the Vice President's office."
While the original email below the forward states,"Dear Representative and Mrs. Conyers, We hope that you will be able to join us on Monday March 26th. Kindly respond to the Social Secretary. Upon receipt and provide full name, date of birth, and social security number for the invitee. Due to limited space, we regret that we are unable to extend this invitation with a guest. Please note that this invitation is non-transferable and for the invitee only. Thank You".

Click here to view the email invitation for the Washington DC trip that Chairlady of Parliament Gracita Arrindell submitted to Parliament.

Click here to view the letter from the General Audit Chamber informing Parliament about the planned audit.

Philipsburg:--- Minister of Education, Sports, Culture, and Youth Affairs Dr. Rhoda Arrindell left the island on Wednesday afternoon to attend the students forum that is being organized by the Soualiga Foundation in the Netherlands with the theme "Study Successfully, Return Successfully."
Minister Arrindell told reporters at Wednesday's press briefing that the objective of the forum is to document the issues affecting St. Maarten students studying in the Netherlands, particularly their success rates at school and their decision to return or not to return to the island after completing their studies.
Minister Arrindell further explained that she will be presenting government policies for students who chose to return to St. Maarten after completion of their studies. She said she will also participate in the interactive session after her presentation and she is hopeful that they would find useful solutions the issues facing St. Maarten students in the Netherlands.

Philipsburg:--- The Windward Islands Teachers Union (WITU) and its representatives are concerned about Minister of Education Dr. Rhoda Arrindell's approach to absenteeism within the school system. President of the WITU Claire Elshot told reporters on Wednesday that she attended a meeting on April 16, 2012 with the Minister of Education and the Minister of Labour and she was surprised to hear how Minister Rhoda Arrindell wants to get rid of teachers that are working in public schools but are currently on sick leave. Elshot said she saw some of the teachers' files that were placed in front of the Minister of Education and she realized that the teachers' rights to privacy were violated.
However, she noticed that it was 13 files, with cases she is personally aware of. "Some of the teachers that are on sick leave are not at fault because they were misdiagnosed and received wrong treatment. "I know of these cases where people who never had one day sick leave has been placed in the position they are in now. Besides that of the 13 files, I saw that only two of those persons were called in for re-evaluation." Elshot said she is of the opinion that the Minister has been misinformed regarding the teachers she has as ghost employees or absenteeism. Furthermore, Minister Dr. Rhoda Arrindell is of the opinion that the teachers that are on sick leave is the reason for the poor performance in the schools.

Elshot said that the WITU and the other unions are also very concerned about government's silence on the Cost of Living adjustment for active workers. Elshot said the payments were supposed to be made in January 2012 but they were told that after the 2012 budget is approved the payments would be made. She said since the passing of the budget, the union has not heard anything and they intend to dispatch a letter to the Minister of Finance and the Minister of General Affairs to see when the payments will be made. Elshot said if the payments are not made by June 2012 then government would have to recalculate the indexation.

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- Motorists are hereby informed one lane of the L.B. Scott Road will be closed to motorized traffic as of Monday, 23 April, 2012 until Thursday, 27 April.

Contractor Windward Roads will carry out resurfacing of the aforementioned road during that time frame.

Motorists are advised to observe traffic signs with respect to a detour. Additional information will be published explaining the traffic detours.

The contractor apologizes for any inconvenience that this temporary one-lane road closure may cause.

The Windward Islands Bank Ltd., presented their annual sponsorship towards the St. Maarten Carnival Foundation at WIB's new Head Office building on April 20, 2012. Management of WIB along with their Marketing manager got into the Carnival spirit by wearing their Block Party T-shirts and holding one of this years block party give–aways (waterbags). WIB is currently promoting convenient services for Carnival 2012 with an ATM in Festival village, Easy Charge (recharge your cell phones via SMS) and with our smart-card usage for safe and secure purchases. WIB's Managing Director Mr. Jan Beaujon praised the SCDF along with the police for continuing their hard work with Carnival and making it as safe as possible. Lets Delve into Carnival with your partners in progress WIB.

Great Bay:--- Dr. Renk Roborgh, Director-General, Higher Education, Science and Emancipation, received a "surprise" parting gift from Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs, Dr. Rhoda Arrindell yesterday, after the two had met for a breakfast meeting. Dr. Roborgh is on a farewell tour of Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Martin. He goes on retirement on July 4, 2012.
Making the presentation at a brief ceremony at the University of St. Martin, Dr. Arrindell explained that the gift was a painting of a flamboyant by renowned local artist Max Phelipa.
"The Flamboyant is the Emancipation tree, popularly called here the July tree," Minister Arrindell said. "I thought it fitting to offer you this painting as a token of our appreciation. Since on July 4 you will have your own 'emancipation' and we will be celebrating Emancipation Day on July 1, I hope you will remember St. Martin each time you look at it."
In a brief but emotional response, Dr. Roborgh said he was "touched" by the gesture. After opening it, he said he really liked the painting and promised it would find a place of honor on his wall. He also said he would have some "bush tea" ready for Dr. Arrindell whenever she comes to The Netherlands.
The two education authorities had struck up a 'warm' working relationship. Dr. Roborgh has been working on a number of cooperation initiatives in education and science with the new entities within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, including an MOU which is still being fleshed out with all the partners in the Kingdom.

Philipsburg:--- The investigation into the death of two people who died last Sunday morning, April 22, 2012, on the A.Th. Illidge Road has been completed, said Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos in a press release on Tuesday. Mos said based on intensive investigation of the crime scene by the Forensics Department and detectives, Police and the Prosecutor’s Office have come to the conclusion that a murder and a subsequent suicide have taken place that morning.

Early Sunday morning a Police patrol was directed to A. Th. Illidge Road at 72b for possible problems with one of the tenants. During their investigation Police officers were unable to enter the house.  During their onsite investigation Police officers were confronted with the later male victim by the name of Cleon A. Bourne (55) from Guyana, who already was severely injured and  jumped from the upstairs bedroom window further seriously injuring himself. He was treated on the scene by paramedics and then transported to the Sint Maarten Medical Center for further treatment. As the investigation continued and after entering the house, the body of the second victim, a female by the name Cheryl V. Withbrite (52) also from Guyana ,was found in the bedroom. As the coroner’s investigation has shown now, she had she died of multiple stab wounds. At approximately 09.00 a.m. that same morning the male victim died in the hospital of the wounds he sustained.

As the investigation shows, both victims were involved in a relationship for quite some time and living together at that address. For some unknown reason the relationship had gone bad. Witnesses heard an early morning rumor in the house and crying.

The conclusion of the investigation is that Bourne first took the life of Withbrite and thereafter took his own life. The thorough investigation in this case, both forensic and by talking to witnesses,  has not shown any indication for other scenarios or the involvement of third parties.

Press Release from Public Prosecutor's Office

The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot- Williams made it abundantly clear in an initial reaction to a letter received from the Prime Minister of Curacao on April 19th indicating his Government's wish to annul the St. Maarten Harbor Bond Issue, that her government or persons representing the Government and the people of St. Maarten shall not buckle under any type of intimidation.
In the letter to Prime Minister Wescot-Williams, her colleague the Prime Minister of Curacao Mr. Schotte, indicated his government's intention to annul or seek annulment of the St. Maarten Harbor bond issue and added that he will "tolerate no resistance to his government's plans to do so". The letter also went on to contain a hardly veiled threat of criminal prosecution in the matter.
On Sunday, Prime Minister Wescot-Williams stated that she has already made it very clear that none of the two countries could "unilaterally interfere in Central Bank matters without taking the Bank's Charter into consideration". The Prime Minister went on to say that the Government of Curacao has never countered the arguments of the Central Bank regarding its role in the issuance of the bond for the Harbor of St. Maarten; principal in the bank's considerations for guaranteeing the bond issue is St. Maarten's economy and the need for economic activities benefiting St. Maarten to continue to develop.
In her statement on Sunday, the Prime Minister also made it clear that this is not the way two governments should deal with each other and she was also very adamant that the Government of St. Maarten could no longer sit back and accept the damage that the debacle surrounding the Central Bank is causing the image of. St. Maarten.
What she lamented most however, was the intimidation levied against the St. Maarten nominees on the board of the Central Bank; "It should be noted that both the Governments of Curacao and that of St. Maarten have appointed these members", commented the Prime Minister. "Acts of protest are part of any democracy, however when representatives of the people not only take part, but use intimidation tactics to drive their message home, and incite citizens against one another, it is a sad day for the same democratic principles," continued the Prime Minister in reaction to the protest on Curacao on Saturday morning in front of the building of the Central Bank of Curaçao and St. Maarten.
The government of St. Maarten has already sought legal counsel on the letter received from Prime Minister Schotte and will be handling this matter in the early part of this week.

Philipsburg:--- The General Inspectorate of St. Maarten Mr. Earl Best presented the report on the investigation conducted between August 2011 to February 2012 at the offices of General Practitioners on St. Maarten. Best told reporters that the investigation focused on the quality of care that is provided on the island.
Best said twenty general practitioners on St. Maarten were investigated by means of a questionnaire while they visited the offices of the General Practitioners to see exactly how they provide services to the community. Best said only one General Practitioner on the island did not participate in the investigation. A general finding shows that most of the practitioners provide their services professionally while they show extreme care for their patients. He further explained that the establishments were in proper hygienic conditions but some of them are not too accessible to disabled patients. General practitioners have to pay keen attention to how they care and use their medical devices as maintenance of these equipments is very poor.
The inspector general said that even though these practitioners are under two associations, communication regarding patients was very poor between general practitioners, specialists, and pharmacies. Best said he believes that the patient's files are very poorly kept except for those keeping their records digitally.
Another hindrance is the lack of services provided to patients after office hours. Best said that the general practitioners are not available after office hours and patients have to seek emergency care at the St. Maarten Medical Center. However, this practice will have to change.
Minister of Health Cornelius de Weever said that the report establishes a baseline for government. This report he said tells government where they are at and will help take them to where they want to go.

The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams recently held a Tea Party for Administrative Assistants within Government to commemorate International Day of Administrative Assistant Professionals. The international theme this year was "Admin; the Pulse of the Office" and approximately twenty administrative assistants within government were present at the function held on the 24th of April at the Sonesta Great Bay Hotel and Casino.
At the event there was a make-up session with two make-overs done by Giovonella de Weever from Blush located on the Boardwalk and entertainment was provided by Addy Richardson. There were also various prizes to be had at the event including spa treatments courtesy of Indulgence by the Sea, dinner for two at Sheer Restaurant, dinner for two at Cabana Beach Restaurant, a stay for two at Sonesta Maho Resort & Casino and one round-trip ticket to any Destination provided by Winair which was won by Cassandra Janssen for having the best hat at the tea party. Other contributing Sponsors were the Telem Group of Companies and the Sint Maarten Harbor group of Companies.
Administrative Professionals' Day (also known as Secretaries Day or Admin Day) is an unofficial secular holiday observed in several countries to recognize the work of secretaries, administrative assistants, receptionists, and other administrative support professionals.

Philipsburg:--- The 2012 Carnival celebrations recorded its first murder early Friday morning.
Chief Prosecutor Hans Mos confirmed that a shooting took place on Soualiga Road around 1am on Friday morning and the victim died on the spot.
Eyewitnesses identified the victim as Owen Meyers (20) from Down Street. They said the victim seems to have had a 'beef' with someone because only recently he was released from prison.
Police Spokesman Ricardo Henson said in an invited comment that the shooting took place opposite the Festival Village. Henson said a group of boys were in the vicinity of the Little League Ball Park when police were informed of the fatal shooting. Henson said the victim was pronounced dead on the spot by the police doctor.
The police spokesman further explained the young man was shot by one of the persons that he was among but police has no details as to why Meyers was shot and by whom he was shot. "Police have some sketchy information as to who the suspect might be, but no one has been arrested as yet. The investigation is its preliminary stages and as soon as more information is available I will report it to media," Henson concluded.

POLICE REPORT

Man shot to death in front of the Festival Village.

A shooting incident took place opposite the Festival Village on Friday April 27th at approximately 12:35am during the International Reggae Show. This information came in at the police station located in the Festival Village shortly after the incident took place. Several officers were sent the scene to investigate the matter and where indeed the body of the young man who later was identified as Owen Meyers (20 years old) was located. The victim did not show any signs of life and was later pronounced dead by a medical doctor from the wound he had suffered. The body of the victim was confiscated for further investigation. The area was immediately secured and declared a "crime scene". The Forensic Department and Detective Department immediately started with the investigation collecting evidence to try and piece together exactly what happened, who the shooter is and why this incident took place. The police department is asking anyone who may have any information that could shed some light on this case to please get in contact with the Detective department.

NEW YORK, NY:--- St. Maarten will be extensively promoted and featured on the internationally syndicated "The Dr. Oz Show" on television airing on Tuesday, May 1 to highlight a segment promoting relaxation as a health benefit. This international promotional exposure is a result of a negotiated placement by KTCpr, the public relations agency for North America for the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau.

The Dr. OZ Show will be promoting St. Maarten six times throughout the one-hour television show culminating with a video and photos of a prize giveaway at the end of the show in which five couples will win 5-night vacation stays at the Divi Little Bay Resort on St. Maarten. St. Maarten Tourist Board will be providing air tickets for the five pairs of winners.

The promotion doesn't end with the airing of the show. Potential winners must first go to the Dr. Oz website at www.DoctorOz.com to sign up. Winners will be drawn at random following a two-week online promotional period in which St. Maarten and Divi Little Bay Resort will be featured on the Dr. Oz website.

"This is just one recent example of the aggressive efforts and results that our representative public relations and advertising agencies are accomplishing on behalf of St. Maarten and our tourism industry," said May-Ling Chun, Acting Director of Tourism for St. Maarten.

The internationally famous Dr. Oz was originally featured on the Oprah Winfrey show and spun off into his own daytime show which air on networks every Monday through Friday. To find a local station that airs the show go to www.doctoroz.com/find-station.

"We appreciate the support that the St. Maarten Hotel & Trade Association (SHTA) and the St. Maarten Timeshare Association (SMTA) have provided and the many hotels that are working with us on the extensive promotions that we have been developing to promote the destination," said Richard Kahn, president of KTCpr.

"We had a half dozen hotels offering prizes for this Dr. Oz promotion, but could only use one because of the limitations that the show set for the on air exposure," Kahn added.

For more information contact Tricia Rapp at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Tara Myers at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 516-594-4100.

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- Prime Minister Hon. Sarah Wescot Williams on Saturday afternoon attended the Cake Crafting Friends of St. Maarten Foundation annual cake decorators show that was held under the theme, "Kaleidoscope of Colors."

The Prime Minister was very impressed by the interests shown by many young people who took part along with the veterans.

Philipsburg:--- The United Federation Union has dispatched a letter to Deputy Prime Minister Theodore Heyliger, the Governor of St. Maarten drs. Eugene Holiday, and Parliament requesting information on several labour related issues. The UFA in its communication is seeking to have a meeting with the Deputy Prime Minister to discuss the labour related issues that has their concerns.
The UFA states in its letter of March 27, 2012 that they have urgent points to be discussed regarding the cost of living on St. Maarten, service charge, and the minimum wage. Other points include the short term contracts and speedy mediation from the Department of Labour Affairs.

Click here to view the letter that was dispatched by the UFA to Deputy Prime Minister Theo Heyliger.

PHILIPSBURG:--- At the request of Sint Maarten's Minister of Finance Hon. Hiro Shigemoto, a meeting will be convened on April 16 to discuss acusations made and current developments surrounding the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS).

During a recent meeting in Curacao with Curacao's Minister of Finance George Jamaloodin, Minister Shigemoto laid down on the table Sint Maarten's concerns with respect to the current status quo with the CBCS and that it wasn't in the interests of both countries for things to remain where they are currently at.

Minister Shigemoto said he informed all present which also included the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, a CBCS board member, and reps from Notary Hu-A-Ng, that CBCS management should get the opportunity to defend themselves; and secondly, that any investigation into the bank's management based on allegations made by the Curacao Government must be done by a jointly selected independent international organization

The Sint Maarten Minister of Finance also insisted that before any investigation is decided upon, that also the Board of Directors and Supervisory Board be heard by both Ministers of Finance in order to obtain answers to outstanding questions which both Finance Ministers may have.

The meeting is to take place at a neutral location in Curacao. In order to avoid any bias, questions will be sent by each Minister to the Notary and each Minister will mandate the Notary to forward on the questions to the boards simultaneously and the boards are to send back their answers to the Notary. This must be done two working days before the April 16 meeting.

"I have made it very clear that due diligence, transparency and good governance must be at the base of any independent investigation. I reiterated several times that this investigation is for all of management within the corporate structure of the CBCS.

"I also informed all present that decisions or actions taken by the Curacao Government or Aqualectra itself which affect Aqualectra negatively as it relates to the ability of Aqualectra to re-pay its Naf. 300 million loan has consequences for both countries and the CBCS.

"I also stressed that the budget 2012 needs to be passed so the bank can function properly to which the chairman of the board replied that the 2011 budget still hasn't been approved. I brought up hiring of staff for the branch on Sint Maarten and when will the budget be approved so we can start. These are important matters that need to be addressed right away," Minister of Finance Hon. Hiro Shigemoto pointed out.

Minister Shigemoto was supported by members of his Cabinet Policy Advisor Dwayne President and Legal rep Judith Brewster.

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- More than 18-months ago the Sint Maarten Archaeological Center (SIMARC) under the direction of its Director, Dr. Jay Haviser, embarked on a mission to initiate a tree exchange between Sint Maarten and the Netherlands.

With this tree exchange SIMARC intended to symbolize a future of growth and prosperity between Sint Maarten and The Netherlands. For the occasion Sint Maarten's Guavaberry Emporium issued a special 'Sint Maarten-Netherlands Tree Day Exchange 2012' commemorative Guavaberry bottle.

This commemorative bottle was presented to the Chairman of the National Tree Festival Foundation, Onno Hoes, as well as to the Director of the Hortus Botanicus, the present home of our Guavaberry Tree, Taeke Kuipers.

Last week in the presence of Perry Geerlings, the cultural attaché to the Cabinet of the Minister Plenipotentiary, the Guavaberry Tree was finally entrusted to the soil of the Tropical Greenhouse at the Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam.

With this brief ceremony, the SIMARC Tree exchange program came to a close. An initiative that is to be commended and for which Minister Plenipotentiary, the Hon. Mathias Voges, is very thankful for, on behalf of the Government and the people of Sint Maarten.

This tree exchange program allowed Sint Maarten to profile itself in a different dimension and to a different segment of Dutch society, and we are thankful and appreciative for the initiative and the hard work Dr. Jay Haviser, SIMARC and the Guavaberry Emporium have put into this program, Perry Geerlings said.

Perry Geerlings further mentioned that the Hortus Botanicus is very pleased with their latest addition to the more than 4.000 plants from all parts of the world they have growing in their greenhouses. The Hortus was very charmed by the symbolism of the Tree exchange program of SIMARC.

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- The Inspection Department TEZVT - Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV), has put a policy in place to decline any request to allow the import and sale of Python snakes.

Pythons are bulky, relatively slow-moving, non-venomous snakes belonging to the group of snakes known as the boids (pronounced 'bo-ids').

These snakes are constrictors, meaning they kill prey, mainly birds and mammals, by coiling around it and squeezing until it suffocates. Pythons are mostly nocturnal, travelling along the ground and through trees, but are frequently found basking in the sun during the day.

These snakes range in size from about one metre to giant specimens up to eight metres. Pythons feature a variety of colours and patterns.

According to TEZVT-LVV, Python snakes have proven to be an invasive species in territories that are not their natural habitat, and the country does not possess the necessary resources to deal with these animals should they become a problem.

The TEZVT-LVV department is located at Zoutsteeg #3 in Philipsburg Those requiring additional information can contact the department at 542-2986 or 543-7820.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Permanent Committee of Parliament on Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, will meet on April 10.

The permanent committee will be meeting with representatives of the University of St. Martin (USM).

The meeting will take place on Tuesday morning at 10:00am in the General Assembly Chamber of the House of Parliament on Wilhelmina Straat #2.1 in Philipsburg.

The committee is headed by Member of Parliament (MP) Hon. Sylvia Meyers-Olivacce, Chairman, MP Hon. Petrus Leroy de Weever, Vice Chair, and MP Hon. Louie Laveist.

The committee meeting will be carried live on St. Maarten Cable TV Channel 20 and via Pearl Radio FM 98.1. The audio will be carried via the Internet www.pearlfmradio.com.

SIMPSON BAY:--- Princess Juliana International Airport (PJIA) is the "Blue Flag Business" for April.
During the beginning of the month, PJIA placed a number of garbage bins at the popular Mullet Bay Beach and is encouraging everyone to keep the environment, especially the beaches, litter-free.
"Princess Juliana International Airport is encouraging the general public on St. Maarten/St. Martin to keep the island clean during the holidays" and throughout the year, said Kalifa Hickinson, Acting Manager in the Marketing and Communications Department at PJIA.
This call came just before the Easter weekend when many people would gather on the beaches for fun, relaxation, family picnicking, and traditional sea baths. This is probably the period when the most people make use of the beach in the year.
"We are urging everyone to put their trash articles in the bins at the various beaches during the Easter season" and throughout the year, said Hickinson.
"PJIA has taken the liberty to place garbage bins on the Mullet Bay Beach to assist the organizers and environmentalists, Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) and the St. Maarten Tourist Bureau with the initiative," said Hickinson.
The Blue Flag program is a prestigious international eco-label for beaches, marinas, and tourism destinations.
Through the Blue Flag program St. Maarten is part of some 40 Blue Flag destinations around the world.
The eco-label is recognized as a symbol of quality by governments, NGOs, and the travel industry. The Blue Flag label is also used to promote the awarded beach, marina, hotel or destination.

Marigot:--- The President of the Collectivity of St. Martin Alain Richardson announced on Tuesday at a press conference that no one will distract his government from carrying out the mandate they were elected to carry out. President Richardson was referring to the recent scandal surrounding his Director of Cabinet Alex Richards. Richardson said that 57% of the voters elected his team and despite having a very hard first week in office the RRR government will stay focused.
The President described his first week on the job as being very intense and one in which he had no rest. President Richardson said in times of storm the captain would keep his calm while he would also remain fully in control. President Richardson further explained that the mandate given to his team is far more urgent and important than any regrettable and unfortunate incident, error, or mistake. He said in light of the regrettable situation this past week he has decided to cut the functions of his Director of Cabinet Alex Richards. The President said his team is too conscious of the expectations of the people from his team especially the youths, also the great level of hope the RRR victory has triggered.
The RRR team is too conscious, engaged, and geared at the mission for change. President Richardson said the RRR team has embarked on restoring confidence and that crucial values are needed at the end of the day that will make sure that St. Martin wins. "We are too much in gear in making sure that things go right to leave anything or anyone deters us from the task given to us by the people. I wish to also restate my commitment to work in all transparency and my unwavering will not to leave any situation disturb my determination to implement the program on which the majority and my government was elected by 57% of the voters, whether pleasing or displeasing to some."
Responding to questions on Alex Richards who was seen at the Collectivity on Tuesday, the President said that Alex Richards is a civil servant but refused to say where he would continue his duties. "Alex Richards is an agent of the Collectivity and he will remain an agent of the Collectivity."
When he was asked why he did not write his political address, the President said that he does not have the technical abilities to write such a speech which had to be based on the RRR program they campaigned on. "The general political declaration has to give the settings of the plan for the entire mandate of five years. Such speeches need technical expertise I do not have those expertise. It was not the intention to have a speech for the sake of a speech, it had to be profound and meet the platform on which we were elected and no one in their rightful mind would say the content of the speech was different from the RRR platform." The President said that a decision has been taken and that decision carries the day. The President also said he worked on the speech to make sure certain aspects were brought to light. "Furthermore, I leave it up to those that had much more time to examine. I never saw some people of the press so diligent, but maybe that's their role."
He further explained that no one can say that the speech he delivered on Sunday April 1, 2012 was not in line with the RRR program. When asked why the RRR chose to hire Alex Richards while they knew he was fired from the Tourist Office in 2006 for plagiarizing the Nievre tourist plan and presenting it as St. Martin's Tourist plan. The President said St. Martin's society lives by a court of law and whatever the courts decide they decide.
It should be noted that while Alex Richards was fired from the Office du Tourisme he never contested his case in the courts of justice as a prud hommes against his dismissal from Office du Tourisme.

Dutch Quarter:--- Members of Parliament Leroy de Weever, Patrick Illidge, and Roy Marlin skipped Thursday's Central Committee meeting to assist some heavy equipment owners who willingly responded to their call to fix the roads in Union Farm. Member of Parliament Leroy De Weever was blamed during the last election for the deplorable conditions of Union Farm roads especially surrounding the 911 Emergency Homes.
The three Members of Parliament sought assistance from Bopsi of Unique Waters, Jo Jo Construction, and Delta Petroleum to fix the roads. Heavy equipments and workers from the companies spent most of the day on Thursday grading the roads as they prepare them for pavement.
SMN News learnt that while Member of Parliament Leroy de Weever took the blame for hindering the infrastructural repairs, the landowner for the properties there is one identified as Rosita Fleming and the property is managed by Joe Peterson.

Philipsburg:--- President of the Workers Institute for Organized Labour Theophillus Thompson has extended an open invitation to the owners of Hard Rock International to sit around the table in the interest of workers on St. Maarten. Thompson said WIFOL has always been ready and willing to talk to SBRMC but they prefer the ongoing legal battle. Thompson said the union would like to speak with the new investors about their venture into St. Maarten and should they become the new owners, the union is ready and willing to work along with them in the interest of country St. Maarten and the improvement of the Pelican Resort. Thompson said the WIFOL is open and ready for talks for the sake of viability, job security, and sustainability of the workers. Thompson further explained that he also sent a letter to the government mediator Derrick Holiday requesting that he get SBRMC and the WIFOL around the table to further discuss the workers' rights.
WIFOL President Theophillus Thompson told reporters at Thursday's press briefing that he also dispatched a second letter to the Minister of Economic Affairs Franklin Meyers requesting a meeting to discuss government's policy when granting business licenses. Thompson said that he sent the first letter to Minister Meyers requesting a meeting when he heard that Simpson Bay Resort Management Company (Royal Resorts- Quantum Investments) was negotiating the sale of the real estate with Hard Rock International.
Thompson said that the Minister of Economic Affairs did not respond to his first letter but he dispatched a second letter when he read in the media that Hard Rock International met with the Council of Ministers on Tuesday to apprise them on the negotiations. Thompson said when the WIFOL heard that Hard Rock was negotiating with SBRMC he personally spoke to the Minister of Economic Affairs expressing the unions concerns. He said the union wants know what type of concessions government would be giving the investors.

Philipsburg:--- Sucker Garden got the first in a series of GIFTED Fun days. Many parents, children and friends turned out to the Melford Hazel Sports complex for the Easter treat, 'Fun Day Monday,' on April 9, hosted by the GIFTED Foundation in association with the Royal Kids Club. The event was one of family-oriented fun, with lots of games, competitions, and prizes.
Starting at 11:00am, attendees got involved in basketball competitions, track and field sports, board games, and more while some little ones enjoyed the bounce abouts. Adults took up challenges from the children in lime-and spoon races, relays, and balloon-popping races. Others enjoyed video game matches and football, energized by the dollar menu of drinks, chicken and Johnny cakes from the canteen.
The $3 entry fee gave wonderful prizes of gift baskets and other sponsored items. According to one patron, "The best part of the day was the $1 grab-bag! Man, I was just going back and back again in that line to win some nice thing." Little Cristian, 11, said, "My father says to keep going back in the grab-bag line until we win something big!" And that he did, winning a Fendi watch for his mother worth over $200.
President of GIFTED Foundation, Lenworth Wilson, Jr. said, "Royal Kids Club and GIFTED wishes to thank all our sponsors, namely Diamonds International, Penha, Little Europe, KFC/Pizza Hut, Afoo Food Group, Victor's Wholesale, Precious Gems International, Honey Bunny Fashion, Rose Jewelers, Victor's Cosmetics, Original Collection, Style 108, Park Avenue, Windmill, Weekender, Paris, Classic Electronic, Shop 4 Less, Mamacita, Prime Distributors, Rihana's Fashion, Burger King, Pineapple Pete's, Gemsland, The Place, Double Decker, Island Back Office, Roof Top Bar & Grill, Medicosmetics, Cafe on the Bay, Front Street Café, Penny's, Cris & Kim Salon, and Photo Gumbs. We really could not have done this without them."
As was requested by many supporters, there will be more fun days in the near future. St. Maarten can expect more positive, enriching activities from GIFTED Foundation. This group of young people is dedicated to "Going In, Finding Truth, Enlightening Darkness."

Philipsburg:--- Attorneys Maarten Le Poole and Wim van Sambeek surprised the Court of Appeals on Friday when they challenged one of the judges sitting on the bench on Friday to hear the injunction filed by Simpson Bay Resort Management Company (SBRMC).
Attorney at Law Maarten Le Poole said earlier this week he asked the President of the Appeals Court to remove Judge Jurjen de Haan from the bench when the SBRMC case is handled because they want to be sure that the judge is not biased. Le Poole said he wanted the particular judge off the case because he was one of the three judges that made the decisions on November 4th and November 7th, 2011 and both decisions contained a number of legal errors. Le Poole said he formally requested that the judge recues himself from the case. Le Poole said the Appeals Court did not respond to his request and that left him no choice but to address the matter on Friday morning when the SBRMC injunction hearing was about to start. Attorney Maarten Le Poole further explained when he addressed the matter the President of the Appeals Court tried to brush aside his concerns which left him no choice but to challenge the judge. Le Poole said he does not like to challenge judges because it is a very embarrassing situation but if it is in the interest of the justice then he has to do it. "I asked the judge to excuse himself last week because he was one of the judges that ruled on November 4th and November 7th last year and I think it is not right for him to be sitting on the bench for this hearing and there was no response. On Friday morning when I mentioned it, the President of the court made a remark and said we are not here to discuss these types of things. Therefore, I had no other option but to challenge the judge. In the interest of impartiality I had no choice but to challenge the judge," Le Poole told reporters.
Shortly after the challenge was submitted, the court adjourned and a new panel of judges was installed for the "challenge hearing." Attorneys Wim van Sambeek and Maarten Le Poole made their arguments to the court on the challenge and the court is expected to pronounce its decision on Wednesday April 19th, 2012. The court will also decide on what date when the injunction filed SBRMC will be heard.

Great Bay:--- On Wednesday, April 11, 2012 the Department of Labor Affairs, Section Labor Market-Job Placement held a workshop on "Find, Get & Keep the Job: The Key to your future" for the first batch of participants of the Social Economic Initiative (SEI) Project: Employability through Training."
The afternoon started with the opening by Shandah Phillips of Labor Affairs. Nyakomi Richardson also of Labor Affairs made a presentation to the participants on finding, keeping and getting the job along with preparations for the labor market beyond the SEI project.
In addition to the presentation, the session was very interactive and engaging with Shandah Phillips and Dennissen Phlilips both of Labor Affairs doing role play on do's and don'ts of proper interview techniques.
"Embrace the project and products/services being offered to you as participants of this program, as the job coach will be working directly with you and your supervisor at your place of employment, this is an opportunity that you never had in previous jobs," said Peggy-Ann Dros-Richardson, Head of Labor Affairs.
The participants are very enthusiastic and are happy that they have been given this opportunity to enter the job with training. At the end of the session all of the participants were given their participant agreement contracts, which they all signed.
Raquel Dorsan, Job Coach stated to the participants that she is very happy that they are starting, and complemented them all for sticking through the preparations, and urged them to make use of the information that was offered to them, and to remember to dress professional at all times.
The official training starts on Monday, April 16, 2012 at the Belvedere Community Center for the "Employability through Training" participants.
Minister of Public Health Social Development & Training, Cornelius De Weever stated that "we must invest in our SEI participants to ensure that they are given a fair chance to enter the labor market, and they must take full advantage of these workshops."
The goal of the project "Employability through Training" is to assist unskilled unemployed individuals to acquire basic job skills and knowledge to help bridge the gap between them and suitable employment within the local labor market by offering specialized training and mediation for a period of two and a half years. This will allow the participants to not only get familiar with the supply and demand, but will also develop their social, communicative and professional work related skills which will motivate them to actively participate in the local labor market.

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Starting this Thursday April 19th at 9:30PM on Channel 15 well known Radio personality Electra will be the host of a special two part series of The Law in Focus with the host of The Law in Focus Dr. Nilda Arduin in the guest seat. The general public is invited to tune in as Electra will take the viewers 'behind the scenes'.
"The Law in Focus" is an informative and educational program for the entire family, aired every Thursday night from 9:30 – 10:00pm on Sint Maarten T.V., Channel 15, with rebroadcasts on the Wednesdays following from 6:00 - 6:30 pm, on Mondays on Cable TV Saba and Tuesdays on Cable TV Statia from 7:00 – 7:30pm. The program is aired on Statia radio on Tuesdays at 12:30 noon with a repeat on Sundays at 6:00pm. The public is encouraged to send questions on legal issues to email: lawinfocus@ burofocus.com.

Philipsburg:--- Responding to questions posed by SMN News regarding the dismissal of teachers at the University of St. Martin (USM). Minister of Education Dr. Rhoda Arrindell said that government is monitoring the situation closely. Arrindell further explained that she met with the USM on several occasions to discuss the quality of education the institution is providing to students on St. Maarten. One of the programs that has the Minister's attention and was widely discussed is the Teacher Education Program (TEP). Minister Arrindell said that USM made a presentation to government however, the current discussion will continue for a longer period. As for the dismissal of the teachers, Minister Arrindell said no one feels good when people are losing jobs but she believes that should remain on the accountability of USM.
"Government is more interested in the quality of education that is provided to students and we will hold them to higher standards like anyone else. It is services that are paid for. Therefore, we will be keeping a close eye on USM." Minister Arrindell said she is in the process of writing a position paper for USM, mainly on how she and government views education at the institution. The matter regarding the position paper she said was discussed with the Council of Ministers and an agreement was reached where they will put their thoughts on how they view a university on paper.

Philipsburg:--- A fight of over a canteen debt at the Pointe Blanche Prison on Thursday afternoon has left a prisoner with a minor stab wound confirmed Prison Director Rudsel Ricardo.
SMN News learnt that two prisoners identified as Garvin and Jacobus were involved in a fight over a canteen debt which led to the stabbing. Ricardo said the victim was taken to the doctor where he received treatment for the injury and was taken back to the Pointe Blanche Prison.
An investigation into the late afternoon stabbing at the House of Detention is now underway.
Several legal minds on St. Maarten have said that the overcrowding and inhumane conditions at the prison are the cause of the constant fights at the prison. Just last week a number of inmates damaged the prison cells at the Simpson Bay outpost.

Philipsburg:--- A Guyanese couple is now dead after a heated argument. Preliminary information reaching SMN News states that the couple had a heated argument Saturday night and it escalated to a murder/suicide on Sunday morning. SMN News learnt that the female victim is an employee of Burger King and she has been identified by neighbors as Cheryl Withrite (52). Police Spokesman Richard Henson said police found the woman dead inside her apartment above Tire Max which is across from Flourish Supermarket, while the man was found seriously injured at the back of his apartment. Henson said the man jumped through the window and he was found with a large open wound on his stomach while his throat was slashed. Henson further explained that when police found the man he was still alive and was transported to the St. Maarten Medical Center where he died shortly after.
Residents on AT Illidge Road identified the killer and now dead man as Cleon Anthony Bourne (54) known as "Tall Boy" also of Guyana and former employee of Divi Little Bay. Cleon Bourne is originally from La Grange West Bank Demerara, Guyana South America. Bourne is the father of one child who is living in Guyana and was expected to travel to Guyana on Wednesday because he was un-employed.
SMN News learnt that Cheryl Withrite is the mother of one child who also resides in Guyana.

The Hague/Great Bay:--- Minister of Education, Culture, Sports and Youth Affairs, Dr. Rhoda Arrindell could not be on island for the opening of Carnival, however, she still performed carnival-related duties during her brief visit to The Netherlands last week to participate in the students' forum, "Study Successfully, Return Successfully" organized by the Soualiga Foundation. As part of the forum, a Carnival Queen was chosen to represent the Windward Islands at the Rotterdam summer Carnival in July, and the Minister crowned law student, Ms. Aishira Cicilia to do the honors.
Ms. Cicilia, a former Teen Carnival Queen here, was born and bred on the island. She comes from a well-known carnival lineage, with her mother, Felicia Priest, having been the flag lady for carnival for at least a generation. Ms. Cicilia has a collection of carnival crowns to her credit, which she captured over a decade of participation in the local pageants. They include the Miss Antillean Queen in 2003, and the Senior Carnival Queen in 2004. She will be representing the Small Islands Unity, a group of students from the former Dutch Windward Islands who have come together to profile our culture in the Netherlands.
"I was particularly pleased to have been asked to crown Queen Aishira, who I'm sure will not only do the Windward Islands proud, but especially her island, St. Martin," Minister Arrindell remarked. "Needless to say, she belongs to carnival royalty, both in experience and family background and we all wish her well in the Rotterdam pageant later in July."

Basse Terre:--- The former board members of the Office du Tourisme Maud Gibs, Noreen Brooks, and Josianne Fleming Artsen had their day in court on Monday April 23, 2012 as they sought to vindicate themselves against Attorney at Law Aude Richards. The three well known women were condemned in 2007 when Attorney at Law Aude Richards used their names to file a court case against the Office du Tourisme (OTS) without their knowledge.
The hearing which was scheduled to begin at 8:30am in the criminal courts in Basse Terre was delayed for two hours because a judge could not attend. Attorney at Law Aude Richards knew that his career is on the line and the outcome of Monday's hearing would determine if he could continue his career as a lawyer. Maitre Richards hired four lawyers, including two Battionier one of which is the chairman of the Bar Association of Guadeloupe. Representing Maitre Richards were Gerard Plumasseau (the chairman of the Bar Association), Gerard Derussy (Battioner) Ernest Daninthe, and Hubert Jabot.
The defense first sought to throw out the case by claiming that Basse Terre is not the jurisdiction for such procedures and secondly they claimed that the Office du Tourisme (OTS) of St. Martin is no longer existing since it was dissolved in 2007 when St. Martin became a collectivity. The lawyers representing Richards went as far as saying that the OTS representative Jeanne Vanterpool is non-existent.
OTS Attorney Stephen Montravers told the court that he is shocked at the defense's claims regarding OTS because Monday's hearing was the third of its kind where Hubert Jabot represented Aude Richards and this is the first time he denied the existence of OTS.
Montravers further explained the judge that the court already gave a ruling in the case when the judge of instruction indicted Maitre Richards and sent the case to the criminal courts.

The President of the court posed several questions to the suspect Aude Richards on Monday. The President asked Richards if he knew the three women. Maitre Richards said Noreen Brooks was his close friend and her father was his client and she eventually became his client, as for Maud Gibs he said he knew her since she was working at the Sous Prefecture of St. Martin while he did not know Josianne Artsen Fleming that well. The judge asked Richards if he was the lawyer for the commune and OTS and if he did not sense a conflict of interest. Richards told the court that Brooks and Gibs approached him at his office and asked him to represent them in a case against OTS but since he was the lawyer for OTS he advised them to hire Maitre Jean Marc Foy. Maitre Richards and his lawyers maintained on Monday that Maitre Richards did not have anything to do with the case instead they cast all the blame on Maitre Foy who is now deceased. The civil parties represented by Maitre Stephen Montravers and Maitre Rioual Rosier insisted that the only person that had personal interest in taking OTS to court was Maitre Richards because he wanted to vindicate his brother who was fired from the OTS for gross misconduct when he plagiarized the Neivre Tourist plan. Montravers presented the court with recent newspapers which showed that Alex Richards just recently committed plagiarism to show that Alex Richards has a pattern of copying other people's work. Montravers further lamented that Maitre Richards actions undermined the entire judicial system since he breached the trust of the court. Montravers urged the court to condemn Maitre Richards for his actions since not doing so would send the wrong message. Montravers even indicated that it is surprising that the chairman of the Bar Association would take a side on the Aude Richards case. He said he is wondering how the Bar Association (Conseil du Orde) would handle the matter if they are asked to take disciplinary measures against Aude Richards if he is convicted. He said it would appear as though lawyers from the Bar of Guadeloupe can do anything and get away with it and if court is lenient with Maitre Richards then he would be better off quitting his job as a lawyer. The statements made by Maitre Montravers caused the Prosecutor of St. Martin, St. Barths and Basse Terre, Christophe Auger to inform the court that no one is above the law. Prosecutor Auger said that he chose to apply the law in the proceeding because he is permitted to do so in defamation cases. The court proceedings became somewhat rowdy on at least three occasions when the lawyers from the defense attacked the civil party lawyers. The President of the court had to call the lawyers to order on several occasions when they were cross-talking. On more than one occasion, the suspect Aude Richards showed arrogance when the lawyers representing the civil parties cross examined him on his role in the case Maitre Foy presented to the courts for him. On at least two occasions, the President of the court reminded Richards that he was not the one to be posing questions instead he was supposed to be answering the questions posed to him by the lawyers representing the victims and OTS.
Maitre Rosier expressed disgust with the defense when they cast all the blame on Maitre Jean Marc Foy (deceased) she said the first victim of Maitre Richards was Maitre Foy because he just presented a case to the court which was prepared by Maitre Richards. Rosier took out several statements made by Maitre Foy when he was questioned by the judge of instruction. She said that Maitre Foy made clear in his declaration that he gave the summons to Maitre Richards so that he could transmit them to his clients (Brooks, Gibs, and Fleming Artsen).
The court's president also cross examined the three victims as to how they learnt of the court proceedings and conviction. They all told the court that they were shocked when they read about their conviction in one of the daily newspapers. They told the judge that they wrote letters to Maitre Richards and once met him in his office as they were looking for an explanation as to how their names were used. All three of the women told the court that they were approached by Maitre Richards to be witnesses for his brother Alex Richards who was fired from OTS. They said Maitre Richards asked for the process verbal of the board meeting held on December 18th 2006 and they gave it to him with the sole intention of assisting his brother who was supposed to file a case against OTS in the labour courts. The lawyers from the defense tried their best to humiliate Noreen Brooks by asking her several questions about the steps she took when she learnt about the case. It was clear that the defense's aim was to discredit Brooks on Monday but they failed when she maintained that she did not authorize anyone to use her name to file a case against the OTS because she was one of the administrators at the time.
The women told the court that their reputation, integrity, and image were totally destroyed by Maitre Richards since two of them were elected officials while Fleming-Artsen was the wife of the Mayor of St. Martin and the President of the University of St. Martin (USM).

The three well known women on St. Martin were scandalized in 2007 when they were convicted for taking the Tourist Office to court. However, the women, now victims of Maitre Aude Richards said they were used by Maitre Richards since they never authorized neither hired any lawyer to take the Tourist Office to court. Ever since their conviction Gibs, Brooks, and Fleming Artsen have been engaged in legal battles to clear their names and to find out who used their names to sue the Tourist Office. After a lengthy court investigation, Aude Richards was indicted for fraud while Gibs, Brooks and Fleming Artsen were declared victims.

Attorney at Law Aude Richards was indicted on November 18, 2011 to stand trial in the criminal courts for fraud against the Office du Tourisme (OTS) and the three board members when he tried to erase the files for his brother Alex Richards dismissal from the Tourist Office.

In February 2007, Maitre Aude Richards, the brother of the former ousted Director of the Office du Tourisme filed an injunction against the Tourist Office using the names of the four of the board members, namely Eric Paul, Noreen Brooks, Maud Gibs, and Josianne Fleming-Artsen. Richards used one of his colleagues, now deceased Maître Jean-Marc FOY to serve the summons to the Tourist Office and one of the board members namely Eric Paul. Richards wanted to appoint an administrator who would have a broad mission to check the accounts of the Tourist Office, for the last five years and to conduct and audit if necessary. Maitre Richards also wanted the adhoc administrator to cancel all decisions taken by the board on December18, 2006 (the day when the board decided to terminate Alex Richards for gross misconduct).
It should be noted that Alex Richards was dismissed from the Office du Tourisme when it was discovered that he plagiarized the Neivre tourist plan and presented it as St. Martin's tourist plan in December 2006. The three board members who were not in support of Alex's dismissal provided internal documents to the Maitre Richards who was the attorney for the commune of St. Martin and the Office du Tourisme hoping he would have used it to assist Alex to contest his dismissal. At no time did the former board members authorize Maitre Aude Richards or Maitre Foy to initiate court procedures against the Office du Tourisme of St. Martin. According to the three victims who were all present in court on Monday, they did not know that Maitre Foy and Richards initiated a court case against the Office du Tourisme and they only learnt of the procedures when they were served with the court's decision informing them that they were condemned. "When we got the decision of the courts we wrote several letters to Maitre Foy requesting information about the procedure, and to find out who hired him. We also asked Maitre Richards a number of times and he did not provide us with any information. We also met with Maitre Foy who eventually told us that he was hired by Maitre Aude Richards to plead the case. Maitre Foy told us that Maitre Richards is the one that prepared the case and he only presented it to the court and served the summons." Josianne Fleming Artsen told the court that they gave Maitre Richards an opportunity to correct the wrong he had done by informing him that he should make a public apology and to pay the fines and court cost. Fleming-Artsen said that Maitre Richards refused to do that and right now it's not about the monies they each lost, but it is more a matter of principle. "Our names and character have been assassinated by Maitre Richards and we are asking this court to find Maitre Richards guilty for the malicious act he committed against us to benefit his brother who is a known for plagiarizing other people's work. On April 1, 2012, Alex Richards plagiarized the political speech from the Prime Minister of Berkina Faso, Luc Adolphe Tiao and gave it to the President of the COM Alain Richardson."

The women via their lawyer Maitre RIOUAL.ROSIER asked the court to award them damages for the damage caused to their character as elected persons and to also award them damages for the fraud committed against them. Rosier asked the court to award each of her clients Euros 35,000 for damages, repay them the fines they paid to the tune of Euros 6,000.00 and Euros 4,500.00 for expenses they endured.
Representing the Office du Tourisme was Maitre Stephen Montravers. Montravers told the court that the sacred trust entrusted to lawyers by the bar was breached when Maitre Richards used one of his colleagues to present falsified documents and information to the court to protect his family's personal interest. "The first person that was betrayed was Maitre Foy because as colleagues we trust each other." Montravers further argued that the women in this court also suffered and their trust was abused by Maitre Richards
Maitre Montravers explained the history of the Tourist Office scandal which involved the board members who were duped by Maitre Richards when he used their names to summons the Tourist Office to court. He further explained that on December 18, 2006 the board of the Tourist Office took several decisions and had it been overturned it would have affected the island negatively and the island's only source of economy which is tourism. He asked the court to condemn Maitre Richards to pay the financial loss endured by the Tourist Office to the tune of € 30,000 for financial loss. Condemn Maitre Richards to pay an equal sum of € 30,000 for moral damages and to also condemn Maitre Richards to pay the Tourist Office the sum of €15,000 under the criminal court's law. The court will render its decision on June 15th 2012.

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The Prime Minister of St. Maarten the Honorable Sarah Wescot-Williams joined high level Political Representatives of ten Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT's) who convened on April 26th in Curacao in order to establish a regional OCT Council for the Caribbean region. The Prime Minister joined in signing the MOU for the establishment of the Caribbean Overseas Countries and Territories Council whose aim it is to work on a joint agenda for sustainable development and a roadmap to establish a Caribbean Agenda with respect to the new Agreement of the Overseas Countries and Territories currently being prepared by the EU and which should go into effect on January 1st 2014. The Council also aims to enhance the relationship of the Caribbean OCT's with the European Union and ensure that the needs and interests of OCT's in the Caribbean are incorporated. During the discussions all participants embraced the concept of sustainable development as their starting point. Specific areas for cooperation which were identified were cooperation within different constitutional frameworks, transportation and logistics, capacity building and sharing, waste management, climate change, renewable energy, disaster management, strategic development within a sustainable framework within small countries or territories, the relationship with the EU, sustainable leadership in the Caribbean and the development of Public-Private-Partnerships. "The presentation on sustainable development early in the day set the tone for the many topics tabled later in the meeting, as these are all interconnected", commented the Prime Minister. On each topic specific working groups have been initiated and will present a Working Plan by September 1st. St. Maarten will support various working groups including the chairing of the constitutional cooperation working group as well as supporting disaster management and sustainable development leadership in the Caribbean. "The choice for St. Maarten to chair the cooperation between OCTs and UPTs was a logical one given our dual island, yet we have a vested interest in most of the other topics as well and will provide input in coming to joint positions on these matters", continued the Prime Minister. The COCT Council will meet again on September 23 prior to the next EU-OCT Forum. Curacao was elected as chair for the Caribbean OCT's Council while the Cayman Islands will act as Vice Chair and the British Virgin Islands will hold the secretariat for the Council. It was recommended during the meeting to have St. Maarten serve as vice chair for 2012/13 and if this is accepted by the OCTA the chairmanship the following year will rest with St. Maarten. The Prime Minister ended by stating that the meeting was quite productive and that Curacao was a gracious host.

Fort Willem:--- Six persons who have contributed greatly to the community of St. Maarten were decorated with Royal Decorations by Governor Eugene Holiday on Friday at the Fort Willem historical site. The six persons decorated on Friday were chosen by the Royal Decoration Advisory Committee (RODAC). Isidore Sosthene Hilarion York (Mighty Dow) was decorated Knight in the order of Orange Nassau for his contributions to the community in the steel pan music industry. Dow has been recognized many times before and made it to the Guardian honor roll. He received the golden award from the Carimusic corporation in Miami for the St. Maarten Rumba.
Mrs. Gargidevie Asha Stevens Mohabir was decorated Member in the order of Oranje of Nassau for assisting in establishing a Christian School on St. Maarten. Her dreams kicked off when the Christian Hillside School was established and classes were being kept in the churches on the island.
Suzette Burton Moses was decorated Member of the Order of Oranje Nassau for her commitment and hard work as a civil servant in promoting and implementing the St. Maarten Strategic HIV/AIDS plan and putting St. Maarten on the regional and international map as one of the forerunners of HIV/AIDS prevention initiatives.
Stella Elstak Simmons was decorated Member in the Order of Oranje Nassau for assisting young children in learning to read. Stella, is one the island's reading specialists at the Sister Magda Primary School. Another reading specialist who dedicated her time at the Philipsburg Jubilee Library to assist young children in learning to read is Mrs. Duane Vesta Richardson who was also decorated Member in the Order of Oranje of Nassau. Soraida Ersilia- Isabbella was decorated Member in the Order of Oranje Nassau for her contributions to the St. Maarten community by providing swimming lessons and coaching youngsters from 7 to 17. She was the coordinator for the interscholastic swim meet of the Netherlands Antilles.
Below is Governor Eugene Holiday's address to the honorees and invited guests which was held on Friday evening in commemoration of the Queen's Birthday. Friday was also the birthday of Crown Prince Willem Alexander the first Grandson of her Majesty Queen Beatrix.

 

 

Esteemed Guests,

Good evening and welcome to this Queens Birthday celebration in honor of Her Majesty Queen Beatrix at this historic location Fort Amsterdam. The choice of location to celebrate Queen's Birthday is intended to highlight the historic ties with the royal family through the awarding of royal decorations to several of our citizens.
This location has been chosen because of its beautiful scenic view, because of its historic significance and because of what it teaches us about the importance of Heritage Preservation, with a view of sharing with and passing on to future generations. Hence the theme of this evening celebration: Share time and knowledge for a sustainable community. This choice of location is because we can, with a view of the sustainability of our community, never highlight our historic heritage enough. Persons who share their time and knowledge towards the preservation and strengthening of the cultural, physical, or mental health of our people are valuable assets in our community, who are to be commended.
Ladies and gentlemen, it is in recognition of such persons' outstanding service to the community, that they are placed in the spotlight every year by bestowing on them the honor of a Royal Decoration. This evening we shall highlight the contributions and achievements of the persons who have been selected to receive Royal Decorations. Yes and what better time to do so than during this evening's event organized each year to Celebrate Queen's Birthday ahead of its actual observance date of April 30th. A celebration which is held throughout the Kingdom of the Netherlands underscoring Her Majesty's status as the symbol and personification of unity within the Kingdom. This evening's celebration is an expression of our appreciation for Her Majesty Queen Beatrix. Noteworthy is that today is the birthday of Crown Prince Willem Alexander. As such we have double reason to highlight the historic ties of our community with the Royal Family through the granting of Royal Decorations this evening.
The six persons who have been singled out to be awarded a Royal Decoration, have distinguished themselves in fields ranging from music, education, health care, youth development, sports and scouting. Within the variety of fields in which they standout there is one common denominator. They all through education, through sharing their knowledge, have dedicated a significant part of their life and talents towards working on the improvement and development of the lives of others. Such dedication and selflessness is critical for the development of St. Maarten and serves as an example for all of us. Persons like these individuals who selflessly volunteer their time and contribute to our community and in particular to the broad educational – that is the cultural, mental and physical – development of the youth and people of St. Maarten, are important because they help to form a stronger, more sustainable community. I therefore extend my appreciation to each of the persons who in a few minutes will receive a Royal Decoration for their exemplary service to our community.
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is an honor and special distinction to be awarded a Royal Decoration and I thus hereby, in closing, take this opportunity - to in advance - convey my congratulations to each of the honorees individually and to their family and friends.
Thus as we continue the tradition of Celebrating Queen's Birthday I wish you an enjoyable evening.

Thank you.

Click here to view more photos of the Royal Decoration Celebration on Friday at Fort Willem.

Marigot:--- The twenty three member territorial council of St. Martin that was elected on March 25th at the end of the second round of the Territorial Council election was officially installed on Sunday where Alain Richardson the leader of the RRR was elected President for the next five years unanimously.
The RRR nominated their party leader Alain Richardson for the post of President while the six members of Team Daniel Gibbs voted in favor of Richardson being the President of the 23-member council as they chose to respect the wishes of the voters. It should be noted that Guillaume Arnel was off island on family business but he left his proxy vote for the installation ceremony. President Alain Richardson voted for second vice president Guillaume Arnel.
Members of the executive council were also established on Sunday. They are President Alain Richardson, first vice president Aline Hanson, second vice president Guillaume Arnel, third vice president Ramona Conner, fourth vice president Wendell Cocks with members Rosette Gumbs-Lake and Daniel Gibbs.
Shortly after the installation of the council, President Alain Richardson gave his general address on how he intends to govern St. Martin for the next five years. President Richardson called on the people to have patience and most importantly to unite and roll up their sleeves as they work on building St. Martin together.
The first territorial council meeting was also held on Sunday where the 23 member council voted on two deliberations. The first was to give the President his signing power while 10 million Euros were voted for the operations of the Collectivity for the first year. The annual budget for the Collectivity's operations including salaries will be voted upon on an annual basis.
A large crowd of people including dignitaries from Anguilla and the Dutch side of the island attended the ceremony. However, St. Martin's senator Louis Constant Fleming and the state representative Prefet Philippe Chopin did not attend.
Members of the Parliament of St. Maarten from the United Peoples Party, the National Alliance along with Independent Members Frans Richardson and Patrick Illidge were among the Members of the Council of Ministers at the ceremony. Governor Eugene Holiday and first lady Marie Louisa also attended the swearing in ceremony and the first territorial council meeting.
Invocation was done by the superintendent of the Methodist Church Steve Brooks, with songs done by Don Froston. A special song for the council was done by the President's brother Addy Richardson and his daughter Sharissa. At the end of the official ceremony, the President and members of the Council gathered in the garden of the Collectivity where the official toast was conducted.

Click here to view more photos of the installation of the 23 member Territorial Council.

Philipsburg:--- The Members of Parliament representing the National Alliance and Independent Member of Parliament Frans Richardson told reporters on Monday that the draft amendment to the Civil Code which was sent to the Council of Advice is now ready and it was submitted to the Chairlady of Parliament so that a central committee meeting can be called to discuss the draft amendment to the civil code which would help curb the abuse of the short term labour contracts.
Leader of the National Alliance William Marlin said some changes had to be made to the first draft that was submitted to the council of advice and now the final draft amendment to the civil code is ready to be discussed in a central committee meeting before the public debate on the floor of parliament takes place.
Marlin said when the draft amendment is passed into law it will not take effect immediately. He said the Minister of Labour would have to publish a list of jobs that fall under the draft amendment of the civil code and employers would have to get permission to hire people on a short term basis for jobs that are on the list. Marlin said cashiers for casinos, supermarkets and slot attendants are some of the jobs that would be on the list created by the Minister of Labor. He said while these jobs are listed, employers who want to employ someone for a job on that list on a short term basis would have to discuss their reasons with the Minister of Labour before he/she is granted permission. Marlin explained that too many persons living on St. Maarten are being negatively affected by the short term labor contracts. He said workers on these so called short term contracts are not able to secure loans from the bank and they are not able to get a low income house from the St. Maarten Housing Development Foundation.

Marigot:--- President of the Collectivity of St. Martin Alain Richardson announced on Tuesday that the Collectivity of St. Martin would need a minimum of 30 million Euros (fresh cash) to be able to pay for the operations of the COM for the year 2012. These monies he said has to be found because the salaries for the Collectivity's workers are not guaranteed. President Richardson also announced that an audit of the Collectivity's financing is currently underway, while one of the local banks has denied the Collectivity's request for a loan of 10 million Euros. President Richardson said he received the letter from the bank on Tuesday morning which is in the negative. Furthermore, President Richardson said that he already met with Prefet Phillipe Chopin on April 3, 2012 where he addressed the financial situation of the COM and this week he will be meeting with Prefet of Guadeloupe Amaury de Saint-Quentin to further discuss St. Martin's financial situation. President Richardson said that is the hard reality the people of St. Martin has to know, that the COM is more than broke and this is where the RRR priority lies. President Richardson said when he took office a week ago and he was confronted with the financial situation of the COM it was not a shock to him or those persons that were part of the Territorial Council from 2007 to 2012. However, he explained that the time for short term solutions is over and it's time for elected officials to find long term solutions which would address the financial situation of the COM. President Richardson said he does not wish to be a President that has to try and cut corners every week or month to seek funding for the payroll. "Short term solutions can no longer be applied and we need to find long term and durable solutions for the COM's predicaments."
SMN News learnt that the Collectivity does not even have monies in the treasury to pay the salaries of the COM workers at the end of April. The vice presidents present during the press briefing told SMN News that the COM would need a minimum of 30 million to pay its monthly bills but that figure can double or triple when the audit is complete. They said that the Prefet already took certain decisions for the COM but the Prefet in Guadeloupe has to sanction those decisions later this week. Sources close to the COM said that the RRR team inherited debts upon debts when they took office a week ago. SMN News further learnt that the State of France conducted a study prior to the Territorial Election to determine St. Martin's financial status and that study showed that St. Martin would need 35 million Euros to survive this year.
One source said that while the President has to find monies to pay the civil servants he also will be faced with the bills from various contractors that conducted work for the COM shortly before the March Territorial Elections. "One such bill that has to be paid is the road work bill that was done throughout the French side shortly before the March 2012 Territorial Elections."
When asked by SMN News what sort of solutions the RRR government has in mind to address the financial predicament of the COM, President Richardson said the portfolios of the Vice Presidents were only now distributed and the budget of the COM will be discussed on April 26, 2012.
In the meantime, the portfolios for the Vice Presidents have been distributed. First Vice President Aline Hanson will be handling Pole Development Humane (Human Resources and Education, Sport and Culture.) She will be assisted by Territorial Councilors Josianne Carty, Alain Desormeaux, Catherine Questel, and Nadine Paines Jermin. Second Vice President Guillaume Arnel will be in charge of Pole Development Durable (Sustainable Development), he will be assisted by Rene Jean Duret, Louis Fleming, and Jean David Richardson. Third vice President Ramona Conner will be in charge of Social Affairs (Solidaire Famile), she will be assisted by Valerie Fonrose, Mr. Jose Vilier, and Anteroux Santos. While fourth President Wendell Cocks and President Richardson will be in charge of Pole Development Economic and Finance (Economic Development and Finance) they will be assisted by Jan Vanterpool.
The President said a study is currently taking place and when that study is complete the recommendations will be added. He clearly explained that his team has work ahead of them and they are not afraid of the work.

Philipsburg:--- Several workers of Simpson Bay Resort Management Company (SBRMC) along with their union representative from the Workers Institute for Organized Labour (WIFOL) Theophillus Thompson went to the SBRMC Human Resources Department on Thursday to receive their pay checks since the Court of First Instance ruled on April 2nd, 2012 that the SBRMC must comply with the Collective Labour Agreement that is currently existing and pay its workers. Thompson said that since Thursday was pay day he accompanied his members to make sure the employer abides by the court's decision.
An employee at the SBRMC Human Resources Department informed the WIFOL President and its members that she did not have any paychecks for them and she did not know if and when they will be paid by SBRMC.
The SBRMC workers who have not received any salaries since last year then went to Parliament House to confront Member of Parliament Jules James who is also the General Manager of SBRMC.
When the workers arrived outside of Parliament the security guard informed them that he did not know if they could go inside Parliament House while a public meeting of the Central Committee was taking place. Moments later, Member of Parliament William Marlin came downstairs and met the workers and informed them that the meeting was a public meeting and they could attend the meeting if they remained peaceful.
The workers then went upstairs and stood in the lobby as they waited for the General Manager of SBRMC Jules James to approach them and inform them when they were going to be paid. While Member of Parliament Louis Laviest approached the workers, Member of Parliament Jules James remained in his seat for about forty five minutes before he left the Parliament house, rushed to the Government Administration Building parking lot, and drove away at high speed leaving the angry SBRMC workers. Thompson and the workers then tried to meet with the Minister of Labour Cornelius de Weever at the Government Administration Building but they were informed that Minister de Weever was not in office at the time.
It should be noted that during Member of Parliament Jules James' escape, he ran to his vehicle which was parked at the Government Administration parking lot and reversed his vehicle through the one way entrance as he sped out. MP James almost ran over an SMN News reporter who was at the entrance of the parking lot taking photos of the workers and the Member of Parliament as he was escaping from the SBRMC employees.
The distraught workers told SMN News that they had no intention to cause trouble or to commit any violent act against the SBRMC General Manager. The workers said they need their General Manger to tell them exactly when he will respect the decision of the court. They further explained that Member of Parliament Jules James is a lawmaker and he should lead by example. The workers said that it's been two years they are struggling with their job and employer. One of the workers said they are losing patience with the SBRMC. The employee said they need to pay their bills and they also have children to feed. He made clear that Member of Parliament Jules James has two salaries while he is a business owner that is collecting monies daily. "I want to know what type of Government we have, is this how government treats working and poorer people. This is lawlessness in government and we need to protest against it."
President of the WIFOL Theophillus Thompson said that he has informed the WIFOL attorneys Maarten Le Poole and Wim van Sambeek at HBN Law of what happened on Thursday. Thompson further explained that the SBRMC did not file an appeal instead they filed a request to the court to block the implementation of the recent court decision. Thompson said that case will be heard on Friday April 13th, 2012.

Click here to view more photos of SBRMC workers seeking their salaries on Thursday.

Philipsburg:--- Chairlady of Parliament Gracita Arrindell was fully exposed on Thursday during a central committee meeting when she tried to have Parliament approve the expenses she endured when she traveled to Washington DC to meet with US Vice President Joe Biden.
The National Alliance faction and Independent Member of Parliament Frans Richardson voted against the approval of the trip which the Chairlady took last weekend without having Parliament's approval. Members of the United Peoples Party Faction voted in favor of the trip but their coalition partners from the Democratic Party were not present in Parliament to give the UP members their support.
Leader of the National Alliance William Marlin and Independent Member of Parliament Frans Richardson said they have been asking the Chairlady to follow proper procedures as is laid down in the ordinance that regulates travel and travel allowances for Members of Parliament.
Marlin said the constitution of St. Maarten states in article 58 that travel and travel allowances must be regulated in an ordinance, while article two of that ordinance states that Members of Parliament must travel first class while they receive Naf 500.00 per month for transportation. Article four of the same ordinance further states that when Members of Parliament travel on a business trip they are to be compensated for the expenses they endured and a decision must be taken in a central committee meeting by majority vote. It should be noted that the Chairlady has to also inform the Governor of St. Maarten each time a Member of Parliament travels on business trips.
Marlin said that Chairlady Gracita Arrindell seems to think that she is above those laws and rules because according to her she is the Chairlady of Parliament and not a Member of Parliament. Marlin said the National Alliance faction requested from the Minister of Finance a breakdown of the traveling expenses endured by Members of Parliament because Parliament did not approve most of the trips taken by the Members of Parliament. Marlin said that while the Minister of Finance submitted their request to the Chairlady of Parliament she purposely withheld the information claiming that some of the trips were cancelled. Marlin said if the trips are still booked at the Ministry of Finance then there are Members of Parliament who probably kept their traveling monies and the tickets were not reimbursed by the airlines. Marlin further stated that the Chairlady wants to tamper with the information provided to her by the Ministry of Finance and that should not be allowed. Marlin insisted that he wants the information that was provided by the Minister of Finance for Members of Parliament the way it was given and if corrections have to be made then it will be done by the Ministry of Finance and not by the Chairlady of Parliament. A source within the Ministry of Finance said that the Chairlady racked up $100,000.00 in traveling expenses for the year 2011 and if she is not stopped now she will double that amount in 2012.
Member of Parliament Silvia Olivacci Meyers said that when she was notified that she could not travel to a Palatino meeting to Aruba because proper procedures were not followed, she returned her ticket and the check given to her as traveling allowances to the Ministry of Finance. Meyers said when she took office she was not fully aware of all the laws but she is learning by the day. However, she felt it was not nice of the Members of Parliament to bring anyone's dirty laundry on the floor of Parliament or to the Central Committee meeting. Marlin quickly reacted by stating that he did not hang out anyone's dirty linens because he has been indicating to the chair on a number of occasions that she is not following proper procedures. Marlin further explained that he did not request the meeting to discuss the chairlady's traveling expenses instead it is the chairlady who placed it on the agenda for Thursday's central committee meeting. He said the chair wants Members of Parliament to approve the expenses of a business trip she already took. Marlin said the chair wants Parliament to vote on something retroactively, yet she did not provide all the necessary information. Member of Parliament George Pantophlet however made clear that the money that is spent by Members of Parliament is the people's patrimony and they have a right to know what is happening.
SMN News learnt that while the chairlady is receiving Naf. 500.00 monthly for transportation allowance she is using a car that is provided by Parliament and her gasoline is paid for by government bonds.

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- On Monday afternoon members of the HIV/Aids Steering Committee (SC-HIV/Aids) met with the HIV/AIDS Programme Management Team at the Prime Minister's Office to discuss and make decisions on the final End of Project Evaluation Report for the HIV Programme 2007-2011.

The group also discussed the revised HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan 2012-2016 and the HIV/AIDS Work Plan 2012. Also being discussed was the plan of action for the Committees priorities for 2012 and the re-appointment of members to the HIV/AIDS Coordinating team as well as the Steering Committee for the next strategic planning cycle 2012-2016.

Prime Minister Hon. Sarah Wescot-Williams who chaired the meeting stated on Tuesday that the discussions were all in the context of government's commitment to curb the HIV/AIDS epidemic and its consequences for our society.

"Much focus in being placed on the multi-sectoral approach, as the impact of this disease on our island goes beyond the health sector. The Minister of Labor, Health and Social Development is Vice Chair of the SC-HIV/Aids," Prime Minister Hon. Sarah Wescott-Williams said on Tuesday.

Philipsburg:--- SEI Project Manager Nikima Groeneveldt-Hickenson, signed two partnership agreements on Wednesday at the A.C. Wathey Legislative Hall on Wednesday in the presence of the Minister of Labour Cornelius de Weever, Secretary General Joireen Wuite, and Head of the Labour Department Peggy Ann Dros. The partnership agreements were signed with Raj Lala of Ballerina Jewelers, and Adesh Baharani of Joe's Jewelry. Hickenson told reporters on Wednesday that the SEI project was launched late 2011 and it focuses on job training for the unemployable and providing sustainable jobs for persons on welfare.
Hickenson said employability through training caters to Dutch nationals that are between the ages of 18 to 55. The focus she said is to provide theoretical and practical training to persons in various industries for the unskilled persons seeking employment. The six month program has been divided into four phases with assessment being first then training. Hickenson said the assessment phase has just been completed and they have 31 persons who they will be working with now out of the 250 persons participating comprising of five males and twenty six females between the ages of 18 and 55.

Philipsburg:-- A high day robbery in the vicinity of Chesterfields Restaurant on Sunday has left a crew member from Costa Luminosa with a broken hand. Reliable information reaching SMN News identified the victim as Daniela Mihaela from Romania, a musician on board the cruise ship. SMN News learnt that the robbers grabbed the tourist's handbag and she fell down and broke her arm.The victim has been transported to the St. Maarten Medical Center for treatment by Ambulance.
SMN News managed to get the confirmation from the police about the incident but no details have been released. According to police sources, police are busy searching for the suspects.

Philipsburg:--- The former Pelican workers who are out of work over a year now got another victory in the Court of First Instance on Monday when the court ruled once again in their favor. A number of the workers who have been fighting the battle through their union Workers Institute for Organized Labour (WIFOL) with the owners of Simpson Bay Resort Management Company emerged from the Court of Instance screaming for joy. Several of them were seen hugging the lawyers from HBN law firm Maarten Le Poole and Wim van Sambeek as they thanked them for their hard work and perseverance.
Attorney at Law Maarten Le Poole said that they presented a case on the merits which allowed the WIFOL and its members to present all the facts regarding the case. Le Poole said that the judge ordered SBRMC to honor the Collective Labour Agreement that was in place prior to the auction. The workers are entitled to their salaries, vacation pay, and all other benefits. The judge also ordered the workers to go back to work since the new owners of Pelican Resort; SBRMC could not fire them based on the CLA that was in place.
Monday's ruling was the third time workers of Pelican got a victory in the lower court, two of which was overturned by the Appeals Court based on what the lawyers of HBN law describes as a legal blunder. Attorney at law Wim Van Sambeek told SMN News that the first two cases were summary proceedings where they asked the judge to make an order but the last case he said is completely different.
Attorney at law Maarten Le Poole also urged the workers to hold their emotions for a while. "I know you all have been going through a lot but while you have a stronger victory this case might be far from over. Based on the history of this case, we cannot rule out an appeal. I would like for the SBRMC to stop the legal fight and honor the CLA but that is something we would have to wait and see."
President of the WIFOL Theophillius Thompson said he is overjoyed at the victory on Monday and he is calling on the company to stop the legal fight. "It's time for the company and the union to show some maturity and get around the table. I am informing them now that I am willing to talk and I would like to negotiate a new Collective Labour Agreement for my members." Thompson said the victory on Monday can be considered a victory for all workers on St. Maarten.

Click here to view the decision that was pronounced in the Court of First Instance on Monday in favor of the Pelican Workers.

Click here to view more photos of the elated workers of the former Pelican Resort at the Court House on Monday.

GREAT BAY (DCOMM):--- The application process for Mobility Passes for the 2012 Hurricane Season which starts from June 1 to November 30, starts as of April 18 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 23 to present all relevant information related to the process of requesting a Mobility Pass.

For the 2012 season, the application form as well as information sheet can be downloaded from the Fire Department's website www.brandweersxm.net under the tab link "Hurricane Information" followed by the "Hurricane Passes" tab.

Passes are issued to the following categories: government personnel, personnel of essential companies or organizations, (sub) contractors for the Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI), 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 Disaster Management is handling the application process for the passes on behalf of the Prime Minister.

The hurricane mobility pass system is a mechanism to maintain public order during emergency situations. The Prime Minister 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 Prime Minister will ensure that the curfew is limited to the essential time that is needed to execute emergency and disaster relief and recovery efforts.

The application form has to be completed and submitted to the offices of the Fire Department & Disaster Management, to the attention of the secretary located at Jackal Road 5, Cay Hill before May 23, 2012, with all necessary documents attached.

Applicants will be informed by email or telephone when to pick up the pass at the aforementioned address between office hours, Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM.

Philipsburg:--- Stephens McCauley known to all on St. Maarten as King Jacko is scheduled to release another Calypso CD this Friday. King Jacko said his new CD is for the carnival season 2012. Calypso lovers are asked to patronize the King as he will be selling his CD as of Friday for a mere $10 per CD.
The CD has 17 songs both from the present and past. Jacko said the cover for his new CD was designed by one of St. Maarten's best, Drena Lopes. The King of Calypso music said that he compiled the CD here on St. Maarten and his songs were done by him at his castle in Pointe Blanche. "Because I did everything myself here at home I am able to sell my CD a bit cheaper. This new CD is for carnival 2012 and I urge the community to get one of the CDs so that they can enjoy carnival to the fullest."

Philipsburg:--- Students attending the St. Joseph Primary School and workers of the Chamber of Commerce were faced with another day of stench from raw sewage that was overflowing in the area on Monday. Workers of the school and Chamber of Commerce said that they filed several complaints at the Health Department asking that they intervene to stop the flow of constant raw sewage in the area but no one from the department seems to care. According to personnel of the St. Joseph Primary School, the raw sewage is overflowing from a building adjacent to the school. This building they said houses a lot of apartments and businesses.
On Monday, everyone walking through Back Street and in close proximity of the raw sewage had to be covering their noses. One woman told SMN News that the place is just stink and Government Inspectors seems to be sleeping when it comes to the sewage overflow on St. Maarten. "We are calling on the Minister of Health Cornelius De Weever to come over and see what the students and teachers of St. Joseph School have to endure. We know the Minister can't do everything by himself but he needs to make sure our children are safe."